Chapter of Mystery Writers of America and
was elected Writer of the Year by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She is the recipient of a
Colorado Authors League Award, a Benjamin Franklin Book Award, a CIBA CLUE Award, an
IBPA Gold Award, and two Willa Literary Awards by Women Writing the West. Her books have
been finalists for a SPUR Award by Western Writers of America, a Killer Nashville Silver
Falchion Award, and the Colorado Book Award. She and her husband recently moved from
Colorado, where they raised two daughters and a multitude of animals, to a home in the Pacific
Northwest.
Mizushima applied the Page 69 Test to her new Timber Creek K-9 Mystery, Fighting Edge, with the following results:
From page 69:Visit Margaret Mizushima's website and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.“I think it’s possible to focus on both conformation and temperament with one sire. Maybe even with Butch. You might suggest a lease option at your kennel for a couple months to see how you get along with him.”Page 69 is an example of one of the subplots in Fighting Edge. Veterinarian Cole Walker’s assistant, Tess Murphy, lost her husband to violence in Dying Cry, the previous episode in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series. She has decided to get a dog, partly as a companion for her children but partly for home protection. She and Cole have discussions throughout Fighting Edge about what type of dog might be best for her family. The chapter that this page ends introduces Bret Beatty, who becomes a suspect in the homicide investigation run by Deputy Mattie Walker and the rest of the Timber Creek investigative team. The missing element on this page is the police action and Mattie’s work as a K-9 handler, which represents the focus of this outdoor police procedural.
Bret shrugged as he put his credit card back in his wallet, and Cole figured he was shrugging him off along with his advice. But then Bret surprised him. “Would you be willing to come out and see my operation? I have several litters that need six-week shots. Could you come out this afternoon or tomorrow to do that amount of work?”
Cole glanced at his schedule book, noticing that the cancellation after lunch created an opening in his ambulatory schedule. “I could do that. How about one thirty?”
Bret nodded. “Good. You have my address, right?”
“We do. I’ll see you then.”
After Bret left, Cole looked at Tess. “Can you go with me to help? And we can see what’s going on out there.”
Tess focused on the computer screen as she entered the exam report into a new record. “Sure, I’ll go. But I doubt if this is a place where I’ll find a new puppy.”
“Me too.” Cole didn’t have a great feeling about Bret’s program, but he hoped he’d find reason to change his mind once he saw the facility. But before he could say so, the door opened and his next client arrived. It was going to be a busy morning.
In Fighting Edge, a routine welfare check becomes a nightmare when Deputy Mattie Walker finds a young mother dead and a hysterical toddler, possibly the only witness to a brutal crime. Soon, Mattie discovers another criminal act in Timber Creek, revealing a dangerous mix of drugs and suspected human trafficking. Meanwhile, veterinarian Cole Walker notices shady activity during routine calls at dog kennels, leading them to suspect a chilling truth: organized crime has infiltrated their rural mountain community.
Page 69 gives a quick glimpse into both the main plot and a subplot of this new book, but other scenes focus more on the main plot and plenty of action in Colorado’s mountains and wilderness area. The Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries appeal to readers who like dogs, the great outdoors, and whodunits. Fighting Edge is book eleven in the series.
Coffee with a Canine: Margaret Mizushima & Hannah, Bertie, Lily and Tess.
Coffee with a Canine: Margaret Mizushima & Hannah.
My Book, The Movie: Burning Ridge.
The Page 69 Test: Burning Ridge.
The Page 69 Test: Tracking Game.
My Book, The Movie: Hanging Falls.
The Page 69 Test: Hanging Falls.
Q&A with Margaret Mizushima.
The Page 69 Test: Striking Range.
The Page 69 Test: Standing Dead.
The Page 69 Test: Gathering Mist.
Writers Read: Margaret Mizushima (October 2024).
The Page 69 Test: Dying Cry.
--Marshal Zeringue