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Lia Anderson Dog Park Mysteries #4
Sneak Thief
Lia’s kindness to an orphaned beagle draws the attention of an obsessed killer… Lia's new friend Desiree has a secret admirer, one who leaves her tiny figurines sculpted from twisted aluminum foil. Lia worries about the man’s intentions but the pint-sized sex pot brushes off Lia’s concerns. When Desiree is murdered, Lia not only winds up with the woman's kleptomaniac beagle, she also inherits Desiree’s stalker. On the outs with Peter and with the police on the wrong track, Lia will have to rely on her wits and her friends if she wants to stay alive.(79,000 words)
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2015
61 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
C.A. Newsome
14 books106 followersC. A. (Carol Ann) Newsome writes the Lia Anderson Dog Park Mysteries, a series of fun, romantic suspense/mystery novels which are inspired by and centered around her mornings at the Mount Airy Dog Park with her trio of rescues (rowdy hooligans).
A life-long lover of fiction, Carol turned to books and audiobooks during her decade-long recovery from a head injury that occurred when she and her bike were struck by a car. Years of immersing herself in popular fiction lead to imagining the book she wanted to read, and wondering if she could actually write it.
She is also an artist with an M.F.A. from the University of Cincinnati. You'll see portraits of some of her favorite four-footed friends on the covers of her books. She enjoys creating community-based public artworks. As an artist, she is best known for her New Leaf Global Good-Will Guerrilla Art Project.
Her other interests include astrology, raw food and all forms of psychic phenomena. She likes to sing to her dogs. The dogs are the only ones who like to listen.
A life-long lover of fiction, Carol turned to books and audiobooks during her decade-long recovery from a head injury that occurred when she and her bike were struck by a car. Years of immersing herself in popular fiction lead to imagining the book she wanted to read, and wondering if she could actually write it.
She is also an artist with an M.F.A. from the University of Cincinnati. You'll see portraits of some of her favorite four-footed friends on the covers of her books. She enjoys creating community-based public artworks. As an artist, she is best known for her New Leaf Global Good-Will Guerrilla Art Project.
Her other interests include astrology, raw food and all forms of psychic phenomena. She likes to sing to her dogs. The dogs are the only ones who like to listen.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 20, 2019
Lia Anderson - artist and dog lover, met the fun Desiree at their part time job and hit it off immediately. But when Desiree was murdered, the police were sure it was a burglary gone wrong. Only Lia was convinced otherwise. So Lia, with Desiree’s dog Julia - a delightful beagle and a sneaky thief - and her own two dogs, set to investigating. Bailey, another friend was the voice of reason for Lia and while her romance with Detective Peter Dourson was rocky, she kept her mind off him with other things – things that put her in danger, which she soon found out. Would Lia manage to stay alive, AND catch a murderer?
Sneak Thief is the 4th in the Lia Anderson Dog Park Mysteries by C.A. Newsome and it was a fun, entertaining cosy mystery. Plenty of twists and red herrings, a number of bad guys and the usual characters to save the day. Recommended.
Sneak Thief is the 4th in the Lia Anderson Dog Park Mysteries by C.A. Newsome and it was a fun, entertaining cosy mystery. Plenty of twists and red herrings, a number of bad guys and the usual characters to save the day. Recommended.
October 13, 2015
Aritst Lia Anderson is donating her time to paint murals at a local convalescent home. To keep paying the bills, she's working an evening job scoring academic proficiency tests. There, she meets and befriends Desieree Willis, a budding young jeweler who is also a friendly, funny pocket-sized sexpot.
Desiree has a rescue beagle named Julia, who is constantly stealing and squirreling away small items--often, but not always, Desiree's underwear. She also has a stalker, someone who is leaving her little dolls, and once a whole diorama, made of cleverly folded tinfoil. What she doesn't know is that he's also gotten a camera into her bedroom.
When Desiree is killed by an intruder in her apartment, Lia takes Julia, and also inherits the stalker.
