Deputy Mattie Cobb finally is about to have an opportunity to interview the man who attempted to kill her and is believed to have murdered her father 30 years earlier. But, as she and cold-case detective Jim Hauck await the arrival of the suspect in an observation room in the prison where he's held, John Cobb is found dead in his cell.

Cobb, who had kidnapped Mattie and her brother in the aftermath of the decades-earlier incident and given her his surname (it's a complicated story), left behind an intriguing clue in his cell -- a map of the rugged Redstone Ridge in the mountains high above Timber Creek marred with a series of X marks. What could they mean?

Mattie is eager to explore the site with her K9 partner Robo, and they soon uncover a cache of drugs and a dead body. Before they can complete their search of the wilderness area, Mattie and Robo are called to help investigate the death of a young woman who had recently given birth. The infant is missing and a deadly ice- and snowstorm handicaps searchers and puts the child at risk.

While Mattie and her team are uncovering increasing evidence of a baby-trafficking ring, Cole Walker, her veterinarian boyfriend, is assisting other volunteers who are continuing the search on Redstone Ridge. When Cole goes missing, Mattie and Robo return to the mountain where the killer targets them all with deadly intentions.

One of the pleasures of reading a series is getting to know and care about the characters and their goals. Mizushima skillfully maintains reader interest in Mattie's quest to understand her family history and in her developing relationship with Cole. We're as anxious to solve the mystery of Mattie's checkered past as she is and our empathy makes us want her relationship with Cole to succeed.

It doesn't hurt that she adds puzzling crimes and solid detective work to the mix. And there's also the bonus of information on the training and handling of police dogs and the skills of veterinary work.

[ visit Margaret Mizushima's website ]