"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, deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner, Robo, stumble upon a body floating at the edge of a lake. With help from veterinarian Cole Walker, Mattie identifies the victim and discovers an odd religious cult whose dress and manners harken back to the nineteenth century. As the list of suspects grows, Mattie's faced with an unexpected visitor who sheds light on her own murky past. The tangled threads of the investigation and Mattie's family history begin to intertwine - but darkness threatens to claim a new victim before Mattie and Rob can track down the killers.
Ms. Mizushima has a great flair for character development and situational events that create opportunities for the reader to draw several different conclusions; some correct and some wrong. When an author can make me forget to eat dinner, they move straight to the top of my "author to follow" list. ( )

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

I devour each of the new books that come out in this series. This book was no exception. Twists and turns and me struggling to figure out the end result. All of this while getting to know Cole's family on a deeper level and Mattie's as well. ( )

Hanging Falls is the 6th book in the Timber Creek K-9 series. This series is one of my favorites! I eagerly await each new book in this series!

Mattie Cobb is a police officer in Timber Creek, CO. Her K-9 partner, Robo, is always at her side. They also hang out often with local Wildlife official Glenna and her dog, Moose. The action in this newest book starts immediately...no waiting! While on a trail run with the dogs, the two women find a body snagged in the branches of a tree near Hanging Falls. Not only does Mattie have to find out who the dead man is...but also how he got in the water, who was responsible and what he might have been doing there. It ends up being a very complex case involving a local religious cult.

The story in this newest book is suspenseful and engrossing. There is some in-depth character development for Mattie in this newest book, plus a bit more focus on her love interest, Cole Walker, his veterinary practice and his daughters. Lots of Mattie & Robo action -- with some vital character and backstory developments!

I read my review copy of this book....but then also checked the audio book out at my local public library when it came out. I love listening to this series on audio. I already knew how the case came out, but I wanted to be able to savor the story on a second read, rather than reading under a review deadline. The audio book is narrated by Nancy Wu. Wu does an excellent job of bringing the story and characters to life. She reads at a steady pace and has a pleasant voice. The audio is just a bit over 10 hours long.

Awesome story! In print....and in audio! I love this series -- can't wait for the next book!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books...and also checked out the audio book from my local library. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** ( )

Hanging Falls, the sixth book in Margaret Mizushima's enjoyable Timber Creek K-9 series, has more of what I always look forward to: wonderful outdoor scenes in the high country of Colorado, animals like Robo to enjoy, and catching up with some of my favorite fictional characters.

I found the mystery in this book to be a bit pedestrian, but perhaps that's because I've read Betty Webb's Lena Jones mysteries. What is more important (besides those riveting scenes up in the mountains) is Mattie finding out more about what really happened during her traumatic childhood.

I've enjoyed this series, not just for its animals and high country action, but also because of its characters. Mattie's journey to put her past behind her touches the heart as does Cole Walker's attempts to balance a very busy veterinary practice with his home life and two daughters. He's trying very hard to be there for his two girls after they were abandoned by their mother. Mattie's fellow police officers also play important roles in the stories.

I'm slowly recuperating from my trek up to Hanging Falls, and now it's time to wait once more for Mattie and Robo's next adventure.

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley) ( )