An Escape Goat: A Zen Goat Mystery
by Janna Rollins
About An Escape Goat
An Escape Goat: A Zen Goat Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – New Hampshire
Publisher : Level Best Books (March 12, 2024)
Print length : 265 pages
Digital ASIN : B0CW1DMVTL
After finding long-lost family through a DNA test, Callie heads to Bobwhite Hollow, New Hampshire, to meet a great-uncle she never knew existed. Charmed by the village and more than half in love with her new family, she decides to stay and open a goat yoga studio and retreat space.
When retreat guest Angilene Claudson turns up dead with a wine glass shattered at her side and Callie’s favorite goat lapping up the spill, the death is written off as an accidental overdose. But when the goat gets sick, Callie’s gut tells her it wasn’t an accident at all. With her new business on the line and a possible murderer staying in the guesthouse, Callie sets to work to uncover the truth and keep her family safe.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Callie Haybeck “spit into a tube” to learn about her DNA and she found some relatives from her dad’s side of the family. She takes a trip to Bobwhite Hollow, New Hampshire to meet them. Her Uncle Will and Aunt Ellen welcome her with open arms. So much so, she decides to stay and with their encouragement opens The Zen Goat yoga studio and retreat.
Her first guests arrive and get off to an interesting start, but it isn’t long before one of them, Angilene Claudson, a wealthy Bostonian and Instagram Influencer, is found dead behind a haystack, with a goat quickly lapping up the dregs of her discarded wine glass. Her death is quickly ruled an accidental overdose. Then the goat was found in a deep sleep and Callie couldn’t wake him. The vet assured her the goat would be fine but in her heart, she knew her guest’s death was no accident.
Callie is in a new town, with a new family, and a new business, and the real possibility that one of her first guests is a killer. Are they all safe? Will the killer strike again?
What a fabulous start for this new series!
Ms. Rollins has introduced a great cast of core characters. I think Callie is so brave to take a leap of faith to connect with long-lost family members when her father was clearly against the whole plan. Uncle Will and Aunt Ellen are genuinely nice people and are thrilled to have her stay with them and support her business idea 100%. Their grandson/Callie’s cousin is also on board and helps out when she needs him. Levi McClure, the local vet, wasn’t sure what to make of Callie initially but he did eventually warm up to her. I am excited to see these characters grow as the series continues.
Angilene Claudson, her cousin Sydney Livingston, a medical student, Gabi Ortega, a ballerina, and Veronica Hollister, Angiline’s BFF are Callie’s first guests at The Zen Goat. They are joined by Angilene’s driver, Dylan Pressley, and Angilene’s chihuahua, Matilda. Each character is unique. Some are friendlier than others and one of them ends up dead while the others, sans Matilda, line the suspect list. They were all cleverly crafted.
I love the theme of a goat yoga retreat. Goats are interesting characters. The baby ones love all the attention the yogis give them while they climb or sit wherever they wish. The older ones can be stubborn. but Bugsy is Callie’s favorite. He usually follows her around with a smile on his face but sometimes “yells” to get Callie’s attention when something is awry. He worked his way right into my heart and they all brought humor to the story.
Ms. Rollins has plotted out quite a mystery. It could be classified as a “closed room mystery” or in this case, a “closed farm mystery. Someone on that farm was a murderer. A second death makes that very clear. Callie worked hard to follow the clues and pin down some proof. I had fun following along with her each step of the way. I had an inkling about whodunit but wasn’t entirely sure until everything was revealed.
An Escape Goat checked all my cozy boxes. A fun theme, an interesting budding amateur sleuth, and a brisk plot with plenty of humor, set in a cozy small town. I enjoy the way Ms. Rollins tells a story and her engaging characters. The family dynamics add so much to this book. I am beyond excited for this series to continue.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the Level Best Books for providing me with an ARC.
About Janna Rollins
When Janna Rollins isn’t writing, she likes to thumb through New England-based magazines and drool over the pictures. She has a love for red barns, goats, and genealogy. Janna can be found showing her socially awkward side on Facebook or sharing pictures of her tiny one-acre farm on Instagram. She is a member of Sister In Crime, and also writes the Hometown Hardware Mystery series as Paula Charles. Janna lives in Southwestern Washington with her husband and a whole menagerie of furry and feathered critters.
Author Links
Website FB: Rainy Day Mysteries IG: rainy_day_mysteries Goodreads
Purchase Links
Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Bookshop.org – Powell’s Books –
Written as Paula Charles
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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.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”
nice cover
An entertaining and unique cozy.
Sounds like a great read.
I’m delighted you enjoyed An Escape Goat! Thank you so much for featuring Bugsy and Callie on your amazing blog today! ~Janna
(This comment will post through my personal family history blog. It’s really me!)
What an interesting mystery! Cute cover too.