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The Dog Sitter Detective #2
The Dog Sitter Detective Takes the Lead: The tail-wagging cosy crime series
Gwinny Tuffel, preparing for her first West End role in a decade, is continuing to dog-sit to keep the wolf from the door. What should be an easy gig, staying on a Little Venice houseboat to help ageing rock star Crash Double with his Border Collie, takes a sinister turn when the singer’s dead body surfaces during the annual Canal Carnival festivities.
While the police dismiss the death as an accident, Gwinny suspects murder most foul and it is up to her, with Ace’s on-the-ground knowledge, to make sure the killer faces the music.
While the police dismiss the death as an accident, Gwinny suspects murder most foul and it is up to her, with Ace’s on-the-ground knowledge, to make sure the killer faces the music.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 2024
26 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Antony Johnston
337 books387 followers** Sign up for Antony's newsletter at http://ajwriter.substack.com **
Antony Johnston is one of the most versatile writers of the modern era.
The Charlize Theron movie Atomic Blonde was based on his graphic novel. His murder mystery series The Dog Sitter Detective won the Barker Book Award. His crime puzzle novel Can You Solve the Murder? reinvented choose-your-own-story books for a mainstream audience and was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year. The Brigitte Sharp spy thrillers are in development for TV. And his productivity guide The Organised Writer has helped authors all over the world take control of their workload.
Antony is a celebrated videogames writer, with genre-defining titles including Dead Space, Shadow of Mordor, and Resident Evil Village to his credit. His work on Silent Hill Ascension made him the only writer in the world to have contributed to all of gaming’s ‘big three’ horror franchises.
His immense body of work also includes Marvel superheroes such as Daredevil and Shang-Chi, the award-winning Alex Rider graphic novels, the post-apocalypse epic Wasteland, and more. He wrote and directed the film Crossover Point, made entirely in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.
An experienced podcaster and public speaker, he also frequently writes articles on the life of an author, and is a prolific musician.
Antony is a former vice chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, a member of International Thriller Writers and the Society of Authors, a Shore Scripts screenwriting judge, and sits on the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain’s videogames committee. He lives and works in England.
Antony Johnston is one of the most versatile writers of the modern era.
The Charlize Theron movie Atomic Blonde was based on his graphic novel. His murder mystery series The Dog Sitter Detective won the Barker Book Award. His crime puzzle novel Can You Solve the Murder? reinvented choose-your-own-story books for a mainstream audience and was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year. The Brigitte Sharp spy thrillers are in development for TV. And his productivity guide The Organised Writer has helped authors all over the world take control of their workload.
Antony is a celebrated videogames writer, with genre-defining titles including Dead Space, Shadow of Mordor, and Resident Evil Village to his credit. His work on Silent Hill Ascension made him the only writer in the world to have contributed to all of gaming’s ‘big three’ horror franchises.
His immense body of work also includes Marvel superheroes such as Daredevil and Shang-Chi, the award-winning Alex Rider graphic novels, the post-apocalypse epic Wasteland, and more. He wrote and directed the film Crossover Point, made entirely in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.
An experienced podcaster and public speaker, he also frequently writes articles on the life of an author, and is a prolific musician.
Antony is a former vice chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, a member of International Thriller Writers and the Society of Authors, a Shore Scripts screenwriting judge, and sits on the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain’s videogames committee. He lives and works in England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 13, 2024
I received a review copy of this book from Allison & Busby via NetGalley for which my thanks.
Recent years have seen several mysteries (among other titles) with older characters among which the Dog Sitter Detective series is one, but from the (few) I’ve read so far, what stood out in this book was how these characters weren’t all retired or living in retirement communities or isolated lives—some were continuing with or turning to new careers, while our main character Gwinny was returning to hers, in a sense starting afresh.
Gwinny Tuffel is sixty years old and returning to her acting career after a 10-year hiatus when she was taking care of her father who was ill. Now after his death and money becoming tight, despite her still having the family home in affluent Chelsea, she must return to work. While she has secured a part in a play (which doesn’t quite turn out as promised), to make ends meet, she is also taking up dog-sitting jobs. In this book, the second in the series (which I hadn’t realised when requesting, though it wasn’t a problem at all) Gwinny is called by a former Irish rock star Crash Double who lives on a narrow boat in Little Venice to look after his dog Ace, a border collie, while he is away for an annual weekend gig with former bandmate Johnny Roulette in Dublin.
But while Gwinny goes to the boat and takes over Ace’s care as discussed, not long after, Crash’s body surfaces in the canal, right in the middle of the annual carnival, which Gwinny has been roped into joining. Her friend/love interest, retired police detective Birch and his dog Ronnie are close at hand. But though the case is being handled by Birch’s old boss, she isn’t inclined to accept that the incident is anything more than a suicide. Gwinny, needless to say, thinks otherwise and dives right into the investigation, digging into everyone and everything connected with Crash. Secrets are revealed and Gwinny’s suspicions deepened and it is up to her (and Birch) to get to the bottom of things.
This was a fun cosy read with an interesting mystery (with a fair few suspects and possibilities), quirky characters and the dogs adding to one’s enjoyment. I also enjoyed returning to the Little Vencie setting which I explored in another cosy read last year.
There are two dogs in the book, Ace whom Gwinny is looking after and Ronnie who belongs to Birch and we get to know them all through—Ace’s border collie characteristics are brought out well in the things he does and his reactions to situations (including herding just about anyone—human or animal) as are Ronnie lab traits, showing us that the author does know his dogs. Ace is also highly energetic and must have cardboard boxes to tear, and Crash has taught him to dance with him to Irish songs as well. While the dogs have their individual personalities and are very much a part of the book, they aren’t as such part of the investigations, even if always with Gwinny and Birch (and they’re absolutely safe all the way through). I very much liked how the title worked in two meanings, both Gwinny taking the ‘lead’ in the investigation as well as getting Ace to go on a lead, something he isn’t used to.
The mystery was nicely done with a range of suspects all of whom had reasons to do away with Crash. As Gwinny looks into things, plenty of secrets are revealed, some more unsavoury than others leaving readers (and indeed Gwinny) with plenty of possibilities. The solution that was revealed was not the kind one could have guessed at but a satisfying one nonetheless.
Besides the mystery and dogs, we also get an idea of Gwinny’s life and work (especially trouble getting work because of her age, but also some interesting consequences that the modern-day world ends up having for her), as well as her friendship with Birch who is quite conventional and formal, addressing Gwinny as ‘Maam’ at all times and their ‘dates’ so far simply friendly meetings, though there is deeper interest. Gwinny also has to have her house repaired (despite lacking the funds) and must deal with her next-door neighbour, Lady Ragley, more or less breathing down her neck to have it done. I liked that Gwinny also does jigsaws which I enjoy as well.
Overall, a book that I enjoyed reading and a series I’d like to explore more of (also interestingly my second ‘tail wagging’ book of the year already)!
Recent years have seen several mysteries (among other titles) with older characters among which the Dog Sitter Detective series is one, but from the (few) I’ve read so far, what stood out in this book was how these characters weren’t all retired or living in retirement communities or isolated lives—some were continuing with or turning to new careers, while our main character Gwinny was returning to hers, in a sense starting afresh.
Gwinny Tuffel is sixty years old and returning to her acting career after a 10-year hiatus when she was taking care of her father who was ill. Now after his death and money becoming tight, despite her still having the family home in affluent Chelsea, she must return to work. While she has secured a part in a play (which doesn’t quite turn out as promised), to make ends meet, she is also taking up dog-sitting jobs. In this book, the second in the series (which I hadn’t realised when requesting, though it wasn’t a problem at all) Gwinny is called by a former Irish rock star Crash Double who lives on a narrow boat in Little Venice to look after his dog Ace, a border collie, while he is away for an annual weekend gig with former bandmate Johnny Roulette in Dublin.
But while Gwinny goes to the boat and takes over Ace’s care as discussed, not long after, Crash’s body surfaces in the canal, right in the middle of the annual carnival, which Gwinny has been roped into joining. Her friend/love interest, retired police detective Birch and his dog Ronnie are close at hand. But though the case is being handled by Birch’s old boss, she isn’t inclined to accept that the incident is anything more than a suicide. Gwinny, needless to say, thinks otherwise and dives right into the investigation, digging into everyone and everything connected with Crash. Secrets are revealed and Gwinny’s suspicions deepened and it is up to her (and Birch) to get to the bottom of things.
This was a fun cosy read with an interesting mystery (with a fair few suspects and possibilities), quirky characters and the dogs adding to one’s enjoyment. I also enjoyed returning to the Little Vencie setting which I explored in another cosy read last year.
There are two dogs in the book, Ace whom Gwinny is looking after and Ronnie who belongs to Birch and we get to know them all through—Ace’s border collie characteristics are brought out well in the things he does and his reactions to situations (including herding just about anyone—human or animal) as are Ronnie lab traits, showing us that the author does know his dogs. Ace is also highly energetic and must have cardboard boxes to tear, and Crash has taught him to dance with him to Irish songs as well. While the dogs have their individual personalities and are very much a part of the book, they aren’t as such part of the investigations, even if always with Gwinny and Birch (and they’re absolutely safe all the way through). I very much liked how the title worked in two meanings, both Gwinny taking the ‘lead’ in the investigation as well as getting Ace to go on a lead, something he isn’t used to.
The mystery was nicely done with a range of suspects all of whom had reasons to do away with Crash. As Gwinny looks into things, plenty of secrets are revealed, some more unsavoury than others leaving readers (and indeed Gwinny) with plenty of possibilities. The solution that was revealed was not the kind one could have guessed at but a satisfying one nonetheless.
Besides the mystery and dogs, we also get an idea of Gwinny’s life and work (especially trouble getting work because of her age, but also some interesting consequences that the modern-day world ends up having for her), as well as her friendship with Birch who is quite conventional and formal, addressing Gwinny as ‘Maam’ at all times and their ‘dates’ so far simply friendly meetings, though there is deeper interest. Gwinny also has to have her house repaired (despite lacking the funds) and must deal with her next-door neighbour, Lady Ragley, more or less breathing down her neck to have it done. I liked that Gwinny also does jigsaws which I enjoy as well.
Overall, a book that I enjoyed reading and a series I’d like to explore more of (also interestingly my second ‘tail wagging’ book of the year already)!
January 25, 2024
With Antony’s impressive CV, it’s no wonder I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery.
This is book two in the series (and I’m hoping for more!) but having not read book one - yet - I do not feel as if I have missed out. This can easily be read as a stand alone but I’m sure you’ll also want to read about Gwinny’s escapade before this one!
I loved the characters, especially Gwinny, and her side kick and potential love interest Birch who just happens to be an ex Met police officer and helps her in her investigations. But let’s make this clear - Gwinny calls the shots and sniffs out the evidence. Ace the clever border collie does his own sniffing and helps the investigation along.
Set in the real location of Little Venice in London, I enjoyed the descriptions of the house boats and the carnival event. Shame the body floating to the surface during the opening celebration put a bit of a dampener on the event!
Plenty of slapstick humour, plus a few doses of blackmail and of course a murder to solve make this a brilliantly paced page turner. I was awake until 1.30 finishing it as I just had to know how it ended!
Huge thanks to Libby at Allison & Busby for inviting me onto the publication day blog blast and for sending me a gorgeous signed finished copy of the book.
This is book two in the series (and I’m hoping for more!) but having not read book one - yet - I do not feel as if I have missed out. This can easily be read as a stand alone but I’m sure you’ll also want to read about Gwinny’s escapade before this one!
I loved the characters, especially Gwinny, and her side kick and potential love interest Birch who just happens to be an ex Met police officer and helps her in her investigations. But let’s make this clear - Gwinny calls the shots and sniffs out the evidence. Ace the clever border collie does his own sniffing and helps the investigation along.
Set in the real location of Little Venice in London, I enjoyed the descriptions of the house boats and the carnival event. Shame the body floating to the surface during the opening celebration put a bit of a dampener on the event!
Plenty of slapstick humour, plus a few doses of blackmail and of course a murder to solve make this a brilliantly paced page turner. I was awake until 1.30 finishing it as I just had to know how it ended!
Huge thanks to Libby at Allison & Busby for inviting me onto the publication day blog blast and for sending me a gorgeous signed finished copy of the book.
November 2, 2024
Excellent
Another great outing for the dog sitter detective. A weekend sitting for a lively border collie on a canal boat in London's Little Venuce shouldn't be a problem for Gwinny. But when a body emerges from the depths in the middle of a boat carnival, things quickly get out of hand. A very pleasing puzzle with a great cast of characters.
Another great outing for the dog sitter detective. A weekend sitting for a lively border collie on a canal boat in London's Little Venuce shouldn't be a problem for Gwinny. But when a body emerges from the depths in the middle of a boat carnival, things quickly get out of hand. A very pleasing puzzle with a great cast of characters.
August 14, 2024
I used to be a real stickler for reading series from book 1. However time now means I read what I can when I can meaning I went into this almost blind.
It didn't matter a jot. What a really delightful fun read this has been. I read it in two sittings, it would have been one if I didn't care about sleep and my job!
The dog Sitter Detective Gwinny, is asked to look after Ace on a houseboat for aging rock star Crash Double. Ace is a border collie and I loved him immediately. Written brilliantly I could really picture his antics.
Things go slightly wrong when Crash's body pops up in the canal. The police dismiss it as suicide. Gwinny thinks otherwise, and knows the love of his dog is more than enough to keep him going.
What she uncovers reveals lots of suspects with lots of motives. When the reveal is made I was shocked even though the clues were there!
I loved all the characters in this. Quite a cast of vastly different personalities, each written to be well formed and distinct. Even the hairdresser that hardly featured.
The main star was clearly Ace. Does make me think maybe Collies would be too much after owning a lazy yorkie who prefers belly rubs!
It didn't matter a jot. What a really delightful fun read this has been. I read it in two sittings, it would have been one if I didn't care about sleep and my job!
The dog Sitter Detective Gwinny, is asked to look after Ace on a houseboat for aging rock star Crash Double. Ace is a border collie and I loved him immediately. Written brilliantly I could really picture his antics.
Things go slightly wrong when Crash's body pops up in the canal. The police dismiss it as suicide. Gwinny thinks otherwise, and knows the love of his dog is more than enough to keep him going.
What she uncovers reveals lots of suspects with lots of motives. When the reveal is made I was shocked even though the clues were there!
I loved all the characters in this. Quite a cast of vastly different personalities, each written to be well formed and distinct. Even the hairdresser that hardly featured.
The main star was clearly Ace. Does make me think maybe Collies would be too much after owning a lazy yorkie who prefers belly rubs!
January 25, 2024
I was very happy to catch up with Gwinny, her detective friend, Rufus and Ace (the canine part).
It's a twisty and highly entertaining mystery that made me discovery a part of London I never see and have a lot of fun.
Well plotted, entertaining, it kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's a twisty and highly entertaining mystery that made me discovery a part of London I never see and have a lot of fun.
Well plotted, entertaining, it kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
November 4, 2024
CAWPILE 5.71
3 STARS
I was really looking forward to picking this one up after I read the first in the series last month. It started really well, loved the house boats and the rock musician storyline- the dog was adorable...and then Gwinny just irritated the crap out of me. She was overly bullish, pushy, cocky and just unbelievably irritating to read- I began to actively hate our main character, the one you're supposed to be rooting for- not ideal.
I was so turned off by the end of the book, which isn't very long, and I've made the decision that I won't be continuing the series which is a real shame because I really, really enjoyed the first.
3 STARS
I was really looking forward to picking this one up after I read the first in the series last month. It started really well, loved the house boats and the rock musician storyline- the dog was adorable...and then Gwinny just irritated the crap out of me. She was overly bullish, pushy, cocky and just unbelievably irritating to read- I began to actively hate our main character, the one you're supposed to be rooting for- not ideal.
I was so turned off by the end of the book, which isn't very long, and I've made the decision that I won't be continuing the series which is a real shame because I really, really enjoyed the first.
Read
January 7, 2024A new case, and most importantly a new dog - Ace, a typically 'must be doing something' Border Collie, complete with asymmetric ears. I had never before encountered the description "eine poppen, eine floppen" before, and don't know whether it's a pre-existing phrase or a Johnston invention like the various garbled sayings of the sceptical copper who gets in the way of the investigation here, but either way I love it, even if/especially because it does sound a bit Neil Patrick Harris Toymaker. And while I obviously approve of the dogs always being the cover stars, I note with mild dismay the zwei poppen in this depiction. No, autocorrect, not Zweig poppen, that would be much worse.
But because this isn't wholly a dog ears book (DYSWIDT? Also, yes, I probably would read that): I did wonder if the timeframe might be a bit too convenient in terms of minimising interference from the subplot, wherein Gwinny's attempts to restart her acting career take a blow after she belatedly gets bumped from playing the mum to the grandma in a new play. I was expecting more interplay, but bar a brief appearance by her annoying replacement, the investigation all takes place over a bank holiday between rehearsals. That aside, the mystery is satisfying, in particular the rate at which information is teased out, and for me felt more solid, less of a subgenre formality than in the first book. In place of an (updated, admittedly) country house killing, this time it's a floating body among the bourgeois bohemian boaters of Little Venice, which while still very much cosy, feels a little more recognisable and real a world. Even the occasional silly names of the debut outing are gone (well, except for a couple of semi-retired rock stars, where daft stage names are entirely plausible). Plus, after a while reading Campion and Wimsey, their cards always kept so close to the chest, it's a refreshing contrast how Gwinny can go off half-cocked when she has some but it turns out not all of the story - probably a lot closer to how most of us would fare as amateur sleuths. And did I mention that Ace is a very good dog?
(Netgalley ARC)
But because this isn't wholly a dog ears book (DYSWIDT? Also, yes, I probably would read that): I did wonder if the timeframe might be a bit too convenient in terms of minimising interference from the subplot, wherein Gwinny's attempts to restart her acting career take a blow after she belatedly gets bumped from playing the mum to the grandma in a new play. I was expecting more interplay, but bar a brief appearance by her annoying replacement, the investigation all takes place over a bank holiday between rehearsals. That aside, the mystery is satisfying, in particular the rate at which information is teased out, and for me felt more solid, less of a subgenre formality than in the first book. In place of an (updated, admittedly) country house killing, this time it's a floating body among the bourgeois bohemian boaters of Little Venice, which while still very much cosy, feels a little more recognisable and real a world. Even the occasional silly names of the debut outing are gone (well, except for a couple of semi-retired rock stars, where daft stage names are entirely plausible). Plus, after a while reading Campion and Wimsey, their cards always kept so close to the chest, it's a refreshing contrast how Gwinny can go off half-cocked when she has some but it turns out not all of the story - probably a lot closer to how most of us would fare as amateur sleuths. And did I mention that Ace is a very good dog?
(Netgalley ARC)
January 25, 2024
Gwinny Tuffel is back in this brilliant sequel.
This time Gwinny is houseboat sitting, looking after a border collie called Ace, whose owner, Crash Double, an ageing rock star is away on tour.
When his bandmate rings, asking Gwinny to hurry Crash along, she is confused as she’d received a text message that morning saying he was on the way to the airport.
Unfortunately Crash never even made it out of London, as a body is found in the canal late that day.
Gwinny suspects murder rather than an accident and is determined to solve this curious murder.
What follows is a whole host of suspects and some far fetched motives, that if I’m being honest were a bit repetitive, but it’s still a cosy enough, lighted hearted mystery.
Perfect escape in this dark, dull January
Thanks @antonyjohnston, @allisonandbusby & @netgalley for the fabulous read.
This time Gwinny is houseboat sitting, looking after a border collie called Ace, whose owner, Crash Double, an ageing rock star is away on tour.
When his bandmate rings, asking Gwinny to hurry Crash along, she is confused as she’d received a text message that morning saying he was on the way to the airport.
Unfortunately Crash never even made it out of London, as a body is found in the canal late that day.
Gwinny suspects murder rather than an accident and is determined to solve this curious murder.
What follows is a whole host of suspects and some far fetched motives, that if I’m being honest were a bit repetitive, but it’s still a cosy enough, lighted hearted mystery.
Perfect escape in this dark, dull January
Thanks @antonyjohnston, @allisonandbusby & @netgalley for the fabulous read.
January 25, 2024
This is my first book in this series but im definitely reading book one now!!!
I love a cosy mystery and this author knocked out out of the park, I adored Gwent as a main character she was so quirky and fun, she really kept this read super interesting. Trying to solve the mystery on her own after the police dismiss the case, the fmc has a fun way of trying to solve what happened to her former client.
The story flowed so well with twists and turns that will keep you entertained, I liked how the author brought the dog along with the mystery it definitely brought that extra oomph while reading and was a unique aspect to the book. Tons of humour and charters that you cant help but love. If you're a mystery lover this needs to be on your TBR!
I love a cosy mystery and this author knocked out out of the park, I adored Gwent as a main character she was so quirky and fun, she really kept this read super interesting. Trying to solve the mystery on her own after the police dismiss the case, the fmc has a fun way of trying to solve what happened to her former client.
The story flowed so well with twists and turns that will keep you entertained, I liked how the author brought the dog along with the mystery it definitely brought that extra oomph while reading and was a unique aspect to the book. Tons of humour and charters that you cant help but love. If you're a mystery lover this needs to be on your TBR!
June 10, 2025
Book two following Gwinny and her canine companion finds a new potential murder in a London canal in a book which is cosy crime to the core.
I really enjoyed this one, and I actually liked it more than book one! I think because I knew the characters more it made it very enjoyable and I know a book three is on the way👀 This isn’t a straight forward murder and nothing is quite as it seems. I did have a few things figured out before Gwinny that were incredibly obvious to me, but then a solution would arise and contain a clue I’d not considered. It also helped that Gwinny and Birch found a good clue on the victim’s computer which fit the pieces together nicely!
I really enjoyed this one, and I actually liked it more than book one! I think because I knew the characters more it made it very enjoyable and I know a book three is on the way👀 This isn’t a straight forward murder and nothing is quite as it seems. I did have a few things figured out before Gwinny that were incredibly obvious to me, but then a solution would arise and contain a clue I’d not considered. It also helped that Gwinny and Birch found a good clue on the victim’s computer which fit the pieces together nicely!
February 12, 2024
Gwinny is how I'd like to be when I'm older. Fun, independent and not caring about what anyone thinks, she's the perfect detective. With her canine companion and a retired policeman, Gwinny navigates the houseboat community of Little Venice. The cast of characters is diverse and each has a motive and the book will leave you guessing until the end. The setting is unique but still feels like the typical closed-room murder mystery. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the rest of this series.
January 22, 2024
Johnston's second Dog Sitter Detective brings back Gwinny but introduces a new dog.
Set in Little Venice, among the boating community of London, Gwinny is dog-sitting for an ageing Irish rockstar, suppose to be off playing a gig in Dublin but actually found floating in the canal.
Gwinny and ace detective er Ace, a border collie take on the mystery over, paws ahead of the local detectives and running rings around the characters living on the canal.
Good fun, nice and comfortably cosy and importantly no dogs are harmed!
Set in Little Venice, among the boating community of London, Gwinny is dog-sitting for an ageing Irish rockstar, suppose to be off playing a gig in Dublin but actually found floating in the canal.
Gwinny and ace detective er Ace, a border collie take on the mystery over, paws ahead of the local detectives and running rings around the characters living on the canal.
Good fun, nice and comfortably cosy and importantly no dogs are harmed!
January 26, 2024
The second in this cozy series. I hadn’t read the first, but this didn't really matter so can be read as a standalone. The setting was interesting as I'm not familiar with Little Venice and I'm always up for a dog involved in the mystery. The suspects are the usual lot of quirky character's often found in Cozies. The mystery is well written and full of twists and turns. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 4, 2025
I REALLY wanted to like this book (and judging by all the other reviews I am the odd one out here) but it just fell flat. It took over 100 pages for something to actually happen, the MFC was annoying and pushy and I was fed up with the constant descriptions of canal boats which had absolutely nothing to do with the story. Such a shame because I enjoyed the first in the series. Hopefully the 3rd one will be better.
January 21, 2024
Thank you to Libby Haddock at Allison & Busby for the opportunity to join the blog blast for The Dog Sitter Detective Takes the Lead by Antony Johnston. I have to confess that I haven’t read the first book yet, The Dog Sitter Detective, but as it is published in paperback today, I’ll be treating myself to a copy.
I have read the opening chapters of book one on my Kindle and the synopsis, so knew a little about how Gwinny became a dog sitter amateur detective. However, this book also gives an overview about her career change.
I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery story set mainly in Little Venice in London, around the canal boat community. Gwinny finds herself dog sitting for a famous rock star who is heading out for a weekend of touring. Gwinny enjoys getting to know the community and volunteers for helping at the carnival but is shocked to see her latest client dead in the canal.
Gwinny finds herself investigating why Crash didn’t leave despite having sent her a text the day before to say he was heading to the airport. So who had the motive for murder? There are a number of suspects and so many secrets for Gwinny to uncover.
Loved the storyline and humour in this cosy crime book. As a dog adopter I do love reading books where dogs are integral to the story, and Ace takes pride of place at the centre of this story. Happy to recommend this enjoyable book.
I have read the opening chapters of book one on my Kindle and the synopsis, so knew a little about how Gwinny became a dog sitter amateur detective. However, this book also gives an overview about her career change.
I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery story set mainly in Little Venice in London, around the canal boat community. Gwinny finds herself dog sitting for a famous rock star who is heading out for a weekend of touring. Gwinny enjoys getting to know the community and volunteers for helping at the carnival but is shocked to see her latest client dead in the canal.
Gwinny finds herself investigating why Crash didn’t leave despite having sent her a text the day before to say he was heading to the airport. So who had the motive for murder? There are a number of suspects and so many secrets for Gwinny to uncover.
Loved the storyline and humour in this cosy crime book. As a dog adopter I do love reading books where dogs are integral to the story, and Ace takes pride of place at the centre of this story. Happy to recommend this enjoyable book.
January 27, 2024
Good to see Gwinny back solving crimes, this time with a border collie as her sidekick to investigate the murder of the dog's owner, Crash. Couldn't work out who the killer was right until I was supposed to, with lots of red herrings along the way.
January 30, 2024
I know this is classified as a cozy mystery but I don't think this needs any qualifiers, it's just a great mystery book.
February 8, 2024
I adored this book. It was a delightful read, and loved the characters. And Ace is such a sweet dog. I love gwinny.
Sad that I've finished it. Very cosy crime, perfect to read when it's cold outside x
Sad that I've finished it. Very cosy crime, perfect to read when it's cold outside x
February 8, 2024
Great book, had me guessing right until the end. Even better than the first. Can’t wait for book 3!
January 26, 2024
A fun cosy mystery with a music theme.
March 30, 2024
I love Gwinny so much, she is amazing. I want to be her when I grow up.
I might be biased because I have two border collies, but Ace is the best doggo.
Loved the ending (damn you, Tina!) and I need more!
I might be biased because I have two border collies, but Ace is the best doggo.
Loved the ending (damn you, Tina!) and I need more!
