Sneezes and Secrets

The Pugs Cozy Mysteries #1

by Amanda Sterczyk

Retirement in a charming British village was supposed to be quiet. Then the pugs started talking back.
Reginald "Reg" Thorne is done with secrets. After a career as a logistics manager and two years living out of a suitcase, he’s ready to embrace the life of a retired gentleman in the rustic village of Whiskerleigh. His only companions are his two faithful pugs, Pudding and Pickles—who, thanks to a specialized herbal blend, can actually speak to him.



But the peace is shattered when a malicious rumor begins to spread faster than a case of pink eye. Local gossip Ivor Heard is telling everyone that Reg’s landlord, the kind-hearted Dr. Barnaby Sniffles, is the source of a highly contagious "Wasting Sneeze".



With clients canceling in droves and the prickly RSPCA inspector Octavia Prigg threatening to shutter the clinic for code violations, Reg realizes his new home—a flat right above the surgery—is on the line.



To save his home and the local businesses, Reg must launch an "Investigative Strut". With Pudding acting as an exam-room therapy dog and Pickles managing the waiting room, this motley crew of humans and hounds has only forty-eight hours to unmask the source of the rumors and pass a high-stakes inspection.



If you love quirky talking animals, 80s hard rock anthems, and mysteries where the only thing "fatal" is a misunderstanding, jump into the first book of the Pugs Cozy Mysteries!

Genres: Mystery

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2026

Reviews

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book courtesy of Booksprout for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Overview: Reginald has a bit of a problem. And it has nothing to do with Pudding and Pickles. Dr. Sniffles is in danger of losing his business. And that would put Reg and the pugs on the streets as they rent Dr. Sniffles' upper room. Needless to say, Reg has to start snooping. So, what is this wasting disease? Let's find out.

Dislikes: Reg kind of treated Peter in an awful way. I get that Reg didn't want to be reminded that he was a widower, but have that conversation. Don't wriggle out of it like it's kryptonite.

Likes: It takes a big man to admit that his body is failing him. Especially when that man is relying on lip reading to know what is happening.

Plus, the whole street seems to be willing to help Dr. Sniffles out.

Conclusion; This was a fun book. Of course, pugs make everything better. If you like the Catmint Chronicles, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute cozy mystery with no murders involved. Loved Pudding and Pickles the pugs who are able to talk with the help of a collar filled with special herbs and Cinnamon the talking cat who the pugs worship lol and call their cat overlord that made me laugh. Reg with the help of his pugs are trying to find out who is spreading rumors about the vet and trying to get them closed. Reg lives above the vet and obviously doesn’t want the clinic to close up because he’ll lose his apartment he just acquired. This was a fun start to the series and it had some awesome songs listed in the book to that was on Reg’s playlist.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a new series! This time it has two pugs as the leading characters! Reg, their owner has recently returned to live in England and be near his daughter, Rowan, and her cat, Cinnamon. (Star of another series!) The pugs are able to talk when they have a special collar on, and Reg has to be mindful of when to remove them! Pudding is very dependable, but, Pickles lives up to his name and might forget & speak when he shouldn’t! The local vet is called Mr. Sniffles and he does, a lot. A vicious rumour about him circles & Reg decides to do something about it, which, with help from his pugs, he does. I really loved this book.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

'If you love quirky talking animals, 80s hard rock anthems, and mysteries where the only thing "fatal" is a misunderstanding, jump into the first book of the Pugs Cozy Mysteries!'

Wonderful start to the series! Look forward to more from this world.

The characters were very appealing and likeable and quirky and complicated and compelling. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reginald Thorne is a retired English widower who recently moved to the rustic village of Whiskerleigh with his 2 pugs, Pudding and Pickles. Where he is living above Dr Sniffles’ Pet Surgery clinic. Rowan, his clever daughter created a special collar filled with a specialized herbal blend, can actually speak to him. This works out well, as long as Reg remembers.
A mystery where no one gets killed,but instead someone is spreading rumors about a fast spreading disease that could get Dr.Sniffles clinic shut down and then Reg would have no where to live.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ingrid Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first full novel in this new series by one of my favourite authors.

I like this series because it shows a different side of the family of Rowan and Cinnamon, but still have mostly the same people in it. And I love both pugs, Pudding and Pickles.

I must admit I found some of the names and places a little too much. It made the book feel a bit juvenile, a did the mystery, but maybe the series is targeted for a much younger audience then me?

All in all a nice book and lovely series, but I do hope for a bit more maturity in the next one.

[S. King · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Catmint Chronicles is one of my favorite cozy series and this is a spin-off. I'm so glad that there is a series for Rowan's father, Reg Thorne, and his pugs, Pudding and Pickles. It's entertaining to see what antics they get up to in the English village of Whiskerleigh. While there are many mysteries with talking cats, there aren't many with talking dogs. (Pudding is the more level-headed of the two.)

If you want a fun and cozy book to read, this is it! Plenty of humor and eccentric characters - I love it!

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! what a great start/cross over series !! love Pudding and Pickles, Cinnamon the cat and Reg, the human... this is their story... a fun fast paced mystery... rumors are flying fast and horrible about the vet clinic... Reg worries about losing his apartment that just so happens to be about the clinic... he's finally retired and wanted to enjoy life with his pugs.. now, he must find and stop the rumors and keep the clinic open !!! this was so good !! talking pugs and all !!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Sniffles has the sniffles that is being referred to by the locals as the wasting disease. This is threatening his veterinary practice.  Of he loses his business then Reg and the pugs will lose their home.  Can Reg and the pugs figure things out before it is too late?

If you have read the Catnip Chronicles you will love this one.   Two pugs are the main characters instead of a cat.  They make this cozy mystery an entertaining read. 

[Ladnamal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spinoff from the Catmint Chronicles series and it was just as fun and adorable. We have met the zany characters before and it was an enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feel-good mystery filled with pug sidekicks, sleuthing missions, mysteries to be solved, a small town to save and bad dad jokes. A wonderful read 😁

[GinaB. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sneezes & Secrets is a great start to the Pugs Cozy Mystery series. Reginald Thorne is a retired English widower who lives above Dr Sniffles’ Pet Surgery in Whiskerleigh. Pudding & Pickles are his 2 talking pugs that keep him company. Yes, thanks to Rowan, his clever daughter, they can speak to him via the special collar she created. I enjoyed the books in the Catmint Chronicles series (also by this author) with Rowan Thorne & her cat Cinnamon, so I’m glad I found this book since it adds to that series. I really like humorous cozy mysteries with senior sleuths & their pets and love it when they make me smile & laugh as I read them. I can’t wait to read another book with Reg, his song list, Pudding, Pickles & the other characters in Whiskerleigh. I got this ARC from Book Sprout & liked it so much I got it from Amazon.