November 2019 Top Pick, Library ReadsFinalist, Colorado Book Awards, MysteryFinalist, Willa Literary Award by Women Writing the West, Contemporary FictionTwo brutal murders, a menacing band of poachers, and a fearsome creature on the loose in the mountains plunge Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo into a sinister vortex.An explosion outside a community dance sends Mattie Cobb and Cole Walker … vortex.
An explosion outside a community dance sends Mattie Cobb and Cole Walker reeling into the night, where they discover a burning van and beside it the body of outfitter Nate Fletcher. But the explosion didn’t kill Nate–it was two gunshots to the heart.
The investigation leads them to the home of rancher Doyle Redman, whose daughter is Nate’s widow, and the object of one of their suspect’s affection. But before they can make an arrest, they receive an emergency call from a man who’s been shot in the mountains. Mattie and Robo rush to the scene, only to be confronted by the ominous growl of a wild predator.
As new players emerge on the scene, Mattie begins to understand the true danger that’s enveloping Timber Creek. They journey into the cold, misty mountains to track the animal–but discover something even more deadly in Tracking Game, the fifth installment in Margaret Mizushima’s Timber Creek K-9 mysteries.
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Margaret Mizushima just keeps getting better and better. Her protagonist is a very gutsy, professional female deputy sheriff K-9 officer. Mizushima clearly knows how an officer works with a trained canine–that knowledge and her love for dogs shows in every scene.
TRACKING GAME by Margaret Mizushima is the most enjoyable police procedural that I have read lately. It is set in and around a small town in the mountains of Colorado.
While this is the fifth book in the series and there are references to events and people that were in previous ones, the novel still worked well as a standalone. In this one Deputy Mattie Cobb and her veterinarian boyfriend Cole Walker are at a community dance when they hear an explosion. Upon reaching the explosion site, they find a burning van, the body of outfitter Nate Fletcher.
Mattie and her K-9 partner Robo and the other members of the sheriff’s department begin an investigation that has a lot of twists and turns, some red herrings and a dangerous wild predator. The characters are appealing and the writing is compelling, engaging and entertaining. The plot is clever, intriguing and very realistic.
I was immediately drawn into the investigation and the lives of Mattie, Robo, Cole and many of the other residents of Timber Creek, Colorado. I felt I had found some new friends. Additionally, I learned a lot about a police K-9 unit and how they are trained and operate. It seemed very realistic and believable. I also believe the fact that the author and her husband run a veterinary clinic and live on a small ranch in Colorado helped with the visualization of the area.
This is a new author for me and I can’t wait to read other books in this series. If you are a dog lover or just enjoy an engaging and suspenseful mystery, I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books, Margaret Mizushima and Net Galley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
While most people are at a community dance, there’s an explosion that rocks the town. Mattie and Cole head out to see what happened and they discover a burning van. The body of local outfitter, Nate Fletcher, is pulled from the van but it’s not the explosion that killed him. Instead, he was shot twice in the chest. The investigation becomes a bit complicated and takes some wild turns before all is said and done.
I have really been enjoying this series and I loved this book which is a great addition to the series. I was drawn in from the beginning and kept entranced until the end. It was well-written with well-rounded characters and will keep you on your toes. I’m looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order to get the most out of it.
K-9 Deputy Mattie Cobb and veterinarian Cole Walker are attending the Celebration of Summer dance at the local community center in Timber Creek and have just stepped outside for a breath of fresh air when the emergency siren goes off. Then BOOM! There is an explosion to the west of them. Mattie calls in to the sheriff’s station where the night dispatcher explains there is a burning vehicle that was called in. Upon arrival at the scene they see three people in the ditch alongside the road. One is lying near the burning van and Mattie heads to check out that person while Cole goes to check out the other two people. Turns out Mattie went right to what she discovers is a murder scene. Seems the dead man has two bullet holes to the chest. The town of Timber Creek has a muderer on the loose. It just so happens there is much more to this murder and events swiftly escalate. Mattie and her German Shepard partner Robo are on the job though so the town has their heroes working to solve the mystery.
Tracking Game by Margaret Mizushima is the fifth book in her Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series. This author once again has written a tense, suspenseful mystery story that will keep the reader turning the pages until the very end. The storyline flows well and the pace is just right. I loved reading about the progress of Mattie and Cole’s relationship. From previous books in the series it is obvious that Mattie has some issues to deal with from her childhood. I believe Cole will be just what she needs in her life. I loved this story and look forward to the next book in the series.
This whole series will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you coming back for more. Not to be missed!
I love books were a K9 helps solve the mystery. Add a little romance and likeable characters and I can’t wait to read it. Tracking Game had everything I wanted.
Mattie and her K9 partner, Robo, were called to investigate a van that had exploded, containing the body of a local outfitter. When another local man was killed, the list of suspects grew. In addition to the dead bodies, there was a dangerous wild animal on the loose. This team sure had their work cut out for them with this case.
I liked how the author explained the skills the K9 had and how he could do so much more than humans when it came to tracking. You can see how much Mattie and Robo depended on each other. They were partners who respected and trusted each other.
Mystery fans will enjoy this fast-moving story with its many twists.
I was given this book in consideration of my honest thoughts.
Dogs and mysteries – what’s not to like?
This is the fifth book in author Mizushima’s Timber Creek K9 series. It’s not my favorite (that’s probably STALKING GROUND) but still is an excellent mystery and romance.
Deputy Mattie Cobb with her K9 Robo are front and center again in this installment of stories in and around the small town of Timber Creek, Colorado. Her romance with veterinarian Cole Walker heats up in this book but there’s still a lot of serious action in the story.
Mattie and Cole are at a town dance when they hear an explosion. They head out and find a van on fire and a man that was shot to death.
There are all kinds of twists in this story and it kept me guessing up to the end. I like Mizushima’s style of writing and I loved all the canine characters.
I received this book from Crooked Lane Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
Tracking Game by Margaret Mizushima
Timber Creek K-9 Mystery #5
Note to self: Do not request books in a series when you have not read the earlier books. Sure, I was able to read and understand and enjoy the story for the police procedural elements and root for finding the bad guy(s) but I didn’t have the connection to Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo that I would have had if I had begun with book one and read all four books that came before this one. I would have been there for the relationship development between Mattie and Veterinarian Cole Walker and that would have made this book no doubt even better as they move closer to one another. I would know more about the people she works with, too. I found myself skimming to find things out and moving ahead perhaps because I didn’t have the backstory I needed. I guess what I am saying is that I enjoyed this book but would have enjoyed it more if I had read the first books in the series…first.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Probably not unless I can read books 1-4 first
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
Officer Mattie Cob and her K-9 partner Robo are back investigating the murder of Nate Fletcher. Everyone knows everyone in the small town of Timber Creek, Colorado…why would anyone want to shoot Nate who runs an outfitter business taking clients on fishing trips? Mattie is still coming to terms with her childhood trauma and her feelings for Cole Walker, divorced father of two girls and town veterinarian. When another body is found, shot with the same caliber and attacked by an unknown large animal, the hunt is on for the killer and the animal. Mattie will have to rely on Robo and her knowledge of the mountains to catch the killer. Was Nate’s business more than just about fishing? Was his need for money causing him to take risks that got him killed? Another suspenseful adventure with Mattie and her team taking on a killer and the rugged terrain before another life is lost. I have read and enjoyed the entire Mattie Cobb series and eagerly look forward to the next one. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
K-9, law-enforcement, veterinarian, murder-investigation, relationship-issues, procedural
Predators on two feet or four are on notice when the sheriff’s department K-9 is on the job with his human partner. The human has the more difficult task: interviewing everyone connected with the dead man and digging for the reason, viable suspects, and hard evidence. The characters are all interesting and the mystery is not easily solved, but it’s certainly worth the read. The publisher’s blurb is a good start and no spoilers here. I certainly enjoyed it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I can’t help thinking about that song lyrics that says, “if you go down in the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise “. What a twist, being on a manhunt may mean being hunted in return. Well written, characters are true to form and emotions come through. I like a book like this that puts me in the saddle, of just watching the action.
Tracking Game, (Timber Creek K-9 Mystery #5) by author Margaret Mizushima is a suspenseful mystery with two of my favorite deputies, Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner, Robo! A Saturday night dance is interrupted by the calls for the police and firefighters in the town of Timber Creek, Colorado. When Mattie arrives on the scene she notices the driver of the van, Nate Fletcher has bled-out from gunshot wounds even though his van is on fire. As the volunteers and response teams deal with the van and transport Nate’s body, Mattie takes Robo into the perimeter of the scene in hopes of finding clues as to the shooter. The story gets more intense as the relationship between Mattie and Cole develops amid the mysterious hunt for a huge cat in the mountains. The motive for the murder of Nate Fletcher becomes more clear as Mattie and Robo go further into the wilds searching for killers and an endangered wild beast which should have never been in those mountains!
I have enjoyed this series very much. It was so sad in a previous book when Mattie’s brother from California was killed. Hopefully, more answers will be forthcoming about Mattie’s family and she will also be able to trust Cole with her heart. The book cover is beautiful and the title is so appropriate!
Publication Date: November 12. 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I loved this book. It was a fast, engaging read about a young sheriff’s deputy in a small Colorado town who becomes the town’s first K-9 officer. It’s my first book by Margaret Mizushima, but this is such a promising series start, I just reserved all the rest at my library. This is a debut novel. All I can say is well-done on writing a good page-turner. If you like crime mysteries, this might be for you. I’m glad my book club chose this for a monthly read.