Marked Fur Murder

Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot Mystery #3

by Dixie Lyle

Deirdre "Foxtrot" Lancaster returns—with her animal companions-for-life Whiskey and Tango—to fish for clues on the other side of death… When zillionairess Zelda Zoransky decides to throw one of her famous parties—with a guest list as colorful and diverse as her private zoo—it’s up to Deirdre "Foxtrot" Lancaster, assistant extraordinaire, to pull the whole thing off. But even with the help of her telepathic cat Tango and ectoplasmic pooch Whiskey, it’s one killer assignment. Especially when she finds a corpse in the pool… MARKED FUR MURDER The victim is the sister of Deirdre’s boyfriend, Ben. The cause of death appears to be a plugged-in hair dryer that fell in the water. Ben, however, insists that a few volts couldn’t have killed Ann. Like him, she’s a descendent of the Cowichan tribe who, according to legend, has a way with lightning. One of the guests must have marked her for murder! But when the suspects include a Russian pet psychic, a schizophrenic writer, and a random rock star, it’s more than puzzling to Whiskey, Tango, and Foxtrot. It’s electrifying…from author Dixie Lyle. "A clever new series that deftly blends cozy mystery with the paranormal…original and witty."—Ali Brandon, author of the Black Cat Bookshop mysteries　

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fantasy, Supernatural, Paranormal Mystery

331 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2015

About the author

Dixie Lyle loves animals, mysteries, books, reading, words, bad puns (are there any other kind?) and once had a torrid summer romance with an entire library. Did I mention the books? Oh, and definitely doesn't believe in the supernatural. Nope, not me. Hey, what was that sound? Where's that spooky green glow coming from? Oh, hello, didn't see you standing there in the corner, what with you being all see-through and everything. Want a cup oftea? Moan once for yes, twice for no.

Allegations that Dixie Lyle has a goofy sense of humor are entirely unfounded, and should be forwarded to the unfounded and unlost department.

Reviews

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Diane ~Firefly~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really do enjoy these books, but they sometimes get a bit esoteric.

What I enjoyed:
* The setting, it is one of the more unique ones - a rich eccentric who has fashionable salons in current day as well as practically her own zoo and is next door to one of the biggest pet cemeteries.
* Foxtrot (although it is still weird she goes by that name). She is the perfect assistant as she can solve just about any crisis - including murder.
* Whiskey and Tango are in great form as always.

What could have been better:
* Why can no one just say what they mean???
* I still don't understand Foxtrot's "job" with the cemetery. She really didn't do anything for it this book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tend to really like this series, it's fun and sarcastic and intriguing. But, this book started out really slow. It took longer than I'd like to actually get to the plot. It did redeem itself in the end as the second half of the book seemed to fly by.

[Casceil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series, but the earlier books were better than this one. The author seems to be trying a little too hard now. This plot felt contrived.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the development of the characters from book to book, and how the murder investigation is woven around that.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! One of my very favourites and at book 3 I still love it as much as with the first book.

This is a wonderful combination of cozy mystery, a little paranormal twist, great characters, very well-conceived and clever plots, and a LOT of terrific one-liners and laugh-out-loud humour.

This series is perfect if you enjoy any or all of the above components, and want something light, fun easy-to-read and entertaining.

Foxtrot is a super character. She's smart and resourceful, she can deal with anything [and I DO mean ANYTHING! Some very bizarre things happen regularly in her world!] and she is kind and loves and cares for everyone around her, even when they don't deserve it. Plus, she's hilarious and sees the humour in the ludicrous and bizarre and her reactions to the stuff that goes on is some of the best parts of this series.

Then there are the magical animals that live in this world. They, also, are absolutely hilarious, and get some very funny lines of their own.

I can't properly do justice to this book or this series in a review without spoilers. Suffice it to say if any of the aspects listed above sound like your kind of thing, then I HIGHLY recommend this series to you. But do start with the first book - A Taste Fur Murder - and read the series in order for the best enjoyment.

[Henriette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little uncertain regarding this book. As with the last one this is more urban fantasy than actually a mystery. They spend most of the time hunting a mythological snake. This is one of those books where you can’t decide whether the explanation is really a supernatural one or something mundane. The conclusion was nicely done though.

Since the story was the book’s weakness I would’ve given less stars if the humour wasn’t top-notch again. Most of the conversations between tango and whiskey made me laugh out loud and the description of the honey badger was glorious.

But one of the greatest problems was the victim herself. You only met Anna briefly in the first novel so there isn’t much of a reference point. But you still have to wonder why her trophy husband would cry at her demise. Her behaviour was also kind of contradictory. On the one hand she went to the outback to protect people while she learnt to control her talents, but she did marry someone she didn’t love and no one knows why.

In conclusion not as good as the other ones story wise but still very funny.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Foxtrot and her assistants, Whiskey and Tango are busy solving a mystery or two or three. The murder mystery begins with the death of Anna, Ben's sister, who was also a Thunderbird. Is someone targeting Thunderbirds? It seems likely when Ben is shot by a crossbow. Sightings of a colorful extremely large snake add another mystery for the team. Marbles placed on cat headstones in the graveyard is one more puzzle to solve. Foxtrot and friends race around a bit, but eventually figure it all out.
In each of the books in this series there are examples of man's inhumanity to animals. These horrific incidents are a sharp counterpoint to the loving aspect of the graveyard/crossroad. In this book one example was the answer to the marble mystery. Despite the illegality of her action and her mental illness aspects, applause to Theodora for avenging Marbles the cat.
Cozy mystery fans who like animals, a quirky storyline and a bit of paranormal should enjoy this series.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deirdre "Foxtrot" Lancaster is fed up with all the goings-on at wacky billionaire Zelda Zoransky's mansion. Running around like a chicken with her head cut off, she's got a laundry-list of things to do. ZZ is hosting yet another one of her famous salons. Her nutty guests have more than their fair share of odd requests and strange demands. And now, friend Ben's estranged sister has been found dead in Zelda's pool, an apparent suicide, with a hairdryer floating beside her.

Yet Foxtrot doesn't buy it. Being a Thunderbird runs in Ben's family, and as the old saying goes, "you can't kill a Thunderbird with lightening." It's clear someone is trying to disguise a murder, but which of the guests could it be? Is it the renowned psychic who works with a painting dog? The slightly-schizophrenic transsexual writer of mysteries and children's books? And if it's the weather expert, what could the motive possibly be? It's a tall task, but with her fuzzy, slinky sleuths and a little bit of luck, Foxtrot might just solve her biggest mystery yet…

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fully enjoyed this book. The back and forth between Whiskey and Tango is more than worth the read. I see furred friends in both of them.
The murder of a Thunderbird -- electrocution in a swimming pool -- and finding the murderer is well written and believable as are the excursions into the Thunderscape. I did not see the ID of the killer until shortly before the unveil.

If for no other reason, check out this book for the interplay between humans, ghosts, gods, and animals. You will like that as well as be drawn into the mystery.

[Erica Locke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry, but this book just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in the series I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well written, and still funny and goofy.

[CONNIE BALTHROP · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's never boring. This had more than one story in it. The story of Marbles will make you cry and the one with Kaci will make you laugh.

[Vilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Backchatting Books 

Deirdre "Foxtrot" Lancaster makes her living tending to the needs of ZZ, an eccentric billionaire. In her off-time, such as it is, she acts as a caretaker of a nearby pet cemetery which doubles as a supernatural animal crossroads. Anna, her boyfriend's sister, is murdered in ZZ's pool and Foxtrot decides to investigate as she's worried that whoever targeted Anna might come after Ben next.

Anna and Ben are Thunderbirds and have the ability to control the weather so the chances of one dying from electrocution are about as likely as me overdosing on chocolate...simply not possible. Foxtrot is ably assisted by her ghostly dog Whiskey and reincarnated psychic cat Tango.

The good bits

The cast of suspects was very diverse and ranged from a schizophrenic writer who held conversations with imaginary creatures to an owner of a dog that painted whatever images his owner transmitted mentally. Their personality quirks (of which there are many!) helped keep the voices individual and distinct. The same held true for Whiskey and Tango as the former fell for an apparently hot border collie while the latter was supremely indifferent to anyone's needs other than her own.

The mystery was neatly done and there were some lovely red herrings scattered throughout which kept the pace bubbling along. Foxtrot was a good investigator as she approached things fairly logically and took full advantage of her pets' abilities. Both were cajoled into interrogating pets and ghosts who might have seen or heard what happened.

It was the supernatural elements that really held my attention though. I relished the Thunderbird lore we were given but I still haven't reached saturation point and would love more detail in future books.

The not so good bits

We see Anna through the eyes of Ben and the guests rather than getting a chance to meet her properly ourselves. This combined with the fact that she was killed so quickly made it difficult to care about her as a person. Instead, we are forced to judge her by the impact she had on others. Thankfully the secondary characters are quite verbose on their feelings for her but it felt like a bit of a missed opportunity.

If you haven't read any other other books in the series then it might come as a bit of a shock that a) Thunderbirds exist and b) a cemetery can act as a portal for deceased pets who want to pop back to check up on their owners. Lyle doesn't spend too much time going over past events so while you could read this one as a standalone, I suggest you read the first in the series before diving in so you have a clear understanding of the world.

Verdict

A whimsical paranormal mystery that is quirky enough to keep you coming back for more.

[Lark of The Bookwyrm's Hoard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marked Fur Murder is the third mystery in Dixie Lyle’s unusual paranormal cozy series featuring personal assistant Foxtrot and her supernatural animal companions, Whiskey and Tango. (Yes, their initials are indeed WTF.)

This time around, murder hits close to home: the victim, Anna, is the sister of Foxtrot’s boyfriend Ben. Like Ben, Anna is – or rather, was – a Thunderbird, able to sense and control the weather. It appears that an ancient enemy may be trying to eliminate the Thunderbirds. Throw in a large rainbow-colored snake that may or may not be real, a predatory activist with her eye firmly on Ben, Anna’s grieving but unfaithful husband, a schizophrenic writer with a pair of imaginary friends, an artistic dog and her psychic handler, and a secondary mystery involving marbles left on cats’ graves, and you’ve got the sort of wild and wacky mystery that could only come from the pen of Dixie Lyle. The dialogue and Foxtrot’s narration are full of the word play and humor I’ve come to expect from this series, but they don’t detract from the mystery’s tension and excitement, nor from the real and growing feelings between Foxtrot and Ben.

Like the previous books, this one requires a stronger-than-usual “willing suspension of disbelief”, but if you can set aside your skepticism for a few hours, I think you’ll enjoy the ride.


Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.

FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Barb (Boxermommyreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is a pretty steady 4 star read for me. Actually, I'm so pleased I'm participating in a "Read a Series in a Month" challenge which has prompted me to finally get around to reading them. In this installment, Foxtrot once again is smack dab in the middle of a mystery along with her paranormal sidekicks. ZZ has a new crew of individuals staying at her mansion and Foxtrot's boyfriend Ben's sister has been found dead. Now very few people know it but Ben and his sister are members of a dying group of Thunderbirds, individuals with Native American roots who can control the weather. There is also another Thunderbird visiting and a bunch of other kooky characters including a rock star, a dog who can paint through psychic commands from his owner, a transgender mystery writer with mental health issues and Anne's husband, who seems out to only get Anne's money.

Without giving too much away, this book once again provided tons of entertainment. The banter between Whiskey and Tango and Foxtrot's off the cuff remarks really add some humor. Also, all the characters are painted so vividly that one can almost imagine being a guest alongside of them. I also enjoy how Lyle manages to have a major mystery, as well as some side plots all interwoven to keep the reader entertained.

Like most cozy mysteries, these are pretty light reads but if you are a fan of the genres, or enjoy animals or paranormal aspect, then you should seriously consider giving this series a chance. I have one more book to go and I can't wait to see what the crew is up to next!

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love paranormal books, but I have to be able to suspend disbelief by falling into a decent plot and getting caught up in the characters. This series, at least in this book, has gotten a bit outlandish (and by a bit, I mean absolutely crazy wack-a-doodle!).

Cast of characters in this book:
-Foxtrot, seemingly normal PA. Can see and interact with spirit animals.
-Sidekick 1: Whiskey, ghost dog who can change shape at will.
-Sidekick 2: Tango, reincarnated pet cat from Foxtrot's childhood, who speaks multiple animal languages.
-Love Interest/sidekick 3: Ben, a Thunderbird
-Kooky Employer: Wealthy old hippy who spends money like water
-Kooky Employer's Deadbeat son, who seems to exist merely as filler when things get dull.
-Secondary employer, an enigmatic Spirit Crow, seemingly the overseer of the Animal Crossroads.
-Mysterious animal graveyard with an important role in the animal afterlife.
-More Thunderbirds, another reincarnated cat, more spirit animals, a pet "psychic" with a painting pooch, a crazy writer with imaginary friends and on and on and on.

The previous book was a little over the top, but in this one the author is just trying way too hard. This book was just too out there even for me! If there's another book in the series I will borrow it from the library and give the WTF trio another try, but I'm not sure where in the heck the author could possibly go from here!

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy dogs, cats, animals in general, ghosts, fantasy, the paranormal, a little romance and a fascinating murder mystery, read this series. This is Book#3 and I recommend reading them in order, as the characters continue to grow and develop with each book. Deirdre "Foxtrot" Lancaster is the assistant to wealthy, Zelda Zoransky on her private estate and zoo. Foxtrot runs the estate with help from her dog and cat companions. Zelda throws parties with a wide mix of quests from differing backgrounds. When the sister of her boyfriend is found dead in the swimming pool, Foxtrot goes into action to solve the mystery. The sister and boyfriend are both descendants of a magical race. Tango the cat and Whiskey the dog are both telepathic and neither are what they appear to be. Foxtrot is the caretaker of the next door pet graveyard which is a mystical nexus for departed pets. The zany characters are all interesting and well developed. The setting and theme blend with well plotted murders to make a delightful adventure in reading. I highly recommend this series for readers of all backgrounds.

[Kat Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books tend to start with a mundane murder, as well as a supernatural mystery. Both of which tend to keep Foxtrot and company on their toes. This one is no different, although the murder is a little close to home, for our resident Thunderbird. Ben's sister has been murdered and he may be next. Add to that sightings of a giant snake, who may or may not be a ghost, a transgender author and her imaginary sidekicks (I loved Theadora. Hopefully we'll see her, Doc and VBB again) a femme fatale guest with possible designs on her boyfriend, and a shapeshifting, mind controlling deadly enemy to Thunderbirds, and Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot are pretty much going non stop.

Fortunately, this team is up to the challenge. With their customary snark, and one liners, readers aren't going to be disappointed in this edition to the WTF mysteries.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like starting with the third book in a series. Took awhile to get into the story, because I was obviously in the middle of some story lines. Native American and Australian Aboriginal myths come to life along with beloved pets and the rainbow bridge. The keeper of the crossroads works as a private assistant to an heiress still living in the sixties. A quirky cast of characters -- a psychotic writer with imaginary friends, a rock star, a conman, etcetera. Keep the story moving and the mystery mysterious. Guess I'll go find the first two books and get caught up on those story lines.

[Kai Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

in my opinion this one is much better than the 2nd book in the series. The story opens with the murder of a minor established character. Though this one is a lot more focused than the 2nd book Foxtrot has to work her way through a believable number of red herrings and then watch her boyfriend get eaten by a giant rainbow spirit snake. Don't you hate it when that happens? I'm enjoying the characters more and more, but would like to see more interaction with established characters.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm new to this series. The characters are interesting, the story is full of interesting mythologies but the plot seemed a little contrived and all the elements don't quote flow. However I will be looking for some more books in the series.

[Jenni Schell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series, but this book took me a bit longer to get into than the first two. Once I got into the book, it flew by. I love Foxtrot and the way she interacts with the everyone and everything. I look forward to the next mystery to come.

[Carol Stanley-Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now...this was a cute, humorous read. Kitties, dogs, ghost animals and a keeper of the Pet Cemetary.
Oh...then there's the murder of a Thunderbird!

A decent mystery with some paranormal thrown in...a fun read.

[Stephanie]

I can't finish this book when I pretty much figured out who committed the murder. And upon checking and seeing that I was correct in my guess and getting the answer of why, I didn't see a point in reading it through.

I enjoyed the first two in this series much more.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the first two books in this series.

[Ming · Rating 4 out of 5]

charming

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hubby and I are both into this series. Lots of twists, great characters!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 continues keeping the interest in Foxtrot, Whiskey, and Tango's unusual adventures! Hooray!

[michele mims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I love supernatural books that animals. Dixon's companions are fun and so much like the real thing. Sometimes I think she used my cat as reference.