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Poison and Pooches
Introducing Arial Kingston
—
dog-sitter, amateur sleuth, and owner of a guest house with a body under the floorboards.
Lucky dog-sitter Arial Mayes Kingston has inherited property in Monterey, California. But the novelty of being a first-time homeowner is short-lived due to a noxious termite fumigation in the guest house and the discovery of a body under the floorboards.
Foul play seems most likely, but who was the victim? And why would the killer stash the body under the guest house? Determined to put her observational skills to good use—and with her first doggie client, the adorable Monty, by her side—Arial must overcome neighborly tensions, unravel mysterious disappearances, and mop up canine misdemeanors as she attempts to sniff out a killer!
A page-turning cozy mystery full of clever twists, cunning characters, and canines! Fans of Laurien Berenson, Krista Davis, and dog lovers everywhere will adore Poison and Pooches.
Lucky dog-sitter Arial Mayes Kingston has inherited property in Monterey, California. But the novelty of being a first-time homeowner is short-lived due to a noxious termite fumigation in the guest house and the discovery of a body under the floorboards.
Foul play seems most likely, but who was the victim? And why would the killer stash the body under the guest house? Determined to put her observational skills to good use—and with her first doggie client, the adorable Monty, by her side—Arial must overcome neighborly tensions, unravel mysterious disappearances, and mop up canine misdemeanors as she attempts to sniff out a killer!
A page-turning cozy mystery full of clever twists, cunning characters, and canines! Fans of Laurien Berenson, Krista Davis, and dog lovers everywhere will adore Poison and Pooches.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2025
3 people are currently reading
1283 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Balzo
31 books238 followersSandra Balzo is an award-winning author of crime fiction, including fourteen books in two mystery series--one set outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the other in the High Country of North Carolina. MURDER a la Mocha, the eleventh Maggy Thorsen Wisconsin coffeehouse mystery, will be released in January, and the series has been optioned for development as a TV series/film.
Balzo's books have garnered starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist, while being recommended to readers of Janet Evanovich, Charlaine Harris, Joan Hess and Margaret Maron.
In addition to Twitter and her website, Sandy also hangs out at https://www.facebook.com/SandraBalzoM... and http://pinterest.com/sandrabalzo/
Balzo's books have garnered starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist, while being recommended to readers of Janet Evanovich, Charlaine Harris, Joan Hess and Margaret Maron.
In addition to Twitter and her website, Sandy also hangs out at https://www.facebook.com/SandraBalzoM... and http://pinterest.com/sandrabalzo/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 15, 2025
While “Poison and Pooches” came with witty and funny banter, and a slew of characters to add to the fun mystery, I found it severely lacking in story-telling. This book is heavily dialogue based, something I may be biased toward disliking as I feel it is not a good way to convey a narrative - especially a mystery where I want to put the pieces together myself. I felt no real emotional connection to any of the characters, and therefore the motivation for the whole plot seemed a bit underwhelming. Why was Arial so invested in the crime? Did she have any real reason to put herself in potential danger by investigating? Having heavy dialogue with little to no descriptions of anything else left me feeling disconnected from the story; though the premise, characters, and setting seemed a great place to unravel a mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
October 12, 2025
I had high hopes for new cozy mystery. Sadly, I was disappointed. I felt no emotional investment in the characters, save Monty and the story itself felt chaotic and disjointed.
I would like to thank Severn House and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily given. As always, I wish you happy reading.
I would like to thank Severn House and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily given. As always, I wish you happy reading.
September 25, 2025
Listen, I cracked open Poison and Pooches expecting a fluffy murder romp with tail wags, baked goods, and maybe a poodle named something like Sir Wigglebottom. What I got was The Property Brothers: Cadaver Edition starring a confused amateur sleuth, one very good dog, and a body under the floor like we’re playing reverse Monopoly.
Arial Mayes Kingston (yes, full name energy, every time) inherits a Monterey property from her great-grandmother and basically moves in thinking she’s about to start a chill new chapter. Instead? Boom. Termite tenting. Sketchy guest house. Surprise corpse. That’s the Holy Trinity of cozy mystery right there, except instead of vibes and vibes and vibes, we get… property management, vague family threads that hint at something but never land, and a body reveal so delayed I thought I was reading a Zillow listing with spice.
Now, Arial herself? She’s kind of the queen of “vibes first, logic later.” I love that for her in theory, but she keeps blundering into situations like she’s cosplaying as Miss Marple on two hours of sleep and a diet of toaster waffles.
