Mastiffs, Mystery, and Murder

Dog Detective #1

by Sandra Baublitz

It’s murder at the dog show!
When amateur sleuth Clarissa Hayes and her trusty Saint Bernard, Paw, enter a dog show, they expect to find dogs, blue ribbons, and trophies. Not dead bodies.
Clarissa’s boyfriend is tracking a suspect in the death of a dog fancier. It’s up to Clarissa and Paw to provide him cover as they compete in the show.
But the competition turns deadly when another dog owner is murdered. Are the deaths connected? Clarissa and Paw must sniff out the clues to solve the crime before the killer collars them.
Will Best in Show become Best in Death?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Dogs, Animals, Amazon

302 pages, ebook

First published March 12, 2017

About the author

Sandra Baublitz is the Investing Editor at BellaOnline.com. She has been investing for over twenty years. She loves doing yoga with her cat's help when not writing.

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mastiffs, Mystery, and Murder is an amateurish attempt at a cozy murder mystery by Sandra Baublitz, who is a much better investor than she is a writer. With all due respect (which believe it or not is my intention) this book is poorly put together by an author who did not submit her work to a capable editor who most probably would have cleaned up the grammatical flaws (which are too many to list). Also, if this book is intended for an adult audience, then Baublitz has forgotten what it feels like to be in an adult relationship. I do not mean that adults cannot control themselves physically; however, if adults are going away together for the first time, there is a physical implication that does not need to be made explicit in this novel (at the very least they're sleeping in the same bed), but should be understood, nonetheless. Also, Baublitz’ amateur detective is pushy, nosy, and obnoxious. I am surprised anyone would be as communicative to someone sleuthing a murder-scene, who is not a detective. I know, we murder-mystery fans will accept most literary McGuffins, but they really need to be convincing. I am not opposed to the dog show backdrop, but the MC really should know what she’s doing (with subtlety and guile.) Because this is a first-time writer, I will not rate this with an over-harsh rating. The best I can give this is a 1 and a half Grey Geeks for the blog, but I will bump it to 2 stars for Goodreads as OK.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 - English free ebook - a cosy mystery. Sometimes a little slow but always with a smile on my face because of Paw ( the pet detective ). 😊😊

[Nicole Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I really, really hate to do this, but I have to say that I gave up on this book after chapter two. It was just so bad. The writing was at about a third grade level ( using the phrase "dog stuff" when describing the necessary dog-care items that a dog owner would need when preparing to enter a dog into a dog show, e.g.). Also, the author seems not to have done any research about how dog shows actually work -- I really don't think that a hotel employee would be willing to give that much background information about how dog shows operate while showing a contestant to her booth. This was just really bad. Also, the narration on the audiobook I received was sub-par. There was very little effort to make distinctions among voices, and the recording had a weird background noise.

[Sandra Knapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fairly good. I found myself enjoying the dogs more than the human characters, but I think it was written to do that.

It moves good, fairly well written, and like I said, the dogs really do MAKE this story. Funny in parts, which is always nice. I would recommend it.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clarissa Hayes and her beloved Saint Bernard, Paw (aka Paudius Pernivious) are off to compete in a dog show for the first time, providing cover for her boyfriend Bruce, a private investigator, to discover who may have killed their competitor, Lyon Connors. Paw is spoiled and untrained. He's never competed in a dog show before and Clarissa has never seen one. How hard can it be? Why would anyone murder someone over a dog show? Entering the competitive world of dog shows gives Clarissa an eye-opening look at just how competitive some humans can be. While the dogs enjoy the attention, some of the people take winning very seriously. Just how seriously is the question Bruce sets out to investigate.

I liked this story though it has a lot of faults. It's too long for a cozy and thrusts the reader right into a world introducing characters without names ("I" who turns out to be Clarissa). Clarissa relates her story as if she's telling someone who was there and has met her and Bruce. Some of the situations involving the dogs are WILDLY implausible but I let it slide because the dogs are so cute and so much fun!

The human characters are OK. There are way too many to keep track of. Clarissa is a bit stupid at times but she loves her dog and sounds like a typical dog mom when she's with him. I don't get any sparks between Clarissa and Bruce. He's rather boring. Their relationship is still newish so I'll let that go. Shelbee, Clarissa's best friend, is a fabulous pet sitter. She really knows her stuff and loves the dogs. Shelbee is practically a saint for helping out the crazy dog show competitors. I don't think she needs to be in on Bruce's private detective case but Clarissa really didn't have a choice but to include her. Jacqueline Marie Weldon "Jac" is Clarissa's other bff. She's a little too perky for me and less involved with dogs than gossip. She doesn't need to help with the investigation.

Paw is SOOOOOO cute! My cousin had a St. Bernard and while he was big and drooly, he was also very sweet. Paw is a typical dog. He loves food, attention and exercise. He knows how to use his big brown eyes to get what he wants. Paw is also super intelligent and nurturing. All the dogs in this book are great. There's Bitsy, the Pomeranian, whom Paw doesn't much like and Lila the Chihuahua. A Mastiff named Samuel is more Paw's style. Samuel may be extra large but he's a sensitive soul.

Lyon Connors, the deceased competitor, was not a nice person- at least not going on hearsay. I don't condone murder but no one is sorry he isn't competing any more. Bruce suspects another intense competitor, Gerald Hoffman, of possibly hastening Lyon's demise. Gerald is even worse than Lyon. Gerald is a bully and way too intense. Sadly I believe any kind of competition brings out the worst in people. Judging from his closeness to his Mastiff, Samuel, I hope Gerald has a softer side Clarissa and Bruce don't see. Dorothy and her beloved Pomeranian, Bitsy, are also competing hoping to win Best in Show. Dorothy is another intense competitor and while nothing really stands out to make her unlikable, she rubs me the wrong way. Matt Monroe is showing Chihuahuas for his aunt. Matt has secrets and seems to have a temper. I don't really like him that much. He doesn't have a strong bond with his dog, Lila, because she isn't his. His girlfriend, Colby, seems to care about the dogs but I'm not sure she is innocent. Like her friend Matt, I just don't trust her.

Other competitors include Judge Jed Gray. He seems kind and laid back but he has a secret. I don't get the big deal about his secret. Colin Sikes, a British bloke, is a bit too slick for my tastes. I suspect him of something deeper than the cheery, happy-go-lucky fellow he is. Ina Holmes and her Mastiff Max are the chief competition for Gerald and Samuel. Ina seems sweet and kind but is she? She has friends, unlike some of the other competitors. Rachel Foster and Alex Coretz are also competing in the show with their canine companions but apparently just for fun. They sound nice but they gossip a lot with Clarissa. There are several other competitors as well as officials running around the pages of this book to further complicate matters.

I liked this fluffy cozy mystery well enough but I'm not too interested in reading more about these human characters.

[Yana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely lovely, fun and full of fur ;)

Out of all the cozy mysteries I have read so far (which aren't that many, to be honest) this one is definitely my favorite!
While I am pretty sure this isn't the first story about Paw and Clarissa, this was still a great and fun introduction to their group of mystery solving friends.
We meet everyone when Clarissa's private detective boyfirend asks her to enter Paw the St. Bernard in a dog show; in order for him to gain access to the other competitors, for a suspected murder case he is working on. After some convincing she agrees and they enter the show undercover and discover the different sides of dog show competitions and competitors.
I loved everything about this story, from Paw, the adorable 4-legged-detective, to the wide array of dog lovers we encountered throughout the story.
The mystery was never boring with new details coming to light at every turn of the page, I always had to continue guessing who might have done it? I only figured it out at about the same time as Clarissa did, which I liked a lot (and in my opinion speaks volumes to the quality of the story building and writing!).
There is one thing that is still bothering me- there was one detail that wasn't explained in the end. It isn't anything major that leaves a plot hole or confusion, but the fact that there was an obvious and simple explanation that could have been used to explain it and wasn't, bothers me a bit.
I bet that most people won't even notice it so I am going to stop thinking about it ;)
All in all, this is a highly recommended cozy mystery especially to all dog and animal lovers out there!
Now how do I make my Labrador learn how to use an elevator?! XD

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bruce Sever is a private detective and needs to go undercover at a dog show for a case. He plans to borrow Paw, a Saint Bernard, living with and devoted to his girlfriend, Clarissa Hayes. Paw’s excited to jump in Bruce’s car and go for a ride until he realizes Clarissa isn’t coming with them. That is simply the beginning of Paw’s assistance on the case.

I have looked forward to reading this series since the discovery of the author’s writing, reading a spin-off series beginning with "Meowing for Murder." Sandra Baublitz’s love of cats and dogs, their unconditional love, habits, and antics, and the mutual devotion between owner and pet are implicit in every character she writes. The mysteries are always an adventure, particularly for readers who adore their furry face(s) at home; the stories are fur-tastic fun! In each step of Bruce’s investigation, I’m sure he assumed he was leading the pack. Suffice it to say; Paw had an incredible adventure at the dog show. With the descriptive writing, I was either smiling or giggling and, a few times, even laughing out loud as I could visualize every scene. So don’t delay; enjoy this delightful trip to the dog show in Dockers!

[Karen B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clarissa Hayes is helping her boyfriend who is investigating a murder by taking her St. Bernard, Paw, and entering him in a dog show. There are several suspicious characters and one who seems a likely killer because he is so disliked by the participants (humans). But then he is murdered himself. Now there are two murders for Clarissa and boyfriend Bruce to solve. Of course, lovable Paw has to help and he is especially good with the other dogs who help to lead them to the murderer. Did the same person murder both men? Clarissa and Bruce are on the trail.

[Marianne Douglas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish ... why, you may ask ... first off, the author has the story taking place at a dog show, but it's certainly obvious she knows nothing about showing dogs or dog shows ... secondly, being a member of the Grammar Police, I kept wanting to edit many errors -- minor ones, for sure, but the type that sooner or later make the GP want to scream!! So, although the plot may have been interesting, I have to rate this as a do not waste your time!!

[Marcia-Lee Finocchio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mastiff, Mystery and Murder

First book by this Author, very interesting story centered around Murder at a dog show.. Characters, plot, and story telling was good.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major Plot spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk

At first I was a little unsure about this one based on how it began. I thought I was missing something when I started the story. There already seemed to be established characters, relationship, and just overall feel that Clarissa had solved mysteries along with Paw before, which kind of got me confused because from what I found this book was the first in series. It just seemed weird that this was the start of the series. Come to find out that there have been stories written about these characters before, but in the form of short stories/mysteries, however they were marked off as a different series compared to this series. I’m not sure why it was delineated aside from the format, but it was so it was what was. Once I got used to it and got more into the world then it was much better, but initially it was a little confusing.

This was a very interesting mystery and different from any other cozy mystery. It began with a murder having already happened, and Clarissa’s boyfriend Bruce investigating the murder. Bruce needed Clarissa’s dog, Paw in order to infiltrate the wonderful world of a competitive dog show. Bruce planned to go undercover as a dog owner and participant of the dog show, which I thought was a very interesting beginning. Of coarse, Clarissa wanted to go with the pair and help with the investigation. Off they went.

It was a heck ride with lots of twist and turns along the way. Lots of suspects that could have very easily committed the murder. It kept me on toes. It kept me guessing. I didn’t know which way the story was going to go, and how the case would be solved. There was an even bigger twist that I didn’t see coming, which added another complicated level to the story. It kept me guessing even more. I was even more intrigued and invested after that particular twist. It kept me very engaged. I wanted to know if everything was connected, but mainly I wanted to know who did because I hadn’t even a clue even with the evidence presented on the page. I may not have been shocked when the revealed came, but I still was very much into it when the reveal came. It was good and made sense. It was just a good mysterious ride. I really enjoyed.

I loved all the cute doggies that were in this story. They were so fun. They provided comic relief. They were protectors when needed be. They aided in the investigation when they needed to. They were affectionate little things. They just had some adorable interactions both with human and other doggies. They added so much goodness to the mystery and plot of story. It was great.

Overall I really enjoyed this. I was captivated the entire time. I was never bored. I was always guessing. It kept me on my toes. I was engaged with the characters, the dogs, and the mystery. I really liked all the twists and turns along the way. There was one twist that I didn’t even see coming and became a real game changer. It was interesting to see the world of dog shows and just how seriously people take them. It was different from any world that I have ever read before. I think that’s what made it more engaging. The writing was very easy to get through and understand as clue after clue was revealed as well as suspect after suspect so it made easy to follow. I appreciated that. I just had a good time reading it. This was exactly what I was expecting and wanting from a mystery. This was a win for me.

[Elena Alvarez Dosil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clarissa’s boyfriend is chasing the murderer of a dog owner, famous around dog shows. He suspects from somebody related to the shows, so they enroll Paw, Clarissa’s Saint Bernard in order to do try to find the culprit.

Cozy mysteries is one of my favorite genre, and I always jump in with both feet whenever I have the opportunity. I have to say that I was disappointed at this one. I expected a more mature book. Don’t misunderstand me, I have listened to cozy mysteries for young adults and even pre-teens, but it was clear that they were focused to that kind of audience. I had the impression that this one was focused on an adult audience, but the story felt simplistic and plain. I think this book, to work well, should be rewritten. It’s odd to have a book for teens with adult main characters, and if you want it like this, then write a book for grown ups.

The characters were one dimensional, and I found Clarissa and her boyfriend relationship quite weird by nowadays standards. They know each other quite well to the point that Clarissa’s dog is comfortable with her boyfriend, but they reserve a hotel room and they don’t want to share a bed to sleep because they have not reached that point in their relationship. Say what? Again, this could be justified if the main audience is young adults, but even like that it’s just plain weird.

I also think that Baublitz should have investigated a bit more about dog shows before attempting to write a book about them. Some things felt really childish, like how easy is for Clarissa’s boyfriend to enroll Paw in the show, and how well Paw and Clarissa did just after a couple of hours of training. C’mon, be at least a bit realistic. With details like this it feels like this is a children book.

I think I was bothered by all these things to really care about the mystery, and I felt no urgency to know who was the murderer, nor I really cared if anything happened to any of the characters.

Nancy Bober’s narration was okay, but the character’s interpretations felt quite stiff. It felt more like reading than narrating.

I received a copy of this book in audio format from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Liz Etnyre · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not understand all the 4 and 5 star reviews for this book. It is a nice enough, though not exceptional, cozy mystery - provided you know virtually nothing about dog shows (or any competitive canine activity), dog training, or owning and living with large dogs. - or any dogs, really. Apparently the author wants a St. Bernard - but all she knows about them she learned from the Beethoven movies. Seriously! She says so in her bio. at the back of the book. SO - if you're in the Mostly Clueless about Canines Club, and want a nice, easy, G-rated mystery, you'll probably enjoy this read.

Here are just a few of the issues that made me want to toss my Kindle across the room:
- When something the size of a St. Bernard jumps up on you and licks your face - you stagger - at least. (I would have thought the movies would have taught that!) - and it is NOT cute when they do it uninvited. Ever. Having a large uncontrolled dog is just not cute in general. (Nor is a small uncontrolled dog, for that matter.)
- Some sanctioning bodies do allow you to enter conformation shows at the last minute in some cases, but not an un-registered, paperless dog, regardless how 'purebred'. And why hasn't she had her un-registered pet that she had no intention of ever showing neutered??!!
- You do not bring litters of young puppies to dog shows.
- I still have no idea what she considers a 'choke collar'. She said it's banned by the (fictitious) dog show sanctioning body - so it's likely not a training collar. Maybe it's a pinch collar? - or a spiked collar or some sort? Whatever it is, apparently the same size one would use on a Pomeranian would also fit around the neck of a grown human. - and is available in a stylish red color, with matching lead. Really?
- You do not put bows on a Pomeranian. Certainly not if you're headed to the breed ring.
- I could go on.....

Despite the above, this book is a reasonably well written, clean, little cozy. It certainly seems to appeal to 'dog lovers'. Probably not a great book for dog people. 3 stars for a decently structured, reasonably well written, clean, cozy mystery. 1 star for research into subject matter.
(Review first posted on Amazon.)

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Mastiffs, Mystery, and Murder" is quite an exceptional, intricate story of dogs and their owners, and how wrong a simple dog show can go! (Not that there ever was or is a simple dog show!) What goes wrong? Two murders, one owner attacked, a closet that locks people in, and a death from the past that ... well, it was also a murder!

Clarissa Reynolds and Paw, her adorable Saint Bernard, enter their first dog show, at the behest of her boyfriend, Bruce Sevor, a PI who is tracking a suspect in the death of a dog fancier. Paw is trained to leash, and a few verbal commands, so needless to say he doesn't do too well at the show. They stay, however, so that Clarissa's PI boyfriend appears to have a reason to be there. Did I mention that they regersterd at the hotel as husband and wife? (Which they are not, of course.)

Clarrisa and her friends work diligently to understand the nuances of the canine show world, and to work through the alibis of the various dog owners. Clarissa ferrets out a secret that she cannot share, and has doubts about several people. All the while she is trying to avoid the detective in charge of the murder investigation - a lady who does not like her.

We meet Paw, and Samuel, the beautiful Mastiff that belongs to one of the murder victims. We see how loyal hey are to their owners, and the lengths they will go to to protect them. (By the way, Paw and Samuel also do an excellent job of corraling four out of five loose cannon puppies that are at the show awaiting possible new owners. The fifth errant puppy is brought back to the owner by one of the other owners that is showinghis dog.)

The storyline is well crafted, and the characters well constructed. This is a book well worth reading if you like dogs, want to read abou dog show, or are just interested in spending a lovely time with a cozy mystery!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Reader Cozy Mystery

Clarissa Hayes owns Paw a St. Bernard. He spoiled & very loved. Her boyfriend Bruce Sevor is a private investigator. Hw was hired to find out if her brother Lyon Connors was murdered.
Bruce decides to go undercover at well known dog show & convinced Clarissa to take Paw to be in the dog show. One of best friends meets them at the dog show to try teach Paw how to react to commands. Also she is shown how to groom him.
Paw performed quite well in his class, but didn't make it to the next round.
One owner told her to stay out of his way. Mr. Hoffman owns Samuel a beautiful Mastiff. Later Samuel is howling & barking in the next room. A concerned owner calls the front desk. The manager & security go to the door to tell Mr. Hoffman to quiet his dig. No success, they open the door, Samuel knocks over charging past, soon Paw & a Chihuahua, Lila gets loose & joins them. The elevator opens to thier floor dogs inside, Paw manages to close the door gong down to first floor!
Now on the main floor many are trying to catch them. Clarissa gets the dogs to follow her because Samuel is so out if control to find his owner. In the end he finds his owner, Mr. Hoffman dead, under a huge pile of dog kibble.
There is so much more that happens, characters too. You'll laugh to at what Paw gets into.
Now the question is who killed Connors & Hoffman. Are the cases connected? Read this good book to find out!

[Lis Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clarissa Hayes and her trusty St. Bernard, Paw, are helping out her PI boyfriend, Bruce Sevor, are at a dog show to investigate the possible murder of a much-disliked former competitor. It's a problem that neither of them knows anything about dog shows, and Clarissa has never done more than the most rudimentary training with Paw, but he is purebred, and a lovely dog. Fortunately, they also get help from friends who are more more interested in the dog show scene, especially Shelbee, who is a pet sitter and dog trainer.

They meet the good, the bad, and the ugly of the dog show scene, which is filled with people who love dogs, and people who are incredibly competitive. At least one looks like a potential murderer, and had clashed with the suspected murder victim in the past. It's a bit inconvenient, as well as unpleasant, when he turns up dead, too, this time obviously murder.

Baublitz clearly knows dogs. Despite two deaths, another owner attacked, and some alarming moments, it's mostly a light, entertaining story where plausibly real dogs, including Paw and the latest murder victim's mastiff, Samuel, get to play plausibly helpful roles in straightening things out.

Some things do work themselves out a bit too simply, but it's a story I was able to relax into, with dogs and dog lovers.

A light, fun read.

I bought this audiobook.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was only when I started listening to the book that I realised I had read the book when it first came out on the kindle but I remembered enjoying it then so I carried on. Glad I did because I think I enjoyed it even more as an audio book. I really liked the mystery but it is the help from the dogs that had me really smiling. Added to that are the fun characters and you have a good often funny story. This is a series I will be keeping an eye on because dogs and mysteries are a good combination.
Clarissa's boyfriend, a private investigator, needs help with a case. A man is dead and all the suspects are involved with a dog show and the best way to get close enough to question them is to enter Paws Clarissa's saint Bernard. With fierce competition it is not long before it turns deadly and there is another murder. Can the two deaths be related? Someone will go to great lengths to see that there pampered pooch wins. As they uncover cheating, rivalry and sabotage attacks on the dogs owners become more frequent. It seems that it's not just dogs that bite. Can Clarissa, along with help from her friends work out who is behind the attacks and maybe reveal who the killer is?
I liked the narrator and thought she did a good job with the many voices needed in the story.

[FangirlNation · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Mastiffs, Mystery, and Murder by Sandra Baublitz, Clarissa Hayes is just relaxing at home when her private investigator boyfriend, Bruce, comes to visit. Bruce asks to borrow Clarissa’s purebred St. Bernard, Paw, in his investigation, which has led him to a dog show. Reluctantly, Clarissa allows Bruce to take Paw, but Paw refuses to go without his beloved owner. With the new change of plans, Clarissa poses as Bruce’s new wife and handles Paw in the show ring. Completely ignorant of all that goes into preparation for dog show competitions, Bruce gets stuck spending most of his time helping to prepare Paw for the ring as Clarissa and he get to know the other people showing dogs.

Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dog eat dog competition

Awesome. A really detailed plot that really let's you understand how far some people will take things to show that their dog's are really "the dog's dinner". A terrific line up of suspects and each new clue makes you switch as to who you think the culprit is. Her dog has never really been all that obedient (okay he's been spoilt rotten) so when her boyfriend wants to use him as a competitor in the dog show, she has her doubts. However it's the only way to look more deeply into the suspects that he has in a murder investigation. Shenanigans and dirty dealings follow as well as assault and another murder. How will all this end? Will they discover the culprit before anyone else is hurt or killed? Great characters, full of life, whilst Paws is a pleasure.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good effort but needs an editor and a comma intervention

This was a formulaic but sweet effort. Unfortunately, I found myself skipping multiple pages of superfluous, confusing, meandering, boring dialog. It almost seemed to have been written for a youth audience. There were commas missing and desperately needed, as well as commas thrown in that shouldn't have been, often enough to become extremely annoying. Even the brief author description at the end contained an error:
"The author never got the opportunity to own a St. Bernard, and her current cats will not allow a new "edition.'"

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was entertaining. It was easy reading and kept my interest. It had interesting characters. Two sleuths and a dog on a case at a dog show when a murder occurs. There were a number of suspects as one tried to figure out the killer. The main characters were enjoyable along with the sub characters and especially the St. Bernard. The book gave a great background on dog shows especially if one has never attended one before. It tells about the dog show owners, the handlers , the show dogs themselves, and the set up of holding a dog show. The book was fun to read . I will most likely read her second book.

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable romp through a high-stakes dog show as a private investigator and his girlfriend investigate the probable murder of a former dog show competitor with the help of the girlfriend's thoroughly lovable but definitely not show-ready St. Bernard. The story features a wide cast of dog show personalities, but two and 4 legged. They range from charming through eccentric to downright nasty but all are engaging and fun to follow.
I listened to an Audible version which is well read and the fast paced story line lends itself to this kind of presentation.
A story I thoroughly enjoyed and would listen to or read again, even knowing the eventual whodunit.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paw is a strong loyal hero and a handsome boy. A better companion than boyfriend Bruce, who tends to get jealous and directive. Dump the man, keep the dog. With an uncle who is a retired police chief, no need for a boyfriend private detective. Clarissa's gal pals Jac and Shelbee are good foils for her action, and contrasts to the bad guys. Interesting the some of the bad guys are pet lovers who go to far. Winning at any cost means loss for more than one doggie and owner. A fun read for dog lovers.

[Roberta Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since Clarissa is an adventurous girl, she gladly offers to help her boyfriend Bruce, a private investigator, when he wants to investigate undercover at a dog show for a possible murder – and she’s just the right person, too, because she’s the proud owner of Saint Bernard dog Paw! The atmosphere at the show is tense indeed, and very soon sleuthing for Clarissa, Bruce and Paw starts getting dangerous…
A nice, intricate cozy mystery, with lots of suspects and red herrings, an enjoyable read especially for dog lovers, this story really makes us want to read more adventures of Clarissa and Paw!

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like it more

I am a literally and figuratively a big dog person so a cozy mystery with dog characters piked my interest. While the mystery in the book was interesting and well thought through it was the details of the dogs and the dog show that probably needed tweaking to make the story work, but I'm such a stickler for dog related details that it made me not not enjoy the book as I would have liked (ex. Greyhounds do not sit like other dogs, they lay down instead, the dog show norm IS to use 'choke' collars)

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Clarissa and her boyfriend Bruce go undercover at a dog show using her St. Bernard Paw. Bruce suspects one of the show's participants of murder. They meet and interact with a variety of characters. At the close of the show all they have accomplished is another murder and an attack on another participant.Their final chance at solving the crime is before all the dogs and owners leave the venue. Will Clarissa's detective instincts kick in allowing her to solve the crime? I think this book will appeal to dog lovers of all ages.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mastiffs, Mystery, and Murder A Dog Detective Series Novel, Volume 1
: Sandra Baublitz

This is a cute cozy mystery set at a dog show. The dogs outshïne their human counterparts. The general plot is interesting, but could of used a bit more research on dog shows. Not bad for a first novel,and curious here the series will go from here.


The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Nancy Bober was enjoyable to listen to read.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Pernette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first Sandra Baublitz book I have read. I am a pet lover and a previous Mastiff owner and I really enjoyed this book. Clarissa teams up with her private detective boyfriend Bruce to find a murderer. Their investigation leads them to a dog show. Clarissa and Bruce enlist the help of Clarissa's St. Bernard Paw and enter the dog show. The duo knows absolutely nothing about showing dogs and end of getting help from friends both in the show and their investigation. But their investigation becomes deadly and there are multiple suspects.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book

Enjoyed the dogs in the book. It was clean, no cussing, no sex. Thumbs up for that. However, I wasn't sure where she was going to go with the gay guys. I will read another book, but if it starts going places with homosexual themes that will be it. Now don't start saying stuff about that. I don't hate gays. I have friends and family that are gay. I just don't want to read about it.

[Pat Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story

This is an unusual story with a strong focus on dogs and a dog show, with good friends and murder too.
The author clearly adores St Bernards as we who saw the famous movie about one all probably do.
It was a little naive in my opinion, lacking the inevitable passion of the age of the main characters but that added to its charm rather than detracting from it. It was a sweet story more suitable for young teens.