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Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot Mystery #2
To Die Fur
Deirdre "Foxtrot" Lancaster is back. With trusted companions Whiskey and Tango, she’s on the prowl for a brand-new predator…
Deirdre has her hands full, as usual. Working as as a Jill-of-all-trades for a zany billionaire like Zelda Zoransky means the daily grind is closer to a juggling act, and this week is no exception—especially when her side job is directing spiritual traffic in Zelda’s pet cemetery. With ZZ hosting a party for some of the world’s wealthiest animal collectors and a rare albino liger named Augustus in residence at the private zoo, Foxtrot is ready for trouble to take a big bite out of her schedule…
TO DIE FUR
She doesn’t have to wait long. The half-ton big cat is dead, and there’s a houseful of colorful suspects, each one wackier than the next. But if they were all bidding to buy him, who would want Augustus dead? With the help of Tango’s feline telepathy and Whiskey the canine shapeshifter, Foxtrot learns that there’s much more to Augustus than meets the eye. Now they just have to sniff out a killer before any more fur flies…
"A delightful, funny [series] filled with eccentric and colorful characters, be they humans, animals or spirits. Dixie Lyle will entertain the reader page after page!"—Leann Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of the Cats in Trouble mysteries
Deirdre has her hands full, as usual. Working as as a Jill-of-all-trades for a zany billionaire like Zelda Zoransky means the daily grind is closer to a juggling act, and this week is no exception—especially when her side job is directing spiritual traffic in Zelda’s pet cemetery. With ZZ hosting a party for some of the world’s wealthiest animal collectors and a rare albino liger named Augustus in residence at the private zoo, Foxtrot is ready for trouble to take a big bite out of her schedule…
TO DIE FUR
She doesn’t have to wait long. The half-ton big cat is dead, and there’s a houseful of colorful suspects, each one wackier than the next. But if they were all bidding to buy him, who would want Augustus dead? With the help of Tango’s feline telepathy and Whiskey the canine shapeshifter, Foxtrot learns that there’s much more to Augustus than meets the eye. Now they just have to sniff out a killer before any more fur flies…
"A delightful, funny [series] filled with eccentric and colorful characters, be they humans, animals or spirits. Dixie Lyle will entertain the reader page after page!"—Leann Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of the Cats in Trouble mysteries
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 26, 2014
13 people are currently reading
500 people want to read
About the author
Dixie Lyle
20 books93 followersDixie Lyle loves animals, mysteries, books, reading, words, bad puns (are there any other kind?) and once had a torrid summer romance with an entire library. Did I mention the books? Oh, and definitely doesn't believe in the supernatural. Nope, not me. Hey, what was that sound? Where's that spooky green glow coming from? Oh, hello, didn't see you standing there in the corner, what with you being all see-through and everything. Want a cup oftea? Moan once for yes, twice for no.
Allegations that Dixie Lyle has a goofy sense of humor are entirely unfounded, and should be forwarded to the unfounded and unlost department.
Allegations that Dixie Lyle has a goofy sense of humor are entirely unfounded, and should be forwarded to the unfounded and unlost department.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 7, 2015
This is number 2 in this series. I really liked the first one. This one was really far out in the paranormal part. ZZ, the owner of the estate has invited a group of animal collectors to present their reasons for taking possession of a one and only white liger, the collectors are not at all as they present themselves. When Augustus, the white liger is found poisoned and dies, there is still a demand for his body. The question is why. This leads into the wildest paranormal that Foxtrot, Whiskey, Tango and Ben, the Chef who has paranormal powers. Not giving away the story, you will have to see for yourself what happens. I liked it but at times it was a bit overwhelming.
February 22, 2017
An enjoyable mix of cozy, paranormal and animal story. And laugh-out-loud in places. Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "herding cats".
November 29, 2017
Registered on Bookcrossing - http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...
This one was a dud for me. I loved the first book in this series, but this book didn't grab me like the first one. About halfway through I gave up and skipped to the end to see "who did it". I don't think I will get anymore in this series. 😯
This one was a dud for me. I loved the first book in this series, but this book didn't grab me like the first one. About halfway through I gave up and skipped to the end to see "who did it". I don't think I will get anymore in this series. 😯
August 3, 2016
Somehow I managed to devour this book in two days which is always a good sign and in my world, proof that I am really enjoying a cozy mystery. Although I read the first book over a year ago, it didn't take long until my memory was sparked and I was back in love with this zany cast of characters.
The main character Foxtrot is a personal assistance to ZZ, a rich philanthropist. ZZ also runs an animal menagerie on her property for rescued animals, and right new door is a large pet cemetery which is also a Crossroads for departing animals souls. Not only is Foxtrot paid well for her very complicated job working for ZZ, but she also has a job working at the Crossroads and helping the animals spirits move on to live without their loved ones. She has the help of Tango, a tuxedo cat currently on her 6th life, and Whiskey, a ghost dog who can materialize into the physical form of any dog he chooses - both of whom she can speak to telepathically. In this installment, a rare white liger has been taken to the rescue and it's up to ZZ to week to weed out the 5 bigwigs who all have individual plans for this regal being. However, when Augustus turns up dead, the chaos really begins, both in the real world and on a spiritual realm.
So if you made it this far, you've probably guessed that there is a lot going on in this book. And while there is, it really flows quite well and the wit and banter simply shouldn't be missed. ZZ is a lovely but quite zany woman and her son Oscar refuses to grow up. i couldn't decide if I wanted to beat him to death or hug him and either way, he is sure to be intoxicated no matter which I chose. ZZ's staff, including Ben the chef, all have jobs of their own on the premises and some are learning they have capabilities they never dreamed of possessing. However, the animals and animal spirits in the book are absolutely adorable - even the grumpy ones. Can you imagine having a ghost crow named Eli for one of your bosses? Well Foxtrot can.
This book had the potential to be sad, but wrapped up better than I ever anticipated. I am so glad I have been motivated by a reading challenge to dive back into this world and I am greatly anticipating the next installment, which is on my radar to read next week. If you love cozy mysteries, quirky characters or animals, you should definitely consider picking up this series by Lyle.
The main character Foxtrot is a personal assistance to ZZ, a rich philanthropist. ZZ also runs an animal menagerie on her property for rescued animals, and right new door is a large pet cemetery which is also a Crossroads for departing animals souls. Not only is Foxtrot paid well for her very complicated job working for ZZ, but she also has a job working at the Crossroads and helping the animals spirits move on to live without their loved ones. She has the help of Tango, a tuxedo cat currently on her 6th life, and Whiskey, a ghost dog who can materialize into the physical form of any dog he chooses - both of whom she can speak to telepathically. In this installment, a rare white liger has been taken to the rescue and it's up to ZZ to week to weed out the 5 bigwigs who all have individual plans for this regal being. However, when Augustus turns up dead, the chaos really begins, both in the real world and on a spiritual realm.
So if you made it this far, you've probably guessed that there is a lot going on in this book. And while there is, it really flows quite well and the wit and banter simply shouldn't be missed. ZZ is a lovely but quite zany woman and her son Oscar refuses to grow up. i couldn't decide if I wanted to beat him to death or hug him and either way, he is sure to be intoxicated no matter which I chose. ZZ's staff, including Ben the chef, all have jobs of their own on the premises and some are learning they have capabilities they never dreamed of possessing. However, the animals and animal spirits in the book are absolutely adorable - even the grumpy ones. Can you imagine having a ghost crow named Eli for one of your bosses? Well Foxtrot can.
This book had the potential to be sad, but wrapped up better than I ever anticipated. I am so glad I have been motivated by a reading challenge to dive back into this world and I am greatly anticipating the next installment, which is on my radar to read next week. If you love cozy mysteries, quirky characters or animals, you should definitely consider picking up this series by Lyle.
September 23, 2014
Mystery takes place after the first book A Taste Fur Murder. Foxtrot Lancaster is a billionaire's administrative assistant. She is also is the sheriff of Crossroads, a pet cemetery extraordinaire. This is an interesting story although the description makes the story sound preposterous it really is quite a good mystery. Foxtrot's sidekicks are a dog named whiskey who is not really a dog but an ectoplasmic being who is there to help her run the cemetery and Tango her cat who has come back from the dead.
ZZ, Zelda's Zoransky is Foxtrots boss, she likes to have interesting conversations and thus holds dinners for a wide variety of people. She solicits their input by plying them with good food, good booze and revels in the ensuing conversation.
In this book Foxtrot is tasked with keeping a white liger alive and healthy so that the liger can be adopted somewhere in the world. Some strange characters come out of the woodwork to adopt the liqer. Circumstances change and there appears to be a war between the God of tigers and the God of lions over the soul of Augustus, the liger. Foxtrot needs to see that Augustus is taken care of and to see that there is no war between the Lion's and the Tiger's gods.
Foxtrot develops a love interest in this book, Ben, the chef. Ben is also a Thunderbird who is tasked with being the envoy between the feline gods.
A long time fan of anthropomorphism, I enjoy this series.
ZZ, Zelda's Zoransky is Foxtrots boss, she likes to have interesting conversations and thus holds dinners for a wide variety of people. She solicits their input by plying them with good food, good booze and revels in the ensuing conversation.
In this book Foxtrot is tasked with keeping a white liger alive and healthy so that the liger can be adopted somewhere in the world. Some strange characters come out of the woodwork to adopt the liqer. Circumstances change and there appears to be a war between the God of tigers and the God of lions over the soul of Augustus, the liger. Foxtrot needs to see that Augustus is taken care of and to see that there is no war between the Lion's and the Tiger's gods.
Foxtrot develops a love interest in this book, Ben, the chef. Ben is also a Thunderbird who is tasked with being the envoy between the feline gods.
A long time fan of anthropomorphism, I enjoy this series.
August 27, 2014
This is such a fun series. I was laughing out loud in multiple spots, and giggling like crazy in others. What else can you expect from a series that includes floating turtle ghosts, a talking reincarnated and very sassy cat, a ghost dog able to take the form of any breed, and a whole menagerie of other animals?
Foxtrot is a great main character. She’s just the right amount of sanity, and controlled behaviour needed to offset all the paranormal craziness. Her practical and logical manner comes in very handy, and her quick wit and sharp thinking results in plenty of one-liners for entertainment. She has an amazing job, which she loves and excels at.
Make that two jobs. Or is it up to three now? It’s hard to keep track of everything, and yet it’s doable. There is a lot going on in the book, and yet it’s all easy to keep straight. The “cozy” aspect of this mystery results in a lot of humour, and also a very understandable situation. Not normal, and almost unbelievable, but always entertaining.
If you haven’t started this series yet, you should. It’s highly enjoyable, and makes for a fun weekend read.
Foxtrot is a great main character. She’s just the right amount of sanity, and controlled behaviour needed to offset all the paranormal craziness. Her practical and logical manner comes in very handy, and her quick wit and sharp thinking results in plenty of one-liners for entertainment. She has an amazing job, which she loves and excels at.
Make that two jobs. Or is it up to three now? It’s hard to keep track of everything, and yet it’s doable. There is a lot going on in the book, and yet it’s all easy to keep straight. The “cozy” aspect of this mystery results in a lot of humour, and also a very understandable situation. Not normal, and almost unbelievable, but always entertaining.
If you haven’t started this series yet, you should. It’s highly enjoyable, and makes for a fun weekend read.
June 22, 2015
This is the 2nd book in m the series. Unlike the 1st book the paranormal mystery and the real on world mystery did not mesh so to me it seemed that time spent with o e mystery was mucking up the other mystery. I do like the characters so I'm sticking around to read the 3rd book.
September 20, 2017
Foxtrot and her sidekicks Tango, her childhood cat that is on live 7 of 9, and Whiskey, the ghost dog that can take on multiple shapes, are back. Her employer, ZZ, was tasked with finding a new place to stay for a white liger that was found in the possession of a now dead drug lord. The choices are an Indian floating casino, a Chinese zoo, a Australian safari park and releasing him into the wild in South Africa. And let's not forget the crime lord's henchman who proposes quite simply exchanging one criminal owner for another. But when ZZ makes her decision the liger is poisoned. Foxtrot not only has to solve his murder, but two feline deities (the tiger and lion gods) fight over the liger's soul and are even willing to start a war over it.
I first started reading this series, because I believed that it would be a mystery series akin to Call of the Wylde. Basically our amateur sleuth has a special ability, in this case talking to animals and the spirit of dead animals, that helps her solve crime. While I liked the first novel, I remember very little about the mystery portion (not even who dead person was and certainly not the murderer or the motive). What is still clear in my mind are the encounters with Topsy the elephant or Two Notch the shark. I also remember Ben finding out he is a Thunderbird and using his powers in the end to control the weather and save everybody.
Now, this book is no different. The mystery part is it's weakest aspect. Under normal circumstances the death of an animal would have me at the edge of my seat. John Wick eradicating the entire Russian mob to avenge his dead dog made perfect sense to me. But in this book who killed Augustus is kind of irrelevant in the grand scheme of things (murder mystery vs. apocalyptic infight between two deities). Also since he is gamboling through the graveyard harassing Chihuahuas he never actually feels dead.
Based on all the supernatural elements - I mean they travel between realms to confer with two animal deities - I would classify this novel more as urban fantasy then a mystery. So if you like the genre and loads of fun bickering between cat and dog, then this book could be to your liking. If you are looking for a good mystery I would steer clear. I mean the crime is solved more by Whiskey's sense of smell then Foxtrot actually finding clues and putting the pieces together.
My favorite lines in the book (asides as some of Whiskey and Tango's hilarious dialogue) are probably the comparative and superlative for pride (as in a pride of lions) and comparing a men's sexy grin to a gremlin. You'll know the ones, I chuckled quite a bit there.
I first started reading this series, because I believed that it would be a mystery series akin to Call of the Wylde. Basically our amateur sleuth has a special ability, in this case talking to animals and the spirit of dead animals, that helps her solve crime. While I liked the first novel, I remember very little about the mystery portion (not even who dead person was and certainly not the murderer or the motive). What is still clear in my mind are the encounters with Topsy the elephant or Two Notch the shark. I also remember Ben finding out he is a Thunderbird and using his powers in the end to control the weather and save everybody.
Now, this book is no different. The mystery part is it's weakest aspect. Under normal circumstances the death of an animal would have me at the edge of my seat. John Wick eradicating the entire Russian mob to avenge his dead dog made perfect sense to me. But in this book who killed Augustus is kind of irrelevant in the grand scheme of things (murder mystery vs. apocalyptic infight between two deities). Also since he is gamboling through the graveyard harassing Chihuahuas he never actually feels dead.
Based on all the supernatural elements - I mean they travel between realms to confer with two animal deities - I would classify this novel more as urban fantasy then a mystery. So if you like the genre and loads of fun bickering between cat and dog, then this book could be to your liking. If you are looking for a good mystery I would steer clear. I mean the crime is solved more by Whiskey's sense of smell then Foxtrot actually finding clues and putting the pieces together.
My favorite lines in the book (asides as some of Whiskey and Tango's hilarious dialogue) are probably the comparative and superlative for pride (as in a pride of lions) and comparing a men's sexy grin to a gremlin. You'll know the ones, I chuckled quite a bit there.
September 29, 2017
I loved the first book in this series, and the second was just as much fun!
This series is a hybrid between cozie and paranormal but it works really well, and that is because of the author who is wonderful and really manages to combine murder, mystery and mayhem with magical animals, secrets and humans just trying not to get killed. It sounds ridiculous, but it all works - and it's a really fun, entertaining read!
The humour in this series is fabulous! The small, sly cracks, the snarky comments between Foxtrot, Whiskey and Tango, and the many other animals that populate the animal graveyard Foxtrot is responsible for are just a blast! I laugh all the way through these books.
I also love Foxtrot! She is a woman caught up in a maelstrom of crazy, and yet, as the personal assistant to a gazillionaire, she's used to crazy, and quite capable of juggling the crazy, with a side of nutso, just for fun! I love her blase attitude to the lunacy that swirls around her, and like to think I could handle a bucket of crazy as smoothly as Foxtrot does. Even if I couldn't, I at least can enjoy watching her handle things.
Tango and Whiskey are also hilarious, and the interplay between them - being a cat and a dog after all - is another source of wonderful humour in these books.
I am happy there are more books in this series, because I love it! Definitely one of my favourite cozy series that I will happily continue reading!!
This series is a hybrid between cozie and paranormal but it works really well, and that is because of the author who is wonderful and really manages to combine murder, mystery and mayhem with magical animals, secrets and humans just trying not to get killed. It sounds ridiculous, but it all works - and it's a really fun, entertaining read!
The humour in this series is fabulous! The small, sly cracks, the snarky comments between Foxtrot, Whiskey and Tango, and the many other animals that populate the animal graveyard Foxtrot is responsible for are just a blast! I laugh all the way through these books.
I also love Foxtrot! She is a woman caught up in a maelstrom of crazy, and yet, as the personal assistant to a gazillionaire, she's used to crazy, and quite capable of juggling the crazy, with a side of nutso, just for fun! I love her blase attitude to the lunacy that swirls around her, and like to think I could handle a bucket of crazy as smoothly as Foxtrot does. Even if I couldn't, I at least can enjoy watching her handle things.
Tango and Whiskey are also hilarious, and the interplay between them - being a cat and a dog after all - is another source of wonderful humour in these books.
I am happy there are more books in this series, because I love it! Definitely one of my favourite cozy series that I will happily continue reading!!
January 4, 2025
Deirdre "Foxtrot" Lancaster is back. With trusted companions Whiskey and Tango, she’s on the prowl for a brand-new predator…
Deirdre has her hands full, as usual. Working as as a Jill-of-all-trades for a zany billionaire like Zelda Zoransky means the daily grind is closer to a juggling act, and this week is no exception—especially when her side job is directing spiritual traffic in Zelda’s pet cemetery. With ZZ hosting a party for some of the world’s wealthiest animal collectors and a rare albino liger named Augustus in residence at the private zoo, Foxtrot is ready for trouble to take a big bite out of her schedule…
TO DIE FUR
She doesn’t have to wait long. The half-ton big cat is dead, and there’s a houseful of colorful suspects, each one wackier than the next. But if they were all bidding to buy him, who would want Augustus dead? With the help of Tango’s feline telepathy and Whiskey the canine shapeshifter, Foxtrot learns that there’s much more to Augustus than meets the eye. Now they just have to sniff out a killer before any more fur flies…
"A delightful, funny [series] filled with eccentric and colorful characters, be they humans, animals or spirits. Dixie Lyle will entertain the reader page after page!"—Leann Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of the Cats in Trouble mysteries
Deirdre has her hands full, as usual. Working as as a Jill-of-all-trades for a zany billionaire like Zelda Zoransky means the daily grind is closer to a juggling act, and this week is no exception—especially when her side job is directing spiritual traffic in Zelda’s pet cemetery. With ZZ hosting a party for some of the world’s wealthiest animal collectors and a rare albino liger named Augustus in residence at the private zoo, Foxtrot is ready for trouble to take a big bite out of her schedule…
TO DIE FUR
She doesn’t have to wait long. The half-ton big cat is dead, and there’s a houseful of colorful suspects, each one wackier than the next. But if they were all bidding to buy him, who would want Augustus dead? With the help of Tango’s feline telepathy and Whiskey the canine shapeshifter, Foxtrot learns that there’s much more to Augustus than meets the eye. Now they just have to sniff out a killer before any more fur flies…
"A delightful, funny [series] filled with eccentric and colorful characters, be they humans, animals or spirits. Dixie Lyle will entertain the reader page after page!"—Leann Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of the Cats in Trouble mysteries
March 21, 2019
Deirdre Lancaster, also known as Foxtrot, along with her fur friends Tango and Whisky are once again called in to protect the Great Crossroads of the pet cemetery on her eccentric boss, Zelda Zoransky’s property. ZZ, as she is known by, is hosting a party for some of the world’s wealthiest animal collectors and Foxtrot must deal with the complications that result from the murder of their newest zoo resident. A mighty and rare albino liger named Augustus. The collectors are all there for a live animal, so who would have wanted to harm him.
