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Lucie Rizzo Mystery #1
Dog Collar Crime
Out of work and down on her luck, Lucie Rizzo is forced to do the one thing she’s long avoided—move home to her nutty, mob-infested family. A move that brings her back into the tempting arms of Frankie Falcone, the ex that never fails to make her heart sit up and beg.
When Lucie parlays her temporary dog-walking gig into a career making fancy dog accessories, Frankie becomes her number one supporter. Life starts to look like a walk in the park…until three of her bling-wearing clients are dogjacked.
Despite help from the on-again, off-again Mr. Fix-It in her life, Lucie is thrown into an investigation that’s more Goodfellas than good doggie. One that could shatter her new life and her second chance at love.
When Lucie parlays her temporary dog-walking gig into a career making fancy dog accessories, Frankie becomes her number one supporter. Life starts to look like a walk in the park…until three of her bling-wearing clients are dogjacked.
Despite help from the on-again, off-again Mr. Fix-It in her life, Lucie is thrown into an investigation that’s more Goodfellas than good doggie. One that could shatter her new life and her second chance at love.
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First published August 4, 2013
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About the author
Adrienne Giordano
108 books862 followersAuthor also writes as Anne Dano
Adrienne Giordano is a USA Today bestselling author of over thirty romantic suspense and mystery novels. She is a Jersey girl at heart, but now lives in the Midwest with her ultimate supporter of a husband, sports-obsessed son and Elliot, a snuggle-happy rescue. Having grown up near the ocean, Adrienne enjoys paddleboarding, a nice float in a kayak and lounging on the beach with a good book.
For more information on Adrienne’s books, please visit www.AdrienneGiordano.com. Adrienne can also be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AdrienneGiord..., Twitter at http://twitter.com/AdriennGiordano and Goodreads at http://www.goodreads.com/AdrienneGior....
Adrienne Giordano is a USA Today bestselling author of over thirty romantic suspense and mystery novels. She is a Jersey girl at heart, but now lives in the Midwest with her ultimate supporter of a husband, sports-obsessed son and Elliot, a snuggle-happy rescue. Having grown up near the ocean, Adrienne enjoys paddleboarding, a nice float in a kayak and lounging on the beach with a good book.
For more information on Adrienne’s books, please visit www.AdrienneGiordano.com. Adrienne can also be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AdrienneGiord..., Twitter at http://twitter.com/AdriennGiordano and Goodreads at http://www.goodreads.com/AdrienneGior....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
January 3, 2016
An excellent book by an excellent author! Lucie Rizzo and Frankie Falcone are both children of crime bosses who want nothing to do with their fathers' pastimes. They are in love and seem to break up with each other every other week. Lucie has been laid off from her job at the bank and has moved back home and taken up walking dogs and making dog collars and dog jackets to make ends meet. This is a hilarious book.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2021
Dog Collar Crime is a quick, lighthearted read that launches a fun series.
Lucie and Frankie are the outliers in their respective crime families. They're determined to live the straight and narrow, staying out of "the life" while remaining close to their families. Their mob boss families are a dummy-downed, g-rated version of The Sopranos.
I enjoyed the dogs and Lucie's determination to keep them safe.
I mostly liked Lucie and Frankie, though I grew weary of Lucie's constant inner monologue with references to Frankie's hot body, his winning smile, how she can't live without him, how he's absolutely perfect, how his touch sends her over the edge, and on and on. While there are a whole lot of sexual references here, there is absolutely no graphic sex. It's all just referenced to.
The big twist didn't surprise me, largely because I didn't see anywhere else the story could go. The ending felt completely implausible.
Despite my grumbling, this is a cute read that kept me entertained.
Lucie and Frankie are the outliers in their respective crime families. They're determined to live the straight and narrow, staying out of "the life" while remaining close to their families. Their mob boss families are a dummy-downed, g-rated version of The Sopranos.
I enjoyed the dogs and Lucie's determination to keep them safe.
I mostly liked Lucie and Frankie, though I grew weary of Lucie's constant inner monologue with references to Frankie's hot body, his winning smile, how she can't live without him, how he's absolutely perfect, how his touch sends her over the edge, and on and on. While there are a whole lot of sexual references here, there is absolutely no graphic sex. It's all just referenced to.
The big twist didn't surprise me, largely because I didn't see anywhere else the story could go. The ending felt completely implausible.
Despite my grumbling, this is a cute read that kept me entertained.
August 26, 2013
What a fun story. I really enjoyed reading Dog Collar Crime by Adrienne Giordano. It is a romantic mystery but not dark, rather it is light and humorous. The heroine, Lucie is trying so hard to shed the image of "Mob Princess" so how can you not laugh at that?
Lucie Rizzo is recently laid off from her investment banking job and is making ends meet by walking dogs and making dog accessories such as collars and coats. When a 15 carat diamond shows up in her stash of artificial gems she uses to make the accessories things get a little crazy.
The plot is engaging and I fell in love with some of the characters right away such as Frankie, Joey and Rosanne who happen to be Lucie's boyfriend, brother, and best friend. The chemistry between the characters was great fun to watch unfold as things got a little heated. In addition to the plot becoming heated, the romance between Lucie and Frankie was definitely heated at times. Adrienne did a fantastic job of balancing the romance and mystery of the overall book and how much detail to go into the romantic scenes to keep with the tone of the story. I enjoyed the dogs in the story as well. I was reminded how frustrating dogs and puppies can be when you want them to do something (or not do something) and it was another aspect of the book that had me laughing.
Dog Collar Crime is a different kind of book for Adrienne Giordano. I have loved her other romantic suspense books that she is known for, and found Dog Collar Crime just as entertaining, but in a different way. While reading this book I was reminded of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. The tone and humor is similar but the characters and plot are quite a bit different. The ending of Dog Collar Crime has me hooked into the series and I can't wait to see how the rest of the series goes. If you are looking for a light, fun romantic mystery, I highly recommend Dog Collar Crime.
Lucie Rizzo is recently laid off from her investment banking job and is making ends meet by walking dogs and making dog accessories such as collars and coats. When a 15 carat diamond shows up in her stash of artificial gems she uses to make the accessories things get a little crazy.
The plot is engaging and I fell in love with some of the characters right away such as Frankie, Joey and Rosanne who happen to be Lucie's boyfriend, brother, and best friend. The chemistry between the characters was great fun to watch unfold as things got a little heated. In addition to the plot becoming heated, the romance between Lucie and Frankie was definitely heated at times. Adrienne did a fantastic job of balancing the romance and mystery of the overall book and how much detail to go into the romantic scenes to keep with the tone of the story. I enjoyed the dogs in the story as well. I was reminded how frustrating dogs and puppies can be when you want them to do something (or not do something) and it was another aspect of the book that had me laughing.
Dog Collar Crime is a different kind of book for Adrienne Giordano. I have loved her other romantic suspense books that she is known for, and found Dog Collar Crime just as entertaining, but in a different way. While reading this book I was reminded of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. The tone and humor is similar but the characters and plot are quite a bit different. The ending of Dog Collar Crime has me hooked into the series and I can't wait to see how the rest of the series goes. If you are looking for a light, fun romantic mystery, I highly recommend Dog Collar Crime.
November 22, 2015
I received an ARC of the Dog Collar Crime for an honest review, which I would do anyways.
In order for my absolute delight from reading this book to come across as strong as possible, I need to get a little personal about myself for a second - I am sorry if this is a little too much TMI.
Right around the time I received this book I started getting sick, and thought I would just start it when I felt better. Problem was, I didn't; I just got worse and worse. Turns out that the extremely improbable chances for me to become pregnant became a reality. Having morning sickness 24/7 for weeks on end consumed my every moment and was unable to do anything, even watching T.V. was too daunting for me. I finally broke out Dog Collar Crimes and started reading and before I knew it I was sucked in. All my attention finally got pulled away from my feelings of being sick and for the first time since finding out I was having morning sickness and not the flu, I spent an entire day without being sick.
Dog Collar Crime stole my attention, drawing it into the hilarity of this crazy mystery of kidnapped dogs, stolen dog accessories, and family relationships within the Mob. I found this to be an inspirational story as well. Down on her luck and out of work Lucie goes back home to where she is a Mob-Princess and struggles to keep out of that life. Lucie grabs life by the balls, or rather leash, and starts her own dog walking business and makes accessories for her furry clients. With encouragement from her mom, BFF and on-again off-again boyfriend she makes this side business into a career. It goes to show that despite the struggles and life's little stumbling blocks, with a little love, encouragement and determination anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
I know I say this about all of Ms. Giordano's books, but I really can't wait to read what comes next! This is my new favorite series that she has written! Four thumbs up - my two and baby's two ;-)
In order for my absolute delight from reading this book to come across as strong as possible, I need to get a little personal about myself for a second - I am sorry if this is a little too much TMI.
Right around the time I received this book I started getting sick, and thought I would just start it when I felt better. Problem was, I didn't; I just got worse and worse. Turns out that the extremely improbable chances for me to become pregnant became a reality. Having morning sickness 24/7 for weeks on end consumed my every moment and was unable to do anything, even watching T.V. was too daunting for me. I finally broke out Dog Collar Crimes and started reading and before I knew it I was sucked in. All my attention finally got pulled away from my feelings of being sick and for the first time since finding out I was having morning sickness and not the flu, I spent an entire day without being sick.
Dog Collar Crime stole my attention, drawing it into the hilarity of this crazy mystery of kidnapped dogs, stolen dog accessories, and family relationships within the Mob. I found this to be an inspirational story as well. Down on her luck and out of work Lucie goes back home to where she is a Mob-Princess and struggles to keep out of that life. Lucie grabs life by the balls, or rather leash, and starts her own dog walking business and makes accessories for her furry clients. With encouragement from her mom, BFF and on-again off-again boyfriend she makes this side business into a career. It goes to show that despite the struggles and life's little stumbling blocks, with a little love, encouragement and determination anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
I know I say this about all of Ms. Giordano's books, but I really can't wait to read what comes next! This is my new favorite series that she has written! Four thumbs up - my two and baby's two ;-)
August 19, 2016
So this book I really got, I loved the quirkiness of Lucie and I love that even though she was born into a Mob family she doesn't let that define her, Lucie Rizzo wants to make it on her own so when she loses her job in the banking world and moves back in with her family it's time to find her real passion in life so while dog walking Lucie decided there was a nieche for designer dog accessories and the business really takes off, but something is terribly wrong when her dogs start being kidnapped, is this something to do with her family or is it her or something completely off the radar and then there is Frankie her Frankie or is he her Frankie Frankie loves Lucie and Lucie loves Frankie but is love enough when they both come from challenging families or do they both need to walk away before they lose their lifelong friendship as well.
I loved the mystery and I love the characters human and canine, I would love for Josie to have her own dog it just makes sense in her chosen profession that she would have her own dog.
What I didn't love was Lucie and Frankie they were both all over the place and I figure if they have known each other all their lives they should actually know each other better than they do that seemed a bit weird to me I expected them to me more best friends then lovers and then life long partners but they seem to be more friends but not close friends more siblings to be honest and both of them seem to just be in it for a physical relationship because its comfortable really I think they both deserve more and I know this is the first book in the series but if this back and forth goes on to much more it will take away from the best parts of this book which is the dogs and the mystery.
I loved the mystery and I love the characters human and canine, I would love for Josie to have her own dog it just makes sense in her chosen profession that she would have her own dog.
What I didn't love was Lucie and Frankie they were both all over the place and I figure if they have known each other all their lives they should actually know each other better than they do that seemed a bit weird to me I expected them to me more best friends then lovers and then life long partners but they seem to be more friends but not close friends more siblings to be honest and both of them seem to just be in it for a physical relationship because its comfortable really I think they both deserve more and I know this is the first book in the series but if this back and forth goes on to much more it will take away from the best parts of this book which is the dogs and the mystery.
March 19, 2018
Funny and Connected mystery
This book had me laughing at the oh so real doggie antics and holding my breath at the violence of dognapping. The writing is perfection with great scenes and dialogue flow. This story could be true and no one would know it wasn't fiction. A great read, sorry, no spoilers in my reviews.
This book had me laughing at the oh so real doggie antics and holding my breath at the violence of dognapping. The writing is perfection with great scenes and dialogue flow. This story could be true and no one would know it wasn't fiction. A great read, sorry, no spoilers in my reviews.
August 13, 2018
I loved the mystery, the dogs, and Lucie... it was cute and cozy until all sexual perversion began. Too bad, Ms Giordano, you ruined your own book.
August 15, 2017
Lucie is on another crime solving spree, but this time she's the accused. The entire gang is involved in this one.. all of the Rizzos and friends. The Rizzo name gets thrown around with gusto. It's one heck of a ride, even for Ro waiting in all of the Fire Zones.
I liked how Tim (McHottie) and Lucie were deepening their relationship. Tim is the kind of guy you read books to find. I did find it annoying that he could always be so understanding. While Lucie's behavior is outrageous at times, it's more believable. They do make a cute couple and in the end come to terms with what they both need to do to make a future.
I liked how Tim (McHottie) and Lucie were deepening their relationship. Tim is the kind of guy you read books to find. I did find it annoying that he could always be so understanding. While Lucie's behavior is outrageous at times, it's more believable. They do make a cute couple and in the end come to terms with what they both need to do to make a future.
March 8, 2018
This was a cute story about Lucie who really, really didn’t want to be a Mob Princess. Even though that was the life she was born into, she fought it. Wanting to be legit, she started a dog walking business. She expanded it to include making dog accessories like coats and collars. She covered them with rhinestones which went over big with her wealthy clients. But somehow a real diamond got mixed into her craft supplies and she used it on one of the collars.
The business was successful with lots of clients. But when the dogs started getting dognapped, she started losing clients.
I liked this story. It was fun to watch Lucie run her business. And I enjoyed the mystery of where the diamond came from. Even though Frankie was a good guy, it was tiring to hear how good he was all the time. How much she loved him, how good looking he was and his special Frankie smile was just too much.
The business was successful with lots of clients. But when the dogs started getting dognapped, she started losing clients.
I liked this story. It was fun to watch Lucie run her business. And I enjoyed the mystery of where the diamond came from. Even though Frankie was a good guy, it was tiring to hear how good he was all the time. How much she loved him, how good looking he was and his special Frankie smile was just too much.
January 13, 2023
Nice debut to the series. Lucie is a great character trying to figure her life and relationships out away and apart from her monster family expectation. Losing her job in banking seemed like a tragedy at the time but may end up to be the best thing for her when it leads her to concentrate on her dog accessory and dog walking business. Of course becoming the victim of dognappings and stolen diamond were not on her agenda. Now with Frankie, Ro, and her brother, Lucie sets out to solve the mysteries before she loses another client or her business.
December 16, 2017
A totally endearing story from a first time author for me. Love Lucie, her character makes you feel as if you want to be a part of the whole thing.
January 3, 2016
3-1/2 Stars. There was much to love about Dog Collar Crime. In many ways, it reminded me of a Stephanie Plum novel minus the incompetent protagonist and unrealistically stupid criminals. Lucie Rizzo is out of work and forced to move back home with her mom and brother. Born and raised a mob princess, Lucie longs to break free of her family chains and make her own way in the world. But after getting laid off, she's right back in the middle of the family drama, including a father in prison. Her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Frankie, would do anything for her, except leave behind his own mob-connected family.
Lucie makes ends meet by walking dogs and making high-end pet accessories, while she waits and hopes a job in banking comes her way. But when the dogs she walks start being targeted by someone, Lucie begins to wonder if she'll ever be able to escape that world.
Plot
The plot is a mystery with a strong dose of romance. Finding out who is targeting her dogs and why is the main plot, but her relationship with Frankie plays a larger role than in most other books of this genre. The pacing was slow more than a few times. There seemed to be a lot of time spent walking the dogs, which granted is Lucie's job, but not much else happened. There also seemed to be some repeated elements. Instead of escalating early, the dognappings stayed sort of the same and the back-and-forth with Frankie felt too repetitive at times. But there's light humor, plenty of chemistry between the characters, and a couple of twists that redeem the story.
Characters
The characters are by far the best part of the story. They're fun, quirky, well-rounded, and believable. Lucie Rizzo's desire to be anything but the daughter of a mobster is tangible and relatable, even if your dad isn't a made man. Frankie is also sympathetic as the loyal son who has managed to break away from the crime family and flourish in a legitimate job. Even the gangster family members transcend stereotype and are well-developed and three-dimensional.
Ending
I was expecting more from the ending. Although a mystery and not a thriller, overall the story lacked a real sense of peril for the characters. I never felt like any of their lives were truly in danger. The climax left me wondering what would happen to the characters' relationships rather than if they would survive. And that's not necessarily a bad thing, because I did care about all of them and wanted them to wind up happy.
What Didn't Work for Me
1. The pacing. The story moved too slow for me at times.
2. Repetition. There were times I felt like we revisited the same issues over and over again, particularly when it came to Lucie's feelings for, and issues with, Frankie.
What I Enjoyed About Dog Collar Crime
1. The characters. All of the characters were well developed, interesting, and avoided stereotypes.
2. Chemistry. There was instant chemistry between Lucie and Frankie, but also a great bromance between Frankie and Lucie's brother, Joey, between Lucie and her brother, and between Lucie and her mom. These relationships all came across as lovingly authentic.
3. The mystery. The mystery of who was behind the dognappings was well plotted, and kept me guessing.
4. Ro. Best BFF ever.
5. Lucie's mom. She was so beautifully flawed and yet I never doubted her love for her children.
Bottom Line
Dog Collar Crime is a lighthearted mystery with compelling characters and a touch of humor.
