I haven’t read the rest of the series. I jumped straight into this book. I feel like the author did a great job giving a bit of backstory and filling in the blanks so I wouldn’t be lost while reading this book first.
However, I was unable to connect with Mattie, or Robo. I feel like to have that connection I really need to go back and begin from the beginning.
The beginning really intrigued me. Investigating her moms disappearance in Mexico and then ending in Colorado. Seeing how the title came to play in the story was intense but I really think the narrator for me, didn’t use a wide variety of tones and inflections to tell the story. I just felt like she was just reading the story but didn’t bring the characters to life.
So that took a bit of the story away from me and sort of fell flat.
**3.5 stars**
I’d like to thank Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the ALC.

I really enjoyed the pacing of Standing Dead - it felt realistic to the storyline and not rushed and crammed together. A great police procedural mystery - definitely a good listen. Narration was smooth and soothing, not annoying.

I love this dynamic duo! Fast-paced and engaging, this series has become a favorite for my "in between" reads. Thank you for the opportunity for review this ALC.

Margaret Mizushima is one of my favorite authors. The detail and descriptive design in which she paints the scenes is outstanding. Not to mention, the companionship between k-9 and handler is so deep, you can’t help but fall in love with them.
In this mystery, the main character and her K-9 are personally involved. She must find her family before they are killed.
It’s a wild ride, lots of twists and turns so hold on. You’re going to love this mystery/thriller. I highly recommend all of her books. Very enjoyable!

This book just did not grab me. I tried but it did not hold my interest. I listened to about half the book before giving up. I do not like posting negative reviews so I will not be posting this review on Goodreads, Amazon. or any other places where it could damage the author.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This book provided in exchange for an honest review.

After Mattie’s mother and stepfather go missing, she and her working dog Robot go on a mission to find them.

I read this book as a standalone, but I think if they were read in order I would have gotten more out of it.

The plot was interesting, kept me reading, and had lots of twists and turns. I’m a huge dog person, so having a working dog was an added bonus. There were some sections of the book that felt info-dumpy, especially when describing characters. I generally liked it, but it’s not a book that will stick with me long term.

I was worried that picking up a book 8 in a series I never read will be confusing, but this is a great stand alone book, and some of the backstory was smoothly explained. It does take away a bit from trying to figure out who is who, but this is on me not reading the other 7 books in order.

I love police procedural book but this is a first I read with a K-9 unit and what a treat it was! This was action packed, very engaging and fast paced.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for graciously allowing me to listen to this audiobook.

Standing Dead by Margaret Mizushima
Narrator, Nancy Wu
Timber Creek K 9, book 8
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning and was really looking forward to this addition to the series. Sorry to say so but it was kind of blah for me. Maybe I am just tired of this story arc but it was just not that interesting or exciting. I think I may need to take a break from Mattie and friends.
This is a very involved storyline and I would not advise trying to read this book as a standalone.
Narration, as always, was very good.

This is another fantastic book in this series. I can’t wait to read the next one. The narrator is great.

Deputy Mattie Cobb’s trip to see her parents went bust when she arrived to find them gone. She didn’t get concerned until she returned home to find a note on her door indicating that her parents had been taken somewhere against their will. Now, she has to follow the clues to bring her family safely home, if it isn’t already too late. This is the eighth book in the series and while it can be read as a stand alone, readers will be better able to understand characters and their motivations if they read the earlier books

3.75 Stars
This novel can be read as a standalone, but it would be best if read in order.

Deputy Mattie Cobb and her sister had gone to Mexico to visit their mom and stepdad. But when they arrived, no one was home. It was a bit odd but they thought nothing further. It wasn't until Mattie found a creepy note attached to her door that she knew her mom and stepdad's disappearance wasn't a coincidence. It was now a race against the clock to find her family and those behind their abductions.

Since I jumped straight to #8 without reading any of the other books, I felt like I was missing some information. The book briefly went over past events in Mattie's life and childhood but not in great detail. With that being said, it was still an entertaining read. The author did a great job when it came to the details of K-9 and veterinary procedures.

Would recommend to those who have already started the series!

***Thank you to NetGalley, Margaret Mizushima, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

This novel was the second one I’ve read by by Margaret Mizushima. It’s book #8 but can be read as a stand-alone. MM writes a compelling and a different murder mystery. She took me in to the inside world of a canine and police. The close relationship that’s needed and a deeper understandings of the training.
I recommend this and really enjoyed the narrator.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via NetGalley.