Those Dogs Sure Did Walk a Lot

TITLE: The Dogwalkers' Detective Agency

AUTHOR: Michael Hogan

PUBLISHER: Pegasus Crime

PUBLISHING DATE: June 2, 2026

PAGES: 480   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: They've got a lot of leads...but can they collar a killer? 

When Charlie Boardman and his beloved Staffy, Ruby, stumble across a corpse in the woods, the sleepy coastal town of Framstone is rocked by the discovery that the local pub landlord has been murdered. 

Charlie and his fellow dogwalkers take it upon themselves to try and sniff out any clues that might help the local police with their investigation. 

But what begins as idle speculation and gossip quickly becomes something more sinister, when Charlie starts receiving anonymous threats warning him off the case. 

Then, a second body washes up on the beach… 

Can Charlie hunt down a killer, before he becomes the next victim?

MY THOUGHTS: I grabbed this book last month when I was perusing the "New Release" shelf at my local library.  I'm sure it is a shock to no one why I gravitated towards it. I have to admit it wasn't a perfect read but for the author's debut, it definitely was a solid one. 

Charlie has moved back to his hometown of Framstone to take care of his ailing mother.  He is a self-employed graphic designer who spends a lot of time walking his precious Staffy Ruby and hanging out with a group of dogwalkers in town.  One day when walking a favorite path in the woods, Charlie and Ruby stumble across the body of an ex-copper in town.  Although a bit shook up, he and his friends decide to start looking into the death on their own, and their activities only intensify when Charlie discovers another body on the beach.  On top of that, Charlie starts receiving threats against his mother and Ruby. He tries to back off the investigation but finds he misses his cronies too much and he is tired of living in fear. Can Charlie and the gang solve the crime when the police seem to be spinning their wheels?  And more importantly, can Charlie keep his mom and Ruby (let's be honest, that is who I am worried about) safe in the process?

I loved Charlie, his group of colorful friends, and all of their pets.  Charlie also renews a friendship with an old high school crush, who happens to be a very married Detective now, which aids in the sharing of information as the plot thickens.  This book also has a lot of twists and turns, including the one at the very end I really didn't see coming.

My only real complaint is the length of the book.  Just shy of 500 pages, it seems a bit lengthy for a mystery.  However, the chapters are extremely short, and the author somehow manages to come up with a title for each one.  This kept me interested and helped the pages turn quite quickly. I also was a bit worried about Ruby about 45% into the book.  Let's say she managed to come away unharmed, and she and the other dogs ended up helping take down the culprit, but it was a bit dicey for a while. 

I'm not sure if this is the beginning of a series or if it's a standalone.  I would definitely pick up another book in this world and would love visiting with the old gang and their lovable pooches again.  If you like small-town vibe mysteries, and don't mind a lengthy read, this one might be for you.  Oh, and don't forget dogs!

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - Messy as Hell

 

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.

January 12, 2027

FROM GOODREADS: CAUTION! All employees must correctly dispose of otherworldly biohazards found on Dark Enterprises property. Failure to comply may result in one hell of a mess...

"If a door is closed, you leave it alone."

That's the one rule janitor, Sam, is given when he starts cleaning the infamous thirteenth floor of the Denver branch of Hell-like multinational corporation Dark Enterprises.

Sam is thrilled to be that much closer to his idol, Constantine Galanos, Denver’s ruthless and charming CEO, but he's even more excited to uncover the tantalizing secrets lurking up on the executive level. Maybe he’ll find something juicier than tawdry workplace affairs and petty office gossip, something he can share with his closest friends, daredevil Mia and secret crush Calvin.

When Sam comes across a closed door his first day on the job, he thinks one little peek can't hurt. But he’s dead wrong. Behind that door is a Type A biohazard—infernal materials from Hell on company property—and a deal that could spell doom for Dark Enterprises and Earth...signed by the CEO himself.

Sam is in deep trouble now, and the problems keep piling up. The CEO's homicidal assistant wants him fired (read: killed), Calvin is literally losing his mind over a secret project, and there’s something very unusual about Mia’s emotional-support rabbit, Mr. Bun-Bun…

It’s a mess like no other, but Sam is a janitor at Dark Enterprises. If he can’t save humanity and the man of his dreams, no one can.

 WHY I CAN'T WAIT: My job is driving me crazy right now, mainly because we have been down 2 workers most of the summer, so I think this one sounds like a fun read to escape with.  Also, I really need to know more about Bun-Bun!

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

And I Thought Conner Was My Favorite Sister

TITLE: Free Falling (Sweetwater Peak #2)

AUTHOR: Lyla Sage

PUBLISHER: Dial Press

PUBLISHING DATE: September 22, 2026

PAGES: 336   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Old haunts, new feelings. 

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Rebel Blue Ranch series returns to the haunted town of Sweetwater Peak for another love story, this one featuring an antique shop owner and a farmer who fake a relationship to save their legacies…but will they be able to fool the ghosts of their past? 

Clarke Cartwright probably needed to get out more. She just had a lot to do. Running Toade’s Antiques was no small feat, especially considering that the roof was in shambles and half her merchandise was unsellable. But dealing with that felt easier than her other two options: third-wheeling with her best friend…again, or chatting it up with the ghost of her childhood crush’s father, who just can’t seem to leave her alone. 

Leith Wilkes has spent his life preparing to take over his family's farm. Well, he’s actually spent most of his life flirting, but now he’s ready to buckle down, which has nothing to do with an oddly specific clause that his dad left in his inheritance. Leith is pretty sure he’s the only one who knows about it…until Clarke drunkenly spills that she knows, too, along with a bunch of other Wilkes family secrets. 

Leith starts to wonder if there’s more to Clarke than she lets on…and if his dad has something to do with it. And if she is keeping secrets of her own, maybe she won’t mind helping him with his.

MY THOUGHTS: So I read the first book in this duology, which featured Clarke's twin sister, Conner, in January of this year and loved it.  I became a die-hard fan of Lyla Sage after devouring her Rebel Blue Ranch series when my mom was in the hospital in 2025.  This series may not have a ranch and cowboys (although this book did feature a farm) but it does have a small-town vibe with paranormal aspects.  No matter what it has, this one knocked all my expectations out of the ballpark again and even though I was sure I would like an entire book about Clarke after meeting her in the first one, I was completely wrong.

Clarke is still reeling from the storm that caused havoc with the family-owned antique store in Sweetwater Peak.  On top of that, she is getting really tired of avoiding the ghosts that keep trying to reach out to her and which are causing her headaches to worsen by the week.  However, a few weeks back, an old school friend's (kind of more like annoying classmate) contacted her and mentioned his son, Leith, needs to examine the details of the will he left behind. Although she doesn't tell him why, Clarke does encourage Leith to examine things more closely and he finds that if he hasn't married by the time his father has been dead five years, the family farm, which is critical to the economy of Sweetwater Peak, reverts to his uncle, who can't wait to sell it off to the highest developer.  

Clarke and Leith have had secret feelings for each other for years, which have expressed themselves in avoidance and snarky comments, Clarke agrees to help Leith secure the family farm.  This involves a lot of fake dating and lying to those they care most about, but this is a romance book so come on, we know what this really involves right?

Once again, I found myself devouring a Sage book.  I just can't seem to put them down once I start.  I loved Clarke and though romance is hot and heavy at the forefront, this book deals with strained family relationships, small-town economic impacts, and cute dogs (I'm looking at you Pearl and Billy).  Oh, and don't forget the ghosts.  The ending was more than your happily ever after and I am sad to see this duology end. I also want to note that the book deals heavily with the topic and symptoms of depression. The author even shares what she was experiencing around the time of writing it so if you do pick this one up, make sure to read the author's notes!

I can't recommend this duology enough and since the book releases next week, you can pick them up and binge them, unlike me, who had to suffer through months of waiting and pray to the arc God's for and advance copy (BTW, thank you arc Gods).

MY RAING: 5 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - These Twisted Hearts

 

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.

February 2, 2027

FROM GOODREADS: A romantic YA Midwestern gothic thriller, from the New York Times bestselling author of Dark and Shallow Lies, featuring a storm-chasing teen girl in a town cursed with violent weather.

One year ago, Ezra Winslow vanished from storm-plagued Promise, Oklahoma, and seventeen-year-old Jubilee Callahan is still searching for her first love and tornado-chasing partner. Then a monster twister touches down, and the strange and beautiful Star Holloway walks out of the wreckage claiming that he’s there to stop the deadly storms, and that Jubilee is destined to help him.

When the search for Ezra leads Jubilee to blood-soaked secrets buried just below the prairie dirt, the land itself turns against the people of Promise. Tall grass grows wild, animals flee, and red rain falls across dying farms.

Now, to make things right, Jubilee and Star will have to unleash a storm powerful enough to wipe Promise clean, right down to the bones.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I was hesitant to feature this one as I don't read a lot of YA anymore, but I do love the sounds of this one and think the storm aspect sounds pretty unique.

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

What in the Cluck Norris is Going On???

TITLE: Worry Box

AUTHOR: Chris Panatier

PUBLISHER: Angry Robot

PUBLISHING DATE: September 22, 2026

PAGES: 352   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: The Martins need a new home for their growing family. For Alison, Nathan, daughter Dru, and foster child Lailah, it’s love at first sight when they see the house in Tumbling Hills. It even has a cozy attic, which is great for Lailah: she needs a quiet place to be alone when her intrusive thoughts creep in. 

(crack an egg into the coffee machine) 

The family gets settled. The house is perfect, and so is the timing – Lailah’s adoption will soon be finalized. But as the date approaches, her intrusive thoughts become worse, and bad things start to happen. Lailah fears she’s losing control.

(push your sister down the stairs) 

The family is on edge, pointing fingers and taking sides. And even though they love each other very much, the cracks begin to show. Something has got to give. 

