Review by Booklist Review
Officer Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner, Robo, find the body of a missing woman, shot with an arrow, on a mountain trail in this second adventure (following Killing Trail, 2015) in Mizushima's fine series. This time Mattie is dealing with trouble on two fronts: finding the young woman's killer, and sorting out some dormant personal issues, following a phone call from her long-missing brother, who apologizes for not protecting Mattie from parental abuse, thus forcing Mattie to confront her own blocked memories. The unlikely mix of Mattie's intense psychological drama with the series' signature elements watching Robo work a case and reveling in the author's vivid descriptions of the outdoors gel surprisingly well here, producing a taut page-turner on multiple levels. A perfect read-alike for Robert Crais' series starring LAPD officer Scott James and his K-9 partner, Maggie.--Alessio, Amy Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Realistic characters and believable plot twists distinguish Mizushima's brisk sequel to 2015's Killing Trail. The disappearance of massage therapist Adrienne Howard, who's also the girlfriend of Chief Deputy Ken Brody, mobilizes Deputy Mattie Cobb of the Timber Creek, Colo., sheriff's office, and her canine partner, German shepherd Robo. When Mattie and Robo's search in the surrounding mountains ends with the discovery of Adrienne's body, the pair stay overnight to guard the makeshift gravesite during the middle of an October snowstorm. The investigation of Adrienne's murder leads to her fractured family and previous relationships, as well as a determined killer. Meanwhile, Mattie faces some facts about her own background in foster homes, while her friendship continues to grow with local veterinarian Cole Walker, who contends with being a single father. Robo proves his mettle as a well-trained detective and a brave hero in this incisive look at small-town police work. Agent: Terrie Wolf, AKA Literary Management. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Robo, the German Shepherd K-9, and his human partner Mattie Cobb are practicing their take-down skills when Mattie gets a call from the Timber Creek, CO, police department. Adrienne Howard, the girlfriend of a fellow deputy, is missing. Mattie and Robo are needed to locate Adrienne before a snowstorm destroys any chance of finding her alive. Local vet Cole Walker is also concerned about Adrienne, who was booked to provide massages to several clients' horses. When Mattie and Robo find Adrienne's body, it is only the beginning of a dark and arduous search for the truth. Timber Creek may be a small town, but it can't escape some big-city problems. -VERDICT -Mizushima's sophomore outing proves that her acclaimed series debut, Killing Trail, was no fluke. Carefully crafted tension is reinforced by the ominous weather hanging over the mountains. A strong sense of place will appeal to Ben Rehder fans; dog lovers will want to read this thriller as well. © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
