Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am happy to share my thoughts about
How to Talk to Your Dog About Murder by Emily Soderberg today.
How to Talk to Your Dog About Murder: A Mystery
Cozy Mystery
Setting – Missouri
Publisher : Crooked Lane Books
Publication date : October 21, 2025
Hardcover
Print length : 336 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8892423458
Paperback
ISBN-13 : 979-8892423465
Digital
ISBN-13 : 979-88924234
ASIN : B0DTMYZ1G765
Audiobook
ASIN B0FTBNJJ9T
Dogs are better behaved than people in this new cozy mystery where a pet behaviorist finds herself the prime suspect in an upscale murder, perfect for fans of Eva Gates and Victoria Gilbert.
Nikki Jackson-Ramanathan is struggling to get her pet behaviorist business off the ground, making ends meet as a dog walker while keeping her eyes peeled for greener pastures. An appointment in a rich suburb of Saint Louis seems to be her ticket to success. The wealthy Mrs. Van Meer wants Nikki to help the family’s old hound dog, who is grieving the loss of his owner. But then Mrs. Van Meer turns up dead.
With a multitude of suspects like the sketchy landscaper, the judgy housekeeper, and the rest of Mrs. Van Meer’s money-obsessed family members, Nikki’s happy to sit back and let the police solve the crime. Until she learns that Mrs. Van Meer’s will leaves Nikki in charge of a sizable amount of money and the police start dogging her every step.
Life would be a lot easier if she just had to deal with the animals, but Nikki resolves to catch the real culprit and convince the cops they’re barking up the wrong tree.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Have you ever wished you knew what your dog was thinking or feeling? New pet behaviorist and dog walker Nikki Jackson-Ramanathan may be able to help.
In a well-to-do St. Louis suburb, Mrs. Van Meer has been having issues with her old hound dog, Reginald, since his person, her husband passed away. She is hoping Nikki can get the dog out of its funk. Walking into the mansion, Nikki is a little nervous, but as soon as she sees Reginald, she gets down on the floor to get to know him and his issues. They came up with a plan that included daily walks and more attention.
Just a few days later, Mrs. Van Meer is found dead in her bed. Everyone from the family members to the personal assistant and the landscaper make up the list of suspects. Nikki didn’t know Mrs. Van Meer or her family well, so there is no reason for her to be concerned beyond losing a client whom she had hoped would help her business grow. Then she finds out she is named in the woman’s will, which makes the police very interested in her. Now she has to try to clear her name; maybe her new pal, Reginald, can help.
Will Nikki solve the case? Will Reginald raise the Woof to help her? Or will the killer chew them up and spit them out?
Nikki Jackson-Ramanathan and her husband, Jai, are happily married, trying to make ends meet, and saving for a house. Jai works the day job from home, coaches a collegiate mock trial team, and practices and meets fill his nights and weekends. In addition to getting her pet behaviorist business up and running, she walks several dogs, picks up bartending shifts, makes pet toys, and has a freelance calligraphy business. They are genuine people, so it is easy to get involved in their lives. The new tenant living in the duplex below them is a bit off the wall with a real positive attitude about everything, including convincing their landlord to allow pets.
The Van Meer family may be rich, but they are pretty dysfunctional. Sisters not getting along, a wedding in the works, a house being built, but there are secrets, aren’t there always secrets. Their family lawyer is always on hand; the landscaper may be a little shifty, but the personal assistant/house manager probably knows everything and has shared the stories with her friends. All the characters in the story are well-crafted and fleshed out.
Then there is the hound dog, Reginald; he stole my heart. It is hard on a pet when their person disappears.
Nikki is a worthy amateur sleuth, especially for her first case. The cause of death was evident, but finding out how it was done was crucial to solving the crime. Ms. Soderberg served up plenty of twists and red herrings, and I enjoyed how Nikki worked through what she knew and asked questions to come up with theories to eliminate suspects from the list. I was surprised by the latitude the detective gave her to bring the family together and release her inner Hercule Poirot. When the real killer was revealed, I was happy to see I had focused on the right character.
This is Ms. Soderberg’s debut novel. She has a very descriptive writing style, and at times that is wonderful, yet at times it is too much. As her writing career grows, she will be more comfortable with when to tell all and when to pull back. She is definitely an author I intend to follow and watch.
How to Talk to Your Dog About Murder is a delightfully entertaining cozy mystery. With relatable characters, a splendid whodunit, and a lovable hound dog, this is a fun read. I hope this book is the first book in a series. I give this book 4 paws up!
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 Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
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About the Author
Emily Soderberg has always loved reading and writing mysteries. She was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, only moving away for college. She graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied religious studies and German, subjects that have come in handy exactly twice in her professional career. She’s lived in St. Louis ever since, because moving seems like a huge hassle. These days, she spends her free time up in the air, as a trapeze and aerial hoop coach. She might be tempted to run off and join the circus, but her cats prefer a more settled lifestyle. Website
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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.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.
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