“This series kickoff…reveals just enough about ancillary characters to suggest untapped opportunities while fleshing out solid backgrounds to make a cozy cozy.” ~ Kirkus Reviews, starred review And it’s impossible not to fall in love with Robo.” ~ Publishers Weekly, starred review You’ll want to learn more about all of them as the series continues.“Winning heroine…strong debut…a realistic view of how a K-9 team works, treating Robo as an important character, but never stooping to anthropomorphism. Enjoyed all the other characters as well. Highly recommended! Loved the interaction between Robo and Mattie.

It was hard to stop listening! You can listen to a sample here. Narrated by Nancy Wu, she managed the various voices well, and the tenor of the excitement. I thoroughly enjoyed the audio version from Audible. It will be a pleasure to watch Mattie and Robo grow as a team as well. Stalking Ground, the second book in the series, is already available, released in September of 2016. I found several little clues in the book that we might see in future books. You will find a number of suspects, all who seem guilty of something. Of course, it’s hard not to connect with the dogs included. It makes for connections that draw you further into the story. The author covers them well without weighing the reader down. The characters are strong and well developed, each with their own issues from the past. She will have to build confidence in herself and in Robo before she will have the trust to make a solid team. For Robo, he is on the job, anxious to work, well trained at every task. It’s a study in building trust between partners, whether man or dog. Learning what is behind her death is Mattie’s assignment. Who would kill the popular girl? In the small town of Timber Creek, they are bound to know the killer. The close community relationships, the interaction, add the drama and concern. Before she can decide if her dog mis-cued, they find a growling, bleeding Bernese Mountain dog digging furiously in the ground.Ī young girl killed, an injured and very ill dog, a dog breeder-and all his dogs-gone…For a low crime area, it is unexpected and horrific. Robb tracks quickly, but to another dog rather than evidence. Mattie and Robo are called to a remote area outside of town. The first book in the series, Killing Trail, is off to a great start. Add in the beautiful setting of Colorado, and it’s irresistible. Robo is a German shepherd, the first canine officer in the small town. Mattie is the only female officer on the Timber Creek force. Anyone who enjoys reading a book that includes trained police or military dogs will enjoy the new Timber Creek K9 mystery series by Margaret Mizushima.įeatured are Officer Mattie Cobb, and her new partner, Robo.

Killing trail margaret mizushima