Tag: books about dogs

REVIEW: The Pumpernickel-Daffodil by Galia Bernstein

REVIEW: The Pumpernickel-Daffodil by Galia Bernstein

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

A dog with an impressive pedigree gets a human with whom to do dog shows. The human has a pretty impressive pedigree, too. But together they may make a path all their own.

Review

This was exactly as cute as I expected it to be. The illustrations are darling from start to finish.

I expected the main story – the puppy and the girl do their own thing which flies in the face of tradition. But I expected it to cause trouble in both families. Instead, this is a story of full acceptance. It’s very sweet!

Dog lovers should be sure to check this out. This would make a sweet read aloud, too.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

 

REVIEW: A Cold Nose for Murder by Jennifer Hawkins

REVIEW: A Cold Nose for Murder by Jennifer Hawkins

Posted on by Jaymie

[I didn’t have a kid’s or YA book to review today, so here’s a bonus adult book review. I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Emma’s friends, Liza and Sam run the Roundhead, a pub and brewery in town. And they are planning an expansion. In a huge gathering of friends from the community, they are going to smash through a walled-off tunnel in the cellar. The tunnel is rumored to be a smuggler’s route from back in the day. Sam’s mom had insisted the tunnel be closed off to keep her kids from finding trouble down there.

Sure enough, when Sam and his son swing their sledgehammers through the wall, trouble is down there waiting. An expensive vintage motorcycle thought to be stolen decades ago – and human remains.

Now, the whole town is buzzing over the case. And Emma is using the clues her corgi, Oliver, sniffs up to help her find out the truth.

Review

This was a super twisty mystery! The characters in this are quite antagonistic. Usually a cozy hero is well-liked and appreciated. But most of the folks here are snarky about Emma’s “gossip” and nosiness if not downright angry and nasty. In some ways that’s probably more realistic. But it did make this hard to “enjoy” while reading.

The author does a nice job of working a cold case and a contemporary murder together. The two timelines helped “complicate” the mystery in such a way to keep the reader guessing all the way through.

Oliver is adorable once again. The plot of a talking corgi is so fun and well-executed in this series.

Newcomers can probably start here, but I found the first two books more enjoyable, so my recommendation would be to start at the beginning with To Fetch a Felon.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: What Comes Next by Rob Buyea

REVIEW: What Comes Next by Rob Buyea

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Thea’s best friend, Charlie, died, Thea stopped speaking. Going back to school was excruciating, so her mom homeschooled her to finish out the year. But her parents decided that the family needed a change, so they moved to a new town.

On top of a change in location, Thea’s dad promises her younger sisters that the family will also get a dog. Thea has no interest in a puppy, especially as her frequent nightmares shift to start including a puppy she can’t save. But at the shelter, Jack Jack reaches a paw out to touch Thea, and she is converted. He picked her – just like Charlie once did. And that’s only the first of many examples of how special Jack Jack is.

Review

Oh, this was lovely! I was immediately drawn in by Thea, and I loved her on every page. I loved her whole journey – with Charlie, with Jack Jack, and with the folks she meets in her new home. But Jack Jack was the star of the story. He was exactly what Thea needed – but not just Thea. His story was so much bigger.

There’s a great epilogue here that goes farther into the future than you usually get in a middle grade novel. It was the cherry on top of this terrific story!

I loved every moment of this – and I cried through several of them. This is another hit from Rob Buyea – do not miss it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

BONUS REVIEW: To Fetch a Felon by Jennifer Hawkins

BONUS REVIEW: To Fetch a Felon by Jennifer Hawkins

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Emma Reed is starting over in Tervena, a village she remembers fondly from vacations in her childhood. She’s left the hustle and bustle of the London financial scene to follow her dream of opening a village tea shop.

Emma isn’t alone in this launch of her new life. She has Oliver, her corgi, with her. Her talking corgi. That’s right, Emma can understand Oliver. And Oliver has a lot to say – commentary on the smells of their new home, on the fish and chips counter in town, and on the fox he can smell at the house of the lady who yelled at Emma.