But she's had a fight with homicide detective boyfriend Peter, and the team investigating Desiree's murder are on the wrong track and don't take the evidence of a stalker seriously. Lia's on her own. Well, on her own except for her dog park friends, and her own dogs.
I read the first dog park mystery--A Shot in the Bark--and enjoyed it, but apparently missed the next two. As much as I enjoyed that first one, it did have some weaknesses in plot and characterization. It was still a fun read, though! Sneak Thief is just as much fun, and much stronger in plot and characterization. Lia is actually a strong female lead, rather than merely clearly being intended as such. The clues to the mystery are all present, along with well-done misdirection so the reader doesn't figure it out too soon. And Lia, Peter, and their friends have clearly been growing as characters over the course of the books I missed. Newsome has developed a lot as a writer, and in all the right ways.
Read this. You'll have a lot of fun.
I received a free copy of the audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Desiree has a rescue beagle named Julia, who is constantly stealing and squirreling away small items--often, but not always, Desiree's underwear. She also has a stalker, someone who is leaving her little dolls, and once a whole diorama, made of cleverly folded tinfoil. What she doesn't know is that he's also gotten a camera into her bedroom.
When Desiree is killed by an intruder in her apartment, Lia takes Julia, and also inherits the stalker.
But she's had a fight with homicide detective boyfriend Peter, and the team investigating Desiree's murder are on the wrong track and don't take the evidence of a stalker seriously. Lia's on her own. Well, on her own except for her dog park friends, and her own dogs.
I read the first dog park mystery--A Shot in the Bark--and enjoyed it, but apparently missed the next two. As much as I enjoyed that first one, it did have some weaknesses in plot and characterization. It was still a fun read, though! Sneak Thief is just as much fun, and much stronger in plot and characterization. Lia is actually a strong female lead, rather than merely clearly being intended as such. The clues to the mystery are all present, along with well-done misdirection so the reader doesn't figure it out too soon. And Lia, Peter, and their friends have clearly been growing as characters over the course of the books I missed. Newsome has developed a lot as a writer, and in all the right ways.
Read this. You'll have a lot of fun.
I received a free copy of the audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2021
I am really enjoying this series. At first, I thought that the plots would be fairlystraight forward. but they're not. Always a twist in the final results.
February 15, 2019
This story was brilliantly written, and excellently narrated in the audiobook by the talented Jane Boyer: it had moments that made me laugh out loud - like the image of Desiree chasing her beagle around as she ran off with her bra, or she and Lia getting in a fight in the dog park and Lia ripping Desiree's top and punching Desiree so she fell into the paddling pool! - and some that made me feel so sad. But the rich imagery, great characterisation and fantastic mystery all wound together to make this an excellent story which I'd highly recommend.
January 24, 2024
Another Great One in the Series
I really enjoy this series. The mysteries are excellent -- detailed and difficult to decipher; the characters are likeable and human ( though I wish Lia would have her therapist help her with her relationship issues -- she's made progress, but would like to see more growth towards overcoming.) Anyway, I'm really enjoying th series and recommend for fellow dog lovers, mystery lovers and those that like spending a few hours in a fun but exciting place.
I really enjoy this series. The mysteries are excellent -- detailed and difficult to decipher; the characters are likeable and human ( though I wish Lia would have her therapist help her with her relationship issues -- she's made progress, but would like to see more growth towards overcoming.) Anyway, I'm really enjoying th series and recommend for fellow dog lovers, mystery lovers and those that like spending a few hours in a fun but exciting place.
September 26, 2017
At Cincinnati's Books By the Banks last year I bought Muddy Mouth and my sister bought Sneak Thief in the Dog Park Mystery series. I loved them!! Both set in Cincinnati suburbs, it is fun to read the characters visiting places we visit. The dogs make the story even more enjoyable. I am an avid cozy mystery fan and adding the local lore makes this series a winner in my book :)
May 14, 2021
I totally enjoyed this book full of fun, mystery, murder, humor, kidnapping, dogs, romance and great story. So many clues to who done it and many twists and turns.
Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Love the way this author describes the smile on a dogs face. Love all of her descriptions of the scenery and the people in the story.
Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Love the way this author describes the smile on a dogs face. Love all of her descriptions of the scenery and the people in the story.
November 4, 2019
Lia and Peter
Talk about love and suspense!!! I couldn’t put it down!!! The plot and the characters made the book come alive. The dogs are so sweet and a reminder of mans best friend.
Talk about love and suspense!!! I couldn’t put it down!!! The plot and the characters made the book come alive. The dogs are so sweet and a reminder of mans best friend.
April 13, 2020
Another great read
This is a great little series! Her easy introduction of new characters makes it easy to accept them. This book was a little more dramatic on the relationship aspect but the mystery and suspense were still very well done!
This is a great little series! Her easy introduction of new characters makes it easy to accept them. This book was a little more dramatic on the relationship aspect but the mystery and suspense were still very well done!
February 25, 2023
A dog who steals your things and stashes them away, a friend who turns out to be the other woman along with lots of twists and turns has Lia and her dog park friends searching for a murderer with a surprise twist that leads to a shocking ending.
September 7, 2018
Now THAT is a good read! Kept me on my toes, that's for sure!
Want to read
April 2, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
June 6, 2022
Just o.k.
The mysteries in this series are good. The characters and dogs are likeable, but I can't read one more book featuring whiny Lia.
The mysteries in this series are good. The characters and dogs are likeable, but I can't read one more book featuring whiny Lia.
June 16, 2017
Excellent Book, Beautifully written.
I love the Dog Park Mystery Books. Totally enjoyed reading the first three books and I was not disappointed with Sneak Thief.
Excellent murder mystery with a splash of romance. Characters so well developed you are drawn into the doggy gang.
Totally recommend this marvellous entertaining whodunnit.
I love the Dog Park Mystery Books. Totally enjoyed reading the first three books and I was not disappointed with Sneak Thief.
Excellent murder mystery with a splash of romance. Characters so well developed you are drawn into the doggy gang.
Totally recommend this marvellous entertaining whodunnit.
July 6, 2015
This is the fourth book in the Dog Park Mystery series. The protagonist of this series is a young painter named Lia Anderson. She has donated her services to paint murals for a local Convalescent Care Center this time and that means she needs to supplement her income by working for Scholastic Scoring Systems. There she meets and becomes friends with drop dead gorgeous Desiree.
This young lady has recently acquired a beagle by the name of Julia. Desiree and Julia are invited to join the Mount Airy Dog Park Club. The members include Lia, with Chewy, Honey and Viola. The latter dog was the pet of Lia’s former boyfriend Luthor and now belongs to present boyfriend Peter, a police detective.
Then there is Terry, a gun toting single senior and Bailey, a close friend to Lia. She has Kita, a dignified bloodhound. Things go swimmingly at first. Everyone is getting along well until someone is killed. The Mount Airy Dog team decide the police are not properly doing their job and go on the hunt for a killer.
These stories are charming, with number four being no exception. The quirky and adorable dogs are always at the heart of each mystery. If you love animals, especially dogs, and a good cozy mystery, look no further than “Sneak Thief” or any of the Dog Park Mystery series. 5 Stars
This young lady has recently acquired a beagle by the name of Julia. Desiree and Julia are invited to join the Mount Airy Dog Park Club. The members include Lia, with Chewy, Honey and Viola. The latter dog was the pet of Lia’s former boyfriend Luthor and now belongs to present boyfriend Peter, a police detective.
Then there is Terry, a gun toting single senior and Bailey, a close friend to Lia. She has Kita, a dignified bloodhound. Things go swimmingly at first. Everyone is getting along well until someone is killed. The Mount Airy Dog team decide the police are not properly doing their job and go on the hunt for a killer.
These stories are charming, with number four being no exception. The quirky and adorable dogs are always at the heart of each mystery. If you love animals, especially dogs, and a good cozy mystery, look no further than “Sneak Thief” or any of the Dog Park Mystery series. 5 Stars
August 8, 2015
Another dog gone good read
C. A. Newsome mixes a little bit of humor, drama,romance and everyday life into each of her stories and Sneak Thief is another great read in her growing collection. The twists and missteps by the police and amateur detectives are both funny and scarily real. Too many people don't pay attention to their pets moods or actions and it's wonderful to see so many intuitive cues taken from master to pet and verse versa, albeit in print. This woman wears her dog-hair with pride. She also isn't afraid to dabble in New age juju, so cozy up to your furry babies and read a wholesome book. You'll be glad you did!
C. A. Newsome mixes a little bit of humor, drama,romance and everyday life into each of her stories and Sneak Thief is another great read in her growing collection. The twists and missteps by the police and amateur detectives are both funny and scarily real. Too many people don't pay attention to their pets moods or actions and it's wonderful to see so many intuitive cues taken from master to pet and verse versa, albeit in print. This woman wears her dog-hair with pride. She also isn't afraid to dabble in New age juju, so cozy up to your furry babies and read a wholesome book. You'll be glad you did!
May 11, 2015
Oh Ms. Newsome, you have done it again. Just finished Sneak Thief, such fun read. Love the song at the end!!!!!!! Your characters just keep getting better. Love the on and off again love of Peter and Lia, never know what's happening with them. Love all the friends at the dog park, such a group, they do love to solve a crime.
Keep em coming. Thank you for the entertainment. Can't wait for the next book.
Hope you are doing well.
Geneva Stokes.
Keep em coming. Thank you for the entertainment. Can't wait for the next book.
Hope you are doing well.
Geneva Stokes.
May 20, 2015
The dog park crew solves another one,
Lia Anderson and her friends from the dog park run into a mystery that kept me guessing till the end. As always, her relationship with Peter, her police detective boyfriend, plays a big part in the way things are resolved. I enjoy Newsome's writing because the plots are interesting, the description s are enjoyable, and all the dog park dogs have their own loveable personalities.
Lia Anderson and her friends from the dog park run into a mystery that kept me guessing till the end. As always, her relationship with Peter, her police detective boyfriend, plays a big part in the way things are resolved. I enjoy Newsome's writing because the plots are interesting, the description s are enjoyable, and all the dog park dogs have their own loveable personalities.
September 23, 2022
Sneak Thief
C. A. Newsome is an author who I know will show me a good time. She did not disappoint me with this novel. I would love to be part of the Dog Park Mystery Gang. This group of friends make me laugh and their willingness to support one another though murder and mayhem is a delight. My only complaint is I will have to wait until next year for their next adventure.
C. A. Newsome is an author who I know will show me a good time. She did not disappoint me with this novel. I would love to be part of the Dog Park Mystery Gang. This group of friends make me laugh and their willingness to support one another though murder and mayhem is a delight. My only complaint is I will have to wait until next year for their next adventure.
May 13, 2016
I have read the first four books so far and they keep getting better as she develops the characters. The dogs are the stars of the books with the humans doing all the work. Ms Newsome, please keep up the good work, the series is quite enjoyable and I love seeing what sort of trouble the humans get into next.
July 25, 2015
C.A. Newsome Sneak Thief is Outstanding!
I liked this author's previous books, but they were a touch tedious in places. Not this one! The characters are well drawn, likeable, and believable, the dogs delightful, and the plot twisted. Great read!
I liked this author's previous books, but they were a touch tedious in places. Not this one! The characters are well drawn, likeable, and believable, the dogs delightful, and the plot twisted. Great read!
July 16, 2015
good book
September 6, 2015
Can't wait until the next dog park mystery. Likable characters. Kept me guessing until the reveal.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews