Paw Prints and Problems

Heywood Hounds #2

by Carly Winter

A dead chef is bad for business...and so is being accused of murder. When restaurant owner, Sally Turner, finds her chef murdered, she realizes she's in deep trouble...especially when she was the last one to see the victim alive and they'd been arguing when she left him. She turns to Gina for help in finding the real killer. As Gina assists Deputy Trevor Hutchinson's exploration into the chef's past, they find a cast of unsavory characters, lies and danger. Amidst the investigation, an unexpected guest - a rambunctious golden retriever - lands on Gina's doorstep. Juggling the search for a murderer and managing the mischievous canine tests Gina's patience, leading to conflict with those around her. With her talking dog, Daisy, at her side, will Gina be able to find the chaotic retriever a suitable home and navigate the investigation without becoming a victim herself?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy

246 pages, Paperback

Published November 16, 2023

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Carly Winter writes fun, small town cozy mysteries, always with a dash of humor and quirky characters. When not writing, you can find her spending time with her family, on a Pilates reformer or enjoying the fantastic Arizona weather (except summer - she doesn't like summer). She does like dogs, wine and chocolate and wishes Christmas happened twice a year.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by Carly Winter. Paw Prints and Problems is a fun cozy mystery with the added twist of a talking dog who adds humor to the story. I enjoyed the main character Gina who is an amateur sleuth and her dog Daisy. I thought Daisy was adorable and especially when interacting with a stray, Zeus, that shows up at Gina’s house. I often wonder what my dog is thinking and Ms Winters did a great job giving Daisy a voice. I also enjoyed Gina’s interactions with Trevor a local police officer as they worked together to solve a murder. This can be read as a stand alone story but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous book in the series. I was a bit surprised by the small town of Heywood having so many criminal elements and drugs and even Gina’s family was wrapped up in that. All in all however I enjoyed the story line and how it was wrapped up neatly in the end.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Caitlin C · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books (the Heywood Hound and the Heywood Herbalist) are my guilty pleasures. I really enjoy reading them. They are a quick read and an enjoyable one. This is the second in the series and I am looking forward to the third.

Gina runs the local nail salon and dog rescue. She is also getting a bit of a reputation as an armature sleuth. When Gina gets a call from her friend and owner of a local restaurant, hysterical because her head chef was found murdered in the restaurant kitchen and the incompetent sheriff is blaming her, she comes running. She and her dog, Daisy, who she can conveniently hear and understand hide under a table and listen to the police and Sally.

Gina starts to unravel the case and pick out the players. She also starts to learn more about her how her dad was able to support her and her brother, and what happened to her mom many years ago.

One of my favorite parts of this book was her newest charge, an oversized Lab named Zeus. Daisy is quick to tell Gina how inept Zeus is as a dog. Zeus is a big buffoon and both Gina and Daisy are eager to get him adopted out.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

In between sleuthing there’s some major info bombs dropped on Gina about her family’s past. Most likely as a way to not think about that she digs deeper into the case to try and help her friend Sally out from under a murder rap. This was an incredibly clever mystery. I was super surprised at who was actually guilty, I just didn’t think they had what it takes to pull it off. Love to be surprised like that. I enjoy the cameos from Annabelle she’s her fun, unique self as always. A really fun story to read with a great balance between dark(murder/drugs) and light(dogs and friends, possible romance?). Holds up well as a standalone but if you enjoy this book I’m sure you’ll enjoy the first in the series as well as the Heywood Herbalist series of which this is a spin-off.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read this new series by Carly Winter because I enjoyed the Heywood Herbalist series and fell in love with the town of Heywood.

Gina runs the local nail salon and helped Samantha solve a few crimes. She was mentioned as a friend and was not focused on in the Heywood Herbalist series. I was really interested in learning how Gina and her talking dog were able to solve crimes. I was pleasantly surprised at how the story progressed. I really enjoyed the series and look forward to Trevor and Gina solving many more crimes.

The talking dog added an interesting element to the story as well. I would love to see Samantha make an appearance in this series. Also, I hope that Annabelle will be included in future books more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Paw Prints and Problems (Haywood Hounds Cozy Mystery Book 2)" by Carly Winter is another funny cozy mystery. Daisy the talking dog is great. I love the little doggy giggles, I could just picture it as maniacal giggling. To be clear, Gina is the only person that can hear her. I would love to see at least Kevin, the police officer, getting looped into the secret of the talking dog. I think that would really add to the story.

As far as the mystery aspect goes, I partly saw that ending coming. Totally had a gut feeling about it. However, I didn't quite see the other side of it. I was kinda hoping that Zeus, the golden retriever, would end up with that guy. However, Zeus ending up where he did makes sense too.

[June Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tact is not Gina's strong point. Nor is patience, well, unless it applies to a dog and an abandoned Golden Retriever has even about worn through her canine patience supply. Then there is that murder to solve. Sally's chef is murdered and she's asked Gina to help prove her innocence. How can Gina refuse a friend?

Next thing we know, we're up to our reading eyeballs with surly bikers and drug lords, a father's confession, and .. .well, it's complicated. What really happened to Gina's mother? Why did she disappear? Who killed the chef and what's his name anyway? Will Zeus drive dog Gina's dog Daisy to distraction? Why is Trevor so free with information? Why is Gina hiding under a table? Who...oh, enough. So many questions.

I like Gina but, quite frankly, she does need to work on her approach to questioning. Gina has all the good intentions in the world but is given to being impulsive and not thinking through things before approaching people she genuinely suspects of being killers. True, she has her trusty talking dog Daisy at her side but Daisy isn't likely to scare off anyone. Daisy is smart and has a great nose for scents but, well, she also seems to operate like a toddler or, let's face it, in love with life dog. Daisy's canine chats with the abandoned, hyper, ill-behaved Zeus are a hoot. Finding out that there seems to be a scientific basis for his behavior and how it could be focused was definitely interesting. That sort of info is a plus for this book.

Bottom line, this was a fun, relatively quick read that I enjoyed. My own dog's name is Daisy, too, so another plus though I'm pretty sure I'd just as rather not know what she might really say to me at any given time. It was a plus in my mind that Gina made a point of going out of her way to both help and apologize to those she falsely accused.I did sorta have an inkling of who was guilty but it was so much fun to see Gina going off in one direction or the other with her suspicions, only to swerve into another lane dealing with wild-child, er, dog Zeus and finding him a forever home that it was never quite my focus. Yeah, I'd make a rotten detective. Grin.

Thanks #BookSirens and #WestwoodPublishing for giving me the chance to get to know Gina and, of course, Daisy the talking dog better. I'm looking forward to their next adventure, not to mention what is going on with Trevor.

[Kymm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun series and I love that Gina can understand and talk to her dog Daisy! To hear the dog's reaction to what's going on is priceless and makes me want to talk to my dog just to see what he's got on his mind. Beside the talking dog storyline "Paw Prints and Problems" by Carly Winter offers a heck of a mystery to solve. The characters are perfect for this not so sleepy town where murder seems to be the norm.

When the chef at Sally's restaurant is found murdered at the restaurant, she immediately calls Gina, her friend who's known for solving crimes around town. Gina, who owns the nail shop in town has a track record for getting to the bottom of things and rushes over to help her friend.

Gina's already got her hands full with a new rescue she found tied to her front porch. He's nowhere near as behaved as Daisy and is a handful to say the least. It's going to take a special person to be able to handle this dog, but she'll work diligently to find him a home. Daisy hates this new dog and voices her opinions loudly and frequently.

Carly Winter is a cozy mystery rock star and has written series' that are some of my favorites and this series, "Heywood Hounds Cozy Mysteries" goes hand in hand with her other series, "Heywood Herbalist Cozy Mysteries" where both take place in the same town with some of the same neighbors, but the Hounds series gives us Daisy the talking dog. It's an enjoyable and entertaining series where we all get to see what it's like to have a talking dog. Wouldn't we all love our beloved dogs to sit down and have a chat with us? I know I would, although I'm a little nervous about the secrets my little man would disclose. LOL I highly recommend this book and series and feel you won't be disappointed. Happy Reading!

[Linda Dominick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paw Prints and Problems

By Carly Winter

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a fast-paced cozy mystery about a divorced woman living in a small town in Arizona with her talking dog Daisy.

The crime scene is On the River restaurant where the chef was found dead by the owner. The owner calls Gina to ask what she should do. Gina and Trevor, the policeman are both at the restaurant trying to figure out what happened. Who wanted the chef dead? Gina works with Trevor to come up with a list of possible suspects. Could the killer be his wife, his neighbor, or someone he did time with? Yes, he is an ex con that was working as chef and dealing drugs. As Gina and Trevor moved forward with the investigation Daisy, the talking dog also provides Gina with ideas about who to talk to next. Daisy is funny and sweet and is only heard by Gina.

This book was sweet and funny and was just the right length. All the names of the restaurants and shops were cute like File it Away the nail salon and the hardware store Hammer and Nail. Gina is relatable. She is single and wants to keep it that way. Her son is grown, and she keeps herself busy by writing and taking in dogs that are surrendered to her. She doesn’t always have the right words to express herself, but her heart is in the right place. If you are looking for a cozy mystery with a lovable dog, you should read this.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paw Prints and Problems - When Sally finds her chef is dead in her restaurant, whom does she call? Gina, of course. She knows her friend is good at sniffing out clues, but the real expert at sniffing is Gina’s dog, Daisy. It’s just a good thing that Daisy can tell Gina what she discovers. Yes, Daisy can talk, but Gina is the only one who can hear her. Deputy Trevor Hutchinson also seeks Gina’s help, since he believes that she can read people better and has good instincts. Into this messy murder comes another problem for Gina. Someone has abandoned a large, badly trained golden retriever on her doorstep. Since Gina fosters rescued dogs, she takes him in, little knowing how much he will upset the household, that is, Daisy. Between searching for clues, finding a home for Zeus the golden, and doing nails (yes, she still needs to earn a living), she is burning the candle at both ends. And if she isn’t careful, she will get burned, too. This lighthearted and delightful story owes much of its entertainment value to Daisy the wonder dog. A bit snarky and judgmental at times, she is always lovable. The characters seem real, even Daisy (how that can be, I don’t know), and the mystery definitely is intriguing as are the characters and their machinations. You don’t have to be a dog lover to love this series!

I was given an advance review copy for free through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carly Winter has taken the typical cozy mystery setup and added one crazy element that makes this series adorable. A cute fluffy dog - that talks. Dog rescuer Gina Dunner hit her head and now she can hear he dog Daisy talk to her telepathically. If she told anyone that she can hold conversations with her dog, they would think that she is crazy, so she can't always answer back. Gina is one busy lady. She runs the local dog rescue. is a ghost writer and owns a nail salon. As if she isn't busy enough, she has also managed to establish herself as and amature sleuth and comes running when her friend becomes like a murder suspect. The local sheriff is incompetent and Gina teams up with the Trevor, the very cute deputy, to help gather clues.

Carly Winters has created one lovable pup. Gina and Trevor are cute characters, but the dialog with the dog is hysterical. The clues are all there to follow. Although the solution is no big surprise, there are plenty of red herrings to keep both Gina and the reader guessing for a while. The subplot involves a golden retriever wh has been left on gina's porch. The dog is big, destructive and won't obey at all. Golden's are supposed to be smart, but this one seems to be quite stupid. Zeus's antics reminded me of my own golden retriever who was also big, blonde and dumb. I loved the interplay between the two dogs. I received this an electronic review copy of this book, but I can honestly recommend the series to furry cozy and paranormal cozy fans.

This one earns four dog treats!

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and think it is my favourite so far. The rescue dog was causing a lot more problems in this book and adding in some fun in the process, I think most dog owners can relate to some of the problems. The mystery it's self was interesting, with a number of possible suspects. I must admit I didn't have a clue, I just knew who I didn't want it be and that was down to the author creating some delightful characters. Gina (and Daisy) are growing in to good amuther sleuths and yes they might go around accusing everybody but they get there in the end. This series might have a talking dog in it but it is not a paranormal story and that this the only real quirk, well other than the characters themselves. Off to start the next book.
When Sally walks into her restaurant to find her chef dead, she calls Gina for help. After Gina proved her brother innocent of murder she is the one people call when the lazy sheriff starts looking at them. The chef wasn't who everybody thought he was and his secrets has Gina talking to drug dealers and ex cons. Can Gina clear her friends name? Or by doing so is it putting her life in danger?

