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Paw Enforcement #3
Laying Down the Paw
Police officer Megan Luz and her K-9 partner are back-with a vengeance.
IT'S A DOG-EAT-DOG WORLD.
When a raging tornado hits Forth Worth, Megan's squad car is flipped over-and her devoted police dog, Brigit, is not amused. But that's not all that's upside-down. The streets are littered with looters-and members of a violent street gang-and no local business is safe. It's time to get back on all fours and see that the job of protecting the public is done.
BUT WHO'S LEADER OF THE PACK?
But Megan, outmanned and outgunned, has no choice but to let the gang members get away. Later, when she learns that one of them is a suspect in an unsolved murder case, Megan is determined to see that justice is served. But will she end up in the doghouse? Her investigation has her and Brigit barking up the wrong tree at every turn. Meanwhile, a killer's on the loose....who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
IT'S A DOG-EAT-DOG WORLD.
When a raging tornado hits Forth Worth, Megan's squad car is flipped over-and her devoted police dog, Brigit, is not amused. But that's not all that's upside-down. The streets are littered with looters-and members of a violent street gang-and no local business is safe. It's time to get back on all fours and see that the job of protecting the public is done.
BUT WHO'S LEADER OF THE PACK?
But Megan, outmanned and outgunned, has no choice but to let the gang members get away. Later, when she learns that one of them is a suspect in an unsolved murder case, Megan is determined to see that justice is served. But will she end up in the doghouse? Her investigation has her and Brigit barking up the wrong tree at every turn. Meanwhile, a killer's on the loose....who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 4, 2015
88 people are currently reading
732 people want to read
About the author
Diane Kelly
69 books1,227 followersAward-winning author Diane Kelly writes romance and romantic mysteries featuring feisty heroines, quirky sidekicks, and sexy leading men, with humor that leaves readers laughing out loud.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
February 16, 2018
This will be my last book. I just can't get past the inadequacies regarding a working police K9. Either the author has not done her research or just doesn't care. In real life, this officer would be either re assigned or fired. Or if she was smart quit, because she truly lacks the confidence to be a real cop. And Briget would either go back to training to try to fix her bad habits or would be out. The constant unauthorized eating is bad enough, but the final straw for me was when Officer Luz was confronted by the 4 looters. They pull a gun on her and Brigit stands there??? and then when one of them takes out some jerky and throws it to the dog, Briget would rather eat the jerky (and make friends with the looter) than be a real police K9.
Officer Luz wants to be a detective, but can't even look at a dead body without vomiting. She's scared of her own shadow. If I was with FWPD and had to do anything requiring a back up, I'd rather have Derek Mackay back me up. He may be a jerk, but at least I know he has the guts to do his job. No, there will be no K9 #4.
Officer Luz wants to be a detective, but can't even look at a dead body without vomiting. She's scared of her own shadow. If I was with FWPD and had to do anything requiring a back up, I'd rather have Derek Mackay back me up. He may be a jerk, but at least I know he has the guts to do his job. No, there will be no K9 #4.
November 21, 2018
Megan and Seth seem to be doing okay after getting back together. They have a Valentine's day date planned, but all of that comes to a halt when a tornado hits the city, and Megan is in the middle of it. She's just not having a good week, and it gets even worse when more robberies happen, and someone is murdered.
This book was really good. I'm glad that Seth and Megan got back together, and I really thought the story was good in this one. I can't believe Megan had to go through all of that.
Overall, this one was a really great addition to this series, and I look forward to more.
This book was really good. I'm glad that Seth and Megan got back together, and I really thought the story was good in this one. I can't believe Megan had to go through all of that.
Overall, this one was a really great addition to this series, and I look forward to more.
August 22, 2015
I love these books especially reading what Brigit, the K-9 dog thinks. Megan and Brigit make a great team. Seems like trouble follows them wherever they go. This time they get caught in a tornado and have to deal with looters and someone burglarizing homes. Never a dull moment with the two of them. I also enjoyed the characters of Seth her boyfriend and his dog Blast. The characters all work so well together. Very well written and a very enjoyable story. I also loved the cover.
January 14, 2021
I love this series! Brigit, the German Shepherd adds a lot of humor and emotion to these cozy mystery stories.
March 27, 2024
I have enjoyed listening to this series while working out at the gym. I love the relationship between Bridget and Megan and how it evolves as time passes.
I sometimes have to chuckle at the pronunciations of towns, restaurants, schools, etc. They aren't how we pronounce them here in Texas. It isn't that big of a deal to me, but still funny.
I sometimes have to chuckle at the pronunciations of towns, restaurants, schools, etc. They aren't how we pronounce them here in Texas. It isn't that big of a deal to me, but still funny.
August 19, 2015
I liked it okay, but I didn't like it as much as Paw and Order. Whereas Paw and Order had a flow, it feels like maybe this book didn't end up being long enough and so Megan had some pretty random thoughts injected in, which made the text seem cluttered. There were also a few parts with some internalized misogyny problems -- the reporter is a skank because she has big boobs, this woman is wearing too much makeup and that is a sign she is stupid, etc etc.
I did like that Dub gets a good ending. I was worried for a little that we had a not-so-villainous villain on our hands and that he'd get some kind of punishment that he didn't deserve. I cared much more about him than I did about any other characters in the book, frankly.
I did like that Dub gets a good ending. I was worried for a little that we had a not-so-villainous villain on our hands and that he'd get some kind of punishment that he didn't deserve. I cared much more about him than I did about any other characters in the book, frankly.
February 17, 2019
A good story and realistic teenage character.
April 22, 2016
A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. - David Brinkley
LAYING DOWN THE PAW is Book 3 in the Paw Enforcement Series. Kelly reintroduces readers to the heroine, Megan Luz, an average Irish Mexican Catholic Texan. She grew up with a stutter, prompting her to develop a quiet personality. Yet Megan listened to others, a quality that came full circle once she became a Fort Worth police officer. After tasering her misogynist partner, she is reassigned to K-9 duty with Brigit, a German shepherd rescued from the pound for her keen sense of smell. Megan spends her off duty time helping Detective Johnson, a female mentor, with background investigations as the first step to becoming a detective herself. Megan has a special talent as a baton twirler - a skill she sometimes employs with her police baton during her patrols. Brigit has a special talent of finding food and tackling suspects, sometimes at the same time.
As with the previous two books, the plot unfolds through three perspectives: Megan's first person narrative, Brigit's third person, er, dog musings, and the "villain's" third person point of view. LAYING DOWN THE PAW opens with the brutal murder of a drug dealer - a mystery that plagues the Fort Worth Police Department throughout the plot. Megan is the first officer on the scene and finds herself sickened by the violence. Once Detective Jackson arrives, she advises Megan that it never gets easier to accept the bloodshed. Days later, Megan is caught in a tornado during her patrol. After climbing out of her damaged car, she and Brigit secure the area, only to come face to face with armed looters. Unable to safely defuse the confrontation, Megan allows the looters to walk away with their ill gotten gains. She later realizes that one of the looters resembles the police sketch of the murder suspect. The chase begins to find the killer.
Kelly combines humor with grit in LAYING DOWN THE PAW. I applaud Kelly for creating a flawed heroine who takes life one day at a time. Megan may have flinched when confronted by the armed looters but she learns from her fear. The grisly murder is offset by Megan's budding romance with Seth, an Army veteran-turned-bomb defuser with the Fort Worth Fire Deparment. His canine partner, Blast, provides welcome company for Brigit. Brigit makes it clear in her musings that she is the Alpha Dog while Blast is the Beta companion. Megan breaks out of her comfort zone by spontaneously renting a house with Frankie, a Roller Derby skater who carries her own emotional baggage. The move enables Megan to escape from a cramped apartment, give Brigit a yard, and establish a female friendship outside the police force.
As much as I enjoy Megan's character, the "villain" steals the attention in LAYING DOWN THE PAW. I was drawn into his world with disgust and sympathy. It takes a skilled writer like Kelly to simultaneously create those conflicting emotions. Kelly evokes the question of how to define "good" versus "evil" as the "villain" seeks to survive in his grim world of the forgotten poor. Kelly incorporates diverse characters with distinct personalities to create an authentic cross section of our society. Finally, Kelly added small details, such as the ongoing joke of vegetarian lasagna, to create a feel good book despite being a murder mystery. The plot kept my attention and I read this book in one sitting.
I look forward to more books from Kelly to follow Megan's path to detective, Brigit's search for food, the budding romance with Seth, and new friendship with Frankie.
I purchased a copy of LAYING DOWN THE PAW after reading the first two books in the series.
LAYING DOWN THE PAW is Book 3 in the Paw Enforcement Series. Kelly reintroduces readers to the heroine, Megan Luz, an average Irish Mexican Catholic Texan. She grew up with a stutter, prompting her to develop a quiet personality. Yet Megan listened to others, a quality that came full circle once she became a Fort Worth police officer. After tasering her misogynist partner, she is reassigned to K-9 duty with Brigit, a German shepherd rescued from the pound for her keen sense of smell. Megan spends her off duty time helping Detective Johnson, a female mentor, with background investigations as the first step to becoming a detective herself. Megan has a special talent as a baton twirler - a skill she sometimes employs with her police baton during her patrols. Brigit has a special talent of finding food and tackling suspects, sometimes at the same time.
As with the previous two books, the plot unfolds through three perspectives: Megan's first person narrative, Brigit's third person, er, dog musings, and the "villain's" third person point of view. LAYING DOWN THE PAW opens with the brutal murder of a drug dealer - a mystery that plagues the Fort Worth Police Department throughout the plot. Megan is the first officer on the scene and finds herself sickened by the violence. Once Detective Jackson arrives, she advises Megan that it never gets easier to accept the bloodshed. Days later, Megan is caught in a tornado during her patrol. After climbing out of her damaged car, she and Brigit secure the area, only to come face to face with armed looters. Unable to safely defuse the confrontation, Megan allows the looters to walk away with their ill gotten gains. She later realizes that one of the looters resembles the police sketch of the murder suspect. The chase begins to find the killer.
Kelly combines humor with grit in LAYING DOWN THE PAW. I applaud Kelly for creating a flawed heroine who takes life one day at a time. Megan may have flinched when confronted by the armed looters but she learns from her fear. The grisly murder is offset by Megan's budding romance with Seth, an Army veteran-turned-bomb defuser with the Fort Worth Fire Deparment. His canine partner, Blast, provides welcome company for Brigit. Brigit makes it clear in her musings that she is the Alpha Dog while Blast is the Beta companion. Megan breaks out of her comfort zone by spontaneously renting a house with Frankie, a Roller Derby skater who carries her own emotional baggage. The move enables Megan to escape from a cramped apartment, give Brigit a yard, and establish a female friendship outside the police force.
As much as I enjoy Megan's character, the "villain" steals the attention in LAYING DOWN THE PAW. I was drawn into his world with disgust and sympathy. It takes a skilled writer like Kelly to simultaneously create those conflicting emotions. Kelly evokes the question of how to define "good" versus "evil" as the "villain" seeks to survive in his grim world of the forgotten poor. Kelly incorporates diverse characters with distinct personalities to create an authentic cross section of our society. Finally, Kelly added small details, such as the ongoing joke of vegetarian lasagna, to create a feel good book despite being a murder mystery. The plot kept my attention and I read this book in one sitting.
I look forward to more books from Kelly to follow Megan's path to detective, Brigit's search for food, the budding romance with Seth, and new friendship with Frankie.
I purchased a copy of LAYING DOWN THE PAW after reading the first two books in the series.
November 2, 2015
If I ever needed to call the police, I'd want Officer Luz and Sergeant Brigit on my side. There are few more dynamic duos than Officer Megan Luz and Sergeant Brigit, her K-9 partner. Sergeant Brigit may be well trained and dedicated on the job, but she is all dog when off duty, digging holes, chewing shoes, and chasing squirrels with the best of them. Intelligent, talented, a devoted partner and great at being a dog - what more could a woman want. Well, for that, there is Seth, the bomb expert who has finally decided that Megan is the only one for him. Not to mention, his lab Blast makes a willing playmate and wrestling partner for Brigit.
Megan hopes to gain the experience necessary to become a detective, and isn't afraid to put in extra effort. Before that, she needs a few more years on patrol. That isn't easy. Between handling a mixture of minor offenses, she gets called to the scene of a brutal murder. Evidence points to it being drug related. Then a horrendous storm hits Fort Worth, leaving damage in its wake. Officer Luz and Brigit attempt to stop a group of looters, but they end up escaping, and one is a possible murder suspect.
The novel cycles between different perspectives, including Brigit's. While a lot of the book is serious, there is also humor throughout. Brigit is clever but she definitely has her own agenda at times. I absolutely adore her - I won't say that too much or my own dogs might get jealous. Megan Luz is cool too, a terrific mix of justice-seeking dedication and compassion, a blend that makes her a wonderful police officer.
Laying Down the Paw is not only an entertaining novel, it's a great reminder to be thankful for all the wonderful working dogs and their handlers. I can't wait to get my paws on Diane Kelly's next novel.
5/5
--Crittermom
It takes a strong paw to enforce the law
http://muttcafe.com/2015/11/laying-do...
Megan hopes to gain the experience necessary to become a detective, and isn't afraid to put in extra effort. Before that, she needs a few more years on patrol. That isn't easy. Between handling a mixture of minor offenses, she gets called to the scene of a brutal murder. Evidence points to it being drug related. Then a horrendous storm hits Fort Worth, leaving damage in its wake. Officer Luz and Brigit attempt to stop a group of looters, but they end up escaping, and one is a possible murder suspect.
The novel cycles between different perspectives, including Brigit's. While a lot of the book is serious, there is also humor throughout. Brigit is clever but she definitely has her own agenda at times. I absolutely adore her - I won't say that too much or my own dogs might get jealous. Megan Luz is cool too, a terrific mix of justice-seeking dedication and compassion, a blend that makes her a wonderful police officer.
Laying Down the Paw is not only an entertaining novel, it's a great reminder to be thankful for all the wonderful working dogs and their handlers. I can't wait to get my paws on Diane Kelly's next novel.
5/5
--Crittermom
It takes a strong paw to enforce the law
http://muttcafe.com/2015/11/laying-do...
September 10, 2015
A wacky and entertaining series. Megan is a Fort Worth police officer and Brigit is her K-9 partner. Megan and Brigit joined forces after Megan tasered her first partner in the family jewels. A tornado hits Fort Worth and turns Megan's patrol car on its side on a fire hydrant. Escaping, she and Brigit go to the aid of other victims and encounter an armed robbery in progress. Out gunned and out manned they have to let the robbers go. Subsequent investigating ties the robbers to a drug dealer's murder and Megan and Brigit are off and running. This is the third book in the series and they just get better and better. Megan, Brigit and one of the main suspects take turns narrating each chapter. This is a great approach as we get to know each of them in a lot more depth and detail. Brigit's narration is laugh out funny and really adds to the story. The characters and setting are nicely blended into the main story line. The mystery is well plotted and gives us a variety of characters and scenes to observe. There is laughter as you get to know Brigit and there are the serious issues that we see all around us in today's world. This is both entertaining and informative. Dog lovers will appreciate Brigit and all of us learn what the life of a patrol cop is really like. With today's headlines I think this is a series we should all read and I highly recommend it.
August 16, 2015
I love this series, which features Fort Worth police officer Megan Luz and her canine partner Brigit. As usual, Megan's first person narration alternates with brief glimpses into Brigit's view of the world and chapters from the point of view of whatever miscreant Megan and Brigit are looking for. I was really pulled into this one by the interwoven story of Dub, the fifteen-year-old looter who shares his (admittedly stolen) jerky treat with Brigit. Along with the humor and misadventures of Megan and Brigit's life, including Megan's on-again boyfriend, Seth, a fire department bomb expert; Seth's canine partner Blast; Megan's mentor, Detective Jackson; and Megan's new roommate, roller derby skater (and night shift grocery stocker) Frankie, Kelly makes us care deeply about Dub, as he makes bad decisions (he's only fifteen) while trying to do the right thing.
September 13, 2017
The author has got stop writing the lead as such a dangerous and unprofessional officer. Pulling a baton when guns are drawn is a firing offense in most departments and letting your dog run amok is worse. We get it, she used to twirl a baton so it makes her feel safe. It is annoying to think that after all her training this bad habit remains. I lose all interest in the story or the character when the lead is so unprepared and seems to think it's ok. Please do some research before writing book 7.y
June 12, 2016
I'm a sucker for any novel with a cute dog on the cover and I absolutely love this series. I'm fond of the way that author writes first person in alternating chapter, from the perspective of the female cop, the KP dog and usually the villain of the novel. In this story, the "villain" has such a compelling story that it overwhelmed everything else that was happening within the book.
