Dog-Eared Danger

St. Marin's Cozy Mystery #11

by A.C.F. Bookens

Some say all animal lovers are good people—but that’s not always true.

Excited for her upcoming wedding, Harvey Beckett treats her pups, Mayhem and Taco, to a day at the new doggy daycare in town. But when they escape and return frightened and bedraggled, Harvey's curiosity is piqued—and we all know what curiosity did to the cat.

What should have been a simple pampering session quickly unravels into a mystery more sinister than anyone expected. Something isn’t right at the daycare, and as Harvey digs deeper, she finds danger lurking beneath the surface. But will she sniff out the truth before someone gets hurt?

Genres: Mystery

Kindle Edition

First published February 6, 2024

Reviews

[Andi]

It took me a long time to write this book, and while it still has all the elements that make it cozy and so very St. Marin's, it's a little different in format, maybe because I needed a little more action earlier in the story. You'll see.

Also, for the cat lovers among us, I've got you so covered in this one. Enjoy.

Coming April 23rd.

[dnsyl57 · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dog-Eared Danger" is book #11 in the "St. Marin's Mystery" by ACF Bookens.

A few days before her wedding, Harvey Becket takes her two dogs to a local spa for dogs for a little pampering of their own. When she returns to pick them up, she finds the two employees standing over the body of the owner.

As if wedding planning wasn't stressful enough for her, Harvey tries to help her police officer fiancé and the sheriff figure out who killed the woman and why.

Luckily, her friends step in to help with the last of the wedding prep and try to ensure that Harvey isn't overdoing it.

As always, this series features a diverse, loyal and interesting group of more than a dozen friends who have become extended family. The love, respect and care that they show for each other is inspiring but would be much harder to pull off in the real world.

There were only a handful of potential suspects however it wasn't easy to figure out who actually did it. A few scary moments for both humans and dogs but we do get the answers and a wedding.

A light, entertaining, dog loving cozy.

[Judi Easley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous series...

This is the last of eleven books in ACF Bookens' St. Marin's Cozy Mystery Series starring Harvey Beckett and her loyal crew of booklovers and doglovers. Harvey always dreamed of owning a bookstore, so now she has the chance to do it. She opens All Booked Up in an old gas station in a tiny town and lives her dream. She gets to know many of the people in the town just by being friendly. She becomes good friends with the sheriff and solves murders by being curious. Harvey and her roommate, Mart, aren't spring chickens. They are both in their mid to late forties. Harvey has even been married before. That doesn't stop the sweet romances for the two of them. Harvey has a Black Mouth Cur, a hound, named Mayhem. She goes to work at the bookstore with Harvey and is the reason it's a dog-friendly store with lots of cozy doggie beds tucked in places. Harvey is very lucky in her friends and makes quite a success of her business and her life in this little town on the Eastern shore where she decided to start over. Recommended.

[Letitia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive a ARC of the newest adventure in in the St. Marin's Cozy Mystery Series and I am so glad I did. While an avid reader of ACF Bookens, Dog-Eared Danger was my first trip to St. Marin's and it did not disappoint. The writing style is fun and engaging and the cast of characters can't be beat. Bookens does a wonderful job of including a diverse representation of characters without coming across as just trying to check the boxes, the characters are each well developed, genuine, and add to and move the story forward. I was a little intimidated going in to book 11 in the series, but there was enough details to catch you up as a new reader without being overly repetitive for a long time series reader. I absolutely adored Dog-Eared Danger, and in fact, went right out and bought the other 10 books in the series (and the extra bonus shorts too) because I want to spend as much time as I can with the St. Marin's crew!

[Pam Hutsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading your wonderful book: Dog-Eared Danger. I love all of the books in the St. Marin's cozy mystery series!

I just have a question. I noticed a LOT of errors in the book. Things like words that were not correct, misspelled words, words left out, etc. There were so many that I started marking them. It was very disconcerting to read a book with all of those mistakes in it. Then I got to the last page where you thanked readers for "reading the ARC of this book." That made me wonder if the book was put out for people to read and give you feedback. That made me wonder who/what proofreads the books before they are put in print and published? What is an ARC of a book?

I will certainly continue buying your books and reading them! I enjoy them very much.

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a new pet care store in town. Harvey drops the dogs off for a pet spa day and goes to lunch. But at lunch she sees some of the employees at the restaurant and their boss is treating them horribly before she storms out. Later she is found dead, with scissors sticking out of her. At the same time, Harvey has to prepare for her wedding, happening at the end of the week.
All the usual friends are involved, helping with the store, and the planning for the wedding. There are plenty of suspects for the murder, as the owner rubbed everybody the wrong way. Can Harvey solve the murder before her wedding? Or will she be the next victim?

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest from St Marins and Harvey's bookshop. It's the weekend of her and Jared's wedding, but there's the matter of a murder happening a few days before, which may put a damper on things.

I love this cosy mystery series about a bookshop owner who has a wide circle of friends. Harvey has a tendency to get involved in helping the local police force solve murders in the area, much to Jared's dismay, being her fiancee and a local police sergeant!

I really hope there's more to come from St Marins, and I can't wait to read them...

[Peter Hyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

No denying [Harvey) wedding day rustles up far more than she and Jared had planned. It will stretch her emotions and detection skills to breaking point. Two murders, a spate of vandalism and kidnapping contribute to making ACF Bookens’ latest novel an engrossing story, a delightful revisit to her St Marin’s home and the chance to revisit old friends – including the waggy-tail antics Taco and Mayhem and their doggy pals. I received an ARC and I’m writing a completely honest review.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey is trying to get married to Jared and of course there is a murder to get in the middle of the pre arrangements. She is trying to help because it is the local doggie spa that had the casualty and she can't help but get involved. She gets her posse involved and bad things still happen. It is sooo bad that they almost postpone the wedding but don't. Bad people try to cause lots of damage but in the end it causes their downfall. Bad guys-0 good guys win again!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

when Harvey finally has her wedding, it is no real surprise that her gang of friends and family help get things to the altar on time, and to the reception hall

some miscellaneous mayhem, theft, murder and a mystery or two are typical of this series- not unexpected, yet sad and disappointing on behalf of the participating parties

some excellent whodunnit, pet loving and crime solving mystery reading for dog lovers and fans of small town cozies

[Margaret Domino · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved these books in the beginning though some of the writing tended to get to me. A tall brown woman, a blonde white woman. However, Harvey is becoming more and more of a martyr. “I am a strong woman, I am independent yada yada.” How does someone who says those things constantly continually allow everyone to do absolutely everything for her. She’s rude, is constantly eating (“I put an entire taco in my mouth.” 🤮), and is actually a terrible person!!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun cosy mystery featuring Harvey and the St Marin's gang. They are lovely people to hang out with and you know the crime will get solved satisfactorily. As the title suggests, the story is pooch driven, but cats get a shout out too. An enjoyable read for book, animal and cosy mystery lovers.

[Fred Masek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey solves a murder, her friends make the final arrangements for her wedding and Harvey marries Jared. The fun and suspense is in the myriad details of this delightful book. This is a great book to cozy up with a glass of wine and immerse yourself in it.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review.

[Bonnie Theel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we know, a dead body always turns up in St. Marin's. But wait, a second body has turned up! What is going on? All of this a few days before Harvey and Jared's wedding. Will the murders be solved before the big day? Get all the details in the story.

I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.

[Kristenkhaleesi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive an ARC for this book and I’m so glad I did. Yet another enjoyable read featuring Harvey and the St Marin's crew. I’ve followed this series from the start and always look forward to the next installment. A great read for anyone looking for a cosy mystery featuring a book store owner, pets, great friends and a murder to solve.

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. As Harvey and Jared’s wedding draws near a Murder occurs, and of course Harvey wants to know what happened to the spa owner. Mayhem and Taco were both going to the spa.
Lots of mystery and do I say mayhem with the murder. I loved every minute.
See what happens, and buy the book so much more to come.

[Ms Sarah E Woodall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing continuity errors... but still a good read.

One of my pet peeves with a long-running book series is silly continuity errors. If I, as the reader, can manage to keep the characters names straight then it really shouldn't be an issue for the author.

This was the weakest in the series but still a decent read.

[Marilyn Morrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

panic

I’m panicking now because there is only one more book in this series! I absolutely adore this posse of friends that support each other and solve mysteries as a bonus with Harvey at the helm. A new book is coming out next week but it’s the the second one that doesn’t seem to be a series and this group of friends is an A-1 winner!

I got confused and in the last sentence was talking about another author I like. Sorry about that!

[David Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review. Bookens did it again. What a great story about Harvey's wedding week and day. Why would someone kidnap the dogs?
Why vandalize stores? This was a great read and I recommend it.

[Sherri Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that Harvey has a wonderful group of friends to be there for her, no matter what! Never a dull moment, but will her wedding go off without a hitch? I enjoyed this puzzling page-turner mystery! These are my thoughts after reading an early copy of the book.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy mystery!

A fun, easy to read cozy with wedding plans going awry, supportive best friends and lovable canines. What's not to like?

I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am providing my honest opinion.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dog-Eared Danger is book #11 in the St. Marin Cozy Mystery series by ACF Bookens.

It’s wedding time! Harvey and Jared are getting married but it isn’t surprising that things don’t go as planned. This was such a heartwarming story. Harvey is always there for her friends and it is great how everyone stepped up for her and Jared. It was interesting that Harvey was included more in the investigation this time. There is quite a twist that absolutely shocked me. There is a little teaser at the end that has me intrigued to see what happens next.

I received a copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Kindle Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy spending time at Harvey's book store. Her friends and family really make me feel welcome. As always the mystery occupies center stage but a wedding adds to the plot. I received an ARC of this book and am offering my honest review.

[Becky Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have grown attached to these characters over the course of the series. The only real criticism that I have is that this book is in serious need of some good editing. Wrong spelling, wrong tenses, wrong words and even a wrong name. It was nothing that a good editing job couldn’t have fixed.

[Wanda Kohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey strikes again!

This is a delightful addition to the St. Marin's Cozy Mystery Series. The plot twists and turns with wedding , causing a rubics cube of mysteries. I challenge you to read it and try to find the villain before the end of chapter 14.

[Marseydoats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! I absolutely LOVE this series, and hope this isn't the last one.
Luckily, the author has several other series for me to read.
Must be something in the stratosphere, two books I've read this week have mentioned Cagney and Lacey!

[Linda Goodz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this series in 9 days. I couldn't put them down. Each book was more inspiring, entertaining and of course the mystery of it all. I loved trying to figure out who the villains were. I can't wait for the next book to be published.

[Marilyn Mccloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!!

Loved the story about the wedding, the kidnapping of the dogs and the solution of the murder. I love the description of the bookstore. Makes me want to hang out with Harvey and her friends.

[Helen Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely easy book to read and the storyline gave some interesting twists. It will make you laugh and cry (in a nice way)
Highly recommend

[Julie Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wedding and a mystery in one. Enjoy both.