The Girl with the Dachshund Tattoo

Pampered Pets Mystery #6

by Sparkle Abbey

She has to stay low. Ears to the ground. Danger’s nipping at her heels.

Mel’s tracking a killer in the world of racing dachshunds.

Wiener takes all at the Laguna Beach Dachshund Dash. Melinda Langston, owner of Bow Wow Boutique, and her quirky assistant, Betty Foxx, are on hand to root for their favorite racers. But before the starting gun goes off, hated dachshund owner, Richard Eriksen, is found dead, and gun-toting Betty is suspect number one.

Determined to clear Betty’s name, Mel quickly picks up the scent of the cutthroat world of Doxie racing. Cheating. Doping. Gambling. Controversy lies at every turn. It seems everyone has a secret—including Betty. The killer is hot on Mel’s heels. Can Mel expose the truth before the killer catches her?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Dogs, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

216 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2014

About the author

Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of two mystery authors (Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter). They are friends and neighbors as well as co-writers of the Pampered Pets Mystery Series. The pen name was created by combining the names of their rescue pets - Sparkle (Mary Lee’s cat) and Abbey (Anita’s dog). They reside in central Iowa, but if they could write anywhere, you would find them on the beach with their laptops and depending on the time of day either an iced tea or a margarita.)

Desperate Housedogs (Book 1), Get Fluffy (Book 2), Kitty Kitty Bang Bang (Book 3), Yip/Tuck (Book 4), Fifty Shades of Greyhound (Book 5), and The Girl with the Dachshund Tattoo (Book 6) are available in large-print through Gale-Thorndike and are part of the Clean Reads program.

Reviews

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This weekend, the Dachshund Dash has come to town, and Mel has closed down her Bow Wow Boutique to be there. Not only does she have a booth, but she is also providing the official racing jerseys for the contestants. While she isn't familiar with the backstage drama associated with this racing circuit, she quickly gets a crash course when Lenny and Richard, the owners of the dogs expected to finish in first and second, get into an argument right outside her booth. A little while later, her assistant, Betty, gets into an altercation with Richard, even brandishing a gun at him. So, naturally, when Mel finds Richard's dead body after he's been shot, Betty becomes the prime suspect. Only Betty claims that someone, a girl with a dachshund tattoo, took the gun away from her. Why is Betty being so secretive? Where is her gun? Who shot Richard?

This is another fabulous book in the series. The plot introduces us to a couple of solid suspects before the murder takes place, and it then gives us a few more once things really get going. We get plenty of twists and turns before Mel figures everything out. And we also get plenty of humor. I was grinning and chuckling when I wasn't laughing. The characters can be a bit broad as a result as they serve the dual purpose of suspect and provider of laughs, but it works for the series. It helps that Mel is very real, and her concern comes through. The result is lots of fun.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Penny Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was competently written, had an appealing heroine, and a bit of (an ill-fated?) romance on the side.

However.

2 major problems.

1. Betty

2. WHERE THE HECK WERE THE DACHSHUNDS?

I hated Betty the side-kick SO much that I almost DNFed the book at 3/4 through. She was super irritating and over-the-top in an irksome, not adorable, way. Oy. But worse than that is the fact that this was about a dachshund race, with dachshunds, which is--let's be honest--the only reason I bought the book in the first place. And the weenie dogs were hardly in the book at all. I wanted lots of dachshund personality and funny stories and there was a tiny bit with the race itself, but overall it needed a good 50% extra weenie biz to make this 5 stars.

Disappointed.

Grade: C+

[ANNETTE · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book at a library sale.
A good easy read.The dogs were fun to read about and gave me a laugh.
A cozy mystery ..

[Antoinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sixth in the Pampered Pets Mystery series finds Melinda Langston, wealthy owner of the Laguna Beach Bow Wow Boutique on the hunt for a killer to clear suspicion that follows Betty, Melinda's employee. The context is the Laguna Beach Dachshund Dash and the usual cast of characters are all there. Melinda's mom, the brooch, Grey, and Detective Malone. Can Melinda find the killer? Who will win the Doxie Dash? Entertaining read. Looking forward to the next in the series from Sparkle Abbey.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid 3.5* for this entry into a series I've enjoyed for many years. While the setting of a Dachshund Doggie Race was enjoyable, as were the antics of shop assistant Betty, there were many editing errors. It was rather surprising as I don't recall seeing that in previous books. There were also some scenes or actions that didn't quite make sense. Despite the above I'm planning to carry on with the series, with great hopes that the next one is back in line with the previous entries.

[Odette Cortés · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know, a wiener dog race circuit isn’t really the type of place where you expect to find a secret gambling ring, ugly competitors, strange love triangles, bipolar shady characters and murder, and yet that is precisely what Mel finds in this unlikely place.

The Girl with the Dachshund Tattoo has comedy, mystery and lots treats for dog lovers who are looking for a quick read and some entertainment. Nonetheless I am not entirely sold on this book for two reasons. First, I am ambivalent when it comes to some of the characters. In smalls dosage they are endearing, entertaining and fun; but as most of the time they were absolutely annoying in an over the top way. The second reason I am not entire pleased is because there are so many things that are left up in the air in a very rash ending, and I found that unfulfilling. I understand that this book is the second one in Sparkle Abbey’s series but I would have liked a little more closure between the Mel and her fiancé, and a lot more sense and explanation when it came to the crime.

Nonetheless as a dog lover I was quite entertained for a while as I read, so that is something.

I got this book from NetGalley.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this series always gives me such pleasure. The love for animals and a good mystery combinee with great friendships makes for a delightful cozy. Betty gets on my nerves but I still can't resist her.

When Betty suggests that Melinda sponsor shirts for the local Dachshund Dash and set up a booth, it sounds like perfect advertisement for her pet boutique and a lot of fun. Of course things never turn out as they should. Melinda spends more time trying to keep Betty out of trouble, and trying to discover who is murdering people at the not so fun races than she does in her booth. That would be bad enough but Grey shows up and their relationship appears to be in jeopardy, that stupid broach.

[C. Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, fun, with humor galore! A who-dunnit involving dachshunds, my favorite pups! I'd like to say I wouldn't be like those comical and outlandish pet owners, but I would do most anything for my doxies which made this story all the more enjoyable. A cozy to have fun with, a mystery to solve. You'll chuckle without a doubt and want to take some of the characters home with you. A cool puzzle.

[Meg Mims · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid read with plenty of wild antics by Betty, crazy happenings at a Dachsund Dash race, and lots of great suspects. Poor Mel is quite emotional over her rocky relationship with Grey, and it shows. Can't wait to hear if they patch things up.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest in the series is just as much fun as all the others. Entertaining reading.

[Khanson919 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that the author did things a little differently this time and the whole story is set over two days at the Laguna Beach Dachshund Dash. As usual a couple people are murdered, one of Mel's friends is a suspect, and in the end she catches the murderer. I enjoyed that there was more involvement by Grey, and that we learned more about Betty in this book. I could have used less of Betty hitting on every man in sight, it wasn't very funny. I hope that Mel's mother stays in town and is featured in the next book with Mel.

[Sue Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a weiner dog?

As the title suggests this book is about doxies. The short little weiner dogs are being raced, much to the s disagreement with a doxie protection group. Its believed one of the dogs is being given performance enhancing drugs. The murder of the owner could be by the protesters or his wife. To find out who killed him and why, check out the book to see for yourself.

[Mary Corso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up and down

I can't believe Mel picked her competition with her cousin over the man she loved. There were parts in this book when I laughed out loud (the race) and parts where I felt very frustrated.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved their quirky characters. What a fun mystery with great pooches! Can't wait to read the rest of the series!

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not cute- just a waste of time.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, easy read. Had a few possible choices of the culprit. Didn't know for sure until the very end.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Funny and a great who done it! Must read!

[Pamela A. Schmeckpeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining romp for doxie fans. Not highbrow. I did not figure out the mystery, so that was a plus.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this, weiner dogs were just a plus. Honestly, not the best written series, kindof silly, but I love the characters.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, light mystery when you need a fluffier read. Writing style was just okay, but nice for a brain break.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute cozy mystery.

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and fun

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute series but the broach is getting a bit tiresome. I’m sure that’s just me. Like the story and the characters though.

[Diane ~Firefly~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who knew that Dachshund races could be deadly?

What I enjoyed:
* Learning about the seedy underbelly that could (but hopefully won't) happen to Dachshund races
* Betty is hilarious in print. I think I would kill her or myself if I had to deal with her in person.

What could have been better:
* I was very disappointed that Grey and Mel broke up. I hate it when an author gets me invested in a relationship and then kills it
* Mel and Caro have to stop the stupid brooch thing and start talking to each other, it isn't even cute anymore.
* Some things really didn't make sense why did Betty have to hide having a dog from Mel. Grey lying about leaving town for a case when he knew he was going to be at the dog races and most the people he knows would also be there - really this was extremely stupid.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

She has to stay low. Ears to the ground. Danger's nipping at her heels.

Mel's tracking a killer in the world of racing dachshunds.

Wiener takes all at the Laguna Beach Dachshund Dash. Melinda Langston, owner of Bow Wow Boutique, and her quirky assistant, Betty Foxx, are on hand to root for their favorite racers. But before the starting gun goes off, hated dachshund owner, Richard Eriksen, is found dead, and gun-toting Betty is suspect number one.

Determined to clear Betty's name, Mel quickly picks up the scent of the cutthroat world of Doxie racing. Cheating. Doping. Gambling. Controversy lies at every turn. It seems everyone has a secret--including Betty. The killer is hot on Mel's heels. Can Mel expose the truth before the killer catches her?

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Pampered Pets Series, but it won't be my last. I found this book to be humorous, surprising, and enjoyable. I love the quirky characters, which kept me reading to find out who really done it. I have found myself a new author and new series to read.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I love dachshunds and this series, I didn't think this book was as good as the other books in the series. A note to the reader: if you like and want to keep up with this series this is for you, however I think you could skip this book and not miss much.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 6 A pampered pets mystery. Great series.

[Gabi Eagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new author for me, and I'm delighted. Enjoyed this story from beginning to end.

[Jean]

ok.