I have been taking less books for review lately when authors or publicists contact me out of the blue because I am so fortunate to be on automatic mailing lists for some awesome publishers. But when this author contacted me and I read the book synopsis I quickly said “yes”!! King Harald was a dog I wanted to know more about! If you follow this blog you also know I am finicky about reading series books in order so I told him I needed to read both books. He was wonderful and sent them right out. He will be my guest tomorrow for Cozy Wednesday but I have to share the first book with you today.
The Karma of King Harald
First Book In The Series
Cozy Mystery
Setting – Fictional Minnesota
Published by Conger Road Press (November 30, 2012)
Trade Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0985019624
E-Book ASIN: B00A55F62C
When springtime arrives in picturesque New Bergen, so do the tourists and antiquers. This year, though, there are some unwelcome visitors. Extortion. Arson. And murder.
After his business tanks and his wife leaves him for a Pilates coach, Andy Skyberg flees the big city for the peace and quiet of his hometown. All he wants is a decent job, a steady girlfriend, a plasma screen TV with a hundred-plus channels, and one loyal dog. But fate has something else in store for Andy, when his big mutt King Harald starts sniffing out crime.
It’s clear that someone has it in for the town’s New Age retailer, Trudi Bock. And it’s also clear that Trudi wants to rekindle the steamy romance she and Andy enjoyed back in college. Andy has to fend her off, while placating his fiery girlfriend, Deputy Sheriff Cass Conlin.
Meanwhile, Harald keeps digging up more mayhem. And it falls to Andy to channel his inner sleuth and make sense of it all.
Throw into this mix one legendary (but lost) ebelskiver recipe…a gimlet-eyed church lady…a van full of federal agents…a crusty socialist…a beloved iguana…and an overabundance of rosemaling…
And you have all the makings for The Karma of King Harald.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
King Herald, “part Chesapeake and part moose” is an adorable character and famous for making some interesting discoveries. He climbs over his fence and rambles around town and has found a dead body of an iguana! His “boss” Andy Skyberg wishes he would stick to chasing squirrels. Andy has come back to New Bergen after his divorce. He spends his days working at his sister’s restaurant and trying to kick his artistic painting abilities into something he can live off of. He is dating Deputy Sheriff Cass Conlin but his old girlfriend Trudi would like to take her place. We also meet Andy’s Aunt Bev and she is quite a character herself. That is just in the first few chapters…there is so much more!
King Harald has stolen my heart. I especially like the chapters told from, his point of view. His supporting characters are pretty eccentric which is perfect for a cozy mystery. They are so unique and wonderfully written.
We are never really told where New Bergen is located but residents travel to “the cities” and Wisconsin, ebelskiver and rosemaling are a big thing there, so Minnesota is my assumption 🙂 It sounds like quite a place and no one gets too excited about a big burly dog traveling about town by himself. Everyone knows where he belongs and many just send him or take him home. Sounds like a nice relaxed place aside from a murder or two.
Richard Audry drew me right into Andy and Harald’s story and it was a very entertaining read. A very captivating canine cozy with a just the right amount of humor and plenty of intricate shifts that keeps us readers on our toes. The story flows well. I do hope we get to know Andy a little bit better in book 2. It seems like his failure in past relationships has him in a bit of a rut and he is living in his sister’s shadow. He needs to bloom a little more.
All in all a nice debut for this series! Moving on to King Harald’s Heist.
Be sure to come back tomorrow to meet Richard Audry and read my review of King Harald’s Heist. I will also be giving away both of my review copies and the author is giving away a set too!
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.”
Ya got me at the description of the dog. Sounds like a series I’d enjoy. P.S., I agree about reading things in order. 🙂
Sounds like a keeper, Lori! Telling part of the story from the animal’s POV reminds me of the Chef Maurice book w/the trufle-hunting pig. I haven’t heard the word ebelskiver in YEARS! What is rosemaling?
I enjoy the cozies with animals. This one sounds great!
Thanks for introducing King Harald to your readers, Lori. I’m glad he stole your heart and I’m looking forward to reading your review of the second book tomorrow.
LuAnn, rosemaling is Norwegian decorative folk art painting. You can find wonderful examples of it online. Some people are even using the designs for tattoos.