Doggone

An Animal Instinct Mystery #2

by Gabriella Herkert

After accidentally treating her in-laws to a peep show upon their first meeting, and having a catfight with her husband’s vengeful ex, legal investigator Sara Townley hopes her next assignment is a simple one. So she takes on a case of stolen identity—that finds her in a seedy back street. Then Sara narrowly escapes becoming a casualty—a fate awaiting her one and only witness. In the meantime, Sara seems to have picked up a sidekick: a big, black Labrador who shows up at every turn.

And since her only lead is growing cold in the morgue, maybe following the dog’s nose isn’t such a bad idea…REVIEW:

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Animals

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likes: Sara’s scenes with the McNamera family. There was humor in her interactions with Connor. A bit of Kinsey Milhoneishness.
Dislikes: the plot wasn’t intriguing from the first and was a problem thru the whole book
The dog theme didn’t quite succeed. Sara was way too impulsive and not smart regarding safety issues.
This was too much of a slog on the whole.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok, as a longtime Black Lab lover you could put a picture of a Black Lab on anything and I'd buy it! Evidenced in the fact I bought this book as a relaxing read on an upcoming cruise. Our first day at sea my friend and I found 2 chairs on deck and read while watching the glistening waters rush by turning from the dark blue off the coast of Fl to the vibrant turquoise of the Bahamas. All was well with the world. That is until I got to about page 10. It was at that time I turned to my friend and said, "This is the stupidest book I think I've ever read." I reiterated this about every 20 pages. She finally moved to the other side of the ship - without telling me where she was going. Can't say as I blame her.

It's actually a 2-part mystery: the first mystery is how this got past the editor, and the second mystery is how I was able to finally finish it. Unfortunately, the book was so absurd (insufferable??) that I cannot come up with any constructive examples of my opinion. The storyline was ridiculous, the characters weren't in the least bit interesting, if sex is to be a major part of a story (which is out of place in this genre) then get writing tips from Jackie Collins and do it right, and WHERE'S THE DOG? Not to fear----other than this the rest of my cruise was spectacular.

[Vera · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the characters in this book, but the plot seems to jump, and there were a few editing problems. Sara is an investigator for a law firm. She goes to San Diego on business, which is where her husband lives. They married in Vegas after a weekend romance. Connor wants to protect Sara, and she wants to do her job. There are some really funny parts, like when they're hurrying into his apartment to celebrate being together again, and Connor is undressing her when they open the door and his parents are waiting for them. It was a compelling read, but every once in a while there was a "What's going on?" moment.

[Mirah W · Rating 3 out of 5]

What was the editor doing when he/she was supposed to be editing this book?! I'm so frustrated because 1) I love the characters but 2) the mystery plot is hard to follow and 3) there are too many inconsistencies. Example: there will be a conversation between two characters and out of nowhere another person joins the discussion without being written into the scene. The plot was so convoluted...I was able to follow sometimes and then at other times it was just too much confusion. I feel like Herkert needs to streamline the plots....her first novel had the same issue. But, the characters are fun and witty and make things interesting.

[Kathie Fahey · Rating 4 out of 5]

On 1 hand, this book was a little strange. At the beginning, 2 mismatched people - Sara, the ruff around the edges, law firm investigator & her new husband, Navy Seal Connor, who comes from money & they don't live together! I wasn't sure ½ the time what was going on. It didn't help that Sara was narrating sometimes, but other times there were rapid-fire conversations with quotes indicating there was a change in person, but I couldn't tell was it Sara, Connor, Ryan, Blue...? I did a lot of rereading paragraphs because I was saying wait, what? And as someone else pointed out, there were some editing faux pas. So, as the book went on, I chalked my confusion up to "maybe it's an editing thing." There were a lot of sexual innuendos that sometimes made me feel like I was reading a Stephanie Plum story, and particularly every time Connor called Sara, Babe. It just didn't seem to fit all that much in the story.
On the other hand, there were some really laughable places usually involving interactions with Connor's family, especially the 1st time Sara met them. I also particularly liked Ryan, Connor's brother, and his snarkiness. The who done it kept me guessing right to the end. That was the best.
And I can't finish without mentioning the dog. I loved the dog. Every time she showed up, the story seemed to calm completely down. But toward the end, even that got a little farfetched - wait, the dog showed up where?

[Margaret Pecirno · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute series

Read the first book ..Catnapped. Enjoyed it very much. Has everything...animals, mystery, funny moments and romance. Went immediately to this book #2 and it was the same...has everything. My only disappointment is I can't find the third book in the series. Have tried every where I can think of buy can't find it. My library is trying to sell if another library has it Gor loan. Even if I cannot get book 3, I'm still glad I read the first two because they were great books. Wish she would start continue with the series.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good mystery but the editing got in the way of my reading. There were several typos. Sorry, but that bothers me. Otherwise a fun story with interesting characters, a strong woman lead character who inspires a weaker woman character. An Alpha male and the strong woman collide but get married after knowing each other for a few weeks; she tries to find a missing man and ends up with a dead body beside her. This was a fun afternoon read.

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, this book took forever to read because I just could not get into it. The plot was confusing and characters and conversations were just everywhere. Every time I put it down I had to go back and reread 5 to 6 pages to get back to level ground. The only reason it got 2 stars was because the twist at the end took me by surprise.

[Susan Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hillarious. A good story line, however, a lot crammed into the last few chapters. But I liked it.

[Leona A. McAndrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh approach

Good story with lots of suspects and motives. Fresh approach to the couple starting out married and then getting to know each other.

[Kimberly]

A fun entry in this series. The characters are funny but realistic and the story is twisted enough to keep the reader guessing. Supposedly there is a third entry in the series but that book seems to be out of print or unavailable. Too bad for the readers for that.

[Lois Hecksel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although there were humorous situations and layers of intrigue, this book could have used a better editor as the plot seems to be scattered at times as id the author is "trying on" ideas. I won't go out of my way to read another of this series but if I see a (used) copy, I'd pick it up and five the author another chance.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

After accidentally treating her in-laws to a peep show upon first meeting them, then being dragged into a cat fight with her husband's vengeful ex, Sara hopes her next case is a simple one. A philanthropist's stolen identity seems right up her alley - until she has to go to a seedy area to meet an informant. And when Sara narrowly escapes becoming the case's first casualty - a fate awaiting her sole witness - she realizes she may be barking up the wrong tree.

Gabriella Herkert has done what so many female mystery writers have such a hard time doing - written a female protagonist who is smart, funny, strong and apparently hot if the reaction of her brother-in-law can be trusted.

After years of reading books in which the female lead acts like a four year old ("I'll show him!") or a teenager ("My husband/cop friend/whatever will never know if I. . .") it was a relief to read a mystery with a strong female lead who acts like an adult.

Witty dialog that stays realistic and a cast of appealing support characters made this book a fun read.

I'm giving this book a four star rating even though Ms. Herkert was unable to stop herself from ending the book on a trite note. Don't let that stop you from reading this book.

[Cassonia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book in a series and it was all downhill as far I'm concerned. Sara is newly married to Connor (it was a Vegas quickie relationship and marriage)so they're still getting to know each other. He's a NAVY Seal and she's an investigator for a law firm. He hates her job and she loves it... and that is all these two talk about except for how hot they are for each other. Jeez... we get it. He hates her job and she's not quitting! Can we get a decent story now? Ahh, I feel better now.

[TheIron Paw · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good mystery/thriller with a very interesting protaganist (a competent Stephanie Plum). Lots of action and a complex plot with twists, not all particularly believable - but then its fiction. My only complaint is that calling it an "animal instinct mystery" is overstated because the "animal instinct" played very minor role (and it was this that first caught my attention). Nevertheless I will add her other 2 books to my "to read" list.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I picked this because it had a black lab on the cover and it was a mystery. However, it went along at a nice pace, the characters drew me in (loved the 'team' that Connor had to watch Sara), and the plot was good.Will read the next book that apparently is coming next month.

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really disapointed in this one. I love the first of the series! I hope the next one is better!

[Kitty Tomlinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tale of newlyweds Sara and Conner who try to follow the trail of a stolen identity, murder, etc.

[Kathy Govreau · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like it and sadly, didn't finish it...

[Ceashark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was funny, entertaining, and well written.

[Janet Spurr]

This Book is the BEST, I kept trying to put it down, but it wouldn't let me. Get it now.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read in this series.