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Snuffling Up Bones: The Pig and I Mysteries
- GenresCozy Mystery
248 pages, Paperback
Published October 22, 2024
4 people want to read
About the author
DonnaRae Menard
24 books18 followersDonnaRae Menard began writing in junior high school and has been scribbling since. She is the author of the An It's Never Too Late Mystery series. A 1970's suspense featuring Katelyn Took and 17 cats. The Woman Warrior's series, historical fiction from time periods she remembers, Detective Carmine Mansuer series, set in Boston, Mass. Dropped from the Sky, It takes Guts, Willa the Wisp, and several short stories. She splits her time between Vermont and New Hampshire, has an affinity for odd jobs, and rescued cats. She's also always willing to explain about her 450 pound lap pig.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 25, 2025
If you are a fan of cozy mysteries that revolve around saving animals then this new release is going to be your new favorite. Introducing Doris Flynn, a recent widow and a woman with an amazing amount of love for all animals great and small. I am not kidding when I say great, because the biggest animal on the property is a 450 pound Hampshire pig named Buttercup Belle. If you have ever seen The Ugly Dachshund then you know that a big dog can think of itself as a little dog or even a lap dog. The same appears to be true for Buttercup. She is trained much like a dog and she behaves, much like a dog. There is one difference, Buttercup responds to singing cues and she will even join in at times. Just wait until you get to the Buttercup bathing scene of the book, you will laugh out loud.
In addition to Doris, is her daughter, Melanie who has moved home as a result of developing MS and the loss of her dad, Ian. Ian died almost a year ago of a heart attack. I have to wonder if there isn’t the possibility of a future story arc regarding Ian’s death. Front and center to this story are two head strong as well as heart strong ladies and one rather large farm complete with two family dogs, one really big pig, chickens, one dog getting prepped for a new home, and a full cattery (eight cats I think). I feel tired just reading about all the work that Doris does and that doesn’t even include cleaning the house or the sleuthing that she starts after Buttercup snuffles up some bones on a hiking trail behind the homestead. I can completely relate to Doris and her desire to do ANYTHING besides cleaning the house.
Not only is this an interesting story because of Buttercup’s part in finding the bones, but also because there are so many truly human or real aspects, like Melanie’s MS, and Rose Anne’s job as the medicolegal investigator, which is an occupation that I have not come across in my mystery reading. I also liked that Doris has a good working relationship with Sheriff Neddel, the new, and somewhat attractive, guy in town. The mystery is so interesting that I found it difficult to put the book down. The suspects are plentiful and there is gossip aplenty. Between bigotry and a lost memory this mystery gets more mysterious and even a little bit dangerous. I was bouncing between subjects up until the reveal and I didn’t come close to guessing the whole plot line. I do hope that this one becomes a series.
In addition to Doris, is her daughter, Melanie who has moved home as a result of developing MS and the loss of her dad, Ian. Ian died almost a year ago of a heart attack. I have to wonder if there isn’t the possibility of a future story arc regarding Ian’s death. Front and center to this story are two head strong as well as heart strong ladies and one rather large farm complete with two family dogs, one really big pig, chickens, one dog getting prepped for a new home, and a full cattery (eight cats I think). I feel tired just reading about all the work that Doris does and that doesn’t even include cleaning the house or the sleuthing that she starts after Buttercup snuffles up some bones on a hiking trail behind the homestead. I can completely relate to Doris and her desire to do ANYTHING besides cleaning the house.
Not only is this an interesting story because of Buttercup’s part in finding the bones, but also because there are so many truly human or real aspects, like Melanie’s MS, and Rose Anne’s job as the medicolegal investigator, which is an occupation that I have not come across in my mystery reading. I also liked that Doris has a good working relationship with Sheriff Neddel, the new, and somewhat attractive, guy in town. The mystery is so interesting that I found it difficult to put the book down. The suspects are plentiful and there is gossip aplenty. Between bigotry and a lost memory this mystery gets more mysterious and even a little bit dangerous. I was bouncing between subjects up until the reveal and I didn’t come close to guessing the whole plot line. I do hope that this one becomes a series.
May 30, 2025
I cannot say enough good things about this book. I knew going in that the 450lb pig was going to be the star. Since I know nothing about pigs (large or small), I wasn't really sure what to expect. Buttercup is the best! She makes contented noises, she loves bath time, she loves napping in the sun, and she even has fingernails that need to be trimmed. Her humans sing to her and each song means something different and Buttercup is smart enough to know the difference.
Doris and her daughter, Melanie, live at the end of a dead end road, with the national forest right next door. Life with rescue dogs (and cats and pig!) is busy and the human duo are very organized. Melanie, because of her MS, works from home.
The main characters are very respectful of each other and it's a nice dynamic. There's some good ole boy networking going on, with both the older and younger male locals, which is frustrating... both for the reader and the characters who have to tolerate it. I love how Doris is willing to take in an extra dog or cat, or even human who needs a place to stay. That shows how much heart she has.
A wonderful read. Definitely a five star book. Looking forward to more from this series.
Doris and her daughter, Melanie, live at the end of a dead end road, with the national forest right next door. Life with rescue dogs (and cats and pig!) is busy and the human duo are very organized. Melanie, because of her MS, works from home.
The main characters are very respectful of each other and it's a nice dynamic. There's some good ole boy networking going on, with both the older and younger male locals, which is frustrating... both for the reader and the characters who have to tolerate it. I love how Doris is willing to take in an extra dog or cat, or even human who needs a place to stay. That shows how much heart she has.
A wonderful read. Definitely a five star book. Looking forward to more from this series.
January 7, 2026
Such a fun read!
Doris and her daughter, Melanie, live at the end of a dead end road with a national forest right behind their property. Their farm is home to a variety of rescue animals, cats, dogs and a 450 lb pig. Her pig, Buttercup is the most lovable character!
The mystery takes Doris on a walk with Buttercup in the forest and the pig finds some bones! Specifically a human skull! Doris becomes an amateur sleuth to solve the mystery along with the help of her trusty steed, Buttercup. It is a cute mystery, and I didn't guess who did it!
Doris and her daughter, Melanie, live at the end of a dead end road with a national forest right behind their property. Their farm is home to a variety of rescue animals, cats, dogs and a 450 lb pig. Her pig, Buttercup is the most lovable character!
The mystery takes Doris on a walk with Buttercup in the forest and the pig finds some bones! Specifically a human skull! Doris becomes an amateur sleuth to solve the mystery along with the help of her trusty steed, Buttercup. It is a cute mystery, and I didn't guess who did it!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews