Full of plot errors. I got disgusted and quit about 45% through the book. ( )

Burning Ride is the second book I've read in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series. And, I just have to face the fact that this series isn't for me. And, it all boils down to the fact that I'm just the wrong reader. It's a bit frustrating when a book has everything I usually like, a small town with a main character with a traumatic past. And, of course, a dog. Who doesn't like dogs? Yet, I feel no connection with the story nor the characters. It's so bland. And, that's just my opinion. I'm sure others love this series and I get it. I wish I did. Instead, I feel during the progress of this book that it just lulls along at a slow pace and that I'm not truly engaged in the story.

Now, this all sounds pretty negative. However, this is just me. If you like crime stories, set in small towns and if you are a dog lover. Then, I don't see why this series won't work for you. It's not all bad, you know. I did want to know the ending of the book and it was an interesting ending.

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review! ( )

Author's guest post at my blog:
https://bookfare.blogspot.com/2022/04/foodfic-please-welcome-margaret.html

I read this book in the Timber Creek K-9 series in 2018, but I had not read all the earlier books in the series. With a new book coming out in November 2019, I decided it was the perfect time to backtrack and read the books in order from the beginning. I'm so glad I did! I loved this book the first time, but enjoyed it even more the second time!

I listened to the audio book version this time. Narrated by Nancy Wu, the audio is just short of 10 hours long. Wu gives a wonderful performance, reading at a nice pace and bringing the characters to life. I have enjoyed Wu's narration in all the books in this series. I'm definitely going to look for other books she has recorded. She always gives a top notch performance.

I love this series! The characters are realistic. I like the setting and the suspenseful plots. Now that I've listened to all the prior books, I can now jump into my review copy of the next book, Tracking Game!

Although a reader could read this series out of order like I did originally, I did enjoy this fourth book in the series even more after learning more about the characters, their established relationships and their past cases. ( )

Mattie Cobb and her partner, K-9 officer Robo, are part of the police force in Timber Creek, CO. When the local vet and his daughters discover partial human remains while horseback riding on a nearby ridge, Mattie responds to the scene with Robo. Finding charred remains of a body in a burn pit, Mattie is soon on the trail of a brutal killer. The case becomes quite complex, revealing secrets about Mattie's own life that she has tried to hide.

Wow! This book totally sucked me right into the story from the very start. Burning Ridge is the 4th book in the Timber Creek K-9 series, but I was easily able to jump right in and enjoy the story, the setting and the characters. I'm definitely back-tracking to the start of this series though. I enjoyed this book so much I need to read them all!

Mattie is a strong character and her bond with Robo is awesome, but realistic. The supporting characters (like the local vet love interest, his daughters, a new teenager in town, her foster mom) are all well-developed and give the story weight and atmosphere. I liked how the author wove the murder case in with Mattie's own horrible childhood experiences. It gave the plot a nice complexity. The story moved along at a fast pace, building suspense throughout with twists and multiple suspects. The ending was well done. I didn't want this story to end -- but, I have three prior books in the series to enjoy now!

I will definitely continue reading this series. Can't wait for the next book!!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** ( )