Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Mad Dog Down the Road by Marta Acosta Narrator: Cindy Kay
Series: Coyote Run #2
Published by Tantor Audio on July 16, 2024
Genres: Mystery
Length: 10 hours, 34 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
Despite the sweltering summer, Maddie’s problems keep snowballing. A freak accident sends her K-9 search and rescue team racing to locate the victim, but a gruesome discovery makes her question everything...and everyone around her.
Her partner, Sheriff Oliver Desjardins, is keeping secrets. Her flirtatious veterinarian friend is spending a suspicious amount of time with an enticing widow. A loathsome new deputy threatens her. And Maddie must work with wild and extraordinary Vixen.
I read the first book in the Coyote Run series, The Dog Thief, when I was looking for K9 books and loved it. I saw the series is being released on audio and jumped right in for the second book, Mad Dog Down the Road. The main character Maddie runs a rescue shelter and training operation. I would read the series in order, because I almost always do and because I really enjoy these books.
Maddie is a neurodivergent character and a dog whisperer. She understands dogs so much better than people. The heart of this story is Maddie’s personal journey with events in her life. Her partner, Oliver, is a Sheriff’s deputy and “pretends” to break up with her as he is going undercover in a drug operation. Everyone believes it but Maddie. Her good friend, Ben, the veterinarian, is caught up in another project so he has less time for her. Her sister Kenzie, has moved to another town with a boyfriend.
With these main supports in her circle mostly unavailable, Maddie finds a dog in bad shape, probably used as a bait dog. She fights to give him a good life and track down the monsters who treated him that way. As a member of a search and rescue team, Maddie finds some interesting things when a boat blows up. Her teen volunteer Zoe is all about marketing but Maddie becomes a pariah when she has a public spat with a new deputy. That brings about money troubles. Then there is the huge dog who is threatening people because he has stupid owners.
Maddie finds her way with the dogs and her friends at her Canine Center. She gets into some trouble all along. I find Maddie refreshing and honest and funny. Her heart is in the right place. Her solutions can be unusual. I love all the dog training and skills. The pacing is good with many threads to the plot. I highly recommend this series.
Narration:
I really enjoyed the narrator. I have listened to her previously on a Christina Lauren book. She did a great job with the different voices for the characters and kept me in the story. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Marta Acosta
Marta Acosta lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was a feral reader, roaming the stacks of the public library.
She received a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Stanford University and has written for the San Francisco Chronicle, the Contra Costa Times, and Spaces Magazine.
Marta lives with her husband, spawn, and their crazy dogs. An avid gardener, she likes independent films, funny novels, loud music and lively conversations.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
iWork’s never have guessed what this book was about so it’s a nice surprise to see it’s related to K-9 units. Excellent review, Anne, and thanks for featuring💜
Thank you Jonetta. I’m really enjoying the series. The K9 training and work are so interesting. The main character being neuro divergent is also a fascinating aspect.
I love the combo of the dogs and a neurodivergent character, this does sound unique!
The series is so enjoyable. I’ve always loved the K9 books but the neuro divergent aspects are so interesting.
This looks interesting.
I love this series!
Oh, I like the sounds of this series. Thanks!
Thanks. It’s a little wild with the neurodivergent stuff being so blunt but I love it. The dog training is excellent.
Awww I think I could enjoy this series
I highly recommend it.
I think I marked this series when you introduced the first book. Glad to see book two is a strong follow up.
They are all coming out on audio now so I will have the third book next month.
This looks like a series I’d enjoy and I love the German Shorthair on the cover! I will have to pick up book one.
I am totally in love with this series. I hope you enjoy it.
I do enjoy the books with dogs! I think I recognize that narrator as well. Great review!
Thank you Lisa. There is something about this series I just love so much.