Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Dog, Cat, Ghost: A Fun & Twisty Paranormal Pet Mystery

Rate this book
"This whodunnit will seize you, drag you in, and dare you to look away until the last word...a charming, gripping mystery..." -Keith Mbuya with Readers' Favorite

Dying was easy. Solving her own murder? Not so much.

When a young woman’s death rattles a quiet coastal town, two very different investigations begin. One by a mortician who suspects the body on her slab was the victim of foul play… and one by the victim herself!

Lily Vargas can’t move on until she identifies her killer, a tricky prospect for a ghost no one can see or hear. Fortunately, she’s got help from a pair of afterlife the mortuary’s resident talking cat and a dachshund with serious clout. Together, this oddball team follows the mortician's every move, though Imogen Tibbets has no idea her pets—and one very determined ghost—are also on the case.

As Lily and Imogen chase the truth from opposite sides of the grave, one thing becomes the killer’s closer than they could have imagined.

Readers who love quirky whodunits, sharp humor, and unlikely friendships will devour every twist of this lively cozy mystery.

"This is an engaging story with lots of twists and an ending you probably won’t see coming, and I promise you that once you start reading, you’ll not want to put this book down." Anne-Marie Reynolds, with Readers' Favorite

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2025

31 people are currently reading
1378 people want to read

About the author

Julie Titterington

16 books55 followers
Julie Titterington is an author, essayist, and editor who lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley. When she's not hanging out with her husband and three children, she can be found baking, eating, and reading mysteries from the Golden Age, in that order.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
49 (62%)
4 stars
23 (29%)
3 stars
6 (7%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
64 reviews
October 21, 2025
This was a funny, light-hearted and emotional paranormal cozy mystery with some tense moments. Loved Winnie and Boots as they guide Lily to find her killer so she can move on to the next place, we also get the pov of Imogen 'Immie' Tibbits who is the mortician dealing with Lily's remains and who spots marks that lead her to investigate the death and when another death of someone connected to Lily happens any hope that Lily's death wasn't murder is dashed. This was so fun and I do hope they is another one even though Lily's story is over.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sarah.
272 reviews26 followers
October 14, 2025
I found the beginning a little odd but it was in keeping with the oddities of the story. Lily wakes up to find out she’s dead and must solve her own murder. There are lots of twists and turns as she and the dog and the cat consider all the information and gather clues. It was really well done and I enjoyed this cozy mystery with a paranormal element.
Profile Image for Heather.
1,374 reviews6 followers
October 23, 2025
I want to thank the author for gifting me the ebook. This was a very cute murder mystery. It is perfect for this time of the year! If you are looking for a fun and easy read this will be perfect for a weekend read!
I enjoyed the story plot and the characters! I would read from this author again!
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews361 followers
October 24, 2025
A Most Peculiar Murder Mystery . . .

Lily Vargas heard a voice say it was rude to ignore someone's greeting. She looked around and the only thing she saw was a cat grooming itself on the buffet table. Her most pressing problem was finding out where she was. This was not her house and it smelled like rotten flowers. The voice again interrupted, more brusque now at being ignored. But only Lily and the cat were in the unfamiliar room. So she apologized to the cat for not responding. Then a woman walked into the room followed by a dachshund named Winifred ("Winnie"). Lily greeted the woman, but the woman ignored her. When her dog, sniffing Lily's shoes, didn't follow the woman from the room, she left her pets behind. The cat, Boots, told Lily that Imogen can't see her because she is "New" while Lily is "Further". Boots also said the dog could see her but could not talk to her, so Boots has to translate the parks for Lily. When Boots started asking verification questions, Lily realized she must be dead! That at least explained her amnesia! And now, Boots announced, they needed to hurry if they were going to solve Lily's murder because Lily can’t move on until she identifies her killer! And no one can see or hear her to answer her questions! They will need to stay close to the mortician, Imogen Tibbets, who is not aware that she has "help" accompanying her to figure out what happened to the drowning victim who was still in a wetsuit when transported to the mortuary. Four people had witnessed the death; and no autopsy was ordered. Her employer, Richard Ashcroft, was handling and paying for all the arrangements since she had no immediate family members. Lily will have to deal with her murder as well as with her murderer before she will be able to "move on". So far she has begun to remember being trapped underwater and her arms and legs didn't work. But she doesn't know who trapped her. When someone breaks into the mortuary to steal Lily's car keys, Imogen realizes the thief was intending to go back to Lily's car and retrieve the syringe that was left behind. Would the sheriff listen to her, already blaming her carelessness for the missing keys? Or would they be too late to follow up and find who has the keys? Or would it by now be at the bottom of the bay?

These characters can really be vicious and heartless. Grab your copy and see if you can find one worth cheering for! Will they find Lily's murderer? Or have they given up?
1 review
October 24, 2025
When Lily tries to remember the day, it stops at her morning lukewarm shower. She realizes with other details missing, something is very wrong. She tries to interact with a woman by calling out and waving her arms, only to be ignored. She is confused when the woman, Imogen only talks to the dog.

Boots, the talking Cat translates the questions barked by Winnie the dachshund to Lily. The questions get deeper and lead Lily to realize she has died. Boots and Winnie are the pets of Imogen, the Mortician. Imogen does her exam of Lily and finds bruising caused by pressure from a hand and a mysterious needle marking. As she thinks through her results, she concludes that Lily was possibly murdered.



Boots translates Winnie's barking into words for Lily to understand. Boots explains that Winnie says Lily must figure out who is her murder, before she can move on. Lily names their team, Dog, Cat and Ghost. Together they join their forces and work to solve her murder. When Lily’s friends come for a viewing, Winnie barks her murderer is one of them, but Lily has already sensed this.

On the living side is Imogen, the mortician, who is investigating the unusual thing she has found. She calls the county corner to share her concerns and findings. Slowly, bit by bit she begins to put pieces together to support her murder theory. She hires an assistant, Trey, who is skilled and helpful at first look.

This book is a murder mystery that is all about sleuthing and gathering facts to find out whodunnit. As you read along you find humor in the conversation between Winnie and retold by Boots. You see Lily being able to do more to help find her murderer. You will be kept guessing up to the end.

I found the beginning of the book a little longer as the stage is set for what has happened. Once this is complete, you are off and running helping find clues and forming your own theory. I recommend this book to anyone up for an unusual adventure and likes to solve mysteries.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lisa Ahlstedt.
319 reviews16 followers
November 27, 2025
Lily Vargas is unsure what is happening when she suddenly notices the talking cat. Aside from not knowing where she is or how she got there, the cat talking to her only adds to the confusion. And what the cat tells her makes things even worse. It seems that Lily is dead, and her ghost is currently in the same funeral home as her body. The cat, Boots, and his dachshund friend Winnie are well aware of departed souls who have unfinished business here on earth. They let Lily know that she will have to figure out what that business is before she is able to move on. Although her memory is fuzzy, Lily soon remembers her last hours as a kayaking trip with her closest friends and roommates. Her kayak overturned and she drowned. It seems like an unfortunate accident, but her animal friends let her know that it's not as simple as that. The three form the Dog, Cat, Ghost murder investigation team to try to figure out who would have wanted Lily dead. When another ghost soon joins them, the team has its work cut out to get to the bottom of all the killing.

The story is very cute and alternates from the viewpoints of Lily the ghost and Imogen the mortician. Imogen notices the clues that point toward murder and so her attempts at investigating are closely monitored by Lily and her team. The list of suspects is small, so there is a lot of "he's guilty because . . ." then "no, she must have been the one . . ." for most of the book. The interactions between the wise animals and the confused humans and ghosts are very amusing and fun to follow!

I received a copy of this book from a GoodReads giveaway.
Profile Image for Maria.
47 reviews1 follower
September 26, 2025
Holy crap. I barely know what to say. I don't hand out five star reviews too often, but this was a no-brainer. For starters, I love the ghost (or not-ghost) solving their own murder trope, since it makes the death less tragic if we know the deceased is okay (if slightly altered). I also loved the casual bits of theology/philosophy thrown in - a Camus reference and then a Julian of Norwich running joke? Perfect, but not in an overt, "look at me, I'm intellectual" way.

Mystery-wise, I did and didn't guess whodunit ahead of time, but it was so twisty! It definitely keeps you guessing and the ending did come as quite the surprise.

The only thing I didn't love was the MC being just a bit too perfect and beloved, but then, I guess she really wasn't beloved by everyone or she wouldn't have been murdered. Also, the fact that everyone (or almost everyone) thiught she was so great helped amplify the motive. Personally, though, I preferred Imogen since I can relate better to a prickly loner who prefers pets to people.

And yes, the best part was the dachshund being in charge. The cat gets all the best lines, but he still answers to the weenie queen.
Profile Image for MaryKay Wilson.
26 reviews
October 13, 2025


---

Dog, Cat, Ghost is a quiet little gem that tiptoes between cozy and uncanny. Just enough mystery to keep you curious, just enough heart to keep you grounded. The story unfolds with a gentle rhythm, inviting you to notice the small things: a pawprint in dust, a flicker in the corner of your eye, a feeling that something unseen is watching, though not unkindly.

The characters are simple but layered, like shadows with stories. The dog is loyal, the cat is clever, and the ghost… well, the ghost lingers in ways that feel oddly comforting.

Perfect for readers who love a touch of the magical in everyday life. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys quiet mysteries, animal companions, and stories that feel like they could be happening just beyond the edge of your own backyard.

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily. I am also giving this book a star rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Not because the book was not good, but because the book plot started out a bit slow in the beginning.



---

Profile Image for Teresa Collins.
1,121 reviews19 followers
October 20, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope that Ms. Titterton will make it a long-running series. I normally am not a big fan of 'talking animals', but the ones here are extra-special and add a great touch to the story. And while this is a cozy mystery, Ms. Titterton manages to create a lot of danger for her characters. I found myself rapidly turning pages to see what happened next. Ms. Titterton also has a great sense of humor, and it comes through so well in her writing. But I think my favorite thing about the story is that Ms. Titterton manages to throw out enough red herrings that I never figured out who the protagonist was until she revealed it. The mark of an excellent writer, in my opinion.

I'm looking forward to reading her next book, whatever it may be. I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens, and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
Profile Image for Dee Anthony.
122 reviews3 followers
December 30, 2025
This was the perfect cozy mystery and I wish I had read it in October. The idea of there being speaking animal guides that help a "ghost" solve their own murder so they can move on is such a fun concept. I loved Lily as a charater as she seemed like such a genuinely kind person and was more concerned about how her loved ones were fairing even with the knowledge that one of them was her murderer. I didn't see any of the twists coming which kept me on the edge of my seat as all my hypothesis were proven to be wrong each time. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the mortician reports throughout the stories and it was interesting to see how she was processing the clues she found. It was almost like she was summarizing the mystery and guesses I had as we discovered more of the story.

Thank you Goodreads and Julie Titterington for the e-copy!
Profile Image for Margery.
887 reviews13 followers
October 7, 2025
What a delightful twist on solving the mystery of a murder! For me, it is the first time figuring who did it is presented from the murdered victim. Lilly Vargas discovers she is dead. Imogen is a mortician and her cat can talk to Lilly. With the help of Imogen's dog and cat, the three set out to eves drop on the family as they make arrangements for Lilly. The characters are relatable and the way they are connected to each other and Lilly is crystal clear. What is not clear, is who killed Lilly and why? She was known to always bring happiness to all. How was she murdered, especially when the 'accident' occurred in front of everyone. I cannot wait to read more from Julie Titterington considering she is a 'new to me' author.
285 reviews4 followers
October 16, 2025
Dog, Cat, Ghost is an Excellent story of a special talking cat Boots and Winifred a special dog who is in charge. It starts when Lily Vargas appears in a house which was part of a funeral home that she did not recognise. Then she realised she was dead when the cat spoke to her. Lily started to look with the assistance of Boots and Winifred into how and why she died . Her Boss Rick queried her death but then he died. Lily and Rick work together with Boots , Winifred and Malcolm a talking Turtle to solve the mystery and they try to find all the pieces of the puzzle.
Superb story that I highly recommend you read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Karlee Holcomb.
45 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2025
I received an Advanced Reader copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily!

A Dog, a Cat, And a Ghost? Such an interesting team to try to solve a murder. This murder mystery really focuses on the sleuthing and gathering the facts to find out who truly did it. The being felt like it was a longer stage because it was to also make up’s under stand the set up for what happened to our ghost, Lily. After that long stage of a set up you’ll be off and running as you will find and form what the clues are and your theory. I would definitely recommended this book for the unusual murder adventure because it is so different from what I have read for murder mysteries. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this universe.
182 reviews8 followers
Read
December 2, 2025
Dog, Cat, Ghost! is a delightful blend of cozy mystery charm and supernatural mischief, delivering a story that’s as funny as it is cleverly plotted. Lily’s ghostly point of view brings a fresh twist to the whodunnit structure, and pairing her with a snarky cat and an overconfident dachshund creates a quirky trio that steals every scene. The dual investigation one from the mortuary, one from beyond the grave keeps the pace brisk and entertaining, with twists that feel playful but still satisfying. Warm, witty, and wonderfully odd, this is the kind of cozy mystery that makes you smile even as you’re guessing the killer.
Profile Image for Barbara Schoonover.
48 reviews3 followers
October 20, 2025
What a cute cozy mystery for the month of October. I loved the idea of animals helping spirits figure out what they need to move on 'Further' and the twist was not one I was expecting, Just when you think you have the whole thing figured out the bomb drops and everything's turned upside down. Really well written and fun from the start this book is adorable and I can't wait to see what else Ms Titterington has in store for us!

I recieved an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Lori.
551 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2025
This book was a little different from my normal but I enjoyed it. Lots of laughter, some twists and turns to keep you interested. I started it and couldn't put it down because it was so different but still within the paranormal cozy mystery vibe. Of course, it makes the book so much better when you have animals involved and this one has a cat and a turtle (which is a new one for me!). I hope to see this book turn into a series with many more because it's just that good.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
21 reviews
December 8, 2025
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I LOVED it! What a fun and quirky view of the afterlife. I’ve thought about this book and talked about it with other people every day since starting it. The concepts are surprisingly deep, the characters were very real, and the murder mystery was fascinating. The story was clean too (nothing explicit). I will definitely read more by this author and am excited to read more of this series!
I received an advanced copy of this book for free and am reviewing it voluntarily.
Profile Image for Delphia  Von Heeder .
1,734 reviews50 followers
September 28, 2025
Dog, Cat, Ghost is a mystery novel by Julie Titterington. Lily wakes up and the first thing she hears is A talking cat. This begins an entertaining mystery. Lily joins force with a doxie named Winnie, Boots the talking cat and Imogen. I found that the characters were interesting and having the murdered girl, Lily, as A ghost was fun. This is a good mystery and tons of fun. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
791 reviews5 followers
October 15, 2025
What a fun cozy murder mystery. Thought provoking in concept and precious. To discover you are dead with a cat talking to you. Now you can't hear the dachshund but you know who is in charge.

Sadly Lily must make her way and discover who killed her before she can move on. Imogen Tibbets runs the funeral palor and discovers a few things that are off. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Very entertaining fun story.
Profile Image for Lizz Taylor.
1,427 reviews16 followers
October 5, 2025
Lily wakes up only to find out she is no longer breathing air. A talking cat helps her navigate her new circumstances while Imogen investigates her mysterious death. The way everything comes together in this cozy is entertaining and makes it hard to put down. The darling dachshund added to the charm, providing both humor and warmth during the investigation. It can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Profile Image for Marie Bookworm.
211 reviews
October 5, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this very unusual and compelling murder mystery.

I have so much I want to say about this novel, but I cannot as I do not want to give anything away and spoil others enjoyment. Suffice to say you will not be disappointed if you read Dog, Cat, Ghost!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
35 reviews
October 20, 2025
I enjoyed this very much - a fun read.

Great cast of characters, an unusual situation, 2 murders, and a perception of the Afterlife that feels like it should work.

Thank you BookSirens for the chance to read the ARC edition!

If you enjoy fun mysteries and quirky characters then I believe this may well be a book for you. I plan to keep an eye on the author
Profile Image for Jodi Sweet.
1,786 reviews9 followers
October 28, 2025
I don’t think there are words to describe how amazingly FANTASTIC this book is. I was beyond shocked, stunned and totally blown away with the reveal. Imogen, Winnie, Boots and Malcom are going to be such fun characters to continue reading about. Lily and Rick were fun. Rick was an absolute blast! But Furthers have to move on eventually!
1,306 reviews10 followers
November 8, 2025
A very entertaining story where a mortician and the victim solve the murder. Throughout the book the murderer could be anyone and it isn't until the end does it all come together. I couldn't put this book down and I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book via Booksirens and leave this review voluntarily
Profile Image for Ashlyn.
22 reviews
September 25, 2025
I loved this book! The plot was so good and I didn’t want to put it down! I loved the main characters. A sassy cat, a sweet dog a ghost and a quirky mortician! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
665 reviews
October 9, 2025
I've already read a few of this author's book but this is my favorite one. Fun, easy to read, nice storyline, wonderful characters. I just loved it, didn't want to put it down and I want more!
I received an advance review copy via Booksprout and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
1,394 reviews5 followers
Read
October 24, 2025
Such a wonderful fun book to read by author Julie Titterington.

This is the first book I have read by this author but it won't be my last.

I loved the wonderful characters of the ghost, the cat the dog and the turtle.

I highly recommend reading this awesome book….
2,007 reviews6 followers
November 7, 2025
Dog, Cat, Ghost! by Julie Titterington is an amazing story, so many twists and turns complete with Boots a talking cat and Winnie a dachshund sidekick. I really got into this book and loved every page!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Lynseygibs.
363 reviews3 followers
December 20, 2025
Thanks to BookSirens, publishers and author for an ARC of Dog, Cat, Ghost.

3.5 stars rounded up.

A fun read that could easily be made into a series. Enjoyable, with the addition of animals makes it a hit in my book.
Profile Image for Penny Hollingsworth.
77 reviews2 followers
October 17, 2025
cute and good

I thought It was a cute and good little read. I would read more from author for sure. Quick read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.