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Lucie makes ends meet by walking dogs and making high-end pet accessories, while she waits and hopes a job in banking comes her way. But when the dogs she walks start being targeted by someone, Lucie begins to wonder if she'll ever be able to escape that world.
Plot
The plot is a mystery with a strong dose of romance. Finding out who is targeting her dogs and why is the main plot, but her relationship with Frankie plays a larger role than in most other books of this genre. The pacing was slow more than a few times. There seemed to be a lot of time spent walking the dogs, which granted is Lucie's job, but not much else happened. There also seemed to be some repeated elements. Instead of escalating early, the dognappings stayed sort of the same and the back-and-forth with Frankie felt too repetitive at times. But there's light humor, plenty of chemistry between the characters, and a couple of twists that redeem the story.
Characters
The characters are by far the best part of the story. They're fun, quirky, well-rounded, and believable. Lucie Rizzo's desire to be anything but the daughter of a mobster is tangible and relatable, even if your dad isn't a made man. Frankie is also sympathetic as the loyal son who has managed to break away from the crime family and flourish in a legitimate job. Even the gangster family members transcend stereotype and are well-developed and three-dimensional.
Ending
I was expecting more from the ending. Although a mystery and not a thriller, overall the story lacked a real sense of peril for the characters. I never felt like any of their lives were truly in danger. The climax left me wondering what would happen to the characters' relationships rather than if they would survive. And that's not necessarily a bad thing, because I did care about all of them and wanted them to wind up happy.
What Didn't Work for Me
1. The pacing. The story moved too slow for me at times.
2. Repetition. There were times I felt like we revisited the same issues over and over again, particularly when it came to Lucie's feelings for, and issues with, Frankie.
What I Enjoyed About Dog Collar Crime
1. The characters. All of the characters were well developed, interesting, and avoided stereotypes.
2. Chemistry. There was instant chemistry between Lucie and Frankie, but also a great bromance between Frankie and Lucie's brother, Joey, between Lucie and her brother, and between Lucie and her mom. These relationships all came across as lovingly authentic.
3. The mystery. The mystery of who was behind the dognappings was well plotted, and kept me guessing.
4. Ro. Best BFF ever.
5. Lucie's mom. She was so beautifully flawed and yet I never doubted her love for her children.
Bottom Line
Dog Collar Crime is a lighthearted mystery with compelling characters and a touch of humor.
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2016
I was given an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, but I also bought a copy for myself because I loved it.
Lucie has recently lost her bank job to downsizing so she had to move back home with her mother and is currently paying er bills by walking dogs and making and selling dog collars, coats and leashes. Things get interesting when someone dog nap's one of Lucie's dogs while she is out walking it. Lucie is thrown against a parked car head first while the dog is grabbed from her. She chases the thieves but they jump into a van and take off. She has to call the police and of course she gets the look, yes she is that Lucie Rizzo daughter of a suspected MOB Boss. The police let Lucie know about a dog napping ring that has been operating in the area and they issue a bulletin for the stolen dog and the van. The next day, Lucie has the exact same thing happen to her, another two of the dogs she is walking taken from her and she again is pushed down and injured.
Frankie who is Lucie's on again off again fiancee and Lucie's brother Joey turn out to be just what Lucie needs when they find out about the dog being kidnapped. They insist on walking with Lucie everyday in order to protect her, and it turns out to be a good idea when a large guy tries to take another of the dogs that Lucie walks and Joey has to fight the guy off.
Lucie's best friend often helps her with her business and comes over to help out and quickly has Lucie shocked when she informs Lucie that one of the rhinestones on the collar that Lucie is working on is actually a real diamond.
Things just get worse for Lucie from there. This book is such a great read, I do not want to give a way a ton of spoilers so I will just add that this book had me laughing. I actually finished the book in one sitting. It is full of humor, twists and turns and surprises. The characters are really well developed and the scenes are so well described that you can actually picture them in your head. This one is a five star read a must have if you love a good mystery and a great read.
Lucie has recently lost her bank job to downsizing so she had to move back home with her mother and is currently paying er bills by walking dogs and making and selling dog collars, coats and leashes. Things get interesting when someone dog nap's one of Lucie's dogs while she is out walking it. Lucie is thrown against a parked car head first while the dog is grabbed from her. She chases the thieves but they jump into a van and take off. She has to call the police and of course she gets the look, yes she is that Lucie Rizzo daughter of a suspected MOB Boss. The police let Lucie know about a dog napping ring that has been operating in the area and they issue a bulletin for the stolen dog and the van. The next day, Lucie has the exact same thing happen to her, another two of the dogs she is walking taken from her and she again is pushed down and injured.
Frankie who is Lucie's on again off again fiancee and Lucie's brother Joey turn out to be just what Lucie needs when they find out about the dog being kidnapped. They insist on walking with Lucie everyday in order to protect her, and it turns out to be a good idea when a large guy tries to take another of the dogs that Lucie walks and Joey has to fight the guy off.
Lucie's best friend often helps her with her business and comes over to help out and quickly has Lucie shocked when she informs Lucie that one of the rhinestones on the collar that Lucie is working on is actually a real diamond.
Things just get worse for Lucie from there. This book is such a great read, I do not want to give a way a ton of spoilers so I will just add that this book had me laughing. I actually finished the book in one sitting. It is full of humor, twists and turns and surprises. The characters are really well developed and the scenes are so well described that you can actually picture them in your head. This one is a five star read a must have if you love a good mystery and a great read.
January 6, 2016
Lucie Rizzo is unemployed due to rightsizing . After six months of searching for a new job, she's forced to move back home. This is not what she wants. She hates being looked at with scorn because of her father's criminal activities. He may be in jail now but there is no escaping his reach. I liked Lucie. She's feisty and resilient. She'll work hard to accomplish her dream. To pay the bills, she started a dog walking service . Now she's branching out with dog accessories with plenty of style and bling. She loves what she's doing. Suddenly someone is dognapping her charges. Why? She needs help. Frankie Falcone , her ex, is there for her. They have plenty of chemistry. Their love making is smoking hot, but they have serious problems to overcome. Lucie and Frankie are an incredible couple. They deserve a HEA. With the Frankie Factor working, I knew that he would get his woman. This is an engaging story filled with great dialogue and well-written characters. Joey may be a bad guy but I liked him. He has plenty of rough edges but there is more there than meets the eye. He needs a good woman to bring him to heal. Adrienne Giordano has done and excellent job with Dog Collar Crime. I was left wanting more.
I was gifted a copy of Dog Collar Crime in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.
I was gifted a copy of Dog Collar Crime in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.
December 28, 2015
What a great fast paced book. I love reading Adrienne Giordano. They never disappoint!
Poor Lucie, she looses her job and has to move back home. She has been trying to distance herself from all of her family's mob entanglements. Guess that is hard considering she is the daughter of a mob boss. Yikes! Coming back home has thrown her back into the thick of things. Lucie's old boyfriend is determined to get her back. He has a strike against him though since he is also involved with the mob. Frankie and Lucie's relationship is true despite the on again off again. Now if Frankie can just get Lucie on the same page it would be great. Loved their relationship up and downs as well as the love/hate relationship between Lucie and her brother Joey.
Lucie is trying to get her life back on track with her dog walking/ fancy dog accessories business. Things are going ok until she finds a diamond in her attic is connected to a dognapping. What is Lucie going to do? She is a strong woman and doesn't want to ask for help but she also doesn't want to let a dognapper to get away. She may have bitten off more than she can chew!
I loved this book. It has everything from mystery and suspense to romance and family relationships. I would recommend this book to all of those cozy romantics out there.
Poor Lucie, she looses her job and has to move back home. She has been trying to distance herself from all of her family's mob entanglements. Guess that is hard considering she is the daughter of a mob boss. Yikes! Coming back home has thrown her back into the thick of things. Lucie's old boyfriend is determined to get her back. He has a strike against him though since he is also involved with the mob. Frankie and Lucie's relationship is true despite the on again off again. Now if Frankie can just get Lucie on the same page it would be great. Loved their relationship up and downs as well as the love/hate relationship between Lucie and her brother Joey.
Lucie is trying to get her life back on track with her dog walking/ fancy dog accessories business. Things are going ok until she finds a diamond in her attic is connected to a dognapping. What is Lucie going to do? She is a strong woman and doesn't want to ask for help but she also doesn't want to let a dognapper to get away. She may have bitten off more than she can chew!
I loved this book. It has everything from mystery and suspense to romance and family relationships. I would recommend this book to all of those cozy romantics out there.
January 9, 2018
A delightful new genre for Adrienne Giordano with the same outstanding writing. In Dog Collar Crime, Giordano has publish the first book in a little-to-hot-for cozy series featuring a dog walker/doggie designer whose dad is "connected". Lucia Rizzo does not wanted to be associated with organized crime or her imprisoned mob boss dad, so she built a life of her own in nearby Chicago, but that life collapsed when she lost her job in a merger, "rightsized" not downsized.
Now Lucie is back living at home and trying to make ends meet walking dogs and designing collars and doggie jewelry. Her doggie designs take off literally as well as figuratively; someone keeps dognapping her customers and then returning them. This is an intelligent mystery with a mild "hot" factor and relatable humor. The romance issues are unique but very understandable. The guy is adorable as well as hot. I look forward to more with this dynamic cast of characters. I love AG's security romance mysteries, but this much lighter mystery has already won my heart!
Now Lucie is back living at home and trying to make ends meet walking dogs and designing collars and doggie jewelry. Her doggie designs take off literally as well as figuratively; someone keeps dognapping her customers and then returning them. This is an intelligent mystery with a mild "hot" factor and relatable humor. The romance issues are unique but very understandable. The guy is adorable as well as hot. I look forward to more with this dynamic cast of characters. I love AG's security romance mysteries, but this much lighter mystery has already won my heart!
January 13, 2016
I'm not sure if this is a cozy or jut a plain mystery, but either way this was a good book. There was no murder in this one, just tracking down why Lucie's dog walking clients are being kidnapped.
The main character Lucie is in a quandary about her life, something many of us could relate to. She has been laid off from her bank job and has started a dog walking business and a dog accessory business called Coco Barnknell (love that name!). On to top of that she is the daughter of a mob boss and her on again/off again boyfriend, Frankie, is the son of a mobster as well. The upside is that neither wants to be involved in the "family" business.
The book has a lot of humorous parts, some scenes that will have you on the edge of your seat and satisfaction at the end of the book with how it all ends.
I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next book. I can't wait to see how things continue between Lucie and Frankie and especially with their families. Will they be able to work things out?! I hope so!
The main character Lucie is in a quandary about her life, something many of us could relate to. She has been laid off from her bank job and has started a dog walking business and a dog accessory business called Coco Barnknell (love that name!). On to top of that she is the daughter of a mob boss and her on again/off again boyfriend, Frankie, is the son of a mobster as well. The upside is that neither wants to be involved in the "family" business.
The book has a lot of humorous parts, some scenes that will have you on the edge of your seat and satisfaction at the end of the book with how it all ends.
I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next book. I can't wait to see how things continue between Lucie and Frankie and especially with their families. Will they be able to work things out?! I hope so!
January 28, 2016
Great Book!
This is a great book; this is the first book in the Lucie Rizzo Mystery series by Adrienne Giordano. Lucie Rizzo is down on her luck after losing her job at the bank. She had to move home to her crazy family and back to the town she has been trying escape from, where she is known as the mob princess. Lucie has started a dog walking business along with making fancy dog accessories. When her dogs start getting kidnapped who are wearing her collars she starts thinking that something is going on with her mob connections. If you are looking for a great book that has romance, humor, and mystery then you need to read this book. I can’t wait to read the next books in this series.
A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
This is a great book; this is the first book in the Lucie Rizzo Mystery series by Adrienne Giordano. Lucie Rizzo is down on her luck after losing her job at the bank. She had to move home to her crazy family and back to the town she has been trying escape from, where she is known as the mob princess. Lucie has started a dog walking business along with making fancy dog accessories. When her dogs start getting kidnapped who are wearing her collars she starts thinking that something is going on with her mob connections. If you are looking for a great book that has romance, humor, and mystery then you need to read this book. I can’t wait to read the next books in this series.
A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
October 29, 2015
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
WOW! - I really enjoyed reading this book because it was a different kind of book. Not only did it involve romance, mystery, suspense, but it was humorous as well. I loved how Frankie would do anything for Lucie, he had patience, and he loved her regardless of how many times she would break up with him. Lucie does not like that her father is a mobster boss, who is currently in prison for tax evasion, and she has been trying to circumvent that life style for years. After losing her job in the city, Lucie had to return home. Throughout the book, the illegal activities of her father are brought up, and she feels it is jeopardizing her dog business. This was fun to read, and I hope there is a continuation of Lucie and Frankie—maybe they will finally get married.
WOW! - I really enjoyed reading this book because it was a different kind of book. Not only did it involve romance, mystery, suspense, but it was humorous as well. I loved how Frankie would do anything for Lucie, he had patience, and he loved her regardless of how many times she would break up with him. Lucie does not like that her father is a mobster boss, who is currently in prison for tax evasion, and she has been trying to circumvent that life style for years. After losing her job in the city, Lucie had to return home. Throughout the book, the illegal activities of her father are brought up, and she feels it is jeopardizing her dog business. This was fun to read, and I hope there is a continuation of Lucie and Frankie—maybe they will finally get married.
December 12, 2015
Dog Collar Crime by Adrienne Giordano
A mob story? Not really. Well, a little. Mostly it's a light mystery with a romance where the characters get to know themselves better while enduring a bit of upheaval. And it's about family and accepting.
I really liked Frankie and how protective he is with Lucie. A true gentleman. The chemistry between Lucie and Frankie is sweet and endearing. Enjoyable.
Lucia Rizzo and Frankie Falcone are on-again, off-again friends and lovers. They've known each other their whole lives since their fathers are mob partners. Lucie and Frankie have taken the honest, and straight route in life but being in the neighborhood and on family turf can be a little to close at times. When Lucie accidentally uses a real diamond on a dog collar, life is suddenly filled with dognappings, stun guns and police visits.
A mob story? Not really. Well, a little. Mostly it's a light mystery with a romance where the characters get to know themselves better while enduring a bit of upheaval. And it's about family and accepting.
I really liked Frankie and how protective he is with Lucie. A true gentleman. The chemistry between Lucie and Frankie is sweet and endearing. Enjoyable.
Lucia Rizzo and Frankie Falcone are on-again, off-again friends and lovers. They've known each other their whole lives since their fathers are mob partners. Lucie and Frankie have taken the honest, and straight route in life but being in the neighborhood and on family turf can be a little to close at times. When Lucie accidentally uses a real diamond on a dog collar, life is suddenly filled with dognappings, stun guns and police visits.
October 27, 2015
A funny and cute mystery. Very well written and the characters all interact so well with each other. Never a dull moment. The story will keep you guessing at what will happen next. Lucie, the daughter of a mob boss loses her banking job and has to move back home. Her father is in prison but still tries to run her life for her. So to earn some money until she finds another job she walks dogs and starts to sell fancy dog accessories. All of a sudden her dog walking dogs are getting kidnapped and no one knows why. Frankie her on again off again boyfriend who would do anything for Lucie tries to help her figure out who is behind this. He also has a father that works for the mob. A very enjoyable read and I loved every minute of it! Looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 8, 2018
Dog Collar Crime: Misadventures of a Frustrated Mob Princess (A Lucie Rizzo Mystery, Book 1 — Adrienne Giordano (21 chapters) Jan. 22-26, 2018
There are sexy bits in this story. I don’t recommend this story to young adults.
This is the first book in the series, and while I enjoyed the story, I didn’t love the story.
The plot could’ve used some tightening up, as there were a few times when thoughts and sentences were repeated (though not at the same time.) It made the story feel padded in places. Also, the story could have cut to the chase more. It just plodded along. It didn’t really start getting interesting until after chapter 11.
I was disappointed. I had high hopes this was going to be a fun, fast read. However, the plot felt unoriginal.
Two stars.
There are sexy bits in this story. I don’t recommend this story to young adults.
This is the first book in the series, and while I enjoyed the story, I didn’t love the story.
The plot could’ve used some tightening up, as there were a few times when thoughts and sentences were repeated (though not at the same time.) It made the story feel padded in places. Also, the story could have cut to the chase more. It just plodded along. It didn’t really start getting interesting until after chapter 11.
I was disappointed. I had high hopes this was going to be a fun, fast read. However, the plot felt unoriginal.
Two stars.
July 21, 2014
This light mystery includes an adorable main character, her furry charges and a cast of interesting secondary characters. Add a few kidnappings, ties to the mob, an iffy love interest to Lucie's attempting to start a nice side business for herself, after her career in Investment Banking takes a nose dive and you get Dog Collar Crimes. Enter Frankie and an old romance is rekindled, but will it be as complicated as the rest of Lucie's life? I especially enjoyed the strong conclusion, which had a few unexpected surprises in store for me. No animals were harmed in this funny caper. The narrator did a good job and was a proper fit.
February 14, 2016
4 star
I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, suspense, and heartbreak.
This is Lucie and Frankie’s story. Lucie has been laid off her bank job. Now she has started a walking dogs business until a bank job opens up again. What happens when things start happing to her dogs. Can she figure out who is after her and the dogs before it’s too late? Frankie is her on and off again boyfriend. Can he help with the mystery? Will they end up together when she wants out of the life and he does not? Lots of mystery and a little bit of suspense for this story.
I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book.
I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, suspense, and heartbreak.
This is Lucie and Frankie’s story. Lucie has been laid off her bank job. Now she has started a walking dogs business until a bank job opens up again. What happens when things start happing to her dogs. Can she figure out who is after her and the dogs before it’s too late? Frankie is her on and off again boyfriend. Can he help with the mystery? Will they end up together when she wants out of the life and he does not? Lots of mystery and a little bit of suspense for this story.
I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book.
September 3, 2014
This is the first book I've read (listened to) by Adrienne Giordano and I am hooked. This was such a fun book - every time I laughed my husband would say "You're listening to that dog book again, aren't you?" I could not guess who was responsible for the different incidents that kept happening and there was just enough suspense to keep you guessing. I loved how the dogs personalities came through in the descriptions of each of them and really liked Lucie!! I can't wait to read more by this author!!
March 28, 2014
Cute new series with a mob connection. I really liked Lucie, Frankie and Ro. Lucie was very conflicted on her family (hard to be a mob princess). It was interesting because the mob came off kind of cozy during the first half of the book and then it started being kind of scary. . I would read the next one just based on liking the characters.
December 8, 2014
Read as part of "The Perfect Ten" romantic suspense box set.
Two-haiku review:
She lost job, walks dogs
Dogs kidnapped, she finds diamond
Makes up with boyfriend
Funny mob story
Is that an oxymoron?
Decent mystery
Two-haiku review:
She lost job, walks dogs
Dogs kidnapped, she finds diamond
Makes up with boyfriend
Funny mob story
Is that an oxymoron?
Decent mystery
January 22, 2016
A great read that is full of adventure and just enough "mob" to make it.entertaining. The characters are interesting and the story flows wonderfully. I loved this story.
May 23, 2018
I like mysteries, but I wouldn't classify this as such. In a mystery, the main character either investigates or stumbles upon clues that inevitably lead him/her to the culprit. These clues also lead the reader to the same conclusion and one of the little joys of reading these books is finding the culprit before the main character does (unless the character acts like a complete idiot to give the reader that satisfaction, then it's just annoying).
Lucie recently lost her job in banking and moved back home. She is a mob princess, who deeply resents the dubious fame that comes with that fact. All her life she tried to prove that she wasn't like her father and could make her living in an honest fashion. To pay her bills, she works as a dog walker and designs dog accessories like collars and coats with rhinestones, which she sells at an incredibly high price (a little unbelievable in my opinion, as there are a lot of brand accessories out there, so why would anybody pay that much money for someone's craft project, especially after her best friend criticized her early designs). Amongst the fake jewelry she uses for her design, she finds a real one. And when people try to kidnap her dogs and steal the merchandise, she gathers that this real diamond is the reason.
Why isn't it a mystery? Because they make no progress in the investigation. At first, all the book is about is either the thefts and dognappings or Lucie's relationship with her boyfriend Frankie (who is a candidate for sainthood). The whole book seems to work on the premise that Lucie's small family home, where she lives with her mother and brother (as her father is currently in jail) has the kind of pedestrian traffic only seen in Grand Central Station. A spreadsheet lying on her kitchen table goes missing and Lucie assumes that anyone could have taken it. For 2/3 of the book, the reader has to listen to excuses, why she doesn't ask her mother about the diamond and who could have taken the spreadsheet. Only after she finally does so, can the case go forward, because her mother doesn't just offer a clue, she knows the culprit and what this is all about.
To add insult to injury, Lucie's character isn't all that likable. She became a banker and moved into the city to get away from the stigma of her family. All perfectly understandable. All her relationship problems with Frankie, who technically is a mob prince, come back to the fact that he doesn't want to turn his back on his family. He even offered her to move to the city with her and just visit his family on weekends and such. But that isn't enough for her and therefore she keeps breaking up with him. Frankie is the one, who perfectly summed it up (probably not an exact quote). You have to meet me somewhere, otherwise one gets everything and the other gets nothing. Lucie is incredibly selfish about the entire thing (not once does she wonder e.g. if her mother would like to see her from time to time). And then, the author pulls an "Up in the Air" (George Clooney movie) on us. Frankie was happy in his life, thus far, and because of Lucie, he starts to question it. In the end, Lucie is of course proven right, because Frankie's mobster father is so horrible that he would choose money over his own son.
To sum it up, the mystery part was non-existent and only my love for dogs got me through most of the book. While the main characters reasoning regarding her mobster background and her overbearing father were understandable, even relatable to a certain degree, her reactions weren't. I got the impression that even her contentious relationship with her brother, isn't entirely his fault. Though that could be prejudice as my big brother and I get along swimmingly. But as she is the only one having problems with him, maybe it isn't.
I most certainly won't read another one of those books (dogs or not).
Lucie recently lost her job in banking and moved back home. She is a mob princess, who deeply resents the dubious fame that comes with that fact. All her life she tried to prove that she wasn't like her father and could make her living in an honest fashion. To pay her bills, she works as a dog walker and designs dog accessories like collars and coats with rhinestones, which she sells at an incredibly high price (a little unbelievable in my opinion, as there are a lot of brand accessories out there, so why would anybody pay that much money for someone's craft project, especially after her best friend criticized her early designs). Amongst the fake jewelry she uses for her design, she finds a real one. And when people try to kidnap her dogs and steal the merchandise, she gathers that this real diamond is the reason.
Why isn't it a mystery? Because they make no progress in the investigation. At first, all the book is about is either the thefts and dognappings or Lucie's relationship with her boyfriend Frankie (who is a candidate for sainthood). The whole book seems to work on the premise that Lucie's small family home, where she lives with her mother and brother (as her father is currently in jail) has the kind of pedestrian traffic only seen in Grand Central Station. A spreadsheet lying on her kitchen table goes missing and Lucie assumes that anyone could have taken it. For 2/3 of the book, the reader has to listen to excuses, why she doesn't ask her mother about the diamond and who could have taken the spreadsheet. Only after she finally does so, can the case go forward, because her mother doesn't just offer a clue, she knows the culprit and what this is all about.
