Happy Friday, Readers. True Story. Driving through New Mexico on my way to Colorado, I listened to today’s guest on an audio book and literally took the next available exit. I had to tell her how much I loved Striking Range. She simply threw every emotional punch she had into writing it. Naturally, I asked if we could talk about it, and even though she’s on deadline, she agreed. Please welcome back, Margaret Mizushima! ~ Donnell
Author Margaret Mizushima
Donnell: Margaret, don’t worry I signaled before I turned off the Interstate!
In Striking Range, you open with Mattie Cobb meeting a California cold case detective at the prison that houses the notorious John Cobb, brother to Harold Cobb, the man with whom she shares a surname and who abducted Mattie, her mother and brother when Mattie was two years old.
Backstory and redundancy are often a problem for authors in series. I notice, however, that you combine action with backstory to keep the momentum and storyline flowing. You introduce Robo, Detective Hauck, and describe in vivid detail the inside of the prison all in chapter one! The pacing is anything but dragging. After seven books, is setup intrinsic to you, or does it take more than one draft to get your openings just right?
Margaret Mizushima: Donnell, thank you for hosting me on your blog. I love these interviews with you, because you get right to the heart of what matters to both readers and writers. To answer your question truthfully, even after seven books nothing seems intrinsic to me! If anything, I struggle even more to write, revise, and edit than I did with book one.
I have the editor of my first five books to thank for helping me learn how to paint backstory in with a light stroke while keeping the current story going. Nike Power, who was an assistant editor with Crooked Lane Books during its start up in 2014, taught me so much, and my current editor, Martin Biro, does the same. They seem to know just how much is needed—not too much, not too little—and I’m always grateful for their advice. Sometimes we authors are too close to the story to know how much a reader that’s new to the series should be told.
Donnell: Mattie and Detective Hauck are planning their interview strategy with John Cobb when the prison goes on lockdown. I would call this “way to make your protagonist suffer,” as Mattie desperately wants answers from Cobb. Until she has them her mother, sister, and grandmother will never be safe. Moreover, trapped in this small room alone with Hauck, not knowing what’s happening on the other side, she becomes claustrophobic. Have you set up Mattie’s claustrophobia in previous books or was this just a reasonable assumption based on all she’s endured?
Margaret Mizushima: I gifted Mattie with claustrophobia in book one of the series, for as you say, we must make our protagonists suffer. In Killing Trail, we learn that Mattie sleeps with her bedroom window open to avoid nighttime claustrophobia and panic. During the story’s climax, Mattie and Robo need to go into an abandoned mine to rescue a kidnapped child, testing her to her utmost limit in that dark, close space. In book two, Stalking Ground, we learn why Mattie is prone to night terrors and claustrophobia. In almost every episode, Mattie is given a challenge regarding this issue, though she has worked hard on overcoming problems caused by her past, and she’s getting better at handling claustrophobia when it pops up.
Donnell: After the lockdown is over, Mattie learns the fate of the prisoner they’ve come to interview. She doesn’t buy the coincidence, but as a seasoned professional she knows better than to draw conclusions. I learned so much in this scene about opioids, not only the risk to the person ingesting, but to law enforcement and anyone in contact with the body. Do officers carry Narcan as a matter of course, and was it the Cobb brothers’ cartel background that influenced this scene?
Margaret Mizushima: Yes, I learned that K-9 handlers need to carry Narcan several years ago, but this is the first book where I’ve spotlighted the problems that opioids have brought to narcotics detection dogs and their handlers. One of my consultants, Kathleen Donnelly (whose debut, Chasing Justice, will launch in May this year) helped me with the research I needed for this book. Kathleen co-owns a private company called Sherlock Hounds, in which she works as a narcotics detection dog handler. She carries two doses of Narcan and tells the officer she works with that if she and her dog pass out from opioid exposure, he should treat her dog first and then her. I thought this kind of loyalty to her partner would be exactly how Mattie would want to treat Robo as well.
The Cobb brothers are bad dudes in the series, weaving in and out of Mattie’s story depending on each episode’s theme. They do have history with the cartel, gunrunning and drug trafficking, and Mattie hoped that John Cobb would shed light on her father’s murder from thirty years prior. But it wasn’t meant to be. John Cobb is found dead in his cell before Mattie gets to interview him.
Donnell: Just when readers are hooked with Mattie’s crisis, the author brings in her second protagonist veterinarian Cole Walker, along with his daughters, teenage Angie and nine-year-old Sophie.
Here, we revisit characters from Hanging Falls who are the owners of Sassy. Sassy is a German shepherd who has been bred with Robo. Cole is called to the clinic when the seventy-pound shepherd is having difficulty birthing puppies. This was one of the most heartwarming, poignant, and informative scenes I’ve ever read. I know you’re married to a veterinarian, but have you ever assisted him? Once again, your talent for combining the biological, technical, and the human components shines in your storytelling. Also, do you think there could be another veterinarian in the future? ?
Margaret Mizushima: Thanks, Donnell. I always had my own career as a speech pathologist, so my days were spent working in a hospital and then my own rehab agency instead of assisting my husband in his vet clinic. That said I still spent countless hours assisting him after office hours and when he needed help on the weekends. And the scene in which Cole delivers Sassy’s puppies by C-section came right from our past when our children and I assisted in the C-section delivery of bulldog pups on Christmas day several years ago. There’s nothing like the birth of tiny puppies to make a Christmas day memorable!
Regarding another vet coming to Timber Creek—I’m not sure. Cole certainly could use a hand, but I like to keep him running.
Donnell: When Mattie makes the traffic stop with the Nebraska hunters, she dismisses the thirty miles over the speed limit but does ticket them for pot violation while driving. Thirty miles seemed excessive and she would have been well within her law enforcement prerogative to ticket them for that, too. What was Mattie’s thought process for making the decision she did?
Margaret Mizushima: My apologies for not making that more clear. Mattie’s goal was to slow down the car before it hit the Timber Creek town limits. When she discovered the crew inside were hunters, she would have given them a warning and sent them on their way since the money that hunters bring into Timber Creek is important to the town and county economy. But finding one of them smoking weed inside the moving vehicle was more than she could ignore because of the dangers to others on the highway. So she wrote the citation for the pot violation to the smoker in the backseat and gave the speed warning to the driver.
Donnell: Readers, if you ever pick up a Margaret Mizushima novel, be prepared to learn much, e.g., the history of German shepherds and what a runt puppy must do to survive. Also, pay attention to the characters she introduces. Hint: No one is a superfluous, throw-away character, whether it’s a family come to update a Border collie’s vaccinations, or Mattie’s decision to pull over a speeding SUV filled with pot-smoking, Nebraska elk hunters.
Like many bestselling, award winning authors, you set up interesting red herrings. Do you always know the killer, or does that change from beginning to end? Also, by now, with seven books under your belt, has patrol and police procedure become second nature or are you always researching and verifying?
Margaret Mizushima: Most of the time, I know who the killer is; but now I’m in the midst of writing book eight and at 80% of the way through, I still haven’t a clue whodunit! I keep adding characters, some of them nice and some not so nice, and I’m excited to see which ones turn out to be red herrings and who turns out to be the killer.
I’m sorry to say that patrol and police procedure are still not easy for me. I find when I write in Cole’s point of view, the veterinarian scenes fly, but when I’m in Mattie’s head I’m constantly second guessing myself and stopping to look things up. Thank goodness for consultants who help with police procedure and act as beta readers. I rely on them heavily.
Donnell: After clues are found inside John Cobb’s prison cell, Mattie is ordered to accompany Detective Hauck into the high country to the north side of Redstone Ridge. This area is well-known to Mattie as it’s the torched area in which John Cobb tried to burn her alive. With Mattie accompanying the small party on horseback, you describe how she leans forward and shifts her weight to maintain balance as they travel up the steep trail. I found your description so visceral, I wondered if you’d ridden horseback on similar trails.
Margaret Mizushima: My husband and I spent many a pleasant weekend on trail rides and pack trips via horseback in the mountains. When our children were small, we used to car camp, but as they got older we enjoyed taking our horses into the mountains when we could, sometimes with the kids and sometimes without.
