What do you think?
Rate this book
Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery #2
Nothing to Fear But Ferrets
Attorney-turned-freelance-pet-sitter Kendra Ballantyne has found a corpse in a client's apartment, and it's up to her to prove the innocence of the obvious suspects: her client's furry ferrets.
265 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 2, 2005
6 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Linda O. Johnston
132 books464 followersLinda O. Johnston's first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the Year. Since then, Linda has had more short stories and novellas published, plus, by the end of 2018, she will have had fifty novels published, including mysteries and romance.
Linda currently writes the Barkery and Biscuits Mysteries cozy mystery series for Midnight Ink, and also wrote the Superstition Mysteries for them, both featuring dogs. She has also written the Pet Rescue Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, which was a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series. And yes, they involved dogs, too.
Linda also writes for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, including a new miniseries about a K-9 ranch where dogs are trained. Linda additionally writes paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne including the Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters--and all the werewolves also have cover dogs.
Linda, a currently inactive transactional attorney, now writes fiction full-time. She is a member of the Los Angeles chapters of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America, including the Los Angeles, Orange County and Santa Clarita chapters.
Linda currently writes the Barkery and Biscuits Mysteries cozy mystery series for Midnight Ink, and also wrote the Superstition Mysteries for them, both featuring dogs. She has also written the Pet Rescue Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, which was a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series. And yes, they involved dogs, too.
Linda also writes for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, including a new miniseries about a K-9 ranch where dogs are trained. Linda additionally writes paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne including the Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters--and all the werewolves also have cover dogs.
Linda, a currently inactive transactional attorney, now writes fiction full-time. She is a member of the Los Angeles chapters of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America, including the Los Angeles, Orange County and Santa Clarita chapters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 14, 2013
OK first let me say that I've always thought ferrets are cute. But after reading this book I think I'd like one for a pet. LOL Of course it doesn't take much for me to fall in love with just about any kind of animal (except rats. I really DON'T like rats!) This was a fun book tho' the angsting over the man in her life got to be a bit much for me. Guess romance isn't high on my list but I do like the mystery and crime solving and I didn't start suspecting who the murderer was until the last 2 chapters. Of course, animal lover that I am, it's the descriptions of the pets that Kendra, pet-sitter extraordinaire, "sits", that I really love. From the energy-enhanced terrier (and anyone who has owned a terrier of ay breed can vouch for that) to the python to Pansy the pot-bellied pig, she brings their personalities to life. The scene of Pansy rolling a ball back to Kendra using her snout sent me into giggles. If you want a quick, fun read where animals play a part, give this a try.
July 5, 2011
The second in this set is still fresh and enjoyable.
As with most mind-candy, if you don't expect deep intellectual stimulation - just something fun, it is good.
For me, I think that these kinds of books are best read at intervals. By that, I mean that even though I enjoy Kendra as the heroine (and pet-sitter), I wouldn't recommend reading thru the set of books one after another. Intersperse with other books to make these more enjoyable (and less predictable).
As with most mind-candy, if you don't expect deep intellectual stimulation - just something fun, it is good.
For me, I think that these kinds of books are best read at intervals. By that, I mean that even though I enjoy Kendra as the heroine (and pet-sitter), I wouldn't recommend reading thru the set of books one after another. Intersperse with other books to make these more enjoyable (and less predictable).
December 3, 2024
The book
1.5 stars
I can’t stand the MC. She is obsessed with appearance, primarily weight. She commented on almost everyone’s heaviness, especially those with even a little bit of fat. She kept commenting on those people already identified as overweight throughout the book. Her descriptions weren’t the best/nicest like (not exact quote), “set her neck waddle swinging back and forth.” Nothing about her eyes being shrewd or lips in a wide grin or anything positive. There was at least a diversity of race.
Her relationship with the love interest from the previous book, Jeff, is odd. It seems like pretty much sex, sex, and more sex. (Fortunately it’s all off page. I don’t read cozy mysteries for the sex content.) She’s thinking about whether they love each other and they’re thinking of taking the relationship a step further. But then she admits they’re not even exclusive. Huh?
Then she’s really childish and jumps to erroneous conclusions and won’t even talk to him when his ex-wife appears. I thought they weren’t exclusive. When he tries to talk about it, she ignores what he’s saying and only talks about the pet sitting, and then lauds herself on being mature. What?
When he told her what he thought was the problem and explained it, she didn’t even acknowledge what he said nor did she address the other issues that were making her not believe him. She was being petty since she didn’t even know what was really going on and especially since she also had secrets. She’s still wants him and their relationship was really good, so why wouldn’t she talk to him? Even to say they were over?
The ferrets are not well described. I didn’t know you could remove ferrets’ scent glands. The ones I knew stunk but they were fun. They were active and mischievous. They loved dogs. They never bit me but they loved fake chewing on their favorite dog’s legs. The dog tolerated them climbing all over him and nuzzling him, etc. I find it super hard to believe they would bite a dead body that was only a few hours old when their food was right next to it. Plus, how would someone think that the bites killed the person when ferrets are tiny and so are their bites. The body would have to have been covered with them and that makes no sense. There were only a few of the little things. As with dogs, I’m sure there are some reports of ferrets actually severely biting a human, but dogs won’t eat a human body unless they’re starving and I think ferrets are likely the same.
I don't have any desire to read the next one.
The reader
The reader, Dara Rosenberg, pronounced some of the words wrong or weird, her accents weren’t very good and she pronounced the Gs at the end of words ending in “ing” in a strong, hard manner. Other than that, her voices were okay.
1.5 stars
I can’t stand the MC. She is obsessed with appearance, primarily weight. She commented on almost everyone’s heaviness, especially those with even a little bit of fat. She kept commenting on those people already identified as overweight throughout the book. Her descriptions weren’t the best/nicest like (not exact quote), “set her neck waddle swinging back and forth.” Nothing about her eyes being shrewd or lips in a wide grin or anything positive. There was at least a diversity of race.
Her relationship with the love interest from the previous book, Jeff, is odd. It seems like pretty much sex, sex, and more sex. (Fortunately it’s all off page. I don’t read cozy mysteries for the sex content.) She’s thinking about whether they love each other and they’re thinking of taking the relationship a step further. But then she admits they’re not even exclusive. Huh?
Then she’s really childish and jumps to erroneous conclusions and won’t even talk to him when his ex-wife appears. I thought they weren’t exclusive. When he tries to talk about it, she ignores what he’s saying and only talks about the pet sitting, and then lauds herself on being mature. What?
When he told her what he thought was the problem and explained it, she didn’t even acknowledge what he said nor did she address the other issues that were making her not believe him. She was being petty since she didn’t even know what was really going on and especially since she also had secrets. She’s still wants him and their relationship was really good, so why wouldn’t she talk to him? Even to say they were over?
The ferrets are not well described. I didn’t know you could remove ferrets’ scent glands. The ones I knew stunk but they were fun. They were active and mischievous. They loved dogs. They never bit me but they loved fake chewing on their favorite dog’s legs. The dog tolerated them climbing all over him and nuzzling him, etc. I find it super hard to believe they would bite a dead body that was only a few hours old when their food was right next to it. Plus, how would someone think that the bites killed the person when ferrets are tiny and so are their bites. The body would have to have been covered with them and that makes no sense. There were only a few of the little things. As with dogs, I’m sure there are some reports of ferrets actually severely biting a human, but dogs won’t eat a human body unless they’re starving and I think ferrets are likely the same.
I don't have any desire to read the next one.
The reader
The reader, Dara Rosenberg, pronounced some of the words wrong or weird, her accents weren’t very good and she pronounced the Gs at the end of words ending in “ing” in a strong, hard manner. Other than that, her voices were okay.
June 19, 2013
This was a cute book, my sis works at a library and this came across her desk. She knows I enjoy mysteries and I love ferrets, this has both so she checked it out for me. I probably would not have checked it out myself, and I doubt I will read any other books by this author. One thing that 'bothered' me about the character, is that she runs a pet sitting business, and supposedly loves her own dog, however she continually left the dog in her car while she was doing business! This is a definate NO NO! No matter how cool you think it might be outside, or if you park your car in the shade, never, never, ever leave an animal in a car unattended! That said, the story was cute, but the mystery was easily solved, the characters were one-note, and the ferrets were really not necessary. I wouldn't recommend the book unless someone else gives it to you.
