Murder Strikes a Pose
(A Downward Dog Mystery Book 1)
First in Series
Cozy Mystery
Setting: Washington State
Publisher: MIDNIGHT INK (January 8, 2014)
Trade Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0738739687
E-Book ASIN: B00H3R53NM
When George and Bella—a homeless alcoholic and his intimidating German shepherd—disturb the peace outside her studio, yoga instructor Kate Davidson’s Zen-like calm is stretched to the breaking point. Kate tries to get rid of them before Bella scares the yoga pants off her students. Instead, the three form an unlikely friendship.
One night Kate finds George’s body behind her studio. The police dismiss his murder as a drug-related street crime, but she knows George wasn’t a dealer. So Kate starts digging into George’s past while also looking for someone to adopt Bella before she’s sent to the big dog park in the sky. With the murderer nipping at her heels, Kate has to work fast or her next Corpse Pose may be for real.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Several years ago I had a doctor tell me I should try yoga to help the aches and pains that come with my injury. I looked at her and told her she was crazy. Imagine a person like me doing yoga, I mean by right side in 98% paralyzed. I would spend most of my time flailing on the floor and waiting for someone to pick me up. I quickly switched doctors but it left me with terrible feeling regarding yoga. I put off reading this book because of that. But Tracy has a new book in this series touring with Great Escapes that starts next week and I signed up to review it so I had to get to know Yogi Kate a.s.a.p.
I am upset with myself that I waited so long. Kate is a fabulous character with a huge heart. She honestly tried to work things out for George and his scary companion. It was a shame George had to die just as friendship was just getting started. But she stood by her new friend. Not only trying to find out who killed him but taking in Bella, his German shepherd, with his cranky disposition and medical issues until she could find him a forever home. While doing so she meets Michael, the owner of Pete’s Pets and a tumultuous relationship starts between the two. Rene, Kate’s friend, think Thelma and Louise, couldn’t be happier for the couple.
Finding the murderer was not easy especially when the police have basically closed the case and are not interested in any of Kate’s theories but she doesn’t give up even when she puts herself in the line of fire.
Tracy Weber brings into focus some hot topics in this story and she does it without being preachy. George was a homeless person and Kate reaches out to others facing the same plight as she tries to find out who would kill her new friend. Bella is also a very special dog. He was abused by his previous owner and has a serious medical problem that is very expensive to treat. Finding him a new home is going to be very difficult.
As to the yoga part the I was so scared about. It is interspersed throughout the story but just becomes part of who Kate is and nothing I should have shied away from. I don’t know if I was just me being emotional while reading this story but I had tears in my eyes as I read the ending.
The A Killer Retreat
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I’m putting this one on my list. Thanks.
I have added the book to my reading list. 🙂
I read this in 2014 and loved it!!
I will definitely put this on my list.
Vicki and Dollycas, Thank you for reading my first book. I’m DELIGHTED That you liked it. Tony, Jeanetta, and Gram, I hope you give it a try. If you do, please let me know what you think of it. I love hearing from readers!