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author but it won’t be the last. I loved this book.

I really liked the main character, Gina, and how she rescues dogs and finds them new homes, even challenging dogs like the one in this story. Lol. I did not care for her recklessness but that’s a cozy mystery phenomenon akin to checking out that weird noise in a horror movie, but without the dying part.

Gina is a different sort of cozy mystery mc. She’s had a rough life and knows some shady characters, some in her own family. That makes her more interesting.

I enjoyed how the story played out and Gina didn’t really deduce the killer. That info kind of fell in her lap.

Her talking dog is beyond awesome. I’m a sucker for a good dog companion but a talking one? I’m all in!

This is the second book in the series and I’m off to find #1 and the other book by Ms Winters I apparently own but haven’t read.

I received an advance reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Restaurant owner Sally Turner is the last person to see her chef alive, not only that but they’d been arguing. She knows it doesn’t look good so enlists Gina and Daisy her talking dog ( she’s the only one who can hear her) to help her. Assisting police officer Trevor Hutchinson in tracing possible suspects, they uncover quite a list and a few dangerous characters too. Gina is detracted from her own problems closer to home and for that she’s thankful. When a bull in a china shop in the guise of stray golden retriever Zeus lands on her doorstep she has one more task, find the dog a home. Brilliant mystery weaving , intricate lies and alibis and dog wags . Great amateur sleuth plus sidekick possible love interest in the guise of the local constabulary and a long list of suspects as well as a nemesis you just want to see have her comeuppance. Great writing style that is so easy reading and truly immersive, I wish I could understand my dog. Sublime descriptions with humorous antics and situations.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Killed Sally’s Chef ? . . .

Sally Turner, owner of “On The River”, finds her restaurant chef Mario with her favorite knife sticking out of his chest, obviously murdered and definitely dead. She calls her friend Gina who is very talented at solving crimes. Since Sally had been the last person known to have seen the chef and they had argued, that made her a likely suspect! Gina immediately told her to call a lawyer and not to give information to the police until her lawyer got there… but she had already told them everything.

Gina and Deputy Trevor Hutchison started investigating the victim’s past associates and noticed that Mario had some very bad people in his circle. Gina also has a distraction from a dog named Zeus who was left on her porch. The dog is not well-trained or well-behaved like her Daisy is, and Daisy doesn’t like the new interloper. Will Gina get the mystery solved? Will she find a home for Zeus? Grab your copy and see if you can figure it all out (while Gina is still distracted)…

[Fraxinus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was going to love this series when I saw one of the main characters was a talking dog. I am also impressed with how much this book calls back to its original series, while still being completely different. Is Sherriff Mallory still completely lazy and incompetent? Absolutely. But, you have the best of Heywood, while getting to see it from a completely new angle-- it is absolutely impressive!

Gina doesn't have a lot of friends, so when she gets a call from Sally that her chef has been murdered and she is worried that she is in Mallory's crosshairs, Gina rushes right in, Daisy in tow.

Meanwhile, someone has left her a beautiful golden retriever with a few screws loose, so Gina has to find him a home before he destroys hers! Honestly, the scenes between Daisy and Zeus are hysterical and the best parts of the book. Because Daisy is such a "Good Dog" and Zeus, well, he's pretty.

I absolutely enjoyed this series and can't wait to see where Ms. Winters takes us next!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ciclochick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy the odd cozy mystery or two…they don't have to be credible, but they do have to be entertaining (and well written and well edited).

This didn't quite tick those three boxes. Gina is a pretend Miss Marple (and a dog rescuer), who has a talking dog (that only she can hear, of course), and is on a mission to exonerate her restaurant-owner friend whose chef is found murdered. The local sheriff seems to think she's guilty. Gina, naturally, believes otherwise.

It's all a bit silly. Again, I don't mind silly, but it's that 'E' word again…it has to be entertaining. It wasn't really. It's poorly edited, and as far as Gina's concerned everyone's a 'jerk' (the word was used sixteen times), including the poor golden retriever, Zeus, that was dumped on her doorstep. A jerk is 'a useless or idiotic person'. Dogs, and Zeus especially, aren't 'jerks'…only their owners are.

I'd recommend it for a very easy read that requires little concentration, but if you want something that's fun, a bit gritty and satisfying, sadly this isn't it.

[Angelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Heywood Hounds series, Pawprints and Problems is another fantastic read. Gina’s friend, Sally, the owner of Gina’s favorite restaurant has been accused of murder. Gina and her dog, Daisy, set out to prove Sally’s innocence. And, yes, Daisy does help with the investigation, sniffing out clues. Because of a head injury, Gina can understand what Daisy says. As if trying to solve a murder isn’t enough, Gina finds out secrets in her own family that leave her reeling.

There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. The characters are fun and relatable. Daisy is adorable, as always. I love the relationship between her and Gina and Gina’s budding relationship with Trevor, the deputy/house painter/coffee bearing investigator.

All in all, this is a great book, and I can’t recommend it enough.

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diana Kanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy cozies with talking animals, you will like this one. It was a quick read with a good plot. There were a few things that I had a hard time with, one being Gina's father's warning and confession about his past and her mother's disappearance. The whole thing was a little hard to swallow. I am not sure why it was included in the story. Also, I might have missed something, but several mentions were made of the incompetent sheriff but he really played no role in any of this. It was as if the town only had the newbie Trevor working the case. I kept expecting the incompetent sheriff to be around if only to screw something up.

I would have given 5 stars if I had been shocked at the ending. I love being wrong!

I will definitely read more of this author's work as I enjoy a good whodunnit.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Teri Radogna-linquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

As hoped the second book in this series did not disappoint. Gina's character has been enriched and her relationship with her dog, Daisy and the cute policeman, Trevor keeps you hoping for more. The mystery of Sally and who killed her chef keeps you engaged and wanting Gina to solve it quickly so Sally can get back to work. Gina's increased insight into her own foibles helps her character become more likable.

As with the other Heywood Cozy mysteries this is a fun read and helps you escape from life and troubles for a bit. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with strong female characters in small towns than you will enjoy Gina and her talking dog.

Thank you to BookSirens and the author for allowing me the opportunity to read and enjoy this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paw Prints and Problems is the second book in the Heywood Hounds Cozy Mystery Series by Carly Winter. The main character, Gina, is a single, middle-aged lady who stays busy running a part-time nail salon, ghost writing books, and rescuing dogs. Gina can hear one of her dogs (Daisy) talk to her. Normally, I wouldn’t be into that kind of thing, but the author does a cute job of it. Daisy is very sweet and is always looking for attention. This series is a spin-off from the Heywood Herbalist series but if you haven’t read that series, it isn’t a problem. In this book, Gina gets involved in solving a murder when a cook dies at her friend’s restaurant. It’s a quick read and provides a main character who has had a challenging life growing up in a less than ideal household.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bette Reith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is not to love about a talking dog?? Especially one that helps to solve murders. Daisy is such a dog. The most entertaining thing about this premise is that I often wonder what my dogs would say if they could talk. Love the conversations between her and Gina, her owner (who is the only one who can hear her).
Gina is called to help solve a murder of a local chef. She and Daisy have a proven track record in solving mysteries, so she dives right in. Gina also runs a rescue and has had an unruly golden left on her doorstep. Hilarious convos about this dog via Daisy who hates the new dog with a vengeance. The combination of the two, causes lots of mishaps and misunderstandings, but all leading up to an unexpected conclusion.
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book. Carly is a great mystery writer. Can’t wait to see more from her.

[Carole Craddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, and I just loved it. I like the author's style, and her characters are creative and likable. The talking dog is totally adorable! In this book, Gina is trying to solve the murder of a local restaurant chef to keep the incompetent sheriff from arresting Gina's friend and restaurant owner. In the process she also discovers some bothersome information about her family and is trying to deal with it, plus the antics of a new rambunctious rescue, a Golden Retriever, is very funny and entertaining! There could also be a romance brewing with Gina and Trevor, at least I hope so! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dave Measner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine followup in the Heywood hounds series.

When Gina gets a panicked call from her friend restaurant owner Sally Turner saying her chef is dead and Sheriff Mallory suspects her, she rushes over to the restaurant. She slips in with her faithful sidekick Daisy, hides under a table, and listens in on the interview of Sally as well as the widdow's entrance. Knowing that she won't keep out of the investigation Deputy Hutchison lets her in on his part of the case. As other suspects arise and the chef's past is revealed Gina finds out much about the victim and also about her own past. An excellent follow up in this talking dog series with very good character advancement.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paw Prints and Problems by Carly Winter. I extend thanks to the author and publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy that was gifted to me.

What a fun storyline. Absolutely loved the snarkiness of Daisy. The story moves along so smoothly and effortlessly that the reader can easily forget it's a canine. The story has a fun dynamic between the main characters and the plot is easy to follow. While I'm usually a firm believer in reading books in a series in order, this one stands alone very well. I enjoyed the build of the mystery and the unexpected arrival of Zeus who adds a great banter and dimension to the fun. A highly entertaining short read that is worth your time reading. Looking forward to future books.

[BookHound · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure I'd like to live in Heywood. For a small town there are sure a lot of murders. Although most of the people who live there are wonderful. When Gina's friend is accused of murdering her chef, things get interesting. Add in a dog named Zeus and she really has her hands full. I can understand dealing with Zeus as I have 2 kittens who are probably more destructive than Zeus at the moment. Despite all the pitfalls, we know Gina will handle all issues and things will be calm in Heywood again… at least until the next murder. I received an ARC and I am voluntarily reviewing this fun cozy mystery.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in Winter's Heywood Hounds Cozy Mysteries series and can be read as a stand alone. This is a great addition to the series and a winner in my book. Well written and cute with all the fun characters a cozy mystery should have along with mystery and suspense that's not over the top or scary. Being a dog lover myself, I thought Daisy the talking dog is great! I also really loved Gina and can relate to her on some levels. A fun mystery with some twists I didn't see coming made this a wonderful read and will definitely have me coming back from more!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Geraldine Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brilliant read. The author has a wonderful sense of humour. We have a reluctant sleuth who seems to prefer dogs to humans with her wonderful talking dog as her sidekick.

She is pulled into a murder case to help a friend while at the same time discovering that someone has left, outside her door, an out of control golden retriever who likes nothing more than destroying things in her house.

At the same time, the story is given gravitas by the fact that the protagonist must face some serious personal issues. I really enjoyed this book.

I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gina the owner of File -it Away Salon and her talking dog Daisy are relaxing and her friend Sally calls to tell her that her Chef Mario had been murdered and found by her. Sally wanted the help of Gina to solve the crime. Gina with the help of Deputy Travor Hutchinson finds a lot of clues pointing to strange people and danger. There are a lot of hidden secrets that are revealed. There is a lot of humour in the read with Daisy ‘s interaction with the new room-mate. A enjoyable and exciting read. I received this book via booksirans and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paw Prints and Problems is book #2 in the Heywood Hounds Cozy Mysteries series by Carly Winter.

Daisy is a wonderful sidekick for Gina. She’s so innocent and honest. I loved her reaction and commentary about the latest rescue, Zeus. I felt for Gina when she learned some shocking information about her past. I look forward to seeing where that takes Gina going forward. The mystery was interesting and Gina needs to work a bit on her questioning techniques before she alienates everyone. I can’t wait to see if things progress with Gina and Trevor.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the series with two feisty dogs as great characters! Gina gets a call from her friend, Sally, who owns the restaurant On the River, telling her she’s just found her chef murdered with her favorite knife in his chest! Of course, the notoriously incompetent Sheriff Mallory Richards accuses Sally. Luckily Detective Trevor is more inclined to investigate before naming suspects. And Gina is also investigating. I received an advance free copy and am really enjoying this new series. This review is written voluntarily.