March 30, 2016
Could not make it past 31%! Really gross story with gruesome yet ludicrous crime scene descriptions, make this book unqualified to be called a "Cozy Mystery"! Unlikeable characters, including the MC and far too much about her sex-capades with her boyfriend, which only detract even further from a story that is not engaging the first place!
I chose it because of the ferrets, but nothing interesting about them, except for those who don't know, it is illegal to have ferrets as pets in California ,because of a perceived threat to native birdlife, from potential escapees.
Was a big let-down for this ferret fancier.
I chose it because of the ferrets, but nothing interesting about them, except for those who don't know, it is illegal to have ferrets as pets in California ,because of a perceived threat to native birdlife, from potential escapees.
Was a big let-down for this ferret fancier.
April 24, 2014
Another bathroom read, although this one was tucked into my door in the Range Rover for road trips for a long time. I enjoyed this entry into the series. Delightful, easy read with characters that aren't overly shallow and hateful.
January 28, 2010
Picked it up because of the ferrets, abandoned because of the lame sex/relationship prose.
August 22, 2010
Thanks for not bothering to do any research and perpetuating untruths about ferrets. Linda Johnston.
September 5, 2020
It's the biker - bicyclist of course, the ferrets are clever. Jeff's ex shows up
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2019
After clearing her own name of murder, Kendra is working towards getting her suspended law license back. In the meantime, she continues to earn money by pet-sitting and renting out her beautiful house, while she lives in the small apartment over the garage. When Kendra discovers a dead body in her house, surrounded by ferrets, she gets drawn into another murder investigation. Her tenant, reality TV star Charlotte, begs Kendra to prove her innocence, while Charlotte's live-in hunk, Yul, only wants his ferrets to be exonerated. Kendra had sworn not to get involved in another murder mystery, but when it's this close to home, how can she stay out of it?
In the meantime, Kendra's relationship with PI Jeff Hubbard is strained when Jeff's ex-wife (whom Kendra had no prior knowledge of) shows up, asking for help dealing with a stalker. Kendra throws herself into her work as a pet-sitter, her investigation into the murder, and her studies to get her law license back. She knows she's getting close to a murderer when she receives a threatening phone call, but Kendra isn't backing down; she's determined to get to the truth.
I'm not that enamored of this series. Kendra is far too attached to her dog, King Charles Cavalier spaniel Lexie, to the point that it gets tedious. She's constantly taking the dog with her, which includes pushing her away when she tries to clamber onto her lap while Kendra is driving. Can you say 'accident waiting to happen, with a furry airbag'? I thought Kendra behaved like a twelve year-old when Jeff's ex showed up. If you want to end it with him, do it in a dignified, mature fashion. Also, I got annoyed reading about Kendra's thoughts on one of her neighbors. She's fat, we get it. There's no need to expound on it in such a rude and condescending manner. I am guessing the author has hang-ups about overweight people. It's obvious, from reading the author blurb at the back of the book, that the author is equally fixated on her own King Charles Cavalier spaniel named...you guessed it, Lexie.
Not really fond of this series, nor the main character. I won't seek out other books in the series to read; I think I chose this one because the title amused me. Giving this one an average score.
In the meantime, Kendra's relationship with PI Jeff Hubbard is strained when Jeff's ex-wife (whom Kendra had no prior knowledge of) shows up, asking for help dealing with a stalker. Kendra throws herself into her work as a pet-sitter, her investigation into the murder, and her studies to get her law license back. She knows she's getting close to a murderer when she receives a threatening phone call, but Kendra isn't backing down; she's determined to get to the truth.
I'm not that enamored of this series. Kendra is far too attached to her dog, King Charles Cavalier spaniel Lexie, to the point that it gets tedious. She's constantly taking the dog with her, which includes pushing her away when she tries to clamber onto her lap while Kendra is driving. Can you say 'accident waiting to happen, with a furry airbag'? I thought Kendra behaved like a twelve year-old when Jeff's ex showed up. If you want to end it with him, do it in a dignified, mature fashion. Also, I got annoyed reading about Kendra's thoughts on one of her neighbors. She's fat, we get it. There's no need to expound on it in such a rude and condescending manner. I am guessing the author has hang-ups about overweight people. It's obvious, from reading the author blurb at the back of the book, that the author is equally fixated on her own King Charles Cavalier spaniel named...you guessed it, Lexie.
