Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Till Death Do Us Bark
A Dog Walker Mystery, No 5
Judi McCoy

Obsidian
August 2011/ ISBN 978-0-451-23435-3
Mystery / Cozy
Amazon

Reviewed by Laura Hinds

Ellie Engleman, professional dog-walker, visits the Hamptons with her best friend, Viv, for a wedding. Viv’s sister, Arlene, is marrying the doctor of her dreams. It is a dog-friendly wedding, so Ellie has brought her Yorkieepoo, Rudy. Viv has brought her dog, a terrier named Mr. T., aka Twink, along as well.

During a family party the night before the wedding, the bride-to-be becomes frantic when she can’t find her fiancé. Ellie notices a handsome stranger at the party. She becomes suspicious of him when one of the caterers finds a body, and the stranger just so happens to be at the scene. The body is Dr. Kent, the groom-to-be. It looks like a wake and funeral will be on the agenda instead of a wedding. Although Ellie vows not to get involved in another case of murder, she just can’t help buy try to figure out who the killer is.

I love this series chiefly because Ellie can hear and communicate with Rudy and Mr. T. Their banter is quite amusing as the dogs say exactly what they are thinking. Rudy is, in fact, the reincarnation of a dog she had suffered the loss of ten years earlier.

As the story unfolds, it appears that the murder victim, the late Dr. Kent, may have been a drug pusher. The housekeeper’s son is the likely suspect, but Ellie is determined to dig deeper. As there happens to be a parrot that mimics everything that he hears, he could be the best witness in the case.

I really enjoy this series, and this fifth book is no exception. It can be read well as a stand alone, but this offers a nice progression in getting to know the characters. Anyone who loves a cozy mystery and animals who communicate with their owner is guaranteed to love this book. It’s a great beach read, and even the cover fits it perfectly, showing a beach scene and some adorable dogs.

Reviews of other titles in this series

Till Death Do Us Bark, No 5
Fashion Faux Paw, No 6

Reviewer Laura Hinds is the author of Are You Gonna Eat That Banana?
Reviewed 2011
© MyShelf.com