Tracking Game (Timber Creek K-9 Mystery #5) by Margaret Mizushima

Tracking Game

(Timber Creek K-9 Mystery #5)

by Margaret Mizushima

Kindle Edition

Published November 12th 2019 by Crooked Lane Books

Goodreads synopsis:

Two 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 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.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the fifth book in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series by Margaret Mizuszhima.

This was probably the most surprising read of the year for me. I didn’t know what to expect with this book and I was pleasantly surprised by all the action and suspense that was packed into this book. I am not sure was prompted me to request this book but it was a happy accident for me. What a great read! I am hooked on this series now.

It was really hard to tell this was part of a series since it felt more like a standalone book. How refreshing is that? Any questions I had were all due to the drama of the story and not feeling left flailing in the wind about character backstory. Everything was so centered and fresh.

Mattie and her K-9 partner Robo find a man in a burned out van but the explosion wasn’t what killed him. It was the two bullet holes in his heart that accomplished that feat.

The romance between Cole and Mattie was odd to me. I wasn’t as familiar with all Mattie had been through romantically since this is my first time reading the series and it is already the fifth installment. I have missed a lot.  This is the only area I felt a little questioning. I felt bad for Cole when he seemed to be doing all the right things and it was never enough for Mattie. The ending wrapping up their relationship seemed almost too quick. I didn’t believe the odd turn around in Mattie’s mindset.

The mystery is  spot on and I loved the addition of Mattie’s dog, Robo! What a treat that was. I will definitely be reading more of this author and this series. Such a great way to spend my weekend.

If you love romantic suspense with more suspense than romance, then this is for you! Another writer to add to my must read list!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.