Audiobook Review: Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt

Dachshund Through the Snow
Author: David Rosenfelt

Narrator: Grover Gardner
Series: Andy Carpenter (Book 20)
Publication: Minotaur Books & Macmillan Audio (October 1, 2019)

Length: 6 hours and 42 minutes

Description: This Christmas, lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, can't say no to helping young Danny and his dachshund, Murphy.

Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his wife, Laurie, have started a new Christmas tradition. Their local pet store has a Christmas tree, where instead of ornaments there are wishes from those in need. One poignant wish leads Andy to a child named Danny, whose selfless plea strikes a chord. Danny asked Santa for a coat for his mother, a sweater for his dachshund, Murphy, and for the safe return of his missing father.

It turns out Danny’s father doesn't want to be found, he’s on the run after just being arrested for a murder that took place fourteen years ago – a murder that Danny’s mother swears he didn’t commit.

With his trademark humor and larger-than-life characters – including a police officer and his K-9 partner, Simon – Rosenfelt never fails to deliver as Andy and his eccentric crew dash to reunite a family in time for Christmas.

My Thoughts: Andy has two different cases in this holiday entry into the Andy Carpenter mystery series. First of all, Laurie's friend Corey Douglas is getting ready to retire after 25 years in the police department, but his K-9 Simon Garfunkel still has one year to go before he can be retired. Corey wants Andy to find a way to get Simon out of the police department since his efforts to go up the chain of command to get this done has failed. 

The second case is a lot more complicated. Laurie has picked up a wish from a local pet store from a boy named Danny who wants a coat for his mother, a sweater for his dachshund Murphy, and for his father to come home.

Being an investigator, Laurie is willing to work on the toughest part of the wish and find out why Danny's father can't come home. It turns out that he has been arrested for a fourteen-year-old murder. Noah Trainor was dating Kristen McNeil at the time of her murder. They had a physical fight which left DNA evidence under her fingernails, but Noah claims she was alive when he last saw her. It wasn't until recently that Noah's DNA entered the system when a relative sent DNA to one of those websites to find out about their ancestry. 

Andy, Laurie and the rest of what will soon by the K-Team - Marcus and Corey - need to find out who really murdered Kristen or at least provide reasonable doubt that it wasn't Noah. Bodies start dropping all around them as they investigate the tech firm where Kristen worked then and where her former boyfriend still works. 

This was another engaging thriller with adorable dogs and yet another chance for David Rosenfelt to name drop one of his own books into the story. Andy's desire for retirement and general snarky attitude make this one fun. 

I bought the Kindle copy October 3, 2022, and the audiobook June 5, 2020. You can buy your copy here.

Audiobook Review: Dog Eat Dog by David Rosenfelt

Dog Eat Dog
Author: David Rosenfelt

Narrator: Grover Gardner
Series: Andy Carpenter (Book 23)
Publication: Minotaur Books & Macmillan Audio (July 6, 2021)

Length: 6 hours and 30 minutes

Description: Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, work to free a man who risked it all to help a dog in need

Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his wife, Laurie, enjoy walking their dogs, Tara and Sebastian. By this point in their marriage, it’s routine. When out for one of their strolls, their simple ritual isn’t so simple anymore. Across the street, a man is mistreating his dog. Three things happen at once: Andy yells, Laurie runs to stop the abuse, and so does a closer passerby, who so thoroughly beats the owner that both are arrested when the cops arrive.

Andy scoops up the dog and takes him to the Tara Foundation, the dog rescue organization that’s always been his true passion. Meanwhile, at the police station, the passerby is identified as Matthew Jantzen, and he’s wanted for murder. Andy and Laurie are struck by the fact that Jantzen, a man on the run, would nevertheless intervene to help a dog, and decide to find out more.

Dog Eat Dog, the twenty-second installment in the Andy Carpenter series, features the charming cast of characters - old and new - that David Rosenfelt is known for and the dogs that accompany them.

My Thoughts: Andy's next case comes to him when he and Laurie are out walking their dogs and see a man attack another who is abusing a dog. The man is Matthew Jantzen who is subsequently arrested for murder and extradited to Maine where he is accused of a home invasion murder of two people. 

Andy agrees to be with him when he makes his plea but then intends to find a local lawyer to defend him. The baffling piece of evidence in this case is that Matthew's DNA was found under the fingernails of the male victim. Matt insists that he didn't know either person. He had no idea how his blood could get under the man's nails. 

Andy's investigation uncovers a potential terrorist plot but doesn't give him a way to connect it to the murder investigation until a brainstorm in court provides the answer for him. 

This is the twenty-second in the Andy Carpenter series and is filled with the usual witty dialog and cute dogs. Andy is a snarky character that I would definitely want on my side if I were ever accused of murder. 

I bought the Kindle copy November 7, 2023, and the audiobook June 5, 2023. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Dead Men Don't Play Fetch by David Rosenfelt

Dead Men Don't Play Fetch
Author: David Rosenfelt
Series: Andy Carpenter (Book 33)
Publication: Minotaur Books (July 7, 2026)

Description: Bestselling author David Rosenfelt returns with Dead Men Don't Play Fetch as Andy Carpenter investigates a wealthy dog lover's unusual death.

It’s defense lawyer Andy Carpenter’s dream to retire. That goal is once again thwarted when he gets a call from Lou Campanelli, an old friend who he simply cannot refuse, asking for a favor. Lou runs a rehab center, and when one of his patients, a homeless veteran, is charged with first degree murder, he needs Andy's help. And of course, Andy will also be called on to care for the accused’s dog, but that’s okay: What's one more dog?

The man that Jason Maddox is accused of stabbing to death is none other than billionaire Paul Vincent, an eccentric businessman and inventor. Bickert dedicated a great portion of his life to philanthropy, with a soft spot for dog-related causes. This led him to befriend Jason, a physicist and war hero, whose life fell apart to the point where he ended up on the streets with his dog, just trying to survive.

