REVIEW: Burning Ridge

Burning Ridge
Author: Margaret Mizushima

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.**