Here We Goat Again: A Zen Goat Mystery

by Janna Rollins

Murder is anything but Zen...



Bobwhite Hollow is swarming with leaf-peepers. Mt. Washington is glorious in shades of yellow, red, and orange. Callie is loving teaching goat yoga in the cool, crisp autumn weather and is delighted renowned nature photographer Lucy Thorne's entourage is staying in the guest cottage at the Zen Goat. Even the spat Lucy and her assistant have the moment they arrive doesn't dampen Callie's enthusiasm.



Callie jumps at the chance to perform Sun Salutations at a mountain overlook near where the photography group is meeting, but when Lucy is found dead beside a trail on the mountain, all Callie's hard-earned Zen is shattered. The photographer's death was no accident, and it soon becomes clear her life was full of secrets. As Callie channels her inner warrior to discover who sent Lucy to her final savasana, she's going to have to watch her step, or the real murderer just might turn their focus on her.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2026

Reviews

[beachbum bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is a must read, and this new addition is goaat-tastic!!
🩷🩷📚☕️🐐🐐

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here We Goat Again is the 3rd entertaining book in Janna Rollins's A Zen Goat Mystery and it is a wonderful addition to the series! The characters are very likable and the cozy mystery kept me guessing. Callie Haybeck is living with her Great Uncle Will and Great Aunt Ellen and helping out at the farm while also running Zen Goat Yoga. It is Fall and well known nature photographer Lucy Thorne is in town and is sponsoring a competition for 10 photographers. A couple of Lucy's people are staying at a cabin at the Haybeck farm. Callie and her friend Brittany go along with the photography group and plan to do yoga on the mountain. Lucy is found dead and the suspects are pointing fingers at each other. Callie's cousin Tristan is visiting and the two of them work together to narrow down the suspects. Tristan's father also shows up and he and Callie don't get along. Callie and Levi, the local Veterinarian, are beginning to date and make a cute couple. The book moves along at a good pace and the goats's antics add some humor. The cozy mystery kept me guessing with some twists and red herrings. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to more books in this series. I received an advance copy from the author for free and I voluntarily leave this review. #HereWeGoatAgain #AZenGoatMystery #LevelBestBooks #RainyDayMysteries

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we goAT again! It's autumn in Bobwhite Hollow and local photography enthusiasts are thrilled to capture images of beautiful fall foliage with renowned nature photographer, Lucy Thorne. Protagonist Callie is thrilled to offer early morning yoga on the mountain top where the group is meeting, but before the final snap is taken, Lucy's lifeless body is discovered, shuttering the event. With secrets and suspects aplenty, readers will be left guessing until the end! This deftly plotted series is filled with wonderful, well-developed characters and relationships, and a setting so rich I feel like I'm there. I can't wait for the next installment! Highly recommend to cozy mystery readers. It's the G.O.A.T!


My sincere thanks to the author for providing an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kylie Forsythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's fall in Bobwhite Hollow, and the foliage is spectacular. Famous nature photographer, Lucy Thorne, has come to stay at the Zen Goat to mentor a group of local photographers, and Callie is excited to lead a yoga session at a mountain overlook nearby their meeting. After getting to know the members of the photography group a bit, it's clear that tension and secrets are amiss. When Lucy is found dead during the meeting, everyone becomes a suspect. With their family in crisis and an uninvited guest in town, Callie and her cousin Tristan throw themselves into finding the killer. But before they can say Namaste, the killer strikes again. Here We Goat Again is a wonderful blend of small town charm, loveable characters, close friendships, found family, hilarious goat antics, and a mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.

[Kirstin Troyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just want to know when book 4 is coming out. I love this series that much.

Callie is at it again, helping solve crimes in the small town of Bobwhite Hollow. I don't like to give anything away in reviews, so I won't share much about the story, but let's just say this one had me guessing the whole time. I had a list of characters written down, and just when I thought I'd figured it out, something had me guessing someone else. I also got excited when I discovered one of my favorite hobbies was in the book! But you'll have to read it to find out.

I loved the new characters introduced, the building up of current characters, it just had all the feels. It felt cozy in so many different ways. These books have me invested in the character relationships and always leave me excited for the next in the series.

It is a well written cozy series that makes you feel like you could actually be there, with great characters and farm animal sidekicks. I also love the family dynamics in this series.

Thank you to the author for an ARC of the book.

[Shilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful festive fall close out to the Zen Goat series. I'm going to miss adventures with Callie, Bugsy and the gang, but I'm glad I got to spend time with them in New Hampshire in the fall and solve one more murder!

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the pun-y title! And this is a great addition to the Zen Goat Mystery series. Callie is back with more goat-antics...and a wee spot of murder. :-) I want to get a turn renting the cottage at Haybeck Farm and frolicking with the goats during sunrise yoga classes (as long as I don't end up a murder victim!) Love all the cozy details between farm life and the rambunctious goats (I'm looking at you Bugsy!) And the murder adds extra zest to the plot (yay, my suspect was the whodunnit!) Plus, I like the way certain areas of Callie's life are working out and, if I'm not mistaken, there are hints at a Christmas book in our future? Hope so!

[Tracy Condie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The autumn season and picture-perfect fall foliage has come to Bobwhite Hollow, New Hampshire. Speaking of pictures, renowned landscape photographer, Lucy Thorne, has also arrived in Bobwhite Hollow to judge a local photo contest and award the winner with the opportunity to have their work included in the next Lucy Thorne nature calendar. Alas, before a winner can be chosen, and while giving an outdoor workshop on Weaver Mountain, Ms. Thorne is found dead in a rather grizzly fashion. Not grizzle bear fashion, although there is an instance where a minivan is attacked by a bear looking for a sandwich, this attack is more of a crime of passion that ended with a stabbing by way of a camera tripod. Our sleuth, Callie Haybeck, the owner, and instructor for Zen Goat, is once again drawn into a mystery and this time police Chief Barnhart actually asks Callie to keep her eyes and ears open and to report back anything she comes across. I don’t think that he meant for Callie and her cousin Tristan to poke sound, asking personal and sometimes uncomfortable questions. This isn’t Callie and Tristan’s first rodeo but don’t worry because each story is a stand-alone and they do a good job of not giving away the good stuff from the previous books.

Suspects include Lucy’s assistant Sunny Hammond who seemed to be overly distraught for just an assistant of less than a year, and there is also Sunny’s Haybeck Farm cottage rental roommate, Danae Mutasa, a feel-good journalist who is looking for a big break to take her career to the next level. Then there is Alex Bell, a local photographer who thinks quite highly of himself and his abilities and badmouthed Lucy to anyone who was listening or wasn’t for that matter. Callie added church secretary Jen Early is on the suspect list just because she rubbed Callie the wrong way after an initial interaction at the Weaver Mountain parking lot. Last but not least is the quiet observer, Forest Service Ranger Garrett, who seemed to know Lucy and had something to hide.

The plot is a good one and the subplots are even better. Callie has an opportunity to help veterinarian Levi to create order out of office chaos while trying to determine if they have a relationship or nonrelationship. Callie gets to show off her city girl turned farm girl skills while great uncle Will takes it easy after a little hospital procedure. No Zen Goat Mystery would be complete without a session or two of goat yoga that describe actual yoga positions and some cavorting kid goats. Callie’s personality is endearing, sassy, and very relatable. We either know someone like her or we ourselves sometimes say things out loud that we ought not to have said. Of course, it is always funnier when it is someone else. The red herrings did a good job of adding doubt and clouding issues while the yummy farm fresh food made me want to look up recipes for buttermilk biscuits and summer squash soup. I look forward to the next book and hope that it will be a Christmas mystery so Callie can show off her skills to her parents.

[Drebbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

While “Here We Goat Again” is the third book in Janna Rollins’ Zen Goat Cozy Mystery series, it is the first one that I’ve read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had no problem jumping into this book mid-series but will read the first two books to get a little more background on main character Callie Haybeck and her family. I did like Callie as a main character – she’s a yoga instructor (goats included!) and also helps out at her aunt and uncle’s farm. She’s hard worker, a bit blunt, but a caring friend and family member. I also like her family including her cousin Tristan who helps her solve mysteries. The farm setting is also nicely done and I love the way the goats are also like characters in the book. The mystery is nicely done – a renowned nature photographer is murdered during a photography group meeting – if a touch sad as things are revealed. The mystery is well plotted with some nice twists and turns and a few red herrings – I wasn’t completely surprised when the killer was revealed but I did think it could have been someone else. Mixed in with the mystery and touches of sadness are also touches of humor – all in all a well done, enjoyable mystery.

I received a copy of this book from BookSirens.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here We Goat Again Book 3 in A Zen Goat Mystery by Janna Rollins. I found it to be enjoyable and entertaining full of loveable characters and Goats!.

What a great cozy mystery it was engaging, really well-written, set in a small town in Lupine County New Hampshire. My favorite character is Bugsy the goat and Callie.

The protagonist Callie was intelligent, likeable, and the friends she made were people I would like to hang out with especially her aunt, uncle and cousin.

The mystery was well written and had plenty of suspects who wanted the victim dead. I did suspect the killer early on but there were a few red herrings so I wasn't 100% sure until close to the end when the final piece fell into place. There are a couple of sub-plots in this book that have me excitedly waiting for the next instalment !

I highly recommend this cozy mystery series to all my friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Level Best Books and BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here We Goat Again is the third Zen Goat Mystery. I can honestly say that this series gets better with each book. This book has some of my favorite things - fall colors, photography, family, and good food.
Callie has found a way to make yoga part of a photography workshop weekend. So she’s there when the leader of the workshop, Lucy Thorne, is found dead.
The suspects are all part of the workshop, and there is some Olympic level finger pointing going on.
I wasn’t sure who to suspect. I found how the mystery turned out to be well done and interesting.
Callie has some family situations happening throughout the book. Tristan is a fun cousin for her. Her great uncle and aunt are quite lovely, and I’m glad things work out for them. Teaser but not a spoiler 😉.
I truly enjoyed the ARC I received from the author for review. Bugsy and the yoga goats get to shine a bit in the book.

[Karen Lakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we go(at) again!! This is the third installment in the Zen Goat Mystery series, and the books just keep getting better. It’s fall in Bob White Hollow, New Hampshire, and photographers have gathered to capture it in all its blazing glory. The focus of the workshop shifts, though, when the leader is found dead.

This is a fun mystery with a fabulous setting, a colorful cast of characters, a very naughty goat (along with many sweet ones), and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing to the end. I highly recommend this series!!

(Many thanks to the author for allowing me to read an advanced copy)

[Rose Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a book to escape with for a while? Look no further…
Ms. Rollins attention to detail means that readers will be pulled into the story quickly. There are plenty of suspects and some unexpected plot twists that will keep you guessing until the end.
This is a well-crafted cozy mystery!
I loved this book and recommend it to cozy mystery readers who enjoy solving a twisty mystery, with a little romance, some laugh out loud moments, and some interesting family dynamics.

(Thank you to the author for allowing me to read an advance copy )

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here We Goat Again is Book 3 in the Zin Goat Mysteries by Janna Rollins. I think that Callie is a good main character and this author writes a very good cozy mystery. Lucy is a well known photographer and her nature photo workshop has 10 lucky want to be famous photographers exciting… until Lucy is found dead! I thought that the author sprinkled the hints perfectly. Will you solve the murder before Callie? I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Lori Bonkoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Bob white Hollow is experiencing fall in all its glory. A photography workshop has people excited until the photographer is killed. Callie and Tristan put their heads together to figure out who could want to kill the famous photographer. Goat yoga continues and Bugsy manages to help find the killer. Love the setting, the characters and how this story comes together. Can't wait for the next installment!

[Linda "Lilybug's Library" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janna Rollins is the G.O.A.T.! This series just keeps getting better and better. I feel this novel had more about the characters that we have grown to know and love and that makes it even more cozy and wonderful for me. Then there are the goats. Who doesn't love the idea of Bugsy and his antics, and the little baby goats helping out with yoga.

The author has such a hit on her hands. I already can't wait for the next one.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Valeri Sullivan (vsulvn29) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘No harm. No fowl.’

I want to love this series, I really do. It’s well written and entertaining, with cute goat antics and a beautifully described setting. Yet there’s just a little something missing when it comes to the character development that leaves me wanting and I know from the author’s Hometown Hardware series that she can deliver on that.

[Kathleen Chrisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Janna Rollins! This is my favorite (so far) in this series. I enjoy the way the characters are growing with each book, increasing the bonds we feel as the reader. I am happiest when a book draws me in and makes me feel like I am a part of the story and Ms. Rollins has done that expertly with Here We Goat Again!

[Lisa Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read!

After reading book 3, I'm ready for more. Not only was I intrigued by finding the murderer, but getting involved with the family dynamics kept me reading. I am sure that the next book will have Callie closer to her handsome vet, and seeing where her family will go from here. I know Janna will have another great story to tell. Hopefully many more.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I have taken goat yoga and it's just like the author described, very fun and very funny 😁 This mystery kept me entertained the whole was through & I hope there's more in the series to come.

[Amy Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here We Goat Again. It was a very fun read. I missed the first one but read the second one. Callie is very smart and not to be outwitted. She just keeps you hopping.

Looking forward to the next one.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Lora]

Here We Goat Again is the third book in A Zen Goat Mystery by Janna Rollins. It’s fall in Bobwhite Hollow when Callie discovers the body of a famous photographer during a class the woman is teaching.

Like the previous two installments, Callie teams up with her cousin, Tristain, to narrow down the list of suspects until they uncover the murderer.

Of the two series the author writes (Hometown Hardware as Paula Chartes), this is the series I actually squee when I find out a new book is coming out. It comes as no surprise, then, that I highly recommend this installment.