Lots of laugh out loud moments. I really love the characters in this series. Foxtrot is able to communicate with Tango, who is a cat. A feisty cat at that! She can communicate with all the animals in the pet cemetery. Foxtrot’s most loyal companion, Whisky, is a shape shifting ghost dog. I love the dialogue between the three of them. Cat vs. Dog and other observations!
Foxtrot’s love interest, Ben, is learning more about his own supernatural abilities. This comes in quite handy! The story moves along nicely and the twists keep coming. I enjoyed the other realms and creatures we meet.
This is the second book of the series, and I am so looking forward to reading book three! Would gladly recommend this series to all!
Lots of laugh out loud moments. I really love the characters in this series. Foxtrot is able to communicate with Tango, who is a cat. A feisty cat at that! She can communicate with all the animals in the pet cemetery. Foxtrot’s most loyal companion, Whisky, is a shape shifting ghost dog. I love the dialogue between the three of them. Cat vs. Dog and other observations!
Foxtrot’s love interest, Ben, is learning more about his own supernatural abilities. This comes in quite handy! The story moves along nicely and the twists keep coming. I enjoyed the other realms and creatures we meet.
This is the second book of the series, and I am so looking forward to reading book three! Would gladly recommend this series to all!
December 3, 2018
Book two is just as action packed as the first. Whiskey and Tango bicker while Foxtrot tries to keep ZZ happy and safe, along with safeguarding the Crossroads/graveyard. This time a white liger is brought to the exotic sanctuary, but his life is in danger. ZZ is set to decide which of her guests will take the liger, Augustus, to their country, but secrets, hidden agendas, and bad behavior threaten the process. Foxtrot and Ben begin to understand how devastating a war between the tiger goddess and lion god would be if they fought over Augustus should he died. The afterlife and real life collide in this book in extremely interesting ways. Dixie Lyle has a great way of using imagery; her descriptions are thorough, but not overdone and leave the reader to fill in the rest. Another really interesting cozy mystery unlike others in the genre.
February 24, 2018
If you're going to get hung up on fact checking, annoyed by a first-person narrator breaking the fourth wall, or offended by acronyms for mental health conditions being used as adjectives - this is not your book. If, on the other hand, you want a better-than-average cozy mystery with a sweet little romance, tons of supernatural tension, well-written characters (yes, even the furry and feathered and finned ones) and enough strong female characters to make you wish for your own multi-ethnic, multi-generational grrl group - you've just found your next read.
January 22, 2019
I don't think I'll be continuing with this series. I liked the first, but this book was a bit annoying, and the different ghosts/spirits talking and the fonts was a bit out of control in this book. Also, I am irritated at the narrator and her "this happened" not really, it was this thing.
January 23, 2020
Although funny, and interesting in parts, this is where I have to stop. It is too difficult to keep up with all the new ideas that are constantly thrown at you from one chapter to the next, some make sense others are just off the wall.
June 17, 2024
Initial thoughts: This was a fun, light read. I enjoyed both of the mysteries and appreciated that we spent more time with the supernatural side of things. The ending was so exciting I stayed up late to finish!
June 15, 2017
Great story, love the animal characters.
February 18, 2018
Interesting Read
Dixie Lyle has once again made an interesting and entertaining"tail" that was hard to put down. I enjoyed the ending.
Dixie Lyle has once again made an interesting and entertaining"tail" that was hard to put down. I enjoyed the ending.
June 19, 2019
This is one of my favorite series - good characters, funny, and a good story.
July 20, 2019
This one will keep you guessing. It's funny and sad, but has a really good ending.
December 12, 2022
I was very stressed out when I was reading this book..
February 11, 2024
This is a good cozy mystery. I love the paranormal animals. It made for such a unique story.
November 18, 2016
Another clever, fun read from the mercurial Dixie Lyle.
September 4, 2014
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
The Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series combines mystery, humor, animals, and the paranormal, all rolled into one very fun package. I really like Foxtrot and her humorous, sometimes snarky narration. The banter between Foxtrot, her spirit dog Whiskey, and her cat Tango (now on her 7th life) is often laugh-out-loud funny. And the mysteries, though admittedly far-fetched, are both entertaining and perplexing. As the narrator, Foxtrot does sometimes withhold clues and/or her conclusions, but that's usually necessary to make the mystery work - and a savvy mystery reader just might be able to figure things out on their own anyway.
To Die Fur includes all the things I liked about the first book (or should I say the furst book?) and takes them further. I particularly enjoyed the character development of Ben, the Thunderbird, who is also ZZ's cook. Both his relationship with Foxtrot and his supernatural abilities grow in this book, and Ben struggles a bit to adjust to having his worldview so abruptly expanded. I also formed a slightly better opinion of Oscar, ZZ's inebriated and somewhat ne-er-do-well son, who shows some unexpected depths in this book. I wish there were more scenes with ZZ, Foxtrot's boss; she's a great secondary character, but she's a bit more subdued in this book than in A Taste Fur Murder. The animals are a delight, as always - both the live ones and the dead ones.
To Die Fur does take the paranormal stuff a whole lot further than the last book, so if you're not cool with animal gods, telepathy, and cosmic whirlwinds a la Oz, it's probably not for you. (No witches, vampires or werewolves so far, though; Dixie Lyle's brand of paranormal seems to be a different approach entirely.) Mix in some decidedly high-level criminal types, an exceedingly rare animal, and a competition to own him that may not be as straightforward as it seems, and there's quite a mess for Foxtrot to deal with.
The book falters in one place, when Foxtrot tries out a few false scenarios in explaining how her relationship with Ben is progressing before coming out with what appears to be the real one. The fake stories didn't seem to have a point, and they're told to the reader, not anyone else. That left me wondering why she told us the fake stories, and sowed some seeds of doubt in her reliability as a narrator. To be honest, it feels like a misstep on the author's part, since I don't think making the reader doubt Foxtrot's veracity was her goal.
A few aspects of the climax and denouement also felt a little forced, but since the whole plot is rather unbelievable from a real-life point of view, that didn't really bother me; it hangs together internally and works within the world the author is creating, and that's what counts.
On the whole, though, this is a fun and refreshingly different series, and I can't wait to see what the next book has in store! Marked Fur Murder is due out on March 31 of next year.
Favorite quote: "Apocalyptic," said Eli. It was a word that didn't need any others to sound scary; it was a whole badass gang all by itself. It probably beat up other words and stole their punctuation.
Note: My rating is really more like 3.5 than 3.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are entirely my own.
The Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series combines mystery, humor, animals, and the paranormal, all rolled into one very fun package. I really like Foxtrot and her humorous, sometimes snarky narration. The banter between Foxtrot, her spirit dog Whiskey, and her cat Tango (now on her 7th life) is often laugh-out-loud funny. And the mysteries, though admittedly far-fetched, are both entertaining and perplexing. As the narrator, Foxtrot does sometimes withhold clues and/or her conclusions, but that's usually necessary to make the mystery work - and a savvy mystery reader just might be able to figure things out on their own anyway.
To Die Fur includes all the things I liked about the first book (or should I say the furst book?) and takes them further. I particularly enjoyed the character development of Ben, the Thunderbird, who is also ZZ's cook. Both his relationship with Foxtrot and his supernatural abilities grow in this book, and Ben struggles a bit to adjust to having his worldview so abruptly expanded. I also formed a slightly better opinion of Oscar, ZZ's inebriated and somewhat ne-er-do-well son, who shows some unexpected depths in this book. I wish there were more scenes with ZZ, Foxtrot's boss; she's a great secondary character, but she's a bit more subdued in this book than in A Taste Fur Murder. The animals are a delight, as always - both the live ones and the dead ones.
To Die Fur does take the paranormal stuff a whole lot further than the last book, so if you're not cool with animal gods, telepathy, and cosmic whirlwinds a la Oz, it's probably not for you. (No witches, vampires or werewolves so far, though; Dixie Lyle's brand of paranormal seems to be a different approach entirely.) Mix in some decidedly high-level criminal types, an exceedingly rare animal, and a competition to own him that may not be as straightforward as it seems, and there's quite a mess for Foxtrot to deal with.
The book falters in one place, when Foxtrot tries out a few false scenarios in explaining how her relationship with Ben is progressing before coming out with what appears to be the real one. The fake stories didn't seem to have a point, and they're told to the reader, not anyone else. That left me wondering why she told us the fake stories, and sowed some seeds of doubt in her reliability as a narrator. To be honest, it feels like a misstep on the author's part, since I don't think making the reader doubt Foxtrot's veracity was her goal.
