The best mysteries with dogs

I love this series that features Andy Carpenter, a defense attorney, and his golden retriever Tara. I enjoy the realistic and procedural portions of the book concerning the legal case, this one involving Andy’s father from years ago. Andy’s dad was the District Attorney on Andy’s current death row appeals case, which creates an interesting conflict—the first of many in this exciting case. I think I’m drawn to it because of Andy’s connection to his dad. My dad and I bat around ideas when I’m writing my mysteries, since he’s been in law enforcement for decades. 

I also like the subplot of learning more about Andy, his history, and family, since it makes his character feel more realistic and the addition of his golden retriever makes it a must-read for me. 

This is the first in a mystery series and what I enjoy most about it, is the story is told from Chet’s point of view. He and his human, Bernie, a private investigator solve cases together. I love the unique aspect of the dog being the narrator of the story.

I’ve also written a couple of books, with a good portion told from the perspective of the dog and those chapters are among the favorites I’ve ever written. As the reader is reading this series, it’s easy to forget Chet is a dog, since he seems like a human. That’s what I find so appealing and my dog characters would agree. Reading this series makes me want to write more books told from the dog’s perspective.

This series is interesting due to the complexity of the characters. Mercy, the main character, an ex-military police officer, and her dog Elvis, also ex-military and suffering from canine PTSD are sent home from action. Both of the characters are wounded and grieving the loss of one man-Mercy’s fiance and Elvis’s handler. Along with a compelling mystery the two stumble upon, the readers also get an understanding of the incredible power dogs have to help humans heal.

We often reveal much more of ourselves to our canine companions and the reader is able to learn more about the human characters from their interactions with dogs. I love including dogs in my books because of that special connection and relationship and this one is very powerful. 

Todd Borg is a “local” author living not far from me and I had the chance to meet him in person when we were both invited to an author event at a local library. My mom is one of his biggest fans and was delighted to meet him. His books feature a retired detective and his huge Great Dane, Spot. They all take place in familiar settings for me, near Lake Tahoe, where Borg makes his home.

It’s always fun to read about one of your favorite places you know and having the bonus of intriguing mysteries makes it all the better.

I loved this book that’s a bit of women’s fiction and a mystery in one, woven together by one of my favorites, Nora Roberts. This one is set in the Pacific Northwest and Fiona, the main character, lives on a small island off the coast of Washington. I also write women’s fiction and my first series is set in the San Juan Islands of Washington, so this book appealed to me for the setting, along with the aspect of the canine search and rescue work the main character does. 

A puppy named Jaws brings a new human into Fiona’s life and sets up the emotional elements of the story. I can’t resist a story where a dog introduces two of the main characters!