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Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot Mystery #5
Purrfectly Dead
Dixie Lyle news (2-21 update)
Hey, everyone--I have some Dixie Lyle writing news. My next Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot mystery, PURRFECTLY DEAD, now has a tentative publishing date of May 2021. Quite a ways in the future, but I thought I would let people know. My publisher has read it and loves it, saying my fiction makes her "want to do a dance." High praise!
Dixie Lyle rides again!
Well, I guess I can officially announce this: I'm back writing mass-market fiction again. I just hit the halfway point in PURRFECTLY DEAD, the fifth in the Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot series of paranormal animal cozy mysteries. I've managed to lay down twenty thousand words in the last five weeks, and if I can sustain this rate I'll be turning in the manuscript to my editor around the end of September. Wish me luck!
Deirdre “Foxtrot” Lancaster is back―with her supernatural sidekicks Tango and Whiskey―to unlock the mysteries of life and death…and murder.
When zillionairess Zelda Zoransky throws a party, she means business. Foxtrot knows she’s in for a night when anything can―and will―happen. The festivities include a high-stakes showdown between two escape artists locked in a bitter rivalry. Meanwhile, Zelda is stuck in handcuffs… Can Foxtrot, her telepathic cat Tango, and her shapeshifting pooch Whiskey collectively channel their inner Houdini and make it out of the soirée alive?
PURRFECTLY DEAD
The magic turns tragic when one of the escape artists ends up dead. This is no disappearing act―it’s murder. The suspects include a scientist with a 3D printer that creates pop-culture clones, a psychedelically-impaired rock star, and a ghostly snake with a secret agenda. Now it’s up to Foxtrot, Tango, and Whiskey figure out which guest commited the crime before they reach they end of this deadly game of Clue. How will this tail end?
Hey, everyone--I have some Dixie Lyle writing news. My next Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot mystery, PURRFECTLY DEAD, now has a tentative publishing date of May 2021. Quite a ways in the future, but I thought I would let people know. My publisher has read it and loves it, saying my fiction makes her "want to do a dance." High praise!
Dixie Lyle rides again!
Well, I guess I can officially announce this: I'm back writing mass-market fiction again. I just hit the halfway point in PURRFECTLY DEAD, the fifth in the Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot series of paranormal animal cozy mysteries. I've managed to lay down twenty thousand words in the last five weeks, and if I can sustain this rate I'll be turning in the manuscript to my editor around the end of September. Wish me luck!
Deirdre “Foxtrot” Lancaster is back―with her supernatural sidekicks Tango and Whiskey―to unlock the mysteries of life and death…and murder.
When zillionairess Zelda Zoransky throws a party, she means business. Foxtrot knows she’s in for a night when anything can―and will―happen. The festivities include a high-stakes showdown between two escape artists locked in a bitter rivalry. Meanwhile, Zelda is stuck in handcuffs… Can Foxtrot, her telepathic cat Tango, and her shapeshifting pooch Whiskey collectively channel their inner Houdini and make it out of the soirée alive?
PURRFECTLY DEAD
The magic turns tragic when one of the escape artists ends up dead. This is no disappearing act―it’s murder. The suspects include a scientist with a 3D printer that creates pop-culture clones, a psychedelically-impaired rock star, and a ghostly snake with a secret agenda. Now it’s up to Foxtrot, Tango, and Whiskey figure out which guest commited the crime before they reach they end of this deadly game of Clue. How will this tail end?
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 27, 2021
About the author
Dixie Lyle
15 books93 followersDixie Lyle loves animals, mysteries, books, reading, words, bad puns (are there any other kind?) and once had a torrid summer romance with an entire library. Did I mention the books? Oh, and definitely doesn't believe in the supernatural. Nope, not me. Hey, what was that sound? Where's that spooky green glow coming from? Oh, hello, didn't see you standing there in the corner, what with you being all see-through and everything. Want a cup oftea? Moan once for yes, twice for no.
Allegations that Dixie Lyle has a goofy sense of humor are entirely unfounded, and should be forwarded to the unfounded and unlost department.
Allegations that Dixie Lyle has a goofy sense of humor are entirely unfounded, and should be forwarded to the unfounded and unlost department.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 15, 2021
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Purrfectly Dead was purrfectly entertaining from start to finish. This is the fifth installment in the Whiskey, Tango, & Foxtrot Msytery series. Sometimes cozy mysteries are a hit or miss with me. But throw in some supernatural animal detectives and I'm sold. I honestly enjoyed everything about this book. Whether it was watching them solve the murder or not.
I will admit, though, that in the beginning you are introduced to a lot of people. Like a lot of freaking characters! Just wait a few seconds, or chapters, and things start to weed out and make a lot more sense. As for the main characters? Well, it really shouldn't surprise anyone how much I want to take Whiskey home with me. I'm a dog lover - it's plain and simple people.
Other than that, I did enjoy each twist and turn that came my way. Even though the ending was a smidge predictable, I still enjoyed the heck out of this book. These cozy mystery books just go by so freaking quickly that I now need another series to dive into.
In the end, I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes a movie/show. I would totally watch it too.
Purrfectly Dead was purrfectly entertaining from start to finish. This is the fifth installment in the Whiskey, Tango, & Foxtrot Msytery series. Sometimes cozy mysteries are a hit or miss with me. But throw in some supernatural animal detectives and I'm sold. I honestly enjoyed everything about this book. Whether it was watching them solve the murder or not.
I will admit, though, that in the beginning you are introduced to a lot of people. Like a lot of freaking characters! Just wait a few seconds, or chapters, and things start to weed out and make a lot more sense. As for the main characters? Well, it really shouldn't surprise anyone how much I want to take Whiskey home with me. I'm a dog lover - it's plain and simple people.
Other than that, I did enjoy each twist and turn that came my way. Even though the ending was a smidge predictable, I still enjoyed the heck out of this book. These cozy mystery books just go by so freaking quickly that I now need another series to dive into.
In the end, I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes a movie/show. I would totally watch it too.
April 28, 2021
Purrfectly Dead is the fifth delightful book in the Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot Mystery series.
I have read many cozy mysteries but this was a new reading twist for me as it's also a read with the paranormal added to it.
There are many characters to wade through at first but once I got them all straight they added to the enjoyment of the story.
Deidre “Foxtrot” is personal assistant to zillionaress Zelda Zoransky who throws the most fabulous parties. The evenings festivities include a high-stakes game between two escape artists locked in a bitter rivalry.
When one of the escape artists winds up dead there are plenty of suspects ,
Shapeshifters,paranormal, keep your attention events and fascinating characters are at your disposal.
Looking forward to what's next by this author.
Pub Date: 27 Apr 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
I have read many cozy mysteries but this was a new reading twist for me as it's also a read with the paranormal added to it.
There are many characters to wade through at first but once I got them all straight they added to the enjoyment of the story.
Deidre “Foxtrot” is personal assistant to zillionaress Zelda Zoransky who throws the most fabulous parties. The evenings festivities include a high-stakes game between two escape artists locked in a bitter rivalry.
When one of the escape artists winds up dead there are plenty of suspects ,
Shapeshifters,paranormal, keep your attention events and fascinating characters are at your disposal.
Looking forward to what's next by this author.
