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Avery Barks Dog Mysteries #1
Butterfly Boy
Helping out a neighbor can be murder...
Avery Barks dedicates all of her spare time to training search and rescue dogs and helping the animals. That dedication soon lands her unemployed and out of options.
While helping an elderly friend, Avery and her butterfly loving dog, Chevy, find the unthinkable – a dead body. The sleepy North Carolina mountain town she calls home is shocked and shaken to the core.
With her trusty canine companion by her side, Avery must follow the clues and solve the murder mystery before she winds up on the suspect list.
Butterfly Boy is a standalone book in Mary Hiker's popular Avery Barks cozy mystery series. With fun characters, lots of twists and turns, and a lovable dog, it's easy to see why people enjoy these books.
Avery Barks dedicates all of her spare time to training search and rescue dogs and helping the animals. That dedication soon lands her unemployed and out of options.
While helping an elderly friend, Avery and her butterfly loving dog, Chevy, find the unthinkable – a dead body. The sleepy North Carolina mountain town she calls home is shocked and shaken to the core.
With her trusty canine companion by her side, Avery must follow the clues and solve the murder mystery before she winds up on the suspect list.
Butterfly Boy is a standalone book in Mary Hiker's popular Avery Barks cozy mystery series. With fun characters, lots of twists and turns, and a lovable dog, it's easy to see why people enjoy these books.
69 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2014
209 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 31, 2019
I love reading cozy mysteries set in Western NC where I live. :) Add in a cute dog plus an interesting mystery plot and I'm hooked! I think I have found a new favorite cozy series!
Butterfly Boy is the first book in the Avery Barks series. There are 10 books and a couple short stories in this series so far. Avery is a dog trainer and a search & rescue volunteer. Her best buddy is Chevy, her golden retriever. In this first mystery, Avery & Chevy come across a dead body on her neighbor's property. That's bad enough....but add in the fact the dead man got her fired from her job and has her initials written on his forehead in sharpie marker..... Avery might just be in hot water with local law enforcement!
I love Chevy's antics. He would rather chase butterflies and love everyone he sees rather than be trained as a SAR dog. Avery is a likable main character. She's an outdoor enthusiast and dog lover. She definitely uses her wits to get out of tough situations!
All in all, a cute, enjoyable cozy mystery! Butterfly Boy is a quick read at 69 pages, but that doesn't mean the story is rushed or simple. There's a lot packed into those 69 pages! The mystery isn't complex, but still enjoyable. I like the background theme of dog training and SAR. And I really love the Western NC setting! My favorite side character in this story has to be Charlie Ham -- the old man who is called Old Man Crash because he runs his truck into everything. Fences, parked cars....doesn't matter. Charlie drives into them. :) Made me smile.
Mary Hiker also writes the Shady Springs Mysteries and Miss Fortune series. I will definitely be reading more by this author! This first book was a fun, entertaining read! Plus what a cute cover! It's hard not to love a golden....even when he's only a character in a book! :)
Butterfly Boy is the first book in the Avery Barks series. There are 10 books and a couple short stories in this series so far. Avery is a dog trainer and a search & rescue volunteer. Her best buddy is Chevy, her golden retriever. In this first mystery, Avery & Chevy come across a dead body on her neighbor's property. That's bad enough....but add in the fact the dead man got her fired from her job and has her initials written on his forehead in sharpie marker..... Avery might just be in hot water with local law enforcement!
I love Chevy's antics. He would rather chase butterflies and love everyone he sees rather than be trained as a SAR dog. Avery is a likable main character. She's an outdoor enthusiast and dog lover. She definitely uses her wits to get out of tough situations!
All in all, a cute, enjoyable cozy mystery! Butterfly Boy is a quick read at 69 pages, but that doesn't mean the story is rushed or simple. There's a lot packed into those 69 pages! The mystery isn't complex, but still enjoyable. I like the background theme of dog training and SAR. And I really love the Western NC setting! My favorite side character in this story has to be Charlie Ham -- the old man who is called Old Man Crash because he runs his truck into everything. Fences, parked cars....doesn't matter. Charlie drives into them. :) Made me smile.
Mary Hiker also writes the Shady Springs Mysteries and Miss Fortune series. I will definitely be reading more by this author! This first book was a fun, entertaining read! Plus what a cute cover! It's hard not to love a golden....even when he's only a character in a book! :)
March 15, 2015
This was just okay for me. I wasn't thrilled with the narration; the change between chapters was too raps and while I get the child's voice was supposed to be annoying, it grated on me. The mystery was average. On the positive side, the author gives a plug to rescue dogs, which is always a good thing!!!
December 20, 2015
short story-quick mystery involving a woman who is a volunteer search and rescue dog trainer with her rescue pet, golden retriever, Chevy. Good enough that I will continue the series!