A few aspects of the climax and denouement also felt a little forced, but since the whole plot is rather unbelievable from a real-life point of view, that didn't really bother me; it hangs together internally and works within the world the author is creating, and that's what counts.
On the whole, though, this is a fun and refreshingly different series, and I can't wait to see what the next book has in store! Marked Fur Murder is due out on March 31 of next year.
Favorite quote: "Apocalyptic," said Eli. It was a word that didn't need any others to sound scary; it was a whole badass gang all by itself. It probably beat up other words and stole their punctuation.
Note: My rating is really more like 3.5 than 3.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are entirely my own.
September 14, 2014
You know how it feels like when you come across a book or a series every now and then that makes you wonder just how is it that the author came up with such funny and smart dialogue, witty and interesting characters and an extremely intriguing plot line? Well, if you don’t, then I say give this series a try because you won’t be disappointed. I felt the joy of finding a gem when I read the first book, and now having read the second, I relived that same joy. I didn’t know how time passed between an animal cemetery slash Crossroads for animal spirits-not Stephen King style, mind you-, ectoplasmic dead dogs and cats that have already used up seven of her lives. One minute I was trying to remember who was who, and the next, I’m rooting for a trio whose names’ first letters form ‘WTF’. How awesome is that?
Those who are lucky enough to have met Foxtrot and her gang will have yet another blast reading this story. This time, the ever workaholic and resourceful Deirdre ‘Foxtrot’ Lancaster has to solve the murder of a unique animal with a lot of fans looking to make him theirs. Before a decision can be made about who the animal-a liger, a mix between a lion and a tiger which is magnificent- will go to, he’s found dead and a few potential suspects are at hand. It is up to Foxtrot and her gang to not only solve the crime and find the culprit, but also prevent a potential catastrophe that could endanger every single spirit currently using the Crossroads. What a plot, right? Though I’m not so good with elaborate descriptions, the blurb gives all the necessary information and if that doesn’t get your attention, I don’t know what would.
I was already a fan of Foxtrot and her gang before starting this. In fact, I was so looking forward to it, you have no idea how high I jumped when I was given the opportunity to read this title by the publisher. In case you’re wondering, it was pretty high for someone as athletically challenged as me.
Foxtrot is a strong and capable character who does things her way, only occasionally might annoy people, though in her defense, even when she herself acknowledged she was annoying I never got that impression, and she’s definitely one of my favorite heroines in urban fantasy. Although she’s smart and all that, she has her limitations, her fears and most of the time she’s a dork. And I mean this in the highest level of respect. To be that good a workaholic and still successfully manage to be a dork, that requires talent. And she has that in spades. As for her sidekicks, though to call them sidekicks is not really fair and doesn’t do them justice in the least, they have their own personas-that are awesome if you must know- and they add a wonderful balance of intellectual and sassy banter into the story. This series wouldn’t be what it is without them which is why I take back my earlier reference to them as ‘sidekicks’. Sorry guys.
A brilliant and funny addition to the Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot series, I cannot recommend this book, and the previous one, enough. If you want a genuine laugh, a good mystery to make you want to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa even in the heat of summer, a good band of interesting and amusing supporting characters, and hell, even a little bit of romance and a lot of friendship, then give this series a try. Really, I could beg you for it. I’ll throw in a muffin too, for dessert. And a cup of coffee? Or tea? C’mon, you know you wanna.
Those who are lucky enough to have met Foxtrot and her gang will have yet another blast reading this story. This time, the ever workaholic and resourceful Deirdre ‘Foxtrot’ Lancaster has to solve the murder of a unique animal with a lot of fans looking to make him theirs. Before a decision can be made about who the animal-a liger, a mix between a lion and a tiger which is magnificent- will go to, he’s found dead and a few potential suspects are at hand. It is up to Foxtrot and her gang to not only solve the crime and find the culprit, but also prevent a potential catastrophe that could endanger every single spirit currently using the Crossroads. What a plot, right? Though I’m not so good with elaborate descriptions, the blurb gives all the necessary information and if that doesn’t get your attention, I don’t know what would.
I was already a fan of Foxtrot and her gang before starting this. In fact, I was so looking forward to it, you have no idea how high I jumped when I was given the opportunity to read this title by the publisher. In case you’re wondering, it was pretty high for someone as athletically challenged as me.
Foxtrot is a strong and capable character who does things her way, only occasionally might annoy people, though in her defense, even when she herself acknowledged she was annoying I never got that impression, and she’s definitely one of my favorite heroines in urban fantasy. Although she’s smart and all that, she has her limitations, her fears and most of the time she’s a dork. And I mean this in the highest level of respect. To be that good a workaholic and still successfully manage to be a dork, that requires talent. And she has that in spades. As for her sidekicks, though to call them sidekicks is not really fair and doesn’t do them justice in the least, they have their own personas-that are awesome if you must know- and they add a wonderful balance of intellectual and sassy banter into the story. This series wouldn’t be what it is without them which is why I take back my earlier reference to them as ‘sidekicks’. Sorry guys.
A brilliant and funny addition to the Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot series, I cannot recommend this book, and the previous one, enough. If you want a genuine laugh, a good mystery to make you want to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa even in the heat of summer, a good band of interesting and amusing supporting characters, and hell, even a little bit of romance and a lot of friendship, then give this series a try. Really, I could beg you for it. I’ll throw in a muffin too, for dessert. And a cup of coffee? Or tea? C’mon, you know you wanna.
August 25, 2014
3 stars first half/5 stars second half. The story begins with Foxtrot ignoring a stern paranormal warning. Add her failure to properly vet ZZ's animal collecting party guests, and we get a murdered liger -- Augustus. To Die Fur has all the trappings of the party guest murder mystery and there is a lot of back story with the guests that comes to light at the end. I just wish there was that much depth with the animals. Tango gets more involved than she did in the last book, but she is still more a caricature of a cat, as her traits are more along the lines of what people who don't like cats believe cats to be like. The constant self-involved, sarcastic dialogue between Whiskey and Tango didn't work of me either. In comedy, sarcasm is often hostility disguised as humor. It doesn't leave room for much else except defensiveness, and that makes it difficult to connect to the characters. And because they were more caricatures than characters, their jokes were generic rather than arising from their unique experiences and personality. There is a conflict with animal supernaturals in To Die Fur, but they too are flat and one-dimensional. The mystery wraps up nicely at the end, but I feel like an opportunity has been lost with the portrayal of animals as stereotypes rather than as full fledged characters. (On an unrelated tangent, could some publisher pleeeeease pick up D.D. Barant's (aka Dixie Lyle's) Bloodhound File series...talk about fantastic character development!)
June 7, 2015
The first book in the series wasn't bad, but I'm starting to feel as though this series is getting a bit preposterous. Yes, it's fiction, yes, it's paranormal fiction, which means it's going to be a bit out there, but this one goes beyond just "out there."
Cast of characters in this book:
-Foxtrot, seemingly normal PA. Can see and interact with spirit animals.
-Sidekick 1: Whiskey, ghost dog who can change shape at will.
-Sidekick 2: Tango, reincarnated pet cat from Foxtrot's childhood, who speaks multiple animal languages.
-Love Interest/sidekick 3: Ben, a Thunderbird
-Kooky Employer: Wealthy old hippy who spends money like water
-Kooky Employer's Deadbeat son, who seems to exist merely as filler when things get dull.
-Secondary employer, an enigmatic Spirit Crow, seemingly the overseer of the Animal Crossroads.
-Mysterious animal graveyard with an important role in the animal afterlife.
I'm to the point where I'm not really even liking the characters. *sigh* But apparently, I am a glutton for punishment, as the next book in the series is waiting for me to pick it up. Maybe in a few days...
Cast of characters in this book:
-Foxtrot, seemingly normal PA. Can see and interact with spirit animals.
-Sidekick 1: Whiskey, ghost dog who can change shape at will.
-Sidekick 2: Tango, reincarnated pet cat from Foxtrot's childhood, who speaks multiple animal languages.
-Love Interest/sidekick 3: Ben, a Thunderbird
-Kooky Employer: Wealthy old hippy who spends money like water
-Kooky Employer's Deadbeat son, who seems to exist merely as filler when things get dull.
-Secondary employer, an enigmatic Spirit Crow, seemingly the overseer of the Animal Crossroads.
-Mysterious animal graveyard with an important role in the animal afterlife.
I'm to the point where I'm not really even liking the characters. *sigh* But apparently, I am a glutton for punishment, as the next book in the series is waiting for me to pick it up. Maybe in a few days...
May 6, 2021
Foxtrot, in her job as facilitator, starts the book setting up a comfortable place for the worlds only white Liger, who is currently being housed on ZZ's estate, while they determine the best location for him to go to live out the rest of his life. Unfortunately, in spite of being warned, the rest of his life is a lot shorter than one would hope.
The rest of the book then centers on 2 mysteries. Who killed Augustus, and where he should go now. Along with her faithful companions Tango (who is in heat... and Augustus pushes all her buttons) and Whiskey (Formerly known as Tiny) Foxtrot has to figure out who killed the Liger, as well as to stop a supernatural war between the lion god, and the tiger goddess, with the potential to devastate the Crossroads. Fortunately, she's up to the task.
The rest of the book then centers on 2 mysteries. Who killed Augustus, and where he should go now. Along with her faithful companions Tango (who is in heat... and Augustus pushes all her buttons) and Whiskey (Formerly known as Tiny) Foxtrot has to figure out who killed the Liger, as well as to stop a supernatural war between the lion god, and the tiger goddess, with the potential to devastate the Crossroads. Fortunately, she's up to the task.
April 8, 2016
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
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