But why would Jason possibly have wanted to kill him? Well, for one thing, he was to receive a fortune in Vincent's will. That, coupled with the fact that Jason was at the scene, his fingerprints were on the knife, and Vincent's wallet was in his jacket, made it a slam dunk arrest.

Once again, Andy is enmeshed in a puzzling, twisty case. But in order to reunite a man and his dog, Andy will have to untangle it all.

My Thoughts: Andy is actively pursuing retirement when he gets a call from old friend Ou Campanelli asking him to defend Jason Maddox who has been accused of murder. Maddox's life fell apart when his son died by shark attack, but he is starting over at Lou's rehab facility.

It looks like a slam dunk for the prosecution. Jason was found standing over Paul Vincent's body with his fingerprint on the knife, Vincent's blood on his hands and clothing, and Paul's wallet in Jason's jacket pocket. Jason claims innocence and Andy has to prove it. 

Vincent was an eccentric billionaire. He and Jason were friends, but Vincent also has a pile of enemies. He was known for suing people who he felt wronged him. He was also a philanthropist who left his billions to many charitable causes. Jason would benefit under the will by inheriting money and Vincent's unused patents which looks like a motive for him to have murdered Vincent.

As Andy and his team begin to look into Vincent's life, they discover that the company he bought himself out of is currently in financial need and taking money from drug overlords. That looks suspicious to Andy and so do the deaths of the company lawyer and another client of Lou's rehab facility. 

Andy is determined to get Jason off by establishing reasonable doubt which runs him afoul of one of those drug lords. One Andy has tangled with previously. 

This was another entertaining mystery. I really like Andy's personality and his relationships with his friends. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: Bark of Night by David Rosefelt

Bark of Night
Author: David Rosenfelt
Series: Andy Carpenter (Book 19)
Publication: Minotaur (July 16, 2019)

Description The next novel in David Rosenfelt’s witty, heartfelt mystery series featuring lawyer Andy Carpenter and his faithful golden retriever, Tara.

When defense lawyer Andy Carpenter’s veterinarian asks to speak to him privately at the checkup of his golden retriever, Tara, the last thing Andy expects is Truman. Tiny, healthy, French bulldog Truman was dropped off days ago with instructions to be euthanized by a man everyone thought was his owner. But now the owner is nowhere to be found.

Andy is furious. Who would want to euthanize a perfectly healthy dog with no explanation? He is willing to whisk Truman away to the Tara Foundation, the dog-rescue organization which is Andy’s true passion. They will find a home for Truman. But that’s not all the vet tells Andy. Thanks to Truman’s chip, it’s discovered that the man wasn’t Truman’s owner at all . . . Truman's real owner has been murdered.

It’s now up to Andy – with help from his loyal sidekick Tara, Truman and the rest of the gang – to solve this case. In the latest in the popular Andy Carpenter mystery series, David Rosenfelt’s charmingly clever wit and love of dogs are back and better than ever.

My Thoughts: Andy Carpenter's next case comes to him via his veterinarian. The vet has had a man drop off a dog to be euthanized. Investigation shows that the dog wasn't his but rather belonged to a man who was recently murdered. Andy wants to find the man who dropped off the dog and finds himself involved in the murder investigation. 

Things get more complicated when the man who dropped off the dog is also murdered along with his wife. Then there are the suspicious deaths of homeless men from all over the country. Since the first murder victim was a documentary film maker, Andy and his team investigate to find out if his death was related to his career.

Andy's client appears to have been set up for the crime because he happened to be the victim's last interviewee regarding his current film project. Also, items from the scene including the murder weapon were found buried at his house. 

As usual for the Andy Carpenter mysteries, the story is told from multiple viewpoints. My favorite is always Andy's viewpoint since I enjoy his sarcastic voice and quick wit. 

I bought this one June 1, 2021. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Cat on a Hot Tin Woof by Spencer Quinn

Cat on a Hot Tin Woof
Author: Spencer Quinn
Series: Chet and Bernie Mystery (Book 16)
Publication: Minotaur Books (April 14, 2026

Description: Join Chet the dog, "the most lovable narrator in all of fiction" (Boston Globe), and his human partner Bernie as they scramble to solve a case exposing the dark side of internet fame.

Chet the dog is less than enthusiastic about the Little Detective Agency’s next case. Chet and his human partner, PI Bernie Little, have been hired to find a missing person―only the missing person is a cat. Miss Kitty, an internet sensation, has disappeared, and Chet and Bernie have been hired to find her before her many followers realize something is wrong.

Miss Kitty belongs to Bitty, a sweet teenage girl who lives with her mom. Bitty and her mother are struggling financially, but the arrival of Miss Kitty and the chance discovery of her social media appeal has changed everything. Bitty now has sponsors, a high-powered agent, and all the tools needed to thrive online, and real money is flowing in. At least, it was. With Miss Kitty gone, the family's income is on the line.

The case presents a slew of challenges for Chet and Bernie. For one thing, a potential witness is a pig named Senor Piggy who may be in possession of an important piece of evidence. For another, it seems like a possible perp has been killed twice―and there's evidence implicating Bernie in the crime.

My Thoughts: The sixteenth book in the Chet and Bernie mystery series begins with a missing cat. Bitty has come to hire Bernie and Chet to find Miss Kitty, her rescue cat and internet sensation. Bitty is most concerned with getting Miss Kitty back. Her mother is very concerned about losing the $75 thousand a month they are raking in due to Miss Kitty's popularity. 

Bernie is more enthusiastic about the hunt than Chet who isn't all that happy to be looking for a cat. The failed police dog isn't all that fond of cats. But where Bernie goes, Chet goes and provides his insights mostly via his very sensitive nose to his human partner. 

The search leads to Bitty's dad who has recently been divorced by her mother. But finding and then losing his body means that Chet and Bernie have lots more investigating to do. 

There are lots of references in the story to earlier Chet and Bernie cases which I have not yet had a chance to read. I would guess that people familiar with the whole series would enjoy the reminiscing. I though Chet's viewpoint including his really short memory for anything but scents was an intriguing entry into the story. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Buried in Shamrocks by Lisa Q. Mathews

Buried in Shamrocks
Author: Lisa Q. Mathews
Series: Irish Bed & Breakfast Mysteries (Book 2)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (February 24, 2026)

Description: Kate Buckley returns to her Irish-themed hometown for the summer, but when her ex becomes the prime suspect in his fiancée’s murder, she must clear his name for the sake of their daughters, perfect for fans of Elle Cosimano and Carlene O’Connor.

Kate and her daughters, Maeve and Bliz, are back in Shamrock, Massachusetts, and Kate faces a big decision: Should they move back to their hometown for good? As she contemplates the idea, all the businesses in town, including her family’s B&B, the Buckley House, are busy preparing for the annual Great Shamrock Fair in hopes of luring back tourists after a murder during St. Patrick’s Week.

But when Kate’s ex, Ian, arrives in town from Ireland to perform with his band at the festival and his new fiancée, Fallon, is found dead at the fairgrounds, any chance of a fun and peaceful family summer goes up in green smoke.

Much as she wants nothing to do with her ex, Kate knows Ian is innocent. Amid the swirl of activity in town and her sister Colleen’s determination to keep the annual Miss Shamrock contests alive, Kate enlists her devastated eldest daughter and her father, the former Shamrock police chief, to help her unwind the trail of evidence.

With clues—and danger—piling up, can Kate find Fallon’s true killer and save her ex, before the Great Shamrock Fair and the town’s chances for a summer full of green go bust?

My Thoughts: Kate Buckley and her two daughters have come home for the summer and maybe forever. It is time for the annual Great Shamrock Fair and things aren't going well. The man who usually does the butter sculpture has had an accident and his artist daughter is standing in. Kate's ex and his band are scheduled to play at the festival and stay at her parents' B&B. So is a rival group of elderly Itish musicians who are her father's friends. 

Her ex, Ian, has also brought along a fiancée named Fallon who is the manager of the band. When Fallon is found dead, it is up to Kate to clear her name and Ian's name too. Of course, she also has to deal with her youngest who is a contestant for Little Miss Shamrock and her eldest who resents that Ian hasn't kept in touch with the family. 

This was a fun cozy with an interesting setting and main character. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: The Devil in the Details by Vicki Delany

The Devil in the Details
Author: Vicki Delany
Series: Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries (Book 11)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (January 6, 2026)

Description: The game is once again afoot in Vicki Delany’s eleventh Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery, when birthday festivities end in freezing-cold murder.

Gemma Doyle is excited about celebrating Jayne Wilson’s big day. It’s supposed to mark not only the birthday of Jayne, her partner in crime, but also that of the Great Detective himself. Following the festivities at the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, Gemma heads for the Blue Water Café, the site of Jayne’s party. To make things even better, Jayne’s wedding is only a week away.

But the much-anticipated affair quickly turns to disaster with the presence of the bride and groom’s respective exes in attendance and other unruly guests. With drama at every corner, Gemma and Jayne take a break on the chilly deck overlooking the ocean when they spot the body of a party attendee floating in the water below.

As Detective Ryan Ashburton takes a closer look at the guest list, Jayne’s wedding is in peril, especially when it is revealed that her fiancé, Andy, is a prime suspect. With the police closing in and more lives on the line, it’s up to Gemma to keep Andy from prison and save Jayne’s wedding day from ruin.

My Thoughts: Gemma Doyle finds herself in the middle of a new mystery when Andy's ex-girlfriend dies at a birthday party he is throwing for his fiancée Jayne. It is just a week before the wedding. A party-crashing ex-girlfriend is only part of the problems. 

The chef Andy has hired as his assistant is getting too independent and causing friction in the kitchen. Jayne's ex-boyfriend Robbie is back in town after his career as an artist has failed, and he's picking up shifts as a waiter in Andy's restaurant. He wouldn't mind breaking up Jayne's new romance. Things get even worse when Gemma goes to talk to Robbie and discovers an intruder in his apartment and Robbie's body. 

With Andy ready to cancel the wedding to keep Jayne away from his troubles, Gemma has just a few short days to figure out what happened to the exes. 

This was another fun entry into the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mysteries. I enjoy catching up with Gemma, Ryan, Jayne and Andy. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Vows and Villainy by Elizabeth Penney

Vows and Villainy
Author: Elizabeth Penney
Series: The Cambridge Bookshop Series (Book 5)
Publication: Minotaur Books (November 25, 2025)

Description: Vows and Villainy is the fifth book in Elizabeth Penney's delightful Cambridge Bookshop series set in Cambridge, England, where celebrations are about to commence.

It’s wedding season in Cambridge, and Molly Kimball is thrilled that it's almost time for her best friend's special day. With the help of her boyfriend Kieran Scott, she is determined to be the best maid of honor for Daisy and Tim. Daisy’s heart is set upon a Shakespeare-themed wedding to be held at Hazelhurst House, Kieran’s family’s home. The Scotts are also hosting a Shakespeare troupe for the summer, and the actors have kindly agreed to be part of the festivities.

But all goes awry with the discovery of Sir Nigel Peck, a famous actor with a checkered past and present-day misdeeds, floating dead in the moat with flowers strewn around him, à la Ophelia. When Kieran’s brother Alan becomes a top suspect, Molly and company must investigate to uncover the ugly truth behind this picturesque scene . . . before more bodies pile up.

Can Molly solve the murder before Daisy and Tim say “I do”?

My Thoughts: The fifth Cambridge Bookshop mystery is filled with weddings. Molly is helping her friend Daisy as her wedding date nears. Daisy has her heart set on a Shakespearean wedding set at Hazelhurst House which is Molly's boyfriend Kieran's family home. Molly has been working on organizing the library and pulling out some books by and about Shakespeare to make a display at the wedding. 

Hazelhurst House is also hosting an acting troupe who will take part in the festivities. Molly is distressed when she finds the lead actor Sir Nigel Peck floating in the moat surrounded by flowers. She is even more distressed when it looks like Kieran's older brother is the prime suspect. Molly has to clear Alan and solve the murder before Daisy's wedding day.

There are lots of suspects since it turns out the Sir Nigel wasn't a very nice guy. He is being sued for causing so much emotional distress at the acting school where he taught that one of his students committed suicide. 

Meanwhile, Molly's beloved great-aunt Violet is also soon to be married to Sir Jon, a man she has loved since they met in college. However, Sir Jon's 90-something year old mother isn't at all pleased with the upcoming wedding which is distressing Violet. 

And among all the detecting and romances, it seems like Kieran is trying to ask Molly something but something always seems to be getting in his way. 

This was an engaging cozy with a wonderful Cambridge setting. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: And to All a Good Bite by David Rosenfelt

And to All a Good Bite
Author: David Rosenfelt
Series: Andy Carpenter Mysteries (Book 32)
Publication: Minotaur Books (October 14, 2025)

Description: Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter investigates a murder that left a dog stranded in And to All a Good Bite, the latest Christmas mystery in David Rosenfelt's bestselling series.

Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter can't wait for Christmas. He doesn't care much about the season, unless it's football season. Andy's excited to finally relax and watch the games. But when there's a murder related to an old case in Paterson, New Jersey, Andy puts the games on pause.

Two years ago, a gas leak in an office building led to a tragic explosion that killed seven people. Jeff Wheeler was there to pick up his girlfriend and ran into the building to help. All he heard was the barking of a dog, Rufus, and was able to save him. The pup was the sole survivor and Jeff was named a hero. Initially, Rufus went to the Tara Foundation since his owner had died in the accident. But Andy met Jeff and liked him, respecting his courage and allowed him to adopt Rufus. Since then, Jeff and Rufus have formed an unbreakable bond.

The accident never sat right with Jeff. He believed that one of the building owners was responsible for the tragedy. Now that owner has been murdered and Jeff is arrested for the crime, Rufus is left with Jeff's sister, who begs Andy to take the case. Andy remembered Jeff's tremendous bravery and with the lingering Christmas spirit, decides to help reunite the two.

With David Rosenfelt's signature humor and hijinks, it's time to close this case for good and bid it a good night.

My Thoughts: Andy is dragged into another case when a man who adopted a dog from his foundation is accused of murder. Jeff Wheeler rescued the dog when an office building exploded killing the woman he hoped to marry and six others. He ended up adopting the dog he named Rufus.

Jeff always blamed Stanley Franklin for the explosion. While he didn't know why, he knew his girlfriend was concerned about something at work and was planning to meet with Franklin on the night the building exploded. However, the explosion was ruled caused by a gas leak.

Now, a year or so later, Jeff is arrested for the death of Stanley Franklin who was shot in the front entry of his home. A bag of Jeff's belongings and the murder weapon were found near Jeff's home. This screams of set up to Andy. To get Jeff off, he'll have to discover who really killed Stanley Franklin.

Franklin was a noted art collector and had recently discovered a cache of art that the Nazis had hidden. The art will be auctioned off as a collection with a minimum bid of $150 million. This leads Andy to believe that the auction and possible art forgery might have actually led to Franklin's death. Proving it is going to be the hard part.

Filled with Andy's usual snark and set at the Christmas season, AND TO ALL A GOOD BITE has all the strong parts of the rest of the series. I enjoyed the twists and turns and loved catching up with the characters again. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: And to All a Good Bite by David Rosenfelt

 Happy Friday!

Book Beginnings is hosted by Gillion at Rose City Reader. She asks that the first sentence is posted along with the author and title of the book and the reader's initial thoughts on the sentence, the book, or anything else it inspires. 

Carrie at Reading Is My Superpower.org also provides a linky for sharing first lines and connecting with others. This meme asks that the chosen books be PG or marked as Mature if they are not. 

Beginning:

Jeff Wheeler had never been much of a fan of the holiday season.

Friday 56:

During the break I check my phone and there's a message from Laurie. "Andy, we got a break. We may have found Tony Bradley. Everyone will be at the house tonight to talk about it."

This week I am spotlighting And to All a Good Bite by David Rosenfelt. This is the 32nd Andy Carpenter mystery. It is from my review stack. Here's the description from Amazon:

Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter investigates a murder that left a dog stranded in And to All a Good Bite, the latest Christmas mystery in David Rosenfelt's bestselling series.

Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter can't wait for Christmas. He doesn't care much about the season, unless it's football season. Andy's excited to finally relax and watch the games. But when there's a murder related to an old case in Paterson, New Jersey, Andy puts the games on pause.

Two years ago, a gas leak in an office building led to a tragic explosion that killed seven people. Jeff Wheeler was there to pick up his girlfriend and ran into the building to help. All he heard was the barking of a dog, Rufus, and was able to save him. The pup was the sole survivor and Jeff was named a hero. Initially, Rufus went to the Tara Foundation since his owner had died in the accident. But Andy met Jeff and liked him, respecting his courage and allowed him to adopt Rufus. Since then, Jeff and Rufus have formed an unbreakable bond.

The accident never sat right with Jeff. He believed that one of the building owners was responsible for the tragedy. Now that owner has been murdered and Jeff is arrested for the crime, Rufus is left with Jeff's sister, who begs Andy to take the case. Andy remembered Jeff's tremendous bravery and with the lingering Christmas spirit, decides to help reunite the two.

With David Rosenfelt's signature humor and hijinks, it's time to close this case for good and bid it a good night.

ARC Review: Murder at Blackwood Inn by Penny Warner

Murder at Blackwood Inn
Author: Penny Warner
Series: A Haunted Dead and Breakfast Mystery
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (September 23, 2025)

Description: A haunted house and the occult are the least of Carissa Blackwood’s problems when her eccentric aunts are accused of murder in this cozy series debut by multiple award–winning author Penny Warner.

