A review by lexee9
Killing Trail by Margaret Mizushima

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!