I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! I love catching up with Mattie and Robo and their latest murder investigation and SAR efforts. As long-time doggie mama, I love stories with amazing dogs in them, with my fave doggie duo stories being the SAR teams. Working in Timber Creek, CO, Mattie and Robo have a lot of experience in SAR cases. LOVE Robo!!! Best doggie ever! I know I say that about every great doggie story I read, but Robo really is an amazing doggie.

I love how Mizushima grabbed my attention pretty much from the get-go with a “dying cry” that had Mattie and Robo along with Cole and the girls, Angie and Sophie stopping in their tracks on their afternoon family hike. It was kind a creepy learning the definition of “dying cry” was the blood curling scream of someone and then the sudden cease, and in the mountains of CO, it was sound of someone falling from a cliff with sudden cease of the scream when they hit the ground. Eeewwweee!!!

The book summary is pretty vague and just introduces the primary storyline with a rather ominous statement about Mattie and her loved ones. So, from the get-go, I’m concerned about the girls and Robo. What the book summary doesn’t say is that the victim is Tess’s husband, Tom; Tess has been Cole’s vet assistant throughout the series. Tom works at the local bank and was at a team building event with some other bank staff and Tess had come along with her husband. Mattie and Cole were there with the girls and the dogs, Robo, Belle, and Bruno on a family weekend getaway.

There is also the resort owner, Brandon, who initially seems sympathetic to the tragedy, but is also concerned about the bad press his resort may get. Brody and Mattie quickly become concerned about his access to the case. Stella, Timber Creeks only Detective, has her sights on someone else and by the halfway point is making it very clear she is watching and looking into this person as a possible suspect.

Most of the story revolves around the investigation of the case. By the halfway point, I still have no clue the killer is or why. I can’t even narrow it down to one particular suspect and why. It’s deep into the second half, after some scary and intense scenes that had me staying up past my bedtime because I couldn’t go to sleep until I knew how it ended.

The continuing character development of newlyweds, Mattie and Cole, was well done as challenges of a blended family arise. I can’t forget Robo either! LOVE ROBO!!! Even Robo is learning to expand his tracking skills as well as his behavior and manners. Oh, my heart went out to him every Mattie had to crate him; poor Robo would get so sad and dejected. Robo just loves to hang out with everyone and get love, attention and pets any chance he can get, that and work. Robo LOVES to work and catch the bad guys. The pacing was steady to fast, and the storyline was interesting, as well as a sad development for the series. The writing was also well done and one of the best in the series. Mizushima is a wonderful writer and storyteller. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.5 that I will be rounding up to a 5star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks #DyingCry

Mattie Cobb now Walker and her K9 Robo are back in action. This case hits home for her and she has to be at her very best. husband Cole’s vet assistances husband has died and it doesn’t seem to be an accident. Mattie and her crew have a lot to uncover in a short time.
This series never disappoints and this is another worthy installment.

I always enjoy reading Mattie, Cole, Robo and the entire cast of characters. They feel like old friends at this point. This one hits close to home for our favorite couple. I was drawn in and happily lost sleep. I couldn't put it down. There were twists I didn't see coming. Each new book just gets better.

What a perfect title. We open the book with Mattie, Cole, Angie and Sophia at a resort snow shoeing, or learning :). They hear a cry, a dying cry. Things happen fast after that, changes, twists, suspense not just for Mattie but Cole, Angie, Sophie and more. Stella starts leading the investigation. Can you imagine being in Matties position, following leads in direct contrast to her thoughts, or even being on the other end. I had an inkling about a perp, still plenty of surprises. What a difference in Mattie between book 1 and book 10. The growth and changes are astronomical. I actually found this series via audible and found I couldn't wait for it to come and started reading when I could get it, thank you Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #Dying Cry #TimberCreekK-9 #MargaretMizushima #CrookedLaneBooks #NetGalley

It’s still winter in Colorado’s high country as the suspenseful Dying Cry by Margaret Mizushima gets started. This is the tenth book in the exhilarating Timber Creek K-9 mystery series featuring Timber Creek Deputy Mattie Walker, her K-9 partner Robo, and her new husband Cole Walker.

While teaching Cole’s daughters Sophie and Angie to snowshoe, they hear a terrible scream. Mattie and Robo go deeper into the canyon at the resort to search for the source while Cole and the girls walk to get a cell phone signal and help. Mattie and Robo spot a figure at the base of a cliff, but a rockslide buried the person before they can provide help. When uncovered, the person is dead. An investigation of the canyon rim indicates the wall wasn’t an accident. The Timber Creek County investigative team springs into action, but it will test Mattie and her new family in multiple ways.

Mattie is protective, a perfectionist, disciplined, and focused on training. Robo has taught her to trust again. She’s still trying to understand the boundaries of being a step-parent. Cole is big on procedures and has a good sense of humor. Robo loves to work and hates when he can’t go somewhere with Mattie. The family also has two other dogs, Bruno and Belle, and a cat named Hilde. While there are new characters, many of the characters have been in previous books in the series including Sheriff McCoy, Chief Deputy Brody, and Detective Stella LoSasso. Since the death occurs at Ponderosa Pines Resort, the resort employees have key roles in the story as well.

The author does a great job of making the reader feel engaged from the initial chapter to the end. The writing flows well and is descriptive without slowing the pacing. The story is captivating and the character development is wonderful. This tale kept my attention with a fast-paced and clever plot with a few twists. The subplots tied together well and there was good pacing from scene to scene. It’s full of action, intrigue, romance, and mystery with themes of murder, police investigations, veterinary procedures, family relationships and dynamics, and more. My only quibble was one of Mattie’s roles near the end of the book. I’m not sure she would have been allowed to take on that role in real life. However, this is a small police department and time was critical so I went along with it.

Overall, this is a clever and suspenseful mystery with compelling characters, a great sense of place, and tense moments throughout the story. I’m looking forward to reading more of this series. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the entire series to enjoy the characters’ growth over time. This is the fourth book that I have read about Mattie, Robo and Cole. They seem like old friends, and I can’t wait to read the other books in this series. If you love police investigations and are a dog lover or just enjoy an engaging and suspenseful mystery, I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Crooked Lane Books and Margaret Mizushima provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for October 14, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Mattie, her brand-new husband, Cole and his daughters are spending family time at a local resort. On their last day snow shoeing they hear a cry and what sounds like a fall. Mattie takes Robo to investigate and see if she can be of help. By the time they reach the person they are covered by an avalanche.
And then you will be at the edge of your seat.
I have read all books in the series and always look forward to the next.

I was excited to find another mystery series featuring a FMC as an investigator. Unfortunately, I did not connect with the characters. Even with the dog! I felt the story meandered. I was interested for the reveal of the villain but I had to force myself to finish the book.

Mattie and Cole Walker are newlyweds. She's a K-9 officer with Timber Creek County and Cole is Timber Creek's only veterinarian. They're on a family vacation teaching Cole's daughters to snowshoe when they hear a scream. Cole takes the girls back to the lodge where he gets help while Mattie and Robo, her K-9 partner, continue on. From a little ways off, Mattie sees someone but then a rockslide buries that person. As Mattie and the rest of her Timber Creek County team investigate it soon becomes clear that this was no accident. It was murder and the victim was close to home for Cole and Mattie. As the team investigates, they uncover a trail of greed. And soon Mattie must face one of the hardest tasks in her career as a K-9 officer when her new family is threatened.

I've absolutely enjoyed this series and this book's a prime example of why. It's very well-written with fully-fledged, believable characters, and an incredibly fast-paced plot. This was an immensely captivating story that was impossible to put down. Only falling asleep gave me no option and prevented me from reading! Much like a runaway train, this book takes you for a thrilling ride. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest, unbiased review. Full of action, intrigue, mystery, romance, and suspense this is one read that'll draw you in and keep you hooked. I really like Mattie and Cole who have grown throughout the series, both as individuals and as a couple. I also like how the other characters are well-developed so it's not just the main characters whom you get to know. The author has definitely kept this series fresh with each book getting better than the ones before. I loved this book and hope there's plenty more to come. I highly recommend both book and series which I believe is best read in order to get the most out of things.

I love this series and this one was no exception! I just discovered it earlier this year and have blown through them. They got me out of a reading slump! Mizushima's writing has strengthened over the course of these 10 books and this one was really strong. Maggie and Cole's relationship has developed as has Maggie's growth within herself. The Colorado setting is beautiful (and I'm glad to return to Colorado!). And then of course, the star of the books - Robo. He's perfect. 10/10, no notes. (But truly, the relationship between Maddie and Robo is incredible and Mizushima renders it well.)

A killer lurks in Colorado’s snowy high country in Dying Cry, the tenth thrilling installment of award-winning author Margaret Mizushima’s Timber Creek K-9 mystery series. This is the 10th book in the series. I can definitely vouch for this series, I've to binge read the series to get along with the characters and the K-9 helper 'Robo' who is too good to be true!!!
This was an awesome read, a solid 4 stars for me!!

This is my first book by the Author and whilst I think it can be read as a standalone , I would
recommend reading previous books to set the characters and their relationships in place

Sheriff's Deputy Mattie Walker and her new husband Cole are on holiday
with his two children , teaching them how to use snowshoes when they suddenly hear a cry/scream
and see a body fly over the edge of a cliff .
Mattie sets off with her K-9 , Robbo to find the body whilst Cole takes his children back to the resort
to find help .
The body is someone they know , he has been murdered - the pool is suspects is small , all people they know.
Can Mattie and Cole along with her work team of Sheriff McCoy , Chief Deputy Brody and Detective LoSasso
find the killer before more people die ? The must filter the truth from all the secrets being held because this killer is more dangerous
than they can imagine as the net closes in

This is a fast paced thriller , with twists and turns around every corner , a real page turner
I loved how the Author portrayed this blended family with all the normal problems that can arise but
shows how love and care can bring them all together

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

*5 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

A really great read and characters. Mattie and Robo work so well together and she also has alot of other support from her colleagues and family to track down who killed Tom. I enjoyed this book and would recommend.

Mattie and Cole are taking time off with his daughters and doing some snowshoeing when they hear a terrifying scream. Mattie and her police dog, Robo, investigate and find a man has fallen (or been pushed) from a cliff, then buried by a rockfall.
Mattie and Robo are on the case, with the rest of the team. When the identity of the victim is discovered, the death hits close to home for Cole and Mattie. What was the motive, who was involved, and how was it done? The story was suspenseful and I love Robo, who is an important part of of the story. The characters are engaging and Mattie and Cole’s family are blending into a solid unit.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Mattie and Cole Walker have just gotten married. They are teaching their girls how to shoeshoe out in the wilderness of the Colorado Rockies when they see a man fall off a peak and crash to his death not far from where they are hiking. While Cole takes the girls back to the resort, Mattie and Robo discover the body is the husband of Cole's vet tech assistant back in Timber Creek. The body is then buried under a rock slide. When they investigate the edge of the cliff, evidence shows the rock slide was deliberately set. As Mattie and her team investigate, they uncover a twisted tale of stolen identities and greed that comes too close to home for comfort. Always an entertaining read to visit Timber Creek with Mattie and her family, including Robo. If you appreciate dog crime stories. this is a good series to read.

I think I've read every book in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series, and the series just keeps getting better! Dying Cry didn't give me long to read and relax, however. Newlyweds Cole and Mattie, Robo, and Cole's daughters are at a venue where corporate meetings are held, and where the girls are learning how to snowshoe. Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the canyon. Cole and the girls rushed back to the venue to find helpers, as well as snowmobiles. Sheriff's Deputy Mattie and her Search K-9, Robo, climbed down into the canyon, where they discovered the worst.

The book took off from there, with twists and turns that kept me on my toes. I couldn't figure out who could be trusted! Dying Cry seemed to have it all. Happy times. Sad times. Stressful times. The characterizations were wonderful, and I love Cole's housekeeper/nanny/cook, Mrs. Gibbs. Robo is the star, of course. He's brilliant, brave, and prances on his front feet when he gets excited!

I believe Dying Cry can be read as a standalone, although there is a lot of interesting background in the previous nine books.

BIG thanks #CrookedLaneBooks, for providing this book for review and consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Dying Cry has an expected publication date of October 14, 2025.

#MargaretMizushima #K9Mystery

Taut and page turning murder mystery - twists everywhere and some really tense moments. A huge plus that the dogs are part of the team and often steal the show, and some family dynamics really make the plot richer.

Newlyweds Deputy Mattie Walker and her veterinary husband, Cole, are on a snowshoeing getaway at
a nearby resort with Cole's their daughters when they hear a scream. Both realize that someone is in
trouble. While Cole returns to the resort with his daughters to get help, Mattie investigates the
scream with her K-9 partner Robo. The identity of the person who screamed is revealed to be the
husband of Cole's assistant Tess on a weekend retreat with fellow banking management personnel.
When his death is ruled a homicide, Mattie is torn about having to investigate Tess as a possible
suspect. Investigating the others on the banking retreat lead to more questions. Along with
dealing with the investigation, Mattie is also concerned about the effect of a family friend's death
is having on the older daughter. Uncovered secrets lead to tense situations. A page turning read.
#DyingCry #CrookedLaneBooks #NetGalley

Another good read in the series but did not think thr book had the usual suspense angle. Could not give it 5 stars for this reason.

Newlyweds Mattie and Cole are vacationing with his two daughters at a ski resort when they hear an anguished cry. Mattie summons help, and they learn that a man they know, a banker who is the husband of Cole's employee, is dead. It's declared a homicide, and Mattie and Robo, her police dog, are on the case. The story builds to an exciting conclusion with Robo helping to collar the miscreants. An excellent police procedural with a strong female character and her amazing canine partner. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Timber Creek K-9 series is one of my all-time favorites! I look forward to reading each and every one as soon as they are published. Dying Cry is book ten and another excellent addition to the series. We follow Mattie and her amazing K-9, Robo, as they go on a hunt for the killer of a family friend. The intensity of this story was palpable as Mattie is led on a wild goose chase trying to keep up with all of the possible suspects while also trying to clear her friend's name and keep her family safe. It was a very well written, complex plot that was teeming with mystery, suspense, and a cast of lovable characters. Especially the dogs! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. I would definitely recommend this book and series!

Huge thanks to Crooked Lane Books for granting me a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!