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lexee9's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this one! It pulled me in from beginning to end and was very well done. It was a great start to a new series. Mattie has been paired with K-9 Robo and they are newly partnered together and trained. Mattie is building a great bond and relationship with Robo and they are coming to trust and rely on each other. Mattie is learning to read Robo better and better and learning to trust him and his instincts, which is making them a stronger team. Mattie and Robo finds the body of a young teenage girl outside of Timber Creek and they are assigned to the case and working with the detective. Mattie ends up connected with Cole Walker, the local vet, when she takes the dog that was with the body to him and learns about his daughter's connection to the deceased. It ends up with the two in closer proximity as they work to find the truth and who killed the young girl before more bodies turn up. Mattie and Robo seem to be ruffling enough feathers that they start to become a target. This was really well done with the twists and turns and getting to know all of these characters. There is a connection between Cole and Mattie though nothing really happens between them, just getting to know each other and the possibility of it. This story is pretty much all about the mystery and case though there is a little bit of romance though in this one it is mostly possibility. The mystery of who did it and why was well done and I loved the addition of Robo and his part in solving the case. I'm excited to see what is coming next as I really fell in love with both Mattie and Robo and am hoping to see something build between her and Cole as well. I was engaged the entire time and can't wait to start the next one.
The narrator did a great job with all the characters and different voices and really bringing the story to life. The characters sounded different and you could tell who was talking. She did a fantastic job with the action and really showcasing it in her voice and making it real and acting it out. Very well done!
The narrator did a great job with all the characters and different voices and really bringing the story to life. The characters sounded different and you could tell who was talking. She did a fantastic job with the action and really showcasing it in her voice and making it real and acting it out. Very well done!
dancingdane's review against another edition
3.0
Decent writing, I did get involved in the characters' lives, though there was too much that even I found obvious--I NEVER figure out whodunit, but I did on this one. The main character berates herself for missing the dogs' signals, but even though I slightly brushed off the first one, I definitely got it with the second. I think she suspected someone way too quickly for a cop, and the developing relationship between Mattie and Cole was way too quick and unnecessary. There's really no romance in this book, but obviously there will be later in the series, and honestly, it's unnecessary. These types of set-ups don't happen in real life.
But still a solid novel, it did make me cry because of the dogs, and overall worth reading (though not a CJ Box or Craig Johnson, to which it's been compared).
But still a solid novel, it did make me cry because of the dogs, and overall worth reading (though not a CJ Box or Craig Johnson, to which it's been compared).
scott_a_miller's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.0
4 Stars. Looks like I found my next great series. Mattie and Robo are going to be fun to ride along with. Mizushima wove a tight mystery that I was unsure of for most of the book although in the end I realized that I had it figured out. Nevertheless, this was a great first novel. I’m stoked to read her next adventure.
laceyrizzoli's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
nancysax's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good little detective novel - and who doesn't like a dog starring in the drama? I will probably be listening to the next one down the line somewhere. The characters have enough background to make them interesting, but what can happen in a small town after murder and drugs? And will our main character find love with the vet?
meliaraastiar's review against another edition
4.0
Officer Mattie Cobb has a tough past, which brought her to the police force. Her and her new K-9, Robo, find their first body together - a young girl - along with a hurt dog. The recently single veterinarian helps patch the dog up, who was found to be a drug mule. What's going on with the drugs? Where did the dog breeder go? And how was this high school girl involved in all of it?
I don't even like dogs. Yet I enjoyed this book.
It was a well thought out story with lots going on, yet it didn't ever feel like it was jumping around or that there was anything out of place. There's a new spa center in town, an interesting detective brought in to help with the case, a small glimpse of Mattie's past - and her foster mother, who I'd love to see more in future books, and so many other things going on. I think I also enjoyed getting a glimpse into what it was like being a cop/K-9 pair and found that really interesting. Sounds like the author did her research on that! There was definitely many plot points that left me wanting more - I was so excited to find out that there are 4 books in this series and a 5th one coming out this fall!
I'll go 8.5 of 10 overall and 4 of 5 for readability. A great first book in a series that didn't feel like an opening novel, yet left me wanting so much more from this series! Looking forward to future installments! Definitely check this series out.
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
I don't even like dogs. Yet I enjoyed this book.
It was a well thought out story with lots going on, yet it didn't ever feel like it was jumping around or that there was anything out of place. There's a new spa center in town, an interesting detective brought in to help with the case, a small glimpse of Mattie's past - and her foster mother, who I'd love to see more in future books, and so many other things going on. I think I also enjoyed getting a glimpse into what it was like being a cop/K-9 pair and found that really interesting. Sounds like the author did her research on that! There was definitely many plot points that left me wanting more - I was so excited to find out that there are 4 books in this series and a 5th one coming out this fall!
I'll go 8.5 of 10 overall and 4 of 5 for readability. A great first book in a series that didn't feel like an opening novel, yet left me wanting so much more from this series! Looking forward to future installments! Definitely check this series out.
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
melindamckenzie's review against another edition
5.0
This book got me other of my reading slump
Interesting characters, great dogs, bad guys, drama and lots of action. I will be adding those series to my list of to-be-reads.
Interesting characters, great dogs, bad guys, drama and lots of action. I will be adding those series to my list of to-be-reads.
gadrake's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this first entry in a series written by a debut author. Strong female police woman with a foster care background is now the primary trainer for the new canine unit. The dog's skills become instrumental in both solving a murder and saving a child.
This is comparable to the novels by Nevada Barr, and the canine aspect fits well with Robert Crais' novel Suspect. Likable characters, plenty of red herrings.
This is comparable to the novels by Nevada Barr, and the canine aspect fits well with Robert Crais' novel Suspect. Likable characters, plenty of red herrings.
karadavis1990's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5