Pub Date: 27 Apr 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
May 16, 2021
Purrfectly Dead by Dixie Lyle is the 5th novel in A Whiskey, Tango, & Foxtrot Mystery series. This is a unique paranormal mystery series that needs to be read in order. I have not had the opportunity to read the previous books in the series, and, after I began Purrfectly Dead, I soon found myself confused. We are introduced to a number of characters in the first chapter along with various paranormal elements. There are Thunderbirds, a ghostly dog who can shape shift and communicate with Foxtrot telepathically, a telepathic cat who is a reincarnation of a pet Foxtrot had as a child, a rival group to the thunderbirds, ghosts, Eli the snake creature, and much more. I could not keep it all straight. I still do not understand who can and cannot see the dog (the shapeshifting ghost dog). To further confuse things, Foxtrot can hear Whiskey and Tango in her head. They have lengthy conversations, and it is hard to tell who is talking. I did enjoy reading about the magicians and their tricks (illusions). The mystery is convoluted with many different components. I did appreciate that it was all wrapped up at the end of the book. The main storyline is interesting, but the rest of the components just made it difficult to read this tale. I liked that the book moved along at a fast pace and the characters were developed. I was not the right audience for Purrfectly Dead. My mother, though, is eager to read this series. I suggest that you obtain a sample of A Taste Fur Murder (the first book in the series), to see if it appeals to you. That is the beauty of books—there is something for everyone. Purrfectly Dead is an unusual cozy mystery with a reincarnated cat, a shapeshifting pooch, a motley crew of magicians, a messy murder, an awaiting war, and skillful illusions.
May 31, 2021
Dixie Lyle’s Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot series has always toed the lines between paranormal, cozy mystery and romance. However, one constant is our intrepid heroine, Deirdre “Foxtrot” Lancaster, who, along with her otherworldly canine and feline companions, investigates murders that seem to happen all too frequently at dinner parties hosted by her zany boss, Zelda “ZZ” Zoransky. PURRFECTLY DEAD, the long-awaited fifth entry in the series, delivers on the fun chemistry between Foxtrot and her supernatural cohort.
Lyle is always at their best when they aren’t working overtime to create cheeky banter while having Foxtrot point out just how cheeky the banter is. It’s fine to have cats and dogs snark at one another now and then, but when existential debates of one species versus another take up too many pages, the reader may grow weary of the characters’ pointed cleverness. Moreover, the complex supernatural world that Foxtrot and her friends inhabit threatens to overwhelm the mystery.
When an escape artist dies at one of ZZ’s dinner parties, Foxtrot is on the case to discover whodunnit. Oh, and she’s also trying to prevent a catastrophic supernatural event at the same time. Where Foxtrot really shines is in her practicality --- she’s a consummate professional when it comes to juggling responsibilities, even in the face of crises. Sure, she has some special role in the magical world surrounding her, but her chief abilities as a sleuth are her work ethic and dogged (no pun intended) persistence.
While new readers to the series might be a bit daunted by the extensive worldbuilding, don’t miss out on Foxtrot, who is a steady but engaging heroine.
Reviewed by Carly Silver
Lyle is always at their best when they aren’t working overtime to create cheeky banter while having Foxtrot point out just how cheeky the banter is. It’s fine to have cats and dogs snark at one another now and then, but when existential debates of one species versus another take up too many pages, the reader may grow weary of the characters’ pointed cleverness. Moreover, the complex supernatural world that Foxtrot and her friends inhabit threatens to overwhelm the mystery.
When an escape artist dies at one of ZZ’s dinner parties, Foxtrot is on the case to discover whodunnit. Oh, and she’s also trying to prevent a catastrophic supernatural event at the same time. Where Foxtrot really shines is in her practicality --- she’s a consummate professional when it comes to juggling responsibilities, even in the face of crises. Sure, she has some special role in the magical world surrounding her, but her chief abilities as a sleuth are her work ethic and dogged (no pun intended) persistence.
While new readers to the series might be a bit daunted by the extensive worldbuilding, don’t miss out on Foxtrot, who is a steady but engaging heroine.
Reviewed by Carly Silver
April 27, 2021
Purrfectly Dead is a paranormal romantic suspense by Dixie Lyle. I have about 2 books a year that I just can't force myself to finish. This was one of them. This paranormal story had me confused in just a few minutes and it grew as I continued to read. I put the book down and read something else and then went back. Over and over but I just couldn't get into this story. There were too many characters and "things, creatures, shape-shifting ghosts, whatever" popping in and out. All the voices in Foxtrot's head was hard to keep track of. Bottom line, this was just not the book for this old gal. Purrfectly Dead is book 5 of the Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot Mystery Series and I may have understood this book easier if I had read those first. I'm not saying this is a bad book, just not a book I can get into.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 10, 2021
This was the first in this series for me, but not something I’ll be revisiting again. The storytelling was very confusing for me with the back and forth between the three main characters and I had a hard time following and enjoying the story. The storyline itself was quite interesting and fast paced, but the differing voices all at once made it too difficult for me to really get into the book.
March 9, 2021
Purrfectly Dead is book 5 of 5 in the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot mystery series by Dixie Lyle who combined suspense, cozy mystery, paranormal, magic, and supernatural sidekicks into a rollicking story. For the benefit of new readers, here in her own words is an intro to the main characters: Foxtrot, Tango and Whiskey.
Foxtrot: “ Deirdre ‘Foxtrot’ Lancaster is back – with her supernatural sidekicks -Tango & Whiskey – to unlock the mysteries of life, death... and murder in Dixie Lyle’s Purrfectly Dead. When zillionaire Iselda Zeranski throws a party, she means business. Assistant extraordinaire, Deirdre ‘Foxtrot’ Lancaster knows she is in for a night when anything can – and will – happen. The evening's festivities include a high-stakes game between two escape artists locked in a bitter rivalry. The magic turns tragic when one of the escape artists ends up dead. This is no disappearing act. This is murder!”
Whiskey: My pooch, Whiskey, is an Australian cattle dog which means he looks like someone smashed the bottom half of a golden retriever with the top half of a black and white border collie. He has one blue eye and one brown eye, he's very smart, and his name is whiskey.
Also he's a telepathic shape-shifting ghost.
Tango: used to be my cat back in her sixth Incarnation but now she lives here on the Saranki’s estate. She doesn't really belong to anyone and has never been seen. My boyfriend Ben, is the one that feeds her. She's reincarnated and communicates the same way Whiskey does. Well the same way but with a lot more snark in it. She's retained her appearance, the one she had in my childhood - a gorgeous black and white tuxedo cat with an almost question mark on her forehead.
I found this book to be slow reading from time to time as a lot of characters with different names and fantasy characteristics were introduced in a short period of time. Since I wasn't familiar with the many types of creatures, I had to take a moment to let them sink in. This is not a criticism, just an observation. It was well worth the time, just not a book for me to speed read.
Another example of the type of thing that causes me to slow down and think is this explanation of how thoughts are followed through. In the author’s own words: “I'm a multi-tasker. I get things done at the same time as I'm doing other things and the process works like this. Thing one isn't important, thing two is very important, Three is something I do all the time, and thing four doesn't matter much at all. I start doing thing 3 immediately because I can do it without thinking and I start thinking if any other things can be done simultaneously with thing three. I do that and at the first possible opportunity I tackle thing 2, since I had time to plan a course of action. While doing these things, there are always gaps, little moments when I have to wait for something to happen - your phone to ring, a file to load, a fuse to burn down – and during those gaps, I work on one thing and thing 1 if possible and thing 4 if not. Got it?”
Since I'm used to reading basic romantic mysteries I'm not used to this much thinking. Once I got used to it it was exciting and fast paced. What an incredible imagination this author has. I found Purrfectly Dead to be a lot of fun and well worth the time overall. I am tempted to keep adding wonderful quotes, but then I’d have too much of the book in the review. So, go to the source and read the book.
I rate Purrfectly Dead as a 5-star book. I recommend it for fans of cozy Mysteries, fantasy, magic, fresh content, just plain fun and lots of imagination.
Foxtrot: “ Deirdre ‘Foxtrot’ Lancaster is back – with her supernatural sidekicks -Tango & Whiskey – to unlock the mysteries of life, death... and murder in Dixie Lyle’s Purrfectly Dead. When zillionaire Iselda Zeranski throws a party, she means business. Assistant extraordinaire, Deirdre ‘Foxtrot’ Lancaster knows she is in for a night when anything can – and will – happen. The evening's festivities include a high-stakes game between two escape artists locked in a bitter rivalry. The magic turns tragic when one of the escape artists ends up dead. This is no disappearing act. This is murder!”
Whiskey: My pooch, Whiskey, is an Australian cattle dog which means he looks like someone smashed the bottom half of a golden retriever with the top half of a black and white border collie. He has one blue eye and one brown eye, he's very smart, and his name is whiskey.
Also he's a telepathic shape-shifting ghost.
Tango: used to be my cat back in her sixth Incarnation but now she lives here on the Saranki’s estate. She doesn't really belong to anyone and has never been seen. My boyfriend Ben, is the one that feeds her. She's reincarnated and communicates the same way Whiskey does. Well the same way but with a lot more snark in it. She's retained her appearance, the one she had in my childhood - a gorgeous black and white tuxedo cat with an almost question mark on her forehead.
I found this book to be slow reading from time to time as a lot of characters with different names and fantasy characteristics were introduced in a short period of time. Since I wasn't familiar with the many types of creatures, I had to take a moment to let them sink in. This is not a criticism, just an observation. It was well worth the time, just not a book for me to speed read.
Another example of the type of thing that causes me to slow down and think is this explanation of how thoughts are followed through. In the author’s own words: “I'm a multi-tasker. I get things done at the same time as I'm doing other things and the process works like this. Thing one isn't important, thing two is very important, Three is something I do all the time, and thing four doesn't matter much at all. I start doing thing 3 immediately because I can do it without thinking and I start thinking if any other things can be done simultaneously with thing three. I do that and at the first possible opportunity I tackle thing 2, since I had time to plan a course of action. While doing these things, there are always gaps, little moments when I have to wait for something to happen - your phone to ring, a file to load, a fuse to burn down – and during those gaps, I work on one thing and thing 1 if possible and thing 4 if not. Got it?”
Since I'm used to reading basic romantic mysteries I'm not used to this much thinking. Once I got used to it it was exciting and fast paced. What an incredible imagination this author has. I found Purrfectly Dead to be a lot of fun and well worth the time overall. I am tempted to keep adding wonderful quotes, but then I’d have too much of the book in the review. So, go to the source and read the book.
I rate Purrfectly Dead as a 5-star book. I recommend it for fans of cozy Mysteries, fantasy, magic, fresh content, just plain fun and lots of imagination.
April 26, 2021
🔍 Purrfectly Dead 🔎
A Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot Mystery Series #5
✒️ Dixie Lyle
Release Date 04/27/2021
Publisher St Martin’s Paperbacks
➪ https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B08LT86VXF/r...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Deidre “Foxtrot” Lancaster is back—with her supernatural sidekicks Tango and Whiskey—to unlock the mysteries of life, death…and murder...in Dixie Lyle's Purrfectly Dead.
When zillionairess Zelda Zoransky throws a party, she means business. Assistant extraordinaire, Deidre “Foxtrot” Lancaster knows she’s in for a night when anything can—and will—happen. The evening’s festivities include a high-stakes game between two escape artists locked in a bitter rivalry.
PURRFECTLY DEAD
The magic turns tragic when one of the escape artists ends up dead. This is no disappearing act—it’s murder. The suspects include a scientist with a 3D printer, a psychedelically-impaired rock star, and a serpent-tongued ghost with ties to the Garden of Eden. Now it’s up to Foxtrot, Tango, and Whiskey figure out which guest commited the crime before they reach they end of this deadly game of Clue. How will this tail end?
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
When I was offered this read, at first I did know what to do of it, it is a bit outside my usual read, even if I read from time to time mystery but they are historical fiction/Thriller&mystery with usually a dash of romance in it.
Yet the blurb presented it a paranormal mystery and I love paranormal romance, why not give it a go.
This said, I liked the global lightness of the story and if I was a bit lost with the many characters and pnr beings inhabiting the pages, the leading character is fun, talking to herself as if she has a listener, well she had one, me, and thankful for the crash course I was given about who was who in her close surrounding.
So there is Foxtrot, assistant extraordinary, the heroine who can talk with ghosts, her two acolytes Tango, the umpteenth reincarnation of her childhood cat and Whiskey a shape-shifting ghost dog.
In this investigation, she must discover what true goal the victim and the supposed murderer had to determine on which side they were and then maybe prevent a war between supernatural species with humanity as a casualty.
It was quite a rollercoaster ride, as while all is set in one place, the trio goes back and forth between one spot to another, alternating between breathing and haunting beings.
In the end, it was more a quest without dragons than a mystery, as Fox’s role was to find a way out of the war brewing than really catch the culprit.
Then the romance reader in me wondered about Fox’s relationship with her said boyfriend Ben, I did not really fell like there was much chemistry or interaction between them, they were much more like friends with benefits than lovers.
Why I would recommend to read at least the first book to catch up with the author’s world and immerse more easily in the intrigue.
4 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 light kisses and closed the door lovemaking.
I have been offered an advance copy by the publisher St Martin’s Paperbacks, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
A Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot Mystery Series #5
✒️ Dixie Lyle
Release Date 04/27/2021
Publisher St Martin’s Paperbacks
➪ https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B08LT86VXF/r...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Deidre “Foxtrot” Lancaster is back—with her supernatural sidekicks Tango and Whiskey—to unlock the mysteries of life, death…and murder...in Dixie Lyle's Purrfectly Dead.
When zillionairess Zelda Zoransky throws a party, she means business. Assistant extraordinaire, Deidre “Foxtrot” Lancaster knows she’s in for a night when anything can—and will—happen. The evening’s festivities include a high-stakes game between two escape artists locked in a bitter rivalry.
PURRFECTLY DEAD
The magic turns tragic when one of the escape artists ends up dead. This is no disappearing act—it’s murder. The suspects include a scientist with a 3D printer, a psychedelically-impaired rock star, and a serpent-tongued ghost with ties to the Garden of Eden. Now it’s up to Foxtrot, Tango, and Whiskey figure out which guest commited the crime before they reach they end of this deadly game of Clue. How will this tail end?
