Although Striking Range is the seventh Timber Creek K-9 mystery, the backstory that Margaret Mizushima presents is so smoothly done that new readers will be able to pick up the storyline, and it just serves as a gentle reminder for those of us who read Hanging Falls a year ago. Deputy Mattie Cobb’s background, along with her friends and co-workers, are introduced beautifully. Even Robo, Mattie’s K-9 partner in the Timber Creek, Colorado sheriff’s department, has a backstory.
Mattie is meeting with Jim Hauck, a cold-case detective from San Diego, to interview an inmate at a state prison in Colorado. John Cobb is the remaining brother of two who kidnapped Mattie, her brother and mother when Mattie was only two. For years, she thought Cobb’s brother, Harold was her father. Now, she’s in the process of reclaiming her original last name, Wray, but she has questions for John Cobb. He’s in prison after killing her brother, and trying to kill her. But, before Mattie and Hauck can interview the man, he’s found dead in his cell. He left behind what could be a clue, though, a marked map leading to Timber Creek and Redstone Ridge.
Usually, Robo and Mattie would climb the mountains accompanied by Cole Walker, the local veterinarian, Mattie’s boyfriend, and a member of the sheriff’s posse. But, Cole’s stuck at the clinic following the complicated birth of a litter of puppies. So, Mattie, Robo, Hauck, and another local member of the posse head into the mountains, hoping to beat a blizzard. Just after they find one of John Cobb’s hiding places, Mattie is called back. A body has been found, a young mother who just gave birth. And, somewhere in the midst of the snowstorm is a missing newborn.
At times while reading this series, I grew a little tired of the ongoing storyline of Mattie’s unknown past and family. However, this time, Mizushima is more skillful in incorporating that story with the current investigation. Now, the tension is ratcheted up as Mattie and Cole, along with various members of the sheriff’s department, confront a killer with no remorse.
Mizushima does an excellent job in weaving together several cases, the cold case involving Mattie’s family, and the search for a killer and kidnapper. She also excels in uniting a small, tight-knit sheriff’s department. Although she’s still searching for answers, it’s a pleasure to see how Mattie’s found family; Robo, Cole, Cole’s family, and the sheriff’s department, have become the family Mattie needed and never had.
Margaret Mizushima’s website is https://margaretmizushima.com/
Striking Range by Margaret Mizushima. Crooked Lane Books, 2021. ISBN 9781643857473 (hardcover), 288p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a .PDF to review for a journal.
I’m waiting for this from the library. Yes, the family back story does get a little tiresome at times, especially when something happens that I can predict is coming a mile away – the guy dead in his cell before Mattie can interview him. But I still like the series (especially Robo!) and am looking forward to reading this.
Yes, Robo is my favorite, too, Jeff. You’re right. Sometimes you can see those things coming, can’t you?
Thanks for this review, Lesa. .I’m a big fan of Margaret’s series so am looking forward to reading Striking Range soon.
I read the first three, but Mattie’s ongoing angst over her past finally was too much. While it’s good to hear that element is moving forward, it sounds like this book is chock full of it. I’ll probably not return to the series until I’ve caught up on all the other things on the TBR pile.
There’s another series I like, too, Rick, that has the same issue – ongoing angst about the protagonist’s past. I wish both authors would get through it.
I tried the first book several years ago and just could not get into it. Going to try again at some point as this series should be something I would like.
I do agree with Rick, though, Kevin. I’m reading for that storyline to be over. Maybe you can start when the author gets through that.
It is hot here, that I would try to read any book with a picture of snow on the cover! But I have a lot of unread books, better look there first!
Hopefully, Carolee, you’ll find something else chilly to read.
So nice to see your positive review of Margaret Mizushima’s latest, and of her series, Lesa. I, too, have enjoyed how, under Margaret’s skillful guidance, Mattie has grown and matured throughout the series, gaining her love interest, in Cole, as well as many sheriff’s department friends–and fine characters in their own right–along the way.
Thank you, Scott. I’m a fan of series that allow other characters to grow as well as the protagonist. We all change, and in a series in which the protagonist changes, so should the other characters. It’s a little different in a series in which the protagonist doesn’t change.