Emma’s first encounter with Victoria Roberts doesn’t go well. It’s even worse when she realizes Victoria owns the building Emma wants to use for her tea shop.

To make amends, Emma bakes the disagreeable woman some scones. But when Emma and Oliver try to deliver them, they find Victoria dead. And Oliver is certain something smells very wrong.

Review

This was the second of two books in a row that I read where a dog is a point of view character. It’s a fun plot device, and it’s especially well executed here. Oliver is a treat! The author does a great job of writing Oliver and figuring out the “rules” for this world she creates including how a dog could be a factor in a mystery. Oliver tells part of the story in his own words, which is also a lot of fun. Oliver’s “voice” is fantastic and helps make a great story even better.

The mystery here is excellent. It’s twisty and Emma’s sleuthing – along with Oliver’s – is perfect. I loved the ways Oliver is able to help. But the author establishes some nice limitations to keep him from being too good at solving things. I was impressed with the whole construction of the story.

To Fetch a Felon is the first book in the new Chatty Corgi Mystery series. And it’s the perfect cozy launch – I loved Emma and the other characters in Trevena. The setting is lovely, and Oliver is a delight. Book 2, Murder Always Barks Twice, will release this summer and it’s already on my wishlist. This is a not-to-be-missed book for those who love cozy mysteries as well as for dog lovers. I can’t wait to read more of Emma and Oliver’s adventures.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Joint Custody by Lauren Baratz-Logsted and Jackie Logsted

REVIEW: Joint Custody by Lauren Baratz-Logsted and Jackie Logsted

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Gatz the dog is convinced The Man and The Woman still belong together. And since he helped bring them together 3 years ago, he figures he can help pull them back together now.

First, he eats the box of chocolates. Yes, Gatz knows it’s dangerous. But he loves The Man and The Woman enough to risk his life for their love.

When that doesn’t work, Gatz settles into their shared custody arrangement, still looking for ways to push them together. But no one is truly happy.

And then The Woman meets New Man.

Review

This is a cute, clever story told by Gatz the dog who loves The Man and The Woman and will do all he can to get them back together.

The authors do an exceptional job with the details of this story – how Gatz understands what is happening, how he knows what happens when he is not present, etc. There were no discernible “holes” in the story, which was impressive from a writing standpoint. Gatz has a terrific “voice” for the story. He’s funny, smart, and surprisingly well-read, and uses dog-appropriate behavior for most of the book to pursue reconciliation for The Man and The Woman.

Sadly, this clever premise created a little too much distance for me to really connect to the human characters enough to get caught up in the romantic pieces of the story. I never felt like I knew, or really liked, either The Man or The Woman. And that made it hard to feel invested in the efforts to get them back together.

I am happy to have read this story. Animal lovers will get a kick out of Gatz. But as a romance, I didn’t enjoy this as much as I had hoped to. (Language, references to sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥ = Fine/solid/good

REVIEW: Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog by Lisa Papp

REVIEW: Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog by Lisa Papp

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Peachtree Publishing Company in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Madeline Finn’s puppy, Star, is finishing his training to be a therapy dog by visiting a retirement village. Star does well on his tests, and Madeline makes sure he practices. And the residents of Walker Oaks love him. But one resident doesn’t respond to Star or Madeline’s efforts to connect.

Review

Another winner of a book by Lisa Papp starring Madeline Finn! I don’t think I personally could use this one for a read aloud, though, because I think I choked up on every single page. This is precious!

Madeline is sweet and earnest. Star is adorable. The soft illustrations in this series feel like warm hugs. And once again, books and reading play as big a role as the sweet, cuddly dogs.

Do not miss ANY of the books in this series!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: You Lucky Dog by Julia London

REVIEW: You Lucky Dog by Julia London

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Carly Kennedy is trying to build a PR business in Austin so she can get the money to move to New York City. She’s keeping her sister’s basset hound, Baxter (her mother’s fault – don’t ask), and she pays someone to walk him. Baxter is a quiet, sad, and anxious fella but Carly loves him.

Max Sheffington is a neuroscience professor studying dogs. He’s interested in how the reactions of neurotransmitters in dogs and dog lovers could be applied to the understanding of the autistic brain. Max’s brother, Jamie, is profoundly autistic. But Jamie really connects with dogs. That’s why Max got his basset hound, Hazel – to connect with Jamie.

When Baxter and Hazel’s dog walker gets into some trouble, someone else has to take the dogs home. And that person switches the two basset hounds. Carly and Max notice immediately that they have the wrong dogs, but it takes awhile to find each other. But once they do, they see what a difference Hazel makes in Baxter’s life.

Review

The core to this contemporary romance by Julia London is the relationship between Baxter and Hazel and the one between Max and Carly. And there’s a lot in those relationships to love. Unfortunately for Carly and Max, their relationship also has about three Hallmark movies’-worth of roadblocks and drama. The ending, thankfully, is a satisfying resolution to those roadblocks.

Along the way, though, this gets wordy. I’m not big on setting and wardrobe descriptions. I skim right by those in most books if they are more than a sentence or two long. Also, too much overthinking by the characters encourages me to skim. There was a good bit of that here. I felt like I did a fair amount of skimming, especially early on. If you enjoy the more detailed descriptions and inner processing, this may be a better fit for you in that way.

The characters in this were what kept me turning pages. First of all, Baxter and Hazel are excellent. The description of Baxter before he meets Hazel is endearing and sad. But the spark he finds in Hazel is darling. Carly and Max alone are okay on their own. She puts up with a lot of garbage from her wacky family and her clients. Max can get too in his own head. But together they are great. I liked them more as a couple than I did as individuals. I also loved Max’s brother, Jamie. I would have enjoyed even more scenes with Jamie in them. I think character-driven readers will like what they find in this book. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥= Fine/Solid/Good

REVIEW: Paw and Order by V. M. Burns

REVIEW: Paw and Order by V. M. Burns

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Lyrical Underground in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Lilly Ann had convinced her bosses at the Chattanooga Museum to host the Eastern Tennessee Poodle Rescue Association’s fundraiser when their venue fell through. It would garner funds for the museum as well as goodwill as they helped out the charity.

Having wealthy recluse Archibald Lowry show up was a big surprise. Lilly Ann’s friend, Dixie, had been courting him as a donor for the Rescue, but no one expected him to show up for the fundraiser. It might have been better for him if he had stayed home, though. Before the event was over, Archibald Lowry was dead.

Now Lilly Ann is fostering Archibald’s poodle, and that seems to be bringing trouble to her doorstep. When someone repeatedly tries to steal the dog, and someone else ends up dead, Lilly Ann and her friends decide it’s time to kick off a new investigation.

Review

Other than the fact that this is a book about all manner of poodles, yet the dog on the cover is not a poodle, I have only great things to say about this mystery!

This is book 4 in the Dog Club Mystery series, but it’s the first one I have read. But I have already placed the first 3 books on my To Read list (along with the first book of the author’s other series – The Mystery Bookshop series – The Plot Is Murder!). This was so good, and I liked the characters so much, I don’t want to miss any of their adventures.

I prefer to start a series at the beginning, but I had no issues following the plot of this one. There are a number of core series characters in the Dog Club that I had to track carefully in the beginning since I had no context for them from the earlier books. But by the middle of this, it was no longer an issue. The author does a great job making sure readers can drop in wherever and still follow the story.

The mystery here is fantastic. I loved how Lilly and her friends banded together to investigate. The sleuthing was great, the pacing of the mystery was excellent, and the ending wrapped up most of my questions. This is a series I will definitely be following in the future!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The K Team by David Rosenfelt

REVIEW: The K Team by David Rosenfelt

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Corey Douglas is a former-cop-turned-private-investigator. His business partners are Laurie Collins (wife of much-loathed defense attorney Andy Carpenter), Marcus Clark, and Simon Garfunkel, Corey’s German shepherd. Corey and Simon worked together at the police department before retiring.

