Of Course They Live in Labrador Falls

TITLE: The Dog Park Murders

AUTHOR: Angela Barker

PUBLISHER: Harlequin

PUBLISHING DATE: August 26, 2026

PAGES: 304   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Juliette Macintyre has never met a dog she didn’t love. For one thing, dogs don’t judge, unlike the human residents of Labrador Falls. Most locals look at her with suspicion because her father was once a dirty cop, even though Juliette is upbeat, helpful, and the best pet groomer around. She just needs to prove it…starting with new resident Joel Cunningham, an enigma wrapped in a checked shirt and a scowl. 

Joel runs the Brewed Awakening café, where the coffee is as smooth as Joel is surly. He doesn’t serve pumpkin spice, he doesn’t chitchat, and he claims he doesn’t like dogs. Yet when Juliette stumbles upon a dead body in the dog park, strangled with one of her custom leashes, Joel becomes an unexpected ally. 

He has no intention of opening up, to either his cute neighbor or the foster pup she foists on him. But he can’t let a biased detective frame Juliette for murder. Whoever killed the widely loathed Maurice Allsop may be desperate enough to strike again. If they can just ignore their chemistry and focus on the clues, Juliette and Joel might be able to solve the case—before somebody else bites the dust… 

MY THOUGHTS: I don't recall Harlequin dabbling much into the cozy mystery genre.  In fact, this book is a first for me from the publisher.  However, they really know how to hook me with a series called The Dog Park Murders set in a quaint cozy town of Labrador Falls.

Juliette Macintyre and her twin Norah have lived in Labrador Falls their entire lives.  Juliette works for a local dog groomer and is working up to buy her way into the business.  Norah works as a cleaner and is the Goth Emo to Juliette's sorta sunshine personality.  See, when they were in high school, their father, who was Chief of Police back then, did something which cost him his job and unfortunately, had a negative impact on his daughters.  Juliette feels like the whole town continues to Judge her and it's the constant cloud over her head.

One evening, Juliette has a disagreement with Maurice Allsop at the local dog park, a rich individual who is going through his third divorce and who is disliked by most of the town. The next morning, while walking her foster dog, she just happens to find Maurice in the same park, face down and dead.  The local police would love nothing more than to pin the murder on Juliette.  Feeling like she will be considered guilty no matter what due to her father's past deeds, she ends up talking the neighborhood coffee shop owner, Joel, into helping her.  Joel hasn't lived in Labrador Falls long and he moved there to escape a past of his own.  He really wants to be left alone, but he is somewhat drawn to Juliette and really doesn't want her to out herself in danger.  Together, along with Juliette's foster dog, one of the cutest dogs ever, the two work to find out what really happened to Maurice and why.

Joes and Juliette have some great moments together and I loved some of their banter.  I also enjoyed learning more about both of their pasts.  I think this book would be great for readers who want a tad bit of romance to their cozy reads or what more mystery in their romance.  The dogs were super cute too.  I loved Juliette's foster dog and of course, his ending was perfect.

This appears to be the first in a series and I'm really looking forward to the next installment.  I suspect it will involve Norah, but I could be wrong. Not a perfect read but definitely a good one!

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

2 Bloggers 1 Series - Track of the Cat

 

When I saw USA Network was making a series based on the Anna Pigeon mysteries by Nevada Barr, I know I at least wanted to read a book or two before watching.  So, I convinced Stormi to pick up a new series read and give this one a try.  Not sure either of us got what we expected, and it might be a while before we pick up the next one, but I do think we will continue eventually.  

TITLE: Track of the Cat (Anna Pigeon #1)

AUTHOR: Nevada Barr

PUBLISHER: Avon

PUBLISHING DATE: January 1, 1993

PAGES: 218   

SOURCE: Own

FROM GOODREADS:

Anna Pigeon has fled New York and her memories to find work as a ranger in the country’s national parks. In the remote backcountry of West Texas, however, she discovers murder and violence. Fellow park ranger Sheila Drury is mysteriously killed, presumably by a mountain lion. But the deep claw marks Anna finds across Drury’s throat and the paw prints surrounding the body are too perfect to be real.

MY THOUGHTS: This book, which I understand is the first in a very long series, is basically a mystery which in my opinion is used to basically introduce us to a wide cast of characters, especially Anna.  

One the park rangers has been found by Anna while she is out in the backcountry of Texas tracking mountain lions.  Everyone believes Sheila was killed by one of the lions, but things don't add up for Anna.  Also, this gives the county an excuse to track down the mountain lion and kill it which angers Anna more than anything.  Anna starts investigating, more people start dying, and in the end, the reader learns what has been going on and who is responsible. 

