Death Pays A Call To The Three Hounds Bakery: A Cozy Murder Mystery

Three Hounds Bakery #2

by Julie Titterington

What do you get when you add up three doxies, a dozen donuts, and a dead body? Just another day at The Three Hounds Bakery.

After a whirlwind book tour, mystery author Willa Lattner comes home ready to relax, snuggle her sausage dogs, and settle back into the simple life. But once again there’s trouble afoot in Humboldt Cove.

Events take a strange turn when a secret recipe is revealed, Willa’s latest manuscript is leaked, and—worst of all—a body turns up in the bakery. The victim? A man from her past who may have brought a warning...if only he’d lived long enough to deliver it.

Determined to find the truth, Willa throws herself into the investigation, joined by her loyal dachshunds—Killer, Kyle, and Wags—and a cast of quirky small-town friends. Together, they follow crumbs and chase down clues that point to a series of unexpected visitors, all with possible motives and connections to Willa’s past. As the clock ticks down, Willa races to piece together the puzzle before the killer comes for her.

Packed with charm, suspense, and more than a few wagging tails, Death Pays a Call to The Three Hounds Bakery is a warm and twisty mystery perfect for anyone who believes that nothing goes better with a donut than a dash of danger!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

385 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2025

About the author

Julie Titterington is an author, essayist, and editor who lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley. When she's not hanging out with her husband and three children, she can be found baking, eating, and reading mysteries from the Golden Age, in that order.

Reviews

[Debra B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done … I didn’t see this ending coming at all! I am so enchanted by the dachshunds in the story— Kyle, Killer, Wags and Darlene; they are too sweet for words.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the second in the Doxies and Donuts mystery series. I loved the first one but the second one is even better. Willa, Mina, Mr. Pilkington & Jake are back & of course our favorite dachshunds Killer, Kyle & Wags & Mr. Pilkington’s newly adopted doxie Darlene. This time, someone has threatened Willa & left a message for her at the Three Hounds Bakery. Is it a rival cozy mystery writer or someone else? This one had me suspecting several people & I was surprised by the end. I can’t wait to read the next one & there is a Christmas story coming out!

[Loretta TheMoodyRedhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cold Day in Hellllooo Duane!

This is definitely a cute lil series of 3 books. I do hope there will eventually be a book 4 though.
The doxies are into something at Mina and Willa's bakery, but Mina figures their sniffers must be after a mouse in the out-of-commission freezer-now-storage-closet. One of the guests from the local B&B is missing and it's discovered that he is actually Willa's stalker. Well, not actually Willa's fan, but he's Violet Valentine's follower. Violet is the heroine and sleuth in Willa's cozy mystery series. That's right, Violet Valentine is a fictional character (but don't tell Duane!)
It seems as though Willa has someone after her, with the intention of killing her. Now Willa must find out why someone is after her, who it is, and why. Willa's ex-boyfriend is obsessed with getting back together with her and he happens to be in town. Is he the one that wants her dead? Or is it the ex's new girlfriend, Danica? Maybe it's the Danica's agent. Dances happens to be a cozy mystery writer also.
Well, guess you'll need to read this to find out the answers. And, yes the sweet are ever present in here and even save the day!!

Book 3 which is sadly the final of this short series is Danger Lurks in the Three Hounds Bakery.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are delightful. While they are mysteries, they fall into the cozy mystery genre, which I adore for their simplicity, character development, and the assurance that good things will happen. This particular book kept me guessing about what might happen next, and each new adventure was exciting. The inclusion of not just three but four dachshunds, who played a significant role in the story, was a charming touch. This is my first series by Julie Titterington, and I can confidently say it won't be my last. If you're looking for a series to cleanse your mind and leave you feeling uplifted, this is the one for you.

[Kathy Foltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death Pays a Call

I enjoyed this book more than the first. The Doxies steal the show. There is so much action in this one. I was totally fooled on who the killer was. The twists and turns just didn't stop. Even all the way til the very end the author had you going. I love the characters. I' m not sure she needed the addition of another elderly man but it worked out okay. Dear Pays a Call will be added to my cozy love list.
Kathy

[Terri Borkgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death Pays a Call Book 2 of the Doxies & Donuts Mystery Series

Competition can be fun and it can be dangerous. Willa gets pulled into competition with another cozy mystery writer. A stalker follows both authors and is murdered. Willa and her Doxies are pulled into another mystery and as the donuts are deep frying the puzzle pieces fall into place and another murder's killer is brought to justice. great read that is funny and definitely will become a favorite cozy series.

[Celine Schell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m afraid I’m in the minority here but this book was just ok to me. I know it was a cozy mystery type of book, so I was fine with the slower pace of it. The writing style felt off to me with the one-sided emails that felt childish in their language, when Willa is an author herself. I also felt like the ended was somewhat predictable.

I’m glad I read this book because Wags, Killer, and Kyle were adorable, but I wasn’t wowed by it like others.

[Walter G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful cosy mysytery

Really enjoy this series and look forward to the next book. The stories and characters are unique and interesting. And there are some funny and delightful passages.

[LeahRoseKami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death Pays a Call but the writing is lively.

The second book in the Doxies & Donuts Mystery Series was an easy to read and kept the pace throughout. I’m so happy I found this series and I cannot wait until the third book is released later this year.

[Katie L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was just as quirky as the first one and I actually did not figure it out!!! Loved the pups, yet again!!!

[Janet Epperson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Mystery was great and love the dogs.

[Donald E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mysteries are as much fun as the hounds. I will say I never expected the conclusion.

[Pam]

Stopped at 29%. The writing style was odd with the usual POV interspersed with emails to the author’s publisher or his PA. Very odd and disrupted the flow of the story.

Just not for me.

[Jessica Silagy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun cozy mystery book filled with now four adorable dachshunds! Loved reading the second book of this series and the ending got me - I was not expecting that!

[Heidi Scarletta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good characters

The characters were well written in the book. It was easy picturing the dots in their pink sweaters. Go dogs.

[Christy Jethro · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute book

Great book for something sweet but it’s long and slow to build then finally lots of twist. With this said I would recommend it

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light weight cozy

Perfect beach read or whenever you don't want to tax your brain much. They are amusing and are worth reading.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t like this as much as the first one