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
When I was offered this read, at first I did know what to do of it, it is a bit outside my usual read, even if I read from time to time mystery but they are historical fiction/Thriller&mystery with usually a dash of romance in it.
Yet the blurb presented it a paranormal mystery and I love paranormal romance, why not give it a go.
This said, I liked the global lightness of the story and if I was a bit lost with the many characters and pnr beings inhabiting the pages, the leading character is fun, talking to herself as if she has a listener, well she had one, me, and thankful for the crash course I was given about who was who in her close surrounding.
So there is Foxtrot, assistant extraordinary, the heroine who can talk with ghosts, her two acolytes Tango, the umpteenth reincarnation of her childhood cat and Whiskey a shape-shifting ghost dog.
In this investigation, she must discover what true goal the victim and the supposed murderer had to determine on which side they were and then maybe prevent a war between supernatural species with humanity as a casualty.
It was quite a rollercoaster ride, as while all is set in one place, the trio goes back and forth between one spot to another, alternating between breathing and haunting beings.
In the end, it was more a quest without dragons than a mystery, as Fox’s role was to find a way out of the war brewing than really catch the culprit.
Then the romance reader in me wondered about Fox’s relationship with her said boyfriend Ben, I did not really fell like there was much chemistry or interaction between them, they were much more like friends with benefits than lovers.
Why I would recommend to read at least the first book to catch up with the author’s world and immerse more easily in the intrigue.
4 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 light kisses and closed the door lovemaking.
I have been offered an advance copy by the publisher St Martin’s Paperbacks, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
August 23, 2022
Purrfectly Dead by Dixie Lyle. This is the 5th book in the Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot Mystery series. What to say about this book? Book four was published in 2016, so a bit of a wait for this one to be released. My honest opinion of this book is: I waited SIX YEARS FOR THIS? It was an okay book. 2 stars and will probably be best suited to fans of the first four books who are interested in what happens next.
The backstory is Foxtrot is the personal assistant to a very, extremely rich lady named ZZ. They live on a huge estate and entertain various interesting celebrities and socialites. The twist is that Foxtrot is assisted in solving mysteries by Whiskey and Tango, who are 'magic' pets. Whiskey is some type of shape shifting dog spirit and Tango is a ghost cat. How do they communicate, you ask? By telepathy-to each other and various other animals and supernatural creatures. Sometimes, they all talk at once and you will get a migraine trying to sort out all the snarky comments, it just gets tiresome.
Plot points:
Foxtrot is also the "Guardian" of a magic graveyard next to the estate where all the ghost animals cross the rainbow bridge to the afterlife. If the animal wasn't loved in real life...well, let's just say there are some seriously creepy ghost animals hanging out there.
Foxtrot is dating the chef of the estate who is also a Thunderbird-mythical weather shape shifter.
The estate has a zoo full of animals to telepathically chit chat with as we all look for clues.
I felt like the author threw everything at this book to see what sticks; and what sticks is a mishmash of a hard to follow plot with too many sidetracks that lead nowhere and just confuse everything. The telepathic conversations never end, please just make it stop. It is possible to skim this book and still get the main points of the plot. This one involves an escape artist and some mystical jibber jabber from some magic animals to explain why everybody is trying to kill everybody else and the weather sucks. There is a rock star with writer's block and a seance, too. So, basically, something for everyone.
This is the end of the line for me with this series-if book 6 ever comes out I will be ignoring it.
The backstory is Foxtrot is the personal assistant to a very, extremely rich lady named ZZ. They live on a huge estate and entertain various interesting celebrities and socialites. The twist is that Foxtrot is assisted in solving mysteries by Whiskey and Tango, who are 'magic' pets. Whiskey is some type of shape shifting dog spirit and Tango is a ghost cat. How do they communicate, you ask? By telepathy-to each other and various other animals and supernatural creatures. Sometimes, they all talk at once and you will get a migraine trying to sort out all the snarky comments, it just gets tiresome.
Plot points:
Foxtrot is also the "Guardian" of a magic graveyard next to the estate where all the ghost animals cross the rainbow bridge to the afterlife. If the animal wasn't loved in real life...well, let's just say there are some seriously creepy ghost animals hanging out there.
Foxtrot is dating the chef of the estate who is also a Thunderbird-mythical weather shape shifter.
The estate has a zoo full of animals to telepathically chit chat with as we all look for clues.
I felt like the author threw everything at this book to see what sticks; and what sticks is a mishmash of a hard to follow plot with too many sidetracks that lead nowhere and just confuse everything. The telepathic conversations never end, please just make it stop. It is possible to skim this book and still get the main points of the plot. This one involves an escape artist and some mystical jibber jabber from some magic animals to explain why everybody is trying to kill everybody else and the weather sucks. There is a rock star with writer's block and a seance, too. So, basically, something for everyone.
This is the end of the line for me with this series-if book 6 ever comes out I will be ignoring it.
June 28, 2021
Purrfectly Dead is the fifth novel in Dixie Lyle's Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot Mystery (I adore the name of this series!), and as you might imagine, certain critters take center stage. Before I begin my review, I should confess that I haven't actually read the first four novels in this series. Yet I had no problem diving right in and following along, so new fans could join in here if they so desire.
Deirdre "Foxtrot" Lancaster is a woman of many talents. Including the talent of keeping her two supernatural pets happy and busy. Tango and Whiskey are essential when it comes to solving mysteries, especially of the lethal variety.
To be clear – this is not your ordinary mystery series. Besides having an adorable cat and pooch involved, it's also got a healthy dose of fantasy, as probably should have been obvious when I mentioned that the pets themselves are supernatural.
Purrfectly Dead was such a fun and refreshing read! This novel knows how to have fun: creating a thrilling plot that doesn't take itself too seriously. Granted, I might be just a wee bit biased here, as I quickly came to adore Tango and Whiskey.
For those that are curious, Tango is a telepathic cat, while Whiskey is a shapeshifting dog. Yep, you read that right. And yes, it is every bit as entertaining as it sounds, if not more so. Clearly, I'm going to have to go back and read the rest of this series at some point! This one was a blast and a half to read.
I was surprised by how much was happening inside these pages. Sometimes that did slow down the pace, as scenes had to be set and characters introduced. Still, on the whole, it was a quick and fun read. One that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks to StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Deirdre "Foxtrot" Lancaster is a woman of many talents. Including the talent of keeping her two supernatural pets happy and busy. Tango and Whiskey are essential when it comes to solving mysteries, especially of the lethal variety.
To be clear – this is not your ordinary mystery series. Besides having an adorable cat and pooch involved, it's also got a healthy dose of fantasy, as probably should have been obvious when I mentioned that the pets themselves are supernatural.
Purrfectly Dead was such a fun and refreshing read! This novel knows how to have fun: creating a thrilling plot that doesn't take itself too seriously. Granted, I might be just a wee bit biased here, as I quickly came to adore Tango and Whiskey.
For those that are curious, Tango is a telepathic cat, while Whiskey is a shapeshifting dog. Yep, you read that right. And yes, it is every bit as entertaining as it sounds, if not more so. Clearly, I'm going to have to go back and read the rest of this series at some point! This one was a blast and a half to read.
I was surprised by how much was happening inside these pages. Sometimes that did slow down the pace, as scenes had to be set and characters introduced. Still, on the whole, it was a quick and fun read. One that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks to StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
March 14, 2021
Purrfectly Dead is a cozy mystery with a paranormal romance aspect. Foxtrot Lancaster is the personal assistant for a very wealthy woman, ZZ (Zelda Zoransky). Foxtrot really is an extraordinary PA, running the household, taking care of the varied guests (ZZ likes to entertain), not to mention a pet graveyard full of pet spirits and a menagerie of wild animals that have been rescued from roadside zoos and homes that should never have had a wild animal as a pet. Add in her cohorts, Tango (a cat on his ninth life) and Whiskey (a ghost of a dog who is able to change into any kind of dog and is somehow visible to everyone); also, they all communicate with each other telepathically.
This is the first book I’ve read by Dixie Lyle, and the first chapter threw me off balance. It is a dinner party with an eclectic selection of guests. I actually went back and wrote down all their names and backgrounds, but it wasn’t really necessary. It all worked out as I kept reading. It was just a lot to take in as an introduction, since I’d never read the earlier books in the series.
Now to the murder mystery, where an escape artist is locked in a safe, but when the safe opens it is a different escape artist who is found dead. Wild speculations, tiny clues thrown in, and a truly surprising ending. I want to go back and read the first book in this series, I want to know more about Ben and Thunderbirds, and I want to know more of Foxtrot’s background. But I enjoyed the book, the characters, and the setting and have discovered a new author I want to explore. Although it didn't seem necessary to read the previous books in the series, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I'd had more background.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy of Purrfectly Dead. This is my honest review.
This is the first book I’ve read by Dixie Lyle, and the first chapter threw me off balance. It is a dinner party with an eclectic selection of guests. I actually went back and wrote down all their names and backgrounds, but it wasn’t really necessary. It all worked out as I kept reading. It was just a lot to take in as an introduction, since I’d never read the earlier books in the series.
Now to the murder mystery, where an escape artist is locked in a safe, but when the safe opens it is a different escape artist who is found dead. Wild speculations, tiny clues thrown in, and a truly surprising ending. I want to go back and read the first book in this series, I want to know more about Ben and Thunderbirds, and I want to know more of Foxtrot’s background. But I enjoyed the book, the characters, and the setting and have discovered a new author I want to explore. Although it didn't seem necessary to read the previous books in the series, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I'd had more background.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy of Purrfectly Dead. This is my honest review.
March 6, 2023
Deidre “Foxtrot” Lancaster works for Zelda “ZZ” Zoransky as her all-around assistant taking care of everything from party planning to the care of the many guests at ZZ’s soirees, to overseeing the zoo and its staff. Foxtrot also has a more mysterious job as Guardian of the Crossroads. The Crossroads is a pet cemetery on ZZ’s estate filled with the spirits of departed animals some of whom cross the rainbow bridge back and forth to visit their deceased owners, some of whom are not yet aware they are dead. If that was not enough on her plate, ZZ’s soirees have this unfortunate habit of including murder - when Foxtrot calls in a body the response has now become “another one?” - and this latest gathering is no exception.
The centerpiece of this current gathering is a spectacular escape trick performed by Maxine Danger. But before the performance, things get complicated when both Maxine and her escape artist rival Locklet Hades reveal themselves as supernatural beings known as Unktehila and reveal a plot by their people to assassinate all the Thunderbirds in the world which includes Foxtrot’s boyfriend Ben who is ZZ’s chef. Before she can determine which one is on her side and which wants to start a war, Hades shows up dead in the middle of Maxine’s escape trick and Maxine disappears. Now Foxtrot, along with her companions Tango, a reincarnated cat that can talk to her and other animals, and Whiskey, a telepathic shape-shifting ghost dog, have to solve the murder, find Maxine and stop a supernatural war that will destroy the whole world all while handling the needs of her mundane job.
I really enjoy this series and have looked forward to this book for quite a while as the last entry in the series came out in 2016. Hopefully there will not be as long a gap before we join Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot for another mystery. Highly recommended series. ~
The centerpiece of this current gathering is a spectacular escape trick performed by Maxine Danger. But before the performance, things get complicated when both Maxine and her escape artist rival Locklet Hades reveal themselves as supernatural beings known as Unktehila and reveal a plot by their people to assassinate all the Thunderbirds in the world which includes Foxtrot’s boyfriend Ben who is ZZ’s chef. Before she can determine which one is on her side and which wants to start a war, Hades shows up dead in the middle of Maxine’s escape trick and Maxine disappears. Now Foxtrot, along with her companions Tango, a reincarnated cat that can talk to her and other animals, and Whiskey, a telepathic shape-shifting ghost dog, have to solve the murder, find Maxine and stop a supernatural war that will destroy the whole world all while handling the needs of her mundane job.
I really enjoy this series and have looked forward to this book for quite a while as the last entry in the series came out in 2016. Hopefully there will not be as long a gap before we join Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot for another mystery. Highly recommended series. ~
April 29, 2021
4 Stars
A fun, fresh and interesting cozy mystery.
Purrfectly Dead was my first experience with Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot and will definitely not be the last. Dixie Lyle has something very unique with this series and she has this reader very intrigued.
Deirdre “Foxtrot” Lancaster is an assistant for a
super rich social life with a short attention span and extravagant tastes. Foxtrot never knows what could possibly happen when ZZ throws a party. She can never say she is lacking for excitement. Foxtrot has an unique ability to communicate with Whiskey and Tango, who are departed animals and her companions. Foxtrot is very interesting. She has the ability to get things done, smart and funny.
Purrfectly Dead is extremely interesting. I have to admit I read through the book twice before I could even try to make anything into a review. I don’t wanna say that I was confused but I need to go slower and realize what was going on. Foxtrot it’s hysterical and I love the way that she interacts with everyone. From humans to the animals to the departed animals. A different take on a who done it murder mystery but one that has you guessing with the turn of every page. I very much enjoyed the world building within the story. The Thunderbirds that control the weather is a very interesting concept and I look forward to going back and reading previous books in the series just to be a little bit more informed of what’s going on in this vast world. I will admit I was not able to figure out the who done it on this one and with the paranormal and magic aspect it made it very interesting to conclusion at the end.
A fun, fresh and interesting cozy mystery.
Purrfectly Dead was my first experience with Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot and will definitely not be the last. Dixie Lyle has something very unique with this series and she has this reader very intrigued.
Deirdre “Foxtrot” Lancaster is an assistant for a
super rich social life with a short attention span and extravagant tastes. Foxtrot never knows what could possibly happen when ZZ throws a party. She can never say she is lacking for excitement. Foxtrot has an unique ability to communicate with Whiskey and Tango, who are departed animals and her companions. Foxtrot is very interesting. She has the ability to get things done, smart and funny.
Purrfectly Dead is extremely interesting. I have to admit I read through the book twice before I could even try to make anything into a review. I don’t wanna say that I was confused but I need to go slower and realize what was going on. Foxtrot it’s hysterical and I love the way that she interacts with everyone. From humans to the animals to the departed animals. A different take on a who done it murder mystery but one that has you guessing with the turn of every page. I very much enjoyed the world building within the story. The Thunderbirds that control the weather is a very interesting concept and I look forward to going back and reading previous books in the series just to be a little bit more informed of what’s going on in this vast world. I will admit I was not able to figure out the who done it on this one and with the paranormal and magic aspect it made it very interesting to conclusion at the end.
May 2, 2021
Princess Fuzzypants here: Being somewhat linear, I enjoy mysteries than go from point A to point B with a few twists and turns in between. I confess I was more than a little confused with this one and thus it did not grab me the way that some books do. Don’t get me wrong, there were things I loved about it. I particularly enjoy the banter between Foxtrot and her two furry helpers, Whiskey and Tango.
The paranormal events in the Crossroads graveyard are highly entertaining and the idea of a living animal refuge co-existing with a spectral one is imaginative and fun. I am not as enamoured with the human relationships but Foxtrot, assistant extraordinaire, proves she is more than capable of handling whatever is thrown her way- including two rival escapists, each accusing the other of some nefarious doings, with one of them ending up dead at the same time the other disappears. There is a lot of confusion. Not just for the reader but for Foxtrot as the two shapeshifters provide the key to whether or not the end of the world is nigh. The problem is no one is quite sure of the identity of anyone, with the exception of Foxtrot and a very few people.
I did enjoy the theatre of the absurd, exploits of the chemically driven aging rock star. His over the top antics were diverting and fun. . But that might also have been part of the problem for me. There was so much going on, it was difficult to focus on the main story line. I can see why Foxtrot was confused to almost the end. I was too.
Four purrs and one paw up.
The paranormal events in the Crossroads graveyard are highly entertaining and the idea of a living animal refuge co-existing with a spectral one is imaginative and fun. I am not as enamoured with the human relationships but Foxtrot, assistant extraordinaire, proves she is more than capable of handling whatever is thrown her way- including two rival escapists, each accusing the other of some nefarious doings, with one of them ending up dead at the same time the other disappears. There is a lot of confusion. Not just for the reader but for Foxtrot as the two shapeshifters provide the key to whether or not the end of the world is nigh. The problem is no one is quite sure of the identity of anyone, with the exception of Foxtrot and a very few people.
I did enjoy the theatre of the absurd, exploits of the chemically driven aging rock star. His over the top antics were diverting and fun. . But that might also have been part of the problem for me. There was so much going on, it was difficult to focus on the main story line. I can see why Foxtrot was confused to almost the end. I was too.
Four purrs and one paw up.
May 24, 2024
I decided to give this book a rating of 3 stars. First things first, when I came across this book at my local Dollar General, I was intrigued because of the title. I read the word “purrfectly” and I quickly thought that maybe a cat was going to kill someone? How? I’m not sure. But that is what intrigued me so I bought it. Then (spoiler but not so much of a spoiler: a cat doesn’t kill anyone. Matter of fact, the only cat here is Tango.) I unknowingly made the mistake of thinking this throughout the entire book and practically became disappointed in the end. Next, It confused me in the first chapter to the point where I literally had to go back plenty of times and re-read the pages to identify and keep track of the names of characters. That wasn’t enough, so I then wrote down the names and roles. That helped. Then, the middle part of the book, I enjoyed so much. It was so hilarious. Absolutely loved it. Tango and Whiskey, but majority Tango was my favorite character. But then, here comes the end, I’m not sure if I’m just not very good at picturing what is going on in the book, but the end did confuse me a bit. As I said, I thought a cat was going to be the secret murderer. Lol. Anyways, this book wasn’t too bad but I really don’t understand why the author decided to go with the title “purrrfectly dead”. Maybe if it wasn’t titled that I would have enjoyed it without the idea I had of a murderer cat.
January 8, 2025
Dixie Lyle news (2-21 update)
Hey, everyone--I have some Dixie Lyle writing news. My next Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot mystery, PURRFECTLY DEAD, now has a tentative publishing date of May 2021. Quite a ways in the future, but I thought I would let people know. My publisher has read it and loves it, saying my fiction makes her "want to do a dance." High praise!
Dixie Lyle rides again!
Well, I guess I can officially announce this: I'm back writing mass-market fiction again. I just hit the halfway point in PURRFECTLY DEAD, the fifth in the Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot series of paranormal animal cozy mysteries. I've managed to lay down twenty thousand words in the last five weeks, and if I can sustain this rate I'll be turning in the manuscript to my editor around the end of September. Wish me luck!
Deirdre “Foxtrot” Lancaster is back―with her supernatural sidekicks Tango and Whiskey―to unlock the mysteries of life and death…and murder.
When zillionairess Zelda Zoransky throws a party, she means business. Foxtrot knows she’s in for a night when anything can―and will―happen. The festivities include a high-stakes showdown between two escape artists locked in a bitter rivalry. Meanwhile, Zelda is stuck in handcuffs… Can Foxtrot, her telepathic cat Tango, and her shapeshifting pooch Whiskey collectively channel their inner Houdini and make it out of the soirée alive?
PURRFECTLY DEAD Whiskey Tango Foxtrot #5
I wish there were going to be more.
Hey, everyone--I have some Dixie Lyle writing news. My next Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot mystery, PURRFECTLY DEAD, now has a tentative publishing date of May 2021. Quite a ways in the future, but I thought I would let people know. My publisher has read it and loves it, saying my fiction makes her "want to do a dance." High praise!
Dixie Lyle rides again!
Well, I guess I can officially announce this: I'm back writing mass-market fiction again. I just hit the halfway point in PURRFECTLY DEAD, the fifth in the Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot series of paranormal animal cozy mysteries. I've managed to lay down twenty thousand words in the last five weeks, and if I can sustain this rate I'll be turning in the manuscript to my editor around the end of September. Wish me luck!
Deirdre “Foxtrot” Lancaster is back―with her supernatural sidekicks Tango and Whiskey―to unlock the mysteries of life and death…and murder.
When zillionairess Zelda Zoransky throws a party, she means business. Foxtrot knows she’s in for a night when anything can―and will―happen. The festivities include a high-stakes showdown between two escape artists locked in a bitter rivalry. Meanwhile, Zelda is stuck in handcuffs… Can Foxtrot, her telepathic cat Tango, and her shapeshifting pooch Whiskey collectively channel their inner Houdini and make it out of the soirée alive?
PURRFECTLY DEAD Whiskey Tango Foxtrot #5
I wish there were going to be more.
June 27, 2021
In Dixie Lyle's Puffectly Dead, the 5th installment in the Whiskey, Tango and Foxtrot Paranormal Animal cozy mystery series, you'll be in for a treat in this new caper. Deirdre "Foxtrot" Lancaster is the Great Guardian of the Crossroads Pet Cemetery and helps out with Maxine Danger's escape artist tricks in New York City. It all started for her when she received a warning from Lockley Hades that a war might be brewing between the Thunderbird Shapeshifting species and the Unkhelia, a rival species that also shapeshift into different form. But when Maxine's magic vault act turns up wrong and Hades wounded up dead inside, it's up to Foxtrot, her shapeshifting dog Tango and psychic cat Whiskey to solve the mystery. While this is going on, Maxine disappeared, leaving Foxtrot to pick up the pieces on how she escaped and where she was hidden. She also has to deal with her boyfriend Ben learning how to shapeshift with Teresa Firstcharger in Thunderspace into the heavenly skies. Then they discovered Maxine's assistant's dead body at her home and pondered on how the great deceptive ruse was pulled off before a war could erupt and shake the planet. One by one, the pieces had came to her on whodunit and why before hell could break loose when her time was up in the most shocking mystery of them all in the end.
April 27, 2021
As soon as I saw that Purrfectly Dead was available for request on NetGalley I couldn't stop smiling. Welcome back Dixie Lyle! Let me just say, the wait was worth it. Deidre "Foxtrot" Lancaster and her paranormal cat and dog are back and in fine form. Right from the start the reader knows this is going to be an entertaining fun read. Her boss is super, super rich and is known to all as ZZ. She loves to entertain and throws wonderful, off the wall parties with a colorful guest list. This time magic is on show and murder is the result. Foxtrot has her hands full working as ZZ's personal assistant on a daily basis and homicides are par for the course in their circle.
When not managing the household she is the steward of the paranormal pet cemetery that acts as a portal. I won't go into more detail as I don't want to spoil it for those of you who are new to the series. The animals, the people, the madcap world of Foxtrot, Tango and Whiskey along with ZZ and Ben...well it all makes for a rollicking good read. It works as a standalone but reading them in order is even better.
My thanks to the publisher St. Martin's and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
When not managing the household she is the steward of the paranormal pet cemetery that acts as a portal. I won't go into more detail as I don't want to spoil it for those of you who are new to the series. The animals, the people, the madcap world of Foxtrot, Tango and Whiskey along with ZZ and Ben...well it all makes for a rollicking good read. It works as a standalone but reading them in order is even better.
My thanks to the publisher St. Martin's and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 9, 2021
Purrfectly Dead is the fifth book in the Whiskey, Tango, and Foxtrot Mystery series and the first I have read. Light hearted and funny, I found the book easy enough to read without reading previous ones but felt like I was missing a little of the context from the story due to past events. Deidre “Foxtrot” Lancaster is a personal assistant to zillionairess ZZ who is known for having extravagant parties and dead guests. ZZ's property butts up to an animal graveyard that is the crossroads for pets to move on to the other side. Foxtrot can talk to the living animals and the ghosts of those who have passed. She is also in love and in a relationship with Ben, a thunderbird, an ancient species that controls the weather. The current performer for ZZ's party is an escape artist who happens to be an Unktehila, a species of snake shifters, who are the enemy of the Thunderbirds. Foxtrot and her furry and ectoplasmic sidekicks must solve a murder and prevent the end of the world in a hilarious, amateur sleuth mystery that is a fun and wild read. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
May 1, 2021
This is the 5th book in this cozy , romantic , paranormal mystery series - I feel reading the previous books would be of benefit as the book is full of characters with complex back stories
Dierdre " Foxtrot" Lancaster is a PA working for zillionaire Iselda Zeranski - her life is extraordinary -
from her cohorts Tango ( a cat on his ninth life )and Whiskey (a ghost dog able to manifest into any type of dog) to her menagerie of rescued animals, and don't forget the Pet Cemetry next door ............ her life is anything but ordinary .
Her boss loves to give parties , the more extravagant the better - this latest one has 'magic' on show leading to murder .
It will take all Dierdre's wits , along with her cohorts to solve this cozy , murder mystery ..... the end of the world just might be at stake - oh did I forget to mention her love Ben, an ancient Thunderbird ? he just happens to be
an enemy of the party's escape artist , an Unktehila ........... what a hilarious , murder mystery
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Dierdre " Foxtrot" Lancaster is a PA working for zillionaire Iselda Zeranski - her life is extraordinary -
from her cohorts Tango ( a cat on his ninth life )and Whiskey (a ghost dog able to manifest into any type of dog) to her menagerie of rescued animals, and don't forget the Pet Cemetry next door ............ her life is anything but ordinary .
Her boss loves to give parties , the more extravagant the better - this latest one has 'magic' on show leading to murder .
It will take all Dierdre's wits , along with her cohorts to solve this cozy , murder mystery ..... the end of the world just might be at stake - oh did I forget to mention her love Ben, an ancient Thunderbird ? he just happens to be
an enemy of the party's escape artist , an Unktehila ........... what a hilarious , murder mystery
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
April 16, 2021
Deidre “Foxtrot “ is a personal assistant for the famous and eccentric Zelda. During one of her boss’s dinner extravaganzas a murder/mystery develops. Deidre, with her sidekicks, has to use her sleuthing skills to figure it all out in between dealing with a clash of supernaturals. This book is part of a series and was very hard for me to follow in the beginning ( especially the first chapter), as there are a lot of characters and their individual storylines, like her boyfriend Ben, who’s a Thunderbird. Also, Deidre has her otherworldly pets with whom she converses with, as well as conversations with you the reader which was a bit confusing and at times distracting. However, this is a new spin on a who-done-it type of story that did leave me guessing up to the end. I would highly suggest reading the previous books in this series as I think you would enjoy it a lot more, but it was an interesting mystery with a bit of a paranormal twist. 3.75 stars (4 if I had read the others first). I received an arc copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.
April 19, 2021
This is the first book by Dixie Lyle for me, and also my first venture into the cozy mystery genre and I have to say I was presently surprised. Typically I'm a romance and a paranormal romance reader, but I really enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of Clue (movie and game) so I really like the who did it aspect of the book, with the humor twist, and there was just enough paranormal it to (and i'm not talking just a cute ghost dog) to keep my attention there. Lyle's descriptions were so vivid and bright, it was easy to picture everything she brought into the book, creating a movie in the mind as you read. This book was also easy to read as a stand alone. The way Lyle uses the main character, Foxtrot, to narrate, the voice and the tone, and how she describes things, doesn't leave a reader behind, and you don't feel like you've missed anything. I loved Foxtrot as the main character, and the supporting characters were just equally enjoyable. This was a fun read.
**Received an ARC for an honest review**
**Received an ARC for an honest review**
May 11, 2021
I can never resist a Dixie Lyle cozy as they are fun. to read with great charcters. This was one of my favorite books of the author. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own. This is the 5th book in this popular cozy series.
I enjoyed the well crafted story that blends animals, the paranormal with normal. Its fun to experience a cozy that does not follow the formula and has such great imagination. This is a series of great imagination .
Dierdre " Foxtrot" Lancaster is a assistant working for a very wealthy lady Iselda . The boss has decided to throw another lavish party and a murder occurs. Dierdre is on the case with her smart assistants both human and of paws. She has her cat Tango and a ghost dog as well as many rescues she saves . She interacts with the pets at the pet cemetery . This is a fun paranormal element. I loved the well crafted sleuth that kept me guessing and the many characters the author has created. A fun read that I always highly recommend. Very well done to the author !
I enjoyed the well crafted story that blends animals, the paranormal with normal. Its fun to experience a cozy that does not follow the formula and has such great imagination. This is a series of great imagination .
Dierdre " Foxtrot" Lancaster is a assistant working for a very wealthy lady Iselda . The boss has decided to throw another lavish party and a murder occurs. Dierdre is on the case with her smart assistants both human and of paws. She has her cat Tango and a ghost dog as well as many rescues she saves . She interacts with the pets at the pet cemetery . This is a fun paranormal element. I loved the well crafted sleuth that kept me guessing and the many characters the author has created. A fun read that I always highly recommend. Very well done to the author !
March 23, 2021
You really need to have read the other books in this series to get the full enjoyment out of it. I struggled learning all the characters, their backstory, and foibles. There is a lot to get your brain around.
Deidre aka Foxtrot along with her telepathic cat and ghostly dog are still dealing with the nutty, off-the-wall zillionaire Z. They have dealt with more murders than the national average lately. You'd think things would calm down to general madcap nonsense but nope. Magicians disappearing, murders, mythological Thuderbirds, and a shadowy foe are all vying for Foxtrot's attention.
Along with her boyfriend, chef and Thunderbird Ben and a motley crew of characters, Foxtrot mixes the supernatural and a cost murder mystery well.
I could have done with less of the explanation of how Foxtrot goes about juggling everything- it just seemed to slow the story in my opinion. Good story and well-fleshed characters.
Deidre aka Foxtrot along with her telepathic cat and ghostly dog are still dealing with the nutty, off-the-wall zillionaire Z. They have dealt with more murders than the national average lately. You'd think things would calm down to general madcap nonsense but nope. Magicians disappearing, murders, mythological Thuderbirds, and a shadowy foe are all vying for Foxtrot's attention.
Along with her boyfriend, chef and Thunderbird Ben and a motley crew of characters, Foxtrot mixes the supernatural and a cost murder mystery well.
I could have done with less of the explanation of how Foxtrot goes about juggling everything- it just seemed to slow the story in my opinion. Good story and well-fleshed characters.
August 2, 2022
I really enjoy this series. It straddles several genres, but does it well.
I see this as mainly a cozy mystery series. However, it does have some paranormal/magical aspects to it so could also be considered paranormal fiction. Regardless of how the books are classified, they are well-written, with interesting, quirky characters and a very good sense of humour.
I love Foxtrot as our main character here. She is smart, capable, strong and handles constant ridiculous situations with complete aplomb - I envy that! She also has a wonderful appreciation for and capacity to manage chaos of the nth degree without batting an eyelash. It makes for a very fun read.
This is a series that should be read from the beginning, so you understand what is going on and who's who in the books, but these are easy, light, fun and entertaining books. If you are looking for a cozy with a bit of a difference you may enjoy this series. I certainly do!
I see this as mainly a cozy mystery series. However, it does have some paranormal/magical aspects to it so could also be considered paranormal fiction. Regardless of how the books are classified, they are well-written, with interesting, quirky characters and a very good sense of humour.
I love Foxtrot as our main character here. She is smart, capable, strong and handles constant ridiculous situations with complete aplomb - I envy that! She also has a wonderful appreciation for and capacity to manage chaos of the nth degree without batting an eyelash. It makes for a very fun read.
This is a series that should be read from the beginning, so you understand what is going on and who's who in the books, but these are easy, light, fun and entertaining books. If you are looking for a cozy with a bit of a difference you may enjoy this series. I certainly do!
May 2, 2021
Zelda Zoransky (ZZ) is an eccentric millionaire who throws lavish parties where anything can happen. And ZZ's assistant, Deidre "Foxtrot" Lancaster, is the one who makes sure everything goes according to plan. So when an escape artist disappears during an act and her rival is found dead, Foxtrot and her animal companions, Tango and Whiskey, really have a hard case to solve. But there's more than murder at stake.
I really liked this series and was thrilled when this book came out. It's well-written with a wonderfully eclectic cast of characters. I was drawn in from the beginning and kept hooked throughout while the mystery kept me guessing. I sincerely hope that there's more to come from Whiskey, Tango, and Foxtrot. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order to get the most enjoyment and benefit out of it.
I really liked this series and was thrilled when this book came out. It's well-written with a wonderfully eclectic cast of characters. I was drawn in from the beginning and kept hooked throughout while the mystery kept me guessing. I sincerely hope that there's more to come from Whiskey, Tango, and Foxtrot. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order to get the most enjoyment and benefit out of it.
May 4, 2021
Foxtrot Lancaster is an excellent coordinator for ZZ. She can handle all situations but the murder of Lockley Hades as well as a supernatural war may be her first failure. I was glad that she had Whiskey and Tango to help. She needed them. Her boyfriend, Ben, is a Thunderbird which puts him in the thick of things. After all he's a supernatural. Can Foxtrot find who's behind this deadly plot and stop them from destroying the world? I wasn't sure. All these quirky characters have secrets and their own goals. Foxtrot is constantly dealing with a problem. Dixie Lyle has written a story that was filled with one surprise after another. The action is nonstop. I was in awe of Foxtrot's abilities. I kept wondering what else could go wrong. This was a fascinating story.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
April 28, 2021
Purrfectly Dead: A Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot Mystery by Dixie Lyle
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Publication: Date April 27, 2021
Purrfectly Dead is the fifth book in the Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot Mystery series by Dixie Lyle. I had not read the previous books in the series, but was able to easily read this as a standalone mystery.
This was a fun cozy mystery. I loved the supernatural elements! I really enjoyed the story line. The characters make the story very interesting. I enjoyed trying to solve the mystly!
I look forward to reading the other books in the series!
I'm so grateful to Dixie Lyle, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Publication: Date April 27, 2021
Purrfectly Dead is the fifth book in the Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot Mystery series by Dixie Lyle. I had not read the previous books in the series, but was able to easily read this as a standalone mystery.
This was a fun cozy mystery. I loved the supernatural elements! I really enjoyed the story line. The characters make the story very interesting. I enjoyed trying to solve the mystly!
I look forward to reading the other books in the series!
I'm so grateful to Dixie Lyle, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.
May 1, 2021
I was invited to read this cozy mystery and I thoroughly enjoyed.
Even if it's the 5th in a series I had no issues as there a lot of backstory that helped me to understand the characters and the world-building.
There's plenty of world building and it's interesting and original.
The characters are well thought: Foxtrot is an interesting and clever woman, Whiskey and Tango are funny and fleshed out. My favorite animals were Oswald the ostrich and the honey badger.
The mystery is complex and the investigation is more on the paranormal than the mundane side. It kept me guessing.
I want to read the other books in this series, this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Even if it's the 5th in a series I had no issues as there a lot of backstory that helped me to understand the characters and the world-building.
There's plenty of world building and it's interesting and original.
The characters are well thought: Foxtrot is an interesting and clever woman, Whiskey and Tango are funny and fleshed out. My favorite animals were Oswald the ostrich and the honey badger.
The mystery is complex and the investigation is more on the paranormal than the mundane side. It kept me guessing.
I want to read the other books in this series, this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
July 31, 2021
This is book 5 in the Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot series and can be read as a stand alone. I read book 1 but missed 2,3 and 4. This book will appeal to pet lovers and fans of the paranormal. Deirdre “Foxtrot” Lancaster is back―with her supernatural sidekicks Tango and Whiskey―to unlock the mysteries of life and death…and murder. Tango is a cat with some strange powers and Whiskey is a shape shifting dog . Both can communicate with Foxtrot without speaking. The three must solve the murders of guests of their boss. With supernatural beings controlling the weather and shape shifting into other humans, it's a tall order. Cute series with two pets I'd love to know. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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