Murder at the Cluck and Oink Feed Store: A Southern Secrets Sleuth cozy murder mystery full of feuds, fungi, and fun

by Arden Gray

Emmy Forester’s day wasn’t supposed to include a crime scene, secret messages, and hints of murder—but Hope Springs has other ideas.

Fresh off a move from Silicon Valley to the slow charms of Hope Springs, Emmy thought her biggest challenges would be baking biscuits and surviving nosy neighbors.

Instead, a quick trip to the Cluck and Oink Feed Store ends in tragedy when a notorious scientist collapses at her feet, whispering a chilling apology.

Armed with sharp instincts, her opinionated dachshund Wyatt Burp, and the town’s busybody Grannies, Emmy explores a tangled mystery more dangerous than she ever imagined.

With tensions simmering above ground and below, suspects multiply conniving business manager Rhett Cutler, rival scientist Professor Portia Pembrook, or maybe someone closer to home.

With the last chance for answers slipping away, Emmy must trust her instincts and uncover the truth before it's buried forever.

In a town where secrets run deep, failure isn’t an option—it’s a death sentence.

138 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2025

Reviews

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Killed Sylvia Morrell ? . . .

Emmy Forester made a quick trip to the Cluck and Oink Feed Store in Hope Springs. To her shock, scientist Sylvia Morrell collapses and falls dead at her feet! Emmy suspects foul play and begins her own investigation to find out who murdered Sylvia whose final whisper was an apology? Along with dachshund Wyatt Burp and the busybody grannies, Emmy faces an increasing number of suspects. Will she find the killer in time to get justice for Sylvia? The twists and turns will keep the reader’s attention as Emmy keeps busy trying to figure it all out!

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that’s a surprise ,a notorious scientist has just met his demise ,whispering a chilling message as he fell to the floor in the Cluck and Oink Feed Store. That’s right he’s no more . Emmy Forrester has only just moved here to Hope Springs from Silicon Valley and a quick trip to town has her standing here in the thick cut to her core history on repeat once more. Oh golly! This is NO treat ,she stands aghast! Where’s the Grannies? Oh blast ! Wyatt Burp is her rather opinionated Dachshund and always by her side. Trust she must on her hound and old friends and new ,she knows what she must do.Well there’s plenty of options when she begins to delve , when he fell ,was he clutching a shelf ?What if there’s anything that he’d hidden before hitting the deck,ooh heck now she’s just hoping that she’s not next on the list of doom,just for being in the same room! There’s plenty of suspects as per usual.Well she might as well show she does care ,is useful.Excellently penned once again by Arden Gray whose excellent writing gets better each time it’s a sublime. Every visit , as she does lure you into the mystery is exquisite.The storyline is absolutely divine! Every book I have read is compelling storytelling.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Emmy Forester series. When Emmy runs to the feed store to see the vet because her clue finding dog, Wyatt Burp has a tick near his ear. Little did she expect to get involved in a murder investigation. While waiting to get Wyatt taken care of Dr. Sylvia Morrell staggers in and drops dead in Emmy's arms with her dying words being that she's sorry. Emmy is shocked. Who is she sorry to? Why? Feeling that she needed to investigate since it was a murder, and Sylvia died in her arms. So with the help from the Grumpy Grannies to the Grandpa's that hang out at the feed store, theories abound. And of course, Emmy has Jake, who is a great help. The sparks that fly between them, the Grannies can see, but Emmy and Jake, don't yet exactly. This is a fast paced read with so many twists and turns and dangerous moments that keep you turning pages. You are grabbed from the beginning and never let go until the end. I not only recommend this great addition to the series, but I highly recommend the entire series. I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. It is the third book in the series An Emmy Forester Cozy Murder Mystery. The main character of course is Emmy. When a scientist collapses at Emmy’s feet and whispers an apology to Emmy she sets out to figure who the apology is for and if the woman was murdered. Along the way she finds answers but also questions. With the help of her dog Wyatt as well as others will she be able to find the truth? Will she be able to find who killed the scientist before it is too late? I really enjoyed this book it is probably my favorite out of this series so far. I love the side characters especially the grannies. I can’t wait to see more of Emmy and Jack’s relationship. The town and especially the grannies can tell Emmy and Jack are meant to be together so will they realize the same? Will they finally give into their feelings for each other? I can’t wait to read the next book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three in the Emmy Forester Cozy Murder Mystery. Note: I will be reading the first book next. This one got more into exploring Emmy's new life in Hope Springs. It starts with a death at the feed store where Wyatt is getting, horror, an engourged tick removed near his ear. Then a stranger collapses near them luring Emmy into a water conspiracy that may have lead to the victim's death.

Add that to the continuing threat from the truffle mafia, Emmys research into her family's life in Hope Springs and her budding relationship with Jack and Emmy and Wyatt have a lot of to do lists to complete. There are so many interesting characters in the books, from the Grumpy Grannies to the Grandpa's at the feed store, everyone seems to have a theory about what's happening with Emmy.

I really enjoyed this book. Especially the budding romance if Wyatt and Ethel. They are so adorable. Naturally, I recommend not only this book but the previous book about the Oddity Shop

I received an ARC of this book from the author. My review is voluntary and honest. In addition, I purchased a copy of the book when it was published.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While visiting the Cluck and Oink Feed Store in Hope Springs, Emmy Forester finds herself in the middle of a mystery when Sylvia Morrell collapses and dies at her feet. Sensing that foul play is involved, Emmy is determined to find out who murdered the scientist before she becomes the next victim.

This book is part of a series written by Arden Gray. It features an easy-to-follow plot, but there are enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing until the end. It’s a quick read with some humor thrown into the mix. My only critique is that there were a couple of scenes that seem misplaced and did interrupt the flow of the story. Still, I would recommend this book to a reader looking for a light and engaging mystery.

*I received an ARC from the author and BookFunnel. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Marietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Emmy Forester series. I have enjoyed all of her books so far and cann't wait for the next one. Emmy Forester is taking her dog to see the vet at the Feed store as Wyatt has a tick behind his ear and Emmy wants it removed rightaway. While they are there Dr. Sylvia Morrell staggers in and looks dunk but that is not what is wrong because she just drop dead in Emmy arms. Now Emmy feels that she must solve the murder mystery before she can go forward. There are lots of twist and turns that she will have to go threw before she can solve this one. I had a hard time putting this book down till I was finished. So don't be surprised if you can put it down yourself I love the way the author has of keeping everyone interested in the story. Good luck reading this one.

[JOAN SALLEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finding a tick on her pup, Emmy runs to the Cluck and Oink Feed store to get something to treat the bite. Soon after her arrival, a woman rushes into the store and collapses in front of Emmy and tells her to tell everyone she "is sorry." Emmy later finds out that the woman has named her as executor of her estate, which is strange as Emmy doesn't recall ever meeting the woman before her collapse. Why did this woman collapse and what did she mean when she uttered to "tell everyone she was sorry," after collapsing. Emmy feels the need to understand what happened to the woman and finds herself and her pup Wyatt Burp involved in a mystery.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Caroline Reichardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite the mystery novel. It starts out with a bang with Emmy being grabbed by a woman dying and telling her to tell them she’s sorry. She really gets involved as executor of the estate. The suspense is throughout this whole story. Just when you think she has it all figured out there is more dangerous suspense. This is very well written and I would like to recommend to anyone to read this book. I really loved this story. I received a free copy of this book but am leaving this review of my own free will.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emmy and Wyatt are one amazing crime fighting duo. Full of energy and they keep you entertained from the first to the last page. This is a wonderful small town cozy mystery that will make you laugh with all the quirky characters and their antics. Fun to read.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I am leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[L.a.l · Rating 5 out of 5]

If inheriting an oddity store was not enough, being witness to someone keeling over dead makes this book something to enjoy. Unraveling the clues and believing this was murder make reading every page mandatory.
Top that off with a "mafia" story and a matchmaking plot, no way you want to miss this one.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Forester becomes the executor of Dr. Sylvia Morrell's estate after her death. This leads to a lot of secrets, threats, rivalry and danger to Emma. An intriguing read with humor . I received this ARC copy and recommend this book to other readers.

[David Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review. When Emmy moves to a small town she has no idea exactly what she is going to find. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at the Feed Store

This book is full of southern quirkiness. With Grannies and Grandpa's who sit in rocking chairs
And solve the town's problems. Emmy Forrester and her mini dachshund solve the mysterious death of the mushroom scientist. This book is fun to read.

[Marie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent storyline.

Great moving tail. Great characters. Kept you interested from beginning to end. Can't wait to continue on with these great characters next

[Rowan Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so delightful!!!! I mean you've got to love a book with a dog names Wyatt Burp. This was a great cosy mystery that was extremely entertaining.

[Carolyn Thibodaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m reading the whole series of Emma, Forster, and Wyatt Burp.

[Marion Moxhay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story, full of intrigue. Love Wyatt Burp!
Looking forward to reading the series.

[Dorothy W Dailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

Never knew what was going to happen next.
I enjoy cozy with animal helpers. Got a kick out of Wyatt the weiner pup.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it - plot is good, characters are lovely, not forgetting the cute pig and pup and then there's the mafia!! Give it a read you won't be disappointed.