(burn them alive in their beds)

MY THOUGHTS: Although I planned on picking this book up at some point this month, I sort of grabbed it over the weekend on the spur of the moment. I am really glad I did because although I wasn't in a reading slump, I felt my reading had slowed down, and this book did a wonderful job of picking it right back up!

The Martin's are looking for a new residence to accommodate their growing family.  They are on the cusp of adopting their teenage foster child, Lailah who has been with them for several months.  Adopting is a passion of both Alison and Nathan as Nathan himself grew up in the foster care system.  Lailah is adored but all of the Martin's, especially their younger daughter Dru, but like many foster children, she carries some baggage, so everyone works especially hard to make sure all of Lailah's needs are being met

Lailah suffers from intrusive thoughts, and she works hard to not give in to them.  With the help of her therapist, the family creates a "worry box" where Lailah can write down her thoughts and keep them in a box to help her cope and put them to rest.  When Nathan and Alison have a third, rather unplanned child, Lailah's thoughts continue to spiral.  Eventually strange things start to happen around the home, Alison and Nathan, running high on emotions and a lack of sleep because to question everything and everyone around them, and the family bonds begin to break.  Are the unexplained incidents Lailah's intrusive thoughts finally springing to life, or is there something more sinister going on in the home?

I really did love this book.  For the most part, it was pretty flawless.  The suspense was present, the plot kept getting darker and darker, and the chapters, from Andy, who just happened to be probably the most interesting character and who you will just have to meet for yourself, my favorites.  Working in a foster care adjacent field, I loved the foster care representation and found it pretty realistic as well.  I was sucked in by watching the family spiral and spiral and couldn't get to the ending fast enough.  

However, I did have one major issue - and no, the dog didn't die. There was quite a bit if animal abuse alluded to, especially when discussing the history of the house. The abuse does seem to go into extreme detail, and it was almost too much for me in a few places, so it did bring my rating down a notch.  Although, I feel I must add the author did seem to use it to further the story and plot line and not just for some dramatic, bloody and shock-filled effect. 

If you are looking for a different kind of horror read, then check this one out.  And by the way, when the family settles into the new home, they build a chicken coop for the girls and one of the chickens is named Cluck Norris.  

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

I'll Take Not Enough Therapy in the World for $500 Alex

TITLE: Not a Word

AUTHOR: Linwood Barclay

PUBLISHER: William Morrow

PUBLISHING DATE: August 25, 2026

PAGES: 314   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: Every family has secrets, but when Reece visits his parents’ home he’s shocked to find his father and a woman he assumes is his mother in bed. Dead. At first glance it looks like a murder-suicide perpetrated by his father, but on closer inspection there’s clearly more to the story. For starters, inconsistencies in the crime scene suggest his dad may not have shot himself. 

As Reece, shaken by his horrifying discovery, awaits questioning from the police, his phone lights up. It’s a call from his mom—his real mom. The dead woman in that bed is clearly not the person Reece believed her to be. 

His mom is at a lunch date with friends, she says, and can’t raise her husband on the phone. Could Reece drop by and see if everything’s okay? At a loss for how to tell his mother her husband is dead in bed with another woman, Reece simply tells “Come home now.” 

But instead of rushing home, she disappears. Could she have been involved? Was she seeking revenge on her husband and a mistress? Or, just as frightening, did someone kill Reece’s father and that woman, thinking wrongly that Reece’s mother had been dispatched? 

And what might this grisly scene have to do with the unscrupulous pharma company Reece’s father worked for years ago? 

Soon Reece finds himself questioning how well he really knew his parents—who they were, what they did, and who they hurt. Most importantly, he needs to figure out who might want to hurt him and his own family now.

MY THOUGHTS: I read Whistle last year by this author and really loved it.  Considering it was my first of his, and a 5-star read to boot, when I saw this at my local library, I quickly snatched it up.  I am really glad I did and I am definitely planning to read more from him in the future. 

One afternoon, Reece stops by his parents' home to return some books he borrowed.  He was also hoping to get his dad's advice having recently been a victim of downsizing at work. The door was unlocked but no one answers so he goes inside and ends up finding his mother and dad in bed, the victims of an apparent murder-suicide.  Reece starts reeling and the police start swarming, but nothing can prepare Reece for what happens next - a call from his mother asking her to check on his dad because he isn't answering his phone.  

The book continues on as we learn more about Reece and older brother, who has a history of bad behavior and addiction.  We also get a glimpse into the family's past through flashbacks and recollections.  Reece's teenage son also finds himself smack in the middle of the mess, much to his parents' dislike.

I loved everything about his book.  It was thrilling and quick paced and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I could say I wasn't a fan of Reece's mother, but his father turned out to be my favorite character which is a feat considering he died in the first chapter. The ending was satisfying and had more twists and turns that a racetrack.  

If you love thrillers and messy family drama, this is definitely a book you want to pick up.  Now off to see what I can read from this author next!

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

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