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The Dog Sitter Detective #3
The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead
Gwinny Tuffel is on location in the misty Yorkshire Dales filming a small part in Draculania, a genderswapped remake of Bram Stoker’s classic tale, when life begins to imitate art a little too closely. One of the cast members is found dead inside a locked trailer, with a stake through their heart.
With a prima donna in the starring role, filming is already facing delays, while Gwinny is being run ragged by Lily, the Jack Russell terrier she’s looking after for a friend in hospital. Against the backdrop of Hendale Hall with its own vampire legend, a flesh-and-blood killer has struck. Will Gwinny be able to find the murderer before the production or any further victims are cut?
With a prima donna in the starring role, filming is already facing delays, while Gwinny is being run ragged by Lily, the Jack Russell terrier she’s looking after for a friend in hospital. Against the backdrop of Hendale Hall with its own vampire legend, a flesh-and-blood killer has struck. Will Gwinny be able to find the murderer before the production or any further victims are cut?
320 pages, Hardcover
Published January 23, 2025
16 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Antony Johnston
337 books386 followers** Sign up for Antony's newsletter at http://ajwriter.substack.com **
Antony Johnston is one of the most versatile writers of the modern era.
The Charlize Theron movie Atomic Blonde was based on his graphic novel. His murder mystery series The Dog Sitter Detective won the Barker Book Award. His crime puzzle novel Can You Solve the Murder? reinvented choose-your-own-story books for a mainstream audience and was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year. The Brigitte Sharp spy thrillers are in development for TV. And his productivity guide The Organised Writer has helped authors all over the world take control of their workload.
Antony is a celebrated videogames writer, with genre-defining titles including Dead Space, Shadow of Mordor, and Resident Evil Village to his credit. His work on Silent Hill Ascension made him the only writer in the world to have contributed to all of gaming’s ‘big three’ horror franchises.
His immense body of work also includes Marvel superheroes such as Daredevil and Shang-Chi, the award-winning Alex Rider graphic novels, the post-apocalypse epic Wasteland, and more. He wrote and directed the film Crossover Point, made entirely in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.
An experienced podcaster and public speaker, he also frequently writes articles on the life of an author, and is a prolific musician.
Antony is a former vice chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, a member of International Thriller Writers and the Society of Authors, a Shore Scripts screenwriting judge, and sits on the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain’s videogames committee. He lives and works in England.
Antony Johnston is one of the most versatile writers of the modern era.
The Charlize Theron movie Atomic Blonde was based on his graphic novel. His murder mystery series The Dog Sitter Detective won the Barker Book Award. His crime puzzle novel Can You Solve the Murder? reinvented choose-your-own-story books for a mainstream audience and was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year. The Brigitte Sharp spy thrillers are in development for TV. And his productivity guide The Organised Writer has helped authors all over the world take control of their workload.
Antony is a celebrated videogames writer, with genre-defining titles including Dead Space, Shadow of Mordor, and Resident Evil Village to his credit. His work on Silent Hill Ascension made him the only writer in the world to have contributed to all of gaming’s ‘big three’ horror franchises.
His immense body of work also includes Marvel superheroes such as Daredevil and Shang-Chi, the award-winning Alex Rider graphic novels, the post-apocalypse epic Wasteland, and more. He wrote and directed the film Crossover Point, made entirely in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.
An experienced podcaster and public speaker, he also frequently writes articles on the life of an author, and is a prolific musician.
Antony is a former vice chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, a member of International Thriller Writers and the Society of Authors, a Shore Scripts screenwriting judge, and sits on the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain’s videogames committee. He lives and works in England.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 25, 2025
Another delightful entry in a delightful series! I like Gwinny so much as a protagonist -- not just because she's "a woman of a certain age", but that doesn't hurt! It's also because her inner monologue is so relatable, and I understand her interior process as she fits the pieces and clues together to solve each murder. I also appreciate how we see glimpses of her life evolving in the background of each novel. I really hope there's another installment soon!
November 7, 2024
'The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead' by Antony Johnston.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I'm a big fan of this series and this book did not disappoint. It had murder, drama and a determined little terrier called Lily (who in my opinion breaks the case wide open). I didn't guess who the murderer was till the very end.
If you're a fan of murder mysteries and cozy crime then give this series a read.
Gwinny is at a stately home in the Yorkshire Dales, filming a small part in a gender-swapped remake of Dracula while looking after the dog of an elderly friend who lives nearby.
During filming, an actor is found dead inside a locked trailer - with a stake through their heart! The film's star, an obnoxious big-shot Hollywood actress who once played a cop on TV, decides she will solve the crime. But Gwinny isn't impressed, and they clash as both women mount rival investigations.
Thankyou to NetGallery UK, the publishers and the author for letting me read a copy in return for an honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I'm a big fan of this series and this book did not disappoint. It had murder, drama and a determined little terrier called Lily (who in my opinion breaks the case wide open). I didn't guess who the murderer was till the very end.
If you're a fan of murder mysteries and cozy crime then give this series a read.
Gwinny is at a stately home in the Yorkshire Dales, filming a small part in a gender-swapped remake of Dracula while looking after the dog of an elderly friend who lives nearby.
During filming, an actor is found dead inside a locked trailer - with a stake through their heart! The film's star, an obnoxious big-shot Hollywood actress who once played a cop on TV, decides she will solve the crime. But Gwinny isn't impressed, and they clash as both women mount rival investigations.
Thankyou to NetGallery UK, the publishers and the author for letting me read a copy in return for an honest review.
January 23, 2025
Fantastic well constructed mystery. Full review at classicmystery.blog
January 25, 2025
This is the first book that I have read in this series. And it will not be the last, I need to get the previous books to read to catch up on what Ginny Tuffel got up to in the previous books.
This is a great cosy crime, with a feisty main protagonist in Gwinny, who is now 60, she had previously retired from acting, to look after her father, but when he died she realised she needed to earn some money again, she began looking after dogs, as well as combining her acting along with it, a wig and makeup can do wonders. With her friend’s Jack Russel terrier , having to come on set with her as its owner Viv has had a fall, landing her in hospital.
Gwinny is up in Yorkshire, staying in a stately home, where they are filming a gender swap remake of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, calling it Draculania. But of course it wouldn’t be a cosy crime read without a death. It’s none other than the films leading man. He is found in the leading ladies trailer with a stake through his heart. The trailer is locked from the inside. Someone is imitating the film a little too far. The leading lady, film star Juliette Shine, is overly dramatic, and as she has played a detective in previous work she is sure she can solve the murder.
But as Gwinny starts investigating too, the two women clash as they start rival investigations. Being set in the world of film, the actor’s ramp up the tension, mainly because they know how to act. Which causes a few challenges to Gwinny. DCI pierce is the detective in charge he allows Gwinny to investigate, on the proviso that she shares any results she finds in her investigations. With the lead actress believing she was meant to have been the victim.
I found myself loving Gwinny, and Lily the dog, the writing is so well plotted. With the side story of Gwinny’s love interest back home, adds to the character’s story. But there is also some attraction between Gwinny and the Lord of the Manor. The author managed to add a few red herring’s that keeps you guessing who the murderer is. You think you know who did it, then realise you are wrong. Sending you back to rethinking things.
This is a perfect cosy crime with some great characters, but obviously the dog steals the show. You don’t find out who the killer is until the final reveal near the end. This is a quick read which keeps you hooked from the beginning, an atmospheric read even from the very start.
Who was the killer? Why did they do it? And how if the trailer was locked from the inside? These are the questions you ask yourself as you are reading the story. I loved this. From start to finish it will keep the reader guessing. just the type of read I needed. If you like cosy crimes you will enjoy this. I highly recommend this.
This is a great cosy crime, with a feisty main protagonist in Gwinny, who is now 60, she had previously retired from acting, to look after her father, but when he died she realised she needed to earn some money again, she began looking after dogs, as well as combining her acting along with it, a wig and makeup can do wonders. With her friend’s Jack Russel terrier , having to come on set with her as its owner Viv has had a fall, landing her in hospital.
Gwinny is up in Yorkshire, staying in a stately home, where they are filming a gender swap remake of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, calling it Draculania. But of course it wouldn’t be a cosy crime read without a death. It’s none other than the films leading man. He is found in the leading ladies trailer with a stake through his heart. The trailer is locked from the inside. Someone is imitating the film a little too far. The leading lady, film star Juliette Shine, is overly dramatic, and as she has played a detective in previous work she is sure she can solve the murder.
But as Gwinny starts investigating too, the two women clash as they start rival investigations. Being set in the world of film, the actor’s ramp up the tension, mainly because they know how to act. Which causes a few challenges to Gwinny. DCI pierce is the detective in charge he allows Gwinny to investigate, on the proviso that she shares any results she finds in her investigations. With the lead actress believing she was meant to have been the victim.
I found myself loving Gwinny, and Lily the dog, the writing is so well plotted. With the side story of Gwinny’s love interest back home, adds to the character’s story. But there is also some attraction between Gwinny and the Lord of the Manor. The author managed to add a few red herring’s that keeps you guessing who the murderer is. You think you know who did it, then realise you are wrong. Sending you back to rethinking things.
This is a perfect cosy crime with some great characters, but obviously the dog steals the show. You don’t find out who the killer is until the final reveal near the end. This is a quick read which keeps you hooked from the beginning, an atmospheric read even from the very start.
Who was the killer? Why did they do it? And how if the trailer was locked from the inside? These are the questions you ask yourself as you are reading the story. I loved this. From start to finish it will keep the reader guessing. just the type of read I needed. If you like cosy crimes you will enjoy this. I highly recommend this.
Read
December 17, 2024With Gwinny Tuffel's acting career debatably back on track, she's on location at a grand house in the Yorkshire Dales, playing Dr Jacqueline Seward in a gender-swapped Dracula. Then one of her co-stars turns up dead in a classic locked room (well, locked trailer) scenario – and the diva lead, convinced that she was the real target, determines to solve the case herself, sure that having played a detective (with a terrible catchphrase) on screen makes her the resident expert in solving crimes. Normally I'd call that sort of figure a dark mirror to the lead, but here it's more a case of an enjoyably annoying mirror, though she did at least pick up on one detail where Gwinny's obliviousness had been irking me.
There's also, of course, a new canine charge, Lily, a Jack Russell who, though senior, is still an absolute menace, because at no age do Jack Russells ever really chill out. Also because a lively pooch is better for keeping the plot moving, of course, though I do hope the series eventually finds room for some loveable lump of a creature whose main contribution is to trip up escaping suspects, sit unshiftably on crucial evidence &c. And yes, a little fancy footwork is needed to explain why Gwinny is still doing her titular side-hustle at the same time as a comeback in her ostensible main job, but it mostly works, just as the long-running romantic subplot had me gritting my teeth at times but justifies all that in the final stretch.
The most disconcerting thing, though, was reading this right after a Gladys Mitchell, and so getting chance to compare a modern cosy crime novel with one of the broad canon retroactively deemed to have been their forebears. Now, I believe Christie is a different kettle of fish, but my word Johnston – and I would assume the same goes for his contemporaries – is much more meticulous about playing fair, sharing the information available to the sleuth, and providing what we think of as a classic whodunnit than some of the original Detection Club usually deigned to do. Which I'm not saying is better or worse, you understand, just an interesting disconnect within a perceived lineage.
(Netgalley ARC)
There's also, of course, a new canine charge, Lily, a Jack Russell who, though senior, is still an absolute menace, because at no age do Jack Russells ever really chill out. Also because a lively pooch is better for keeping the plot moving, of course, though I do hope the series eventually finds room for some loveable lump of a creature whose main contribution is to trip up escaping suspects, sit unshiftably on crucial evidence &c. And yes, a little fancy footwork is needed to explain why Gwinny is still doing her titular side-hustle at the same time as a comeback in her ostensible main job, but it mostly works, just as the long-running romantic subplot had me gritting my teeth at times but justifies all that in the final stretch.
The most disconcerting thing, though, was reading this right after a Gladys Mitchell, and so getting chance to compare a modern cosy crime novel with one of the broad canon retroactively deemed to have been their forebears. Now, I believe Christie is a different kettle of fish, but my word Johnston – and I would assume the same goes for his contemporaries – is much more meticulous about playing fair, sharing the information available to the sleuth, and providing what we think of as a classic whodunnit than some of the original Detection Club usually deigned to do. Which I'm not saying is better or worse, you understand, just an interesting disconnect within a perceived lineage.
(Netgalley ARC)
March 1, 2025
Three for three. You also understand, once I’ve been reading a series, the star rating becomes about the series, a guide for anyone following along.
As I mentioned in my review of the first one, I don’t have an extensive history with mystery, but what I do tends to indicate it’s always wise for the author to keep in mind deeper into the run the cumulative effect. If the lead has a story of their own, it’s got to be developed, too. Gwinny had a few stories from the start, and Antony Johnston builds this third entry on her progress back into acting.
So the whole story takes place on a film set. We’re immersed into the world as she knows it for the first time, even though she’s still working her way back into it. We find her interacting with old colleagues, including the reason this time for dog sitting. It turns out this time I think the central gimmick actually works best, feels most natural, and has the most impact on the plot.
The mystery itself, once its unfolded, has the best plot of the three, too. The only hiccups are a few mechanical wrinkles. The opening is rough without achieving the effect it seeks, and then we’re immediately given the answer to a side question left dangling to rankle Gwinny throughout the book, and it’s not encouraging for anyone who isn’t convinced of the strength of all this to know the reader has a leg up on her detective skills. Plenty of people who read these things regularly pride themselves on solving them before the ending, but this isn’t really part of that. It just feels sloppy.
But it’s a welcome new chapter in Gwinny’s emerging legacy, even with a supporting character to wink at the reader the right way about how fit she is to be cast in this role. I know there’s at least a fourth book waiting for eager fans. I’m in that number.
As I mentioned in my review of the first one, I don’t have an extensive history with mystery, but what I do tends to indicate it’s always wise for the author to keep in mind deeper into the run the cumulative effect. If the lead has a story of their own, it’s got to be developed, too. Gwinny had a few stories from the start, and Antony Johnston builds this third entry on her progress back into acting.
So the whole story takes place on a film set. We’re immersed into the world as she knows it for the first time, even though she’s still working her way back into it. We find her interacting with old colleagues, including the reason this time for dog sitting. It turns out this time I think the central gimmick actually works best, feels most natural, and has the most impact on the plot.
The mystery itself, once its unfolded, has the best plot of the three, too. The only hiccups are a few mechanical wrinkles. The opening is rough without achieving the effect it seeks, and then we’re immediately given the answer to a side question left dangling to rankle Gwinny throughout the book, and it’s not encouraging for anyone who isn’t convinced of the strength of all this to know the reader has a leg up on her detective skills. Plenty of people who read these things regularly pride themselves on solving them before the ending, but this isn’t really part of that. It just feels sloppy.
But it’s a welcome new chapter in Gwinny’s emerging legacy, even with a supporting character to wink at the reader the right way about how fit she is to be cast in this role. I know there’s at least a fourth book waiting for eager fans. I’m in that number.
January 20, 2025
of my favourite finds of last year was Antony Johnston's Dog Sitter Detective series. A cosy series with a wonderfully feisty main character, and being a dog-sitter, the cast of cute side-kicks is ever changing.
Gwinny Tuffel is a retired actress "of a certain age", but costs of living and an inherited property to maintain, she's back out of retirement and looking for work. Between acting jobs, she's taken to dog-sitting for extra income.
In this third book of the series, she's combining both of her jobs. With filming taking place on a gender-swapped version of Dracula up in Yorkshire, Gwinny is headed North. When not on the film set, she's walking a friend's Jack Russell terrier. Until the friend has a fall and is hospitalised, then the dog has to join the cast and crew on set. The drama doesn't stop there, as the film's leading man is found dead in dramatic fashion, inside the leading actress' trailer, with a stake through his heart. Film star Juliette Shine is a fabulously overly dramatic antagonist, and having played a detective, is insistent that she can solve this case.
I love cosy crime set in theatres and film. It ramps up the theatrical nature of the crime, and you never know whose acting is limited to the stage or set which causes challenges for our sleuth. Gwinny is a wonderful character, equal parts ridiculous and sensible. I kind of want to be her when I grow up.
As always, the writing is top quality and so hard to put down to get on with other things. But real life can wait, Gwinny is on the case.
Thank you to the author, the publishers Allison & Busby and Netgalley for this digital advanced review copy for review.
The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead is out on January 23rd.
Gwinny Tuffel is a retired actress "of a certain age", but costs of living and an inherited property to maintain, she's back out of retirement and looking for work. Between acting jobs, she's taken to dog-sitting for extra income.
In this third book of the series, she's combining both of her jobs. With filming taking place on a gender-swapped version of Dracula up in Yorkshire, Gwinny is headed North. When not on the film set, she's walking a friend's Jack Russell terrier. Until the friend has a fall and is hospitalised, then the dog has to join the cast and crew on set. The drama doesn't stop there, as the film's leading man is found dead in dramatic fashion, inside the leading actress' trailer, with a stake through his heart. Film star Juliette Shine is a fabulously overly dramatic antagonist, and having played a detective, is insistent that she can solve this case.
I love cosy crime set in theatres and film. It ramps up the theatrical nature of the crime, and you never know whose acting is limited to the stage or set which causes challenges for our sleuth. Gwinny is a wonderful character, equal parts ridiculous and sensible. I kind of want to be her when I grow up.
As always, the writing is top quality and so hard to put down to get on with other things. But real life can wait, Gwinny is on the case.
Thank you to the author, the publishers Allison & Busby and Netgalley for this digital advanced review copy for review.
The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead is out on January 23rd.
January 8, 2025
The third book in the Dog Sitter Detective Series and Gwinny Tuffel is trying to resurrect her acting career, for financial reasons, and is currently filming Draculania, a female Dracula remake. Filming is taking place in Hendale Hall in Yorkshire and Gwinny has been walking her friend’s dog Lucy every day since she arrived. A well written story with an interesting plot.
Briefly, after her friend has a bad fall Lucy has now moved in with Gwinny at the Hall. But then filming comes to a halt when the body of the male lead is found dead in the trailer belonging to the lead actress and it’s locked from the inside. As usual Gwinny feels the need to investigate, as does the lead actress who believes she was the target. And for once the detective in charge, DCI Pierce, is willing to let Gwinny do what she does as long as she shares the results of her investigations with him.
As usual, for me at least, the dog steals the show - as they do in real life! The side story of Gwinny’s love interest at home added a little welcome distraction to the main event, alongside her attraction to the Lord of the Manor. There were some very good red herrings and I was constantly reevaluating my ideas about the killer, who wasn’t revealed until near the end of the book. An enjoyable and entertaining locked room mystery, with dog, a perfect cozy, light read.
Briefly, after her friend has a bad fall Lucy has now moved in with Gwinny at the Hall. But then filming comes to a halt when the body of the male lead is found dead in the trailer belonging to the lead actress and it’s locked from the inside. As usual Gwinny feels the need to investigate, as does the lead actress who believes she was the target. And for once the detective in charge, DCI Pierce, is willing to let Gwinny do what she does as long as she shares the results of her investigations with him.
As usual, for me at least, the dog steals the show - as they do in real life! The side story of Gwinny’s love interest at home added a little welcome distraction to the main event, alongside her attraction to the Lord of the Manor. There were some very good red herrings and I was constantly reevaluating my ideas about the killer, who wasn’t revealed until near the end of the book. An enjoyable and entertaining locked room mystery, with dog, a perfect cozy, light read.
October 12, 2025
This is a more sedate mystery series with varying settings in which our leading lady finds herself. Gwinny was once a household name on TV but she took time off to care for her ailing father and her comeback ( although required) has been slow and tough. Her big break might be here with a feminist spin on Dracula.
The shooting is taking place in a castle-like home of a nobleman who is the last one in his line. The location is close to an old ( both literally and relationship-wise) friend of Gwinny’s and she needs help by the time the book begins. This secondary plotline only added a dog to the story and not much else to the central plotline.
It’s a closed room killing with the person being found after the fact when a lot of people realise that the person who should be inside the van is actually outside.
I liked some parts of the logic of where things went since it made sense, I was suspecting something along those lines but not the exact reveal which is actually always a bonus for mysteries. It’s a good continuation of the series.
Although people can jump into the series with this book, I wouldn’t really recommend it since knowing the background helps put everything into focus.
I received the book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
The shooting is taking place in a castle-like home of a nobleman who is the last one in his line. The location is close to an old ( both literally and relationship-wise) friend of Gwinny’s and she needs help by the time the book begins. This secondary plotline only added a dog to the story and not much else to the central plotline.
It’s a closed room killing with the person being found after the fact when a lot of people realise that the person who should be inside the van is actually outside.
I liked some parts of the logic of where things went since it made sense, I was suspecting something along those lines but not the exact reveal which is actually always a bonus for mysteries. It’s a good continuation of the series.
Although people can jump into the series with this book, I wouldn’t really recommend it since knowing the background helps put everything into focus.
I received the book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
November 14, 2024
How do you decide that a stake through the chest/heart is an accident?
Gwinny Tuffel is sixty years old and coming back to acting after a hiatus. A friend lives close by to the location and has Gwinny helping her out by taking her terrier out for walks. When the friend falls and winds up in hospital, Ginny is forced to take the terrier with her on set. The film is about a female Dracula, but the male victim is found murdered in the trailer of the female lead (who is a real pain). Let the investigation and situational laughs begin!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected advance proof from Allison & Busby via NetGalley. Thank you!
Avail Jan 23, 2025 #TheDogSitterDetectivePlaysDead by @AntonyJohnston #TheDogSitterDetectiveBk3 @AllisonandBusby #CosyCrime #Dogs
Gwinny Tuffel is sixty years old and coming back to acting after a hiatus. A friend lives close by to the location and has Gwinny helping her out by taking her terrier out for walks. When the friend falls and winds up in hospital, Ginny is forced to take the terrier with her on set. The film is about a female Dracula, but the male victim is found murdered in the trailer of the female lead (who is a real pain). Let the investigation and situational laughs begin!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected advance proof from Allison & Busby via NetGalley. Thank you!
Avail Jan 23, 2025 #TheDogSitterDetectivePlaysDead by @AntonyJohnston #TheDogSitterDetectiveBk3 @AllisonandBusby #CosyCrime #Dogs
January 5, 2025
This is the third book in the Dog Sitter series. Gwinny has an acting job at Hendale Hall in Yorkshire, the biggest since her retirement, although not the female lead. The movie is a female version of Dracula called Draculania. She is also taking care of the dog of a friend in the hospital. The male lead is found dead in the locked trailer belonging to the female lead, and the police appear to believe he must have killed himself since no one else could have gotten in. Meanwhile, Gwinny finds out that her best friend Tina may be seeing the policeman in whom Gwinny in interested.
Can Gwinny find the real murderer before the police give up? This is a clever mystery, and we don't find out who the killer was until almost the end. I thank Netgalley and Alyson & Busby for the ARC so that I could read the book before publication.
Can Gwinny find the real murderer before the police give up? This is a clever mystery, and we don't find out who the killer was until almost the end. I thank Netgalley and Alyson & Busby for the ARC so that I could read the book before publication.
January 24, 2025
Gwinny Tuffel is in the Yorkshire Dales where a remake of Dracula is being filmed.
Draculania is a gender swap remake of the infamous tale and Gwinny has a small part to play .
Unfortunately a member of the cast is found dead with a stake through is heart , sounds familiar doesn’t it? The tale of Dracula has obviously given a murderer a few ideas.
Gwinny is on the case and has a trusty side kick in Lily a Jack Russell terrier who she is caring for after her owner was taken in to hospital.
They make a great team and both have a nose for danger .
The writing makes for an easy read and there’s plenty to keep the reader interested throughout.
An enjoyable read!
Looking forward to Gwinny’s next case .
Thanks to NetGalley and Allison & Busby.
Draculania is a gender swap remake of the infamous tale and Gwinny has a small part to play .
Unfortunately a member of the cast is found dead with a stake through is heart , sounds familiar doesn’t it? The tale of Dracula has obviously given a murderer a few ideas.
Gwinny is on the case and has a trusty side kick in Lily a Jack Russell terrier who she is caring for after her owner was taken in to hospital.
They make a great team and both have a nose for danger .
The writing makes for an easy read and there’s plenty to keep the reader interested throughout.
An enjoyable read!
Looking forward to Gwinny’s next case .
Thanks to NetGalley and Allison & Busby.
January 10, 2025
This is my first book in the Dog Sitter Detective series, and what fun it was.
This has lovely energy. The pages fly by as the story unravels. It also kept me guessing, which is how I rate a mystery. If I don't manage to work out who the culprit was, it's a very good read.
Gwinny is a great character, and the film set vibe was fab. The very first few pages, with their very atmospheric feel, made me wonder what I'd started reading, but it all quickly resolved itself.
This is a lovely, quick read with a resolution that will defy most readers. It was thoroughly enjoyable, and I will be reading more in the series.
This has lovely energy. The pages fly by as the story unravels. It also kept me guessing, which is how I rate a mystery. If I don't manage to work out who the culprit was, it's a very good read.
Gwinny is a great character, and the film set vibe was fab. The very first few pages, with their very atmospheric feel, made me wonder what I'd started reading, but it all quickly resolved itself.
This is a lovely, quick read with a resolution that will defy most readers. It was thoroughly enjoyable, and I will be reading more in the series.
January 13, 2025
This is the third book in this series and I read it as a stand-alone, but found it full of mystery and suspicion that I’ll be reading the first two. Gwinny is the main character and is an actress, she’s on set to film a new Dracula movie. She’s looking after her friends Jack Russell while on set who gets up to all sorts. She’s a fun little dog. When a cast member dies the suspicion is out that one of the crew did it, but who? This is a cozy mystery that’s easily readable in one sitting sitting. The plot was interesting and the location was perfect for this story. 4 star read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
January 19, 2025
Another compulsive read in this brilliant series!
This time Gwinny is out of retirement for financial reasons and acting in a new film. She is staying in Yorkshire at an old Manor House where the filming is taking place.
Of course there is a murder for her to investigate. She loves a good puzzle, and to Gwinny solving a murder is just like putting puzzle pieces in the right order.
The setting was great! An old Manor House set in the Yorkshire countryside. A vampire legend. A pea soup fog. A locked room murder - well actually a locked trailer murder in this case. And of course a dog! Lily the Jack Russell is such a character and even helps solve the murder.
I enjoyed reading about the ins and outs of filming on location.
Antony has a way of writing such interesting characters, and he certainly knows how to add a few surprises along the way. I absolutely did not guess the murderer!
I highly recommend this series if you enjoy a modern cosy murder mystery with wonderful settings, great characters and dogs!
This time Gwinny is out of retirement for financial reasons and acting in a new film. She is staying in Yorkshire at an old Manor House where the filming is taking place.
Of course there is a murder for her to investigate. She loves a good puzzle, and to Gwinny solving a murder is just like putting puzzle pieces in the right order.
The setting was great! An old Manor House set in the Yorkshire countryside. A vampire legend. A pea soup fog. A locked room murder - well actually a locked trailer murder in this case. And of course a dog! Lily the Jack Russell is such a character and even helps solve the murder.
I enjoyed reading about the ins and outs of filming on location.
Antony has a way of writing such interesting characters, and he certainly knows how to add a few surprises along the way. I absolutely did not guess the murderer!
I highly recommend this series if you enjoy a modern cosy murder mystery with wonderful settings, great characters and dogs!
January 16, 2025
Gwinny Tuffel has landed a role in a gender-swapped film remake of Dracula in the Yorkshire Dales. Gwinny is called on by her old friend, Viv, to look after her 11 year old Jack Russell called Lily! Then an actor is discovered dead in a locked trailer. Gwinny is keen to use her amateur sleuthing skills to investigate who did it and why they did it!! If there is a puzzle to be solved then Gwinny is your gal, lol!!! Gwinny is a delightful character and I loved the descriptions of all the film set behind the scenes moments. More Gwinny please!
January 20, 2025
Gwinny is working in Yorkshire on the set of Draculania, a gender swapped version of the Bram Stoker classic. When one of the cast is found dead in a supposedly locked room situation everyone is under suspicion and fearful. The trailer where the body was found belonged to the Diva Hollywood actress who is of the opinion that she is a detective as she played a cop in an earlier role.
The local cops don't seem to have a clue and it's down to Gwinny, and Lily the dog she's ended up looking after for a friend, to find out the truth.
The local cops don't seem to have a clue and it's down to Gwinny, and Lily the dog she's ended up looking after for a friend, to find out the truth.
August 8, 2025
An intricate murder mystery featuring Gwinny Tuffel, this time set on location in the Yorkshire Dales, where she has a part in a vampire movie. A large cast of characters are involved, including Lily, a feisty little terrier, who Gwinny is minding and a great help to her. The reader is given much information about the goings-on on sets, clashing personalities within a movie cast, producers’ and directors’ dilemmas as well as much detailed sleuthing. The murderer and the justification behind the murder were a complete surprise!
March 22, 2025
A cosy crime easy read.
March 23, 2025
Really enjoyed this 3rd installment!
Looking forward to the 4th book when it's released!
Looking forward to the 4th book when it's released!
April 14, 2025
This series is such a comfort read for me! Can’t wait to see what Gwinny gets up to next (and what dog will be her companion!).
July 4, 2025
It‘s always a delight!
August 25, 2025
Listen, these books are amazing and just make me happy. I need more. I think Ronnie deserves his own book.
January 18, 2025
As a dog adopter who enjoys reading cosy crime novels, this series ticks all the boxes for me. Our chihuahuas also approve when a book encourages me to curl up on the sofa, to act as a warm cushion for them on a cold winter day.
This time Gwinny is in Yorkshire, dealing with an injured friend and a film set full of people with secrets and some big egos. And a murder…
I thoroughly enjoyed how Gwinny found herself investigating another murder, assisted by Lily, the Jack Russell. She has a long list of suspects to investigate whilst trying to continue with her acting role – life is busy for Gwinny.
A great mix of crime, humour, mystery and Lily the dog. Happy to recommend and I hope there will be more books in the series.
This time Gwinny is in Yorkshire, dealing with an injured friend and a film set full of people with secrets and some big egos. And a murder…
I thoroughly enjoyed how Gwinny found herself investigating another murder, assisted by Lily, the Jack Russell. She has a long list of suspects to investigate whilst trying to continue with her acting role – life is busy for Gwinny.
A great mix of crime, humour, mystery and Lily the dog. Happy to recommend and I hope there will be more books in the series.
March 1, 2025
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
3.5* rounded down. I requested this on the recommendation of a blog I follow, despite not having read the earlier instalments and despite not being a dog person. I would say that this book stands perfectly well on its own, but it has not made me want to get a dog - a Jack Russell sounds like harder work than a toddler!
Gwinny, the heroine, apart from being a dog sitter, is also an actress, and the action takes place at a stately home where a gender-reversed film of 'Dracula' is being made. I am perhaps the only person in the entire world unfamiliar with the plot of 'Dracula', so some of this went over my head, but the details of how film sets work were the strongest part of this novel for me. A fellow actor is found dead in a trailer locked from the inside and Gwinny investigates, along with a rival actor/amateur detective and a sole policeman - he refers to colleagues, but we never actually meet any of them. Obviously Gwinny works out the truth first. There is no real way for the reader to get there first, but it was a pretty satisfactory ending nonetheless.
3.5* rounded down. I requested this on the recommendation of a blog I follow, despite not having read the earlier instalments and despite not being a dog person. I would say that this book stands perfectly well on its own, but it has not made me want to get a dog - a Jack Russell sounds like harder work than a toddler!
Gwinny, the heroine, apart from being a dog sitter, is also an actress, and the action takes place at a stately home where a gender-reversed film of 'Dracula' is being made. I am perhaps the only person in the entire world unfamiliar with the plot of 'Dracula', so some of this went over my head, but the details of how film sets work were the strongest part of this novel for me. A fellow actor is found dead in a trailer locked from the inside and Gwinny investigates, along with a rival actor/amateur detective and a sole policeman - he refers to colleagues, but we never actually meet any of them. Obviously Gwinny works out the truth first. There is no real way for the reader to get there first, but it was a pretty satisfactory ending nonetheless.
January 26, 2025
Very entertaining!
Gwinny Tuffel is on location for a gender-swapping remake of the tale of Dracula - titled Draculania - when one of the cast is found dead. Not only that - but the body is inside a locked trailer with a stake through the heart ...
I'm delighted to say that this isn't as gory as it sounds, but it's still an enigma. Full of lively characters, there is - as there should be in any 'cosy' - a good dollop of nonsense in amongst all the serious stuff which murder involves. Gwinny is fabulously drawn, and steps into the breach left by the hapless local police force. A good fun read and one I'm happy to recommend. I really need to try and catch up with the first two in series. For me, recommended and happy to give 4*.
Gwinny Tuffel is on location for a gender-swapping remake of the tale of Dracula - titled Draculania - when one of the cast is found dead. Not only that - but the body is inside a locked trailer with a stake through the heart ...
I'm delighted to say that this isn't as gory as it sounds, but it's still an enigma. Full of lively characters, there is - as there should be in any 'cosy' - a good dollop of nonsense in amongst all the serious stuff which murder involves. Gwinny is fabulously drawn, and steps into the breach left by the hapless local police force. A good fun read and one I'm happy to recommend. I really need to try and catch up with the first two in series. For me, recommended and happy to give 4*.
December 28, 2025
what a fun audiobook. really enjoyed, taking a break from my usual Sci Fi.
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