April 9, 2024
Another fun read. I love Gwinny and Alan Birch. They make great detectives. It had a satisfying ending and again it was a pleasure to read.
June 2, 2024
Delighted with Antony Johnston’s 2nd Dog Sitter Detective book.
My husband and I took a few holidays years ago on a barge and reading this made me consider one for this year with our 2 teenage sons and 2 dogs 😆…and it’s been booked!
My husband and I took a few holidays years ago on a barge and reading this made me consider one for this year with our 2 teenage sons and 2 dogs 😆…and it’s been booked!
December 21, 2023
Gwinny taks on the job of dog sitting the border collie of Crash Double, a member of the band Bad Dice. He is off to Dublin for the weekend for a gig to mark their anniversary.
When his bandmate rings and asks her to hurry him along, she is baffled as he had sent her a text message at 6am saying he was on the say to the airport. When his body emerges in the canal the next day it seems things are as simple as they seem. However the Police seem convinced it was an accident, Gwinny and Birch are unsure and decide to investigate themselves.
A nice cozy tale.
When his bandmate rings and asks her to hurry him along, she is baffled as he had sent her a text message at 6am saying he was on the say to the airport. When his body emerges in the canal the next day it seems things are as simple as they seem. However the Police seem convinced it was an accident, Gwinny and Birch are unsure and decide to investigate themselves.
A nice cozy tale.
October 28, 2024
A different crime, a different dog sitting gig for Gwinny, and yet another murder getting in the way of her jigsaw puzzles.
I enjoyed this one even more than the first; perhaps because I have loved a collie, perhaps because it was fun meeting Birch and his lovely lab again. I did enjoy the setting of the houseboats and the inclusion of plants in the mystery too, and the new characters were all enjoyably peculiar and believable.
All the talk of celebrating the rivers of London has also made me want to re read Ben Aaronovitch!
Great fun.
I enjoyed this one even more than the first; perhaps because I have loved a collie, perhaps because it was fun meeting Birch and his lovely lab again. I did enjoy the setting of the houseboats and the inclusion of plants in the mystery too, and the new characters were all enjoyably peculiar and believable.
All the talk of celebrating the rivers of London has also made me want to re read Ben Aaronovitch!
Great fun.
July 16, 2024
Enjoyed it as much as the first novel in this series. Hope there are more books to come!
September 8, 2024
Another brilliant sequel in this series! I’m loving every bit of it. Like the previous book, this one is just as engaging—I found myself reaching the end without realising how much time had passed. This time, Gwinny is dog-sitting a border collie named Ace, whose owner happens to be a famous rock star. Once again, Gwinny gets tangled up in a murder investigation, and off she goes to solve the crime.
I’m absolutely hooked, and I can't wait for the next sequel. Which dog will Gwinny dog-sit next, and what crime will follow?
I’m absolutely hooked, and I can't wait for the next sequel. Which dog will Gwinny dog-sit next, and what crime will follow?
May 2, 2025
An incredibly irritating main character going around slinging wild accusations doesn't do this book any favors. Rather predictable as well.
August 11, 2024
Gwinny Tuffel, an actress of a certain age, also takes on dog sitting duties as a means to earn an income. In this second story Gwinny takes on the care of, Ace, a Border Collie, belonging to an ageing rock star, Crash Double, who live on a houseboat in Little Venice, in London. During the annual Canal Carnival a body surfaces. Together with DCI Alan Birch, retired, and Ronnie, his black Labrador, Gwinny and Ace uncover the events leading to the murder and unmask the killer, after confronting several suspects and untangling their motives. Full of charm, enchanting animal antics, London landmarks, red herrings and technical music know how this is a delightful cosy mystery.
April 23, 2024
Ok it’s true I read the first in the series just because there was a dog on the cover but yet again I really enjoyed this one.
These books are perfect if you want a bit of cozy murder escapism — and I really hope there will be a third as this did not disappoint.
These books are perfect if you want a bit of cozy murder escapism — and I really hope there will be a third as this did not disappoint.
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