This is a Book Review of HUNTING HOUR, A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery, by Margaret Mizushima, a dramatic, exciting mystery with just enough romance and no offensive content.

****Rated 5 out of 5 stars by Iris Chacon.

When Mattie Cobb and her German shepherd, Robo, are called in to find a missing teenager, the child is found dead and the small town of Timber Creek is shaken. Tensions rise even further when the young daughter of Mattie’s maybe-boyfriend, Cole, is kidnapped — apparently by the same child-killer.

Mattie must stretch herself emotionally and professionally — and she and Robo must develop some new skills — in order to save a little girl she secretly loves as if her own. Another complication is that Mattie will have a hard time keeping Cole away from her investigation.

This mystery is skillfully written, fast-moving and engrossing. It is a read-in-one-sitting story with the perfect combination of romance and drama in the background. I can recommend this book to readers from middle school to senior citizen; it contains no vulgar or offensive material. You’ll be looking for more books from Margaret Mitzushima.