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A Canine Cozy Mystery #1
The Barbershop Showdown: A Canine Cozy Mystery Series
A barber’s close shave… and a mystery that’s anything but smooth.
Lucy Hart wanted peace and quiet in Cedar Hollow. Instead, she’s running a general store with Echo, her retired K9 partner who happens to be hard of hearing—and sometimes fetches the wrong clue.
When grumpy barber Barry “Blade” Cavanaugh is found with his own razor at his throat, suspicion falls on Lucy’s friend, handsome carpenter Will Mercer. Lucy knows Will isn’t guilty, but proving it will take more than a trim and a tidy alibi.
With Echo’s nose for trouble (and the occasional mix-up) and Lucy’s knack for digging into secrets, they’ll have to untangle rivalries, debts, and hidden scandals before the killer snips again.
Perfect for fans of dog-loving sleuths, small-town secrets, and mysteries with a wag and a wink.
Lucy Hart wanted peace and quiet in Cedar Hollow. Instead, she’s running a general store with Echo, her retired K9 partner who happens to be hard of hearing—and sometimes fetches the wrong clue.
When grumpy barber Barry “Blade” Cavanaugh is found with his own razor at his throat, suspicion falls on Lucy’s friend, handsome carpenter Will Mercer. Lucy knows Will isn’t guilty, but proving it will take more than a trim and a tidy alibi.
With Echo’s nose for trouble (and the occasional mix-up) and Lucy’s knack for digging into secrets, they’ll have to untangle rivalries, debts, and hidden scandals before the killer snips again.
Perfect for fans of dog-loving sleuths, small-town secrets, and mysteries with a wag and a wink.
- GenresMystery
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 16, 2026
This is a delightful cosy mystery with wonderful characters, set in the sleepy town of Cedar Hollows.
Lucy Hart had left the big city and the life that she had loved as an investigative journalist for the Boston Globe, Lucy and her recently adopted German Shepherd, Echo, had come to Cedar Hollow initially to sell the general store that her uncle had left to her and move on, but life in the sleepy town suited Lucy and Echo, a retired K9 operator who had been left deaf after an explosion, deserved a quieter life .........someone forgot to tell Echo that he could now relax, once a police dog, always a police dog.
When local barber, Barry (Blade) Cavanaugh was murdered with one of his own blades, Lucy couldn't help herself, she had to start digging, especially as her new friend, handsome carpenter, Will Mercer, appeared to be the main suspect.
As this story unfolds, a second body is found, Lucy enlists the help of, more than willing town gossip, retired school librarian, Myrtle Trash.
Long suffering and overworked local Sheriff, Annie Rae Dalton, at first just about tolerated Lucy but soon came to realise that her investigative prowess could prove useful.
This is a well written cosy mystery that will especially appeal to dog lovers, I love the way that the author has written chapter's from Echo's point of view, I love the lovely, close knit, but friendly, people who reside in Cedar Hollows...........Oh, and Lucy and Will make a great couple.
A quick, enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is totally voluntary.
Lucy Hart had left the big city and the life that she had loved as an investigative journalist for the Boston Globe, Lucy and her recently adopted German Shepherd, Echo, had come to Cedar Hollow initially to sell the general store that her uncle had left to her and move on, but life in the sleepy town suited Lucy and Echo, a retired K9 operator who had been left deaf after an explosion, deserved a quieter life .........someone forgot to tell Echo that he could now relax, once a police dog, always a police dog.
When local barber, Barry (Blade) Cavanaugh was murdered with one of his own blades, Lucy couldn't help herself, she had to start digging, especially as her new friend, handsome carpenter, Will Mercer, appeared to be the main suspect.
As this story unfolds, a second body is found, Lucy enlists the help of, more than willing town gossip, retired school librarian, Myrtle Trash.
Long suffering and overworked local Sheriff, Annie Rae Dalton, at first just about tolerated Lucy but soon came to realise that her investigative prowess could prove useful.
This is a well written cosy mystery that will especially appeal to dog lovers, I love the way that the author has written chapter's from Echo's point of view, I love the lovely, close knit, but friendly, people who reside in Cedar Hollows...........Oh, and Lucy and Will make a great couple.
A quick, enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is totally voluntary.
June 10, 2026
enjoyed meeting Lucy and her awesome former K-9 officer, Echo who was always eager for a job to do. He’d been retired due to a hearing loss—the story of his adoption was just too cool. But he was signal-trained and had no issues carrying out commands. I loved the scene at the pancake breakfast, too funny!
Lucy being a former journalist in Boston knew just the right questions to ask when murder hit her adopted town. Along with her new friends Will and Myrtle, she sleuthed out the case and of course Echo got to play a big part in the showdown. I liked the various chapters from Echo’s viewpoint too. I’m really eager to read the next book.
Lucy being a former journalist in Boston knew just the right questions to ask when murder hit her adopted town. Along with her new friends Will and Myrtle, she sleuthed out the case and of course Echo got to play a big part in the showdown. I liked the various chapters from Echo’s viewpoint too. I’m really eager to read the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lucy leaves the big city behind to open a general store in small-town America, hoping for a quieter life. By her side is her retired K-9 partner, always ready to help. But when the local barber is found murdered, Lucy can’t resist digging into the mystery herself—enlisting the help of the new friends she’s made along the way.
Warm, engaging, and full of small-town charm, this delightful mystery is a fun, satisfying read that everyone can enjoy.
Warm, engaging, and full of small-town charm, this delightful mystery is a fun, satisfying read that everyone can enjoy.
March 27, 2026
I received an advance review copy (ARC) & I am leaving this voluntary, honest review.
A fun but engaging cozy mystery that's a little different.
While many other cozy mysteries feature animal sidekicks, this is perhaps the first I've read that tells portions of the story as seen through the point of view of the animal. The animal in this case is a former police K9 member, Echo, a German Shepherd.
A fun but engaging cozy mystery that's a little different.
While many other cozy mysteries feature animal sidekicks, this is perhaps the first I've read that tells portions of the story as seen through the point of view of the animal. The animal in this case is a former police K9 member, Echo, a German Shepherd.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lucie and her retired K9 Echo move to a small town to enjoy a quiet life running the local general store. The barber down the street is found dead. The local carpenter is the prime suspect. Lucie and Echo set out to find the truth and hopefully clear Will's name. A fabulous cozy ready. I love the sleuthing dog!
March 11, 2026
A delightful story following Lucy who with her retired K9 dog runs a general store but when the local barber is found murdered she investigates.
This is a lovely story with twists.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a lovely story with twists.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 9, 2026
I received this as an ARC. It was a cozy small town mystery & I enjoyed it. Quick to read. I liked the authors’s style of writing & the dog’s point of view every so often 🐾
Review of advance copy received from Author
Delightful new series!
This is yet another new Ellie Webster cozy series that warms the heart and intrigues the mind. There are two equally important protagonists in this small cozy town, a displaced investigative reporter and a disabled, retired police dog. It's not one of those magical stories where the animals talk. Instead, you get full chapters from his unique perspective. Together this team is unstoppable!
This is yet another new Ellie Webster cozy series that warms the heart and intrigues the mind. There are two equally important protagonists in this small cozy town, a displaced investigative reporter and a disabled, retired police dog. It's not one of those magical stories where the animals talk. Instead, you get full chapters from his unique perspective. Together this team is unstoppable!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews