PASSION, POISON, & PUPPY DOGS
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Danger Cove Series
4****
Blurb: In this dog eat dog world, it’s people you have to keep your eye on. When Lizzie Jones, pet sitter extraordinaire, is asked to watch over her best friend’s two spoiled dogs at the posh gated community of Craggy Hill Estates, the last thing she expects is to wind up in the middle of a homicide. But that’s exactly what happens when she finds her best friend’s cheating husband and Danger Cove’s celebrity bodybuilder champ, Mr. Jupiter, floating facedown in his hot tub. To make matters worse, the police aren’t looking any further than the wife for a suspect—isn’t it always the wife? Well, not in this case—at least Lizzie refuses to believe it. Between dealing with Craggy Hill’s hot security guard, Tino Morales—who also just happens to be the man who broke Lizzie’s heart in high school, caring for her grieving friend, and watching three rambunctious dogs, Lizzie has her hands full. So she recruits her famous granddad, retired network field correspondent, Jimmy John Jones, to help her put two and two together to find the real killer. Was Mr. Jupiter murdered by one of his women on the side? A jealous, disgruntled employee? Or someone with a bitter and deep-seated hatred of the superstar? It’s up to Lizzie, Jimmy John, and Lizzie’s own pug, Vader, to crack the case before the killer claims another victim…this one much closer to Lizzie’s own heart!
Thoughts: Murder and mystery abound in Danger Cove. In this one, Lizzy (a pet sitter and hopeful veterinarian student) is helping out her best friend, Caroline, who is accused of murdering her husband. Especially when the police find out they were getting a divorce. But Lizzy is certain Caroline is innocent. She enlists the help of her grandfather, Jimmy Jones- an old newspaper reporter—and Tino, a local (hottie) security guard to help her find the real killer. There are plenty of suspects, though the one detective refuses to look anywhere but who he believes is the killer—Caroline. Lizzy, Jimmy, and Tino go to work, and when they do discover who the real one is, it’s almost too late for Caroline.
The characters are realistic, though I will admit to a definite distaste for Detective Mallery. He is really awful. But a great character in that the author really makes me dislike him! I love that Jimmy and Caroline’s aunt Fran are a couple. Those two belong together. All in all, the characters run the story, and they work well here. Like the other books in the series, the town of Danger Cove and the surrounding ocean, inlet, and Pirate’s Hook island make up the scenery as well as some of the businesses in the town.
Overall, a good addition to the series. Recommended.
Disclaimer: All opinions and thoughts are my own and are not influenced or solicited by anyone.
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