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Miss Ruffles Mysteries #1
Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything
Rich and flamboyant Honeybelle Hensley, the most colorful character in Mule Stop, Texas, dies a suspicious death and enrages the whole town by leaving her worldly fortune to the most undeserving recipient-her dog. The incorrigible Miss Ruffles is a Texas Cattle Cur, not a cuddly lapdog, and when Honeybelle was alive, Miss Ruffles liked nothing better than digging up Honeybelle's famous rose garden after breakfast, chasing off the UPS man before lunch and terrorizing the many gentleman callers who came knocking at cocktail hour.
But now Miss Ruffles is in danger, and it's up to Sunny McKillip, the unwilling dogsitter, to keep her safe. Sunny is new to Texas, and sometimes she feels as if she's fallen into an alien world. If it isn't the pistol-packing football fans and the sweet-talking, yet ruthless ladies of the garden club who confound her, it's the rowdy rodeo hounds and the tobacco-spitting curmudgeon at Critter Control who have her buffaloed. With a killer on the loose and a cowboy lawyer keeping a suspicious eye on her every move, Sunny needs all the help she can get understanding how Texans think. There's more to Honeybelle's death than meets this Yankee's eye, and Sunny has Miss Ruffles to protect, too. It's a bucking bull ride of an adventure for Sunny, and if she's not careful she might just get killed . . . or her heart lassoed...in Nancy Martin's Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything.
But now Miss Ruffles is in danger, and it's up to Sunny McKillip, the unwilling dogsitter, to keep her safe. Sunny is new to Texas, and sometimes she feels as if she's fallen into an alien world. If it isn't the pistol-packing football fans and the sweet-talking, yet ruthless ladies of the garden club who confound her, it's the rowdy rodeo hounds and the tobacco-spitting curmudgeon at Critter Control who have her buffaloed. With a killer on the loose and a cowboy lawyer keeping a suspicious eye on her every move, Sunny needs all the help she can get understanding how Texans think. There's more to Honeybelle's death than meets this Yankee's eye, and Sunny has Miss Ruffles to protect, too. It's a bucking bull ride of an adventure for Sunny, and if she's not careful she might just get killed . . . or her heart lassoed...in Nancy Martin's Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published November 3, 2015
39 people are currently reading
838 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Martin
138 books560 followersWinner of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement award for mystery writing from Romantic Times magazine, Nancy Martin announces the release of the 8th book in her popular Blackbird Sisters mystery series, NO WAY TO KILL A LADY. Set in Philadelphia, the story features three heiresses whose parents have run off with their trust funds. Now thay have a chance to regain their wealth when their aunt, "Madcap Maddy" Blackbird dies in a volcano and leaves her estate to the sisters. But Nora Blackbird soon discovers all the treasures in Aunt Maddy's house have disappeared...information that leads her to believe maybe Maddy didn't die the way everybody thinks.
Author of 48 pop fiction novels in mystery, suspense, historical and romance genres, Nancy created The Blackbird Sisters in 2002--- mysteries about three impoverished heiresses who adventure in couture and crime --as if “Agatha Christie had wandered onto the set of Sex and The City.” Nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery of 2002, HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE won the RT award for Best First Mystery and was a finalist for the Daphne DuMaurier Award. Currently, she is at work on the Roxy Abruzzo mystery series for St. Martin’s Minotaur. In 2009 she received the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for mystery writing.
Nancy lives in Pittsburgh, serves on the board of Sisters in Crime and is a founding member of Pennwriters. Find her on Pinterest and Facebook.
Author of 48 pop fiction novels in mystery, suspense, historical and romance genres, Nancy created The Blackbird Sisters in 2002--- mysteries about three impoverished heiresses who adventure in couture and crime --as if “Agatha Christie had wandered onto the set of Sex and The City.” Nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery of 2002, HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE won the RT award for Best First Mystery and was a finalist for the Daphne DuMaurier Award. Currently, she is at work on the Roxy Abruzzo mystery series for St. Martin’s Minotaur. In 2009 she received the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for mystery writing.
Nancy lives in Pittsburgh, serves on the board of Sisters in Crime and is a founding member of Pennwriters. Find her on Pinterest and Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
November 15, 2015
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I absolutely loved this story!
Welcome to Mule Stop where football is king and Honeybelle Hensley is queen. She is a very rich lady that is very generous with her money. She also has the most wonderful dog, a Texas Cattle Cur, named Miss Ruffles. Miss Ruffles can be a handful so Honeybelle has hired Sunny McKillip to be her assistant/dogsitter. Sunny hails from Ohio and is still learning the ways of Texas. When Honeybell dies suddenly Sunny is the only one who thinks it is suspicious. Is it a Southern thing? When the will is read and the terms are revealed Sunny has even more on the line and she needs to know if there if Honeybelle was killed for her money because if she was there is so much more at stake.
Nancy Martin has scored a touchdown with Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything! I love Honeybelle, Sunny, Ten, and even curmudgeonly Mae Mae and Mr. Carver, but I adore Miss Ruffles most of all. These characters jumped right out of the pages and into my heart.
I was so sad when Homeybelle died but that set up all the high jinx that would soon follow. In addition to trying to find the killer Sunny has to deal with two guys following her trying to collect a debt of her dead mother’s, deal with the crazy people at the university because Miss Ruffles is the team mascot, and deal with Honeybelle’s family who are upset about her will and much, much more. The pace throughout the entire book is pretty brisk and so entertaining. The final twist is spectacular!
I have to just say Honeybelle’s home and garden sounds just amazing. I had a very clear picture in my mind. I could even smell the roses.
Nancy Martin written almost 50 novels so she know how to tell a story. Things may be big in Texas but I am a pretty big fan up here in Wisconsin. This is one I am shouting from the rooftops about!!
I absolutely loved this story!
Welcome to Mule Stop where football is king and Honeybelle Hensley is queen. She is a very rich lady that is very generous with her money. She also has the most wonderful dog, a Texas Cattle Cur, named Miss Ruffles. Miss Ruffles can be a handful so Honeybelle has hired Sunny McKillip to be her assistant/dogsitter. Sunny hails from Ohio and is still learning the ways of Texas. When Honeybell dies suddenly Sunny is the only one who thinks it is suspicious. Is it a Southern thing? When the will is read and the terms are revealed Sunny has even more on the line and she needs to know if there if Honeybelle was killed for her money because if she was there is so much more at stake.
Nancy Martin has scored a touchdown with Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything! I love Honeybelle, Sunny, Ten, and even curmudgeonly Mae Mae and Mr. Carver, but I adore Miss Ruffles most of all. These characters jumped right out of the pages and into my heart.
I was so sad when Homeybelle died but that set up all the high jinx that would soon follow. In addition to trying to find the killer Sunny has to deal with two guys following her trying to collect a debt of her dead mother’s, deal with the crazy people at the university because Miss Ruffles is the team mascot, and deal with Honeybelle’s family who are upset about her will and much, much more. The pace throughout the entire book is pretty brisk and so entertaining. The final twist is spectacular!
I have to just say Honeybelle’s home and garden sounds just amazing. I had a very clear picture in my mind. I could even smell the roses.
Nancy Martin written almost 50 novels so she know how to tell a story. Things may be big in Texas but I am a pretty big fan up here in Wisconsin. This is one I am shouting from the rooftops about!!
February 5, 2016
Miss ruffles Inherits Everything by Nancy Martin.
A delightful change of pace in a mystery.
Sunny McKillip is new in the small town of Mule Stop, Texas. Her employer, Honeybelle Hensley is not. Honeybelle is well known and up until recently well liked. The focal point of Sunny's employment is the care of Miss Ruffles Honeybelle's Texas Cattle Cur.
Suddenly Honeybelle dies and her will is now the focal point of Sunny's life and and suspiciously becomes the center of gossip throughout the town.
I just delighted in reading this beautifully written story. The characters were well developed as their personalities were revealed. A wonderful change of pace in a mystery.
A delightful change of pace in a mystery.
Sunny McKillip is new in the small town of Mule Stop, Texas. Her employer, Honeybelle Hensley is not. Honeybelle is well known and up until recently well liked. The focal point of Sunny's employment is the care of Miss Ruffles Honeybelle's Texas Cattle Cur.
Suddenly Honeybelle dies and her will is now the focal point of Sunny's life and and suspiciously becomes the center of gossip throughout the town.
I just delighted in reading this beautifully written story. The characters were well developed as their personalities were revealed. A wonderful change of pace in a mystery.
November 10, 2015
Nancy Martin never fails to entertain her readers and she doesn't disappoint us with her newest cozy, "Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything".
This is set in Mule Stop, Texas a dry dusty, college town that doesn't have a lot going on other than College football and the Jr. Rodeo. That is until Honeybelle Hensley the wealthiest widow in town meets her untimely demise. When her will is read, it causes quite a stir. It seems that Honeybelle left her millions to her rambunctious Cattle Cur, Miss Ruffles which has terrorized half the town. Miss Ruffles, is left in Honeybelle's social secretary aka glorified dog walker, Sunny's charge.
Sunny is a misplaced Yankee, who would like nothing better than to move out of Mule Stop as fast as she can. She's in a bind herself with Miss Ruffles safety and care in her charge and trying to find out who killed Honeybelle. The list just gets longer by the minute.
This is a great little mystery and I would love to see what else Ms. Martin has planned for Ms. Ruffles in Mule Stop, Texas.
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book for my honest review.
This is set in Mule Stop, Texas a dry dusty, college town that doesn't have a lot going on other than College football and the Jr. Rodeo. That is until Honeybelle Hensley the wealthiest widow in town meets her untimely demise. When her will is read, it causes quite a stir. It seems that Honeybelle left her millions to her rambunctious Cattle Cur, Miss Ruffles which has terrorized half the town. Miss Ruffles, is left in Honeybelle's social secretary aka glorified dog walker, Sunny's charge.
Sunny is a misplaced Yankee, who would like nothing better than to move out of Mule Stop as fast as she can. She's in a bind herself with Miss Ruffles safety and care in her charge and trying to find out who killed Honeybelle. The list just gets longer by the minute.
This is a great little mystery and I would love to see what else Ms. Martin has planned for Ms. Ruffles in Mule Stop, Texas.
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book for my honest review.
October 25, 2018
As a native Texan..... loved this book!
This book is about a dog. A very rich dog. It's mutt mayhem set deep in the heart of Texas. This sassy little story will delight animal and mystery lovers alike. This is a cozy-mystery set in Mule Stop, Texas- a town so hot and miserable that the mules died and left the pioneers there to build a town. Now it's the home of the University of the Alamo. When flamboyant, eccentric town matriarch, Honeybelle Hensley, dies unexpectedly, her beloved Texas cattle cur, Miss Ruffles, inherits a fortune. According to the will, if the dog is kept safe and healthy for one year, Sunny McKillip (dogsitter), Mae-Mae Bellefontaine (the cook) and Mr. Carver (the butler) will each receive one million dollars. When Miss Ruffles is dognapped, Sunny becomes convinced that Honeybelle didn't die of natural causes and sets out to find both a missing dog and a killer.
The residents of Mule Stop are "Texas proud" and quirky characters- rowdy cowboys, snobby society belles, and a sweet-talking lawyer that rides his horse to the office. Our heroine, Sunny, is a very likable character. The only outsider, she is definitely out of her element in West Texas. She tries desperately to fit in with townsfolk who see her as a "Yankee", lol! There was plenty of cozy craziness here- a funny, sarcastic, over-the-top look at Texas. If you're from Texas, you'll get it- it's a must read. If you're not from Texas it may give some insight into how we talk and the meaning of our verbiage.
The mystery itself was very well written. I thought I had figured out the whodunnit, but was quite surprised by several twists at the end. Although I loved all the zaniness and funny dialogue, at its core this story is about families, and how what one thinks is best for a loved one isn't always the right thing. Basically, it was just good, clean fun- and that's unusual these days. Miss Ruffles captured my heart. A charming Texas tale that kept me smiling long after I'd closed the book. I would love to read more about Mule Stop, and sincerely hope it becomes a series.
July 27, 2023
What a fun story! I liked the people, the place, and of course, the animals. This was a sweet, small town, cozy mystery that was full of surprises. And a little romance too.
March 2, 2024
Hilarious! Everything's bigger in Texas, right? That goes for the hair, the homes, the lifestyles and the mysteries! Sunny is a thoroughly likeable heroine who comes to Mule Stop, Texas to be a personal assistant to the larger than life Honeybelle. She's a Yankee trying to fit in and finds she mostly is saddled with the care of Honeybelle's cantankerous cattle cur bitch, Miss Ruffles. When Honeybelle dies mysteriously, Miss Ruffles inherits all her millions! Hilarity spiced with mystery and danger ensues. Great story with a major plot twist kept me guessing and laughing all the way til the end!
November 2, 2015
Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything is a fun, fast-paced novel certain to delight animal and mystery lovers alike. Filled with humor, excitement, more than a little over-the-top Texas crazy, and an amazing canine lead, Nancy Martin’s newest novel is a winner.
Everything is bigger and bolder in Texas, and the residents of Mule Stop take their reputation seriously, particularly Honeybee Hensley. The richest woman in town, she has her finger in every pie. Her constant companion is Miss Ruffles, a Texas cattle cur with a liking for mischief.
When Sunny moved to Mule Stop, she expected a position as an administrative assistant at the local university. The position disappeared when her prospective boss was fired, leaving her desperate for a job. As Honeybelle’s personal assistant, her main responsibility is to care for Miss Ruffles, who treats finding trouble as an art form.
When Honeybelle dies unexpectedly and her fortune is left to Miss Ruffles - who Sunny is to continue caring for, few are more shocked than Sunny. But riches don’t come easily, and there are those who might harm Miss Ruffles in order to gain her inheritance. Furthermore, the circumstances surrounding Honeybelle’s death seem suspicious. Was she murdered? Is someone close a killer? When Miss Ruffles is dognapped, Sunny is desperate to rescue her, but doesn’t know who she can trust.
Texas cattle cur is a broad term for a group of similar working breeds who are used for hunting and herding. Working dogs are intelligent and high energy, frequently finding unique ways to entertain themselves when they aren’t given enough physical and mental stimulation. Miss Ruffles is mischievous and more than willing to nip someone if she thinks they deserve it, but she isn’t an aggressive dog.
Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything is a mystery that dog lovers will greatly enjoy. Even if you aren’t an animal aficionado, the wild antics and over the top characters make for an enjoyable read.
5/5
I received a copy of Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
She may be an heiress, but she’s no debutante
http://muttcafe.com/2015/11/miss-ruff...
Everything is bigger and bolder in Texas, and the residents of Mule Stop take their reputation seriously, particularly Honeybee Hensley. The richest woman in town, she has her finger in every pie. Her constant companion is Miss Ruffles, a Texas cattle cur with a liking for mischief.
When Sunny moved to Mule Stop, she expected a position as an administrative assistant at the local university. The position disappeared when her prospective boss was fired, leaving her desperate for a job. As Honeybelle’s personal assistant, her main responsibility is to care for Miss Ruffles, who treats finding trouble as an art form.
When Honeybelle dies unexpectedly and her fortune is left to Miss Ruffles - who Sunny is to continue caring for, few are more shocked than Sunny. But riches don’t come easily, and there are those who might harm Miss Ruffles in order to gain her inheritance. Furthermore, the circumstances surrounding Honeybelle’s death seem suspicious. Was she murdered? Is someone close a killer? When Miss Ruffles is dognapped, Sunny is desperate to rescue her, but doesn’t know who she can trust.
Texas cattle cur is a broad term for a group of similar working breeds who are used for hunting and herding. Working dogs are intelligent and high energy, frequently finding unique ways to entertain themselves when they aren’t given enough physical and mental stimulation. Miss Ruffles is mischievous and more than willing to nip someone if she thinks they deserve it, but she isn’t an aggressive dog.
Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything is a mystery that dog lovers will greatly enjoy. Even if you aren’t an animal aficionado, the wild antics and over the top characters make for an enjoyable read.
5/5
I received a copy of Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
She may be an heiress, but she’s no debutante
http://muttcafe.com/2015/11/miss-ruff...
March 4, 2016
A delightful new heroine and a dog that will keep you laughing. Meet Sunny and Miss Ruffles! As personal secretary and dog assistant to Honeybelle Hensley, the richest person in Mule Stop, Texas, Sunny has a full schedule. When Honeybelle unexpectedly drops dead, Sunny, the cook and the butler find that they must take care of Miss Ruffles for a year in order to inherit one million dollars each. With a cowboy for the family lawyer, the mob trying to collect money that Sunny's mother used and the rest of Honeybelle's family up in arms over the will, things get interesting fast. As the days go by, Sunny wonders if Honeybelle's death was natural or otherwise. An escaped bull, a kidnapped dog, a rescued dog, a rodeo, a football stadium, rose bushes, mob enforcers, and federal agents make a hilarious adventure that will keep you turning the pages. A delightful mystery whose ending will leave you dumbstruck. Oh, did I mention that everyone in Texas carries a gun!
February 9, 2017
A new mystery by Blackbird Sisters mystery series Nancy Martin, this is a fun mystery in which Miss Ruffles, pampered pet of Honeybelle Hensley, inherits her entire fortune when Honeybelle dies suddenly. Also given bequests of a million each are her assistant and dog walker Sunny Mckillip, her cook Mae Mae, and her butler, Mr. Carver, but only if they take excellent care of Miss Ruffles and keep her alive and well for one year. Of course many of the other family members and persons due to inherit money also are not happy about having to wait a year for their inheritance, so when Sunny discovers that Miss Ruffles has been kidnapped and held for ransom, there are many suspects. Adding a little spice to this mixture is the handsome lawyer who somewhat unwillingly helps Sunny discover the truth about what is happening. This is definitely a good read, and I hope Martin brings back Sunny (and her handsome sidekick) for more adventures.
August 27, 2016
Was a somewhat fun cozy mystery, but none of the characters really engaged me so not one of my favorite reads.
December 6, 2016
Charming and crazy!! Texas, a cur dog, a rose garden, the Blues Brothers (?) and a whole cast of quirky characters.
June 29, 2025
From the book jacket: Rich and flamboyant Honeybelle Hensley, the most colorful character in Mule Stop, Texas, dies a suspicious death and enrages the whole town by leaving her fortune to the most undeserving recipient – her dog. The incorrigible Miss Ruffles is a Texas cattle cur, not a cuddly lapdog, and … likes nothing better than digging up the rose garden, chasing off the UPS man, and terrorizing the many gentleman callers. But now Miss Ruffles is in danger, and it’s up to Sunny McKillip, the unwilling dogsitter, to keep her safe.
My reactions:
This was just the kind of cozy mystery I needed: charming, fun, and an easy read. Loved the antics of this small Texas town’s residents. Sunny was up to the challenge, despite being new to “this different planet” (i.e. Texas). She’d barely arrived in town from Ohio to be the admin assistant to the new dean of the local college when he was fired shortly thereafter, and Honeybelle took Sunny on as her own personal assistant.
Martin populates the story with disgruntled relatives, cat-fighting garden ladies, ambitious politicians, and even a couple of hired thugs whose boss wants significant money. And then there’s the young almost-attorney (as soon as he passes the bar), whom Sunny finds rather delicious. Oh, but he’s taken … or is he?
I didn’t find anything on Martin’s profile indicating she’s a native Texan, or even a frequent visitor, but she sure as heck captured the Texas-small-town vibe!
The ending was a bit over-the-top ridiculous, but I was enjoying the party too much to care.
Goodreads shows this as book #1 in a series of Miss Ruffles mysteries. But it’s been 10 years since it was written and there is no sequel … yet.
My reactions:
This was just the kind of cozy mystery I needed: charming, fun, and an easy read. Loved the antics of this small Texas town’s residents. Sunny was up to the challenge, despite being new to “this different planet” (i.e. Texas). She’d barely arrived in town from Ohio to be the admin assistant to the new dean of the local college when he was fired shortly thereafter, and Honeybelle took Sunny on as her own personal assistant.
Martin populates the story with disgruntled relatives, cat-fighting garden ladies, ambitious politicians, and even a couple of hired thugs whose boss wants significant money. And then there’s the young almost-attorney (as soon as he passes the bar), whom Sunny finds rather delicious. Oh, but he’s taken … or is he?
I didn’t find anything on Martin’s profile indicating she’s a native Texan, or even a frequent visitor, but she sure as heck captured the Texas-small-town vibe!
The ending was a bit over-the-top ridiculous, but I was enjoying the party too much to care.
Goodreads shows this as book #1 in a series of Miss Ruffles mysteries. But it’s been 10 years since it was written and there is no sequel … yet.
May 17, 2016
Sunny McKillip has moved to the small town of Mule Stop, Texas from Ohio where it seems like another planet. She was hired to be the personal assistant of the town's wealthiest citizen, Honeybelle Hensley, a dyed in the wool Texan. Sunny's job duties mainly consist of wrangling Honeybelle's beloved dog Miss Ruffles, a Texas Cattle Cur. Miss Ruffles has a lot to learn about manners and if she doesn't like someone she isn't afraid to nip at them. When Honeybelle dies suddenly, the whole town has strong feelings about their matriarch. Some revered her but others wanted to "bump her off" and those negative feelings only increase after the will is read. Honeybelle, angry at the betrayal of her so-called friends, rewrote her will just before her death. She promised to leave $1 million each to Sunny; Mae Mae, the old cook and Mr. Carver, the old butler IF they stayed on in Honeybelle's home caring for Miss Ruffles. As long as Miss Ruffles is well and happy, the they get the money. Sunny's life is about to get more complicated as the news travels through town. Everyone wants something from her now and she worries Honeybelle did not die of natural causes. Someone killed Honeybelle and Sunny fears for the safety of Miss Ruffles. When Miss Ruffles is dognapped, it's up to Sunny to take the lead and figure out how the events are connected and get Miss Ruffles back.
This is a really cute cozy mystery. Unlike most cozies, it begins after the death of Miss Honeybelle which made the story more interesting as the reader gets to know Honeybelle through the eyes of all the other characters. Though I figured out the secrets, I wasn't sure if I was right or how Sunny would figure it all out. I stayed up way too late and woke up early to finish the book. I especially liked the small town Texas charm. Like Sunny, I'm a Yankee and the author does a fabulous job of showing Texas through the eyes of a transplant. Texas sure does seem like another planet but the details were so descriptive, I was certainly transported to Texas right along with Sunny. I'm positive the author lives in Mule Stop, Texas even though her bio says she lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! I really loved learning about Texas, the place where women can past on a sugary sweet smile and deliver a scathing insult disguised as a kind comment. This book gets an A+ for descriptive content.
Naturally, my favorite characters are Miss Ruffles and Fred. I picked this up because my "niece" Rupee (camera shy, sorry) is part Blue Heeler (Texas Cattle Cur maybe?). I'm a sucker for a good dog story and this one melted my heart. It provides an honest portrayal a young herding dog in need of guidance and training. Miss Ruffles has great instincts. She knows who she likes and whom she wants to bite. Go Miss Ruffles! She's unpolished but she has a ginormous heart and just wants to be loved and love in return. That's the true spirit of a dog. Likewise, Fred took my heart and made me teary eyed. The story of an old dog who can still do what they were bred to do resonated with me. Mischief, Cairn Terrier Queen of the World never met a chipmunk, skunk or other critter she liked and let them know they were in HER yard even when she could no longer chase them. If you are as crazy about dogs as I am or have been owned by that special 4 legged companion, you will love Miss Ruffles and Fred.
The humans in the book were a lot more complicated and difficult to figure out. Sunny wasn't all that appealing at first., she was a bit too eager to please and put up with a lot of stuff she didn't need to deal with. As the story progressed and she grew attached to Miss Ruffles, her role started to change. Instead of searching for a mother to guide her, Sunny became the mother figure in the relationship and grew up a lot. Her introspection at the end is a bit heavy handed but I enjoyed her character development.
I have complicated feelings about Miss Honeybelle. In some ways she had a big heart and was very kind but if she didn't get her own way, she turned into a peevish child wanting to spite those who crossed her. Her reaction to the garden club coup was unladylike. At first I thought Posie was just nasty and scheming but she had a point about the water. Though I value tradition, I thought they could have talked about it in a civilized manner and reached a compromise. Honeybelle really was using a LOT of water. I see her point about gardens on bleak landscape but if water is scarce, she shouldn't have extra water because of her garden. Posie ended up growing on me at the end when I started to dislike Honeybelle. The writer does a good job of making up complicated characters. Posie's sister Poppy is also complicated. She acts like a dumb blond stereotype but she's not and she has hopes, dreams and ambitions just like Sunny, which is apparently unusual for small town Texas. I was happy with the way her story turned out. I was expecting the usual plot line but it went down much better than that.
Like all cozy mysteries, this one has a cast of colorful characters. In addition to the above mentioned, I also liked Ten. I read his voice in my head as sounding like the actor Matthew McConaughey. He gave off the same kind of genteel cowboy swagger. I didn't like the "meet cute" at all and I didn't like that he is engaged to Poppy. He should have had a larger role in the book than he did. Then there's Mae Mae, the crusty cook from New Orleans. She adds some comic relief to the story with her endless "refined Creole" NOT Cajun cooking. I didn't really like her too much though. I felt sorry for her but didn't like her. I liked Mr. Carver better but he had secrets and seemed a little distant from Sunny. He didn't ever really trust her or want to get to know her. Honeybelle's family round out the cast of major supporting characters. The only one I really liked was the youngest grandson and only because he was so young and innocent. Hut, Jr. seems nice enough but he is overruled by Posie. There are a number of eccentric minor characters who pop up in the book to either pad the novel or advance the action or both
I would recommend this to dog lovers and cozy mystery fans.
This is a really cute cozy mystery. Unlike most cozies, it begins after the death of Miss Honeybelle which made the story more interesting as the reader gets to know Honeybelle through the eyes of all the other characters. Though I figured out the secrets, I wasn't sure if I was right or how Sunny would figure it all out. I stayed up way too late and woke up early to finish the book. I especially liked the small town Texas charm. Like Sunny, I'm a Yankee and the author does a fabulous job of showing Texas through the eyes of a transplant. Texas sure does seem like another planet but the details were so descriptive, I was certainly transported to Texas right along with Sunny. I'm positive the author lives in Mule Stop, Texas even though her bio says she lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! I really loved learning about Texas, the place where women can past on a sugary sweet smile and deliver a scathing insult disguised as a kind comment. This book gets an A+ for descriptive content.
Naturally, my favorite characters are Miss Ruffles and Fred. I picked this up because my "niece" Rupee (camera shy, sorry) is part Blue Heeler (Texas Cattle Cur maybe?). I'm a sucker for a good dog story and this one melted my heart. It provides an honest portrayal a young herding dog in need of guidance and training. Miss Ruffles has great instincts. She knows who she likes and whom she wants to bite. Go Miss Ruffles! She's unpolished but she has a ginormous heart and just wants to be loved and love in return. That's the true spirit of a dog. Likewise, Fred took my heart and made me teary eyed. The story of an old dog who can still do what they were bred to do resonated with me. Mischief, Cairn Terrier Queen of the World never met a chipmunk, skunk or other critter she liked and let them know they were in HER yard even when she could no longer chase them. If you are as crazy about dogs as I am or have been owned by that special 4 legged companion, you will love Miss Ruffles and Fred.
The humans in the book were a lot more complicated and difficult to figure out. Sunny wasn't all that appealing at first., she was a bit too eager to please and put up with a lot of stuff she didn't need to deal with. As the story progressed and she grew attached to Miss Ruffles, her role started to change. Instead of searching for a mother to guide her, Sunny became the mother figure in the relationship and grew up a lot. Her introspection at the end is a bit heavy handed but I enjoyed her character development.
I have complicated feelings about Miss Honeybelle. In some ways she had a big heart and was very kind but if she didn't get her own way, she turned into a peevish child wanting to spite those who crossed her. Her reaction to the garden club coup was unladylike. At first I thought Posie was just nasty and scheming but she had a point about the water. Though I value tradition, I thought they could have talked about it in a civilized manner and reached a compromise. Honeybelle really was using a LOT of water. I see her point about gardens on bleak landscape but if water is scarce, she shouldn't have extra water because of her garden. Posie ended up growing on me at the end when I started to dislike Honeybelle. The writer does a good job of making up complicated characters. Posie's sister Poppy is also complicated. She acts like a dumb blond stereotype but she's not and she has hopes, dreams and ambitions just like Sunny, which is apparently unusual for small town Texas. I was happy with the way her story turned out. I was expecting the usual plot line but it went down much better than that.
Like all cozy mysteries, this one has a cast of colorful characters. In addition to the above mentioned, I also liked Ten. I read his voice in my head as sounding like the actor Matthew McConaughey. He gave off the same kind of genteel cowboy swagger. I didn't like the "meet cute" at all and I didn't like that he is engaged to Poppy. He should have had a larger role in the book than he did. Then there's Mae Mae, the crusty cook from New Orleans. She adds some comic relief to the story with her endless "refined Creole" NOT Cajun cooking. I didn't really like her too much though. I felt sorry for her but didn't like her. I liked Mr. Carver better but he had secrets and seemed a little distant from Sunny. He didn't ever really trust her or want to get to know her. Honeybelle's family round out the cast of major supporting characters. The only one I really liked was the youngest grandson and only because he was so young and innocent. Hut, Jr. seems nice enough but he is overruled by Posie. There are a number of eccentric minor characters who pop up in the book to either pad the novel or advance the action or both
I would recommend this to dog lovers and cozy mystery fans.
September 26, 2023
Rated 3.5
June 12, 2023
Sunny McKillip is the personal assistant to the late Honeybelle Hensley, and now dogsitter to her mutt Miss Ruffles. Very few people like the dog; in fact, it seems that only townspeople do - all her friends and relatives hate the dog and it's mutual. So much so, that Honeybelle's daughter-in-law nearly causes a scene at Honeybelle's funeral when Sunny shows up with Miss Ruffles.
But then Sunny is given a surprise: Honeybelle's attorney tells her, along with the cook and butler, that if they'll live in the mansion for a year they'll each get a million dollars. Of course, Miss Ruffles comes along with the deal. So Sunny agrees to do it, even though it means animosity and hatred from Honeybelle's son Hut and his family. But then, Miss Ruffles goes missing and it's up to Sunny to find her before something even worse happens to her...
I don't know if this is the first in the series, and honestly I don't care. The beginning of the book started out fine, but then it went downhill toward the middle, so I just scanned the rest. What I did read from then on made me glad I didn't waste time reading the entire book.
There's a ridiculous scene with the Department of Agriculture digging up Honeybelle's garden because Honeybelle supposedly sent roses from Germany. Sunny tells the woman that Honeybelle is dead and couldn't have sent the roses, but the woman "looks at her blankly" and continues to dig. She's not even concerned that the roses may have been sent by someone else, that the roses could have been sent there to hide the real destination (after all, someone could have shown up and said the roses were sent by mistake) and using that address could have been a cover - anyway, there could have been all kinds of explanations, but it never occurred to her that dead people can't mail things from another country. This seemed kind of odd because if I was told the person couldn't have sent it because they were dead, a whole other set of questions would certainly arise.
But the worst thing was the case of animal abuse and animal cruelty. I don't know why this didn't bother anyone else (of the reviews I read, not a single one mentioned it) but it always bothers me. Especially when it's not necessary to the story. Any book that has animal cruelty that isn't necessary - and it wasn't - will automatically get one star from me.
I've hidden it in a spoiler, but here it is if you want to read it (and it includes the identity of the kidnapper, so you are forewarned):
Then we get to the ending, if you can call it that. There was a horrible surprise (which I didn't find amusing in the least) and all the questions throughout the book weren't answered. It's like the author didn't care any more and just wanted the book to be over. What a waste of time. I will never read another book by this author.
But then Sunny is given a surprise: Honeybelle's attorney tells her, along with the cook and butler, that if they'll live in the mansion for a year they'll each get a million dollars. Of course, Miss Ruffles comes along with the deal. So Sunny agrees to do it, even though it means animosity and hatred from Honeybelle's son Hut and his family. But then, Miss Ruffles goes missing and it's up to Sunny to find her before something even worse happens to her...
I don't know if this is the first in the series, and honestly I don't care. The beginning of the book started out fine, but then it went downhill toward the middle, so I just scanned the rest. What I did read from then on made me glad I didn't waste time reading the entire book.
There's a ridiculous scene with the Department of Agriculture digging up Honeybelle's garden because Honeybelle supposedly sent roses from Germany. Sunny tells the woman that Honeybelle is dead and couldn't have sent the roses, but the woman "looks at her blankly" and continues to dig. She's not even concerned that the roses may have been sent by someone else, that the roses could have been sent there to hide the real destination (after all, someone could have shown up and said the roses were sent by mistake) and using that address could have been a cover - anyway, there could have been all kinds of explanations, but it never occurred to her that dead people can't mail things from another country. This seemed kind of odd because if I was told the person couldn't have sent it because they were dead, a whole other set of questions would certainly arise.
But the worst thing was the case of animal abuse and animal cruelty. I don't know why this didn't bother anyone else (of the reviews I read, not a single one mentioned it) but it always bothers me. Especially when it's not necessary to the story. Any book that has animal cruelty that isn't necessary - and it wasn't - will automatically get one star from me.
I've hidden it in a spoiler, but here it is if you want to read it (and it includes the identity of the kidnapper, so you are forewarned):
Then we get to the ending, if you can call it that. There was a horrible surprise (which I didn't find amusing in the least) and all the questions throughout the book weren't answered. It's like the author didn't care any more and just wanted the book to be over. What a waste of time. I will never read another book by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2016
What an ending!!! If you usually skip to the end of the book, please, please don't! The ending is amazing, and totally unexpected.
This is the first book I've read from Nancy Martin, and now I have another author I have to get caught up on. Miss Ruffles is a Texas cattle cur, a cow herding dog, and the prized pet of Miss Honeybelle Hensley. Not exactly what you would expect to be a millionaire, but when Honeybelle dies of a heart attack, her personal assistant Sunny McKillip suddenly finds herself the caretaker for Miss Ruffles and Honeybelle's prized rose garden, with the promise of a one million dollar paycheck after the one year mark. Not only will she receive that sum, so will Mae Mae, the cook, and Mr. Carver, the butler. All they have to do is keep Miss Ruffles alive and happy for one year. Easy, right? Did I tell you Miss Ruffles has a not so winning personality, and Miss Honeybelle supposedly died of a heart attack, even though she had been one of the healthiest people in Mule Stop, Texas. Add to that, no one except Mr. Gamble, the undertaker had witnessed her dead body. And he cremated that before anyone else could even see it.
All of these facts, plus learning that Honeybelle was not as highly regarded in the town as Sunny presumed, made Sunny very suspicious about her death. As a result, Sunny decided that she had been murdered, and Sunny started her own investigation with way too many suspects.
This book kept me up nearly all night, I couldn't put it down, and the ending was really a shocker.
If you enjoy lighthearted mysteries, a touch of romance and snappy animals, I think you will enjoy this book too.
This is the first book I've read from Nancy Martin, and now I have another author I have to get caught up on. Miss Ruffles is a Texas cattle cur, a cow herding dog, and the prized pet of Miss Honeybelle Hensley. Not exactly what you would expect to be a millionaire, but when Honeybelle dies of a heart attack, her personal assistant Sunny McKillip suddenly finds herself the caretaker for Miss Ruffles and Honeybelle's prized rose garden, with the promise of a one million dollar paycheck after the one year mark. Not only will she receive that sum, so will Mae Mae, the cook, and Mr. Carver, the butler. All they have to do is keep Miss Ruffles alive and happy for one year. Easy, right? Did I tell you Miss Ruffles has a not so winning personality, and Miss Honeybelle supposedly died of a heart attack, even though she had been one of the healthiest people in Mule Stop, Texas. Add to that, no one except Mr. Gamble, the undertaker had witnessed her dead body. And he cremated that before anyone else could even see it.
All of these facts, plus learning that Honeybelle was not as highly regarded in the town as Sunny presumed, made Sunny very suspicious about her death. As a result, Sunny decided that she had been murdered, and Sunny started her own investigation with way too many suspects.
This book kept me up nearly all night, I couldn't put it down, and the ending was really a shocker.
If you enjoy lighthearted mysteries, a touch of romance and snappy animals, I think you will enjoy this book too.
July 20, 2017
It's hard to write a good, amusing cozy mystery set in a quirky small town peopled with eccentric characters because it's been done so often. I thought this book worked well, though. Set in small town Texas with family rivalries, cattle dogs and rustled roses, I found it pretty enjoyable. I would have rated it higher except I got frustrated with the MC for trying to do everything on her own and she quoted her mother way too much. It was also pretty obvious to me who the kidnapper was and I didn't see how she could not figure it out.
I listened to this book and the narrator probably added to my enjoyment. It's possible the dialogue might have felt a bit off if I'd read it, but she did a good job making it sound real.
I listened to this book and the narrator probably added to my enjoyment. It's possible the dialogue might have felt a bit off if I'd read it, but she did a good job making it sound real.
April 24, 2021
My first book by this author. It took me a little while to get really hooked into the story, but I found I liked the characters - and really wanted to see how Sunny would find Miss Ruffles. Fred was a really lovely extra character There were some fun surprises mixed into the story, too. I am now interested in discovering other books by this author.
May 9, 2022
This was a very enjoyable book. Set in Texas with all that you would think comes with it. Probably not a great literary work, but I am not a judge on that, I just know I liked it. I think the Texas part was nailed, but then a real Texan would need to weigh in. I remember when I was in Texas one native did agree they 'were more proud of their State then people in other States.'
The problem with giving books you really enjoy a 5 star rating is that you have no where to go. For me the next level is my category dogs-favorites, and while not that outstanding it was good fun. For some people, they give the books they really enjoy 4 stars and then the few ones outstanding to them a 5, but for me, if I really enjoyed a book and think other people would really enjoy it, I give it a five.
The main character was great. The Texan characters were fun. A couple of mobster types were a little silly perhaps and maybe not needed, but ok fine, maybe a little more comic relief.
The main dog in the book, Miss Ruffles, is a cattle dog, or cur, and was allowed to show a bit of character without anthropomorphism. Having a cattle dog or two in a Texas gives them opportunity to do what you might imagine a cattle dog can do to save the day just doing what comes natural to them. Here is the description of Miss Ruffles:
According to the American Kennel Club committee currently appraising the breed's pending application, Miss Ruffles was a Texas cattle cur - a small but powerful dog with the speed and temperament for driving cows over a cliff, if need be. She stood about knee high, with a tough, brindle gray coat that bristled over her compact body. At one end, her tail was an ugly stub, at the other, her muzzle narrowed to a foxy point. The wide space between her pricked ears -one was floppy, the other constantly erect - made room for a quick, cunning brain. At home in Honeybell's mansion, she didn't match the Chinese porcelain or the silk-upholstered furniture. In fact, she was often caught chewing the chairs. But Miss Ruffles had a habit of grinning when she panted, and her intelligent eyes conveyed more personality than most people. She liked to have fun, and she didn't care who annoyed to get it.
In short I would recommend the book. Not what I would call the best most amazing mystery with a dog you can have, but a fun mystery and enough dog to make a dog fan happy.
The problem with giving books you really enjoy a 5 star rating is that you have no where to go. For me the next level is my category dogs-favorites, and while not that outstanding it was good fun. For some people, they give the books they really enjoy 4 stars and then the few ones outstanding to them a 5, but for me, if I really enjoyed a book and think other people would really enjoy it, I give it a five.
The main character was great. The Texan characters were fun. A couple of mobster types were a little silly perhaps and maybe not needed, but ok fine, maybe a little more comic relief.
The main dog in the book, Miss Ruffles, is a cattle dog, or cur, and was allowed to show a bit of character without anthropomorphism. Having a cattle dog or two in a Texas gives them opportunity to do what you might imagine a cattle dog can do to save the day just doing what comes natural to them. Here is the description of Miss Ruffles:
According to the American Kennel Club committee currently appraising the breed's pending application, Miss Ruffles was a Texas cattle cur - a small but powerful dog with the speed and temperament for driving cows over a cliff, if need be. She stood about knee high, with a tough, brindle gray coat that bristled over her compact body. At one end, her tail was an ugly stub, at the other, her muzzle narrowed to a foxy point. The wide space between her pricked ears -one was floppy, the other constantly erect - made room for a quick, cunning brain. At home in Honeybell's mansion, she didn't match the Chinese porcelain or the silk-upholstered furniture. In fact, she was often caught chewing the chairs. But Miss Ruffles had a habit of grinning when she panted, and her intelligent eyes conveyed more personality than most people. She liked to have fun, and she didn't care who annoyed to get it.
In short I would recommend the book. Not what I would call the best most amazing mystery with a dog you can have, but a fun mystery and enough dog to make a dog fan happy.
May 5, 2025
Sunny, from Ohio, has been in Mule Drop, Texas for only a few months, the last 2 of which have been working as secretary for the richest woman in town, Honeybelle Hensley, a job that has morphed into caretaker, walker, and sitter for her dog, Miss Ruffles. Miss Ruffles is a Texas cattle cur and a lively one at that. Alas, Honeybelle dies suddenly and at the reading of the will, it seems Honeybelle conditioned the distribution of her estate to be contingent on Sunny plus the housekeeper/cook Mae Mae and butler Mr. Carver keeping Miss Ruffles happy and healthy and the house running for a year, and then find Miss Ruffles a happy new home. If that does not happen, the estate goes elsewhere. Clearly this is not going to lead to good things, and it doesn't with a dognapping days later only one of those things. Also, increasing questions and oddities surrounding Honeybelle's death arise, leaving Sunny the outsider having to solve and fix it all as well as finding herself a home in this Texas town.
This was great fun on many levels: a rather outrageous plot, colorful location and characters, and not one but 2 great Texas cattle cur characters. I also loved the portrayal of smalltown Texas life -- there's a fantastic section where the local Junior rodeo held at the stock yards provides great color as well as a satisfying background for the resolution of several plot threads. What reader isn't going to love the descriptions of the kids competing in mutton busting and chasing calves to grab the ribbons on their tails? Or even the Texas cattle curs showing off their skills.
This was great fun on many levels: a rather outrageous plot, colorful location and characters, and not one but 2 great Texas cattle cur characters. I also loved the portrayal of smalltown Texas life -- there's a fantastic section where the local Junior rodeo held at the stock yards provides great color as well as a satisfying background for the resolution of several plot threads. What reader isn't going to love the descriptions of the kids competing in mutton busting and chasing calves to grab the ribbons on their tails? Or even the Texas cattle curs showing off their skills.
October 7, 2015
This book was fantastic. Set in small town west Texas, the richest woman in town, Honeybelle, dies and when her will is read things begin to unravel. Her estate is left to her dog, Miss Ruffles, and all Sunny has to do is take care of her for a year to get a million dollars. Sunny was already hired to assist Honeybelle and take care of Miss Ruffles, so it doesn't seem that complicated of a job. Until she realizes that half the town may have a motive for getting rid of Miss Ruffles to get their share of the estate immediately. When Miss Ruffles is dognapped Sunny starts asking around and soon realizes how close knit a small town is. With both of their lives seemingly in danger how can she trust anyone and find Miss Ruffles without getting killed herself. This book does take a wild turn at the end, but you'll have to read it for yourself to find that one out.
I was given an advanced ecopy for an honest review from the publisher and NetGalley.
I was given an advanced ecopy for an honest review from the publisher and NetGalley.
November 3, 2016
Very cute.
November 27, 2024
I liked that this was a mystery that was about a dog first and a possible murder second. But the book was quite boring at first. I don’t know why but I didn’t enjoy the re-enactments of memories of Honeybell.
The view into Texas culture was very interesting. The characters were enjoyable if a bit stereotypical. But many of the quotes at the beginning of each chapter reinforced that famous country people support some of those ideas. There were also really strong and positive things about Texas culture included. There were a couple of people with non-white ethnic names but other than that, the cast was white and in stereotypical roles. But the old dog was awesome.
I liked the protagonist even though she made different choices than I would have. I really didn’t like how she acted with the love interest who shouldn’t have been one at all. Her behavior there really bothered me. Also, each time she decides she knows who did it, she does so on little or no evidence, the last time being the most out of the blue.
Honeybell really angered me. Her will put her beloved pet in danger. The situation almost dared someone to try to kill the dog. She could have accomplished the same thing by saying the money wouldn’t be available for a year no matter how successful the three of them were in taking care of the dog. Then no one would benefit from the dog dying.
I’m not sure if I’d read the next one but apparently this isn’t really a series.
The reader was quite good except her New York accent was terrible.
The view into Texas culture was very interesting. The characters were enjoyable if a bit stereotypical. But many of the quotes at the beginning of each chapter reinforced that famous country people support some of those ideas. There were also really strong and positive things about Texas culture included. There were a couple of people with non-white ethnic names but other than that, the cast was white and in stereotypical roles. But the old dog was awesome.
I liked the protagonist even though she made different choices than I would have. I really didn’t like how she acted with the love interest who shouldn’t have been one at all. Her behavior there really bothered me. Also, each time she decides she knows who did it, she does so on little or no evidence, the last time being the most out of the blue.
Honeybell really angered me. Her will put her beloved pet in danger. The situation almost dared someone to try to kill the dog. She could have accomplished the same thing by saying the money wouldn’t be available for a year no matter how successful the three of them were in taking care of the dog. Then no one would benefit from the dog dying.
I’m not sure if I’d read the next one but apparently this isn’t really a series.
The reader was quite good except her New York accent was terrible.
November 5, 2018
Sunny McKillip is a bright young lady nearing 30. She has an eclectic background having done a lot of short time jobs while getting her college degree – and after. Somehow she finds herself as the Personal Assistant to a flamboyant Texas Millionaire – Honeybell Hensley. Her major job is taking care of Honeybell’s beloved dog, Miss Ruffles, A Texas Cattle Cur..who is not very well trained. While Sunny was on a trip to the drugstore with Honeybell, (HB) has a heart attack and dies. Things happen very quickly. The nurse quits and goes on vacation, the lawyers are out of town, HB is immediately cremated, and Sunny finds out that Miss Ruffles inherits a large chunk of HB’s estate. Under the terms of the will, Sunny, must continue her job for one year…. Meaning that the care of Miss Ruffles is square on Sunny’s shoulders. HB’s family members are outraged! Then Miss Ruffles gets kidnapped (dognapped??) I actually had this one figured out from the beginning… but it was fun reading it to see all the developments along the way. … A good easy “escape” novel.
July 18, 2020
About three-quarters of the way through this book I was so disgusted with the addlebrained Sunny. What adult doesn’t have alarms go off in their head when followed by a dark colored car and then approached by two strangers in black suits? And then has a conversation with them about why she doesn’t owe them money? And then befriends them as they follow her around town and sit in a car outside her house while watching her comings and goings all day and night? It never even dawned on her to notify the police! And the Dept of Agriculture show up en masse to dig up roses working through the night? Seriously? They have the budget for that amount of manpower and overtime? And the dog, Fred, who is on his deathbed and she has to carry everywhere because he is weak and yet in a crisis he bounds to action and herds a mad bull into the pen - not once but twice! Augh!
Just not believable on so many levels! I don’t know why I wasted my time reading this book!
Just not believable on so many levels! I don’t know why I wasted my time reading this book!
June 9, 2023
3.5
This story oozes not only Southern charm but a special brand of Texan charm that was all kinds of fun to listen to. I honestly don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if I'd just read it -- Suzie Althens' narration added to my reading (listening) pleasure and the way she drawled out those nuggets of Texan wisdom had me chuckling out loud.
And Miss Ruffles is a hoot! Gotta love a dog with her own brand of snippy (or should I say nippy) attitude. Sunny has her hands full with that one -- and an unexpected mystery to solve. Now that's where this story fell a bit flat for me -- the pacing was great and the mystery investigation kept my interest (though I figured out the punch line pretty early on) - it was the resolution that irked me a bit. I didn't feel like everything was resolved and some pretty serious issues were just brushed aside. So that dropped my rating a bit. I'd totally continue on if this was a series, but it looks like a quirky standalone as far as I can tell.
This story oozes not only Southern charm but a special brand of Texan charm that was all kinds of fun to listen to. I honestly don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if I'd just read it -- Suzie Althens' narration added to my reading (listening) pleasure and the way she drawled out those nuggets of Texan wisdom had me chuckling out loud.
And Miss Ruffles is a hoot! Gotta love a dog with her own brand of snippy (or should I say nippy) attitude. Sunny has her hands full with that one -- and an unexpected mystery to solve. Now that's where this story fell a bit flat for me -- the pacing was great and the mystery investigation kept my interest (though I figured out the punch line pretty early on) - it was the resolution that irked me a bit. I didn't feel like everything was resolved and some pretty serious issues were just brushed aside. So that dropped my rating a bit. I'd totally continue on if this was a series, but it looks like a quirky standalone as far as I can tell.
November 29, 2018
Who could resist that cute cover? I have to admit, the cover sucked me right in and the mystery was just as humorous and heartfelt. As a Texan and dog lover, I felt Nancy Martin got all the mannerisms and quirks of small-town Texas right and turned a spunky dog that would rather bite and fight than cuddle into a heroine. In a way, it was like "Dallas" meets "Gone with the Wind" but set in modern-day Mule Stop.
Somehow the author threw a "Yankee" into the mix with a wild cast of characters (Blues Brothers, Feds, a rodeo rider-turned-lawyer) and a plot that continued to build suspense--with a healthy dose of romance--until the bang-up ending. Sunny seems smart and cool-headed but throws herself into situations that are more damsel-in-distress than strong and independent woman. Lots of fun and twisty turns with enough loose story lines that I hoped for a sequel, if not a series.
Somehow the author threw a "Yankee" into the mix with a wild cast of characters (Blues Brothers, Feds, a rodeo rider-turned-lawyer) and a plot that continued to build suspense--with a healthy dose of romance--until the bang-up ending. Sunny seems smart and cool-headed but throws herself into situations that are more damsel-in-distress than strong and independent woman. Lots of fun and twisty turns with enough loose story lines that I hoped for a sequel, if not a series.
June 16, 2023
I will stretch it to 3.5 stars because the narration was very good.
The story started out good and moved along, and yes, it did keep me entertained, but there were things that kept me from giving it higher ratings.
Some of the descriptives sections seemed to go on and on, as if the author was just trying to reach a word count.
There were too many characters for me. I found at times trying to keep tract of who was related to who and how they figured into the story. AGain, throw another person into the fray to just see if we can figure out the "mystery".
And as for that...I was about a third into the story when I knew who was the guilty party.
And there was unfinished business. It bothered me that one character did not get called on something that he/she did.
The narrator did a fantastic job.
The story started out good and moved along, and yes, it did keep me entertained, but there were things that kept me from giving it higher ratings.
Some of the descriptives sections seemed to go on and on, as if the author was just trying to reach a word count.
There were too many characters for me. I found at times trying to keep tract of who was related to who and how they figured into the story. AGain, throw another person into the fray to just see if we can figure out the "mystery".
And as for that...I was about a third into the story when I knew who was the guilty party.
And there was unfinished business. It bothered me that one character did not get called on something that he/she did.
The narrator did a fantastic job.
February 6, 2024
I thought this author was someone else and started the book. It is just the beginning of a cute "tea-cup" mystery series. There is not a lot of depth here, just a lot of action around a pet dog. And a new dog keeper who does not know the secrets of the town. The book is fast-paced, not a lot of character development, just action when the dog is kidnapped and the new keeper is frantic; running around town, meeting all the townies, discovering secrets but not the dog. Who has the dog? This is not a trick question. The dog is really missing and the dog is to inherit all the riches of her owner, who has been found dead in a friend's auto. Enough about the story. This did not keep my interest but I continued to read it and plan to give it to a young person who does not do a lot of reading. I think he might enjoy the introduction of characters with no depth. It is a cute book.
February 7, 2018
I picked this up wanting a light-hearted (but engaging) cozy mystery. I figured that a dog inheriting a fortune had to allow for some fun and detailed characters to show up in a mayhem filled aftermath. Honestly, I was bored and disappointed. The hijinks were pretty minor, the characters flat, and sadly there were no corpses buried beneath the yellow rose bush (at least that would have been a plot twist!). I guessed the end-of-book reveal well in advance and the romantic plotline just pissed me off, I'm hardly going to be rooting for a heroine that is pulling for a man they've just met and who is about to be imminently married.
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