The Dogwalkers' Detective Agency

The Dogwalkers' Detective Agency #1

by Michael Hogan

PAWS FOR THOUGHT…THERE’S MURDER AFOOT IN FRAMSTONE


Cosy crime, wagging tails and one mystery too deadly to ignore.

'Brilliant - I inhaled it...this is my dream book' CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN

'This sweet, big-hearted novel is like The Thursday Murder Club With Dogs' MARIAN KEYES

'A delight for lovers of cosy crime, and a must for all lovers of a good mystery involving dogs!' PETER JAMES

'Charming, big-hearted, and with a gigantic twist. But frankly, you had me at dogs' JOJO MOYES

--
They've got a lot of leads...but can they collar a killer?

When Charlie Boardman and his beloved Staffy, Ruby, stumble across a corpse in the woods, the sleepy coastal town of Framstone is rocked by the discovery that the local pub landlord has been murdered.

Charlie and his fellow dogwalkers take it upon themselves to try and sniff out any clues that might help the local police with their investigation.

But what begins as idle speculation and gossip quickly becomes something more sinister, when Charlie starts receiving anonymous threats warning him off the case.

Then, a second body washes up on the beach…

Can Charlie hunt down a killer, before he becomes the next victim?

--

Authors and reviewers are barking mad for The Dogwalkers' Detective Agency!

'A heartwarming, satisfying page-turner with a delicious final twist that made me gasp' DAISY BUCHANAN
'Wit, charm, warmth and dogs - what more could you want from a cracking whodunnit?' LUCY MANGAN
'Funny, big-hearted, cosy but never comatose, The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency is an absolute must-read for all dog lovers - and even you strange cat people too!' MIKE GAYLE
'What a joy The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency is – once I began reading it I just couldn’t put it down. Funny and ingeniously plotted, this is a terrific debut' JILL MANSELL
'Michael Hogan is a hilariously funny writer, and this is a total treat' JENNY COLGAN
'Subtle, absorbing and bursting with rambunctious, tail-wagging charm. I was grinning and gripped from the very first page' JIMI FAMUREWA
'I couldn't stop devouring the pages here, packed with such warmth, fun and breezy humour' FIONA GIBSON

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Adult, Cozy, Contemporary

467 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025

About the author

Michael Hogan is a writer, editor and broadcaster with a 30-year career in journalism.

As a freelance writer for the past 12 years, he’s been TV critic for the Telegraph and written for the Guardian, Observer, Radio Times, the BBC, Red, Q, Empire, Marie Claire, Grazia, Glamour, InStyle, Esquire, ES, and You magazine. Michael now writes mainly about TV and pop culture, but also turns his hand to lifestyle pieces, topical comment, celebrity interviews and humorous articles.

He lives in London with his family and a rescue dog called Ivy. To escape them all and get some work/procrastination done, he commutes to a shed at the bottom of his garden.

The Dogwalkers' Detective Agency is his debut novel.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie is a dogwalker in a sleepy British seaside town. While walking the dogs in the woods one day, he stumbles upon a body. The local pub landlord has been murdered.

The gossip around town reigns supreme and everyone wants to know who did it, but Charlie knows a detail that didn’t make the papers: the dogs found two wigs near the victim. And Charlie knows the detective on the case quite well because he went to school with her. So he and his fellow dogwalkers think they have a leg up on the others and decide to start their own investigation. But Charlie quickly gets the feeling that he’s being watched.


This is the author’s debut novel, and it mostly doesn’t feel like it. It’s a little bit too long, but the chapters are quite short so it moves at quite a fast pace. There are dogs, which is always a bonus. There is a good mystery with quite a few twists. And there are a lot of fun busybody characters.


There are lots of puns and fun references sprinkled throughout the book. This influences the story in a good way and really make this a fun read. It also adds some personality to the characters. It’s clear Charlie loves his dog very much. Like when there’s danger, his first instinct is to protect his dog. This is very much appreciated. It’s also realistic as it’s very relatable for people who love their dogs. I also like how Charlie uses walking his dog to his advantage in the investigation, as it makes it easier to “accidentally” run into people he wants to talk to.


This story has dogs and an interesting mystery. Apparently that’s all you need to convince me sometimes. Now, it needs to be said that this book is a bit too long for its own good. Still, no regrets. It’s a solid, light and rather cozy murder mystery with some fun characters.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eigenlijk vond ik hem wel heel leuk. kneuterig. dorp aan zee. herfst. alleen het laatste hoofdstuk voelde overbodig. hoezo geven 3 mensen in 24 uur genadeslag aan hetzelfde slachtoffer, het plot hoeft echt niet overbodig te worden.

[Auđur · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*

[Niamh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ very slow first half, did have a good twist though

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously I was going to like it... I love dogs and own two m̶o̶r̶o̶n̶s̶ dogs myself...one of which is a rehome.

I DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS A DEBUT! But I'm hoping this is just the beginning and we'll get to hear a lot more from Charlie, Ruby and their friends...they're all such great characters, humans and canines alike.

Doused in mystery and murder, the plot is compelling and had me hooked!

It's written with warmth and fun, and was an absolute joy to read.

However, my only criticism is the title of Chapter 10 'More bodies than the Somme'...I felt it was a very poor choice of words considering how many people lost their lives, even on the first day.

[Barb (Boxermommyreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed this book last month when I was perusing the "New Release" shelf at my local library. I'm sure it is a shock to no one why I gravitated towards it. I have to admit it wasn't a perfect read but for the author's debut, it definitely was a solid one.

Charlie has moved back to his hometown of Framstone to take care of his ailing mother. He is a self-employed graphic designer who spends a lot of time walking his precious Staffy Ruby and hanging out with a group of dogwalkers in town. One day when walking a favorite path in the woods, Charlie and Ruby stumble across the body of an ex-copper in town. Although a bit shook up, he and his friends decide to start looking into the death on their own, and their activities only intensify when Charlie discovers another body on the beach. On top of that, Charlie starts receiving threats against his mother and Ruby. He tries to back off the investigation but finds he misses his cronies too much and he is tired of living in fear. Can Charlie and the gang solve the crime when the police seem to be spinning their wheels? And more importantly, can Charlie keep his mom and Ruby (let's be honest, that is who I am worried about) safe in the process?

I loved Charlie, his group of colorful friends, and all of their pets. Charlie also renews a friendship with an old high school crush, who happens to be a very married Detective now, which aids in the sharing of information as the plot thickens. This book also has a lot of twists and turns, including the one at the very end I really didn't see coming.

My only real complaint is the length of the book. Just shy of 500 pages, it seems a bit lengthy for a mystery. However, the chapters are extremely short, and the author somehow manages to come up with a title for each one. This kept me interested and helped the pages turn quite quickly. I also was a bit worried about Ruby about 45% into the book. Let's say she managed to come away unharmed, and she and the other dogs ended up helping take down the culprit, but it was a bit dicey for a while.

I'm not sure if this is the beginning of a series or if it's a standalone. I would definitely pick up another book in this world and would love visiting with the old gang and their lovable pooches again. If you like small-town vibe mysteries, and don't mind a lengthy read, this one might be for you. Oh, and don't forget dogs!

[Helena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, to me, this book is a prime example of great premise but bad execution. The dialogue is clunky, almost like someone is ticking off dialogue with an NPC in a video game. The characters were one dimensional. The social commentary was constant, oddly placed in conversation, and delivered by characters who had no business doing so.

Also, WHAT THE F- is this random final ending bit?? That's just, not necessary.

[Bithia Rissinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Synopsis:
Charlie Boardman’s daily dog Charlie Boardman’s daily dog walks with his Staffordshire bull terrier, Ruby, take a deadly turn when they discover the body of a local pub landlord hidden in the woods. Determined to help solve the murder, Charlie and his fellow dog walkers begin piecing together clues alongside the police.

What starts as neighborhood curiosity soon becomes far more dangerous when Charlie begins receiving anonymous warnings to stop asking questions. As another body is discovered, it becomes clear that a killer is still at large.

With suspicion growing and danger closing in, Charlie and Ruby must uncover the truth before the investigation claims another victim—possibly Charlie himself walks with his Staffordshire bull terrier, Ruby, take a deadly turn when they discover the body of a local pub landlord hidden in the woods. Determined to help solve the murder, Charlie and his fellow dog walkers begin piecing together clues alongside the police.

What starts as neighborhood curiosity soon becomes far more dangerous when Charlie begins receiving anonymous warnings to stop asking questions. As another body is discovered, it becomes clear that a killer is still at large.

With suspicion growing and danger closing in, Charlie and Ruby must uncover the truth before the investigation claims another victim—possibly Charlie himself

Review:
Told primarily from Charlie’s point of view, with one brief section shifting to a third-person perspective, this mystery features a lively and diverse cast of both human and canine characters. While the dogs are charming, I found myself wishing they played a much larger role in the story.

The short, digestible chapters make the novel easy to read, but unfortunately they aren’t enough to overcome the slow pacing. The first half drags considerably, with repetitive scenes and very little plot progression. In my opinion, the first 50% could have been condensed to a third of its length without losing any important background or character development.

One of my biggest frustrations was the mystery itself. Charlie and the other dog walkers seem to appoint themselves as investigators without any convincing reason to believe they can succeed where the police cannot. Despite repeatedly receiving anonymous warning messages, they uncover no meaningful leads, identify no real suspects, and conduct very little actual investigation beyond asking a few harmless questions. The threats feel more like an attempt to create artificial suspense than a natural part of the story, especially since only one member of the group is targeted despite everyone supposedly being involved.

The mystery’s resolution was also disappointing. The explanation of the killer relies heavily on speculation rather than evidence, with far too many “maybe” and “I don’t know” moments. The clues are so vague and loosely connected that it’s nearly impossible for the reader to reach the same conclusion. Instead of feeling cleverly constructed, the reveal feels like guesswork.

Charlie himself was difficult for me to believe. For a man his age, he comes across as surprisingly naive about the realities of abuse, policing, and the world around him, often relying on his elderly mother to explain these issues. Fortunately, the supporting cast is much stronger, with believable personalities and enjoyable interactions.

One detail I particularly appreciated was the author’s reintroduction of the dogs throughout the story. It was a thoughtful touch that made it easy to remember which dog belonged to whom, especially with such a large cast. I also appreciated the diversity represented among both the human and canine characters.

The novel tackles meaningful topics, including child sexual abuse, LGBTQ+ acceptance, and the importance of living authentically. Those themes add emotional weight to the story, and I especially liked its message about embracing who you are and taking pride in your identity.

Although the pacing was a major obstacle, there was one genuinely unexpected twist near the end that helped redeem the final portion of the book. The author’s clear, concise writing style also makes the lengthy novel an easy read, even when the story itself loses momentum.

Overall, this is a worthwhile read with an engaging cast and important themes, but it’s held back by an overly long, repetitive first half and a mystery that never feels fully earned. I enjoyed it, but I spent too much of the book waiting for something significant to happen.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5 stars, or 6/10). Most of the points I deducted were due to the sluggish pacing and the fact that it takes over half the book before the story truly becomes engaging

[Chastity]

This is one of the picks for a bookclub, and I just can't get into it. It is no fault of the book at all. As a mood reader, it just isn't what I am wanting to read at the moment. I may absolutely pick it up again at some other point in time!

[Carol Farrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book combined two of my favorite things. Dogs and crime. A dog walker, Charlie, who is letting his charges roam the woods off leash is surprised when they return carrying something furry and bloody. Concerned about what they caught he moves closer to investigate. True to the stereotype dogs roaming freely in the woods have discovered a body. This leads to Charlie and his dogs discovering more bodies and being followed and threatened by a mysterious person. He and his group of dog walker friends decide to investigate. Several twists and turns and unexpected reveals keep it interesting. This is definitely a cozy mystery which is what I’m in the mood for currently.

[Ali Radbourne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really didn’t need to be as long as it is, it’s like 40% too long for the content with too much repetition. It’s a fair enough story but really not worth so much effort.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dogwalkers' Detective Agency by Michael Hogan was a delight, mostly because of all the adorable dogs! After working in London for years as a graphic designer, Charlie Boardman moves back home to the sleepy coastal town of Framstone where his mother lives. She has been having some medical issues, so Charlie settles in Framstone and takes on some freelance graphic design work while also walking dogs. Charlie spends his mornings at the local coffee shop with several other dogwalkers, then his afternoons roaming the woods and beaches with his Staffordshire bull terrier named Ruby and sometimes other dogs.

One morning while walking through the woods with Ruby and other dogs, Charlie stumbles upon a corpse in the woods. The local community is shocked when the identity of the victim is discovered. Curious as to who could have committed such a horrible crime in sleepy Framstone, Charlie and the other dogwalkers search for clues to help the local police with their investigation. Soon anonymous threats are leveled against the amateur detectives, leading Charlie to abandon the case. When another body washes up on shore and other assaults occur, the others push on with their investigations hoping to stop another resident of Framstone becoming a victim.

The Dogwalkers' Detective Agency is a long cozy mystery full of quite short chapters which helps the book move at a nice pace. With different types of dogs and their busybody owners, this novel was a delight. If you're looking for a debut full of mystery and murder, give this book a try!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not usually a fan of the so-called cozy mystery genre, in fact I seem to have lost my appetite for mysteries in general in recent years. Maybe it was because of all the dogs inhabiting this particular book, and because I myself did a stint as a professional dog walker in a long ago period of my life, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The plot was character-driven, and the characters were wonderfully drawn and mostly likable, without a hint of the annoyingly cutesy-pie quirkiness so often typical of the cozy mystery genre. It was nice to listen to a relatively light work of fiction that was smartly written and with kind, interesting, relatable characters (and their doggie cohorts). It felt as if I had entered this small town, and gradually gotten to know the various inhabitants. Dog walkers really do tend to come across things that other people might miss, and though I myself never encountered any criminal activity, finding a dead body in the woods while dog walking seems quite plausible in the context of this book! There was wry humor and an intelligent poignancy to the plot. The audiobook narration was excellent. I hear that the second book in this series is due out later this year. I’m already looking forward to reading it.

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

Charlie Boardman and his dog Ruby have returned to the small seaside town where he grew up. His mother has been getting forgetful, and he wants to be there for her. He does some freelance graphic design, but makes ends meet by walking dogs for people. It's provided him with a group of friends as well, since most people he was in school with have moved away.

On one of his walks, the dogs run into the nearby woods and find a couple of wigs. When Charlie does some investigating, he discovers a dead body. The victim is a popular local pub owner and ex-cop. One bright spot for Charlie is that one of the investigating detedisxa woman he went to school with, which is a nice surprise.

However. As Charlie and his friends investigate, things become more dangerous, and another murder and a beating occur; things become personal for Charlie when he starts receiving anonymous threats.

This book had a lot of characters (human and canine) to keep track of, but it was worth it. Not just for the characters and the dogs, but for a few pretty good laughs and a great mystery. I hope there's another before too long.

[Helen the Bassist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a cosy murder mystery, with lovely characters and even more lovely dogs. Unfortunately, many of the cultural references would go right over the heads of most under-30s, and possibly under-40s, and somebody needs to explain to the author the difference between Deduction and Induction.

Good for a rainy Sunday afternoon on the sofa, although how does one plan a sequel without it becoming 'Murder She Wrote' with Dogs?

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie Boardman comes back to his hometown. His mother is having some medical issues and as there is nothing really keeping him where he is, it's the natural thing to do. When out walking their aging Staffy Ruby along with a couple of other canine friends, he comes across a body. The victim is a local publican - but why are there two wigs? The dogs are playing tug of war with them.

Along with some other doggy friends, who meet up in a local cafe, they decide that they need to solve this mystery.

This was a bit of a mixed bag. I loved the dogs. I found the characters a bit of a mixed bag. The book is over long in many instances but I felt more time could have gone into expanding details on the characters in the Detective Agency. Overall it was an enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

[Ellen Boardman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent cosy crime debut from Michael Hogan. Thoroughly enjoyed!!

[Samantha Parker-Zillich · Rating 3 out of 5]

A murder mystery perfect for dog lovers. I would've enjoyed the book more if it was shorter, more realistic, and had less typos. 

CW: child sexual abuse, animal cruelty, drug abuse

[Renita Cohill]

Just it my type of read..

[H Svinos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a while to get into it

I wasn't as enamoured with this book as others. Full of cliches it felt like the author was trying to hard. A similar style to the Thursday Murder Club but asking the spark of the former. In the books defence, I had just been reading a gripping crime thriller prior to this and listening to the Strike Series on Audible so that may have affected my view. I warmed to the book as I got more than halfway but still didn't find it a page turner to the end, hence only giving 4 stars.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie Boardman had noticed that dead bodies were often discovered by dog walkers, but even though he was one, the body he found in his local woods still came as a very unpleasant surprise! Thankfully, he has a group of dog owning friends to rely on when he begins his own investigation even if he has known the lead detective since school. His dog walking business, set up after he returned to live at home to keep an eye on his mum, does however give him good reason to be out and about in areas where maybe he shouldn't really be! When anonymous notes start arriving, the danger level increases, but he can’t stop now, not when he's getting closer to their killer, or is the killer actually getting closer to him?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, but the opinions expressed are my own. The first book in a new series this was a fun read but also, I think, a bit on the long side! Charlie Boardman is a good main protagonist, but his friend Tess Cheong was my favourite character along with her brilliantly named dogs. I will definitely give book two a chance as, apart from the length and a couple of annoyances, which could be spoilers, this was an enjoyable read.

[Rowena Onions · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terminally slow!!

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This debut novel has an interesting scenario and a fun cast of characters (I'm not aware of any other author who has featured dog-walking detectives), but it is poorly developed.

Charlie's character is likeable, but he seems to be a mix of two different people. In many ways, he is naive and quite elderly in his outlook (he's described as being in his 30s, but sounds much older), which would work if he had lived all his life with his mum and never had a proper job. But we are told that he has recently returned from a career in London, and also get hints about a less law-abiding past and a better-than-average knowledge of drug dealing. Possibly, this is an attempt to build up a back story that can be used in future novels, but it feels quite jarring.

The book is WAY too long - far too many painstakingly recorded conversations between the dog-walkers that don't do anything to move the story forward. I'm guessing this is a novice attempt at 'building character', but it quickly becomes tedious. I estimate the book could have been cut by at least a third without missing anything important.

I also felt that the dogwalking group didn't do much actual detecting, and when they finally 'solve' the crime, it's more a case of 'well, this person could have done that' rather than them coming up with any hard proof. It's also hard to understand why Charlie becomes the focus of mysterious threats and warnings to stop detecting - it's obviously an attempt to build up tension, but since he is not doing any more detecting than anyone else, it makes no sense that he is the only one to be targeted.

But the biggest blunder is the final 'twist' at the end, which would only work if there was no proper autopsy and no proper forensic work carried out on the crime scene. Red fibres are discovered on the victim's clothing, which the police decide belong to a mass-produced football scarf belonging to a suspect. They also decide that, although the victim was beaten over the head with a heavy object, it was a stab wound from a specific knife which killed him. But right at the end of the book, one of Charlie's dog-walking friends confesses to the killing - by finding the victim alive after he was stabbed with a knife by someone else and then finishing him off with a knitting needle. And the red fibres are from her double-knitting wool...Seriously?!!!!

With all these issues, 3 stars feels a bit generous, but it IS a debut novel, and I feel that there is the potential for this to turn into a really good series if the author can iron out these problems in future novels. I'd certainly be willing to give the next book a chance.

[Devi · Rating 3 out of 5]

📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 480 pages
⏱ Duration: 5 hours
🏷️ Publisher name: Pegasus Crime
📅 Release Date: June 2, 2026
ARC provided by Edelweiss

I went into this one expecting cozy mystery vibes with dogs, amateur sleuthing, and a quirky small-town investigation. And to be fair, the premise absolutely delivers on that promise. A group of dogwalkers stumbling into a murder mystery is exactly the kind of setup that cozy crime readers tend to love. Ruby the Staffy adds a fun layer to the story, and any mystery that includes dogs instantly earns a little goodwill from me.

That said, this book took the scenic route. A very scenic route. At 480 pages, the pacing felt stretched far beyond what the story really needed. I found myself repeatedly wishing the plot would tighten up and move faster. The investigation meanders, conversations linger, and while there are interesting moments along the way, the narrative often feels like it’s taking a long walk rather than chasing down a killer.

One thing that really pulled me out of the story was a moment involving Ruby. At one point the antagonist kidnaps her to make a point. Naturally, that’s a big emotional beat. But later in the story, Ruby doesn’t react to this person at all. If you know dogs, you know that memory and instinct tend to stick. That moment felt oddly disconnected from how animals actually behave.

The ending leans heavily into twists. And while unexpected reveals are always welcome in a mystery, the spacing between them made the final stretch feel even longer. By the time the last 15 percent rolled around, I genuinely found myself saying out loud, “Okay… speed up already.” Not the reaction you want when the book is supposed to be sprinting to the finish line.

Still, the core idea is solid. A cozy mystery centered around dogwalkers solving crimes in a seaside town is genuinely fun. I just wish the story had been edited down into something tighter and faster-paced.

Would I recommend it?
If you adore dog-centered cozies and have the patience for a long leash on pacing, you might still enjoy this one. The premise is charming, the world well-built. If you’re a cozy mystery reader who enjoys leisurely paced stories with a lot of small-town chatter and a canine companion at the center, this one might still appeal to you. The premise is charming and dog lovers will enjoy Ruby’s presence throughout the story. It just overstays its welcome.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency
Author: Michael Hogan
Narrated by: Will Close
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Length: Approximately 12 hours and 14 minutes
Source: Purchased from Audible.com with a physical book review copy from @michaelhogan100 @pegasus_books @greatreadsbookpromo. Thank-you!

Do you have a favorite type of dog? I love all dogs. As an adult, my family and I have had a keeshond, beagle, and two mutts. We have a pure breed and a rescue mutt usually at the same time. I heartily approve of the addition of dogs to any story.

Charlie Boardman is walking his beloved dog, Ruby, in the small English town of Framstone, when they stumble across a corpse. Charlie and his group of fellow dogwalkers investigate this case. When a second body shows up and Charlie begins to receive threats, things get much more serious. Will Charlie and the dogwalkers be able to solve this mystery?

My thoughts on this book:

• There were nice short chapters which were easy to read.

• I started by reading the physical book, but I switched to the audiobook as I didn’t have much time this month to read the physical book at night. I enjoyed the narrator and the book equally as a physical book or audiobook.

• I liked the Hercule Poirot references in the story.

• I enjoyed the concept, and it makes sense to me that dogwalkers would discover murder victims and would be in tune with the happenings in their village.

• There was a great climax and conclusion in this story and a surprise twist at the end.

• Charlie Boardman was a great main character. He was a nice guy that can’t keep his nose out of solving this mystery. I love his Staffordshire bull terrier, Ruby, who helps him with his investigation.

• This was a debut novel. I loved the world of the coastal English town and the great characters and would enjoy reading another novel in this series. I looked it up and was excited to see there will be a second book called Death at a Dog Hotel. I can’t wait to read it!

• I loved the puns and jokes throughout the novel. This was a fun book.

Overall, The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency by Michael Hogan was a very enjoyable cozy mystery with great characters, setting, story, and dogs. I can’t wait for the next book!

This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2026...

[Sophia Hübner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having moved back to his hometown Framstone in order to take care of his aging mother Polly, Charlie struggles to find his footing away from the busy streets of London. Thankfully he can rely on his beloved Staffy Ruby and the towns dogwalkers, which he befriended literally speaking along the way, whenever times get rough. The groups bond soon gets tested, as Charlie stumbles not only across one, but two bodies, while out and about with the dogs. Could their fates possibly be related? And if so, what connects an aging pub owner with a young drug dealer? With the police groping around in the dark, Charlie and his fellow dogwalkers begin their own investigation. Quickly they are forced to realize that listening to true crime podcasts in the safety of their own homes are one thing, but actually catching a killer on the lose is a whole other topic. Charlies walks in the woods are about to become even scarier, as anonymous threats start coming his way. Can Charlie figure everything out before he falls victim?

Finding a corpse is the nightmare of each dogwalker and everyone who claims something different is lying. With a reactive dog especially, our ways lead astray from busy paths and sometimes my gaze lingers a bit longer behind weird looking bushes and it’s even worse during the colder months, when you mentally prepare yourself to call the police after finding a singular glove or shoe laying around with seemingly nobody missing it in the middle of rural Germany. So, needless to say, I could definitely relate to Charlie! The small-town setting combined with multiple mysteries at once was pulled off well and the humor was also right up my alley. I especially enjoyed the diverse portrayal of both the humans and the dogs, showcasing variety and real-life fates, while still being an overall cosy book. At first I was a bit overwhelmed with all the names, but with time it got better and I guessed along with Charlie, however the big twist at the end caught me off guard. Overall I was pretty entertained and maybe a book doesn’t need to provide much more. Sure, heavy reads are kind of my thing right now, but curling up on the sofa with a fuzzy blanket and some dogs (and their humans) solving murder is good too. I will keep an eye out for the second part set to release mid November and hopefully won’t be disappointed.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all the fans of cozy mysteries, this is one you can really settle into and enjoy the witty banter, amateur sleuthing, and loads of dog references. It all begins with the main character Charlie on a walk in the woods with a group of dogs and he stumbles across a lifeless body. Having some special insider information to the crime scene, he assembles his local dog walking friends to assist in investigating the case.

Following these characters throughout the story was fun and filled with plenty of laughable moments. Charlie and his friends really take their investigation skills to heart and start trying to figure out who could have taken out the local pub owner and why. Charlie and his friends are not your typical group, by any means, but they do fit right into a cozy mystery in the way you expect amateur sleuths to behave. They put their noses into everyone's business and go around looking into things, no matter how outlandish it may seem.

I enjoyed the British setting as well and all of the fun euphemisms they use in their discourse, but I will admit there were plenty of phrases used that I had to look up because I had never heard of them before. It was fun and exciting to listen to the characters talk and the many conversations that took place throughout really created a friendly environment for the main group as they try to figure out what happened.

Dogs are clearly a huge part of this one as well and you'll know them all by name and personality by the end of this one because they are always right there alongside all the action. This is one of the core elements of cozy mysteries that sometimes gets lost in other novels, but not in this one. The canine sidekicks are essential; helping to find new information and lead the ragtag group to where they need to go. But they're also emotional supports for the reader to enjoy while everything else is unfolding.

A cleverly written cozy mystery filled with fun side characters, plenty of banter, and an investigation that never goes the way you expect it to go!

[Melissa’s Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful British humor, darling dogs, a clever whodunit with several suspects, a gritty criminal underworld, & a group of endearing dog walkers who are on the case. I enjoyed this fun cozy mystery! As a dog lover myself, I appreciated the creative premise woven in with these sweet canine companions. This quick witted, engaging mystery definitely kept me turning the pages.

Charlie Boardman’s just moved back to Framstone to care for his aging mother. While out walking his beloved Ruby, she begins sniffing around & brings back an unusual prize which leads to the discovery of a dead body. Charlie’s shocked by the grim find, but when another man is injured, & a second dead body turns up, Charlie & his fellow dog walkers decide to team up to run their own investigation. But, as the stakes get higher & the clever dog walkers get a little too close to the truth, Charlie receives several threats warning him off the case. Can he & his fellow Dogwalker Detectives solve the case before it’s too late?

I thoroughly enjoyed Charlie & his charming group of dog loving friends! He and Tess in particular make a great pair & I enjoyed all their speculation & detecting while walking their pets. I’m a huge fan of British mysteries & comedies & liked the way the author combined both. While the mystery involves difficult subjects including abuse & drug use, there’s a good amount of that dry British humor woven in to keep things light.

The mystery itself kept me guessing. While I had my suspicions, I wasn’t sure until the end who the murderer was. The crime behind the murders was difficult to read about especially as it involves the abuse of young men, but liked how the author didn’t dwell on the details. The ending kept me on the edge with surprising twists & a heart-pounding showdown. I enjoyed this creative mystery & look forward to more involving Charlie & his quirky Dogwalker Detectives.

I received an advanced copy with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own & provided voluntarily. 3.5-4 stars

[alisdiscovers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dogwalkers Detective Agency by Michael Hogan is a cosy murder mystery and the author’s debut novel—and what a fun debut it is!
It definitely falls into the cosy crime category, but with short, snappy chapters that give the story an extra bit of tension. I actually found that made it quite a page-turner. This was such an easy read with a fantastic group of characters—honestly, I’d happily sit and have coffee with them all. They were caring, funny, and so believable.
The book had a witty edge too, and there were plenty of moments that made me chuckle. As detectives, the group was a little haphazard, but that’s exactly what I loved about them. They felt real and endearing, like friends muddling through rather than professionals with all the answers.
Now, I’ll admit, I’m not entirely sure the police would really share quite so much with a bunch of amateurs, but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment at all. For me, this book had a surprising feel-good factor despite being a crime novel, and that’s a rare balance to strike.
The conversations between the group flowed so naturally that I could almost hear them chatting away. I especially loved the scenes where they sat around over coffee, dissecting the clues, with a pack of dogs curled up at their feet—it felt so warm and authentic.
I really enjoyed The Dogwalkers Detective Agency. It’s cosy, witty, and full of heart, with a group of characters I can’t wait to meet again in future books. If you enjoy crime novels with a lighter, feel-good touch (and you’re a dog lover like me), then this is definitely one to add to your reading list. Now, I think I’ll follow the book’s lead and head to my favourite coffee shop—with my own pooch in tow, of course!

[Dipankar Bhadra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a quiet seaside town in Britain, this cozy mystery follows Charlie, a dogwalker whose ordinary routine takes a dark turn when he discovers the body of a murdered pub owner deep in the woods. What begins as local gossip soon turns into a gripping investigation, especially after Charlie uncovers a clue that the newspapers never mentioned, two wigs found near the crime scene. With the help of his fellow dogwalkers and his old schoolmate who is now leading the investigation, Charlie finds himself drawn deeper into a mystery filled with secrets, suspicion, and unexpected twists.

What makes the novel especially enjoyable is its warm and lively atmosphere. The small-town setting feels vivid, packed with curious residents and amusing personalities who add charm to the story. The humour is subtle but effective, with clever wordplay and playful references scattered throughout the narrative. These moments keep the tone light even when the mystery becomes intense.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is the relationship between Charlie and his dog. Their bond feels genuine and heartfelt, making Charlie instantly likable. His instinct to protect his dog in dangerous situations adds emotional depth and realism to his character. The way he cleverly uses dog-walking as a means to gather information also gives the investigation a fresh and believable touch.

Though the story occasionally feels slightly stretched, the short chapters and fast-moving plot keep the pages turning. The mystery itself remains engaging, with enough surprises to maintain interest throughout. Overall, this is an entertaining and comforting murder mystery that blends suspense, humour, and lovable canine companions into a thoroughly enjoyable read.