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Away to Me
The vivid, immersive nature writing of William Kent Krueger and Peter Heller meets the taut suspense of Louise Penny against the lush, sprawling landscape of rural Wisconsin in the first of a new mystery trilogy by internationally renowned animal behavior expert Patricia McConnell, bestselling author of The Other End of the Leash and The Education of Will.
"Like All Creatures Great & Small meets Agatha Christie – only with more glorious writing, more training tips, and more border collies! I could not put this novel down – and when I did, I felt blessed by the company of great characters both human and canine, inspired to live lives of courage and hope." —SY MONTGOMERY, New York Times bestselling author of The Soul of an Octopus, What the Chicken Knows, and The Hummingbird's Gift
Maddie is living her best second life on a 40-acre sheep farm in the Wisconsin countryside. In addition to her passion for training sheepdogs—including her spirited border collie Jack—she sees all manner of dogs with behavioral problems ranging from biting to thunder phobia as part of her local practice. No stranger to trauma herself, Maddie has worked hard to recover from the ordeal of her previous marriage.
But things take a turn when Maddie’s friend and mentor, George, is inexplicably killed by a rifle shot fired from the woods during a sheepdog trial. Maddie is devastated and also baffled—it’s not hunting season, and who could mistake a man, standing alone in a field, for a deer?
She’s still reeling from George’s shooting when a shelter calls her for help with a German shepherd found half dead beside the highway who’s too aggressive to feed and care for. The dog flourishes at the farm, but when Maddie returns one day to find her house invaded, it’s clear that she has stumbled into a situation far more complex and sinister than she realized. And her romantic involvement with an enigmatic young shelter worker soon leads to even more trouble. As Maddie continues to search for answers to George’s death, it quickly becomes apparent that her own life is once again in danger . . .
"Like All Creatures Great & Small meets Agatha Christie – only with more glorious writing, more training tips, and more border collies! I could not put this novel down – and when I did, I felt blessed by the company of great characters both human and canine, inspired to live lives of courage and hope." —SY MONTGOMERY, New York Times bestselling author of The Soul of an Octopus, What the Chicken Knows, and The Hummingbird's Gift
Maddie is living her best second life on a 40-acre sheep farm in the Wisconsin countryside. In addition to her passion for training sheepdogs—including her spirited border collie Jack—she sees all manner of dogs with behavioral problems ranging from biting to thunder phobia as part of her local practice. No stranger to trauma herself, Maddie has worked hard to recover from the ordeal of her previous marriage.
But things take a turn when Maddie’s friend and mentor, George, is inexplicably killed by a rifle shot fired from the woods during a sheepdog trial. Maddie is devastated and also baffled—it’s not hunting season, and who could mistake a man, standing alone in a field, for a deer?
She’s still reeling from George’s shooting when a shelter calls her for help with a German shepherd found half dead beside the highway who’s too aggressive to feed and care for. The dog flourishes at the farm, but when Maddie returns one day to find her house invaded, it’s clear that she has stumbled into a situation far more complex and sinister than she realized. And her romantic involvement with an enigmatic young shelter worker soon leads to even more trouble. As Maddie continues to search for answers to George’s death, it quickly becomes apparent that her own life is once again in danger . . .
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2026
About the author
Patricia B. McConnell
28 books516 followersPatricia McConnell, Ph.D., a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, (CAAB) has made a lifelong commitment to improving the relationship between people and animals. She is known worldwide as an expert on canine and feline behavior and dog training, and for her engaging and knowledgeable dog training books, DVDs and seminars. Patricia has seen clients for serious behavioral problems since 1988, and is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, teaching "The Biology and Philosophy of Human/Animal Relationships." For fourteen years she dispensed advice about behavior problems, and information about animal behavior research, on Wisconsin Public Radio's Calling All Pets, which was heard in over 90 cities around the country.
Patricia received her Ph.D. in Zoology in 1988 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison researching dog behavior and communication between professional trainers and working domestic animals.
Patricia received her Ph.D. in Zoology in 1988 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison researching dog behavior and communication between professional trainers and working domestic animals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
April 7, 2026
*3.5* This is one of those books that completely pulled me in… until it didn’t.
Warning, there will be spoilers in my review below. Nothing that would ruin the mystery, but spoilers I felt were important to point out.
For fellow dog lovers: all dogs are safe in this story. I genuinely can’t believe that’s not stated in other reviews.
The setting is absolutely wonderful, rural Wisconsin, sheepdog trials, and a working farm full of personality. Maddie’s life, her work with dogs, and her background in trauma recovery all feel authentic, which isn’t surprising given the author’s expertise. The dog behavior elements were fascinating.
Maddie (42) is such a refreshing fmc. She lives alone (dogs, chickens, sheep and an old horse), on a 40 acre farm, she purchased after recovering from a brutal marriage and divorce. She struggles with ptsd and finds her work with dogs healing.
Maddie’s friend and mentor, George, is shot and killed during a sheepdog trial at the start of the story, and soon after Maddie gets a phone call about a German Shepherd found half dead on the side of the road. The story weaves through Maddie’s emotions of losing her friend, keeping her business going, and caring for this wounded dog. It wasn’t perfect, but the characters were written well.
As the story continues, Maddie begins a very sweet relationship with a man who rescued the German Shepherd. The choice to kill off this romantic lead completely threw me. I’m still thinking about this poor man who was such a wonderfully, layered character with so much future. He was a gentle giant who helped Maddie feel beautiful, AND he was 15 years her junior, this would have been such a fabulous plot to continue.
There were also a few other inconsistencies and irritants throughout the story, which really didn’t help.
Despite all that, I still enjoyed the book overall, which says a lot.
Tropes/themes:
Small-town mystery
Animal-centered storytelling
Working dogs
Trauma & second chances
Slow-building suspense
Murder investigation
Rebuilding a life
Romantic subplot (closed door)
HFN
Overall, this is an emotionally layered (cozy) mystery with a wonderful setting and a strong connection to the world of dogs and training, just be prepared for a few surprising (and potentially divisive) narrative choices along the way.
Warning, there will be spoilers in my review below. Nothing that would ruin the mystery, but spoilers I felt were important to point out.
For fellow dog lovers: all dogs are safe in this story. I genuinely can’t believe that’s not stated in other reviews.
The setting is absolutely wonderful, rural Wisconsin, sheepdog trials, and a working farm full of personality. Maddie’s life, her work with dogs, and her background in trauma recovery all feel authentic, which isn’t surprising given the author’s expertise. The dog behavior elements were fascinating.
Maddie (42) is such a refreshing fmc. She lives alone (dogs, chickens, sheep and an old horse), on a 40 acre farm, she purchased after recovering from a brutal marriage and divorce. She struggles with ptsd and finds her work with dogs healing.
Maddie’s friend and mentor, George, is shot and killed during a sheepdog trial at the start of the story, and soon after Maddie gets a phone call about a German Shepherd found half dead on the side of the road. The story weaves through Maddie’s emotions of losing her friend, keeping her business going, and caring for this wounded dog. It wasn’t perfect, but the characters were written well.
As the story continues, Maddie begins a very sweet relationship with a man who rescued the German Shepherd. The choice to kill off this romantic lead completely threw me. I’m still thinking about this poor man who was such a wonderfully, layered character with so much future. He was a gentle giant who helped Maddie feel beautiful, AND he was 15 years her junior, this would have been such a fabulous plot to continue.
There were also a few other inconsistencies and irritants throughout the story, which really didn’t help.
Despite all that, I still enjoyed the book overall, which says a lot.
Tropes/themes:
Small-town mystery
Animal-centered storytelling
Working dogs
Trauma & second chances
Slow-building suspense
Murder investigation
Rebuilding a life
Romantic subplot (closed door)
HFN
Overall, this is an emotionally layered (cozy) mystery with a wonderful setting and a strong connection to the world of dogs and training, just be prepared for a few surprising (and potentially divisive) narrative choices along the way.
April 1, 2026
First, I must say I quite enjoyed this debut mystery novel. However, I feel obliged to state up front that it might not be for everyone. Yes, there is a central murder mystery, but that was overshadowed (in my opinion) by the animals. That factor might be a plus for some readers, while other readers might find that the plot was bogged down by the constant referral to the animals/dogs that permeated the novel. Like the book's protagonist, Dr. Maddie McGown, the author herself is an animal behaviorist, and her love of her work and the animals fairly oozes off the pages.
Maddie was an abused wife in her former life. Now, she has settled herself in Wisconsin on a sheep farm. She is the proud owner of several dogs. A sheep guard dog named Bo Peep, a sheep herding dog named Jack, etc. She also has two house cats.
At a sheep dog trial, one of Maddie's closest friends, George, is shot in broad daylight from a long-range rifle. She grieves for her friend and wants to see justice done.
During the course of her work, she encounters a badly malnourished and sickly german shepherd named Cisco. She bring him home to her farm and immediately falls in love with him. When he is dog-napped and her guard dog Bo Peep is injured, she makes it her quest to find him and bring him home.
Cisco's fate and George's murder case eventually overlap, bringing suspense to the narrative and danger to Maddie and her menagerie.
I learned a lot about dogs during the course of reading "Away To Me". I have long admired sheep dogs and had the pleasure of attending a sheep dog demonstration during my trip to Ireland two years ago. That, coupled with my affection for the mystery genre, ensured my enjoyment of this debut mystery novel.
