A Killer Retreat

Downward Dog Mystery #2

by Tracy Weber

When Kate Davidson gets an offer to teach yoga classes at the Elysian Springs resort, she jumps at the opportunity--even if it means enduring the wedding ceremony of the center's two caretakers. But avoiding the M-word turns out to be the least of Kate's problems when a wedding guest is found floating face-down in the resort's hot tub, shortly after a loud, public fight with Kate.

The police pick Kate as their number-one suspect, so she teams up with her boyfriend Michael, best friend Rene, and German shepherd sidekick Bella to find the real killer. They must solve the crime before the police arrest Kate, or her next gig may last a lifetime--behind bars.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Dogs, Contemporary, Audiobook

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 8, 2015

About the author

Tracy Weber is the author of the award-winning Downward Dog Mysteries series featuring yoga teacher Kate Davidson and her feisty German shepherd, Bella. Her first book, Murder Strikes a Pose won the Maxwell Award for Fiction and was 2015 Agatha award nominee for Best First Novel. The fourth book in her series, A Fatal Twist, will released January, 2017 by Midnight Ink.

Tracy and her husband live in Seattle with their precocious German shepherd puppy, Ana. When she’s not writing, Tracy spends her time teaching yoga, walking Ana, and sipping Blackthorn cider at her favorite ale house.

Sign up for her monthly newsletter including mystery recommendations, yoga tips, and series news at http://tracyweberauthor.com/newslette....

Tracy loves connecting with readers! Feel free to visit her at TracyWeberAuthor.com, friend her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tracywe, or e-mail her at Tracy@TracyWeber.net.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Killer Retreat was a killer for me to get through. I finished the book but it was one of those "this just has to get better" reads. I kept reading another chapter thinking any minute now the action will start.

I felt it took too long to get to the mystery; there was no hook to make me want to keep reading. I don't need a mystery to grab me in the first chapter, but if I am more than a 1/3 of the way through the book, I should know by then what the mystery is that the main character is trying to solve.

I hoped the yoga would be a fun and different detail that would inspire me to give yoga a try. (Or at least be more mindful and health conscious in some small way.) Nope. There were more cringe-worthy moments than relaxing and inspiring moments.

This is the first in the series that I have read and it is a toss-up as to whether I will try another or not.

[Tracy Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can I not love my second book? That's like not loving your second child. ;-) But these 5 stars go to the cover artist. I love it!

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a bit more then the last book, probably because the main characters are better developed. Not a lot of yoga in the book but enough to give the mystery flavor and I found the retreat center interesting.

[Sally906 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opens: “This is bad, Michael. She’s not responding. I think she might be dead.”


My Thoughts: Last year I read, and enjoyed, the first book in the ‘Downward Dog’ series Murder strikes a Pose. So I jumped at the chance to read A KILLER RETREAT. I was not disappointed and liked this one even better! From the very first page as Kate, Michael and Bella travel to the resort I was drawn into the story. Kate may be a Yoga teacher and as such an ‘expert’ on channelling peace in and stress out, but as with anyone Kate has issues. Kate’s issues are commitment to a relationship and a really bad temper, so things are off to a bad start when while stretching their legs on a beach Michael casually mentions their imaginary future children which send Kate into a terror stricken panic leading her to having a run in with an unleashed dog owned by an obnoxious owner. The same obnoxious owner turns up at the resort as the trophy wife of the father of the bride, and still not putting her dog on a lead. Once again Kate lets her mouth run off before her brain kicks in and she publicly makes a threat to kill the women by strangling her with the dog’s lead, only to have the woman turn up dead a short time later – strangled with the dog lead. This makes Kate the chief suspect.

Rene and her husband turn up bringing their own issues with them; so with Kate avoiding Michael so he won’t talk commitment with her, Rene hiding a secret from her husband, and all of them trying to find the real killer it turns into a fast-paced story with lots of humour, and lots of suspects, and a few twists and turns. Because it turns out that Kate is not the only person to have been antagonised by the murder victim. When all is revealed in the edge-of-the-seat ending it all makes perfect sense.

A KILLER RETREAT has everything I enjoy in cosy – a mystery (goes without saying really) realistic characters, some edge-of-the seat action, some over-the-top drama, lots of humour and a little romance on the side. Throw in an animal and I am in cosy heaven!


With thanks to Midnight Ink and the author via Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I forgot how much of an attitude Kate had. I love the series, but having the main character be so obnoxious can be a bit off-putting. The nice thing is that Kate is aware of her attitude, she just doesn't put much effort into changing it. Other than that, the mystery was very enjoyable, and I absolutely love some of the other characters.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yoga teacher Kate Davidson is hired to teach yoga classes at the Elysian Springs resort, where the owners are hosting their very own wedding celebration. Kate brings along her boyfriend, her dog Bella, and her friends for a mini-vacation. Kate isn’t thrilled to be surrounded by wedding talk since her boyfriend, Michael, is getting serious and Kate isn’t so sure she’s ready for that.

Their carefree vacation turns into an annoyance when one of the guests at the resort has a dog that seems to want to attack Bella any chance he gets. Bella’s health isn’t the best and the last thing she needs is to be attacked by another dog. When Kate tries to make the dog’s owner keep the dog on a leash, they instead find themselves in a huge public fight. It’s not long after that when the guest is found dead in the resort’s hot tub. According to the local police, Kate is the number one suspect.

Kate and her friends start their own investigation to discover the true culprit before she finds herself in prison for the rest of her life.

The author sprinkles yoga tidbits throughout the book and they are quite interesting. The book is filled with a mix of secondary characters that will either make you laugh or grind your teeth.

It’s a fast-paced story with a long list of suspects to keep readers guessing. It was fun to re-visit Kate and her friends, not to mention how her relationship with Michael is progressing and how Bella is doing as well. Being an animal lover, Bella the dog is probably my favorite character but the others are good too 

I enjoyed the first one very much and I enjoyed this one even more. I hope the author continues with this series.





FTC Disclosure: NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Kim Reads (Read Your Writes Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for Read Your Writes Book Reviews
by Kim

Kate Davidson is a contradiction. She’s a yogi, which means she should be living a peaceful quiet life, without drama and anger. But Kate has an issue with relationships, a chaotic life, and a really bad temper. A Killer Retreat has Kate on a working vacation with her boyfriend Michael, her best friend Rene, Rene’s husband Sam, and of course Bella the rescued dog.

Kate’s mouth and temper land her in trouble when a person she publicly made a threat against is found dead in the manner she threatened to kill them in. With such a public proclamation, the sheriff has no choice but to suspect her of the murder.

While I enjoyed A Killer Retreat, I didn’t love it as I did its predecessor, Murder Strikes a Pose. But that book touched my heart, so maybe a comparison shouldn’t be made.

Kate, her friends, and her attorney all know that she didn’t kill anyone. They also know that the police think they have their person and don’t plan on looking anywhere else. So, it’s up to Kate to clear her name. But things aren’t really that simple. While the death of the victim is tragic, especially since it takes place during a wedding week, the victim made enemies everywhere she went which leaves a long list of potential suspects. Kate’s fear of relationships kicks in when she fears that after six months of dating, Michael is going to propose to her. Adding to her stress, Rene is keeping something from her and Sam; something that’s going to change all their lives forever.

A Killer Retreat is told in first person, which gives you a great look into Kate’s crazy personality. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series. I really can’t wait to find out what kind of trouble Kate gets into next.

**Received a copy from the Midnight Ink in exchange for an honest unbiased review.**

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yoga instructor and studio owner, Kate Davidson, gets a chance to work at the reopening of the Elysian Springs resort. But it is also part vacation because she only has to teach a few classes and can enjoy the lovely site as much as she wants. She is accompanied by her boyfriend, Michael, and beloved German Shepard, Bella. Also her BFF and her husband make an appearance. The highlight of the grand opening is the wedding of the two people who own the resort, Emmy and Josh. So of course Emmy's family is there, including her father and his young wife and Emmy's mother. This is bad enough but the wife is a major pain and manages to alienate almost everyone at the resort. When Kate finds the woman, dead in a hot tub, she tries to save her. But when she is seen with the body, all eyes turn to her as the killer.

This book was fun. I love that Kate is a normal human being who is trying very hard to live by the ideals of yoga. Um, did I say normal? Well quirky might be a better word. Anyway, she struggles with her temper just like everyone, well maybe a bit more than everyone. But you can't help but love her anyway. I love the other characters too. Michael is probably the most understanding guy around but even he gets pushed to the edge this time. This book is the poster child for the vacation gone wrong. I can totally relate. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of the second Downward Dog mystery courtesy of Midnight Ink (thank you!) at a 10-year birthday celebration the publisher hosted at the 2015 Malice Domestic conference. Having read the first book in the series, I was interested to find out what would happen next for yoga instructor/amateur sleuth Kate Davidson and her German shepherd Bella. In this installment, Kate jumps at the opportunity to teach yoga at the Elysian Springs resort, even if it means attending the wedding ceremony of the center's two caretakers. The festivities take a downward turn though when a wedding guest turns up dead in the resort's hot tub shortly after a loud, public fight with Kate. Kate soon becomes the prime suspect and must rely on the help of a local lawyer to clear her name. I found this to be a fast, enjoyable read -- perfect for the beach. While I generally recommend reading a series in order, I feel that you can read this book without having read the first one first and not feel lost. The series was recently picked up for three more books, so Kate's and Bella's sleuthing adventures will be continuing...a treat for mystery fans who like yoga and pooches!

[Amber Polo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate, owner of Serenity Yoga, just can’t keep her life grounded in serenity. Teaching yoga at an Orcas Island retreat sounds like a needed vacation with boyfriend Michael. Until Kate pulls a body out of a hot tub. And things really heat up when she’s accused of the murder.

The second in this seriously laugh-out-loud cozy mystery series follows Kate's madcap pursuit of romance and inner peace.

I loved peeking into the comic side of running a yoga studio. Who knew it wasn’t all peaceful tranquility? Weber’s heroine is a little brash, a little goofy, but big-hearted and completely lovable. And Michael is the kind, gorgeous boyfriend you’d want for your own. Plus he owns a pet store. What’s not to like.

The serious side of dog ownership is pointed out as Bella, Kate’s German Shepherd, suffers from EPI (Endocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) a disease that is difficult and expensive to treat. Favorite quote “For a yoga teacher you can be a real jerk some times.” What’s next for Kate and Michael? And Bella?

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Midnight Ink and would like to thank them for the opportunity to read and critique it.

Like some other readers, I found Kate difficult to like and sympathize with in this installment. When she makes mistake after mistake - all the while admitting that she knows she's wrong, but going to do it anyway - it wears thin very quickly. And her patronizing and thoughtless behavior towards her eligible-for-sainthood boyfriend Michael was difficult to take.

I enjoyed the first book and looked forward to this one as well. Hopefully, the 3rd time will be the charm.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some times it was a bit confusing who was suppose to know what while they all participate in being an amateur sleuth with secrets and suspicions. The sisters and the dog are what makes the mystery for me in simplified form. Great story line and fun characters. some with sass. I have not yet read #1, but enjoyed this book.

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Killer Retreat by Tracy Weber is the second book in A Downward Dog Mystery series and I think it is a really good book. Both books in the series are great reads.

Kate Davidson is a yoga instructor and the owner of her own yoga studio. She is invited to a wedding at a resort and is also offered a job to teach yoga classes while she’s there. Kate, her boyfriend Michael and her dog Bella make the trip and are looking forward to a great time on their get-away. Her best friend Rene and her husband also join them eventually. What could go wrong when Kate is surrounded by all those she loves the best? Kate soon finds out what could go wrong when she meets a woman, Monica, who cannot control her dog and becomes a thorn in Kate’s side. Kate has a few very public run-ins with Monica and when Monica is found floating dead in a hot tub, Kate becomes the authorities number one suspect. Kate and her friends will have to find the real killer to clear her name and to make sure they do not become the next victim.

Solving the murder is not the only problem Kate must deal with. Although she knows she loves Michael, she is not sure she can take the next step in their relationship. She seems to be having trouble with the big C word-commitment. This vacation seems to be putting a strain on their relationship. And when her best friend, Rene, shows up at the resort, Kate can tell something is not right with her. Kate does not know if Rene is sick or what the problem is, but Kate knows things are off with her friend. Rene’s husband knows something is wrong too and asks Kate to find out what it is. And her beloved dog Bella has stomach problems and needs to eat her food prepared a certain way. When Kate forgets to add the ingredients that Bella needs, she worries that Bella may become deathly sick. That’s a lot for any one person to handle all at the same time, especially when said person is supposed to be on vacation.

The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. I found myself caring about what would happen to each of them and worrying when things were not going so well. They are people I would like to know in real life. I think one of the things I like best about this book is the humor. Kate is so witty and sarcastic and does things and thinks things that many of the readers would say and think. She just seemed so real to me and I wish that I could hang out with her for a while.

You can tell that the author knows a lot about yoga and also about dogs. I enjoyed reading about the yoga aspect, even though I am not a yoga person. I found some of the information very enlightening. And reading about the problems that Bella had was fascinating and added a lot to the story. I am impressed with how much the author knows about treating a dog with EPI and the special care that needs to be taken.

The plot is well crafted and well executed. The mystery is carried on throughout the entire book and, with so many suspects, it was hard to figure out who the killer was. The writing style flows easily and the book is an easy read. The writing is descriptive and at times I felt like I was right there watching the action unfold around me. I really enjoy when that happens.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. If you are an animal lover or you are in to yoga, this book is a must read. I have read both books in the series and have enjoyed them both. Treat yourself and pick up both Murder Strikes A Pose and A Killer Retreat to read. You will not be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I honestly loved this book. I would like to thank NetGalley and Midnight Ink for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Deep Breath In, Deep Breath Out. Now get ready for a mystery with several twists and turns and yoga positions.

Kate Davidson is a yoga instructor and in a perfect world her life would be calm and uplifting but Kate’s world is far from perfect. She has been asked to teach yoga classes Elysian Springs Resort. This means she will have to find other yoga instructors to fill in for her at her own studio but that should be easy and she will just be a phone call away. (Yeah, right :) )

She decides to take the job and take her boyfriend Micheal with her. She also invites her best friend Rene and her husband to come along and of course Bella, her newly adopted German Shepherd will come with too. The trip starts out rocky as Kate is worrying about everything from Bella’s food to if her relationship with Micheal is moving too quickly.

Then Rene and Sam arrive and there is definitely tension between them and Rene is sick and puking all over the place.

As if that is not enough drama before the week barely gets started Kate finds the body of a woman floating in the hot tub and the lady has ruined almost everyone’s trip to the retreat so there really are no shortage of suspects – including Kate. She is going to need more than a few yoga sessions to get herself out of this mess. Deep breaths Kate!

Again Tracy Weber draws us right into the story. She introduces us to wide range of characters, guests at the resort, including another pooch who is so overly friendly and we know Bella is not a fan of other dogs in the first place. She certainly has no time for this other non-leashed animal.

The main plot was quite a puzzler until one piece of evidence is found and then all the pieces quickly fall into place.

The story has it all, action, drama, humor and romantic tension. We also learn more about Bella and her disease and how working together Kate and Michael will back sure she has a great life. She really is a sweet dog and very loyal. I think the more time she spends with Kate her behavioral issues will continue to decrease.

I really enjoyed this story and am anxious for the next book because there are many things happening with Kate and her friends and I am sure she is going to get herself in trouble again. Now just another deep breath in and out and relax because we will have to wait until next year for Kate’s next adventure.

[Jason Pettus · Rating 2 out of 5]

[Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography (cclapcenter.com). I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted illegally.]

Oh, what to say about a book from a basement press you found truly terrible, when you're an organization dedicated to supporting basement presses and cutting them as much slack as possible? That's the dilemma I find myself in today, reviewing Tracy Weber's A Killer Retreat from Midnight Ink, and as a result I'm finding it difficult to even get my thoughts in order; for while it definitely gets an A for ambition and effort, it unfortunately gets as close to an F for execution as we even give around here. One of those contemporary mystery novels where the gimmick is that the person solving crimes is not a formal detective, like what litters so many basic cable networks these days, it's this very subject that provides the first and one of the biggest obstacles to the book itself; for the crime-solver in question, professional yoga instructor Kate Davidson, is so smugly self-righteous and intolerably pretentious that it made me immediately start rooting for her violent demise right on page one, a bad attitude for a reader to have when this is to be the main narrator and the one you're supposed to be rooting for. Now add the childish, awkward telegraphing of the coming goodies and baddies as each new character gets introduced, so clumsily done that one can fairly easily guess the book's entire plot just in the first chapter; then add the immature dialogue, the special-needs dog I wanted to kick every time it appeared, and just the overall "I Watch Too Much Nancy Grace" tone of the book in general, and you're left with a novel I cannot in good conscience recommend to others, no matter how much I hate to admit it. A cautionary tale from the world of basement presses -- that just because it's easier than ever to turn a 300-page Microsoft Word document into a finished paperback book doesn't mean that every 300-page Microsoft Word document should.

Out of 10: 4.4

[Katreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Killer Retreat by Tracy Weber
The Second Downward Dog Mystery

Take a yoga instructor with a hot temper and a hundred pound German Shepherd, who happens to be a reactive dog, and you'll find trouble can't be far away.

Kate Davidson has agreed to leave her yoga studio in the hands of her employees and venture to Elysian Springs resort to teach yoga to a group of wedding guests. Accompanied by her boyfriend, Michael, and her dog, Bella, the trip is fraught with anxiety from the start. A monstrous woman whose crassness, bad attitude, and ignorance about her own dog wreaks havoc on the island, brings out the worst in Kate, who publicly threatens her...twice. Now Kate has found said monstrous woman...dead!

For a yoga teacher who promotes stress relief and tranquility Kate Davidson gets annoyed and frustrated almost as quickly as I do! Kate has a temper that can go from 0 to 60 especially faced with people who are ignorant about animals and responsible pet guardianship (another thing we have in common).

This second book in the Downward Dog Mystery series gives us another well thought out mystery. A despicable victim provides plenty of suspects, including Kate, all of whom have very good reason to want this woman dead. In addition to crafting an excellent mystery, Tracy Weber sheds light on important canine issues, raising awareness about reactive dogs as well as the EPI disease.

A Killer Retreat, is the best sort of book. It's one that raises awareness of important societal issues, explores the difficulties relationships present, makes us worry about the people and other animals who inhabit its pages, and, while doing all of that, still makes us laugh! If you have even a passing interest in yoga and/or dogs this book is a must read...and, even if you don't, you'll still find this book a compelling read!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracy Weber provides a page turning read with Killer Retreat, the second book in the Downward Dog Mystery series. Kate Davidson decides to take a "working" vacation on Orcas Island where she will be teaching yoga for a week at a vegan retreat center. She takes along her boyfriend Michael and of course her dog Bella. While she hopes for a relaxing time it really doesn't seem to be in the cards, and when she has a confrontation with someone who is later found dead, relaxing is the last thing she will get to do if she doesn't solve the murder!
After reading the first book, Murder Strikes a Pose I was hooked on this series! I loved that one of the main characters happens to be a German Shepherd with "issues." I often find myself laughing out loud at the predicaments that Kate finds herself in, especially when those situations are a result of something crazy that Bella has done! Speaking of Kate she is an OCD kinda girl who doesn't practice what she teaches, after all yoga is supposed to be relaxing, but relaxing is usually the last thing Kate is doing. Hot tempered, but quick to apologize when she is wrong, I really love the character of Kate and think that she and Michael are perfectly matched. Her problems with her smart phone are all to easy to relate too. When Rene and her husband Sam show up at the retreat, I was immediately interested in what was going on with Rene.A well crafted mystery with plenty of suspects that isn't easy to solve allows the plot to move along at a brisk pace. If you're looking for an engaging read with easy to relate to characters and a fast moving plot with a not so easy murder mystery to solve I recommend checking out both books in the Downward Dog Mystery series.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What could possibly go wrong, Kate Davidson and her boyfriend Michael, along with Bella her German Shepherd, have been invited to a 5 Star resort that is having an opening with the new owner’s wedding.
When they arrive the love the splendor of everything, until they go to their cottage, with has not been updated, and has one bed and a pull out couch. Thank goodness her friends René and Sam couldn’t make it. Ummm until they arrive and now we have a crowded and no privacy cabin, with no other accommodations available.
There is a lot of action here, and when we meet Monica, even before we arrive on the Island, there isn’t a lot to like. Even her Jack Russell is obnoxious, and she has made him not very likeable. She leaves trouble in her wake, and unfortunately this is a mystery and with Kate involved there has to be a murder.
When she tries to save the victim, she is arrested for murder, and then she starts her sleuthing, and a page-turner we have in hand. A very hard book to put down at any time, I had to get to the end to find all the answers. Pick this one up, you won’t be disappointed!

I received this book through Pump Up Your Book Blogger Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Sherry]

Killer Read!

Kate Davidson is a yoga teacher with some definite commitment issues. This time around Kate, her boyfriend Michael, her best friend Renee & her husband Sam, & Kate's dog Bella head out to an Eco friendly spa on an island near Seattle. They are there because Kate has decided to take a temporary job as a yoga instructor for wedding guests at the resort & her friends could have a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately they are all stuck together in one small cabin that is not anywhere near as luxurious as it was advertised. Soon we have the death of a very unlikable & obnoxious character. As Kate is found standing over the recently deceased woman she is arrested for murder. This forces Kate to go into sleuthing mode. The plot twists & turns as Kate tries to untangle all the clues to find the real murderer. She is also dealing with her conflicting feelings about Michael & their burgeoning relationship. I really enjoyed this book finding it hard to put down until all was resolved at the end - a very satisfying conclusion btw!

[Betty Lafferty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually won an advance reader edition of this book. I packed it with a few other things and promply left it behind when I went out of town. I started reading it a few weeks after it was released to the public.

Tracy Weber's first book, Murder Strikes a Pose introduces us to the main character Kate. We learn she teaches yoga and acquires a dog. Oh yes * there is a murder.

This is Tracy's second book of Downward Dog Mysteries. I believe I love this book more than the first.
I have seen her writing improve as each book pulls me into it. I find myself nodding my head and breaking into laughter at different points. I mentally tell the characters what to do or say and yell at them for following the personality of their character. I love the new people we encounter. I have a feeling some of them may play a role in Ms. Weber's next book. I am looking forward to seeing what Kate and Bella do next. This is a must read series.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Davidson, yoga teacher, and her GSD Bella with the delicate stomach are again featured in this amateur sleuth tale. There's fun and contrast as they head to an island health spa in scenic Puget Sound with Kate's new boyfriend. Kate is giving classes for a week, there's a wedding party and before you know it there's also a murder.

For a calm person Kate seems surprisingly brittle and she's not only snapping remarks which she then wishes she hadn't made, but heading off her boyfriend every time he wants to talk about getting a closer relationship. The local persons, including police, are well characterised and we also learn lots of details about restoring a health spa and teaching yoga.

There's plenty going on and Kate knuckles down to finding the killer in order to clear her own name. If you liked the first book in the Downward Dog series or if you love dogs and women sleuths, you will also love Killer Retreat.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. Love her writing. Tracy Weber again brings in a strong plot and outstanding cast of characters. When Kate and Michael travel to an eco-friendly island retreat as a working vacation, things naturally do not turn out quite the way they expected. Kate is on edge fearing that Michael is ready to ask the big question and she is not ready to make a commitment: in fact, she is not sure she will ever be ready, but she doesn’t want to lose him. Then there’s that thing about the cabin sleeping four; her best friend is really more of the satin sheets than the sleeper sofa kind of person. Of course, there is the murder, one for which Kate is the main suspect.

Ms Weber creates realistic fears, concerns and friendships, and she handles her character feelings with a delightful finesse.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Killer Retreat by Tracy Weber is the second book in a Downward Dog mystery series. Yoga studio owner, Kate Davidson is asked to teach some classes at the newly refurbished Elysian Springs resort and decides to combine it with a romantic getaway with her boyfriend, pet shop owner, Michael and her german shepherd Bella.Things go hayward when she finds an obnoxious guest strangled in the spa and is accused of the crime. I found the book was a fun and quick read. I loved all the yoga descriptions finding them very calming and relaxing and contrasting with the chaos otherwise occurring.Overall very entertaining.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracy Weber has done it again with her second book, A Killer Retreat. Our heroine, Kate Davidson accepts an offer to teach yoga at a health spa. But health fails big time for one nasty guest who is murdered and wouldn't you know it, fingers point to Kate. Serenity can be hard to maintain for our favorite yoga teacher as she deals with her changing relationship with her boyfriend Michael and the well being of her two best friends, beloved Bella, her German Shepherd and the feisty Rene. Add to this a little wedding mayhem and an unruly dog and you have the recipe for a lively and appealing cozy mystery. I give Tracy's book a solid five stars for entertainment.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the second of her series of cozies and I've canceled my library hold request for the recently released third. This story takes place 6 months after the first. She is still with her nasty, moody boyfriend who is more yogic than the self centered, ill tempered yoga instructor. She judges as shallow anyone who likes nice restaurants and cars except her good friend who is snobby and likes nice hotels and designer clothes. The whole thing is predictable from the first chapter. Authors, like yoga instructors, deserve a second chance. But when the experience is so bad that I get agitated I know not to return.

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Davidson is offered the chance to teach Yoga classes at the Elysian Springs Resort.She jumps at it even though it means enduring the Wedding ceremony of the two Caretakers. But when a dead Wedding Guest is found floating face -down in the hot tub at the resort after a loud, public fight
with Kate> The Police pick Kate as the number one suspect, she teams up with Michael her Boyfriend
,Rene her Best friend an Bella her German Shepard to find the real killer. They need to solve the crime or Kate's next gig maybe behind bars- for the rest of her life.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome book by one of my very favorite authors,Tracy Weber! It had me laughing literally from page one! I am so glad we get to see more of Kate's hilarious friend Rene here in "A Killer Retreat" and can't wait to see what else happens with this crazy and funny Ugg loving girl! Very excited to read on in the series and see what other mischief Kate, Rene and Bella can get into!! Tracy you definitely have a fan for life here!

[Melissa Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Tracy Weber's books! I read the first one of her books a month ago and then couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. Now I am left waiting for the third. I don't want to include any spoilers but I thoroughly enjoy my time with Kate, Bella, Michael, Rene, and Sam. I can't wait to see what mess Kate gets herself into next!

[Christi Benney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was entertaining, fast paced and I liked that there were a few twists in turns both in the who dunnit and in the characters themselves. I would highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next book.