Also, can we talk about the pacing? Because it felt like I was stuck in traffic behind a Prius going 15 mph while the mystery tried to remember it was a mystery. We don’t even hit corpse o’clock until like 20 percent in, and by the time the poison plot shows up, we’ve already been through termite drama, dog-sitting admin, and like four entire conversations that feel like someone put the Sims on Free Will and walked away.
But here’s the thing: I didn’t hate it. I was mildly entertained. Monty the dog? National treasure. If he doesn’t get a spin-off series where he solves crimes with pawprint clues and a monocle, I’m starting a petition. The small-town chaos? Delightful. There’s a local vibe here that could absolutely be milked into future shenanigans if the series figures out what tone it’s aiming for.
The actual mystery, the “who is this dead person under my new real estate investment” plot, has a twist that does land. I mean, is it a little far-fetched? Sure. But this book is called Poison and Pooches not CSI: Monterey so I’m not here for forensic accuracy. I just want my cozy with a little kick and maybe fewer confusing bloodline dynamics that make me feel like I missed an entire novella.
Do I know why Arial throws herself into this mystery like she’s auditioning for an unpaid Nancy Drew reboot? Nope. Do I respect it? Also no. But did I keep turning the pages out of a combination of curiosity and sheer disbelief at how much termite drama we were committing to? Absolutely.
Three stars, and that’s me being generous because Monty deserves nice things and the last 20 percent kind of slapped.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Suspect the Corpse Might Be a Metaphor for the Plot Until It Finally Showed Up
Huge thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for the ARC. I came for the dogs, stayed for the chaos, and left with mild emotional whiplash and a suspicious urge to check under my own floorboards.
Arial Mayes Kingston (yes, full name energy, every time) inherits a Monterey property from her great-grandmother and basically moves in thinking she’s about to start a chill new chapter. Instead? Boom. Termite tenting. Sketchy guest house. Surprise corpse. That’s the Holy Trinity of cozy mystery right there, except instead of vibes and vibes and vibes, we get… property management, vague family threads that hint at something but never land, and a body reveal so delayed I thought I was reading a Zillow listing with spice.
Now, Arial herself? She’s kind of the queen of “vibes first, logic later.” I love that for her in theory, but she keeps blundering into situations like she’s cosplaying as Miss Marple on two hours of sleep and a diet of toaster waffles.
Also, can we talk about the pacing? Because it felt like I was stuck in traffic behind a Prius going 15 mph while the mystery tried to remember it was a mystery. We don’t even hit corpse o’clock until like 20 percent in, and by the time the poison plot shows up, we’ve already been through termite drama, dog-sitting admin, and like four entire conversations that feel like someone put the Sims on Free Will and walked away.
But here’s the thing: I didn’t hate it. I was mildly entertained. Monty the dog? National treasure. If he doesn’t get a spin-off series where he solves crimes with pawprint clues and a monocle, I’m starting a petition. The small-town chaos? Delightful. There’s a local vibe here that could absolutely be milked into future shenanigans if the series figures out what tone it’s aiming for.
The actual mystery, the “who is this dead person under my new real estate investment” plot, has a twist that does land. I mean, is it a little far-fetched? Sure. But this book is called Poison and Pooches not CSI: Monterey so I’m not here for forensic accuracy. I just want my cozy with a little kick and maybe fewer confusing bloodline dynamics that make me feel like I missed an entire novella.
Do I know why Arial throws herself into this mystery like she’s auditioning for an unpaid Nancy Drew reboot? Nope. Do I respect it? Also no. But did I keep turning the pages out of a combination of curiosity and sheer disbelief at how much termite drama we were committing to? Absolutely.
Three stars, and that’s me being generous because Monty deserves nice things and the last 20 percent kind of slapped.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Suspect the Corpse Might Be a Metaphor for the Plot Until It Finally Showed Up
Huge thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for the ARC. I came for the dogs, stayed for the chaos, and left with mild emotional whiplash and a suspicious urge to check under my own floorboards.
November 19, 2025
3 star read***
Okay, so I liked this book but it was a far cry away from being a book I loved, or even liked enough to read again or continue the series.
The good:
1. Characters. There were a lot of them, but they were pretty decent. Most were developed really well for being the first book in a series, which is commendable. I liked our lead, Arial and thought she was a solid lead for a series, just not sure if it is this one.
2. Setting. Loved the Monterey setting and I thought all the interpersonal issues with neighbors made the setting feel very alive and relatable.
That being said,
I actually really hated how much stuff was going on in the beginning of the novel. It felt like I was waiting an ungodly long amount of time for anything to happen. Like, did I like the characters, the setting, the house issues, the start-up of her dog sitting? Sure. For a book about that. For a murder mystery? The pacing felt so slow. By the time the murder happened, I had already lost interest and had to force myself to drudge through the rest of the novel, which made it a very unenjoyable reading experience.
Overall, I just don't know who this book is for. If you love cosy mysteries, this is not your book. It's too slow moving, too many characters, almost like it is trying to be a thriller mystery but also cozy and fun? But it succeeds at neither. The pacing is off, there is too much extra information and I think the book really suffers from being the first in the series that the author doesn't trust in. I don't know if that's the right way to put it, but it was almost like she built up the characters not trusting that they would get more time to shine in further books. I'm just not sure if this book has a target audience which really hurts its pacing and editing.
Did I hate it? No. Did I even sort of like the ending? Absolutely. The mystery was a decent one and I will always like a decent mystery but this book did feel like ti was clawing its way up to be a 3 star read and I'm being generous in saying it was one.
Thank you to Netgalley, Sandra Balzo and to the publisher for an advanced copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Okay, so I liked this book but it was a far cry away from being a book I loved, or even liked enough to read again or continue the series.
The good:
1. Characters. There were a lot of them, but they were pretty decent. Most were developed really well for being the first book in a series, which is commendable. I liked our lead, Arial and thought she was a solid lead for a series, just not sure if it is this one.
2. Setting. Loved the Monterey setting and I thought all the interpersonal issues with neighbors made the setting feel very alive and relatable.
That being said,
I actually really hated how much stuff was going on in the beginning of the novel. It felt like I was waiting an ungodly long amount of time for anything to happen. Like, did I like the characters, the setting, the house issues, the start-up of her dog sitting? Sure. For a book about that. For a murder mystery? The pacing felt so slow. By the time the murder happened, I had already lost interest and had to force myself to drudge through the rest of the novel, which made it a very unenjoyable reading experience.
Overall, I just don't know who this book is for. If you love cosy mysteries, this is not your book. It's too slow moving, too many characters, almost like it is trying to be a thriller mystery but also cozy and fun? But it succeeds at neither. The pacing is off, there is too much extra information and I think the book really suffers from being the first in the series that the author doesn't trust in. I don't know if that's the right way to put it, but it was almost like she built up the characters not trusting that they would get more time to shine in further books. I'm just not sure if this book has a target audience which really hurts its pacing and editing.
Did I hate it? No. Did I even sort of like the ending? Absolutely. The mystery was a decent one and I will always like a decent mystery but this book did feel like ti was clawing its way up to be a 3 star read and I'm being generous in saying it was one.
Thank you to Netgalley, Sandra Balzo and to the publisher for an advanced copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 22, 2025
Poison and Pooches by Sandra Balzo sets up a promising cozy mystery premise. Arial unexpectedly inherits her Great-grandmother's home and guesthouse in Monterey Bay before she stumbles on a body under the floorboards.
The problem is the execution of the story, and despite the title, there’s only one dog, and neither the “poison” nor the murder comes into focus until very late in the book. The first fifth is heavy on property issues and termite fumigation, with very little actual mystery or canine charm.
The plot’s slow pace made it difficult to stay engaged, and it is dialogue-heavy, especially as she spends an awful lot of time talking to herself, and then unexpectedly stops mid-sentence when she gets distracted.
Confusing family dynamics didn’t help, and hints about Arial’s relatives and backstory are frequent but rarely explained, making me feel like I'd missed the first book in the series. I hadn't because there isn't one.
Editorial slip-ups, including character name mix-ups, made the tangled relationships even harder to follow.
Key mysteries, like the victim’s identity, do take the book in a different and unexpected direction, and while the ending had a twist, you can guess the 'who is it' long before it is revealed.
For readers expecting a lively, dog-filled cozy with a clever amateur sleuth, this misses the mark. There’s some potential in the setup, but if you're going to base an entire series around one character, maybe tell us something about her and give her some depth.
With thanks to NetGalley for the early copy in return for an honest review.
The problem is the execution of the story, and despite the title, there’s only one dog, and neither the “poison” nor the murder comes into focus until very late in the book. The first fifth is heavy on property issues and termite fumigation, with very little actual mystery or canine charm.
The plot’s slow pace made it difficult to stay engaged, and it is dialogue-heavy, especially as she spends an awful lot of time talking to herself, and then unexpectedly stops mid-sentence when she gets distracted.