Not really fond of this series, nor the main character. I won't seek out other books in the series to read; I think I chose this one because the title amused me. Giving this one an average score.
May 2, 2024
Kendra Ballantyne is on the road back--to being a lawyer, that is. With the last hurdle, an ethics test, coming up in just a short while, she's still busy pet-sitting and studying. During one study session, Kendra's pet Lexie alerts her to something happening. Turns out a Hummer has invaded her beloved, rented home. Going to investigate she finds that her tenants have a secret, an illegal secret, and she moves the interloping ferrets before the police arrive. Attending the soiree her renters inevitably throw about the crash to confront them about the ferrets, she meets an attractive man named Chad Chatsworth. The next morning, Lexie leads Kendra back to the destroyed den where she finds Chad dead and the ferrets feasting upon him. Later, thinking it over, Kendra determines the little ferrets couldn't have killed Chad and when her renter Charlotte entreats her to help, she agrees to look into things. Learning more about Charlotte and her boyfriend Yul's friends and lives points to a few things the couple will need to explain. Motives abound, suspects are numerous, and incidents keep happening; the police are closing in on Charlotte and/or Yul until Kendra makes a surprising discovery that solves it all.
April 17, 2024
I am loving this series and need to get more! I love the way Kendra views most things and her inner dialogue/thought process is great and very relatable. She's a little overdramatic with her (possible)relationship, it some of it I get also.
She is a crazy busy lady, getting her law license, pet sitting, solving a murder, dealing with a man, and solving other people's problems.
I can't help but wonder though, she's been solving these problems for people without using the law, and without charging. What's she gonna do when she gets her license back?can't wait to get the net book and find out!
She is a crazy busy lady, getting her law license, pet sitting, solving a murder, dealing with a man, and solving other people's problems.
I can't help but wonder though, she's been solving these problems for people without using the law, and without charging. What's she gonna do when she gets her license back?can't wait to get the net book and find out!
June 14, 2021
While Kendra is still waiting to see if she will get to be able to practice law again! While waiting she is leasing out her beautiful mansion to a former reality star, when a hummer crashes into the corner of the house. As she goes to check on the damage she discovers ferrets living in the house and as ferrets are illegal to have as pets in California she hides them from the police before they come to investigate the accident. Later when a body is found in her house with the ferrets Kendra tries to find out who would do such a thing.
March 25, 2023
Enjoying this series. Love mysteries. Love animals. A friend had a ferret, which must have thought it was a cat, as it acted just like it's cat "roomies"! I don't remember if it was 2 or 3 cats she had, but I do remember there was also a dog. Definitely a pet friendly home. Of course, it was very understandable since she was a veterinarian (along with a veteran)! Kind of suspected the culprit was who it turned out to be (this time). Doesn't happen often. Light reading - go for it / enjoy!
December 16, 2017
Loved this one, when Chad is found dead in her house, though it is rented out to a reality TV star and it appeared ferrets were to blame, Kendra feels she needs to investigate
July 9, 2019
Cute book....I did feel like it dragged a little. Happy Reading :)
January 9, 2020
This was an ok book. I was kind of disappointed with how things got left with Jeff at the end.
Read
January 18, 2023enjoyed this light read
February 1, 2024
This picks up the story and takes us on another journey. Well written with a few twists that are pleasantly unexpected. Worth a read or listen.
July 1, 2024
Excellent! Just as good as the first book!
May 31, 2025
I liked the story line of this book, but didn’t necessarily like the way it was written. There were lots of words the author used that I didn’t think weee necessary.
July 28, 2020
I liked the book and will continue reading the series. I'm finding it difficult to adore the main character. You know how a character or two will keep you reading - even keep you devouring the series? I'm just not enamored with Kendra. But I can't tell you why. But I'm absolutely going to continue reading the series.
November 12, 2012
Again, I'd like to go 2.5 stars but--in something akin to what I hope is fairness--am rounding up this time. Nothing to Fear But Ferrets is the second in the pet-sitting series in which compromised attorney Kendra Ballantyne is slowly making her way back from a frame job that resulted in the suspension of her license to practice law in California. The case hits just as close to home--literally even more so--than her first outing, as Kendra's tenants are implicated in a murder that occurs in the house she is renting them during her current personal financial downturn.
There's more high-jinx with clients, and we get to revisit a few we met in the previous outings (e.g., Widget the high-energy terrior and Pythagoras the ball python) and make a few new friends along the way, including an adorable pot-bellied pig named Pansy. Also of interest, we get a whiff of the fact that LAPD Det. Noralles may not be altogether incompetent, or at least Kendra finally tips to the fact. There's drama aplenty with erstwhile boyfriend wannabe Jeff Hubbard, and that was a good deal less enjoyable than other bits of the story.
The legal angle--albeit not necessarily the ethics piece--is where Johnston definitely shows her chops. Johnston creates interesting dilemmas for Kendra to assist in (if not solve), creates an intriguing niche for Kendra to service if/when she regains her license to practice law, and it's probably those parts of the story that are more believable than some of the others. Another interesting angle was, of course, the issue of live animals as "evidence" in pending cases and the legal status of ferrets in the state of California. Hence the rounding up, this time out. I'll give the third book a read and imagine that it will tip the balance for/against continuing with the series. If Kendra can't get her head on straight regarding Jeff, then it's adios for me and off to other stronger reads with more emotionally consistent characters.
There's more high-jinx with clients, and we get to revisit a few we met in the previous outings (e.g., Widget the high-energy terrior and Pythagoras the ball python) and make a few new friends along the way, including an adorable pot-bellied pig named Pansy. Also of interest, we get a whiff of the fact that LAPD Det. Noralles may not be altogether incompetent, or at least Kendra finally tips to the fact. There's drama aplenty with erstwhile boyfriend wannabe Jeff Hubbard, and that was a good deal less enjoyable than other bits of the story.
The legal angle--albeit not necessarily the ethics piece--is where Johnston definitely shows her chops. Johnston creates interesting dilemmas for Kendra to assist in (if not solve), creates an intriguing niche for Kendra to service if/when she regains her license to practice law, and it's probably those parts of the story that are more believable than some of the others. Another interesting angle was, of course, the issue of live animals as "evidence" in pending cases and the legal status of ferrets in the state of California. Hence the rounding up, this time out. I'll give the third book a read and imagine that it will tip the balance for/against continuing with the series. If Kendra can't get her head on straight regarding Jeff, then it's adios for me and off to other stronger reads with more emotionally consistent characters.
February 13, 2017
There were far too many side stories and characters to keep straight.
April 13, 2016
Not long ago I read another book in this series, Sit, Stay, Slay, and thought it rather cute. I picked up a couple more of the series to read when I didn't want anything too exciting or involved. This story about murders and ferrets isn’t as good as the previous book, but it was readable. Kendra, a lawyer temporarily not allowed to practice law, begins a pet-sitting business – and finds she really enjoys it. She knows, however, ferrets are not allowed as pets in California. When she finds out the couple renting her large home while she lives in a small apartment above the garage, are keeping 5 ferrets a pets …. And to further complicate matters, the ferrets might have something to do with a murder in her house, she becomes more involved than she would like.
October 30, 2007
Book 2 in the Kendra Ballantyne Pet-Sitter Mysteries. Kendra's tenants throw an extravagent party which quickly turns into a mystery when a corpse is found. Follow along as she collects evidence to prove their innocence, continues her pet sitting business and finally finds her nitch as she practices law.
March 7, 2011
I have read the first book in the series and picked this one up. They are interesting mystery books. I will continue with the series as these are very enjoyable. This copy happens to be autographed. Being an animal lover and a past pet-sitter, these books are especially interesting for me. I don't remember when I read this book as I loaned it to a friend and just got it back.
September 11, 2008
This book had an interesting concept, but was so poorly written that I couldn't enjoy it. The writing was on par with a high school girl's diary, with too many adjectives and poor grammar. It was distracting and annoying.
July 18, 2011
I liked the first one better. This one was still cool though. I'm not sure how I feel about Jeff/Kendra's relationship, I like Jeff still it's like incomplete or something.. I hope to see more of him in the future :)
November 5, 2023
After picking up the first book in the series and flying through it I went straight to my local library and checked out this one. I'm happy to say that Nothing to Fear But Farrets is just as entertaining as the first! I read it in two days and as usual fell in love with all the fury characters!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews