On Flashback Fridays I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
Sit, Stay, Slay (A Dog Club Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Setting – Tennessee
Publisher: Lyrical Press (December 8, 2020)
Paperback: 164 pages
ISBN-10: 1516109961
ISBN-13: 978-1516109968
Kindle ASIN: B08GL3RF9S
When her best friend Dixie is suspected of killing a dog show judge, Lilly must bring one sick puppy to heel . . .
Tennessee transplant Lilly Echosby has two great loves: dogs and mysteries. So naturally, she’s named her poodles Aggie, after Agatha Christie, and Rex, for Rex Stout. Now that she has two dogs to manage, it makes sense to enter Aggie in an obedience competition—especially since her instructor is Lilly’s gal pal, Scarlet “Dixie” Jefferson.
But when one of the judges for the competition turns out to be Dixie’s high school rival, the dog trainer gets hot under the collar. When the woman is found strangled, Dixie becomes the number one suspect. With the help of the other dog club members, Lilly must find the real killer—before the next judge Dixie tangles with throws the book at her . . .
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Dog trainer Dixie Jefferson has set up a mock obedience competition to allow her students to get the feel of a real competition but one of the judges is not judging fairly. She is taking her long-time rivalry with Dixie to a new level when she disqualifies all the dogs associated with Dixie’s business. She goes so far as to award top honors to a dog that had clear disqualification behavior. The crowd voiced their displeasure as did Dixie. To settle things Dixie entered one of her retired poodles and the judge behaves abhorrently, even hurting the dog in full view of everyone. Dixie tries to put the whole event behind but when the judge is killed Dixie becomes the prime suspect because of the events of the day. Everyone rallies to support Dixie and her BFF Lilly Echosby is ready to do anything to find the real killer even when it tests her way beyond her limits.
I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!
So many good things happen within these pages. Yes, I know there is a murder and the mystery was very well-plotted with a fabulous reveal and a true edge of your seat finish. I was almost out of my chair as the final moments played out. The dogs played a major role and I loved that!
In addition to the mystery, so many characters have amazing moments. I won’t go into depth because I don’t want to spoil anything but the smile on my face kept getting bigger with each event.
Now for the sad part. this is the last book in this series and I am just not ready to leave these characters. In fact, I put off reading this book because I knew it was the end. Ms. Burns has done an excellent job leaving the characters in a good place. Each book in this series tops the last. The characters are strong and it was always hard to pick a favorite. All the dogs found a place in my heart.
The series is ending on a high but deep down in my heart, I hope we get to visit Lily, Dixie, Red, Stephanie, Joe, David, Madison, and all the dogs again sometime in the future. I want to thank the author for 5 entertaining books and glad there is a new book in her Mystery Bookshop Series coming later this year.
If you have missed this series or gotten behind I encourage you to read them now. They should not be missed.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About V.M. Burns
V.M. Burns was born in Northwestern Indiana and spent many years in Southwestern Michigan on the Lake Michigan shoreline. She is a lover of dogs, British historic cozies, and scones with clotted cream. After many years in the Midwest, she went in search of milder winters and currently lives in Eastern Tennessee with her poodles. Her debut novel, The Plot is Murder was nominated for a 2017 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Valerie is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and a lifetime member of Sisters in Crime. Readers can learn more by visiting her website at vmburns.com
Author Links: Website Facebook Twitter: @vmburns
Also by V.M. Burns
Coming November 30, 2021
Thanks to the author I have 1 copy to give away!
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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.”
Okay, you’ve done it to me again. First you get me hooked on Ms. Burns, and now I’ve just had to order this 5 book series.
I won Red Herring Hunt in your contest and had to start that series, and now this. I sure hope we both live a looong time, lol!