I can't wait for more books in this series.
I can't wait for more books in this series.
August 5, 2015
An Absolute Must Read!
Diane Kelly always offers a great read, whether it's her Officer Megan Luz & her K-9 partner Brigit - Paw Enforcement series, or her Tara Holloway series. This time the story of Dub, a boy caught up in the system, twists & turns & tugs at your heart strings. Humor is interspersed when the author presents the occasional asides told from K-9 Brigit's POV. Laying Down the Paw is an engaging read & not to be missed.
Diane Kelly always offers a great read, whether it's her Officer Megan Luz & her K-9 partner Brigit - Paw Enforcement series, or her Tara Holloway series. This time the story of Dub, a boy caught up in the system, twists & turns & tugs at your heart strings. Humor is interspersed when the author presents the occasional asides told from K-9 Brigit's POV. Laying Down the Paw is an engaging read & not to be missed.
April 30, 2016
Better than #2, but still has issues. Megan and the dog aren't sufficiently trained (dangerously so), making it hard to stay immersed in the story. Dub (the antagonist) is an interesting character. He's pretty well written - sympathetic and human - but some of his decisions are counter intuitive. His street smarts seems to come and go. Overall the book was OK, but could have been much better. Just write Megan and Brigit as professionals and I'll go 4 stars.
August 8, 2015
I love this series. Police officer Megan Luz is not perfect but she tries so hard you are right there with her hoping she gets it right this time. K9 officer Brigit makes up for Megan’s shortfalls and between the two Fort Worth is a safer place. This is a sweet, sometimes sad and funny mystery that won’t embarrass your mother.
July 16, 2016
Definitely not a laugh fest as promoted, but there is some humor. I was not attracted to the lead character's light weight attitude about her job, nor to the dog's ignoring commands, presenting the picture of a less than well trained police dog. The chapters from the dog's perspective are just weird. Just didn't ring true. Rather a silly story, though I did finish it so it got a 3 rating.
October 22, 2015
I am really liking the Paw Enforcement books. Megan & Brigit are a great team. I love the humor and mystery. As a pet owner there are many times where I nod my head in total understanding. Ready for the next book.
December 4, 2015
I love reading about Megan and Brigit. Brigit seems to have lost some of her training. She eats food off the floor and accepts food from strangers. I thought police dogs were not to except food from outsiders because they could be poisoned?
December 26, 2015
3.5 stars
Mostly, the book was great. It's less a mystery than an almost-procedural; the reader is almost always aware of who the bad guys are, but not necessarily the circumstances or how everything fits together.
Wordy review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/126543...
Mostly, the book was great. It's less a mystery than an almost-procedural; the reader is almost always aware of who the bad guys are, but not necessarily the circumstances or how everything fits together.
Wordy review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/126543...
December 6, 2015
Loved this book. Downloaded an audio copy from the library and was spending every minute I could listening!! Holds your attention. Now looking for all the books in this series.
July 25, 2023
4.5 stars
In #3 in the K-9 mysteries, Fort Worth Police Officer Megan and her partner German Shepherd Sergeant Brigit face a series of challenges. Megan sees her first homicide victim (which leads to some serious vomiting), they are investigating a series of robberies and are threatened by three armed looters (and one unarmed teenager named Dub) after a tornado lands their patrol car on top of a fire hydrant. In other words, a pretty normal week for Megan and Brigit. How these three plot lines intersect makes for an engaging mystery. Fortunately, there is plenty of humor to balance out a difficult storyline about Dub, whose short life has included abusive and neglectful parents, three burglary and one felony drug convictions, and a year at the Gainesville State School for boys, followed by six months at a halfway house.
As with the two earlier books in the series, the chapters alternate between Megan, Brigit and a third character--in this case, Dub. As always my favorite chapters are from Brigit's point of view because she's a dog and dogs are the best! Except for cats. I was worried initially because Dub's story was so very sad--and realistic to what happens to a lot of children--but it turned out that his perspective is what gave the story its emotional depth. While there is some silliness, the book still deals with some deeper issues about abuse and the hopelessness of a child trying to face a life in which he feels completely alone. I was reminded of the quote, "Without darkness there can be no light."
On the personal front for Megan, she is continuing to hone her investigating skills in hopes of making detective as soon as she is qualified. She also finally moves out of her terrible apartment so Brigit can have a backyard--and hopefully stop tearing up her shoes. Her move brings a new character who we will hopefully learn more about in future books. And her relationship with Seth takes some major steps forward, which I really enjoyed. It had been a year or two since I had read a book in this series, and I had forgotten how much fun they are. Highly recommend as long as you are not a stickler for accurate police procedures.
In #3 in the K-9 mysteries, Fort Worth Police Officer Megan and her partner German Shepherd Sergeant Brigit face a series of challenges. Megan sees her first homicide victim (which leads to some serious vomiting), they are investigating a series of robberies and are threatened by three armed looters (and one unarmed teenager named Dub) after a tornado lands their patrol car on top of a fire hydrant. In other words, a pretty normal week for Megan and Brigit. How these three plot lines intersect makes for an engaging mystery. Fortunately, there is plenty of humor to balance out a difficult storyline about Dub, whose short life has included abusive and neglectful parents, three burglary and one felony drug convictions, and a year at the Gainesville State School for boys, followed by six months at a halfway house.
As with the two earlier books in the series, the chapters alternate between Megan, Brigit and a third character--in this case, Dub. As always my favorite chapters are from Brigit's point of view because she's a dog and dogs are the best! Except for cats. I was worried initially because Dub's story was so very sad--and realistic to what happens to a lot of children--but it turned out that his perspective is what gave the story its emotional depth. While there is some silliness, the book still deals with some deeper issues about abuse and the hopelessness of a child trying to face a life in which he feels completely alone. I was reminded of the quote, "Without darkness there can be no light."
On the personal front for Megan, she is continuing to hone her investigating skills in hopes of making detective as soon as she is qualified. She also finally moves out of her terrible apartment so Brigit can have a backyard--and hopefully stop tearing up her shoes. Her move brings a new character who we will hopefully learn more about in future books. And her relationship with Seth takes some major steps forward, which I really enjoyed. It had been a year or two since I had read a book in this series, and I had forgotten how much fun they are. Highly recommend as long as you are not a stickler for accurate police procedures.
June 13, 2018
26. Laying Down the Paw by Diane Kelly
Police officer Megan Luz and her recalcitrant K-9 partner Brigit face a tornado, marauding looters, and an unsolved murder in Book 3 of this seven book series set in Houston.
I have two issues with this series. The first is that it’s rather thin on actual police procedure (I think the author’s sole experience with policing was a one-night citizens’ police academy) and some real experience might have made this more enjoyable. Also, it sometimes veers into “romance dressed in mystery costume” for me.
But, Megan and Brigit such appealing, likeable characters that I am willing to overlook the minor flaws. Megan struggled to find her place in the world before joining the police force, and Bridget is a barely rehabilitated dog of a former drug lord. Brigit is mostly interested in food, and Blast, the bomb sniffing dog of Megan’s love interest, Seth. Megan’s interest is divided between doing her job well, taking care of Birgit, thwarting her former Neanderthal partner, and getting to know Seth better. Seth is a bomb disposal expert for the Fort Worth Fire Department, so he and Megan have a lot in common.
The stories are told from the viewpoints of Megan, Brigit, and usually the main bad guy. This book departs from that by featuring an easy-to-root-for character, Dub, who is more a victim of circumstance than a purposeful evildoer. I admit I skipped past some of the chapters detailing Dub’s point of view, but that was partially because I could see what was coming, and it distressed me to watch someone I like make some bad choices.
This was a fun, light, character-driven quick read with a surprising, but satisfying ending. I am pleased to see there are several more books to go before I have to say goodbye to Megan, Seth, Brigit, and Blast.
Police officer Megan Luz and her recalcitrant K-9 partner Brigit face a tornado, marauding looters, and an unsolved murder in Book 3 of this seven book series set in Houston.
I have two issues with this series. The first is that it’s rather thin on actual police procedure (I think the author’s sole experience with policing was a one-night citizens’ police academy) and some real experience might have made this more enjoyable. Also, it sometimes veers into “romance dressed in mystery costume” for me.
But, Megan and Brigit such appealing, likeable characters that I am willing to overlook the minor flaws. Megan struggled to find her place in the world before joining the police force, and Bridget is a barely rehabilitated dog of a former drug lord. Brigit is mostly interested in food, and Blast, the bomb sniffing dog of Megan’s love interest, Seth. Megan’s interest is divided between doing her job well, taking care of Birgit, thwarting her former Neanderthal partner, and getting to know Seth better. Seth is a bomb disposal expert for the Fort Worth Fire Department, so he and Megan have a lot in common.
The stories are told from the viewpoints of Megan, Brigit, and usually the main bad guy. This book departs from that by featuring an easy-to-root-for character, Dub, who is more a victim of circumstance than a purposeful evildoer. I admit I skipped past some of the chapters detailing Dub’s point of view, but that was partially because I could see what was coming, and it distressed me to watch someone I like make some bad choices.
This was a fun, light, character-driven quick read with a surprising, but satisfying ending. I am pleased to see there are several more books to go before I have to say goodbye to Megan, Seth, Brigit, and Blast.
November 19, 2020
AARGH! I hate what she does, and I hate it that I like her books despite the hate! She gets inside the heads of too many people. When reading a mystery, I only want to be inside one person's head. But she added a second one, a dog's, and that was okay and even very funny. I like the dog. . Yeah, the dog sometimes tells us things that the person doesn't know, spoiling the suspense, but you kind of guessed them anyway so it was okay.
For example, the officer (lead character; wants to make detective some day) is searching an area, finds nothing, quit and goes away. Her dog, though, notes that the person who gave her yummy treats was hiding in the area. Too bad.
But then the author insists on adding another person's head and I hate hate hate that. Yes, she does a good job. But it ruins any chance of the book being a mystery at all--there's no mystery. In the first book I read, she was in the head of the person committing the robberies and yes, she was portraying how a weak-willed but not altogether bad person can get caught up in crime and end up doing awfully bad things. It was an interesting character study, but for me it ruined the story.
And in this one she gets in the head of a kid who is connected with the crimes. I can't go into detail but I ended up liking the kid and wanting to know how he turned out. But still, once again, it ruined the story. And to add insult to injury she left an occasional detail deliberately vague, to build up the tension and make us wonder--did he or didn't he? No, no! That is not my idea of storytelling.
I don't want any "unreliable narrators" in my murder mysteries, plain and simple. If I did, I'd read literature.
For example, the officer (lead character; wants to make detective some day) is searching an area, finds nothing, quit and goes away. Her dog, though, notes that the person who gave her yummy treats was hiding in the area. Too bad.
But then the author insists on adding another person's head and I hate hate hate that. Yes, she does a good job. But it ruins any chance of the book being a mystery at all--there's no mystery. In the first book I read, she was in the head of the person committing the robberies and yes, she was portraying how a weak-willed but not altogether bad person can get caught up in crime and end up doing awfully bad things. It was an interesting character study, but for me it ruined the story.
And in this one she gets in the head of a kid who is connected with the crimes. I can't go into detail but I ended up liking the kid and wanting to know how he turned out. But still, once again, it ruined the story. And to add insult to injury she left an occasional detail deliberately vague, to build up the tension and make us wonder--did he or didn't he? No, no! That is not my idea of storytelling.
I don't want any "unreliable narrators" in my murder mysteries, plain and simple. If I did, I'd read literature.
February 17, 2018
Officer Megan Luz and Sergeant Brigit are back at it, just after book 2. Seth and Megan are giving it another go, with a Valentine's Day date planned, but Mother Nature stomps on their plans by sending a tornado down the streets, flipping Luz's car and putting her and Brigit in harm's way again when looters take to the streets. Luz picks up more unpaid overtime to help the lead detective who's sort of mentoring Megan while investigating a drug-related murder case, the suspect in which resembles one of the looters who threatened Luz and Brigit. Turns out the suspect may be two suspects who closely resemble each other...and who both have questionable pasts.
The gang's all here (Seth Rutledge, Detective Jackson, former partner Derek “Big Dick” Mackey),and Megan's new roommate, Jackie, a purple-haired roller derby hobbyist, joins them.
Again, the style is alternating perspectives, which adds to the story, especially when it's the same period of time getting rehashed from the 3 perspectives [Megan, Brigit, and antagonist(s)].
The gang's all here (Seth Rutledge, Detective Jackson, former partner Derek “Big Dick” Mackey),and Megan's new roommate, Jackie, a purple-haired roller derby hobbyist, joins them.
Again, the style is alternating perspectives, which adds to the story, especially when it's the same period of time getting rehashed from the 3 perspectives [Megan, Brigit, and antagonist(s)].
June 19, 2019
Laying Down the Paw is another great book in the Paw Enforcement series by Diane Kelly. I LOVE this series and have been meaning to get to this third book for awhile. It finally made it's way up to the top of my TBR pile and I quickly finished it in a day. I really enjoyed seeing how Megan and Brigit responded to adversity, especially when the tornado was hitting, when helping search for survivors after the tornado, and during the resolution of the murder. I thought it showed Megan's human side in the way that she reacted to certain things. I also enjoyed reading Brigit's thoughts as well. I think that added some humor that took some of the tension off of some pretty serious subjects. I really liked Dub as well. I was hoping that something good would happen for him after reading his story. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
March 21, 2020
"IT'S A DOG-EAT-DOG WORLD.
When a raging tornado hits Forth Worth, Megan's squad car is flipped over-and her devoted police dog, Brigit, is not amused. But that's not all that's upside-down. The streets are littered with looters-and members of a violent street gang-and no local business is safe. It's time to get back on all fours and see that the job of protecting the public is done.
BUT WHO'S LEADER OF THE PACK?
But Megan, outmanned and outgunned, has no choice but to let the gang members get away. Later, when she learns that one of them is a suspect in an unsolved murder case, Megan is determined to see that justice is served. But will she end up in the doghouse? Her investigation has her and Brigit barking up the wrong tree at every turn. Meanwhile, a killer's on the loose....who will stop at nothing to get what he wants."
When a raging tornado hits Forth Worth, Megan's squad car is flipped over-and her devoted police dog, Brigit, is not amused. But that's not all that's upside-down. The streets are littered with looters-and members of a violent street gang-and no local business is safe. It's time to get back on all fours and see that the job of protecting the public is done.
BUT WHO'S LEADER OF THE PACK?
But Megan, outmanned and outgunned, has no choice but to let the gang members get away. Later, when she learns that one of them is a suspect in an unsolved murder case, Megan is determined to see that justice is served. But will she end up in the doghouse? Her investigation has her and Brigit barking up the wrong tree at every turn. Meanwhile, a killer's on the loose....who will stop at nothing to get what he wants."
January 21, 2018
Laying Down the Paw is the 3rd book in the Paw Enforcement series by Diane Kelly. This book finds our main characters Megan and Brigit being tossed about my a tornado, face-to-face with a gang, and trying to solve a murder case.
This book is like the others in the series-a quick, cute, cozy well written mystery. There were parts of this book that weren't as intriguing as others, but overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing on with the series.
This book is like the others in the series-a quick, cute, cozy well written mystery. There were parts of this book that weren't as intriguing as others, but overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing on with the series.
April 17, 2019
Another installment of a lighthearted and well-written series that everyone who likes police procedurals should give a try. Megan is not your average police officer and her K-9 partner Brigit is not your average dog. Each book includes some crazy characters, some are the people she comes across doing her job, but many are just the people she has to deal with in her private life--and with her anger issues, that can sometimes be most entertaining. The whole series is on I think is highly recommended for summer reading when you don't want gruesome details, heavy sex screens or complex plots. Plenty of laughs, a few groans, and an adorable dog.
May 14, 2023
3.5 rounded down for the swears. In fact there are quite a few "bitch" puns in here and a few other swears that occurred often enough to make this audiobook "not while the kids are in the car" listening material. The mystery was very compelling, as was the plight of "Dub". Poor kid had the odds stacked against him from the beginning. It was heart wrenching to listen to him battle one problem after another, but heartwarming to learn how he handled it all. I was very worried about the way the crimes would be resolved as Megan chased down her leads. Fortunately this book had an extremely satisfying ending.
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