This book features a lot of wildlife mentions and references which I assume is a reoccurring theme in upcoming books because Anna is a park ranger. I could have done without the snake chapter but that's just me and I have to admit, it added a lot to the plot.  I'm not sure I am extremely fond of Anna as I believe she is a bit odd, which might be a factor as I continue the series, but we will see. I thought the mystery was solid and really enjoyed the setting so I will at least try book two at some point.

While the first part of the book was a tad slow, the second half really ramped up and saved the overall rating.  I'm curious if anyone has read any of this series and if you have, should I make continuing it a priority? 

MY RATING: 3 PAWS

 

Darn It Elias, Won't You Stay Dead?

TITLE: Reliquary

AUTHOR: Hannah Whitten

PUBLISHER: Orbit Books

PUBLISHING DATE: August 11, 2026

PAGES: 300   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: Sometimes, you just want to belong. 

When Claire’s fiancé mysteriously dies of an unknown neurological illness, seemingly destroying her chances at the belonging she’s sought, she’s prepared to sink back into the lonely life she lived before. Orphaned by a freak boating accident in her childhood, she never expected to find connection like she did with Elias, anyway. Even if sometimes, that connection seemed more like something he felt obligated to than something he wanted. 

Their relationship wasn’t perfect—his coldness, his secrets, his strange aversion to the ocean—but what relationship is? 

When Elias’s family reaches out—his incredibly wealthy family, from whom he was estranged—and invites Claire to a wake at their family home on a private island, Claire is given the chance to have connection again. To belong to something, just like she’s always wanted. Just like Elias knew she was desperate to have. 

Even if that family is a little strange. Even if their home built partially into the sea stirs up memories of the accident that killed her parents and sister. Even if Ash, Elias’s older brother, seems insistent on Claire leaving as soon as possible. 

Claire can’t bring herself to be lonely again. And as the strange circumstances of Elias’s familial connection with the sea becomes more and more apparent, her window for escape is rapidly closing. 

Does she even want to?

MY THOUGHTS: I don't know what I expected when I picked this one up and I'm glad I didn't.  What I found was a Gothic cosmic horror tale which is likely to end up on my top ten reads of the year list.

When the book opens, Claire has just learned that her fiancé Elias has died from a sudden aneurysm and she has been called to the hospital because the doctors have found something odd. It just so happens they have never seen the pattern they found in Elias' brain and even more, don't know how he managed to live as long as he did. Claire begins to grieve and as she does, the reader is given a glimpse into the two's relationship and both of their familial issues.  Claire's family was killed in a boating accident when she was young, and Elias' family owns a marinography company specializing in sea research and submarine building and for the past few years, he has had nothing to do with them.

Even though they have never met, Elias' family invites them to their coastal estate to bury Elias and celebrate his life.  Feeling more alone than ever, Claire decides to go.  However, before long, she grows suspect of the mansion, built into a rock formation and primarily under water, the submarine prototype where all family members spend their wedding night (did I mention it was clear), and the staff, who all seem to be suffering from some kind of deformity.  Add in the weird family members and their odd spouses, and things start adding up for Claire.  What is going on with Elias family and just how far is Claire expected to go to belong?  And why do visions of Elias, in various states of decay and dripping salt water and seaweed, keep appearing to her and apologizing for things she has no knowledge of?

I can't gush enough about this book.  The plot was very creative and unlike any I recall ever reading.  Whitten does a fantastic job of creating a sense of dread from the first chapter which only intensifies as the story progresses. Thinking back, I'm not sure I ever really liked Claire, but I was completely invested in her life and what she was experiencing. I also loved the description of the creepy manor and its inhabitants and honestly, this book could have been even longer, and I think I would have only loved it even more.

If you love Gothic tales, cosmic horror and feeling like the ocean is crushing in on you, then you should definitely pick up this book.  I believe this is the author's first adult horror book and I'm really hoping she has many more up her sleeve.  

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

 

Feed Your TBR (Summer of Horror 2026 Edition)

 

an't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This is the last Summer of Horror 2026 Edition so I will leave you with two upcoming horror titles I need to get my hands on!

September 29, 2026

FROM GOODREADS: Cole and Lorraine playtest board games for some extra cash as they save up to buy a home. But after a series of bizarre coincidences, and signing a strange NDA, the couple finds on their porch a mysterious indie developer’s tabletop role-playing game called The Ship of Death. The game relies heavily on the players’ imaginations, and takes up an ever-growing amount of space: in their kitchen, and in their minds. As its true sinister nature becomes clearer, and its forces capture more in its web, the boundary between the game and reality begins to dissolve. . . and the pair are instructed to possess a stranger’s soul.

Told entirely through game reports, emails, game forum posts, personal journals, and police reports, reading The Ship of Death feels like a dangerous dice roll. It’s a sleep-stealing, possession-inducing work of intense, intelligent found cosmic horror that announces Kyle Winkler as a spectacular voice in the genre.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT: I love the idea of a mysterious board game with a sinister nature. I need to know more!

 

August 24, 2027     

FROM GOODREADS: From The New York Times bestselling author Christopher Golden comes an atmospheric, speculative horror novel about an annual Halloween party where the lines between reality and myth are dangerously blurred.

The party takes place at Monaghan Castle on Cumha Island off coast of Ireland—it’s believed to be cursed! Ghosts, rituals, old gods, and the perfect storm for a killer Halloween party.

 WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I'll admit that it's a long wait for this one but I just saw the cover this week and feel in love.  I also loved my most recent read from this author and am excited to read what he comes out with next!

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK????

     

Don't Tell My Mom

TITLE: Colt (Double U Ranch #1)

AUTHOR: Jessica Peterson

PUBLISHER: Peterson Paperbacks, LLC

PUBLISHING DATE: August 18, 2026

PAGES: 432   

SOURCE: KU

FROM GOODREADS: Lainey Brown is not ranch material. She's a city girl who landed on the legendary Wallace Ranch to give the place a fresh coat of branding—and get her career back on track. She's got no interest in cowboys, cattle, or the infuriatingly gorgeous foreman who clearly wants her gone. 

Colton Wallace has spent every day since losing his wife building something worth leaving his son: a spotless reputation, a thriving operation, and a life with no room for complications. The last thing he needs is a firecracker from Austin with a sketchbook full of big ideas and a smile that makes him forget every reason he swore off wanting things he can't keep. 

But somewhere between their very first fight and a Texas night sky that stretches on forever, something shifts. Lainey stops counting the days until she can leave. And Colt stops pretending he wants her to. 

The ranch has always been the Wallace legacy. But Colt is starting to wonder if the best thing that's ever happened to it—and to him—just walked in wearing city shoes.

MY THOUGHTS: First things first (I'm a realist - extra points if you understand that segue and please comment if you do).  Okay back on task. This is exactly the type of cover I would have razzed my mother about reading when I was a teen and stuck knee-deep in my Stephen King/Anne Rice library loans).  However, apparently, I'm still in my cowboy romance era so this is what I'm forced to deal with.  Thank heavens I love this author and I ended up loving this book!

Readers were first introduced briefly to Lainey and Colt in the last Lucky River Ranch book so it was no shock that we would be visiting this neighboring ranch and their brood of troubled sons next.  Lainey is a city girl from Fort Worth.  She has just completed college and is looking for an "adult job" despite having mixed feelings about working in the business world.  Colt is foreman on the Wallace family ranch.  His wife died a few years back but not before loading him down with plenty of baggage and an adorable and precocious kindergartner named Dean.  Colt's father hires Lainey to rebrand the ranch and solidify its legacy before he completely hands over the reins.  He failed to consult Colt so when Lainey shows up, he is less than pleased.  He fights Lainey and her rebranding research every step of the way, but it is really the possibility of things changing around the ranch that infuriates him, or the changes he sees himself making because of Lainey's presence.

I love the way this author combines serious topics and family drama with fun and spice.  Lainey's parents are not the best example of a marriage, so she loves spending time with the entire Wallace clan, who values family over all else.  And Colt has lived by the book for so long after being burned by his wife and then raising a child on his own that he is the definition of grumpy and downright mean at times.  Colt and Lainey are the perfect enemies-to-lovers trope with some excellent banter, and I just knew this would lead to some very interesting sex scenes later on. This book was on the long side for a romance, but I always fly through them and eagerly want the next in the series when I'm finished (which doesn't come out until January by the way).

If you are looking to dip your feet in the cowboy romance genre, Peterson's books are a great place to start.  However, I do recommend you read the Lucky Rivers Ranch books first as there really is a lot of cross-over between the two series.   

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

2 Bloggers 1 Book - Swamp Monster Massacre

 

This month Stormi and I decided to venture into one of Hunter Shea's backlist books for our buddy reads.  We have always enjoyed this author, and she received this book as a birthday gift from a friend, and I was able to access it on Kindle Unlimited, add in Summer of Horror and it made perfect sense. So read on for my thoughts and then hop over to Stormi's to see hers. 

TITLE: Swamp Monster Massacre

AUTHOR: Hunter Shea

PUBLISHER: Severed Press

PUBLISHING DATE: October 2, 2012

PAGES: 149   

SOURCE: KU

FROM GOODREADS: The swamp belongs to them. Humans are only prey. 

Deep in the overgrown swamps of Florida, where humans rarely dare to enter, lives a race of creatures long thought to be only the stuff of legend. They walk upright but are stronger, taller and more brutal than any man. And when a small boat of tourists, held captive by a fleeing criminal, accidentally kills one of the swamp dwellers’ young, the creatures are filled with a terrifyingly human emotion—a merciless lust for vengeance that will paint the trees red with blood.

MY THOUGHTS: Was this a great book?  No.  It doesn't even land on my favorite books by this author.  However, it was entertaining, action-packed and a quick read and sometimes that is all you need.  

Rooster is a career criminal.  At the beginning, he gets a little greedy and ends up killing the son of a gang member and stealing a bunch of guns and money.  He then has some drinks, does some drugs and passes out.  When he awakens, the father's goons are pounding in his door, so he ends up running off, with them close behind, and hopping on a tour boat headed for the Everglades. 

Rooster soon demands control of the boat and ends up driving the motley crew taking the tour deep into the Everglades.  Several people end up hurt when a storm brews up and the boat is run ashore and smack dab into the tree.  But in its path is a hairy monkey which is brutally splattered all about by the boat and everyone starts to wonder, why is there a monkey in the middle of the Everglades?

Soon the crew is being chased by Swamp Apes (aka Bigfeet? Bigfoots? what is the plural here?). The death of their big little one has angered the momma and before you know it, the group is fighting for their lives in the middle of a swamp.  

Like I mentioned, this book was okay.  There was A LOT of dismemberment and horrific deaths and I actually started liking Rooster as the end so I guess you could say there was some character development.  However, there was also a lot of stereotypical good-looking girl talk and some perversion but again, kind of expected for the type of book this is.  I do have to say that there is a scene thrown into the end that the book definitely didn't need and actually brought the rating down a bit for me.  

I don't regret reading this one and I will still pick up future Shea creature-feature books.  Unless you have a real reason to seek this one out, there are many other books by this author I would recommend first.

MY RATING: 3 PAWS

Feed Your TBR (Summer of Horror 2026 Edition)

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Also, since it is Summer of Horror, each week I will be trying to do one horror and one horror pick - at least through August.  

August 25, 2026

FROM GOODREADS: Home is where the haunt is.

Lexi Darling has always been a city girl through and through. New York is loud, crowded, and just chaotic enough to keep her mind off everything she’d rather not think about—especially the eerily realistic nightmares that have plagued her all her life. So when she and her twin brother, Logan, are summoned to the postcard-perfect town of Midas, Iowa, one golden October to handle an inheritance from the grandmother they never knew, Lexi figures it’ll be a quick detour: sign a few papers, snap a fall foliage selfie, and catch the next flight home.

But Midas has other plans.

The town has been waiting for the Darling twins, and it’s not about to let them leave. Their arrival stirs up a centuries-old curse, one that promises something dark and hungry will rise again by Halloween night. And the key to stopping it might just lie in their family’s mysterious past. Now, trapped in Midas with the shadows closing in, Lexi has to team up with a group of stubborn locals to save the town…including Jack, the grumpy-but-unfairly attractive diner owner who drives her crazy in all the wrong ways.

As the nights grow longer and an uncanny evil creeps closer, Lexi must uncover the truth behind the curse before Midas—and everyone in it—is consumed. Because in Midas, some secrets refuse to stay buried—and some nightmares never end.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT: Halloween, curses and a grumpy diner owner named Jack who is giving me Luke Danes vibes?  Yes, please!

October 26, 2026

FROM GOODREADS: It's 2005, and Vera Valcourt is an aimless goth waitress in New York City, desperate for something to sink her teeth into. Caged by her Catholic upbringing, her dead-end job, and her deadbeat boyfriend, Vera's only solace is her rescue cat, Sammy. But when Sammy disappears, Vera is forced to claw her way out of the domestic life she's been trapped inside.

The frantic search for her missing cat drives Vera into the dark underbelly of cat lore. Following a blood-soaked trail blazed by a medieval abbess and a roaring twenties witch, Vera is cast into a world of ancient myths and ancestral magic, ruthless cults and cutthroat cat ladies. If she and her beloved Sammy are to survive, Vera must uncover the secrets of a deadly feline species with more than nine lives.

A suspenseful mix of occult horror and urban fantasy drenched in dark humor, Nightcats explores the unbreakable bonds between women and their cats, and what we sacrifice to keep our teeth sharp in a world that wants us defanged.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  The pups may not forgive me for this pick, but I really need to know more about these cat ladies.  Also, the word vampire always catches my attention.

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK????