Beds, Breakfasts, & Beta Blockers

Three Dog Mysteries #1

by Jann Franklin

Ro Bergeron’s grandparents raised her to be, well, helpless. She can’t boil an egg or keep a plant alive. When Ro inherits her childhood home, she decides to open a bed and breakfast for humans and their canine friends. Running a business catering to people is a big undertaking for thirty-two year old Ro—let alone pets too—yet with faith she is confident she can handle it. She even has her first guests booked for the coming weekend!

But when her meddlesome great aunts find the opportunity to solve a local murder too irresistible, Ro's new life as a business owner is turned upside-down! As Min and Win Rascoe indulge their sleuthing skills, a reluctant Ro and her enthusiastic house guests are drawn into the mystery.

Will the Rascoe sisters and their unconventional team solve the murder before Ro’s high school crush Detective Jason Charbonnet? Can Ro master the skills of cooking and hosting? Will life for Ro in the tiny town of Belle Bayou ever be the same?

This book is the first of the Three Dog Mystery Series.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

259 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2025

About the author

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Jann Franklin Jann Franklin is a faith-based cozy mystery writer attracting readers who enjoy twisty Southern mysteries with a touch of romance and a dose of humor.

Her books offer mysteries in Louisiana with curious clues and characters who exasperate as much as they endear.

These quirky yet charming residents are just like family—sometimes you want to hug them, and sometimes you want to disown them. Immerse yourself in small town culture as you exercise your sleuthing skills and your funny bone.

Jann lives in the small town of Grand Cane, Louisiana with 298 other people. Many of her stories came from living the small-town life. Many years ago she was dragged kicking and screaming back to a small town. Then she encouraged herself to value her small-town roots. Now she can’t imagine living her life any other way.

Jann is a newspaper columnist and the author of several book series about small-town life. Her books center on fictional small towns in southern Louisiana.

She and her husband John enjoy Sundays at Grand Cane Baptist Church, supper with family and friends, and the sense of community that comes from living the small-town life. Their kids come to visit, when they aren’t too busy living their big-city lives.

Reviews

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ro Bergeron inherits her grandparents’ home and decides to open a bed and breakfast which caters to humans and their canines. Ro has no experience with this venture, but she’s excited about the opportunity. She already has her first guests booked. A nice couple and their dogs.

Things turn a bit messy when Ro’s great-aunts decide they want to investigate a local murder. Ro is determined to keep them out of trouble, so she joins forces with them. In fact, her new B&B guests are also true crime buffs and ready to lend a helping hand.

The author brought me right into the heart of Louisiana. It had an authentic flavor to it. The setting came alive for me, someone who has never been there before.

The cast of characters are truly quirky. They kept me laughing from start to finish. Ro’s twin great-aunts, Win and Min, are LOL material. There’s even a potential romance in the air. Of course, the story, also, features Ro’s three dogs who are a bit rambunctious to say the least.

The storyline moves at a fast pace. It's a delightful, sweet cozy. It's the perfect book to sit back, kick off your shoes and relax. It's an enjoyable story and keeps you captivated until the end. I’ll be on the lookout for the next book in this series.







FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I absolutely adore this author’s sense of humor and found myself laughing out loud – or at least chuckling – on nearly every page of her newest faith-based cozy mystery Beds, Breakfasts, and Beta Blockers! The protagonist, thirty-something Ro Bergeron, endeared herself to me right away with her witty blend of self-awareness and life ‘unawareness’, if I may coin a new word. Bless her heart, her grandparents who raised her basically did everything for her and kept her pretty sheltered, but the events of this book prove she’s got a good head on her shoulders, a big heart, and a winsome outlook on life. Considering that she has never even used an oven before and certainly never cooked or baked anything, nor owned a dog, her plan to open a dog-friendly bed and breakfast seems pretty ambitious. But one huge point in Ro’s favor is how her family and friends look out for her – she’s blessed indeed to have the community of support that she has.

Speaking of family… Ro’s septuagenarian twin great-aunts defy explanation but oh what fun these zany sisters bring to the book. In fact, they’re the source of most of my laughter while reading Beds, Breakfasts, and Beta Blockers. Much like Shorty in this author’s Small Town Girl Mysteries, I adored reading about Win and Min but I think in real life they would slowly (or not so slowly) drive me insane LOL. I did get a little twitchy on Ro’s behalf a time or ten, but they’re just so delightfully quirky (another reviewer called them ‘kooky’ and that’s a perfect descriptor) that you can’t help but love them in spite of their intrusive meddling and nonsensical logic. (Pretty sure they’re never going to call Ro’s three new dogs anything but coyotes though, and if they do I admit I’ll be oddly disappointed haha). Another pair of supporting characters that defy explanation in this book are Ro’s first B&B guests – you’re just going to have to meet them for yourself. I thought *I* was a true crime fan… but this husband and wife team have me beat by far, which works out perfectly (depending on who you ask) when their stay coincides with a rare murder in Belle Bayou. And of course Win & Min have to meddle in that too, ramping up the entertainment factor – and the opportunities to giggle – all the more.

Bottom Line: Beds, Breakfasts, and Beta Blockers by Jann Franklin is a hilarious and endearing story with small town drama, eccentric characters, a murder mystery, and some madcap mayhem that entertained me thoroughly. I read this book in one sitting, with a big grin on my face from start to finish and frequent laughter breaks at the character’s antics and witty writing narrative. Ro, her twin great-aunts Win and Min, her bestie Lucy, her cousin Marshall, and of course her three dogs all have such big personalities, and I can’t wait to see where this series takes such a lovable group. I also love how faith and prayer are depicted as a natural part of the characters’ lives without feeling forced or out of place. Beds, Breakfasts, and Beta Blockers is a really fun start to a charming new series and a breath of fresh air for world-weary hearts.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose, who is a “coffee addict” has opened a B&B that caters for dogs as well. She adopts an old dog & two young labradors. She has two customers & their dogs & when someone is murdered Rose with her great-aunts & the boarders have a great time solving it.

[Katreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

BEDS, BREAKFASTS, AND BETA BLOCKERS by Jann Franklin
The First Three Dog Mystery

Rose Louise Bergeron is different. Some might call her weird. Having been raised by her grandparents after her parents ran off she prefers classic movies and real books to pop culture and e-readers. An old soul she's content to remain in the small town of Belle Bayou, Louisiana. Now that her grandparents have both died, Ro decided to turn the family home into a B&B, one that welcomes dogs as well as people. Never mind that she doesn't know how to cook. Or that she knows nothing about dogs. She's booked her first guests and she's ready to learn! While she's preparing to become a business woman the talk around town is the suspicious death of Mr. Tippin, Ro's high school algebra teacher. Was it murder? Ro's great aunts are determined to find out, roping Ro into their investigation. It can't be that hard to learn how to cook, corral a posse of dogs, host paying guests, and solve a murder. Can it?

Admittedly, I wasn't too sure about Rose Louise at first. Her naivete was a bit much. But as I continued reading she really grew on me, as naive and silly as she was, she truly cared and wanted to improve and make it on her own. She had just never been given the tools to do so. Aunties Min and Win are an absolute hoot and I love how they can be genteel southern ladies and yet are true crime mavens to boot! Poor cousin Marshall, a rare voice of reason. And what a couple Ro's first guests are. I loved how they fit right in! And I absolutely love Sadie and the coyotes! I hope we get to meet Cousin Rooster in future books. While some of the premises are indeed silly, they lightened my heart and made me laugh! I'm still giggling about the reason for the change in church service times.

While the murder was mentioned early on at first Ro wasn't involved in investigating at all. Heaven knows she had enough on her plate. However, with pushes from her great aunts, also known as the Bossies, and her guests Mr. and Mrs. Macintosh, Ro becomes a reluctant sleuth. Although soon, she's not that reluctant! I love how they all worked together as a team, harebrained schemes and all!

Quirky characters and laugh out loud moments make BEDS, BREAKFASTS, AND BETA BLOCKERS a delightfully funny romp through small town Louisiana.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

New, fun and quirky, dog-centric cozy mystery debut set in small-town Louisiana.

Beds, Breakfasts, and Beta Blockers is the first book in author Jann Franklin’s new series, the Three Dog Mysteries, and it is a delightful visit to small-town Louisiana, where everyone knows your name and your business. After Ro Bergeron’s grandmother passes away, she decides to turn her family farm in tiny Belle Bayou, Louisiana, into a bed and breakfast targeting guests who travel with their dogs. However, the engaging heroine with her quirky family, while absolutely adorable, is woefully underprepared to embark on her new venture.

Ro is such an innocent and optimistic young woman, and she is completely convinced that everything will be great as she opens her home for business, even though she doesn’t know how to turn on her new oven, let alone cook breakfast. She’s good-hearted, and thankfully, so is her close-knit family, with whom she depends to help smooth out her first attempt at successful innkeeping. Otherwise, she has a good head on her shoulders, which comes in handy when her first guests, a couple of true crime fans, prove to be more interested in the investigation into the recent murder of her former high school math teacher than anything else.

Ro’s twin maiden aunts, Min and Win, are quirky whirlwinds throughout the story, and her cousin Marshall, surrounded by the women in his life, is an often put-upon but loving family man. To set the stage for her dog-friendly B&B, Ro adopts the three dogs of a local man, sadly relocating to a New Orleans senior facility at the behest of his son. Having never owned a pet in her life, Ro experiences a quick “Come to Jesus” when two of the dogs prove to be rambunctious, untrained labs, and the third is an aging senior dog.

The plot is well-paced, with the author introducing readers to Ro, her family, friends, and other supporting characters and developing a pretty robust backstory for all. While the death of the victim occurs early in the story, Ro doesn’t become directly involved until her true-crime, social media-obsessed guests arrive and strong-arm her into a meet & greet with the investigator on the case, Ro’s secret high school crush. The clueless guests, the antics of the aunties, and Ro’s miscalculations had me laughing throughout the entire book.

I recommend BEDS, BREAKFASTS, AND BETA BLOCKERS to cozy mystery readers.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beds, Breakfasts, and Beta Blockers by Jann Franklin is the first book in the new Three Dog Mystery series. I absolutely loved it! In fact, I think this is going to be one of my new favorite cozy mystery series!

Ro Begereron is such a great main character! She is in her early thirties and was raised by her grandparents who did everything for her. Her twin great-aunts helped since they live on the same family plot of land. Now that her grandmother has passed away, Ro decides to open a dog friendly B & B even though, like I said, had everything done for her while growing up … which means she doesn’t know how to do anything! She can’t cook and who knows how she’s going to keep the books without help! Then, right before opening, she finds out that an elderly neighbor has to rehome his dog…make that three dogs. What does Ro do? Of course, she takes them all!

Since this is a first in series book, you’ll be introduced to a lot of characters. Don’t worry. You’ll be able to keep track of them pretty quickly. I did get some of the suspects mixed up for a bit, but I got them straightened out. If you’re a fan of quirky characters, you’ll love Ro’s great-aunts Win and Min. They’re twins who are in their 70s, and they get in everybody’s business. Ro’s cousin Marshall owns the small town’s coffee shop which Ro frequents every day to get her coffee fix. She’s got a bit of an addiction to caffeine in general whether it be coffee or iced tea. Ro’s BFF from high school is married to the mayor who has all sorts of crazy ideas to bring revenue into the town’s coffers. There are a few more characters who will most likely play parts in the series as well, but this gives you an idea of how eclectic these townsfolk are.

Ro’s first visitors arrive right after a murder has occurred. You’d think this would be a deterrent and possibly make them want to hightail it out of there, but no. These two are huge true crime fans, and this adds another layer of hilarity to the story. I just cannot tell you how crazy all of these characters get! I loved them!

As you can probably tell, this is a character driven story, and they are what give it its charm. Solving the murder is so much fun because of how much the characters are invested in solving it! Like I mentioned, there are several suspects, and they’ve all got good motives. The characters try to zero in on motives and opportunities. You can tell they watch a lot of murder mysteries!

I highly recommend Beds, Breakfasts, and Beta Blockers mainly because of the kooky characters and the hilarious dialogue and events in the book! I’m looking forward to seeing what they get up to next! 5 huge stars!!!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Megan Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be Jann Franklin's best cozy mystery yet!

Ro Bergeron introduces us to the adorable village of Belle Bayou where she's excited to open a B&B and take charge of her life as a thirty-something adult, but her plans go sideways when her old algebra teacher is found dead and everyone in town suspects foul play. Now her meddlesome and overbearing septuagenarian aunts Min and Win are convinced they can catch the killer and they rope Ro into helping them. Toss in Ro's anxious older cousin Marshall, two overzealous house guests, and her old flame from high school turned police detective and life for Ro Bergeron just got a whole lot more interesting! Not to mention the three dogs she adopts after which the series is named.

One of Jann Franklin's best qualities as a writer is her gift for creating characters that sparkle. This book is filled with all sorts and every one of them is memorable and fun. You will empathize with Ro as she navigates her young adult life in Belle Bayou amid interference from her great aunts, trying to learn to cook and take care of dogs and run a business, nevermind the amateur sleuthing! The journey we go on with Ro is a wild ride, but it's completely worth it by the end (with a promise of more to come!)

This book made me laugh out loud and kept me entertained from start to finish. If you love a good cozy mystery with humor and a whole lot of heart, look no further than this new series from Jann Franklin.

The opinion expressed above is my own, but I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review before the book launches, February 20th.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready to laugh with this zany bunch in Belle Bayou!

The first of the Three Dog Mysteries introduces Rose Louise Bergeron, a winsome if salty-tongued woman slipping into her thirties without having decided what she wants to be when she grows up. Put aside by her parents, Ro grew up loved and spoiled by her grandparents, who are now dead. While inheriting ten acres of farmland and a charming old cottage takes the sting out of her grief and solitary status in a small Louisiana town, our heroine wants more from life and yearns to succeed at something, or anything. She leases her acreage to a neighbor to cultivate so she can focus on turning the house into a dog-friendly bed and breakfast. Her first guests are confirmed before the public health inspector grants approval of the venture. Not knowing how to cook, or whether she even likes dogs, Ro is wondering if she’s on the wrong track. Meanwhile, the town’s aflutter with speculation about the recent death of her high school math teacher. Was it murder? A secret crush from those awkward teenage years has recently resurfaced and is now the police detective in charge of the case. This sweet and sassy mystery is sharp and lively, with just the right balance of humor, light romance, and spiritual insight. Jann Franklin has created a fine cast of lovable and hilarious characters. I’m looking forward to my next trip to Belle Bayou!

I received a pre-pub e-copy of the book. These thoughts express my honest opinion.

[Leslie Felger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful and quirky start to the Three Dog Mystery Series! Beds, Breakfasts, & Beta Blockers is part cozy mystery, part small town comedy, and 100% heartwarming. Ro Bergeron is the kind of main character you can’t help but root for hopeless in the kitchen, completely unprepared to run a business, but full of heart and determination. Watching her bumble through B&B ownership with humans and dogs as guests is both hilarious and endearing.

The real scene stealers, though, are Ro’s great aunts, Min and Win. Their meddling is equal parts maddening and charming, and their unexpected knack for amateur sleuthing had me laughing out loud. The mystery itself is engaging without being too heavy, which fits perfectly with the light, humorous tone of the story.

What I especially loved was the sense of community and chaos that came from Ro’s guests becoming entangled in the investigation. The slow burn rekindling of Ro’s connection with her high school crush, Detective Charbonnet, added a sweet, romantic thread without overshadowing the mystery.

Jann Franklin does a wonderful job creating a cozy world full of eccentric, lovable characters. Belle Bayou feels like a place you’d want to visit assuming there isn’t a murder happening, of course. I’m already looking forward to the next adventure with Ro and her unforgettable entourage.

[Jody Reads Smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beds, Breakfasts, & Beta Blockers is a delightful and humorous murder mystery novel. The story follows Ro Bergeron, a woman on a quest for self-discovery who faces various challenges along the way.

Ro has a unique and amusing background. Raised by her grandparents, she enters adulthood lacking basic skills, like boiling an egg or nurturing a plant. However, after inheriting her childhood home following her parents' passing, she decides to open a bed and breakfast for both people and their dogs. This decision sparks a series of events highlighting her desire for independence and personal growth, which is central to the plot.

Franklin’s writing style is humorous, drawing readers into Ro’s quirky world. As Ro welcomes her first guests at the start of her new venture, the story sets a warm and inviting tone, laying the groundwork for unfolding her initial plans, including a hint of villainy.

Thank you to the author and Lori, from Great Escapes Book Tours for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, those great aunts, Min and Win Rascoe, were the BEST part! They totally stole every scene they were in. Their whole thing of sticking their noses into the murder investigation? Hilarious! They're so determined, even when they're totally messing things up. But you can't help but love them. They're just so... weirdly sweet. Like, they're completely off the wall, but in the most charming way possible. They just made me laugh so much, and I was always excited to see what they'd do next. They were the perfect mix of crazy and lovable.

[Daves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bed and Breakfast and Murder by Ro Bergeron is a charming, lighthearted mystery that follows Ro, a woman who inherits her childhood home and decides to open a bed and breakfast for people and their dogs. Completely unprepared for the challenges of running a business, Ro’s life is further complicated when her meddling great aunts, amateur detectives, drag her into a local murder investigation. With a mix of humor, quirky characters, and a bit of romance with a local detective, this book offers an entertaining and easy read perfect for fans of cozy mysteries.

[Eileen Keir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit by Jann Franklin

Loved the mystery, the story of small town life, and the quirky characters. The twins had to be my favorites! But the Macintoshes added much to the story and presented a number of challenges for Ro, the main character. They were all the kind of people you want to love one minute and slap some sense into the next.

The dogs were definitely a plus. Such a cute idea--opening a bed and breakfast where dogs and their humans are welcome!

Humor is definitely a forte of Jann's and the hint of future romance is something I look forward to.

[Luna Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and charming mystery with lovable characters and plenty of humor! Ro’s journey from helpless to bed-and-breakfast owner is both heartwarming and hilarious, while her great aunts bring endless fun with their meddlesome sleuthing. The mix of cozy mystery, small-town charm, and lovable dogs makes this a must-read for fans of lighthearted whodunits. Can't wait to read more in the Three Dog Mystery Series!

[Joy E. Rancatore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jann Franklin may have started a new series, but she has carried over the charm and humor and sass from her previous works into her Three Dog Mysteries. Ro is a delightful lead, supported perfectly by her cast of family and friends who encourage and comfort and properly antagonize her throughout her journey to entrepreneurship and amateur sleuthing. Belle Bayou makes you wish it were a real town so you could book your next vacation with your pups at Cher Chien.

[Sherri Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved getting acquainted with Rose and her friends and family. Min and Win are a hoot! The characters are well described so I feel like I know them! Love the humorous situations! Several laugh out loud moments! I very much enjoyed this entertaining story and can’t wait to see what happens next! I read an early copy of the book and these are my personal impressions.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found 'Three Dog Mystery' to be an average cozy mystery. The premise was interesting, but the characters and plot were a bit predictable. The writing was fine, but it didn't really grab me. I think a book trailer that really showcased the book's quirky charm and the adorable dogs would have been a great way to boost interest and make it more memorable.

[Cindy Pye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so entertaining and surprising. It kept me on my toes. I love the twin great aunts who immerse themselves in Ro's life, lovingly, of course. This little town and the characters remind me of my hometown and the people who lived there. The murder mystery kept me guessing. I highly recommend this book.

[Virginia Winfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this start to a new cozy mystery series. I loved how fun and crazy this story is. I really enjoyed how Ro gets sucked in to this murder by everyone around her. I loved all the residents of this small town. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read that will make you laugh out loud in spots. It has wonderful characters and just enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.
I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Lailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is more than just a mystery; it's a story about personal growth, finding your place, and the power of community. The themes of faith and perseverance are woven throughout the narrative in a subtle and meaningful way.

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

The small-town setting is rendered with such affection that it becomes a character in itself. The quirky residents, the local atmosphere, and the general sense of community are all beautifully portrayed. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I really loved how the author managed to keep things funny and suspenseful at the same time. It made the whole book super enjoyable. Like, you'd be chuckling one minute, and then totally hooked on the mystery the next. It was a really good balance.

[Lucia Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem! The unique premise of a bed and breakfast for humans and their dogs is inspired, and the author executes it perfectly. The mystery is clever and well-written, and the characters are simply wonderful. A must-read for any cozy mystery lover.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm already hooked on this series! The author has created a world and characters that I want to revisit. I can't wait to see what adventures Ro and her aunts get into next. If you're looking for a cozy mystery with heart and humor, this is it!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The overall storyline was decent, but it didn't offer any major surprises. It followed a fairly standard cozy mystery template.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing is engaging and easy to read, making it a perfect escape. The story flows smoothly, and the author's voice is charming.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average cozy mystery. Needed more character depth. A trailer would've highlighted the charm.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there had been more depth to Ro's character.

[Moriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish the mystery had been a little more intense.