WILDLING ROAD

A search-and-rescue officer triumphs over her past in this intriguing mystery.

Mia Thomas and her border collie, Koda, live in rural Australia. Mia is about to face the most trying time of her life when they’re called to search for missing local teen Lilly Daniels. They locate Lilly, but they’re too late to save her, as she’s dead in a ravine. Lilly had a reputation around town, and few are surprised she came to a bad end. But Mia has her doubts about a natural death based on the condition of Lilly’s body. On the walk home afterward, Koda detects something in the air on the property of Jack Stanton, a farmer who rules Wildling. Mia is warned against investigating by Herm Drinkwater, the local and creepy cop, who’s in the pocket of Stanton. But she and Koda sneak out one night, finding another teen girl buried on Stanton’s property, eventually tipping off regional police about her discovery. The body belongs to Hazel Smith, an Indigenous teen. Mia, who herself was a troubled kid, starts making accusations about her powerful suspects, with few locals willing to support her. Among those who do are Britt Davis, Lilly’s best friend, and Britt’s older sister, Juniper, a disgraced Sydney reporter. But a blizzard is coming, and Mia must rescue two women from the real killer. Taylor has built her latest novel on an endearing character. Mia has had to overcome a lot in her life and still flourishes, despite relying on her dog as her most dependable friend. Hard times Mia encounters enable her to grow. Likewise, Mia’s allies, Britt and Juniper, do their fair share of maturing in this first volume of Taylor’s new Wildling K9 Mystery series. All three must deal with small-town attitudes in Wildling, where the patriarchy reigns supreme, and family tensions. Taylor’s narrative is well-paced, and she creates an effective backdrop in the majestic Australian landscape.

A handful of women go it alone to find the truth in this thrilling adventure.