September 19, 2015
This is a very short (approx 70 pages) mystery story about a woman and her dog. It is not well written and is much more centered on the woman than the dog. (I was hoping for a story written from the dog's perspective.) It's not worth your time.
July 12, 2021
Dog friendly cozy mystery set in the North Carolina mountain country
This is a short (around 14,000 words) cozy mystery. I enjoy a good cozy mystery so I snapped this one up when it was on a promotion.
Dog-loving main character Avery Meadow Barks has just lost her job. Not for being lazy or even bad at it, but because she could not stop herself from helping injured animals. Right away, we know what kind of story this will be. Avery, and her window-licking labrador Chevy, agree to help out a local old lady who is upset that some local boys are shooting up the deer on her land. Just when Avery thinks dealing with a truck full of rowdy gun-toting hunters is bad, she stumbles on the body of a stranger in the middle of a field. She has no idea who it is or how it got there, but there are two clues. This is the man who complained to her boss and got her fired, and he has Avery’s initials written on his forehead! Worried that she might be a suspect, Avery and Chevy do their best to investigate and get to the bottom of the mystery by chatting to local characters and taking hikes.
The mystery plot is not particularly complex. On the whole people are who they are, good or bad, and even though it seems from the start that Avery is a suspect in the murder nobody really believes it. There is a bit of jeopardy, sure. She is shot at and faces death in a burning barn, but it never seems to faze her or her flirty best friend Jamie. This is the kind of down-home friendly small town where everything is cute even when there is a murderer on the loose.
I don’t mind dogs, and I’m happy to give one a casual scratch if it passes by, but I’m probably not the kind of “dog person” that this book is aimed at. There’s probably at least as much description of Chevy than any of the people in the town, and I feel like I know him better than any of them, even Avery. The book is well written, though, and has a very strong sense of place. Many times I felt like I was there.
If you like dogs and a light mystery story, you’ll probably love this.
This is a short (around 14,000 words) cozy mystery. I enjoy a good cozy mystery so I snapped this one up when it was on a promotion.
Dog-loving main character Avery Meadow Barks has just lost her job. Not for being lazy or even bad at it, but because she could not stop herself from helping injured animals. Right away, we know what kind of story this will be. Avery, and her window-licking labrador Chevy, agree to help out a local old lady who is upset that some local boys are shooting up the deer on her land. Just when Avery thinks dealing with a truck full of rowdy gun-toting hunters is bad, she stumbles on the body of a stranger in the middle of a field. She has no idea who it is or how it got there, but there are two clues. This is the man who complained to her boss and got her fired, and he has Avery’s initials written on his forehead! Worried that she might be a suspect, Avery and Chevy do their best to investigate and get to the bottom of the mystery by chatting to local characters and taking hikes.
The mystery plot is not particularly complex. On the whole people are who they are, good or bad, and even though it seems from the start that Avery is a suspect in the murder nobody really believes it. There is a bit of jeopardy, sure. She is shot at and faces death in a burning barn, but it never seems to faze her or her flirty best friend Jamie. This is the kind of down-home friendly small town where everything is cute even when there is a murderer on the loose.
I don’t mind dogs, and I’m happy to give one a casual scratch if it passes by, but I’m probably not the kind of “dog person” that this book is aimed at. There’s probably at least as much description of Chevy than any of the people in the town, and I feel like I know him better than any of them, even Avery. The book is well written, though, and has a very strong sense of place. Many times I felt like I was there.
If you like dogs and a light mystery story, you’ll probably love this.
June 21, 2017
Another Great Dog Based Mystery/Adventure!
I am so enjoying this author’s work. Mostly, I enjoy the dogs and mountain life. But the stories are written well with interesting plots. This one is great! The plot has many twists and while you might guess some, you won’t guess all. This is one of my favorite authors!
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to share my honest review.
I am so enjoying this author’s work. Mostly, I enjoy the dogs and mountain life. But the stories are written well with interesting plots. This one is great! The plot has many twists and while you might guess some, you won’t guess all. This is one of my favorite authors!
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to share my honest review.
October 11, 2018
So first I will say that I should have realized this was under 100 pages and not got the audible version. Do they interview these narrators? This was the worst narrator ever! I could not really tell if I enjoyed the story because it was hard to get past her voice and mannerisms. She would take breaths in the middle of sentences. Terrible. Anyway, If I read the next one, I will read it via kindle and not listen to it.
April 23, 2025
This was the first in the series and it did little to set much of anything up. It jumped right into the murders; but it was such a short story that it was extremely superficial. The book ended and I felt like so much was left out and it was just the shell of a story that was offered up. The entire series was offered in a free promo and they are all very short stories so unfortunately this may be exactly what happens with every book in the series. Disappointing.
October 29, 2017
I like this short book, less than 100 pages. Believable characters, good story line, and a really short read. It was nice to be able to read something all the way through in just a couple of hours. As this is just #1 of the series, I look forward to seeing how the characters progress in each additional story.
May 14, 2018
A straightforward mystery about a search and rescue dog handler who solves a murder case. The characters include an irrepressible dog who loves licking the vehicle windows, and a small child with a BIG voice. The mystery hinges on the behavior of a particular species of butterfly. The story is written with simple good humor, and uncomplicated characters.
June 5, 2017
Excellent canine short! Rural issues make trouble for a search and rescue dog trainer whose own pet is a very carefree and happy fellow. They find a body and she has cause to worry that she will be the primary suspect. There's lots more, and some scary suspense. Great quick read!
August 28, 2017
What a delightful story, which sounds unusual considering its a crime book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and loved Chevy, its one of those story's that are so good and easy to read, that I was at the end before I realized; A murder book with dogs, what more can you ask for.
January 3, 2018
Butterfly Boy
I enjoy Mary Hiker's books they feature two of my favorite things - a good mystery and dogs. I can't wait to read the next adventure featuring Chevy the dog who never met a stranger.
I enjoy Mary Hiker's books they feature two of my favorite things - a good mystery and dogs. I can't wait to read the next adventure featuring Chevy the dog who never met a stranger.
June 6, 2019
This was so short, it really shouldn't count as a book read. It was more of a short story, which I do not ever read. I prefer long, long books, or series. The writing was a little sophomoric, which I almost forgive, because - dog. Dog makes everything better.
June 25, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. My attention was grabbed right from the start and was kept right though to the finish. Well done!
July 1, 2017
Who doesn''t enjoy a story having a loveable furr baby playing sidekick in the pursuit of justice? Cute, clean cozy mystery sure to satisfy dog lovers of all ages.
December 2, 2017
Definitely Cute
How could you not be enchanted by a dog with the nickname Butterfly Boy? I certainly was. This is a cute easy to read and enjoy cozy mystery.
How could you not be enchanted by a dog with the nickname Butterfly Boy? I certainly was. This is a cute easy to read and enjoy cozy mystery.
December 31, 2017
Cute, short cozy mystery. Love the animals involved, looking forward to reading more of the series.
January 1, 2018
A short cozy with an adorable dog named Chevy who steals the show even if he doesn't really help solve the mystery.
February 6, 2018
Greatest
Super Book... Quick, to the point. Fast reading and loved the content ... Easy reading with friendly familiar people belong
Super Book... Quick, to the point. Fast reading and loved the content ... Easy reading with friendly familiar people belong
February 27, 2018
Blue butterflies
Learn some trivia in this story about K9's and murder. An interesting quick read involving a snoopy girl and her dog.
Learn some trivia in this story about K9's and murder. An interesting quick read involving a snoopy girl and her dog.
December 14, 2018
This book was exactly what a cozy mystery should be with lots of interesting characters, a good deal of excitement and the hint of romance and more of what is yet to come in future books.
April 23, 2019
Easy read
Although this book was short it contained all the necessary ingredients of a mystery. I enjoyed the clever use of dogs.
Although this book was short it contained all the necessary ingredients of a mystery. I enjoyed the clever use of dogs.
June 10, 2019
Quick read, writer goes into no depth with characters, story line was easy to follow although not fantastic i enjoyed it.
Currently reading
April 9, 2020Too short. Though technically written fairly well written. The process logic is over simplified. Better for teens and young adults.
April 9, 2022
Interesting
Enjoyed reading this book was a quick read
would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about dogs and the habits they acquire
Enjoyed reading this book was a quick read
would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about dogs and the habits they acquire
September 20, 2022
Short but fun
Not a lot of depth because it is so short, bit it is a nice light mystery. I liked the characters and the pacing wasn't bad at all.
Not a lot of depth because it is so short, bit it is a nice light mystery. I liked the characters and the pacing wasn't bad at all.
Read
October 23, 2023got this as boxed set 1-10 free ebooks
she got fired from job
the man who got her fired, she found dead in the field
with her initials on his forehead in sharpie
then the barber she thought did it, she found him dead too
with the help of a dog (not hers, one she helped train)
she got her truck window shot out and tire shot out. then a old man crashed into the back of it
she got fired from job
the man who got her fired, she found dead in the field
with her initials on his forehead in sharpie
then the barber she thought did it, she found him dead too
with the help of a dog (not hers, one she helped train)
she got her truck window shot out and tire shot out. then a old man crashed into the back of it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2025
Even though this book was a mystery, it was short and light. The story moved along and kept things interesting. To me, it was more of a short story than a novel.
February 7, 2017
Very nice cozy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews