Some cozy mysteries lean on charm, some lean on danger — Murder on Flesher Pass manages both, all while keeping the heart of the series front and center: three women who love animals, trust each other, and refuse to back down when dogs or people are in trouble. This second installment delivers a gritty‑cozy blend of real‑world stakes, believable villains, and rescue‑center chaos that feels authentic and emotionally engaging. Once the Mexico‑to‑Montana rescue flight went sideways, I couldn’t put the book down.
About the Book
RogerDog Rescue of Helena, Montana, prides itself on protecting local dogs, no out‑of‑state transports, no questionable operations. But when a fellow rescuer dies during a transport for a notorious Butte group, Betty Mills, Kelly Boyd, and Cici Vargas know something isn’t right. Their infiltration of the Butte operation leads them straight into a rescue flight from Mexico… and into a dangerous mystery involving foreign dogs, suspicious characters, and a missing “something” everyone seems desperate to find.
As the trio digs deeper, danger spreads to the rescue organization itself, and when Gracie and J.J. are threatened, the stakes skyrocket. With multiple dogs playing meaningful roles (including Spook, whose evolving name and story tugged at my heart), the mystery becomes more than a puzzle: it’s a fight to protect the vulnerable.
Book HookUp Book Review: Murder on Flesher Pass
Murder on Flesher Pass is the second book in this series and builds beautifully on the foundation laid in Murder in the Crazy Mountains. Betty and Cici’s ex‑military grit, Kelly’s retired‑teacher logic, and their shared devotion to animals create a sleuthing team that feels real, loyal, and deeply capable. Their teamwork, established in Book 1, continues to be the emotional backbone of the series. They have each other’s backs even when they make mistakes, and that camaraderie keeps the pages turning.
The mystery itself is clever and tightly woven. The central question — what exactly are the bad guys after, and where is it? — drives the tension from start to finish. The reveal is smart, satisfying, and fully tied up by the end. The danger is a notch higher than in Book 1, with both investigative peril and threats to the rescue organization. It’s still cozy, but a “gritty cozy” that stays within clean‑fiction comfort while offering real‑world stakes.
The rescue‑flight plotline adds freshness and emotional depth. It took a moment for the Mexico‑dog connection to click, but once it did, the story accelerated beautifully. The dogs aren’t window dressing; they’re central to the plot, the stakes, and the heart of the book.
Humor comes mostly from situational chaos, rescue operations, unexpected twists, and the trio’s contrasting personalities. And Kelly’s personal growth adds warmth: her realization that she needs to include her husband in her adventures (and his agreement to include her in his) gives the story a grounded, human touch.
This is a satisfying, page‑turning mystery that blends danger, heart, and animal rescue in a way that feels both cozy and authentic.
There is a King Sumo Giveaway for this tour.
Prize:
3 - Paperback Copies of Murder on Flesher Pass (Montana Animal Rescue Mystery Series) by K. L. Borges - US Only
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BookHookUp Content Note
Clean‑fiction friendly with mild grit.
✅Violence: Mild to moderate; danger is present but not graphic.
✅Profanity: Sprinkled throughout from ex‑military characters; no F‑bombs; not overused.
✅Themes: Animal rescue, PTSD, friendship, loyalty, danger, and justice.
✅Tone: Gritty cozy with real‑world stakes.
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I received a copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tours with no compensation, and all opinions are my own. Book HookUp participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
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About the Author K. L. Borge
K.L. Borges, an Agatha Award-nominated author, moved to Montana thirty-five years ago with her husband to raise their three children alongside a series of herding dogs. Prior to becoming an author, she taught math at a private Billings high school (Go, Rams!). Borges is a member of the Billings Gem and Mineral Club and Sisters in Crime. She and her husband are often found enjoying the Montana outdoors with their two blue heelers.
Author Links
Author website: K.L. Borges - Home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Buy links: Amazon B&N This House of Books
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