To add insult to injury, Lucie's character isn't all that likable. She became a banker and moved into the city to get away from the stigma of her family. All perfectly understandable. All her relationship problems with Frankie, who technically is a mob prince, come back to the fact that he doesn't want to turn his back on his family. He even offered her to move to the city with her and just visit his family on weekends and such. But that isn't enough for her and therefore she keeps breaking up with him. Frankie is the one, who perfectly summed it up (probably not an exact quote). You have to meet me somewhere, otherwise one gets everything and the other gets nothing. Lucie is incredibly selfish about the entire thing (not once does she wonder e.g. if her mother would like to see her from time to time). And then, the author pulls an "Up in the Air" (George Clooney movie) on us. Frankie was happy in his life, thus far, and because of Lucie, he starts to question it. In the end, Lucie is of course proven right, because Frankie's mobster father is so horrible that he would choose money over his own son.
To sum it up, the mystery part was non-existent and only my love for dogs got me through most of the book. While the main characters reasoning regarding her mobster background and her overbearing father were understandable, even relatable to a certain degree, her reactions weren't. I got the impression that even her contentious relationship with her brother, isn't entirely his fault. Though that could be prejudice as my big brother and I get along swimmingly. But as she is the only one having problems with him, maybe it isn't.
I most certainly won't read another one of those books (dogs or not).
December 10, 2024
1.5 stars
This is really two books in one: a fluffy mystery and a painful emotional romance. It’s not a cozy mystery. Don’t go by the quirky covers on many of the editions. This isn’t at all funny.
The mystery isn’t much of one. The motive is immediately obvious. Some of the people the reader might suspect are thrown out because the book switched to their perspectives. True, there’s no dead body mystery, but the organized crime piece is huge.
Not that there’s violence but the whole thing is there dividing her from the love of her life. He’s a great guy and is so supportive of her and treats her so well. They prove him to be a good guy by putting some of the book from his point of view too.
She gets angry at him because she is jealous when he flirts to get her a client, a dog supply boutique, and doesn’t trust him even though she had no reason not to. Then later she flirts with a guy in front of him and didn’t understand why it would bother him. She tells him was cool that someone found her attractive. I was kind of on his side most of the time. Their relationship and her wanting to end it even though she’s totally in love with him and admits it, is so painful to read about.
And confusing. She refuses to sleep in the same bed with him right after they went to a hotel together and had sex (which was on page, too. Not cozy.) Also, the thought of him with someone else is horrifying to her. What does she think will happen if they don’t get back together?
The dogs aren’t front and center in the book. There’s very little showing their behavior. She’s not what I would call a dog person. She likes them fine but doesn’t have a companion animal of her own and there’s no explanation like her apartment doesn’t accept pets or anything like that.
I find it hard to believe that as the daughter of an incarcerated mobster, she would ever have even been admitted to any finance school let alone Notre Dame, nor be hired from any firm, let alone a well respected one.
I was really confused about what she wanted. She kept saying she wanted to move to the city. But she also often said she loved the city where they ate dinner and she walked her dogs. Her boyfriend said they could commute even though it was a long way away but that wasn’t good enough for her. Then she applied for a job and he didn’t get upset except that she wouldn’t be able to put enough into her new business she was developing which he fully supported her doing. It was so confusing.
The biggest issue was that he wanted to have his crime family be part of his life and that she didn’t want that because she didn’t want to be associated with that life.
I have no desire to read the next one.
The reader, Laura Princiotta, isn’t very good. There aren’t a lot of differences in the voices. Even the men’s voices aren’t that different. She tries and puts a little mafioso accent in the dad a couple of times but it wasn’t consistent.
This is really two books in one: a fluffy mystery and a painful emotional romance. It’s not a cozy mystery. Don’t go by the quirky covers on many of the editions. This isn’t at all funny.
The mystery isn’t much of one. The motive is immediately obvious. Some of the people the reader might suspect are thrown out because the book switched to their perspectives. True, there’s no dead body mystery, but the organized crime piece is huge.
Not that there’s violence but the whole thing is there dividing her from the love of her life. He’s a great guy and is so supportive of her and treats her so well. They prove him to be a good guy by putting some of the book from his point of view too.
She gets angry at him because she is jealous when he flirts to get her a client, a dog supply boutique, and doesn’t trust him even though she had no reason not to. Then later she flirts with a guy in front of him and didn’t understand why it would bother him. She tells him was cool that someone found her attractive. I was kind of on his side most of the time. Their relationship and her wanting to end it even though she’s totally in love with him and admits it, is so painful to read about.
And confusing. She refuses to sleep in the same bed with him right after they went to a hotel together and had sex (which was on page, too. Not cozy.) Also, the thought of him with someone else is horrifying to her. What does she think will happen if they don’t get back together?
The dogs aren’t front and center in the book. There’s very little showing their behavior. She’s not what I would call a dog person. She likes them fine but doesn’t have a companion animal of her own and there’s no explanation like her apartment doesn’t accept pets or anything like that.
I find it hard to believe that as the daughter of an incarcerated mobster, she would ever have even been admitted to any finance school let alone Notre Dame, nor be hired from any firm, let alone a well respected one.
I was really confused about what she wanted. She kept saying she wanted to move to the city. But she also often said she loved the city where they ate dinner and she walked her dogs. Her boyfriend said they could commute even though it was a long way away but that wasn’t good enough for her. Then she applied for a job and he didn’t get upset except that she wouldn’t be able to put enough into her new business she was developing which he fully supported her doing. It was so confusing.
The biggest issue was that he wanted to have his crime family be part of his life and that she didn’t want that because she didn’t want to be associated with that life.
I have no desire to read the next one.
The reader, Laura Princiotta, isn’t very good. There aren’t a lot of differences in the voices. Even the men’s voices aren’t that different. She tries and puts a little mafioso accent in the dad a couple of times but it wasn’t consistent.
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