A Fatal Twist

Downward Dog Mystery #4

by Tracy Weber

Yoga instructor Kate Davidson’s life takes a chaotic turn once she agrees to not only be the doula for her pregnant best friend, but also play foster mother to two puppies. The chaos only gets worse when Kate finds the dead body of a philandering fertility doctor and Rachel, one of her yoga students, fleeing the scene. 

Kate is convinced her student is innocent, and she sets out to find the real killer before her testimony condemns Rachel to a life behind bars. But her hands are full with caring for three dogs, teaching yoga classes, and gaining an unexpected crime-solving partner. If she’s not careful, Kate’s next yoga pose may be a fatal one.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Dogs, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Chick Lit

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 8, 2017

About the author

Tracy Weber is the author of the award-winning Downward Dog Mysteries series featuring yoga teacher Kate Davidson and her feisty German shepherd, Bella. Her first book, Murder Strikes a Pose won the Maxwell Award for Fiction and was 2015 Agatha award nominee for Best First Novel. The fourth book in her series, A Fatal Twist, will released January, 2017 by Midnight Ink.

Tracy and her husband live in Seattle with their precocious German shepherd puppy, Ana. When she’s not writing, Tracy spends her time teaching yoga, walking Ana, and sipping Blackthorn cider at her favorite ale house.

Sign up for her monthly newsletter including mystery recommendations, yoga tips, and series news at http://tracyweberauthor.com/newslette....

Tracy loves connecting with readers! Feel free to visit her at TracyWeberAuthor.com, friend her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tracywe, or e-mail her at Tracy@TracyWeber.net.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars to Tracy Weber's A Fatal Twist, the fourth book in her Downward Dog mystery series. I don't usually read a book from the middle of a series, but this one fell in my lap and I decided to give it a chance. I will go back and read the earlier ones next. Excited to.

Story
Kate's a yoga instructor with a penchant for finding dead bodies and adopting homeless pets. When a pair of 6 week old puppies appear on her doorstep, she and boyfriend, Michael, agree to watch them until finding a better home. But their older dog, Bella, not the friendliest of animals to those she doesn't know, has medical issues, which makes it difficult. And then Kate's student's husband is found murdered in the birthing hospital where Kate's just started working as a doula. She's got a cast of doctors, nurses and ex-girlfriends to tackle in trying to save her friend from being put in prison. Weaving the puppy adoption, her new career as a doula, her increasing investigation skills and decisions on her relationship lead Kate through many twists and turns, but in the end, she solves the case and finds a home for the puppies. And almost avoids another near-death injury.

Strengths
I know nothing about yoga, but I learned a few things. Might even give a class a try one day. I love dogs and there are many lighthearted and funny moments to make readers think of their own pets.

The entire concept of the doula was new to me, and very interesting. Being a man, and not having children, the concept of childbirth is a bit foreign to me. I know enough now! :) But not in a bad way. The details were handled with great aplomb, and always from a very medical and nurturing perspective. Makes me wonder how I would feel about natural childbirth.

The mystery was in that middle sweet spot. Not easy. Not difficult. Enough characters to create some red herrings, side stories and realistic clues. Very little interaction with the police, which makes the book so much more believable when a non-detective gets close to a murder investigation. I never found myself thinking "this couldn't happen."

Characters are funny, sweet and memorable. I want to know what happens to them in the future. Michael and Kate. Nicole and Rachel. Sam and Rene. Betty. Bella.

Writing is clear, direct and at the right level. Not simple. Not convoluted. A few great narrative sections, witty dialogue and descriptive settings.

Suggestions
I'm not sure the title fits. But that's not a very big issue, is it? Of course it was fatal, and there's always a twist in the cozy mystery.

I think someone would have figured out the murderer's true problem (don't want to give away spoilers) before Kate, given this takes place in a hospital among people "in the know." But I can close my eyes and squint to see how this turn of events would have happened.

Final Thoughts
I enjoy the series a lot. It's got lots of side stories between yoga, dogs, medicine, birthing, etc. And the backstory seems interesting, so it's probably worth reading from the beginning. Plus it takes place in Seattle. Can't wait to see more of the surroundings!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amateur sleuth Kate Davidson is a yoga teacher, doula, and 'mom' to a digestively challenged German Shepherd named Bella. Kate also has a penchant for stumbling across dead bodies. In this fourth book in the 'Downward Dog' series - set in Seattle, Washington - Kate finds a man stabbed to death. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

As the story opens Kate is assisting with a mother-to-be at a facility called 'A Better Birth Associates' (ABBA) - preparing to help her friend Rene give birth to twins in a few weeks.



In ABBA's hallway Kate sees Dr. Richard Jones - an ob-gyn/fertility specialist - kissing a nurse who's not his wife.



Handsome, well-coifed Dr. Jones - snidely nicknamed 'Dr. Dick' - lives up to his moniker by philandering, fighting with his rebellious step-daughter Nicole, and yelling at his wife Rachel before her yoga class. So it's not a huge surprise when Kate, attending an event at Lake Washington Medical Center, finds the doctor's body in the ladies room.



Even worse, Kate runs into Rachel hurrying away from the scene.



Rachel is arrested but Kate can't believe the frazzled woman is guilty - and sets out to find the real killer.

Meanwhile, Kate's boyfriend Michael - a great guy and talented (but messy) cook - brings home two Labradoodle puppies.



Michael found the abandoned pups near the entrance to his dog food store, and suspects a well-meaning homeless woman named Momma Bird left them there.

The pups are cute but Kate already has her hands full with German Shepherd Bella - who can only eat enzyme-laced 'smoothies' and won't use the doggie door.....



- though Kate repeatedly demonstrates by crawling through herself (ha ha ha).



Moreover, the pups routinely escape their locked enclosure and wreak havoc in the house and yard (they DO use the doggie door).

Even though Kate is busy - teaching yoga, assisting her hugely pregnant friend Rene, and caring for the three dogs - she makes time to investigate Dr. Dick's murder. Kate's list of suspects include Dr. Dick's current girlfriend, his former mistress, his step-daughter Nicole, his medical partner, and a young couple who blame Dr. Dick for the death of their newborn baby.



Other interesting characters in the story include: Summer - who's teaching Kate to be a doula; Betty - who runs a dog shelter/rescue service; Jamar - a guy you wouldn't want to meet if you mistreat animals; Tiffany - a gal who doesn't do yoga but likes the outfits; and Sam - Rene's husband and self-appointed 'healthy food monitor.'

I like Kate's careful preparations for being Rene's doula, her warm interactions with Michael, her dog-rescue adventure, and her loving attention to Bella. On the downside, Kate's 'detective work' is a bit thin.....and it's hard to believe she has a meltdown after a few minutes of hot yoga (Really? She owns a yoga studio!) In the end, the murderer is revealed in a rather unexpected turn of events.....and the puppies have a forever home.

This is a humorous and enjoyable cozy mystery that I'd recommend to fans of the genre.



Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book.

You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/

[Robin Leslie Coxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fatal Twist is the fourth book in the Downward Dog Mystery series by Tracy Weber. There are more twists and turns in this book which I loved, and it kept my attention until the very end. Her main character, Kate Davidson, has agreed to be the doula for her best friend Rene. Having attended classes to learn what a doula is required to do during a birthing session, Kate is following Summer, her doula trainer, in an actual birth. When tensions rise between Summer and the nurse on duty, Kate suddenly realizes that a doula doesn’t just coach her client but must handle doctors and nurses who are urging epidurals and meds instead of going the natural way. Visiting the family room to get something to help with her low sugar, Kate encounters a risqué moment between Dr. Jones aka Dr. Dick and a woman. Dr. Jones is the husband of a woman who is a student at Kate’s yoga studio and Kate struggles with a decision as to whether to say something to her about the affair. As if this isn’t enough for Kate to handle Michael comes home with two puppies that were left outside Pete’s Pets. Now Kate is not only a doula but also a foster parent to two puppies as well as caring for Bella. But that isn’t enough. While at the open house of the new modern birthing center, Kate is the unintended target in a cake battle between Rene and her husband. She heads to the old birthing wing to clean the cake from the front of her blouse and runs into Rachel Jones who is in a rush to leave. When she enters the bathroom to get something to clean off her blouse, she finds the body of Dr. Jones. Kate doesn’t believe her student could do such a thing and vows to find the real killer.

[Dawn Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars, because it deserves it. I think each new book in this series gets better and better, and that is saying a lot, because they are all fantastic. I could have read this book in one sitting, if life hadn't gotten in the way. :) I am counting the days until the next one! Highly recommended!!!

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Kate’s new role as a friend’s doula for her the birth of her child takes her into new territory, a local medical center. Unfortunately, she still finds a dead body. A doctor she knows is having an affair AND she witnesses one of her yoga students leaving the scene of the crime. She is also dealing with Michael bringing home 2 abandoned puppies. Bella handles the dogs better than Kate expected at first but with her medical issues these extra roommates may not be a good idea long term. So dogs, doula, murder investigation, and oh yeah her full time job teaching yoga. It is going to take more than meditation to get Kate through all this.

I am always excited when a new book comes out in this series.

In A Fatal Twist, all my favorite characters are back and two that could barely stand to be in the same room with the other form a bond and a surprising friendship. Both characters have truly evolved and as a reader that is so important as a series continues. It is the key that keeps us coming back for each new story. I also loved pregnant Rene, she is just priceless, she had me laughing out loud so many times I lost count.

We also learn what it means to be a doula. Kate learns it is much more detailed that she thought and readers gain insight as well. I wish I would have had one for my children’s births.

The author clearly know her subject being a yoga teacher herself. She has a keen insight to take her passion and craft mystery stories around it. She has done this now 4 times and I hope she continues for quite some time. In this installment, she twists things around and around making extremely unexpected connections that propel readers through the story at a pretty rapid pace. There is always something happening, never a lull, hence not a good stopping point, making it very hard to put down even though it is way past bedtime.

I have several reasons for loving these stories, there is always a great mystery, the characters are genuine and continue to grow, relationships are fluid, there is humor in all the right places and I always learn something new.

Years ago, after the accident that left my right side paralyzed, I had a doctor suggest I try yoga. I could never imagine how I could do yoga when I can’t move one side of my body or even get down and up off the floor without help. But in this story Kate has a class, South Bath, where people lie on their mats in a comfortable position, such a Corpse Pose, covered with a blanket while a concert of drums, chimes, bamboo sticks and vocalizations happens around them in a candlelit room. It is said to have a soothing effect and helps to center the person. Now that is something I could do, as long as there was someone to help me get to the floor and off it when class ended.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read recently. The Downward Dog mysteries are more developed with each book. There information on the birth of and child and animal care. The information on the different techniques of childbearing is outstanding. Adding a new puppy to you home Mutt and Jeff antics will amuse you.
Kate Davidson is learning to be a Doula to help her friend give birth. Attending, an open house for the new birthing center, she discovers a dead person in the break room. His wife, Rachel is arrested for his murder. Kate saw Rachel leaving the room just before Kate found the victim. Kate feels Rachel is innocent and sets out to find the answer.
Meanwhile, Someone sets a bot outside of the pet store that contains two puppies about seven weeks old. He calls them Mutt and Jeff. The reactions of Bella to the puppies will amuse you and teach what to expect from a puppy. I highly recommend this book and series.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from Midnight Ink through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fatal Twist is the fourth book in this delightful Downward Dog Mysteries series. It is a fun cozy mystery read and a wonderful page turner. For me, this novel is both a yoga and dog lover theme cozy (though the reader doesn’t have to be a yogi to enjoy this mystery).

Kate Davidson is the protagonist and murder mystery solver. Not only is she a yoga instructor who is assisting her best friend by learning to become a doula, but she is also housing two adorable mischievous puppies. In this book, one of Kate’s yoga students is a suspect in a murder case who Kate believes to be innocent. Somehow Kate has to juggle all of her responsibilities and discover the identity of the real killer.

I enjoy reading this book and being able to escape into a cozy mystery. Kate is a great character who has a fantastic cast of friends to assist her in solving the mystery. Perhaps the best (funniest) parts were the activities of Bella, Kate’s dog, and the two puppies! I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. This book (and cozy series) is highly recommended!

I received a copy of Fatal Twist from author through the CMRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenni Schell · Rating 5 out of 5]

You cannot go wrong when you read a book from Tracy Weber. This book does not disappoint. Kate is never afraid to add more to never ending list of things to do. This Yoga instructor is now training to be a Doula for a friend, saving puppies and solving crimes in her spare time. This is a fun filled ride to the very end .

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s never a dull moment for yoga instructor, Kate Davidson. She is preparing to be the doula for her best friend who is having twins when she stumbles upon the murdered body of a noted fertility doctor. The doctor happens to be the husband of one of her students, who had a huge fight with her husband in front of Kate. Kate’s complete belief in her student sends her on a chase for the real killer.

In the meantime, her boyfriend brings home two rambunctious puppies. The puppies, plus Kate’s own special needs dog Bella, is taking up all their time as well as adding much friction in their relationship.

As Kate investigates the murder, she discovers much more than she bargained for – not only for her student but for three unsuspecting dogs.

I love this series. I read the first two books and enjoyed them. I still have to read the third book, which is on my Kindle. This one is the fourth and is actually my favorite of the series so far. It's fast-paced with all the ingredients to keep you guessing to the end.

The characters are all well-written and have depth to them. The plot is captivating with so many different possible outcomes. The author gives us so many clues to solve the mystery and I still missed all the signs of the real culprit. A Fatal Twist has a captivating storyline with an interesting cast of characters. I was up until late at night reading this one, but it was worth it.



FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Connie Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Tracy Weber. In her latest book, A Fatal Twist, Tracy Weber brings her characters, scenes and storyline to life.
Kate’s friend, Rene, is about to give birth to twin girls and she wants Kate to be her doula. Kate is learning how to be a doula and her boyfriend Michael finds two puppies abandoned outside his pet store of a pet store. He brings them home until he can find a home for them and finds himself getting attached to them. Since they are pups, they are wrack havoc in their home ... chewing on things, not being house trained and somehow getting out of their crate.

Kate's yoga student, Rachel, has been arrested for murdering her husband and Kate doesn't think she did it. So she sets out to find the killer among many suspects, some being the husband's mistress, his ex-mistress, his business partner, his stepdaughter (Rachel's daughter), and more.

This is the second book I've read by this author and I liked it. It is the fourth in the Downward Dog series (I read the third one). Though it is part of a series, it works as a standalone book. I haven't read the first two but could up with the story line.
I volunteered to read an ARC copy of this book and have willingly given an honest review.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! A Fatal Twist follows the tradition of excellence that Tracy Weber established in the first book of The Downward Dog Mystery series. In the time honored tradition of cozy mysteries, ever since Kate found George's body, she has tripped over bodies and felt compelled to discover the murderer. There is however nothing trite about this book or any other in the series. Kate is frustrated that she can't be the perfect follower of yoga with calm and balance in all of her life, but the anger, frustration, and irritation that she feels so guilty about are among the traits that make her feel so human to the reader. As much as I love Bella and appreciate the other dogs in the books, I think it is watching Kate interact with and care about people that make me love the books most. Humor and heart keep the murders and the pain of her friends from overwhelming the reader. Those puppies and Rene had me laughing out loud so many times!

I received an early reader copy of this book via NetGally. My review is completely voluntary. I review every book that I love and I do love this book!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read!!!
Kate Davidson, yoga instructor, is going
to be Doula for her best friend Rene who
is pregnant with twins. During the opening
of a new birthing center Kate discovers a
dead body!!!
When one of her yoga students is accused
of murder, Kate is determined to find the
real murderer.
The story presents a tangled web of clues.
It uncovers secrets, lies and suspects.
There is a supportive cast of secondary
characters.
Bella, the German Shepherd gets stressed
by Mutt and Jeff, two seven to eight week
old puppies mates abandon in a box.
The story presents the pros and cons in
raising littermate puppies, child birthing
information, addresses animal abuse and drug
abuse. All this is done by blending humor,
mystery, action with the intriguing storyline.
This is the fourth book in the Downward Dog
Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone
as the author weaves the past and present
together effortlessly.
I volunteered to read this book. Thank you to
author via The Cozy Mystery Review Crew for
this book. My opinion is my own.

[Michelle Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun mystery set in fabulous Seattle.

The protagonist is the owner of a Yoga studio and the caretaker of a special needs dog.

She spends the entire book juggling the events of her busy life. She has agreed to be Doula for her best friend, she owns and runs a Yoga studio, she has a live in boyfriend, a special needs dog, and her boyfriend just came home with a pair of puppies that were left at his pet grooming salon.

Now she comes across (another) dead body. An acquaintance is accused of the crime and she decides to investigate.

The book is light and fun. The characters are interesting and the situations that Kate gets her self into are occasionally funny and sometimes harrowing.

The mystery is well paced and the whodunnit isn't obvious.

Overall, a good fun mystery.

[Amber Polo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate’s back!
While Kate’s immersed in doula training as well as puppy care and yoga teaching she acquires a new partner in sleuthing who confuses dog rescue with dog theft.
Weber’s style moves as smoothly as a yoga flow class. One of the few series that stays on my Pure Entertainment TBR list.
Favorite line when Kate says, “For all she knew, the past ‘crimes’ I’d helped with were yoga sequencing errors.”

*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fine entry in the series, I like the characters, subjects and the mysteries, so glad that another book is due early next year. Expected publication: January 8th 2018

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed this ARC for an honest review.

Another great read from Tracy Weber. In her latest book, A Fatal Twist, Tracy Weber brings to life her characters, the scenes, and the storyline. A sign of a good book is when you actually feel that the characters are real people in your life!

In A Fatal Twist, the main character, Kate Davidson, stumbles upon a doctor’s dead body in the employee’s lounge while at an event for the hospital’s new birthing center. Prior to finding the body, she literally runs into the doctor’s wife, Rachel, leaving the lounge and has to tell the detectives this piece of information even if it implicates her friend.

Readers get to learn more about characters from Tracy’s previous books in the series, while also getting to know new characters. Though readers do not have to read prior books to understand the storyline. The characters in this new book are relatable, showing their flaws and struggles and their journeys through some of life’s joys and difficult emotions and moments.

I enjoyed reading about Kate’s dog, Bella, and some foster puppy antics and I always learn something new about dogs in Tracy Weber’s book series. For example, dogs can pull two and half times their weight. No wonder my 100+ pound German shepherd always wins at tug of war. Tracy Weber writes stories that are interesting and keeps me turning the pages. I love her book covers as they are whimsical and catch my eye.

I love Tracy Weber’s writing and her characters and will continue to read more of her books.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yoga instructor Kate Davidson is acting as doula for her pregnant best friend when she witnesses a scene that shows a fertility doctor to be less than faithful to his wife. When she finds out his wife is one of her yoga students she is devastated. And when she finds the doctor dead, and her student running away from the scene, she knows that all is not what it seems. Kate decides to get to the bottom of things before the police put an innocent woman on trial.

The first thing I noticed about the book was the juxtaposition of the emotions surrounding birth, and the violent ending of a life, even if it was of a person who was less than likable. I pondered this quite a bit as I read this novel. Ms. Weber did a great job of portraying the difference in emotions at both events, which made me feel close to the characters.

This is my first novel by this author, and I enjoyed the pace of the book and the reality of everyday life she interjected into the mystery. This includes a character whose mother is suffering from Alzheimer's. Since I lost my mother to that disease just a little more than a year ago, I felt this was particularly realistic, and sometimes difficult to read.

There were many turns, and I didn't figure out the mystery until the very end, which makes for a good read. I am looking forward to going back to the beginning of this series and seeing what comes for Kate before this addition to the series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Susan Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a super cosy murder mystery book this is! Although this is the fourth book in the series and I hadn’t read any of the others, I felt very at home reading it. The beginning of the book gives you general information, within the story, about who is who in Kate Davidson’s life, the super sleuth when things take a turn for the worse. Kate leads a very busy life trying to fit in her yoga business, live in boyfriend, he is so sweet, and her gorgeous dog Bella. Have I mentioned her love of animals, especially dogs and more especially Bella  who is a most unsocial dog ever where other dogs are concerned, and some humans well most humans.
Kate not only runs classes for her yoga business she also works in hospital with pregnant women to help them reduce high blood pressure and the other conditions related to pregnancy besides supporting them as a Doula  when they are in labour. It is when a new wing of the hospital is being opened that that Kate discovers the body of a dead man, the husband of one of her ladies in the yoga classes she runs.
What a cracking story this is, well two mysteries that Kate has to solve really, one the murder of the lying cheating douchebag and the other the mystery of who left the two very mischievous puppies outside her boyfriend’s work place. It all makes for one thoroughly funny and entertaining reads. What a gem!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received a copy of this upcoming book from Midnight Ink via NetGalley in exchange for a fair, honest review**


As if Yoga Instructor Kate Davidson's life wasn't already busy enough, now she is training to be a Doula for her pregnant best friend and fostering two foundling puppies. Even more chaos arises when Kate discovers the body of a local fertility doctor and sees one of her yoga students fleeing the murder scene. Believing her student to be innocent, Kate starts investigating the dead doctor, discovering he is a real cad, juggling several mistresses, a wife and family, and some less than savory business dealings.

This is an enjoyable, nicely paced, cozy mystery. There were several suspects, a few twists and turns and a sub-plot about puppy mills, backyard breeders and animal abuse. This is the fourth book in the Downward Dog Mystery series. This time, the usual yoga theme was a bit overtaken by Doula information and childbirth, but it was an enjoyable combination.

A Fatal Twist releases January 7th from Kensington Press. Any cozy mystery lover or yoga enthusiast will enjoy this book!

For more information on the author and her books (plus yoga tips!) check out her website: www.tracyweberauthor.com

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Davidson has come into her own as a yoga instructor and successful yoga studio owner, with a great live-in boyfriend, Michael, and a beautiful German Shepherd named Bella with treatable health issues. She decides to sign on to be a childbirth doula for her friend, Rene, and is doing great until two abandoned puppies and a dead body interrupt her well-balanced life.

A Fatal Twist is a great book, and Kate is a wonderful protagonist. She is coming into her own as an unofficial investigator, as she seems to have a knack for stumbling into dead bodies that involve her friends or students as potential suspects. This story has no shortage of suspects or twists and Kate has to use all her resources to try to make sense of all that is going on in her now-chaotic life.

I could not put this book down and loved everything about it, from the descriptions of yoga techniques, new friendships and even childbirth training! I highly recommend Fatal Twist and know you will enjoy it as much as I did.

This review is completely voluntary and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fatal Twist by Tracy Weber is fourth book in her Downward Dog Mystery series. This is the first book I have read in this series. Kate Davidson is a yoga instructor who somehow encounters dead bodies. This time it’s the cheating husband of one of her yoga students, who Kate sees fleeing the scene. The addition of a couple of abandoned puppies, her pregnant best friend, live-in boyfriend, teaching yoga classes, and a new crime-solving partner combine to put Kate’s already hectic life over the edge. She needs to be careful not to fall victim to the killer in this cozy mystery. Although many of the characters from the earlier books appear in this story, this is a standalone book.

This was a very enjoyable story with entertaining characters that you want to get to know better. The characters were well written, authentic and complex. The story line was riveting and kept my attention to the very end. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[April Schilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yoga instructor Kate Davidson agrees to be the doula for her pregnant best friend which, you would think, would be a great enough challenge in her life. But, when she finds a dead body in the ladies room of the new birthing center at the hospital, she is involved yet again in another mystery. Why was her student Rachel running from the ladies room? Kate is sure she is innocent of the murder but, the dead guy was her cheating husband. And he had threatened Rachel's daughter. Had she been pushed too far? Kate doesn't think so.

I loved this book! Kate and her best friend are a hoot and I get where she was coming from with Michael, Mutt and Jeff. I am so looking forward to the next in the series and now I definitely want to go back and read the other ones I've missed!

I volunteered to read an ARC copy of this book and have willingly given an honest review.

[Conny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had my eye on this series for some time now and had it marked to read in the near future, so when I had the opportunity to read the 4th book in the series from NetGalley, in exchange for a review, I jumped at the chance. I was a bit worried if I might be lost, having not read any of the previous books, but it was no problem at all, if anything it strengthen my resolve in reading the others soon. I loved the characters, both the 2 and 4 legged kind, and the storyline was great. It also made me want to give yoga another try. Awesome read with some mystery and romance and lots of doggy love. Tracy Weber has a new fan in me.

[Edith Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former doula who writes a mystery series featuring a midwife, I was particularly interested in this story about a yoga teacher being trained to do one-time labor support for her friend. Along the way, Kate Davidson becomes embroiled in pet rescue, medical mysteries, and solving a murder, of course, along with running her yoga studio. The birthing details were well drawn, Kate's relationship with her man, Michael, rang true, and I loved the rescue puppies! I hadn't read the earlier books in the series but that didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying this installment, and now I want to go back and catch up. Highly recommend picking up Tracy Weber's books.

[Meesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is a great story and a fun read. Even though this is a murder mystery the plot is very bright and happy. Not only are you trying to figure out who was the killer but you also are investigating another mystery. I love all the characters, especially Kate! I also love the references to Yoga! I definitely recommend to read this book. You won't be disappointed.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable addition to the Downward Dog Mystery Series. The mystery is well plotted with plenty of suspects and a few twists that kept me guessing. There are plenty of humorous moments with the dogs that will sure entertain. I hope there will be more books in this series!

I received a copy of this manuscript from the author, my review has been voluntarily submitted.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a lot of issues with this book. First, the main character Kate is training as a doula but has no concept of how long birth takes or what is normal during an unmedicated birth. She also lacks basic understanding of how a doula functions as a birth advocate and recommends narcotics in birth without listing any of the many risks. She and her patient/friend don’t seem to discuss any of the important decisions about childbirth other than pain relief. In addition to her time as a doula, Kate is also a yoga instructor who can’t handle hot yoga and has an odd disdain for yoga clothes. Her mother Dharma is also odd and problematic with the author desperately attempting to create depth in very flat characters.

Despite its many character issues, the story is plotted decently and keeps the reader guessing well enough. I have no desire to read other books in the series but it would make a fine use of time for anyone looking for a fluffy story.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Kayt18 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really did enjoy this book in author Tracy Weber’s “Downward Dog Mystery” series. I always love having a dog in my books and this on added two wild and adorable pups to the mix. There was humor, mystery, dogs, great characters, intrigue, dogs (did I mention them already) and a well written story. “A Fatal Twist” had it all. The hot yoga scene cracked me up so much, I do not know when I have laughed so hard. Kate and her boyfriend are great characters. This installment even has a wonderful character that is so easy to hate and he ends up dead. What could be better.
Kate is not only busy with her yoga studio, her dog Bella and boyfriend Michael, but she has taken on the added responsibility to be a doula for her best friend. When Michael brings home two abandoned puppies, more humor and craziness ensues as Bella is not really that happy, or so it seems. Then a friend is seen at the crime scene of a murder and Kate cannot believe she would have anything to do with it. When she learns the victim is known to be a philanderer and just not nice, she knows she has to help her friend and student Rachel.
There are plenty of twists and turns in the mystery to keep the reader guessing. Author Weber is a wonderful writer and really knows how to pull the reader into the story. I love the humor she intersperses throughout the story. It truly makes reading “A Fatal Twist” and all of her books a pleasure. The characters are well developed and their interaction is enjoyable and entertaining. I know nothing about yoga and am pretty sure it would be a sight worse than hot yoga if I ever tried it, however you do not need to be a yoga fan, participant or pro to enjoy this series.
“A Fatal Twist” is the fourth installment in the “Downward Dog Mystery” series, but you can read it as a standalone. I would suggest reading the others as they are all wonderful. Kate is a fun and intelligent protagonist that is surrounded by wonderful characters. The mystery is intriguing with little asides that keep things ramped up with fun. If you like to read great cozy mysteries, you will want to read this one. As I said before it has everything and that makes it the perfect read. Do not twist yourself up if you are looking for your next great read – this is it.
I was given a copy of this book by the author, but the opinion is my own

[Caprice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fatal Twist by Tracy Weber is the fourth book in the Downward Dog Mystery series. In this book, Kate Davidson must find out who really killed Dr. Richard Jones. The police suspect Kate's friend Rachel, who is Dr. Jones's wife, but Kate is convinced that Rachel isn't the killer. In the meantime, Kate is dealing with two puppies that were dumped outside her boyfriend Michael's pet store, with Bella's stress because of the puppies causing a relapse of her digestive issues, with training to be a doula for her friends Rene and Sam, and with teaching her yoga classes. Needless to say, she's slightly overwhelmed.

This book was a good read. The characters were well developed, as was the story. I haven't read the other three books in the series, but I didn't feel lost at all. There were some references to the murder mysteries in previous books, but they really didn't play a part in this story. It was more of a frame of reference, such as Kate's mission in life (or dharma) is to bring killers to justice, or that Bella had belonged to Kate's friend George prior to his murder. This book also completely solved the mystery, so there is no cliffhanger.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes to read mysteries, especially those involving an amateur female sleuth. I would read more by this author, especially since the story didn't contain graphic sex or a lot of foul language.

I volunteered to read an ARC of this book and to leave an honest review.

[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually people say that the first sentence was all it took for them to be engrossed in the book..... And that is usually what I would say. However in A Fatal Twist by Tracy Weber it was the LAST sentence. After I read the last sentence and closed the book, I sat back and said "Yeah it's like that." Everything came together and I was left with a calming feeling.

A Fatal Twist is the fourth book in the Downward Dog Mystery series and if you have read the first three, I think you will agree with me. Yes there is a murder, yes Kate gets herself in the middle of it, yes Michael gets upset with her, yes Kate figures it out ..... But there is a lot more going on, Tracy Weber takes it a bit further with the story by allowing the reader to get to know more of the people in Kate's life. You will learn more about Kate's best friend Rene and her husband Sam as they get ready to welcome twins into the world. Also Tiffany, Michael's employee and Kate overcome their issues and become friends.

You will continue to experience the bond between Kate and Bella and the LOVE that is there. If one of the reasons that you like this series is because of that aspect, don't worry it is there and there are puppies ! !

If I were to use one word to describe how I felt while reading A Fatal Twist and what I got out of the book, I would say ......

HOPE.