Paws and Puzzles

by Faith Walker

When should you trust your dog’s instincts over your own? That’s a lesson Sarah Carter learns in the first cozy mystery book in the Whiskey Mystery Series. Six years after moving to Cottageville and opening Carter’s Canine Coiffure, Sarah and her red heeler Australian cattle dog Whiskey discover their elderly neighbor has disappeared and that some people in their town are not who they seem. Whiskey, Sarah, and Sarah’s assistant Emily Colt—as well as other townsfolk—embrace being amateur sleuths (and work with local police) to piece together clues to determine what happened to Mrs. Janice Jenkins and why.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2024

Reviews

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, entertaining story! I loved the herding dog who is very smart and an excellent sleuth! Great protagonist! The mystery was interesting with surprises along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend to cozy readers. A new author for me, also.

[Kav]

I can't rate this story because the audio book chapters were all out of order -- at least I'm hoping that was the problem! The story started okay though it felt like it was the middle of the mystery (and maybe it was) Mrs Jenkins is already missing, a search has been underway, certain items found in her home and I thought it was strange that so much happened off page but kept listening. Then, periodically a chapter would pop up set before Mrs. J went missing and I was totally confused but I figured maybe it was supposed to be a flashback and there wasn't an indicator for the audio edition? So I powered on, reached the end only to have what I think must have been the real start of the story and we weren't much past the halfway mark...maybe two thirds...so I listened for a while longer but then just gave up because I already knew what happened. So bizarre.

[Jithendra Jithu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paws and Puzzles: Whiskey Dog Mystery Book by Faith Walker

Rating:5/5

Review:

👉When should you trust your dog’s instincts over your own? That’s a lesson Sarah Carter learns in the first cozy mystery book in the Whiskey Dog Mystery Series. Six years after moving to Cottageville and opening Carter’s Canine Coiffure, Sarah and her red heeler Australian cattle dog Whiskey discover their elderly neighbor has disappeared and that some people in their town are not who they seem. Whiskey, Sarah, and Sarah’s assistant Emily Colt—as well as other townsfolk—embrace being amateur sleuths (and work with local police) to piece together clues to determine what happened to Mrs. Janice Jenkins and why.

👉Faith Walker's Paws and Puzzles, the inaugural book in the Whiskey Dog Mystery Series, is a delightful cozy mystery that introduces readers to the charming town of Cottageville and its intriguing inhabitants. The story follows Sarah Carter, owner of Carter's Canine Coiffure, and her loyal red heeler, Whiskey, as they embark on an unexpected adventure in amateur sleuthing.

👉Sarah has been living in Cottageville for six years, enjoying a quiet life with her beloved dog and running her grooming business. However, her peaceful existence is shattered when her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Janice Jenkins, mysteriously disappears. As Sarah and Whiskey begin to investigate, they quickly realize that not everyone in Cottageville is who they appear to be.

👉The dynamic between Sarah and Whiskey is heartwarming and engaging. Whiskey's instincts often lead the way, reminding Sarah—and readers—that sometimes a dog's intuition is more trustworthy than human judgment. Walker expertly weaves this theme throughout the narrative, creating a compelling bond between human and animal that adds depth to the story.

👉Sarah's assistant, Emily Colt, and various other townsfolk join the investigation, adding layers of humor, camaraderie, and complexity. The ensemble of characters is well-developed and relatable, each bringing their unique skills and personalities to the table. Their interactions provide a delightful mix of suspense and lightheartedness, characteristic of a well-crafted cozy mystery.

[Jenntleh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paws and Puzzles is a cozy mystery featuring Sarah, the owner of a charming pet grooming store. With an adorable setting and a well-behaved, intelligent dog named Whiskey, the premise is promising—if only Sarah had listened to her furry companion from the start! When Whiskey alerts her to something suspicious at Janet's door, Sarah ignores the warning, setting off a string of missteps that prove she’s much better at grooming than sleuthing.

The mystery itself leans more toward lighthearted fun than intricate detective work. Sarah’s investigative skills leave much to be desired, with plenty of bumbling and questionable reasoning along the way. If you're looking for a Sherlock Holmes-style whodunit, this isn’t it—but if you enjoy a fluffy, feel-good mystery with a cozy small-town vibe, it delivers.

While I don’t see myself continuing with the series, this was an enjoyable standalone read. Now, if only Sarah’s pet grooming shop were real—I’d love to take my pup there!

[Melissa Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a mystery and this one was a fun read. It will keep you guessing with all of the clues and characters that develop throughout the story until the last couple of pages. All of the characters are very likeable as well, although I had my suspicions about each one at one time or another. Great short and enjoyable book.

[Leigh Prouty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paws and puzzles

My first time reading this author. The story was very good , moved along didn't stall or drag. Faiths Walker has a good combo of Whisky and Sarah as her main sleuthing characters. A must read. Can't wait for the next book from Faith Walker.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun cozy mystery! It was nice and twisty, good characters and I adored Whiskey! It was a good start to a new series and I am looking forward to the next book!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fun read that took a lot of mental work. You will enjoy reading it if you like slightly lighter mysteries with some added fun characters.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute mystery. I would read/listen to another in the series.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a giveaway. It was an enjoyable and quick read. Looking forward to more.