faile12's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Striking Range is the 7th Timber Creek K-9 mystery by Margaret Mizushima. Released 7th Sept 2021 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 280 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a series procedural with well established characters and a rural small town police department integrating (more or less) successfully with area and national task forces. This is an ensemble returning cast and a solid western mystery. The central players have a long and varied history together. There are familial and generational connections (and not always in a positive manner). Despite being the 7th book in this series, the author is a technically adept writer and sufficient backstory is written in to provide readers enough backstory without info-dumping. I was unfamiliar with the series previously though I believe I might've read one or two of the author's earlier works, and I had no trouble following along.
There were some dangling threads on a couple of the plot points, but overall it's a well written and engaging mystery. I could've done without the strong romance subplot, but I appreciate that there are many readers who really enjoy mystery with a healthy romance angle.
There is some potentially triggering content for some readers including opioid use and overdose, kidnapping, and human trafficking.
The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours, 47 minutes and is capably narrated by Nancy Wu. She does a good job of bringing characters of varying ages to life (from children to adults) and both men and women and managing to keep them distinct and identifiable. Production and sound quality are high throughout.
Four stars for both print and audiobook versions.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Striking Range is the 7th Timber Creek K-9 mystery by Margaret Mizushima. Released 7th Sept 2021 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 280 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a series procedural with well established characters and a rural small town police department integrating (more or less) successfully with area and national task forces. This is an ensemble returning cast and a solid western mystery. The central players have a long and varied history together. There are familial and generational connections (and not always in a positive manner). Despite being the 7th book in this series, the author is a technically adept writer and sufficient backstory is written in to provide readers enough backstory without info-dumping. I was unfamiliar with the series previously though I believe I might've read one or two of the author's earlier works, and I had no trouble following along.
There were some dangling threads on a couple of the plot points, but overall it's a well written and engaging mystery. I could've done without the strong romance subplot, but I appreciate that there are many readers who really enjoy mystery with a healthy romance angle.
There is some potentially triggering content for some readers including opioid use and overdose, kidnapping, and human trafficking.
The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours, 47 minutes and is capably narrated by Nancy Wu. She does a good job of bringing characters of varying ages to life (from children to adults) and both men and women and managing to keep them distinct and identifiable. Production and sound quality are high throughout.
Four stars for both print and audiobook versions.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
tayparks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Striking Range by Margaret Mizushima is a riveting mystery that takes place in rural Colorado. Although this newest release is the seventh installment in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series, it can be read as a standalone.
Hoping to finally solve her father’s murder, K-9 Deputy Mattie Cobb teams up with San Diego cold case Detective Jim Hauck to question prisoner John Cobb. But when they arrive at the prison, they discover he died that morning. Disappointed, Mattie and her K-9 partner Robo head back to Timber Creek to gear up to follow the only lead they find in his cell. Jim joins them as they return to Redstone Ridge where they search the cave where John held her prisoner. Robo leads them to a surprising discovery along with other possible crime scenes. Before they can finish their hunt for more evidence, Mattie joins the investigation when a body is found at a local campground.
After a long night without much sleep, Mattie and Detective Stella LoSasso work together on the current case. They are not making much progress but Stella discovers information that is absolutely chilling. They also locate the victim’s car which partially solves a troubling incident but also leads to more questions. Tirelessly tracking down each new lead, Mattie, Stella and Robo find an unlikely suspect who gives them valuable new evidence. But will they find their new suspect before someone that Mattie loves finds themselves in a dangerous situation?
Striking Range is a fast-moving mystery with a captivating storyline and atmospheric setting. Mattie is a dedicated deputy who will not rest until this latest case is resolved. Her relationship with local veterinarian Cole Walker continues to evolve and he remains an integral part of the volunteer force. Mattie’s friendship with Stella deepens as they work together on the current case. The continuing story arc about Mattie’s past simmers in the background as she puts all her effort into their current investigation. With a shocking plot twist, Margaret Mizushima brings this latest addition to the fantastic Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series to a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Striking Range by Margaret Mizushima is a riveting mystery that takes place in rural Colorado. Although this newest release is the seventh installment in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series, it can be read as a standalone.
Hoping to finally solve her father’s murder, K-9 Deputy Mattie Cobb teams up with San Diego cold case Detective Jim Hauck to question prisoner John Cobb. But when they arrive at the prison, they discover he died that morning. Disappointed, Mattie and her K-9 partner Robo head back to Timber Creek to gear up to follow the only lead they find in his cell. Jim joins them as they return to Redstone Ridge where they search the cave where John held her prisoner. Robo leads them to a surprising discovery along with other possible crime scenes. Before they can finish their hunt for more evidence, Mattie joins the investigation when a body is found at a local campground.
After a long night without much sleep, Mattie and Detective Stella LoSasso work together on the current case. They are not making much progress but Stella discovers information that is absolutely chilling. They also locate the victim’s car which partially solves a troubling incident but also leads to more questions. Tirelessly tracking down each new lead, Mattie, Stella and Robo find an unlikely suspect who gives them valuable new evidence. But will they find their new suspect before someone that Mattie loves finds themselves in a dangerous situation?
Striking Range is a fast-moving mystery with a captivating storyline and atmospheric setting. Mattie is a dedicated deputy who will not rest until this latest case is resolved. Her relationship with local veterinarian Cole Walker continues to evolve and he remains an integral part of the volunteer force. Mattie’s friendship with Stella deepens as they work together on the current case. The continuing story arc about Mattie’s past simmers in the background as she puts all her effort into their current investigation. With a shocking plot twist, Margaret Mizushima brings this latest addition to the fantastic Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series to a nerve-wracking conclusion.
nortonmerlyn's review against another edition
5.0
I think this is the best book in the series. I really liked the deception, the intrigue and the character development!
nortonmerlyn's review against another edition
5.0
That moment when you go on a camping trip and have about four books downloaded from Libby and then nothing will load! Well good thing I still had this one downloaded on audible and others on hoopla.
Mizushima is one of my favorite others. I think she nailed it with this book. One of the best in the series!
Mizushima is one of my favorite others. I think she nailed it with this book. One of the best in the series!
onanotherplanet's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
madiroo91's review against another edition
4.0
I am officially caught up on the Timber Creek K-9 series :(
Mizushima always comes up with great story lines and new twists and turns. This book really threw me for a loop more than once! having someone who they thought they could trust turned on everyone and showed their true colors. Also a huge surprise happy ending that I know I've been waiting for! Curious to see how many more book will be in this series but I hope this isn't the end for Mattie and the gang!
Mizushima always comes up with great story lines and new twists and turns. This book really threw me for a loop more than once! having someone who they thought they could trust turned on everyone and showed their true colors. Also a huge surprise happy ending that I know I've been waiting for! Curious to see how many more book will be in this series but I hope this isn't the end for Mattie and the gang!
jeo224's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
4.5
This is the first book in this series that I read and it was worth it - I will be looking at the other books. The setting is great, the characters well rounded and clear; there were clues pointing to the antagonist - which was good. I had an idea of who it was early on, and - there were plenty of other directions to look at, too. Certainly a sign of a good mystery when you *can* figure it out and are not certain until the end that you are correct. This story also included one of my favorite teams - a strong K9 unit!
trishthedishreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I'm so glad the first book in this series was recommended to me here by StoryGraph. I've torn through the whole series and hope there is another one coming soon! I think Mattie and Robo have many more great things ahead of them.