I’m a lifelong mystery fan and animal lover. I’m drawn to mysteries that provide a window to a new world. And, since I love animals, I enjoy the added fun of having a realistic animal sidekick in the mix. All the books I’ve recommended here pulled me into their worlds, letting me spend time with fascinating characters as they untangled various mysteries—as well as with their wonderful, if fictional, canine companions.
Molly Madison has barely had a moment to catch her breath since moving to the beach town she now calls home. When she brings her Saint Berdoodle and golden retriever to Playtime Academy to train, she finds a dead body and ends up putting her ex-police skills to use. Tangled relationships make it difficult to get a leash on potential suspects.
Molly’s personal life is just as messy—her boyfriend is hiding something, her agoraphobic neighbor needs help, and her number of four-legged friends keep growing. When a friend is arrested for the murder, Molly’s not sure who to believe anymore. Is the case as simple as the local cops believe, or is something more devious afoot?
I love all of the books in Mizushima’s Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series and though you can start anywhere, this book was my introduction to Mattie Cobb and her dog, Robo.
The partnership between these two characters is wonderful as is the scene-setting, ancillary characters, and—of course—the actual mystery!
Mattie’s the sort of person I would enjoy spending time with in real life—along with Robo.
An RT Book Review “Top Pick” and “Best First Mystery" nominee A Library Journal “Debut of the Month”
Fans of K-9 mysteries and C.J. Box will love this debut police procedural that introduces Colorado’s best crime-fighting duo: Mattie Cobb and police dog, Robo.
While investigating the mysterious death of a young girl, Officer Mattie Cobb uncovers frightening secrets about her small Colorado hometown . . .
When a young girl is found dead in the mountains outside Timber Creek, life-long resident Officer Mattie Cobb and her partner, K-9 police dog Robo, are assigned to the case that has rocked the…
Though I love Crais’s Elvis Cole series, this standalone featuring LAPD officer Scott James and his K9 partner, Maggie, is terrific.
Maggie is a German shepherd who has survived tours of duty sniffing out explosives in both Iraq and Afghanistan. When James’s partner is killed, Maggie becomes his new partner. Crais successfully writes chapters from Maggie’s point of view, and we root for her and her new two-member pack.
I found the chapters written in Maggie’s POV genuinely moving.
LAPD cop Scott James is not doing so well. Eight months ago, a shocking late-night assault by unidentified men killed his partner Stephanie, nearly killed him, and left him enraged, ashamed, and ready to explode. He is unfit for duty - until he meets his new partner.
Maggie is not doing so well, either. A German shepherd who survived three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan sniffing out explosives before losing her handler to an IED.
They are each other's last chance. Shunned and shunted to the side, they set out to investigate the one case that no one wants them…
I’m recommending another first book in a series here. Mercy Carr, a former MP, and her retired bomb-sniffing dog, Elvis, have come home from Afghanistan to heal in Vermont’s Green Mountains.
Both suffer from PTSD and are grieving the loss of Carr’s fiance and Elvis’ original handler.
The story brings to life a beautiful setting as well as takes us on the duo’s journey toward wellness. There’s a great mystery with a strong emotional current.
As a bonus, I love mysteries where the characters actually grow.
It may be the Fourth of July weekend, but for retired soldiers Mercy Carr and Belgian Malinois Elvis, it's just another walk in the remote Lye Brook Wilderness - until the former bomb-sniffing dog alerts to explosives and they find a squalling baby abandoned near a shallow grave filled with what appear to be human bones. U.S. Game Warden Troy Warner and his search and rescue Newfoundland Susie Bear respond to Mercy's 911 call, and the four must work together to track down a missing mother, solve a cold-case murder, and keep the citizens of Vermont safe on potentially the…
Much lighter in tone than the preceding, this book is narrated by Chet the dog.
Utterly charming, Chet is the quintessential unreliable narrator. Not because he wants to be, but life is just so full of distractions.
Though there are many books in the series, Dog On It is book one and does a great job introducing both Chet and his human, Bernie Little, a small-time private investigator with money problems.
The mystery is fun and the rapport between these two characters delightful. This is a perfect read when you want to escape a difficult day or time.
The first book of the New York Times bestselling Chet and Bernie mystery series, an “enchanting one-of-a-kind novel” (Stephen King) that is “nothing short of masterful” (Los Angeles Times).
Chet, the wise and lovable canine narrator of Dog on It, and Bernie, a down-on-his-luck private investigator, are quick to take a new case involving a frantic mother searching for her teenage daughter. This well-behaved and gifted student may or may not have been kidnapped, but she has definitely gotten mixed up with some very unsavory characters. With Chet’s highly trained nose leading the way, their hunt for clues takes them…
I love the four main human protagonists featured in all the Thursday Murder Club books and liked the addition of Alan the dog.
Though he’s adopted in the previous installment, he really comes into his own in this story. While not an official member of the Murder Club, Alan adds a lot of personality to the story.
I enjoy the rapport between the human characters as well as spending time in a story where some wrongs are righted, while others are understood rather than condemned.
This is the sort of read when you want to have fun and care about the characters, but not worry too much about their safety.
A new mystery is afoot in the third book in the Thursday Murder Club series from record-breaking, bestselling author Richard Osman.
It is an ordinary Thursday and things should finally be returning to normal.
Except trouble is never far away where the Thursday Murder Club are concerned. A decade-old cold case leads them to a local news legend and a murder with no body and no answers.
Then a new foe pays Elizabeth a visit. Her mission? Kill. . . or be killed.
As the cold case turns white hot, Elizabeth wrestles with her conscience…
I have been a writer for more than twenty years and have favored pursuing “truth in fiction” rather than “money in formula.” I also spent over thirty years in the corporate world and was exposed to many situations reminiscent of those described in my fiction and in these recommended books. While I support enterprise, “enlightened capitalism” is preferable to the bare-knuckle type we have today, and which seems to resurface whenever regulation weakens. I also find writing novels closer to my lived experience connects me intimately with readers who are looking for socio-political, realist literature.
Avery Mann, a retired pharmaceuticals executive, is in crisis.
His wife dies of cancer, his son’s marriage is on the rocks, his grandson is having a meltdown, and his good friend is a victim of the robocalls scandal that invades the Canadian federal election. Throw in a reckless fling with a former colleague, a fire that destroys his retirement property, and a rumour emerging that the drug he helped bring to market years ago may have been responsible for the death of his wife, and Avery’s life goes into freefall.
Does an octogenarian beekeeper living on Vancouver Island hold the key to Avery’s recovery, a man holding secrets that put lives in jeopardy? Avery races across the country to find out, with crooked bosses, politicians, and assassins on his tail. Joseph spins a cautionary tale of corporate and political greed that is endemic to our times.
Avery Mann, a retired pharmaceuticals executive, is in crisis. His wife dies of cancer, his son’s marriage is on the rocks, his grandson is having a meltdown, and his good friend is a victim of the robocalls scandal that invades the Canadian federal election.
Throw in a reckless fling with a former colleague, a fire that destroys his retirement property, and a rumour emerging that the drug he helped bring to market years ago may have been responsible for the death of his wife, and Avery’s life goes into freefall.
Does an octogenarian bee keeper living on Vancouver Island hold…
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