Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 1
Killing Trail is the first book in an extremely promising new series. Mattie Cobb is a fascinating character whose childhood in the foster care system gives her a rapport with children that sometimes leads her to err in the young ones' favor. Mattie is smart and brave, a loner who believes in the value of hard work. Her growing bond with Robo-- which is one of the strongest elements in this book-- has the added bonus of improving her social skills with her fellow humans.
Veterinarian Cole Walker is finding it difficult to heal from his wife's desertion, which leaves him as the sole parent to their two young daughters. He may be a potential love interest for Mattie, but he does have problems he must deal with. Mizushima has created two-- make that three with Robo-- very strong characters for her series.
Mizushima has also written some first-rate action sequences in Killing Trail, and the explanations of the training and procedures required for working with police dogs is fascinating. I found myself comparing it favorably to Robert Crais's Suspect as a matter of fact.
As much as I enjoyed this book, it's not without a rookie problem or two. The writing is a touch amateurish. As the K-9 training and work procedures are explained, these feel more like lessons instead of flowing smoothly as part of the narrative. Also, many of the clues are too obviously planted. But you know what? Things like this are easy for me to overlook because Mizushima nails her characters and the action in her engrossing story. These slightly rough edges can be knocked off by the second book, and speaking of that second book-- bring it on! I want more Mattie and Robo!
Veterinarian Cole Walker is finding it difficult to heal from his wife's desertion, which leaves him as the sole parent to their two young daughters. He may be a potential love interest for Mattie, but he does have problems he must deal with. Mizushima has created two-- make that three with Robo-- very strong characters for her series.
Mizushima has also written some first-rate action sequences in Killing Trail, and the explanations of the training and procedures required for working with police dogs is fascinating. I found myself comparing it favorably to Robert Crais's Suspect as a matter of fact.
As much as I enjoyed this book, it's not without a rookie problem or two. The writing is a touch amateurish. As the K-9 training and work procedures are explained, these feel more like lessons instead of flowing smoothly as part of the narrative. Also, many of the clues are too obviously planted. But you know what? Things like this are easy for me to overlook because Mizushima nails her characters and the action in her engrossing story. These slightly rough edges can be knocked off by the second book, and speaking of that second book-- bring it on! I want more Mattie and Robo!
Quick read that keeps you wanting to know what happened and who is involved.
A good debut mystery about Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K9 partner Robo. Mattie is a new K9 handler in a small Colorado police department, and they find the body of a murdered teenager near a cabin in the woods. I enjoyed it a lot; I think it worked out well to start the series with the deputy being new to the K9 job so the reader gets the explanations without too much strain. It's definitely towards the cozy side rather than a straight police procedural; there's some POV from the local divorced veterinarian so I'm guessing he will be a prominent character as the series goes on. (I did wonder what happened to the horse, but it probably wasn't good). Not much of a sense of place IMO but I liked all the characters and especially Mattie's interaction with her dog, who acts like a dog and not a person. I'll be looking for the next in this series.
I really liked this book and hope to read the 2nd one soon. It reminded me a lot of the Donna Ball Raine Stockton series. Dog lovers and cozy mystery lovers alike will enjoy it. I guessed the killer fairly early but it was an enjoyable read.