Ghostwriter Carissa Blackwood is having the worst year of her life. After leaving her cheating husband, she finally takes up the offer to help her two eccentric aunts manage the Blackwood Bed ’n’ Breakfast Inn in Pelican Point, California–a house they only recently inherited from their deceased father, Bram Blackwood. The old man dabbled in the occult, and his daughters haven’t fallen far from the family tree. Aunt Runa is into crystals and plans to hold séances at the reportedly “haunted” house. Aunt Hazel has an herbary and offers herbal cures for everything from headaches to paranormal visions. But it’s Hazel’s poison garden that really concerns Carissa.

When one of the townspeople dies from a poison that could have only come from Aunt Hazel’s garden, the town is quick to point fingers. It doesn’t help that one of Aunt Runa’s charms is found at the scene of the crime. With a little help from Noah, the mysterious and handsome handyman; Aiden, the charming newspaperman—and the ghost of Carissa’s grandfather—it’s up to Carissa to clear her aunts and find the real killer before someone else is checked out for good at the B&B.

My Thoughts: Carissa Blackwood has come to Pelican Point, California, to help her aunt's run their new bed & breakfast. Her aunts are a little eccentric. One is devoted to crystals and the other to herbs and poisonous plants. They have decorated their inherited Italianate mansion in a spooky theme. From a black, purple and green exterior to rooms decorated for famous horror movies, Carissa is wondering if she's making a right move after her acrimonious divorces and losing her job as a ghostwriter for a famous author. 

However, her aunts have decorated her room according to a Nancy Drew theme, and are supportive of her desires to write her own mysteries once the inn is up and running. 

The reception they are holding on the evening before their first guests arrive is supposed to introduce them to the locals. However, only five people attend and all have their own agendas from the other innkeeper in town who resents their competition to the next door neighbor wo worries that the odd color scheme will destroy his home's value to the real estate agent who has been trying to convince the sisters to sell out and buy a nice oceanside condo. 

Things go from bad to worse when the real estate agent is found dead in her bed the next morning with one of Aunt Runa's crystals under her bed. Further investigations lead to the conclusion that she was poisoned with belladonna which Aunt Hazel tends in her poisons garden. 

With the police focusing on Aunt Hazel, it is up to Carissa to channel Nancy Drew and find out who really murdered the realtor. 

This was an entertaining cozy mystery set in a bed & breakfast that I would like to visit. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Claws Out by Cate Conte

Claws Out
Author: Cate Conte
Series: A Cat Cafe Mystery (Book 9)
Publication: St. Martins Paperback (August 26, 2025)

Description: The ninth installment in a charming cozy mystery series set on an island off the New England coast and featuring the cat cafe owner Maddie and her cat JJ.

After a long, snowy winter on Daybreak Island, Maddie and her cat cafe crew are finally ready to embrace the spring, though life is anything but calm. With Val and Ethan's wedding taking center stage, Maddie finds herself juggling wedding plans alongside a new and unexpected venture―a generous donation has made her the co-owner of a traveling cat cafe truck. To kick off the new chapter, she seizes the chance to take the truck on its inaugural trip to a cat literary festival in Provincetown, accompanied by her family and some of the shelter crew.

The festival is organized by the renowned cat-romance author Jasmine Prescott, who also runs a beloved cat rescue foundation on Cape Cod. But when Jasmine's longtime friend and fellow author Vivi St. Clair arrives with a boatload full of drama―everything from a dangerous ex-husband to an unwanted Netflix crew―tensions run high. At first, it seems like just another dose of celebrity chaos―until Vivi is found murdered. As new evidence ties Maddie and her cat cafe into the investigation, Maddie must dig deeper into the tangled web of secrets, rivalries, and feline-friendly drama to uncover the truth. The question is: what’s the connection between the cat cafe and Vivi’s untimely death?

My Thoughts: This cozy mystery is the ninth book in the Cat Cafe series. Maddie and her Cat Cafe crew were gifted with a mobile cat cafe and take it on its first outing to a literary festival in nearby Provincetown. 

Noted cat-romance author Jasmine Prescott is the host of the fund raiser for the cat shelters she sponsors. And special guest Vivi St. Clair is also making an appearance. Not being a reader of that genre herself, Maddie depends on her young sister Sam to know who's who and to do all the fan-girling. 

Also along on the trip are Maddie's sister Val and her fiancé Ethan who are bickering and showing stress with their wedding coming up soon. 

As Maddie deals with tension between Val and Ethan, she also finds herself involved in a murder investigation when Vivi is found stabbed to death on the pier. Vivi had all sorts of drama surrounding her including a mobster ex-husband, a stalker, and an intrusive Netflix film crew. 

But Maddie isn't alone in her quest for answers, she has her grandfather who's a police chief turned private investigator and Harry who is also a retired police officer. Only Harry goes missing which adds even more stress to the investigation. 

This was another fun episode in this long-running series. Most of the series regulars appear with roles of varying importance in this episode. Fans of the series will enjoy this latest edition. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt

Dogged Pursuit
Author: David Rosenfelt
Series: Andy Carpenter (Book 31)
Publication: Minotaur (July 1, 2025)

Description: In Dogged Pursuit, David Rosenfelt takes readers back to the start of this beloved series as Andy Carpenter begins his career as a defense attorney in Paterson, New Jersey.

Andy Carpenter has spent the three years since graduating law school working as a prosecutor in Paterson. But having seen how the system never looks out for the little guy, he leaves to start his own practice as a defense attorney. His office might be a little bit of a dump, but he's excited to make a change.

Andy goes to the shelter to adopt a dog, where he meets his beloved golden retriever, Tara, for the first time and feels an immediate connection. The shelter is crowded and Tara's been sharing space with a dog named Sunny; Andy hates to break them up and so asks to take Sunny, too, but since there's a pending criminal case involving the owner, he'll need to get written permission for temporary possession.

Andy discovers that Sunny's owner, Frank Tierney, has been arrested for the murder of his ex-boss. But he takes an immediate liking to Frank and his clear dedication to his dog, and ends up with his first case along with the two dogs.

This prequel to the long-running and perennially popular Andy Carpenter mysteries is a gift for fans and a terrific entry-point for newcomers.

My Thoughts: Andy Carpenter has just left the prosecutor's office in Patterson, New Jersy, to set up as a defense attorney. His marriage to Nicole is in trouble because they have different views of the future. Andy can't see himself as a corporate attorney working for his wealthy father-in-law. He wants to make a difference for real people. He has set himself up as a defense attorney and opened an office above a fruit stand in downtown Paterson.

Andy is also ready to fulfill his lifelong desire to get a dog. He goes to a local shelter with the goal of finding a small dog to be his companion. But one look at the golden retriever sharing a cage with another dog and his heart is lost. Not only does he bring home Tara but he wants to adopt Tara's cage mate Sunny too. The only problem is that Sunny is owned by a man who is in jail and accused of murder.

Andy goes to visit Frank Tierney to get him to sign off on Sunny's adoption and becomes his lawyer.  Frank has been accused of setting a car bomb which killed his former boss at the trucking company and two other people who were catching a ride with him after a staff party. 

Andy begins looking into the case. He hires an investigator - Laurie Collins - who used to be in law enforcement as recommended by police officer Pete Stanton. And he calls on his accountant Sam Willis to do some sleuthing via internet hacking. He soon learns that all is not well at the trucking company. In fact, it is looking like a criminal enterprise. But that criminal enterprise doesn't necessarily connect to whether or not Frank was a murderer until Andy does some of his legal shenanigans on Frank's behalf.

I really enjoyed getting to know Andy Carpenter's origin story. I liked seeing how he began gathering his investigative team. I liked the way he was drawn to Laurie. And I liked Andy's personality.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Grave Words by Gerri Lewis

Grave Words
Author: Gerri Lewis
Series: Deadly Deadlines (Book 2)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (June 10, 2025)

Description: In the second installment of the Deadly Deadlines mysteries, obituary writer Winter Snow faces her biggest challenge yet when the body of a homeless man is found in a burning building and her best friend is the main suspect, perfect for fans of Eva Gates and Kate Carlisle.

Winter Snow has had it! With her business in a death drought, her best friend Scoop implicated in a string of arsons, and an obituary listing Winter herself as deceased, her life is heating up. But just as she’s trying to cool things down, she receives her newest assignment: an obituary for Chester, a homeless man found in a burning building.

Promising the local funeral home manager that she will have the obituary by the deadline, Winter is stonewalled at every turn, failing to discover Chester’s last name, or where he came from. When it is discovered that Chester was murdered and that the fire was set to cover it up, all fingers immediately point to Scoop. Not only is Scoop a person of interest in the arsons, he was also the last person to see Chester alive.

As more nails are pounded into Scoop’s coffin, Winter’s uncle Richard hopes to help by inviting the notorious town gossips, The Nosy Parkers, to a neighborhood food fest. Unfortunately, the breadcrumbs they toss set murder in motion.

More determined than ever, Winter must figure out the twists and turns of the case to clear Scoop’s name, putting her on a deadly deadline to solve the murder and avoid meeting the same grave consequences.

My Thoughts: Winter Snow, freelance obituary writer, returns in her second case. The story starts with a mix-up. One of her clients has posted an obituary that wrongly states the Winter is the one who has passed away causing all sorts of trouble for Winter as she tries to correct the mistake. 

Meanwhile, her friend Scoop is in trouble with the police for seeming to know too much about a series of arsons around town. He won't give up his source when Winter's boyfriend Kip pressures him. But when a third apparent arson results in the death of a homeless man named Chester things heat up for him even more. It seems Scoop was the last one to see Chester alive. 

Carla, Winter's friend from the funeral home, tasks Winter with writing Chester's obituary which send Winter into an investigation of her own as she tries to learn more about Chester. She's being stonewalled. She can't even find out his full name. She's angry at Kip for trying to steer her away from her inquiries into Chester which causes some conflict in their relationship. 

Winter uncovers some secrets, and each discovery leads her into a more dangerous place as she uncovers a money-making scheme and actors who wouldn't at all mind seeing her dead. But she has to persist if she wants to save her friend Scoop and satisfy her own curiosity. 

This was a nice mystery with a main character with a unique occupation. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney

Bodies and Battlements
Author: Elizabeth Penney
Series: The Ravensea Castle Series (Book 1)
Publication: Minotaur Books (May 27, 2025)

Description: The first in a new cozy mystery series by Elizabeth Penney investigates a suspicious murder in a haunted British castle-turned-bed and breakfast.

Herbalist Nora Asquith is delighted to welcome Ravensea Castle’s first guests to the picturesque village of Monkwell, Yorkshire. After a thousand years of ownership, her family has decided to convert the castle into a bed and breakfast. But when Hilda Dibble, a self-appointed local luminary, is found dead in the knot garden the next morning, Nora’s business is not only at risk―she’s a prime suspect.

Hilda had opposed the hotel plan every step of the way, and although she didn’t succeed in stopping the venture, her disagreements with Nora seem to only further her motive. One of Ravensea’s guests happens to be Detective Inspector Finlay Cole, who is new to the area and now finds himself with a murder case in his lap.

Nora and her actress sister Tamsyn decide to investigate for themselves. They look into the entangled dealings of their newly arrived guests, while also getting hints from Sir Percival, one of the castle ghosts. As they learn, Sir Percival’s tragic death centuries ago sheds light on present-day crimes. Surely they can get to the bottom of this mystery while keeping their new business afloat . . .

My Thoughts: This is the first in a new cozy mystery series. Nora Asquith has jumped through all sorts of hoops to open the castle her family has occupied since the 1100s to bed-and-breakfast guests. Village newcomer Hilda Dibble had led a campaign to get the village council to forbid Nora's plans. but Nora persevered and the first guests are arriving.

Nora is also an herbalist who grows plants for her tinctures, soaps and other products. The morning after her first guests arrive when she goes out to weed, she finds Hilda dead in her herb garden. Luckily but perhaps not completely coincidentally, one of her guests is Detective Inspector Finlay Cole who is newly transferred to the area. He is right on hand to assist with the investigation. Also, newly arriving is Nora's sister Tamsyn who is an actress in historical drama TV series. 

Nora learns that she is not the only one at the castle who had a previous relationship with Hilda. Her birdwatching guest turns out to be the son Hilda's sister put up for adoption as an infant. And she has some connection to the couple Nora's brother comped to a night's stay in hopes of placing his mead with their chain of liquor stores. Also, there is the entrepreneur on the yacht who wants to add the castle to his chain of hotels made from stately homes who had a connection to Hilda too. 

But Hilda is only the first body that Nora stumbles on. She also finds a local stonemason on the beach when she goes to gather seaweed from some concoction she's trying out for her herb business. 

Nora and her sister begin investigating because Nora fears that having the castle associated with murder is going to ruin her fledgling business before it can even get off the ground. 

I enjoyed this mystery. I look forward to more books in the series. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney

 Happy Friday!

Book Beginnings is hosted by Gillion at Rose City Reader. She asks that the first sentence is posted along with the author and title of the book and the reader's initial thoughts on the sentence, the book, or anything else it inspires. 

Carrie at Reading Is My Superpower.org also provides a linky for sharing first lines and connecting with others. This meme asks that the chosen books be PG or marked as Mature if they are not. 

Beginning:

We have always lived in this castle, this jumbled, tumbled heap perched above Robin Hood's Bay.

Friday 56:

Where to begin? I didn't quite dare to ask him why he'd come out to Patrick's yacht. Did his visit have anything to do with Hilda or was it another matter?

This week I am spotlighting Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney. This first in a new series is on my Review stack. Here is the description from Amazon:

The first in a new cozy mystery series by Elizabeth Penney investigates a suspicious murder in a haunted British castle-turned-bed and breakfast.

Herbalist Nora Asquith is delighted to welcome Ravensea Castle’s first guests to the picturesque village of Monkwell, Yorkshire. After a thousand years of ownership, her family has decided to convert the castle into a bed and breakfast. But when Hilda Dibble, a self-appointed local luminary, is found dead in the knot garden the next morning, Nora’s business is not only at risk―she’s a prime suspect.

Hilda had opposed the hotel plan every step of the way, and although she didn’t succeed in stopping the venture, her disagreements with Nora seem to only further her motive. One of Ravensea’s guests happens to be Detective Inspector Finlay Cole, who is new to the area and now finds himself with a murder case in his lap.

Nora and her actress sister Tamsyn decide to investigate for themselves. They look into the entangled dealings of their newly arrived guests, while also getting hints from Sir Percival, one of the castle ghosts. As they learn, Sir Percival’s tragic death centuries ago sheds light on present-day crimes. Surely they can get to the bottom of this mystery while keeping their new business afloat . . .

ARC Review: Hounding a Killer by Kallie E. Benjamin

Hounding a Killer
Author: Kallie E. Benjamin
Series: A Bailey the Bloodhound Mystery (Book 2)
Publication: Berkley (May 6, 2025)

Description: It’s chaos in Crosbyville when someone tries to swindle a large inheritance, but as Pris and Bailey start digging for the missing money, they uncover the wrong kind of bones….

Finally finished with the renovations on her new house, bestselling children’s book author Pris and her trusty bloodhound, Bailey, are finding more opportunities to join the community, including attending the annual town festival. But their efforts are paw-sed when David Townsend, volatile grandson of the late wealthy resident Edward Townsend, comes to fetch his inheritance.

After the new arrival riles up several other locals with petty arguments, the once sleepy town goes barking mad. Before long, the wealthy bachelor disappears without a trace, and the police suspect foul play. Bailey’s tracking instincts helped them collar the last criminal in Crosbyville, so the cops turn to Pris and her sweet hound to track down David.

But on their search-and-rescue mission, Pris and Bailey sniff out fraud, theft, and a body. Before they know it, both are hackles-deep inside another homicide investigation. Can the unlikely duo chase down the killer, or will they be left chasing their own tails?

My Thoughts: Pris and her bloodhound Bailey are back in their second investigation. It is time for the Crosbyville Fall Festival. This time the venue has been changed to the estate of Edward Townsend instead of the fairground. Townsend has recently died and the question of who will inherit the multi-billionaire's fortune is on everybody's mind. 

Edward was something of a recluse, but he did patronize Pris's Aunt Agatha's diner for his Sunday dinner. Agatha and Edward were friends. Edward had lost track of his descendants and hired a private investigator to try to track down his heirs. Edward's lawyer found David Townsend who is a grandson. The private investigator found a young girl who is a more distant related.

Pris and Bailey are demonstrating his tracking ability when she discovers the body of one of Edward's trustees in a garden shed. He was badly beaten and dies shortly later in the hospital leaving a vacancy in the trustees who include his lawyer and his accountant - two women who don't get along at all well. Their rivalry is only one of the many at the Townsend estate. 

Pris is more than willing to leave the investigation to her boyfriend who is the Chief of Police, but she keeps stumbling on clues. Things heat up when it is learned that Edward Townsend died of poison rather than of natural causes. Now, the Chief of Police has two murders to investigate. Besides the murder, there is also the matter of embezzlement from the estate and a backpack filled with $50,000 in cash which Bailey digs up. 

This was an engaging cozy mystery. Pris is not your usual heroine given that she is prone to fainting when the going gets tough. But she and Bailey along with her boyfriend to solve the mystery in the end. And Pris does get her second Bailey the Bloodhound children's book finished too. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates

Shot Through the Book
Author: Eva Gates
Series: A Lighthouse Library Mystery (Book 12)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (May 6, 2025)

Description: In the twelfth installment of the Lighthouse Library mysteries, Lucy McNeil is back on the case, but this time she’s on the case alone.

The upcoming YA book festival at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is bringing in renowned authors from all over the world. When best selling author Todd Harrison unexpectedly visits librarian Lucy McNeil at her Outer Banks beach house after a meeting, she is puzzled by his presence, since they’re virtually strangers. After she steps inside to get him a drink, she’s shocked to discover that he’s been murdered on her deck in the few minutes she left him alone.

Not knowing why he wanted to meet with her in private, or how someone managed to kill him in the time it takes to make lemonade, Lucy is determined to help with the investigation and figure out what happened. When Heather Harrison, Todd’s widow, shows up in town, her motivations aren’t inspired by grief. She’s intending to use her husband’s tragic death to launch her candidacy for state senator and her first order of business is to go after the local police force–and Lucy herself.

Caught between an intrusive fan club mourning Todd, squabbling authors fighting for prominence in his absence, and a politically ruthless widow, Lucy must roll up her sleeves and and catch the killer before the chapter closes on justice.

My Thoughts: This is the twelfth book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series and I'll admit I haven't read all of them. Luckily, I didn't need to in order to enjoy this episode. 

A YA Book Festival is being planned, and things seem to be going well until the star author comes to Lucy's house and is murdered with an arrow through the chest. Lucy has no idea why he has come to see her. He dies just after their greetings. 

Now the festival plans are in disarray with the two local audios vying for headlining the festival. The deceased author's teenage fans are holding vigil outside of Lucy and Connor's house. And the "grieving" widow looks like she wants to capitalize on her husband's death to launch her own political career. 

The grieving widow is making trouble for Lucy and the local police department alleging corruption which means Lucy is pretty much on her own to investigate. She has lots of suspicious characters to investigate too. 

This was a nice cozy mystery.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: One Death at a Time by Abbi Waxman

One Death at a Time
Author: Abbi Waxman
Publication: Berkley (April 15, 2025)

Description: A cranky former actress teams up with her Gen Z sobriety sponsor to solve the murder that threatens to send her back to prison in this dazzling new mystery novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.

When Julia Mann, a bad-tempered ex-actress and professional thorn in the side of authority, runs into Natasha Mason at an AA meeting, it’s anything but a meet-cute. Julia just found a dead body in her swimming pool, and the cops say she did it (she already went to jail for murder once, so now they think she’s making a habit of it). Mason is eager to clear Julia’s name and help keep her sober, but all Julia wants is for Mason to leave her alone.

As their investigation ranges from the Hollywood Hills to the world of burlesque to the country clubs of Palm Springs, this unconventional team realizes their shared love of sarcasm and poor life choices are proving to be a powerful combination. Will secrets from their past trip them up, or will their team of showgirls, cat burglars, and Hollywood agents help them stay one step ahead? Are dead piranhas, false noses, and a giant martini glass important clues or simply your typical day in Los Angeles? And will they manage to solve the crime before they kill each other, or worse, fall off the wagon? Trying to keep it simple and take it easy is one thing—trying to find a murderer before they kill again is a whole other program.

My Thoughts: ONE DEATH AT A TIME is an engaging mystery filled with intriguing characters. The centerpiece is Julia Mann who is a former Oscar-winning actress, convicted murderer who spent fifteen years in prison, and lawyer determined to fight for the underdog.

Natasha Mason is a Gen Z drifting through life. She's smart-mouthed and has poor impulse control. 

The two women meet at an AA meeting. Mason decides that she will be Julia's sponsor despite Julia's interest in having a sponsor. Mason has been sober for about three years, Julia for only a few days. And the police are looking at Julia again as a suspected murderer since the shot body of one of the people she worked with back when she was acting has been found dead in her swimming pool with only Julia's fingerprints on the gun. Julia was drunk and doesn't remember what happened when Tony Eckenridge showed up at her home. 

Julia and Mason along with some others in Julia's entourage begin investigating to find out who murdered Tony and why. Julia has also taken a young woman named Becky as a client. She's the daughter of one of Julia's prison mates who died in prison. Becky is convinced that someone murdered her girlfriend. The police are more invested in the idea that it was a murder/suicide with Becky as the failed suicide. 

Their investigations of both crimes take that all over Los Angeles and even to Palm Springs. Julia knows everyone and frequently sends Mason to talk to people at strip clubs and movie studios and many placed in between. 

I loved the dynamic between Julia and Mason. I also enjoyed the side characters from Julia's housekeeper to Julia's research assistant to the lawyer who is substituting for Julia's agent after his heart attack. 

This was a fun story. I look forward to more adventures. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Dead Post Society by Diane Kelly

The Dead Post Society
Author: Diane Kelly
Series: A House-Flipper Mystery (Book 7)
Publication: Minotaur Books (April 1, 2025)

Description: The seventh in the House-Flipper mystery series set in Nashville, TN, where the real estate market is to die for.

This year's honor roll is killer...

Carpenter Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck are no strangers to murder. After all, they’ve encountered corpses on their properties before. But this is the first time they’d decided to take a chance on a property where two suspicious deaths have already occurred. Most buildings on the former boarding school property will be repurposed for an upscale retirement community, but the developer has no use for the headmaster’s house given its violent history. The headmaster and his wife were killed there decades earlier, their deaths remaining unsolved to this day.

Still, it seems a shame to see the beautiful Victorian give way to decay or the wrecking ball, even if many claim the unsettled souls of the victims still wander its halls, seeking retribution and justice. Can Whitney and Buck exorcise the structure’s demons, solve the cold case, and give the building new life? Or will ghosts from the past seek to silence them forever?

My Thoughts: Whitney Whitaker, now nearing her first anniversary with Collin Flynn, is working with her cousin and uncle on turning a former boarding school into a retirement community. Whitney is interested in restoring the old Victorian that was the home of the headmaster, but first she has to solve a mystery. 

It was March 1982 when the headmaster presumably murdered his wife and himself. The case has never been closed. The former investigator had some questions. Whitney, who found a bullet buried in one of the porch posts, has questions too. 

Since the school closed abruptly that May, Whitney has all sorts of paperwork from the office which includes student disciplinary reports, staff evaluations, and minutes of board and faculty meetings. And, even though forty plus years have passed, they allow her to track down former students and staff to see if she can find out what really happened. 

It was murder, and the murderer would really like the case to remain unsolved. 

I enjoyed this seventh book in the house-flipper series. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.