Their first case as a team is for local judge Henry “Hatchet” Henderson. He’s a tough, by-the-book judge who is being blackmailed for something he didn’t do. He’s been set up thoroughly. And if he doesn’t do what the black mailers want – something that is still a mystery – they’ll expose him with their fake evidence.

The “evidence” against the judge wasn’t thrown together on a whim. The planning goes back at least 18 months. And there’s a ton of money behind it, too. Who could have been targeting him for all this time? And why? What’s their endgame?

That’s what the K-Team has to figure out.

Review

I’ve been looking forward to this since I read Dachshund Through the Snow last year when readers first met Corey and Simon. And I was not disappointed. I enjoyed the new point of view character and seeing all of my favorites from the Andy Carpenter series.

The mystery here is fantastic! Tons of twists – some I saw coming and others that caught me completely by surprise. One even made me exclaim out loud. There were a lot of things to unwind in this case. It goes to the very last page, too. In fact, for awhile I thought the case might carry over to the next book, but it all gets settled in the end.

I would have loved more with Simon the German shepherd in this one. He doesn’t have a very big role in this case due to the nature of what was being investigated, but I still wanted more. I also wanted more development of Corey’s character. There were a few spots that felt either repetitive or over-explained. We got a lot of Corey waffling over his dating relationship and his concerns about some of the less-than-legal aspects of the investigation. Each of those pieces was a great part of showing us who Corey is, but they were covered often throughout the story.

If you enjoy top notch mysteries with law enforcement/legal system characters (and some great dogs), don’t miss this spin off – or the source material in the Andy Carpenter series. The author has two Andy Carpenter books releasing later this year – Muzzled (currently scheduled for a July release) and Silent Bite, a Christmas story (scheduled to release in October), and I will absolutely be reading both of them!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt

BONUS REVIEW: Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Fourteen years ago, Kristen McNeil was killed. She was a young woman – 18 – and her body was found by a rundown stadium. While she had DNA under her fingernails, the police couldn’t find a match. Until now.

Andy Carpenter’s wife, Laurie, is a huge fan of Christmas. One of her favorite parts is claiming Christmas wishes for families in their community and using Andy’s considerable wealth to meet them. This year she pulls a tag for a boy named Danny. Laurie is happy to provide everything he asks for – a coat for his mom, and a sweater for his dachshund, Murphy. But Danny also asks Santa to bring his dad home. As an investigator, Laurie’s the perfect person to find Noah Traynor. Except Danny’s mom acts like she doesn’t want him found.

Noah Traynor has been hiding in a motel, but it’s only a matter of time until the police find him. His brother just had to do one of those DNA kits. Once the results are uploaded, they are fair game for law enforcement. While Noah didn’t kill Kristen, he knows his DNA would have been at the scene because he had been there with her that night.

Once Noah is arrested, Andy’s on the case. Danny’s Christmas wish is to have his dad home – and Laurie’s going to make sure they do everything they can to make that happen!

Review

This was delightful! My favorite characters, a holiday story, an excellent mystery, and several adorable dogs. What’s not to love?!

Andy is in great form in this book. The dry humor was excellent. The author even gets a mention in the book, which was a hoot. The legal support team plays a smaller role in this book, but they all get equal time compared to one another, except of course for Laurie. There are a couple new characters who figured prominently in this one – not the Traynors, but other characters – that I loved! Those characters and their role in this book sets the stage for Rosenfelt’s spin-off series/book, The K Team, coming in 2020.

The mystery in this was fantastic. There was no organized crime angle like in many of the previous books, so this felt fresh. And my guess for the solution was off base all the way to the end. The wrap up was clever, and I thoroughly enjoyed all the twists and turns.

It was a Christmas book that introduced me to the Andy Carpenter series three years ago (The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥), and they are among my favorites in the series. If you haven’t read an Andy Carpenter book before, give this one a try. It’s book 20 in the series, but the Christmas books seem especially new-reader-friendly to me. I don’t think a newcomer would have any trouble following the main action of this book. Of course, series fans should definitely not miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½