Hanging Falls by Margaret Mizushima

Hanging Falls by Margaret Mizushima ISBN-13: 9781643854458 Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: Crooked Lane Books Released: September 8th 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
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 Review:
Hanging Falls is a K9-detective mystery/suspense. It's the sixth in a series. You can follow this book without reading the previous ones, and this book didn't spoil the previous mysteries. This series just keeps getting better. It's another satisfying, suspenseful mystery with the Timber Creek police (and friends).

Robo is a talented, well-trained working dog, and it's always fun to see him "on the job" with Mattie. The main characters were engaging, had depth and complexity, and reacted realistically to events. The crime was a clue-based mystery, and Mattie was involved in finding clues and interviewing suspects. Though whodunit was on the suspect list, it wasn't obvious whodunit until the last clues were uncovered at the end. Suspense was mainly created from physical danger to those who had witnessed suspicious activity or clues.

There were no sex scenes. The was occasional use of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.