Donnell: Then of course, Robo is right by Mattie’s side when he’s not off exploring or coming back covered in ash. As Mattie and the team lumber along, you write, “At this rate, he [Robo] would cover two miles to their one.” There is no doubt after reading any of your books just how invaluable these animals are to law enforcement. How old is Robo, and does he have plenty of years left to work with Mattie?
Margaret Mizushima: Robo was about two when the series started, and even though seven years have passed for me to write and publish seven books, only about a year and a half has passed in Timber Creek time. So Robo is now three-and-a-half, and he still has plenty of vim and vigor left in him.
Donnell: In addition to finding out who’s behind John Cobb’s death, and concluding Mattie’s backstory, there’s another murder/conspiracy that Mattie and Detective LoSasso work to solve. I understand you were inspired by this plot idea in a documentary?
Margaret Mizushima: Yes, I watched a documentary about a true crime back in the 1960s in which a rural doctor delivered babies at his clinic in his home, told selected vulnerable mothers that their babies were stillborn, and then sold their babies out the back door, often swaddled without taking the time to wash and clothe them. It was horrifying, but I have to admit that it did seem like a good plot to tweak for a murder mystery.
Donnell: I found as a reader that that both Mattie and Cole come into their own in Striking Range. I was on pins and needles when Cole joins the team on horseback at Redstone Ridge, and Mattie works with Stella more as an investigator than an officer on patrol. Do I see a promotion in Mattie’s future?
Margaret Mizushima: Mattie will always be a K-9 handler, and she and Robo are dedicated to each other so I can’t imagine her giving him over to someone else. It’s a hard fact that jurisdictions own these dogs and entrust them to their handler’s care as long as both are working; so if a handler retires while one of these valuable dogs is still in service, the bond has to be transferred to a new handler. I’ve heard one officer say that it takes about three weeks to make the transfer, although I imagine that the bond exists for a lifetime. These dogs are bighearted enough to love more than one partner.
I take liberties with Mattie working as an investigator; it’s not the norm for a K-9 officer to work in this capacity, although they are often called in for specific work. I justify putting Mattie in the investigative role because Timber Creek is such a small jurisdiction. While Robo has been trained as a dual-purpose dog (patrol and narcotics detection), it’s not too much of leap of the imagination for Mattie to be a dual-purpose officer.
Donnell: As I said, I learn something from every book you author and Striking Range is no exception. I hope readers gain a healthy respect for opioids and fentanyl and pass on that knowledge. I also can’t wait to see Mattie’s backstory concluded, a huge family reunion, and perhaps an engagement in her future.
But enough about Mattie, what comes next for Margaret Mizushima? You have been so busy with Rocky Mountain Mystery Writers of America, and I think a move may be in your future? The beauty of online chapters and social media is those avenues allow us to remain in touch. (Trust me, I know.) With the wonderful books you’ve created and your generosity toward your fellow writers, you’re not bound to be forgotten.
Margaret Mizushima: Oh, thank you! And I plan to stay in touch with everyone from the Rocky Mountain chapter of MWA! I know what you mean about online meetings and social media. It will be wonderful to be able to meet with my writing community even when I move out of Colorado and our chapter region.
My husband and I plan to move to Washington state to be closer to family sometime this year when the real estate transactions all work out. We’ve lived on our small ranch in northern Colorado for forty years, and it will be a huge adjustment. But in the meantime, I’m hard at work on the eighth Timber Creek K-9 mystery, which has a deadline of April 1 this year and is set to release March of 2023. I can’t wait for readers to find out what happens next in the lives of Mattie, Cole, and Robo! Thanks so much for hosting me as your guest today, Donnell!
Donnell: My pleasure. Best wishes to you on your move. We’ll see you soon and on-line.
About the Book:
The past and present collide when Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo are torn between investigating her father’s cold case and the death of a young mother whose body is found near Timber Creek. As a deadly storm batters the area, taking its toll on the investigative team, Mattie and Robo search for the woman’s missing infant, hoping to find the baby before it’s too late.
What readers are saying!
“Striking Range, a chilling mystery set in winter-cold Colorado, pits K-9 officer Mattie Cobb and her dog Robo against a band of ruthless killers. Tense and satisfying.” ~JA Jance, New York Times bestselling author
“The tension and drama of this series installment will satisfy fans of K-9 partners and solid police procedurals.” ~Library Journal, starred review
“Mizushima is a master storyteller who shows no signs of flagging. Striking Range reunites Deputy Mattie Cobb and her four legged partner Robo in a tangled and dangerous case, putting each of their skills to the test. Memorable characters, rugged setting, and a page-turning mystery. Brilliant!” — Bruce Robert Coffin, award-winning author of the Detective Byron Mysteries
Hi, Margaret! So wonderful to learn more about your book. My BFF worked with search and rescue team and adored it. Sounds like your move will be fab.
Thanks for this great interview, Donnell. You got to the heart of Margaret Mizushima.
Margaret’s Timber Creek series is so engaging -the characters are fully realized and make you want to know what’s next in the series. Plus those snippets of factual knowledge weave seamlessly into the books and enhance the stories without sidetracking the plot. Not an easy thing to do!
More than her writing, Margaret works hard at supporting other writers and gives so generously to them. Selfishly, I hate to see her leave Colorado, but grandbabies tug on us until we have to be close by.
All the best, Margaret, and thank you for welcoming me into the CO mystery writers family.
Kudos to Donnell and Margaret for an enlightening interview on Margaret’s novels and writing process.
Vicki, Nanci, and ZJ, thanks so much for visiting Donnell’s blog today and for leaving comments. Donnell asks such great questions in her interviews, and I appreciate getting to visit with her again! I have always been so grateful for support I receive from other writers and I’m happy to have opportunities to pass on the writerly love. I would hate to lose contact with any of you and plan to stay in touch through RMMWA, RMFW, and SinC-Colorado. Hugs!
Fascinating interview! Thank you, Donnell and Margaret.
I saw a great quote today (paraphrasing) about you know a good book when you get to the end, it feels like you’re saying goodbye to a friend. I love to read books like that I include Margaret’s books in that equation. So hard to leave the familiar, but I know you look forward to your family and adventure! Thanks for keeping me company, Margaret.
Loved this interview–I learned so much. I’m an avid reader of Margaret Mizushima’s books and am happy to learn Robo is only 3-1/2 and has more years of work ahead of him 😀
Lois and Peggy, thanks so much for your comments! I want to mention that Peggy’s new cozy, A Deadly Bone to Pick, released earlier this week on 2/22/22, a most auspicious date! I haven’t read it yet, but it’s on my TBR list. Thanks to all who’ve visited this blog!
Great interview with Margaret. I always learn a lot about the author you interview and about writing as well!
The interview with Margaret was so interesting. I love her stories about the dog and the handler. Margaret does a beautiful job of weaving the ins and out of her mysteries.
Sue and Mary, thanks so much for sharing your time with us today! I appreciate your comments! Thanks again, Donnell, for having me as a guest!
Donnell and Margaret, thank you for such an entertaining interview.
Margaret, congratulations on this latest release. Mattie and Robo have such exciting adventures, I’m glad there will be more of them! And best of luck on your own personal adventure. I hope your move goes smoothly!
Donnell and Margaret,
Enjoyed this interview so much!
Micki and Marilyn, thanks so much for reading our interview and spending time with us on Donnell’s blog. Looking forward to reading more of your books, my Crooked Lane siblings!
Micki, thanks for your kind words about the books and for your well wishes for our move. It is going to be a huge adjustment for us and sorting through our things to try to limit what we take with us is a task for sure! Got my fingers crossed that it will go smoothly too and appreciate the positive vibes.
Love this interview, Donnell and Margaret! I have all of your books, Margaret, but finally cracked open Killing Trail the other day. I’m loving it so, so much! Well done, my friend. You make me proud to know you! xoxo
Fantastic interview Donnell and Margaret! I’ve really been enjoying–and learning from–Margaret’s stories and her writing.