The Puppy Who Knew Too Much

V.M. Burns

Feb 2019 · A Dog Club Mystery Book 2 · Lyrical Press

About this ebook

A divorcee and her toy poodle find a fresh start in Chattanooga, Tennessee—until the dog digs up a dead man…
 
Having solved the shooting death of her cheating husband, Lilly's left behind the drama of Lighthouse Dunes, Indiana, to start over in the hometown of her best friend, Scarlett "Dixie" Jefferson. As she gets settled in her new rented house, Lilly gives Aggie, short for Agatha Christie, her own fresh start by enrolling her in the Eastern Tennessee Dog Club, where Dixie is a trainer.
 
But drama seems to hound Lilly like a persistent stray. Her cranky new neighbor appears unfamiliar with Southern hospitality and complains that Aggie barks too much and digs up his prized tulips. But what the poodle actually unearths is the buried body of a mysterious man who claimed ownership of the lost golden retriever Lilly recently rescued. Now it's up to Lilly and Dixie to try to muzzle another murderer . . .

Ratings and reviews

Second in the Dog Club Mystery series, this delightful cozy is even better than the first! In the midst of murder and mayhem, the author delivers a healthy dose of humor, friendship, and fresh starts in a new city, rental home, and temporary job in the genteel South. Even with the best of intentions, it isn’t always easy to start over in a new city, and Lilly Echosby, whose almost-ex-husband was found murdered recently, is doing her best with her new pup, Aggie. Chattanooga, Tennessee is where one of her best friends, Dixie Jefferson and her husband live, so at least she has a partner in crime solving. Crime solving is what it seems they are destined to be doing for the near future. Lilly finds a home to rent from the mother of the owner, who is out of the country for several months. She sends the owner’s furnishings and belonging to storage while moving in her possessions and furniture. Lilly’s daughter Stephanie, an attorney, comes to help her settle in. Lilly finds a temporary position at an art museum, reviewing the accounting that was messed up by a family member of the original benefactors. All is not bliss in this new neighborhood. When Lilly attends a homeowner’s association meeting, she punches a nasty new neighbor who threatens her precious pup. She is not the first person to come to blows with this neighbor, as many homeowners have had their day with him. Stephanie and Lilly find a beautiful, injured golden hiding in the yard, and Stephanie instantly bonds with the pup. After taking care of the surgery he needs, she tries to find the owner, and meets two different, interesting potential owners. When Lilly is walking Aggie, her pup finds the feet of a man partially buried and very recently murdered. The police officer is suspicious of Lilly when the ID in the man’s pocket shows him to be the owner of the home she is renting – the man who was supposed to be out of the country. Then the house is vandalized, but nothing seems to be missing. Stephanie’s boyfriend Joe, from Lilly’s former home in Indiana, sends his friend from the TBI, Dennis “Red” Olson, to keep the ladies safe. When a few days go by and Red is being shown around the neighborhood by Lilly, they find another body. This time, the cranky old neighbor that Lilly had punched is the murdered man, lying on a chaise at the community pool. The police officer is even more suspicious, even though Red can alibi Lilly for the day. Dixie, Stephanie, and Lilly determine to prove Lilly’s innocence, even though it means they will – again – have to find who the real bad guy might be. I really enjoyed this novel! The characters are very well defined; I especially like Dixie and Lilly. Dixie is one fine Southern lady who is tough, funny, and a top-notch dog trainer. She is also one of the most loyal friends one could hope to have. Lilly is a delight, as is Stephanie. The love these three ladies have for dogs is clear throughout and is a key element of the mystery. The plot twists keep coming and keep the novel fresh throughout! It is a complex mystery, and I couldn’t have guessed the end if I had read it several times. More than one surprise is in store for Lilly and the reader! I highly recommend it for fans of the author, dogs, sweet Southern folks, and well-written cozy mysteries! From a grateful heart: I received an e-ARC of this from the published and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

The Puppy Who Knew Too Much, the second great entry in VM Burns Dog Club mystery series, is another winner. A recent entry into the world of the cozy mystery, Ms. Burns has been spot-on with every book she has released and this series is taking off like a flash. The newest book includes a perplexing mystery that left me trailing around with no clue and an insightful presentation of characters who brought the warmth that I demand of a cozy mystery. Those characters feel realistic even when they face the unusual number of murders that come with cozy mysteries drew me through both books as much as the complex mystery that she does so well. As much as I enjoy the people Ms. Burns as introduced me to, her knowledge of dogs offers an even greater connection. She leaves me nodding at the antics of the fur babies and little Aggie is the star of the show for me and I love all of them. I was delighted to receive an ARC of The Puppy Who Knew Too Much via NetGalley and will be sharing that delight with anyone who will listen. #NetGalley #ThePuppyWhoKnewTooMuch

About the author

Valerie (V. M.) Burns is a mystery writer whose novels and short stories have been finalists for the Agatha, Anthony, Edgar, and Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She is the author of the Mystery Bookshop, Dog Club, RJ Franklin, and Baker Street Mystery series. Valerie is a member of Sisters in Crime, Crime Writers of Color, Mystery Writers of America, and the Crime Writers' Association. She is also an adjunct professor in the Writing Popular Fiction Program at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. Born and raised in northwestern Indiana, Valerie now lives in the southeastern United States with her two poodles. Connect with Valerie at VMBurns.com.