ARC Review: Hanging Falls by Margaret Mizushima

Hanging Falls

Author: Margaret Mizushima
Series: A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (September 8, 2020)

Description: Murder stalks the rugged Colorado high country--and sends Mattie Cobb on a quest to uncover the darkest secrets from her past in the sixth gripping installment of Margaret Mizushima's Timber Creek K-9 mysteries

A deluge has flooded the high ground near Hanging Falls--but heavy rains aren't the only menace descending on Timber Creek. While on a scouting mission to pinpoint trail damage, officer Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo stumble upon a body floating at the edge of a lake. Robo catches human scent, which leads to an enigmatic forest-dweller who quickly becomes suspect number one.

With help from veterinarian Cole Walker, Mattie identifies the victim, and discovers an odd religious cult whose dress and manners harken back to the 19th century. As the list of suspects grows, an unexpected visit from members of Mattie's long-lost family sheds new light on her childhood as they help Mattie piece together details of the fateful night when she was abducted at age two.

The tangled threads of the investigation and family dynamics begin to intertwine--but darkness threatens to claim a new victim before Mattie and Robo can track down the killers.

My Thoughts: Mattie and her police K-9 Robo are on the case again. This time they found a body while visiting Hanging Falls in Colorado's wilderness. With the rain closing in, it is up to the two of them to find all the clues they can before they are all washed away. Too bad Mattie was supposed to start her vacation and finally get a chance to meet the sister and grandmother she had lost track of when she was a small child. 

Mattie is also dealing with her new relationship with Cole Walker, the local veterinarian. He is recently divorced and his two kids, especially his teenage daughter Angela, aren't sure what to make of his new relationship with another woman. Even though both girls like Mattie, it is still a big change for them to get used to. 

The investigation leads to a new group of people who have recently come to settle in the area. The murder victim is identified as a member of that group but they all say that he decided to leave the group and go back home to his family. The group belong to a fundamentalist religion and apparently practice polygamy but the investigators are willing to overlook that as long as there is no child abuse involved. 

This story had a lot to do with family relationships as well as the well-plotted mystery. We see Mattie struggling to come to terms with her newly discovered family and her new relationship with Cole and his family. 

The mystery was entertaining and enough clues were given for me to figure out who the villains were despite the liberal sprinkling of red herrings through the investigation. Fans of mysteries and especially those animals involved will enjoy this story. I liked learning more about police dogs and loved the relationship Mattie and Robo share.

Favorite Quote:

Hanging Falls would never be the same to her again. It was like trading a little slice of heaven for a big chunk of hell.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.