Maddie was an abused wife in her former life. Now, she has settled herself in Wisconsin on a sheep farm. She is the proud owner of several dogs. A sheep guard dog named Bo Peep, a sheep herding dog named Jack, etc. She also has two house cats.
At a sheep dog trial, one of Maddie's closest friends, George, is shot in broad daylight from a long-range rifle. She grieves for her friend and wants to see justice done.
During the course of her work, she encounters a badly malnourished and sickly german shepherd named Cisco. She bring him home to her farm and immediately falls in love with him. When he is dog-napped and her guard dog Bo Peep is injured, she makes it her quest to find him and bring him home.
Cisco's fate and George's murder case eventually overlap, bringing suspense to the narrative and danger to Maddie and her menagerie.
I learned a lot about dogs during the course of reading "Away To Me". I have long admired sheep dogs and had the pleasure of attending a sheep dog demonstration during my trip to Ireland two years ago. That, coupled with my affection for the mystery genre, ensured my enjoyment of this debut mystery novel.
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February 25, 2026Reading this was similar in a way to reading The Martian by Andy Weir. The author is first and foremost an expert in a very specific field — in this case, dog behavior — and that was fascinating to read and learn about.
Edit: Interview with the Cap Times available here: https://captimes.com/entertainment/bo...
Intro:
Patricia B. McConnell had a long career on Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Calling All Pets,” and has written many popular books about dog behavior.
Now, she turns her hand to murder mystery. Her new novel, “Away To Me,” will be published Feb. 24 by Kensington Books.
The novel opens at a sheepdog trial — an event to test the skills of herding dogs — in southern Wisconsin, when a gunshot changes everything. Maddie McGowan, an animal behaviorist living a quiet farm life, is thrust into a murder investigation after her best friend is killed. When she rescues a severely traumatized dog, the case grows more complicated, as well as more personal.
The story moves quickly with plenty of wit, yet finds time to linger in beautiful details about the Wisconsin landscape and poignant reflections on the humanity of dogs — and the animal nature inside all of us.
Edit: Interview with the Cap Times available here: https://captimes.com/entertainment/bo...
Intro:
Patricia B. McConnell had a long career on Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Calling All Pets,” and has written many popular books about dog behavior.
Now, she turns her hand to murder mystery. Her new novel, “Away To Me,” will be published Feb. 24 by Kensington Books.
The novel opens at a sheepdog trial — an event to test the skills of herding dogs — in southern Wisconsin, when a gunshot changes everything. Maddie McGowan, an animal behaviorist living a quiet farm life, is thrust into a murder investigation after her best friend is killed. When she rescues a severely traumatized dog, the case grows more complicated, as well as more personal.
The story moves quickly with plenty of wit, yet finds time to linger in beautiful details about the Wisconsin landscape and poignant reflections on the humanity of dogs — and the animal nature inside all of us.
November 3, 2025
Thank you to Kensington Books for the gifted ARC!
This book really kept me on my toes, and I loved every second of it. Maybe it helps that I completely adore dogs/animals, and this book was filled to the brim with love and care for animals/dogs. I went into this book expecting it to just be a murder mystery read, and it was so much more than that. It had really heavy elements of PTSD, domestic violence, found family and a lot of depth.
Maddie was a really cool character. I loved that she was a bit older than your typical FMC. It made it a lot easier to relate to her as someone who is nearing their 40's. She was incredibly smart, kind, personable and caring. Her affection for animals is so admirable and the lengths that she would and did go to to protect and love them was just inspiring. If you love animals you will absolutely love this character and the heavy backdrop of animals in this book.
I will say that the murder mystery aspect of the book really didn't become a focus until almost 40% in. The first half of the book is very focused on her animal behaviorist work and an animal that she has taken special interest in. It does all tie together and is relevant, but it is not purely a book solely focused on a murder. It also gets really into the abuse that she herself experienced, so I would probably check your triggers if you're going to read this.
When it comes to mysteries or thrillers, I want to guess everything wrong and be surprised. And that's what happened here, I didn't guess a single thing correctly and it kept me on the edge of my seat and needing to read the next chapter to find out what was happening. I would absolutely recommend this, especially if you're an animal lover.
*This ARC was given by Kensington Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
This book really kept me on my toes, and I loved every second of it. Maybe it helps that I completely adore dogs/animals, and this book was filled to the brim with love and care for animals/dogs. I went into this book expecting it to just be a murder mystery read, and it was so much more than that. It had really heavy elements of PTSD, domestic violence, found family and a lot of depth.
Maddie was a really cool character. I loved that she was a bit older than your typical FMC. It made it a lot easier to relate to her as someone who is nearing their 40's. She was incredibly smart, kind, personable and caring. Her affection for animals is so admirable and the lengths that she would and did go to to protect and love them was just inspiring. If you love animals you will absolutely love this character and the heavy backdrop of animals in this book.
I will say that the murder mystery aspect of the book really didn't become a focus until almost 40% in. The first half of the book is very focused on her animal behaviorist work and an animal that she has taken special interest in. It does all tie together and is relevant, but it is not purely a book solely focused on a murder. It also gets really into the abuse that she herself experienced, so I would probably check your triggers if you're going to read this.
When it comes to mysteries or thrillers, I want to guess everything wrong and be surprised. And that's what happened here, I didn't guess a single thing correctly and it kept me on the edge of my seat and needing to read the next chapter to find out what was happening. I would absolutely recommend this, especially if you're an animal lover.
*This ARC was given by Kensington Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
September 28, 2025
4.5 stars!
This was a delightful read that offered a refreshing change from my usual choices. With dogs in the story and a little detective work, I was hooked right away!
Maddie, a sheepdog trainer and animal behavior expert, is starting anew on her Wisconsin farm after a troubled marriage. Her life is upended when her mentor, George, is shot during a sheepdog trial. While dealing with this tragedy, she rescues an aggressive German shepherd but soon discovers her home has been invaded, indicating deeper troubles. Her romance with a young shelter worker adds to the chaos as she unravels the mystery of George’s death, putting her own safety at risk.
Maddie is a lovely character with a heart of gold. She dedicates herself to helping those who cannot speak for themselves, and she does it brilliantly. Smart, knowledgeable, and resolute, she is determined to reunite with her new canine family member.
The cozy setting is vividly described, and I appreciated the insights into dog training sprinkled throughout. I truly enjoyed this suspenseful mystery set in a small town, especially with some adorable four-legged friends contributing to the storyline. Reading about working pups and learning about sheepdogs was an absolute treat. Maddie really seems to live the dream on her farm until things take an unexpected turn. Don’t miss out on this captivating, suspenseful mystery featuring some furry sidekicks!
Thank you, Kensington Publishing, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a delightful read that offered a refreshing change from my usual choices. With dogs in the story and a little detective work, I was hooked right away!
Maddie, a sheepdog trainer and animal behavior expert, is starting anew on her Wisconsin farm after a troubled marriage. Her life is upended when her mentor, George, is shot during a sheepdog trial. While dealing with this tragedy, she rescues an aggressive German shepherd but soon discovers her home has been invaded, indicating deeper troubles. Her romance with a young shelter worker adds to the chaos as she unravels the mystery of George’s death, putting her own safety at risk.
Maddie is a lovely character with a heart of gold. She dedicates herself to helping those who cannot speak for themselves, and she does it brilliantly. Smart, knowledgeable, and resolute, she is determined to reunite with her new canine family member.
The cozy setting is vividly described, and I appreciated the insights into dog training sprinkled throughout. I truly enjoyed this suspenseful mystery set in a small town, especially with some adorable four-legged friends contributing to the storyline. Reading about working pups and learning about sheepdogs was an absolute treat. Maddie really seems to live the dream on her farm until things take an unexpected turn. Don’t miss out on this captivating, suspenseful mystery featuring some furry sidekicks!
Thank you, Kensington Publishing, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for this advance copy!
This was my first book by this author, and I enjoyed the descriptions of the setting and the well-rounded characters. It was slower-paced than I expected from the blurb, and felt like more of a cozy mystery than a "thriller" as the description hinted. I think there were more descriptions of Maddie's clients and her farm chores than there were suspenseful moments. Nevertheless it was an enjoyable read, and as someone who doesn't know much about dogs, I enjoyed my peek into the lives of different working dogs. 3.5 stars rounded up for me.
This was my first book by this author, and I enjoyed the descriptions of the setting and the well-rounded characters. It was slower-paced than I expected from the blurb, and felt like more of a cozy mystery than a "thriller" as the description hinted. I think there were more descriptions of Maddie's clients and her farm chores than there were suspenseful moments. Nevertheless it was an enjoyable read, and as someone who doesn't know much about dogs, I enjoyed my peek into the lives of different working dogs. 3.5 stars rounded up for me.
April 27, 2026
Absolutely loved this book!! Maddie was abused (as we learn little by little) in her marriage. She has changed her name and become a successful dog behaviorist in a small town. She also trains a Border Collie and attends Border Collie Trials competitively. George is her mentor and when he is murdered, she is lost. She also volunteers her time at a rescue center and comes across Cisco--a very damaged German Shepherd. Slowly, this is all connected.
I loved learning of the dogs and people she helps in her business as a professional animal behaviorist. I learned a lot in these little side stories. I am a veterinarian and have been practicing for over 40 years. We didn't get much behavior medicine in school, so I try to learn as much as I can from professional animal behaviorists and Patricia McConnell is one of my "go to people". I refer so many clients to her website (I live in Virginia) and publications and I have read them myself. Loved her radio program too. And she helped me with a rescue Border Collie from recommendations on her show. So I was so excited to hear that she had written a novel.
I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers and dog lovers (just to let everyone know, no dog is harmed in this book).
I loved learning of the dogs and people she helps in her business as a professional animal behaviorist. I learned a lot in these little side stories. I am a veterinarian and have been practicing for over 40 years. We didn't get much behavior medicine in school, so I try to learn as much as I can from professional animal behaviorists and Patricia McConnell is one of my "go to people". I refer so many clients to her website (I live in Virginia) and publications and I have read them myself. Loved her radio program too. And she helped me with a rescue Border Collie from recommendations on her show. So I was so excited to hear that she had written a novel.
I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers and dog lovers (just to let everyone know, no dog is harmed in this book).
March 14, 2026
Ahhhhhh, such a satisfying dog book. This is Patricia McConnell’s first fiction book, and I loved it not because it was a good mystery (it was ok) but because she just writes about dogs so well. Jack the border collie, Cisco the shepherd, Bo Peep the Great Pyrenees, not to mention the other dogs that her main character works with as a behaviorist. This book may be a mystery, but the best thing about it is how expertly it captures the joy of loving dogs and how wonderful they are.
March 1, 2026
Away to Me is the fiction debut of animal-behaviorist, Patricia McConnell.
"Maddie is living on a 40-acre sheep farm in rural Wisconsin. She spends her time helping clients with their animal problems - like thunder-phobia and biting. She also spends time training Jack, her spirited sheepdog. Maddie has tried hard to recover from the trauma of her previous marriage.
Things take a bad turn when her friend and mentor, George, is shot during the middle of a sheep dog trial. Maddie is devastated, especially after the police find no leads on the shooter.
She is asked to help with a German Shepherd that was found abandoned and almost dead. He flourishes on her farm. But when her home is vandalized Maddie wonders if her life is in danger again."
Dog lovers will appreciate this book. McConnell shares lots of animal behavior issues as part of the story and you will probably see your own fur-friend. McConnell does not make Maddie an amateur detective but drives the story with her pursuit of Cisco, the resued German shepherd. She is desperate to find him and keeps stumbling into dangerous situations. Her backstory is pretty terrifying and McConnell uses it to keep the reader guessing.
It's a wild ending and you know the dogs have a part. Nice fiction-debut from McConnell.
"Maddie is living on a 40-acre sheep farm in rural Wisconsin. She spends her time helping clients with their animal problems - like thunder-phobia and biting. She also spends time training Jack, her spirited sheepdog. Maddie has tried hard to recover from the trauma of her previous marriage.
Things take a bad turn when her friend and mentor, George, is shot during the middle of a sheep dog trial. Maddie is devastated, especially after the police find no leads on the shooter.
She is asked to help with a German Shepherd that was found abandoned and almost dead. He flourishes on her farm. But when her home is vandalized Maddie wonders if her life is in danger again."
Dog lovers will appreciate this book. McConnell shares lots of animal behavior issues as part of the story and you will probably see your own fur-friend. McConnell does not make Maddie an amateur detective but drives the story with her pursuit of Cisco, the resued German shepherd. She is desperate to find him and keeps stumbling into dangerous situations. Her backstory is pretty terrifying and McConnell uses it to keep the reader guessing.
It's a wild ending and you know the dogs have a part. Nice fiction-debut from McConnell.
March 24, 2026
So good! Suspenseful and not at all what I was expecting out of a book that started very much just about dogs and sheep. There was murder, drugs, love, loss, friendship, betrayal, competitions, neighbors, overcoming, and moving forward.
February 8, 2026
I’m going to start off by saying this book made me incredibly homesick, being a rural midwestern native myself. 🥹 This was an overall good read for me, and is for anyone who loves dogs!!! I did learn a TON about animal behavior, and the author is extremely educated in that regard which made me feel like I was reading nonfiction at times. A bit of a slow read, however that perfectly embodies the lifestyle of these characters- as busy as they are with the farm, it can be a bit mundane in the routine of things. The mystery component was good, but I wasn’t “surprised” by the ending.
March 6, 2026
Audiobook
March 23, 2026
I loved so much about this book--from the authentic rural setting, to likeable characters, to the writing style. I like mystery/thrillers that entertain, but also introduce me to something new, in this case animal behavior. This one fit the bill. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.
March 28, 2026
Always love a mystery with dogs involved, but this might have been almost too much dog content for me. And Maddie and I are not kindred spirits when it comes to food, not sure I could eat refried beans and frozen tortillas every night for dinner. And at one point she realized she has forgotten to eat in 24 hours, I can confidently say that has never happened to me!
April 11, 2026
I was very surprised how good this was. I’ve read many of her non-fiction books and like the way she writes. This was her first fiction book. It was fast-paced and full of animals especially herding dogs, which was a plus
March 25, 2026
I really enjoyed this! I've read and benefited from a couple of Patricia McConnell's dog behavior books. I also like mysteries, but wasn't sure what to expect with a mystery that has dog behavior situations incorporated. As it turns out, it worked really well and I ended up being in suspense about several elements of plot that weren't murder mystery. Really good and I hope this turns into a series!
January 29, 2026
Enjoyable book about a dog behaviorist and her dogs. With an interesting story line and enough to keep my attention. Lots of PTSD episodes included and well and some very difficult and scary situations.
March 2, 2026
Very good.
March 3, 2026
Absolutely delightful! Suspenseful, with twists and turns. And the dogs are wonderful!
March 3, 2026
Great who-done-it with some sheep dog training information. Won this book through Goodreads giveaways away :)
February 25, 2026
Away to Me is a charming, heartfelt mystery that blends the warmth of the dog-fostering world with a cleverly constructed whodunit. The characters feel authentic, relatable, and genuinely likable, drawing you into their lives and relationships from the start. The story arc is smooth and well paced, with the emotional depth of fostering adding real stakes and heart to the unfolding mystery rather than feeling like a separate thread. With vivid, affectionate scenes involving the dogs and a cozy yet suspenseful tone, it’s a fresh, engaging read that will especially appeal to readers who love character-driven stories with both warmth and intrigue.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this early!
WOW. I loved this book so much! 🐕🔥
The K9 and sheep dog elements made this story stand out in the best way. The bond between Maddie and the dogs felt so real and powerful — they weren’t just background details, they were a huge part of the heart of the story. The training scenes, the loyalty, the instincts… it added so much depth and emotion.
Watching Maddie slowly unravel as people start dying around her was intense and heartbreaking. The tension builds perfectly, and just when you think you know what’s happening — BAM. That ending completely shocked me!
If you love suspense, strong female leads, and incredible working dog moments, you need to read this one. ⭐️🐾
WOW. I loved this book so much! 🐕🔥
The K9 and sheep dog elements made this story stand out in the best way. The bond between Maddie and the dogs felt so real and powerful — they weren’t just background details, they were a huge part of the heart of the story. The training scenes, the loyalty, the instincts… it added so much depth and emotion.
Watching Maddie slowly unravel as people start dying around her was intense and heartbreaking. The tension builds perfectly, and just when you think you know what’s happening — BAM. That ending completely shocked me!
If you love suspense, strong female leads, and incredible working dog moments, you need to read this one. ⭐️🐾
February 21, 2026
4.5 ⭐️s rounded up to 5 ⭐️s
What a refreshing change from my usual mystery/thriller reads! 🙌
I really loved the FMC Maddie, who trains sheepdogs and sees all different types of dogs with behavioral problems. You can tell the author really knows her stuff when it comes to animal behavior! I was engaged throughout the read and didn’t want to put it down! And of course I loved all the doggos!! 🐶 This is the first book in a trilogy, so I’m already looking forward to the second book! 👏
Thank you partner Kensington Books for the gifted advance reader copy and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
What a refreshing change from my usual mystery/thriller reads! 🙌
I really loved the FMC Maddie, who trains sheepdogs and sees all different types of dogs with behavioral problems. You can tell the author really knows her stuff when it comes to animal behavior! I was engaged throughout the read and didn’t want to put it down! And of course I loved all the doggos!! 🐶 This is the first book in a trilogy, so I’m already looking forward to the second book! 👏
Thank you partner Kensington Books for the gifted advance reader copy and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
February 25, 2026
Border Collies, sheep trials, K9 dogs, Great Pyrenees ……. Dog heaven.
February 10, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this Arc! This isn’t one of the usual books I would gravitate towards but I actually enjoyed it. It was more of a slow pace. This was my first book by this author.
The book follows Maddie as she leaves an abusive relationship and starts life on a farm with sheep dogs. When her mentor/friend is murdered. Maddie starts to look into George’s death which puts her in some danger.
I liked that we got to see Maddie working as a behavior specialist with the dogs.
The book follows Maddie as she leaves an abusive relationship and starts life on a farm with sheep dogs. When her mentor/friend is murdered. Maddie starts to look into George’s death which puts her in some danger.
I liked that we got to see Maddie working as a behavior specialist with the dogs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, big thanks to NetGalley & Kensington Publishing for the ARC!
Everything related to animals automatically gets a big fat “++++” star from me, so this book had a head start.
We follow Maddie, who rebuilt her life after a rough, abusive marriage and now runs a peaceful farm in rural Wisconsin. She trains sheepdogs, helps rehabilitate shelter dogs with behavioral issues and basically lives her best second life surrounded by fur and fields. So yeah, she’s awesome.
Unfortunately, things take a dark turn during a sheepdog trial when her friend and mentor, George, is killed by a single shot. Was it an accident? Or something far more sinister? While Maddie tries to piece together what really happened, she’s called to help with a severely injured, aggressive German shepherd and, of course, she takes him in. Under her care, the dog transforms completely… until one day she comes home to find her house ransacked and her dog missing.
From there, things spiral into a tangle of murder and betrayal.
I’ll admit, this one felt more cozy mystery than high-stakes thriller, but that worked in its favor. The pacing was steady, exactly what you’d expect from an author who understands animal behavior so deeply. I loved that Maddie is an older protagonist (40s finally getting some representation), and that we got a touch of romance, even if it didn’t end quite how I wanted (sigh…).
Overall, it’s a lovely balance of mystery, healing, and love for animals, wrapped in a rural setting that feels beautifully alive. A solid 3.75★ from me and yes,all the dogs totally stole the show.
Everything related to animals automatically gets a big fat “++++” star from me, so this book had a head start.
We follow Maddie, who rebuilt her life after a rough, abusive marriage and now runs a peaceful farm in rural Wisconsin. She trains sheepdogs, helps rehabilitate shelter dogs with behavioral issues and basically lives her best second life surrounded by fur and fields. So yeah, she’s awesome.
Unfortunately, things take a dark turn during a sheepdog trial when her friend and mentor, George, is killed by a single shot. Was it an accident? Or something far more sinister? While Maddie tries to piece together what really happened, she’s called to help with a severely injured, aggressive German shepherd and, of course, she takes him in. Under her care, the dog transforms completely… until one day she comes home to find her house ransacked and her dog missing.
From there, things spiral into a tangle of murder and betrayal.
I’ll admit, this one felt more cozy mystery than high-stakes thriller, but that worked in its favor. The pacing was steady, exactly what you’d expect from an author who understands animal behavior so deeply. I loved that Maddie is an older protagonist (40s finally getting some representation), and that we got a touch of romance, even if it didn’t end quite how I wanted (sigh…).
Overall, it’s a lovely balance of mystery, healing, and love for animals, wrapped in a rural setting that feels beautifully alive. A solid 3.75★ from me and yes,all the dogs totally stole the show.
September 20, 2025
This was my first book by Patricia MCConnell and I was not disappointed. It was a refreshing change to read a book themed around a specialist dog behaviouralist and this played a key part in the storyline. When Maddie’s mentor, George, is shot and killed Maddie struggles to understand why anyone would shoot him. A chance encounter at his funeral and an emaciated dog found at the side of the road all form part of this intriguing, multi-layered story line.
Highly recommended if you like thrillers with emotionally literate lead characters and, like me, you can’t resist a dog related storyline:
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book.
Highly recommended if you like thrillers with emotionally literate lead characters and, like me, you can’t resist a dog related storyline:
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book.
October 8, 2025
Away to Me was a great read with engaging characters and a solid storyline that felt refreshingly different from what I’ve read before. It was a bit slower paced than I usually prefer, but the writing and depth made up for it. My first read by Patricia McConnell, and I’ll definitely be checking out more of her books. 4.5 stars!
November 29, 2025
📚Away to Me
✍🏻Patricia McConnell
Blurb:
The vivid, immersive nature writing of William Kent Krueger and Peter Heller meets the taut suspense of Louise Penny against the lush, sprawling landscape of rural Wisconsin in the first of a new mystery trilogy by internationally renowned animal behavior expert Patricia McConnell, bestselling author of The Other End of the Leash and The Education of Will.
Maddie is living her best second life on a 40-acre sheep farm in rural Wisconsin. In addition to her passion for training sheepdogs—including her spirited border collie Jack—she sees all manner of dogs with behavioral problems ranging from biting to thunder phobia as part of her local practice. No stranger to trauma herself, Maddie has worked hard to recover from the ordeal of her previous marriage.
But things take a turn when Maddie’s friend and mentor, George, is inexplicably killed by a rifle shot fired from the woods during a sheepdog trial. Maddie is devastated and also baffled—it’s not hunting season, and who could mistake a man, standing alone in a field, for a deer?
She’s still reeling from George’s shooting when a shelter calls her for help with a German shepherd found half dead beside the highway who’s too aggressive to feed and care for. The dog flourishes at the farm, but when Maddie returns one day to find her house invaded, it’s clear that she has stumbled into a situation far more complex and sinister than she realized. And her romantic involvement with an enigmatic young shelter worker soon leads to even more trouble. As Maddie continues to search for answers to George’s death, it quickly becomes apparent that her own life is once again in danger . . .
My Thoughts:
This book really kept me on my toes, and I loved every second of it. Maybe it helps that I completely adore dogs/animals, and this book was filled to the brim with love and care for animals/dogs. I went into this book expecting it to just be a murder mystery read, and it was so much more than that. It had really heavy elements of PTSD, domestic violence, found family and a lot of depth.
Maddie was a really cool character. I loved that she was a bit older than your typical FMC. It made it a lot easier to relate to her as someone who is nearing their 40's. She was incredibly smart, kind, personable and caring. Her affection for animals is so admirable and the lengths that she would and did go to to protect and love them was just inspiring. If you love animals you will absolutely love this character and the heavy backdrop of animals in this book.
I will say that the murder mystery aspect of the book really didn't become a focus until almost 40% in. The first half of the book is very focused on her animal behaviorist work and an animal that she has taken special interest in. It does all tie together and is relevant, but it is not purely a book solely focused on a murder. It also gets really into the abuse that she herself experienced, so I would probably check your triggers if you're going to read this.
When it comes to mysteries or thrillers, I want to guess everything wrong and be surprised. And that's what happened here, I didn't guess a single thing correctly and it kept me on the edge of my seat and needing to read the next chapter to find out what was happening. I would absolutely recommend this, especially if you're an animal lover.
Thanks NetGalley, Kensington Publishing Corp. and Author Patricia McConnell for the advanced copy of "Away to Me" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#KensingtonPublishingCorp.
#PatriciaMcConnell
#AwaytoMe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Patricia McConnell
Blurb:
The vivid, immersive nature writing of William Kent Krueger and Peter Heller meets the taut suspense of Louise Penny against the lush, sprawling landscape of rural Wisconsin in the first of a new mystery trilogy by internationally renowned animal behavior expert Patricia McConnell, bestselling author of The Other End of the Leash and The Education of Will.
Maddie is living her best second life on a 40-acre sheep farm in rural Wisconsin. In addition to her passion for training sheepdogs—including her spirited border collie Jack—she sees all manner of dogs with behavioral problems ranging from biting to thunder phobia as part of her local practice. No stranger to trauma herself, Maddie has worked hard to recover from the ordeal of her previous marriage.
But things take a turn when Maddie’s friend and mentor, George, is inexplicably killed by a rifle shot fired from the woods during a sheepdog trial. Maddie is devastated and also baffled—it’s not hunting season, and who could mistake a man, standing alone in a field, for a deer?
She’s still reeling from George’s shooting when a shelter calls her for help with a German shepherd found half dead beside the highway who’s too aggressive to feed and care for. The dog flourishes at the farm, but when Maddie returns one day to find her house invaded, it’s clear that she has stumbled into a situation far more complex and sinister than she realized. And her romantic involvement with an enigmatic young shelter worker soon leads to even more trouble. As Maddie continues to search for answers to George’s death, it quickly becomes apparent that her own life is once again in danger . . .
My Thoughts:
This book really kept me on my toes, and I loved every second of it. Maybe it helps that I completely adore dogs/animals, and this book was filled to the brim with love and care for animals/dogs. I went into this book expecting it to just be a murder mystery read, and it was so much more than that. It had really heavy elements of PTSD, domestic violence, found family and a lot of depth.
Maddie was a really cool character. I loved that she was a bit older than your typical FMC. It made it a lot easier to relate to her as someone who is nearing their 40's. She was incredibly smart, kind, personable and caring. Her affection for animals is so admirable and the lengths that she would and did go to to protect and love them was just inspiring. If you love animals you will absolutely love this character and the heavy backdrop of animals in this book.
I will say that the murder mystery aspect of the book really didn't become a focus until almost 40% in. The first half of the book is very focused on her animal behaviorist work and an animal that she has taken special interest in. It does all tie together and is relevant, but it is not purely a book solely focused on a murder. It also gets really into the abuse that she herself experienced, so I would probably check your triggers if you're going to read this.
When it comes to mysteries or thrillers, I want to guess everything wrong and be surprised. And that's what happened here, I didn't guess a single thing correctly and it kept me on the edge of my seat and needing to read the next chapter to find out what was happening. I would absolutely recommend this, especially if you're an animal lover.
Thanks NetGalley, Kensington Publishing Corp. and Author Patricia McConnell for the advanced copy of "Away to Me" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#KensingtonPublishingCorp.
#PatriciaMcConnell
#AwaytoMe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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