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Three Dogs, Two Murders, and a Cat: A Nicolette Briggs Mystery
Nicolette Briggs doesn’t do humans.
As Wellington’s premier, and possibly only, animal detective, Nicolette mostly investigates missing pets and cases of animal cruelty. So when her latest client asks her to investigate a case of a poisoned cat, it seems right up her alley. Until a body shows up, then another, and suddenly despite her resolve to not get involved, Nicolette is right in the middle two murder investigations. Or is it just one killer?
When someone breaks into her house and one of her dogs is injured, Nicolette’s reluctance turns to determination to not only solve this thing before the police, but show up her stubborn police detective brother in the process.
Along the way she has to navigate a daughter about to turn 15, a dwindling bank account, and a dysfunctional family that seems determined to fix her. Not to mention a killer who’s turned their sights her way.
No wonder she doesn’t do humans.
Three Dogs, Two Murders, and a Cat is the first book in the clean, cozy mystery series. Gilmore Girls meets Nancy Drew, with a touch of dysfunctional families, a touch of humour, and a touch of caring.
As Wellington’s premier, and possibly only, animal detective, Nicolette mostly investigates missing pets and cases of animal cruelty. So when her latest client asks her to investigate a case of a poisoned cat, it seems right up her alley. Until a body shows up, then another, and suddenly despite her resolve to not get involved, Nicolette is right in the middle two murder investigations. Or is it just one killer?
When someone breaks into her house and one of her dogs is injured, Nicolette’s reluctance turns to determination to not only solve this thing before the police, but show up her stubborn police detective brother in the process.
Along the way she has to navigate a daughter about to turn 15, a dwindling bank account, and a dysfunctional family that seems determined to fix her. Not to mention a killer who’s turned their sights her way.
No wonder she doesn’t do humans.
Three Dogs, Two Murders, and a Cat is the first book in the clean, cozy mystery series. Gilmore Girls meets Nancy Drew, with a touch of dysfunctional families, a touch of humour, and a touch of caring.
- GenresMystery
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2025
13 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Rodney Strong
29 books116 followersWriting is one of those things that I have always done. I vividly remember spending most of an English exam writing a complicated adventure story as the answer to an exam question. I passed the exam, either because of, or despite the answer.
I tend to write the story that comes to mind, regardless of genre.
I tend to write the story that comes to mind, regardless of genre.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 2, 2025
[I received a free advanced copy to review. I also purchased the book when it came out, to add to my collection of Rodney Strong‘s work. I believe I have read everything that Mr. Strong has published.]
Others have described the basic premise of the book, so I will simply mention some things that I think are important.
First, Mr. Strong is a very fine author, who writes with a warm and gentle style and who knows how to build an interesting story from page one.
Second, he has a genuine talent for creating characters the reader will like and care about. And each is quite different from the other. Oliver Atkinson, of the Ghostly Hitchhiker series, is a comparatively normal guy caught up in a (very humorously) paranormal situation. Alice, in the.Silvermoon Retirement Village series, is a former (ethical) con artist, now deep into her 90s, but as sharp and feisty as ever. And now we have Nicolette Briggs, who may turn out to be Mr. Strong‘s most complex character, balancing her career as a private detective specializing in pet cases (?!) with her role as a single parent to a teenage daughter and her issues with her mostly dysfunctional extended family.
As a sidenote, I rather enjoy how these very different characters come together over the three series. Alice is introduced in Oliver’s Hitchhiker books, Oliver starts us out in Alice’s Silvermoon series, and now Alice introduces us to Nicolette.
If you enjoy a good cozy mystery, and like the feeling of looking forward to the next adventure, I can certainly recommend Nicolette and the rest of Mr. Strong‘s offerings.
Others have described the basic premise of the book, so I will simply mention some things that I think are important.
First, Mr. Strong is a very fine author, who writes with a warm and gentle style and who knows how to build an interesting story from page one.
Second, he has a genuine talent for creating characters the reader will like and care about. And each is quite different from the other. Oliver Atkinson, of the Ghostly Hitchhiker series, is a comparatively normal guy caught up in a (very humorously) paranormal situation. Alice, in the.Silvermoon Retirement Village series, is a former (ethical) con artist, now deep into her 90s, but as sharp and feisty as ever. And now we have Nicolette Briggs, who may turn out to be Mr. Strong‘s most complex character, balancing her career as a private detective specializing in pet cases (?!) with her role as a single parent to a teenage daughter and her issues with her mostly dysfunctional extended family.
As a sidenote, I rather enjoy how these very different characters come together over the three series. Alice is introduced in Oliver’s Hitchhiker books, Oliver starts us out in Alice’s Silvermoon series, and now Alice introduces us to Nicolette.
If you enjoy a good cozy mystery, and like the feeling of looking forward to the next adventure, I can certainly recommend Nicolette and the rest of Mr. Strong‘s offerings.
January 30, 2025
As Wellington, New Zealand’s possibly only animal detective, Nicolette mostly investigates missing pets and cases of animal cruelty. A client asks her to investigate a cat poisoning that turns into a two murders. She becomes even more determined to solve the cases after someone runs her over with a car and someone breaks into her home and injures one of her rescue dogs. Besides, she needs to show her police detective brother she can solve crimes too.
There were some pluses and minuses to this book. Minuses: There was a possible technical issue with Chapter One containing nothing but a heading; and I think this could have benefitted from tighter copy editing. Pluses - I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this new-to-me author and start of a series. Nicolette “I don’t do humans” Briggs is a strong woman willing to put herself in harm’s way to reunite animals and their owners, and more importantly, to save animals. People who mistreat pets in her vicinity are in for a rude awakening.
She’s got good instincts, doesn’t take too many stupid chances, and despite her lack of fondness for humans, she treats her clients with respect. I like that she’ll throw a punch if necessary, but mostly relies on her wits. She has a complicated family that gives me the hives (I’d kick that mother to the curb, and have a come to Jesus meeting with the sister, but the police detective brother is fun), but they seem to support each other when the chips are down. I do like how she speaks to her 15-year-old daughter like a person rather than a child. And I love her dogs.
Aside from the technical issues, this book held my interest all the way through. I don’t know anything about Wellington (except I’m a big fan of the TV show “Wellington Paranormal”) so it was fun to read about a location where I’ve never been. I liked the relationships between the characters, the scene-setting, the writing style, and how the author tied all the crimes together at the end. This is billed as a “clean, cozy mystery series, Gilmore Girls meets Nancy Drew …” I was sad when this ended, and I hope there will be more in this series – I quickly grew attached to Nicolette.
The author also writes the Silvermoon Cozies series (I think this is a spin-off of that series); the Ghostly Hitchhiker series; and the Silver Lake Cozy Mystery series. I liked this one enough that I will check out the others.
There were some pluses and minuses to this book. Minuses: There was a possible technical issue with Chapter One containing nothing but a heading; and I think this could have benefitted from tighter copy editing. Pluses - I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this new-to-me author and start of a series. Nicolette “I don’t do humans” Briggs is a strong woman willing to put herself in harm’s way to reunite animals and their owners, and more importantly, to save animals. People who mistreat pets in her vicinity are in for a rude awakening.
She’s got good instincts, doesn’t take too many stupid chances, and despite her lack of fondness for humans, she treats her clients with respect. I like that she’ll throw a punch if necessary, but mostly relies on her wits. She has a complicated family that gives me the hives (I’d kick that mother to the curb, and have a come to Jesus meeting with the sister, but the police detective brother is fun), but they seem to support each other when the chips are down. I do like how she speaks to her 15-year-old daughter like a person rather than a child. And I love her dogs.
Aside from the technical issues, this book held my interest all the way through. I don’t know anything about Wellington (except I’m a big fan of the TV show “Wellington Paranormal”) so it was fun to read about a location where I’ve never been. I liked the relationships between the characters, the scene-setting, the writing style, and how the author tied all the crimes together at the end. This is billed as a “clean, cozy mystery series, Gilmore Girls meets Nancy Drew …” I was sad when this ended, and I hope there will be more in this series – I quickly grew attached to Nicolette.
The author also writes the Silvermoon Cozies series (I think this is a spin-off of that series); the Ghostly Hitchhiker series; and the Silver Lake Cozy Mystery series. I liked this one enough that I will check out the others.
January 31, 2025
Another excellent murder mystery by Rodney Strong.
First up let me admit I have read all of Rodney’s books. I am a particular fan of his Silvermoon retirement series of murder mystery books. This book begins a new series with a new central protagonist. However, as with many of Rodney’s books, there is a link to Silvermoon in this story too, and again the story is set in the city of Wellington. In this book our central character Nicolette states that she doesn’t do humans, and this is because she is a pet detective. She is much more comfortable finding or rescuing someone’s pet. But in this story, she’s going to have to deal with humans as well as the cat from the title. The humans are rarely telling the truth and are often not what they appear to be, only the animals (the three dogs in the title are hers) can be depended upon. Nicolette is a resourceful and determined investigator who can look after herself. This means that sometimes she gets on the wrong side of the law, especially when animals are involved.
I sat down to read this of an evening and expected that at some point I would stop and put the TV on, but instead after I’d read well over half the book, I found it was getting close to midnight. It has been a while since I read a book that I couldn’t put down, but this is one of them. I polished off the remainder of the book the next day. I was left guessing until the end as to who was guilty of what and how taking a commission to find out how a cat had gotten poisoned led to solving a murder.
If you enjoy a good murder mystery, then I would strongly recommend trying this book. I am certainly hoping there will be more to follow in this series.
First up let me admit I have read all of Rodney’s books. I am a particular fan of his Silvermoon retirement series of murder mystery books. This book begins a new series with a new central protagonist. However, as with many of Rodney’s books, there is a link to Silvermoon in this story too, and again the story is set in the city of Wellington. In this book our central character Nicolette states that she doesn’t do humans, and this is because she is a pet detective. She is much more comfortable finding or rescuing someone’s pet. But in this story, she’s going to have to deal with humans as well as the cat from the title. The humans are rarely telling the truth and are often not what they appear to be, only the animals (the three dogs in the title are hers) can be depended upon. Nicolette is a resourceful and determined investigator who can look after herself. This means that sometimes she gets on the wrong side of the law, especially when animals are involved.
I sat down to read this of an evening and expected that at some point I would stop and put the TV on, but instead after I’d read well over half the book, I found it was getting close to midnight. It has been a while since I read a book that I couldn’t put down, but this is one of them. I polished off the remainder of the book the next day. I was left guessing until the end as to who was guilty of what and how taking a commission to find out how a cat had gotten poisoned led to solving a murder.
If you enjoy a good murder mystery, then I would strongly recommend trying this book. I am certainly hoping there will be more to follow in this series.
January 29, 2025
“I don’t do humans,” are the first words out of Nicolette Briggs mouth when called in by Alice Atkinson to help solve a mystery. Used to non-conventional people, as Alice herself is, this does not stop her from hiring Nicolette to help her find the owner of a cat who is fed by all the residents of the Silvermoon Retirement Village. When said cat was recently found unresponsive and rushed to a local veterinarian, it was discovered that the cat was possibly poisoned. Happy that the cat survived but angry that anyone would hurt an animal, Nicolette agrees to look for the cat’s owner. What she discovers goes way beyond the missing cat owner. This seemingly routine assignment suddenly becomes dangerous and just the tip of the iceberg. I love the author’s attention to detail in describing each person and the fine telling of this terrific mystery. This is my honest, voluntary of an advanced reader copy of this book.
February 4, 2025
Rodney Strong has done it again, creating fabulously quirky characters that dance across the pages of his book. Nicolette Briggs, his latest protagonist, is a feisty woman who doesn’t do humans. In her quest to solve the mystery of a poisoned cat she finds herself embroiled in a double murder investigation and in the process gets herself into a spot of hot water with those she’s investigating.
The plot and the pacing are classic Strong. He draws you in and takes you through the story at breakneck speed, entertaining you all the way.
A great tale and the next instalment can’t come soon enough.
The plot and the pacing are classic Strong. He draws you in and takes you through the story at breakneck speed, entertaining you all the way.
A great tale and the next instalment can’t come soon enough.
January 28, 2025
I love the characters. The way Nicolette and Cloe interact with each other is great. It all started with a little cat. Nicolette usually only investigates missing pets and cruelty to animals, but this time, she just might make an exception. She keeps saying that she doesn't do people, but when two people are murdered and it might be connected to the poisoning of the cat, she just can't let it go. Nicolette interacts with quite a few interesting people, including her wacky family. I like that some people from the other series shows up and I can't wait to see where this series takes us.
January 26, 2025
What fun! Lovable, complicated characters. Good twists. Will definitely look for more from this author!
Read
March 26, 2025DNF at 45% 🥱
January 29, 2025
Nicolette Briggs freely admits that she doesn’t do humans. However, the animals she rescues are frequently attached in some way to humans, making it extremely difficult for her to avoid them totally. When Alice Atkinson, the nonagenarian resident of the Silvermoon Retirement Village, hires her to find out who tried to poison their sometime resident tabby, Alice is pleased with Nicolette’s unique occupation. This is a new series for Rodney Strong and I’m already hooked. He combines puzzling mysteries with interesting characters set in beautiful Wellington, New Zealand and this time, there are three rescue dogs as well as Nicolette’s teenager daughter and her lively, if often estranged family. There is always a touch of humor and some strange characters to complicate the plot as well as a hot hunky vet, who shows up at some extremely opportune times. If you are familiar with Rodney’s books, you will love this new one. If you haven’t read any of his previous stories, you are in for a real treat. He has another winner and I am already looking forward to the next book. Be sure to check out the Silvermoon Retirement Village tales featuring Alice Atkinson and other series by Rodney Strong while you wait. He never fails to captivate me.
February 1, 2025
New Zealand author Rodney Strong doesn’t write everyday characters. His characters are out there, eccentric even, but not in a weird way. They’re very human with their fears and strong ideas. I worry about what goes on in his head sometimes, but then I hear he has kittens so I feel reassured:)
This title is the first in a new series, introducing Nicolette Briggs who doesn’t do humans. She does animals. Fiercely when necessary. Which is why she has three rescue dogs. So when Alice from the Silvermoon Retirement Village (another series of this author I enjoy) has a problem with a cat that may have been poisoned, she calls Nicolette to investigate. When the investigation leads to a murder linked in method to the poisoned cat, followed by a second murder where she is actually present, Nicolette can’t let it go.
The story line is well handled and the solution not obvious but perfectly worked. Nicolette's relationship with her step-sister, detective step-brother, and her mother, while juggling the care of a teenage daughter and the threat to her own life as she investigates the connections, make for a read you won’t want to put down. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
This title is the first in a new series, introducing Nicolette Briggs who doesn’t do humans. She does animals. Fiercely when necessary. Which is why she has three rescue dogs. So when Alice from the Silvermoon Retirement Village (another series of this author I enjoy) has a problem with a cat that may have been poisoned, she calls Nicolette to investigate. When the investigation leads to a murder linked in method to the poisoned cat, followed by a second murder where she is actually present, Nicolette can’t let it go.
The story line is well handled and the solution not obvious but perfectly worked. Nicolette's relationship with her step-sister, detective step-brother, and her mother, while juggling the care of a teenage daughter and the threat to her own life as she investigates the connections, make for a read you won’t want to put down. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
February 3, 2025
The author's Silvermoon Retirement Village series is great and now he spins off to a new series still using the Silvermoon in this first book. The main character is Nicolette Briggs who is a pet detective/animal rescuer. As she states herself, she doesn't do humans. But when the elderly Alice Atkinson, resident of the Silvermoon Retirement Village wants to hire Nicolette to find out who tried to poison the cat that hangs out at the village and the residents feed. When she becomes wrapped up in the cat investigation, she becomes wrapped up with two murders as well. Can the murders be related to the cat case? We are treated to Nicolette's teenage daughter and a very quirky family including a brother who is a detective. OF course, Nicolette has to show her brother she is just as good at solving a crime as he is. We are treated also to some laughs along the way. This is a great beginning to a fun series so far. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
February 1, 2025
Lovers of Alice Atkinson in The Silvermoon Retirement Village Cosy Mystery series should run - not walk - to pick up this book. For those who love cosy mysteries and haven’t read that series - what is wrong with you?
This book is a perfect cosy mystery to snuggle up with a hot drink and a blanket and read in one go! The story is so artfully woven and the characters are so relatable - from the FMC, Nicolette who prefers animals to humans (who doesn’t to be honest? A four legged pet is always happy to see you when you come home), to the ever insightful Alice Atkinson - to the Briggs family dynamics. Each beloved quadruped has its own unique personality and mannerisms shown so wonderfully on the page.
Every Rodney Strong book I read only exceeds my expectations for the quality of writing and depth of characters he produces.
This is a must read book for cosy mystery lovers.
This book is a perfect cosy mystery to snuggle up with a hot drink and a blanket and read in one go! The story is so artfully woven and the characters are so relatable - from the FMC, Nicolette who prefers animals to humans (who doesn’t to be honest? A four legged pet is always happy to see you when you come home), to the ever insightful Alice Atkinson - to the Briggs family dynamics. Each beloved quadruped has its own unique personality and mannerisms shown so wonderfully on the page.
Every Rodney Strong book I read only exceeds my expectations for the quality of writing and depth of characters he produces.
This is a must read book for cosy mystery lovers.
February 5, 2025
Great start to a new series!
Such a fun bunch of new characters and some old friends. This series has a little crossover from Mr Strong's Silvermoon Retirement Village Cozy Mystery series but you don't need to have read that series. But you really should because that series is equally fun!! Nicolette doesn't do humans but she does do pets who can't speak up for themselves. From a poisoned cat to a murder or two, Nicolette has her hands full. But when someone breaks into her house and hurts one of her dogs, all humans better watch out! Fun read with plenty of quirky characters and pets! Lots of pets! Nicolette's banter with raising her daughter, problems with her mother, and relationship with her detective step-brother just add to the story. I'm looking forward to the next book!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
Such a fun bunch of new characters and some old friends. This series has a little crossover from Mr Strong's Silvermoon Retirement Village Cozy Mystery series but you don't need to have read that series. But you really should because that series is equally fun!! Nicolette doesn't do humans but she does do pets who can't speak up for themselves. From a poisoned cat to a murder or two, Nicolette has her hands full. But when someone breaks into her house and hurts one of her dogs, all humans better watch out! Fun read with plenty of quirky characters and pets! Lots of pets! Nicolette's banter with raising her daughter, problems with her mother, and relationship with her detective step-brother just add to the story. I'm looking forward to the next book!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
February 1, 2025
She doesn't do humans but pet detective Nic finds herself involved in not one but two murders when see agrees to investigate a cat poisoning. Warned by her policeman brother to stay out of it, she just can't ignore the puzzle, putting the pieces together brings harm to her traumatized pets and puts her life in jeopardy. I loved this ARC and can't wait for more stories!
February 10, 2025
Nicolette is a single mother and animal detective. She is hired to find out who poisoned a cat. During the investigation more and more strange things start happening. This book is wonderful. There are laugh out loud moments with Nicolette and her daughter as well as anyone in her family. What a great read!
February 13, 2025
loved the book
I lucked into this book. I haven’t ever read anything by this author before. I am really glad I found him. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great. I really liked Nicolette and the way she and Chloe interacted. The plot kept me guessing until the very end. I can’t wait to read the next book. I would highly recommend.
I lucked into this book. I haven’t ever read anything by this author before. I am really glad I found him. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great. I really liked Nicolette and the way she and Chloe interacted. The plot kept me guessing until the very end. I can’t wait to read the next book. I would highly recommend.
February 11, 2025
As with all Rodney Strong's books, this is another winner! Exciting and full of fun, a great read, with many different bits that make you smile as well as keep you totally engrossed. Totally delightful and I can hardly wait for the next one.
March 22, 2025
A new series with new wonderful characters and a couple familiar ones.
First, so glad that Alice is still around, I love her! This is a new series that has wonderful characters and a story full of twists and turns. And I lov
e dogs!
First, so glad that Alice is still around, I love her! This is a new series that has wonderful characters and a story full of twists and turns. And I lov
e dogs!
July 15, 2025
The cover is the best feature of this book. The most intriguing mystery is how the lead character can fund a teenager at private school, three dogs, a house and a car on the proceeds of searching for lost cats. And don't get me started on the typos.
January 25, 2025
What a great start to a fun new series . Great storyline with great new characters and some beloved older ones. I was given an ARC by the author. My review is freely and honestly given
November 4, 2025
great fun read
April 7, 2025
I have enjoyed all of the books I have read by the author, Rodney Strong. He always entertains me while providing a great story line. The characters are well developed and some you will know from his Silvermoon Retirement Village series. (Alice makes an appearance.) I loved getting to know Nicolette and her quirky personality. And the relationship and interactions with her daughter had me chuckling. The murder mysteries are intriguing and will have you guessing who is guilty. Lots of twists and turns will have you invested in the story and you’ll be flipping through the pages quickly to see if you can figure it out before the final reveal! This a great new series in which to get invested. I can’t wait to see where Rodney Strong takes us as we get to explore Wellington, New Zealand with Nicolette and the cast of characters she will bring along with her.
Thank you to Book Funnel and LoreQuinn Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
Thank you to Book Funnel and LoreQuinn Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews