Barks, Bikes, and Bodies!: A Tamsin Kernick English Cozy Mystery

The Tamsin Kernick Cozy English Mysteries #4

by Lucy Emblem

Barks, Bikes, and Bodies!A mountain biker dead in a frozen ditch. This was not what dog trainer Tamsin Kernick had in mind when she climbed the majestic Malvern Hills to enjoy the New Year’s Eve fireworks.She would much rather head home to a warming hot chocolate and the last of the Christmas cake. But the trouble is that once Tamsin’s curiosity is aroused, she can’t leave well alone.

So Tamsin wheels out her quirky band of investigators from her favourite coffee shop to get in the saddle and crack the crime. Once again her dogs have to rescue their intrepid owner from dangerous scrapes, putting the brakes on the killer almost single-pawed.

Barks, Bikes, and Bodies! is the fourth book in the growing Tamsin Kernick English Cozy Mystery series. If you like the crunch of snow under your boots, the beauty of the magnificent Malvern Hills, the speed and excitement of a hillside bike race, and dogs dashing to the rescue, you’ll love this latest captivating story from Lucy Emblem.

Buy Barks, Bikes, and Bodies! now and race through this mystery along with the bikers and the barkers!

Large Print edition available at

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 16, 2024

Reviews

[Lynn Hayward-Bisbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th of the Tamsin Kernick cozy mysteries and they just keep getting better. I've read many, many cozy mysteries and in fact, read well over 150 books last year alone. Lucy Emblem is one of my very favorite new authors. One of the best thing about this series is that it is most definitely a cozy mystery in that it doesn't have graphic violence, swearing or sex scenes and it does have a female sleuth, her kooky friends and animals. But, it isn't set in a library or a bed and breakfast and Tamsin isn't a chef or a librarian, not that those things don't make for some good settings. But, this series has a whole new take. Tamsin's an ethical dog trainer and her best friend and roommate is a yoga instructor. It's wonderfully different. However, if one is a pet lover, an argument can be made that the real stars of these mysteries are the dogs (and a few cats) that allow their humans to live and work with them.

Ms. Emblem has continued to develop her characters. She brings back characters from past mysteries (perhaps at some point a list of characters may be in order for those of us who read so many books, it's hard to remember characters from every series) and the relationships between characters is also developed. The dogs and cats are endearing. I love the way she is able to describe each of her character's quirky nature is such a way that the reader can visualize them.

The mystery itself is different from any that I have ever read. Perhaps it's not the motive that's different, but the setting of this book being all about a mountain biking group is something totally different and entirely relatable to this reader as biking is a big hobby in my home state of Vermont. The way the characters go about solving the case keeps the storyline moving and doesn't leave any dull places; it also keeps one guessing until the very end. Lastly, the author ties up all the questions so no thread is left hanging.

But, having said all that, it's just a fun book and a fun read! It is a perfect book for an afternoon with a cat on my lap and my Great Pyr at my feet. The only thing I can see right now that would make it ever more fun is that I hope one day she'll be able to do audible readings of her series. Hearing the accents and the quirky characters will be great, though I recognize, for a new author, this may be sometime in the future. As it stands, I hope Ms. Emblem has a whole lot of stories inside that head of hers and she can continue to enchant us with her characters and their dogs!

I was given and advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given. Thank you so much for the opportunity.

[Cornel Diaconu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit of a messed up story -- some murder took place just at the New Year's Eve fireworks party - and the ending of the year party passes like just any ordinary day. Ehh, not that I' a fan of the end-of-the year party myself, but still...
And the team of amateurish sleuths does a sloppy job - they gather around their bit of information in a very slow pace and make the final connections rather by chance.
I did not dislike the dog characters in the story, but to be honest they did not had anything to do with discovering the killer.
But, being a dog fellow myself, I cherished their appearance quite good.

[Mariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tamsin Kernick Cozy English Mysteries #4
Barks, Bikes, and Bodies!: A Tamsin Kernick English Cozy Mystery
by Lucy Emblem

I received a complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.

"Barks, Bikes, and Bodies!" is a novel written by Lucy Emblem. Tamsin, a local dog trainer, and her friend Emerald live in a small town and often find themselves solving mysteries, usually involving murder. One evening, they come across a dead cyclist on their way home after watching a fireworks display. It seems like an accident at first, but Tamsin suspects foul play. With the help of her furry friends, she investigates and discovers a web of deception, corruption, and betrayal. Can she solve the case and catch the killer?

This is the fourth book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. However, reading the previous books in the series may help readers better understand the characters. The characters are well-developed and easy to empathize with, especially Tamsin and Emerald. Their furry friends play an important role in the story, offering comfort and motivation when the investigation becomes overwhelming. The story has a serious tone, but the personalities of the protagonists bring a sweet and innocent contrast.

The author pays great attention to detail, describing each character's placement and actions clearly. The cover features an eye-catching photo of a snowy vista with a dog in the foreground. The novel includes elements of crime, drama, grief, family dynamics, friendship, love, and betrayal.

Overall, "Barks, Bikes, and Bodies!" is a well-written book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I give it a rating of four out of five stars and recommend it to fans of cozy crime thrillers and mysteries. I look forward to reading more novels by this author.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamsen, the Malvern Hills Detective, and her friend Emerald, are on the case again when she inadvertently discovers a dead body with a bike on her way back down the hills after watching the New Years Eve fireworks. There were a lot of bike racers going up and down the path and she’s wondering if the fallen biker is one of that group. When she realizes that the accident is actually a murder, she starts asking questions, much to Chief Inspector Hawkins dismay. No one seems to know the fallen biker, Ferdinand Glossop, but he was asking questions at the bike shop, trying to track someone down. This was a fascinating mystery to watch unravel, and I very much enjoyed the characters, including a number of dogs and a cat! I received a free copy of this book and write this review voluntarily.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

To celebrate the New Year, Tamsin, a dog trainer, and her best friend Emerald, a yoga instructor, have gone up into the hills to watch the fireworks. When they started to leave, they stumbled across a mountain biker lying dead beside the path. At first they thought he had died from a fall from his bike but the blood on his chest suggested he had been murdered! Tamsin has made a name for herself as an amateur sleuth and the scene starts her on @nother search for the killer. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I was hooked. Wonderful characters and some very special dogs were a delight! I’ve got to go back and read the other books in this series!

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamsin & Emerald got up to a spot on the Malvern hills to watch the New Year’s Eve firework display. On their way down to go home they come across a bike rider, dead. He was murdered! Tamsin realises that a hiking pole was what had probably killed him. The Nighthawks are a cycling club that does mountain rides in te dark & it seems one of them probably did the deed. The dead man was a stranger to nearly everyone & those who knew him don’t say much. There are a few threads in this story, which add to the excitement. Tamsin’s dogs help catch the guilty party.

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful doggie ‘tail’ with amateur sleuth Tamsin. All the friends we’ve come to know & love over previous books are centre stage. They all play their part in the investigation. There’s a lot of new characters too, with the biker community & town bike shop. The tale is fun & entertaining, but there’s danger too. This murder has an unusual twist, & you really are kept guessing until the end. The cafe is the scene for the round-up & tying up all those loose ends. It works really well. Enjoy!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author, & I am writing a voluntary honest review

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story in the Tamsin Kernick series!

Reading these stories makes me want to pack up and move to one of the one of the little villages near Tamsin, her friends and her pack of dogs. I want to enjoy cake, coffee and friendly conversation at The Cake Stop! Even though each story includes a clever murder, Tamsin, her core group of friends who help with her investigations, move the story along at a good, interesting pace. A great cozy mystery series and I hope more books are coming!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roommates Tamsin is a dog trainer and Emerald is a yoga instructor.
After viewing some fireworks they find a motorcyclist down and dead. But according to blood on his chest not an accident The two of them set out to find the murderer.
This is a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend it. The characters were very good. The murder takes them into the sport of bike racing.

I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free, and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tasmin the dog trainer and Emerald her friend the yoga trainer go to see the fireworks display on the hills at Malvern . There is a murder of one of the bikers Ferdinand Glossop.  Tasmin can’t help herself but steps in to find evidence with the help of Emerald and their friend Feargal. There is a lot of mayhem and humour to make this a very entertaining and exciting read. I received a ARC copy and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Trisha Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy does it again! A great mystery set in beautiful English countryside with the added bonus of dog training hints and tips dropped in seamlessly. We meet realistic characters you can imagine as friends and dogs that behave as real dogs do. There are twists and turns plus plenty of mystery without any gore or unpleasantness.
Looking forward to the next adventure of Tamsin and her dogs.

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is already the fourth book in the series and I still love it. Tamsin keeps finding bodies and tries to solve the case with the help of her friends and her dogs. I recommend this series.
I received an advance review copy for free and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[mrs epeach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Yet again I really enjoyed this book. Lucy's stories are wonderful and exciting. I never guess who did the terrible deed. Fun and suspense to the end. Of course the dogs are the star s of the show.

[Linda E. Snook · Rating 5 out of 5]

The love of dogs!

I love reading books with dogs in it. I have 4 dogs of my own now. I've had dogs since I was a little girl two or three years old. These are good books to read about all the things her dogs do...and the stories behind them.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book . I love the dogs that are in this story. Lots of twist and turns

[debb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable, twisty mystery with excellent characters that keep you guessing while you enjoy the scenery.
Looking forward to next in series.

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Ferdinand and why??? She thought he was already dead??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Alayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read, and with an author with a very conversational style of writing. Very enjoyable.

[Marseydoats · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun series with lots of dogs and great characters. I wish I could take my hard headed herd dog to Tamsin's classes, but I'm sure we would be expelled...

[Janna-Lis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 4th book in the Tamsin Kernick series, set in the beautiful Malvern hills . Tamsin, shares her home with Emerald (who is a yoga teacher) and her cat, Opal, and her own three gorgeous dogs who are the real stars of the series, Banjo, Quiz and Moonbeam.
When not at home, walking dogs, teaching her dogs new tricks, teaching puppy classes or other related business, Tamsin is often to be found in her favourite cafe, The Cake Stop, indulging in delicious cakes and coffee brewed to perfection.
What a start to her new year! After enjoying the fireworks up in the hills, and avoiding the bikers hurtling down the steep slopes, the last thing she expected or wanted was to find a dead body while on their own way down the slippery slope. An unfortunate biker had met his match in a ditch just off the path, seemingly had fallen and broken his neck judging by the strange angle of his head. Even though the appropriate services were called and had taken on the investigation, Tamsin couldn't leave it alone, her sleuthing tendancies just had to find out what had happened to the unfortunate cyclist. With clues, red herrings, apparently unconnected information, the local bike hub and the bikers themselves, Emerald and of course her intrepid dogs, Tamsin was determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, despite the danger she put herself in to do so.
This book is a real treasure, beautifully and skilfully written, with believable characters who feel like I personally know them. And I so wanted to eat those cakes!
I have enjoyed all of the books in this series, they just get better and better with the development of the characters and their interactions. Each book can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend reading the whole series.
This review is my honest and personal voluntary review having read and really enjoyed this book.