Confusing family dynamics didn’t help, and hints about Arial’s relatives and backstory are frequent but rarely explained, making me feel like I'd missed the first book in the series. I hadn't because there isn't one.
Editorial slip-ups, including character name mix-ups, made the tangled relationships even harder to follow.
Key mysteries, like the victim’s identity, do take the book in a different and unexpected direction, and while the ending had a twist, you can guess the 'who is it' long before it is revealed.
For readers expecting a lively, dog-filled cozy with a clever amateur sleuth, this misses the mark. There’s some potential in the setup, but if you're going to base an entire series around one character, maybe tell us something about her and give her some depth.
With thanks to NetGalley for the early copy in return for an honest review.
October 7, 2025
⭐️ Book Review ⭐️
Poison & Pooches by Sandra Balzo
Gifted by @severnhouseimprint
I’ll admit, this book didn’t catch my eye at first. The title and cover gave off a YA vibe that didn’t really appeal to me, and I probably wouldn’t have picked it on my own. But once I got into it, I found myself genuinely enjoying the read.
The story follows Arial Kingston, who unexpectedly inherits a guesthouse and finds herself tangled in a mystery involving a body hidden beneath the floorboards. It’s a slow build which is more cozy than gripping, but the pacing worked for me once I settled into the rhythm. I liked how the mystery unfolded gradually, with enough quirky moments and small-town charm to keep things interesting.
What stood out most was the character development. Arial is likable and relatable, and I enjoyed watching her navigate the chaos with a mix of curiosity and stubbornness. Her interactions with the other characters felt natural, and I especially appreciated the dynamic with her lodger, Chris. I kept hoping for a romantic spark between them as there was definitely potential, but it never quite took off!
Sandra Balzo’s writing style is easy to sink into. It’s clean, conversational, and has a nice flow that makes the book a comfortable read. While it didn’t blow me away, it was a pleasant surprise and a solid cozy mystery. I’ll be keeping an eye out for more of her work — especially if future stories lean a bit more into the romance!
Poison & Pooches by Sandra Balzo
Gifted by @severnhouseimprint
I’ll admit, this book didn’t catch my eye at first. The title and cover gave off a YA vibe that didn’t really appeal to me, and I probably wouldn’t have picked it on my own. But once I got into it, I found myself genuinely enjoying the read.
The story follows Arial Kingston, who unexpectedly inherits a guesthouse and finds herself tangled in a mystery involving a body hidden beneath the floorboards. It’s a slow build which is more cozy than gripping, but the pacing worked for me once I settled into the rhythm. I liked how the mystery unfolded gradually, with enough quirky moments and small-town charm to keep things interesting.
What stood out most was the character development. Arial is likable and relatable, and I enjoyed watching her navigate the chaos with a mix of curiosity and stubbornness. Her interactions with the other characters felt natural, and I especially appreciated the dynamic with her lodger, Chris. I kept hoping for a romantic spark between them as there was definitely potential, but it never quite took off!
Sandra Balzo’s writing style is easy to sink into. It’s clean, conversational, and has a nice flow that makes the book a comfortable read. While it didn’t blow me away, it was a pleasant surprise and a solid cozy mystery. I’ll be keeping an eye out for more of her work — especially if future stories lean a bit more into the romance!
July 31, 2025
"Poison & Pooches (A Dog Sitting Mystery #1)" by Sandra Balzo reads more like a second book in a series rather than a first book. There's events that happened prior to the events in this book that come off like something that happened in a previous book rather than just giving us background information. One being how Ariel (the main character) knows her tenant/roommate/half-sister's half brother that she may or may not's be falling for. Also, how she knows the local detective. Those stories seem like they would need a full book to cover and I didn't get even info for a first book in this first book.
However, this one covers Ariel getting settled into her great-grandmother's home she inherited and starting her pet walking/sitting business. Unfortunately, the guest house she owns and her tenant lives in has a termite problem. Her moves into the main house with her and was about to move back out when the floor collapses, revealing a body in the crawl space. Ariel starts asking around about it since she wants to move on with establishing herself and doesn't want any suspicion on her tenant or the possible victim's son.
I honestly wasn't coming to the conclusion it ended up at until right as Ariel was. It was a good twist. I hadn't read any cozy mysteries with that twist yet. Not totally surprised since it for sure places it set in this day and age to use that twist though.
However, this one covers Ariel getting settled into her great-grandmother's home she inherited and starting her pet walking/sitting business. Unfortunately, the guest house she owns and her tenant lives in has a termite problem. Her moves into the main house with her and was about to move back out when the floor collapses, revealing a body in the crawl space. Ariel starts asking around about it since she wants to move on with establishing herself and doesn't want any suspicion on her tenant or the possible victim's son.
I honestly wasn't coming to the conclusion it ended up at until right as Ariel was. It was a good twist. I hadn't read any cozy mysteries with that twist yet. Not totally surprised since it for sure places it set in this day and age to use that twist though.
June 26, 2025
The first in the Dog-Sitting Mystery series, Poison and Pooches by Sandra Balzo, features some interesting twists and relationships. Ariel, the protagonist, is new to town due to inheriting property, when she discovers a body in her guesthouse. As she learns more about her neighborhood and town, she uncovers several secrets.
Ariel is a pretty typical cozy mystery character—for reasons unknown, she must be the one to find the answers, and she often doesn’t think before dashing into dangerous situations. But she is still pretty charming, and I enjoyed meeting her friends and neighbors. And, of course, Monty, the dog.
I thought the twist for the murderer was different and not something I have read before. Plus, I didn’t guess the identity of the victim or the reasons for their murder until the author revealed it, which was done very well.
Strangely, there were parts of this that read more like this was not the first in the series, or like this was a spin-off from an established series—couldn’t really put my finger on it. I haven’t read anything else by Balzo, so perhaps it is.
Cozy readers who enjoy the animals as much as the humans should enjoy this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
Ariel is a pretty typical cozy mystery character—for reasons unknown, she must be the one to find the answers, and she often doesn’t think before dashing into dangerous situations. But she is still pretty charming, and I enjoyed meeting her friends and neighbors. And, of course, Monty, the dog.
I thought the twist for the murderer was different and not something I have read before. Plus, I didn’t guess the identity of the victim or the reasons for their murder until the author revealed it, which was done very well.
Strangely, there were parts of this that read more like this was not the first in the series, or like this was a spin-off from an established series—couldn’t really put my finger on it. I haven’t read anything else by Balzo, so perhaps it is.
Cozy readers who enjoy the animals as much as the humans should enjoy this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
October 17, 2025
Oh my my my, what a thrill this has been.
Arial has just moved into her new house inherited from her grandmother and is setting up a dog walker/sitter business.
Things don’t go quite to plan though when a termite infestation is found leaving Arial with ‘soggy floorboards’ with those said floorboard ending up with a hole in them and a body being uncovered.
Arial is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery and will do anything to do so.
It’s been so exciting watching Ariel dig through evidence and uncover the things she does. The investigating, the suspicion, everything just wrapped up into one brilliant mystery that I just couldn’t put down.
There were plenty of moments when I was certain I knew what was going on, who was to blame but no, I got it wrong every time and I loved this.
I have to say though, that ending was VERY unexpected because WTH was that?!?
This is my first read from this author but won’t be my last, I truly hope we’re getting more from Arial and Monty in the future.
Arial has just moved into her new house inherited from her grandmother and is setting up a dog walker/sitter business.
Things don’t go quite to plan though when a termite infestation is found leaving Arial with ‘soggy floorboards’ with those said floorboard ending up with a hole in them and a body being uncovered.
Arial is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery and will do anything to do so.
It’s been so exciting watching Ariel dig through evidence and uncover the things she does. The investigating, the suspicion, everything just wrapped up into one brilliant mystery that I just couldn’t put down.
There were plenty of moments when I was certain I knew what was going on, who was to blame but no, I got it wrong every time and I loved this.
I have to say though, that ending was VERY unexpected because WTH was that?!?
This is my first read from this author but won’t be my last, I truly hope we’re getting more from Arial and Monty in the future.
July 17, 2025
The best and most together character is Monty, the dog. Lots of verbal and situational humor make this a fun read and the solving is a good job, but the story does fall a little flat at times. I think that it makes a good starting point and intro to a series that will keep getting better as the main character gets her stuff together a bit more. Bottom line is that I am looking forward to the next and more!
I requested and received a temporary electronic review galley from Severn House via NetGalley.
Pub Date Oct 05, 2025 ****review @bookbub @goodreads #librarything #storygraph
#PoisonandPoochesby @sandrabalzo #DogSittingMysteriesBk1 @severnhouseimprint
#cozymystery #beachread #California #NetGalley #suspense #localcops #barnesandnoble #booksamillion #kobo #crimefiction #action #unputdownable #smalltown #murderinvestigation
#amateursleuth #inheritance #newseries #situationalhumor #verbalhumor #banter
I requested and received a temporary electronic review galley from Severn House via NetGalley.
Pub Date Oct 05, 2025 ****review @bookbub @goodreads #librarything #storygraph
#PoisonandPoochesby @sandrabalzo #DogSittingMysteriesBk1 @severnhouseimprint
#cozymystery #beachread #California #NetGalley #suspense #localcops #barnesandnoble #booksamillion #kobo #crimefiction #action #unputdownable #smalltown #murderinvestigation
#amateursleuth #inheritance #newseries #situationalhumor #verbalhumor #banter
October 8, 2025
3.5 🌟 Poor Monty!
A dead body found in a crawlspace, crazy neighbors, and a weird living sitch all for Arial.
Started out getting the lay of the land, so to say and I felt like this would be a short quick mystery with cute bits. Not the case, I now want a back story on Arial, explaining the craziness just barely touched on with her half- sister's half-brother, but not her half-brother who is living in her guest house and house. The push for them to be something is there, but jt falls in a weird cringey way.
The mystery portion was actually pretty good. I appreciate the elements, but it feels as if the ending was a tad bit rushed. I love the diversity in characters and the reveal in the end though. Cliffhanger endings kill me, but I have to keep reading this series, as we have to know about Shirley!
A dead body found in a crawlspace, crazy neighbors, and a weird living sitch all for Arial.
Started out getting the lay of the land, so to say and I felt like this would be a short quick mystery with cute bits. Not the case, I now want a back story on Arial, explaining the craziness just barely touched on with her half- sister's half-brother, but not her half-brother who is living in her guest house and house. The push for them to be something is there, but jt falls in a weird cringey way.
The mystery portion was actually pretty good. I appreciate the elements, but it feels as if the ending was a tad bit rushed. I love the diversity in characters and the reveal in the end though. Cliffhanger endings kill me, but I have to keep reading this series, as we have to know about Shirley!
October 11, 2025
I called upon my first born to help me with today’s review. Alfie is the perfect poster boy for this! Poison & Pooches by Sandra Balzo is a perfect cosy mystery to curl up with now the nights are drawing in and the chill is in the air.
Although murder is an integral part of the story, I found the story of friendship running throughout it extremely endearing. It had the perfect balance of suspense & humour for me. With all of the crime/thrillers that I read with much heavier themes, it’s great to have a cosy crime mystery to curl up with.
All in all Poison & Pooches was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and for someone who prefers animals to humans most of the time - this was perfect. Thanks to Severn House Imprint for this early copy of the book. I enjoyed this so much and Alfie gives his seal of approval!
Although murder is an integral part of the story, I found the story of friendship running throughout it extremely endearing. It had the perfect balance of suspense & humour for me. With all of the crime/thrillers that I read with much heavier themes, it’s great to have a cosy crime mystery to curl up with.
All in all Poison & Pooches was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and for someone who prefers animals to humans most of the time - this was perfect. Thanks to Severn House Imprint for this early copy of the book. I enjoyed this so much and Alfie gives his seal of approval!
June 22, 2025
I get the intent, but it fell a bit short at times unfortunately.
It felt like nothing really happened? The dead body isn’t found until like 20% of the way in, and after that it feels quite slow paced at times. Like 80% of the book is spent trying to figure out this one murder, but it’s not really giving suspenseful vibes. It almost feels like there should have been another murder in the second half of the book just to keep the plot moving at a good speed?
I did like the ending/the discovery of the perpetrator - the moment where everything started clicking into place was well written - gave you the opportunity to fill in the gaps yourself before overtly saying them.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC
It felt like nothing really happened? The dead body isn’t found until like 20% of the way in, and after that it feels quite slow paced at times. Like 80% of the book is spent trying to figure out this one murder, but it’s not really giving suspenseful vibes. It almost feels like there should have been another murder in the second half of the book just to keep the plot moving at a good speed?
I did like the ending/the discovery of the perpetrator - the moment where everything started clicking into place was well written - gave you the opportunity to fill in the gaps yourself before overtly saying them.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC
September 27, 2025
3.5 stars out of 5
I received an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
It was a fun read, with a lot going on and some convoluted relationships. I might have scored it a little higher, but the plot twists at the end felt a little bit pulled out of nowhere to me. Especially the one within the secondary burglary plot line, the clues to which were handily doled out by the friendly neighbourhood police officer for... reasons? I guess?
The location does seem like it's primed for further mystery, but in a similar vein to Cabot Cove in Murder She Wrote in that the mysteries drop into the main characters lap and she pokes her nose in a bit. Not my preferred genre all things told, but fun to dip into now and again.
I received an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
It was a fun read, with a lot going on and some convoluted relationships. I might have scored it a little higher, but the plot twists at the end felt a little bit pulled out of nowhere to me. Especially the one within the secondary burglary plot line, the clues to which were handily doled out by the friendly neighbourhood police officer for... reasons? I guess?
The location does seem like it's primed for further mystery, but in a similar vein to Cabot Cove in Murder She Wrote in that the mysteries drop into the main characters lap and she pokes her nose in a bit. Not my preferred genre all things told, but fun to dip into now and again.
October 14, 2025
Poison and Pooches is book #1 in the Dog-Sitting Mystery series by Sandra Balzo.
Arial Kingston has inherited property from her grandmother. She is running her dog sitting business out of it when she hast to have the place tented for termite fumigation. She was not expecting to find a body under the floorboards. As the homeowner, Arial becomes a suspect. Can she solve the murder and keep herself out of jail? There was an entertaining story with a good mystery. There were some rough spots but it is the first book in the series. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to the author, Severn House, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Arial Kingston has inherited property from her grandmother. She is running her dog sitting business out of it when she hast to have the place tented for termite fumigation. She was not expecting to find a body under the floorboards. As the homeowner, Arial becomes a suspect. Can she solve the murder and keep herself out of jail? There was an entertaining story with a good mystery. There were some rough spots but it is the first book in the series. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to the author, Severn House, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 14, 2025
While reading the synopsis for this book, it was the trifecta of Monterey, dogs, and a dead body that caught me. The author did a great job of setting the stage for a new series and building out her first mystery.
As a dog sitter and B&B owner, Arial is well written, and the character decently developed, especially for first entry in a series. You can’t help but cheer for her because most of us have been first time homeowners at some point… and we’re grateful that we didn’t have the problems that Arial faced. When I can relate to the protagonist, it keeps me coming back for more in the series…and I will be back for sure.
As a dog sitter and B&B owner, Arial is well written, and the character decently developed, especially for first entry in a series. You can’t help but cheer for her because most of us have been first time homeowners at some point… and we’re grateful that we didn’t have the problems that Arial faced. When I can relate to the protagonist, it keeps me coming back for more in the series…and I will be back for sure.
August 20, 2025
I really struggled with this book for a number of reasons.
I felt like I was reading a book in the middle of a series rather than the first one. There were references made to events in the main character’s past that were never explained.
The story was slow paced - too much dialogue and not enough action. The author didn’t needed to spend a fifth of the book talking about termites.
The characters didn’t have enough depth so I never really connected with them enough to care about what was happening to them.
The premise of the book was good, it just wasn’t well executed.
I felt like I was reading a book in the middle of a series rather than the first one. There were references made to events in the main character’s past that were never explained.
The story was slow paced - too much dialogue and not enough action. The author didn’t needed to spend a fifth of the book talking about termites.
The characters didn’t have enough depth so I never really connected with them enough to care about what was happening to them.
The premise of the book was good, it just wasn’t well executed.
October 16, 2025
I’ve enjoyed Balzo’s other series, so I figured I’d take a chance on this new series. It’d probably be fine, right? At least entertaining.
Entertaining? Absolutely!
Quirky? You betcha!
And with red herrings galore.
I have mixed feelings about the references to Wisconsin and Aunt Sarah, but that’s my only quibble with the story. I hope this series goes on at least as long as the Maggy Thorsen Mystery series has.
Entertaining? Absolutely!
Quirky? You betcha!
And with red herrings galore.
I have mixed feelings about the references to Wisconsin and Aunt Sarah, but that’s my only quibble with the story. I hope this series goes on at least as long as the Maggy Thorsen Mystery series has.
August 14, 2025
Poison and Pooches - Sandra Balzo
💯% This is a great cosy little mystery and a worthy read, I hope there’s more of these as I for one will be reading them.
Arial did a better detective job than her friend who is an actual detective. lol R.I.P Frank and wherever you are Shirley I hope to find you in the next one. ☕️ 📖
💯% This is a great cosy little mystery and a worthy read, I hope there’s more of these as I for one will be reading them.
Arial did a better detective job than her friend who is an actual detective. lol R.I.P Frank and wherever you are Shirley I hope to find you in the next one. ☕️ 📖
Read
October 2, 2025Ms. Balzo created a beach town cozy with plenty of twists and turns. The evidence points at one murderer than another, while the police still aren't sure of the victim's idenity. Well plotted with a final twist that leaves a question in the air. Great book.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC gratis and offer my opinion in the same.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC gratis and offer my opinion in the same.
November 16, 2025
I received a copy of this book as an ARC via NetGalley.
Arial is well-written protagonist. She's dogged (no pun intended) in her pursuit of the truth and puts herself in some borderline precarious positions but I never felt like she was pushing too far. I did not guess the ending and rate this a solid read.
Arial is well-written protagonist. She's dogged (no pun intended) in her pursuit of the truth and puts herself in some borderline precarious positions but I never felt like she was pushing too far. I did not guess the ending and rate this a solid read.
July 29, 2025
A good book but I hoped for a little more - 3✨
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✧ PLOT ✧
For Arial Kingston nothing could be worse than the huge termite infestation found in her new guest house. That was until she stumbled upon the human body in the crawl space.. With too many questions and not enough answers she decides to try and get to the bottom of the mystery herself. Small towns however hold big secrets and she soon realises there’s a lot more to this case than meets the eye.
✅ I’d recommend Poison & Pooches to people who enjoy -
• books/genres - cosy mystery & cosy crime
• themes/tropes - small town setting, animal lovers & found family
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ SUMMARY/FINAL THOUGHTS ✧
Poison and Pooches is a humour filled cosy mystery perfect for anyone looking for a fun, easy going, quick read. It’s set in a small town and features a small cast of likeable characters.
The FMC Arial is charming and inquisitive. She’s a total act first and think later type of person which does land her in a few questionable situations!
Whilst not as suspenseful as expected, the story is an enjoyable one with a strong reveal/ending.
Due to the title and description I was expecting more dog involvement. The FMC was a dog walker/sitter, another character a vet and there was one dog frequently featured but not much else.
I also struggled a little with the pacing. Whilst it took a while to get to the crux of the story, the outcome felt rushed. It was still a great ending but I just feel it could’ve been given more time.
Overall an enjoyable heartwarming and humorous book.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
📣 Thank you Netgalley for the open opportunity to read & review this ARC. This honest review consists solely of my own thoughts/opinions & I am leaving it voluntarily.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ PLOT ✧
For Arial Kingston nothing could be worse than the huge termite infestation found in her new guest house. That was until she stumbled upon the human body in the crawl space.. With too many questions and not enough answers she decides to try and get to the bottom of the mystery herself. Small towns however hold big secrets and she soon realises there’s a lot more to this case than meets the eye.
✅ I’d recommend Poison & Pooches to people who enjoy -
• books/genres - cosy mystery & cosy crime
• themes/tropes - small town setting, animal lovers & found family
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ SUMMARY/FINAL THOUGHTS ✧
Poison and Pooches is a humour filled cosy mystery perfect for anyone looking for a fun, easy going, quick read. It’s set in a small town and features a small cast of likeable characters.
The FMC Arial is charming and inquisitive. She’s a total act first and think later type of person which does land her in a few questionable situations!
Whilst not as suspenseful as expected, the story is an enjoyable one with a strong reveal/ending.
Due to the title and description I was expecting more dog involvement. The FMC was a dog walker/sitter, another character a vet and there was one dog frequently featured but not much else.
I also struggled a little with the pacing. Whilst it took a while to get to the crux of the story, the outcome felt rushed. It was still a great ending but I just feel it could’ve been given more time.
Overall an enjoyable heartwarming and humorous book.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
📣 Thank you Netgalley for the open opportunity to read & review this ARC. This honest review consists solely of my own thoughts/opinions & I am leaving it voluntarily.
September 26, 2025
spinningly exciting and fun book. the book is really less about the murder itself and more about friendships, relationships, and the bonds between us, and what happens when they fray. the ending was kinda predictable but incredibly heartwrenching. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
December 21, 2025
This was what I expected it to be. It’s a cozy mystery with dogs. The writing was bit dry and heavy on the dialogue, the characters all just passed half baked, but it was cute. Monty is a cutie patootie.
October 13, 2025
I think this was a cute murder mystery book. A bit on the cozy side because it is not gruesome and you seem to get all needed answers wrapped up nicely in the end.
October 29, 2025
Acceptable entry into the mystery that are really more stories about people genre. It's a bit flat overall, but there was some wit, I liked the dog, and the town setting was fun.
November 17, 2025
I think this was a cute murder mystery book. A bit on the cozy side because it is not gruesome and you seem to get all needed answers wrapped up nicely in the end.
December 18, 2025
This review summed it up perfectly! Poison and Pooches Review by Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle
Want to read
December 19, 2025Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
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