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The Talking Dog Detective Agency #1
A Bark in the Night
Nala has had enough of out-of-control preschoolers and their helicopter parents. Now she’s ready to be her own boss, no matter what her naysaying family says.Armed with a talking rescue dog, a Glock, and enough gumption to propel her forward, Nala opens shop as a PI and no one can change her mind. That is until she lands her first case and gets stuck between her meddling mother, a wanna-be action star father, and a hunky veteran cop who all believe she’s headed for more trouble than she can handle.
Can the inexperienced former teacher solve her first case before the killer sets his sights on her?
Can the inexperienced former teacher solve her first case before the killer sets his sights on her?
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2017
118 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
M.K. Scott
33 books769 followersM. K. Scott is the husband and wife writing team behind The Painted Lady Inn Mysteries, The Talking Dog Detective Agency, which is set In Indianapolis, and The Way Over the Hill Gang series.
Morgan K Wyatt is the general wordsmith, while her husband, Scott, is the grammar hammer and physics specialist. He uses his engineering skills to explain how fast a body falls when pushed over a cliff and various other felonious activities.
Morgan’s daughter, who works at a hotel, has contributed a guest horror tale or two to fuel plot lines along with housekeeping details. Overall, the series are a family effort.
Morgan K Wyatt is the general wordsmith, while her husband, Scott, is the grammar hammer and physics specialist. He uses his engineering skills to explain how fast a body falls when pushed over a cliff and various other felonious activities.
Morgan’s daughter, who works at a hotel, has contributed a guest horror tale or two to fuel plot lines along with housekeeping details. Overall, the series are a family effort.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
March 15, 2018
Funny, adventurous and good. Nala the main character is working hard to become a good private detective. She gets lots of help from family, friends and a very unusual dog. A good mystery, great characters and lots of laugh out loud moments. A great first book in a series with lots of potential.
July 31, 2017
Once you start reading, you can't put it down! A Great first book in a promising series!!!
This is the first book in an extremely promising series! The characters and humor are fun. Nala left her position as a pre-school teacher to start her own PI business, despite the urging by her police chief father to enroll in the police academy. As she is moving into her new office, even before furnishing, she gets two cases. The first is a friend of her mother's about a possible wayward husband. The second is a corporate case of a wealthy woman who thinks she is being pushed out of her company and money is being embezzled at the same time. To top it all off, the rescue dog, Max, she adopts from her best friend who runs the rescue center talks! Non-stop! Only Nala and her friend can hear and understand him. Nala not only has to deal with her cases, but she has to try to control her over-anxious to help mother and her police chief father who are constantly trying to set her up with dates. Then there are the two male characters who come in her life. With crazy twists and turns and trying to keep from being attacked and killed while helping her client and with a talking do, this story keeps you guessing as well as laughing and really liking the characters! I can't wait for the next one to see how some of the events left to figure out are continued or resolved! I received and ARC from the author but the opinions here are stricly my own!
This is the first book in an extremely promising series! The characters and humor are fun. Nala left her position as a pre-school teacher to start her own PI business, despite the urging by her police chief father to enroll in the police academy. As she is moving into her new office, even before furnishing, she gets two cases. The first is a friend of her mother's about a possible wayward husband. The second is a corporate case of a wealthy woman who thinks she is being pushed out of her company and money is being embezzled at the same time. To top it all off, the rescue dog, Max, she adopts from her best friend who runs the rescue center talks! Non-stop! Only Nala and her friend can hear and understand him. Nala not only has to deal with her cases, but she has to try to control her over-anxious to help mother and her police chief father who are constantly trying to set her up with dates. Then there are the two male characters who come in her life. With crazy twists and turns and trying to keep from being attacked and killed while helping her client and with a talking do, this story keeps you guessing as well as laughing and really liking the characters! I can't wait for the next one to see how some of the events left to figure out are continued or resolved! I received and ARC from the author but the opinions here are stricly my own!
June 18, 2019
Nala Bonne's friend, Karli, gave her a new pet. Max is a German Shepard mix but not your average dog. You see, Max Talks, often at the most inopertune times!!
Nala is also starting her own Private Investigation Service. Her first client is her mother's friend, Beverly Van Camp. Beverly thinks her husband, Marvin, may be cheating on her. She hires Nala to get the proof, including pictures.
Shortly after Nala starts trailing Marvin, she gets a second customer - Constance Bingham of Bingham Industries. Constance wants Nala to investigate Gordon Lansing, the CEO of Bingham Industries. Constance thinks he is stealing money from the company and wants Nala to find out for certain one way or the other. For some reason, Gordon seems to shy away from the camera, which seems unusual for a man in his position.
Is Marvin cheating on his wife? Is Gordon actually embezzling funds? Why is Gordon so camera shy? Can Nala handle both cases at once? Will Max be able to help with the investigations? Is Nala in over her head right from the start?
M.K. Scott does a great job of adding humor and sarcasm when Max speaks. As expected with the first book in a series, this one has some slow parts while building the background and establishing the characters. This in no way detracts from the story and I am looking forward to more books with Max and Nala.
Nala is also starting her own Private Investigation Service. Her first client is her mother's friend, Beverly Van Camp. Beverly thinks her husband, Marvin, may be cheating on her. She hires Nala to get the proof, including pictures.
Shortly after Nala starts trailing Marvin, she gets a second customer - Constance Bingham of Bingham Industries. Constance wants Nala to investigate Gordon Lansing, the CEO of Bingham Industries. Constance thinks he is stealing money from the company and wants Nala to find out for certain one way or the other. For some reason, Gordon seems to shy away from the camera, which seems unusual for a man in his position.
Is Marvin cheating on his wife? Is Gordon actually embezzling funds? Why is Gordon so camera shy? Can Nala handle both cases at once? Will Max be able to help with the investigations? Is Nala in over her head right from the start?
M.K. Scott does a great job of adding humor and sarcasm when Max speaks. As expected with the first book in a series, this one has some slow parts while building the background and establishing the characters. This in no way detracts from the story and I am looking forward to more books with Max and Nala.
July 16, 2017
The premise is good, friend working with rescue dogs sets preschool teacher trying out the PI business up with a bespelled dog who is smart and talks. That would be Nala, whose dad is career law enforcement and mom is a pushy businesswoman. The mystery is good, and the characters certainly are. But the best part is the humor! The verbal cracks me up, and the situational has me choking on my caffeine. Don't miss this one, especially if you need an escape from whatever!
July 24, 2019
Really - a talking dog who helps her solve crimes???? And she carries an "oversized pink vibrator" in her purse which her dog picks up and gives to a cop??? There are so many good books out there so do not waste your time on this stupid one.
July 18, 2017
A very good read that could have been a great read with a little better editing or beta readers... I picked up an ARC so perhaps some of the problems have been fixed (or maybe the problems were only in the epub version). Anyway, the story line and character development was well above average. I particularly enjoyed the way the story did not take itself too seriously.
July 31, 2017
What a fun book! Nola decides to become a private eye and get out of the pre-school teaching business. It makes sense since she is the daughter of the police chief and has been shooting a gun since she was a tot, learned defensive driving maneuvers before she got her driver's license, and can solve any tv crime in the first ten minutes of the show. She thought about having a partner in the business, but ended up with a dog instead thanks to her best friend who works at a kill shelter. In an effort not to have him put down, she talks Nala into adopting him. For the most part it is a great decision, that is until she discovers he can speak! In an effort to keep this ability hidden from others, there are some funny situations that arise.
Nala has not one but two clients soon after opening. One is a family friend who thinks her husband is stepping out on her. The other is a timid but wealthy woman who thinks a man who works for her company is draining the coffers. I enjoyed reading about Nala and the learning curve she has as she faced figuring out how to tail a person, how to listen in on conversations, be inconspicuous (ha!) and more. I certainly admired her determination throughout the initial cases of her detective agency.
This is the first book in a new series, and the author has left plenty of unresolved issues for the upcoming books. The story moved smoothly without gaps or unnecessary time wasters. It was fun to believe in Max's ability to talk and reason with Nala. I certainly am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Nala has not one but two clients soon after opening. One is a family friend who thinks her husband is stepping out on her. The other is a timid but wealthy woman who thinks a man who works for her company is draining the coffers. I enjoyed reading about Nala and the learning curve she has as she faced figuring out how to tail a person, how to listen in on conversations, be inconspicuous (ha!) and more. I certainly admired her determination throughout the initial cases of her detective agency.
This is the first book in a new series, and the author has left plenty of unresolved issues for the upcoming books. The story moved smoothly without gaps or unnecessary time wasters. It was fun to believe in Max's ability to talk and reason with Nala. I certainly am looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 10, 2022
I found myself laughing out loud as I read about this wanna be PI and the dog her friend convinced her to adopt. The dog was a mixed shep and he could actually talk--seems one of his former owners ex's had put a spell on him! He was almost worse then her parents who insisted on being in her life! This dog had her wrapped around his paw good and tight!
Read as she bumbles through her first PI clients--you will definitely be laughing!
Read as she bumbles through her first PI clients--you will definitely be laughing!
November 4, 2020
Love this paperback book. So why do I love it so much. Easy ready, clean, fun, witty, Page turner, suspenseful and more. I love the idea of a talking helping a human solve different mysteries that happen. Just when you think you know what's going to happen then you don't.
Will read again and already have. I highly recommend it.
Will read again and already have. I highly recommend it.
June 11, 2018
This new series by M K Scott a talking dog, suspense, humor, some twists and a spot on description of the Indianapolis area. I really enjoyed this first mystery. The characters are well drawn; the plot is interesting and I could not put it down.
October 26, 2017
Really enjoyed this book! Fun, light mystery with a little romance thrown in ! Can't wait to read the next one!
December 6, 2018
Interesting characters but some disconnect in dialogue and narration. I found myself going back and rereading several times. Max is a great character.
November 8, 2022
Really exciting start to what seems to be a great series. I will want to continue with this series!
August 4, 2017
Nb I gave this book a 3.5* rating, though as it won't let you give halves above, I rounded up to 4 overall, but have said in my written review that it's a 3.5*.
This unusual book made for an interesting read but felt very slightly disorganised too, hence the 3.5* rating - more on that later. It's the story of Nala Bonne and her dog Max, a German Shepherd who she's recently adopted from the animal shelter - and who she discovers can talk, after a spell was put on him by a previous owner who was a witch (of course, that's very likely(!) - also factors into the 3.5*) Nala has just set up her own private investigator's business after deciding she doesn't like being a preschool teacher (and having been trained in the skills she'd need as an investigator all her life by her father, who's a police captain), and this book is the story of her first two cases (running concurrently) and the mayhem that occurs during the time she's trying to solve them (in both her personal and business life).
I enjoyed the book, despite its sometimes chaotic feel, and I really liked the characters in it, especially Nala and Max - who is definitely the funniest character, and just the kind of dog I'd like. I did feel the story was a bit underdeveloped at times, and wasn't the best I've read, but it was a good distraction from life, and the characters certainly make up for any shortcomings in the story itself. I look forward to seeing how the author develops with this series, and hope that the next book is more settled and developed, providing a better story but still employing the great characters too. And can we please find out what on earth is going on with these emeralds that kept randomly getting mentioned, but whose storyline never actually went anywhere?!
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
This unusual book made for an interesting read but felt very slightly disorganised too, hence the 3.5* rating - more on that later. It's the story of Nala Bonne and her dog Max, a German Shepherd who she's recently adopted from the animal shelter - and who she discovers can talk, after a spell was put on him by a previous owner who was a witch (of course, that's very likely(!) - also factors into the 3.5*) Nala has just set up her own private investigator's business after deciding she doesn't like being a preschool teacher (and having been trained in the skills she'd need as an investigator all her life by her father, who's a police captain), and this book is the story of her first two cases (running concurrently) and the mayhem that occurs during the time she's trying to solve them (in both her personal and business life).
I enjoyed the book, despite its sometimes chaotic feel, and I really liked the characters in it, especially Nala and Max - who is definitely the funniest character, and just the kind of dog I'd like. I did feel the story was a bit underdeveloped at times, and wasn't the best I've read, but it was a good distraction from life, and the characters certainly make up for any shortcomings in the story itself. I look forward to seeing how the author develops with this series, and hope that the next book is more settled and developed, providing a better story but still employing the great characters too. And can we please find out what on earth is going on with these emeralds that kept randomly getting mentioned, but whose storyline never actually went anywhere?!
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
August 25, 2017
I feel this is a promising concept that was not quite developed to its full potential in this first novel.
The characters were interesting but the relationships felt stilted and underdeveloped...especially between Nala and Max. The bond between them seemed to happen instantly, rather than developing as they got to know each other. This may be because the author felt an owner pet relationship does form a more immediate bond, but I felt that Max's speech and his role as one of the main characters affected that characterisation.
On the subject of Max, I was fine with accepting a talking dog character, and mostly ok with Nala's easy acceptance of it, but it somewhat broke my suspension of disbelief how freely Max kept talking in front of other characters who weren't 'in the know', and I felt that Nala's attempts to cover it were amateurish. Otherwise he is a great character addition and added a unique element to the cosy mystery style plot.
In terms of plot, this first novel appears to be more of an introduction to the characters and set-up, in preparation for future installments. The pacing of the plot development was quite slow, and the cases were not quite what they initially appeared, and not as striking as would normally be found in a mystery novel: they mostly wrapped themselves up whilst Nala was honing her skills and finding her feet as a detective and pet owner. Side points were introduced, dwelt on in detail, then discarded (pregnancy disguises, driving threats), which added to the chaotic, not-quite-together-yet feel.
Generally this was a good light read, with a promising setup and characters, but this first plot felt rushed and lacked coherence. I would like to see how the characters of Nala and Max develop as they settle into their roles, and hopefully begin to get some meatier cases to get their teeth into.
March 14, 2019
Nala Bonne, who until recently has been a preschool teacher, is just putting up her shingle as a PI, when she finds herself with two cases. The first case is kind of a gimme from her mom: a family friend's husband keeps disappearing and odd charges are on their credit card bill...turns out (spoiler alert) he's trying to surprise the wife for their anniversary; that one was obvious, but it helps Nala get her feet wet in the business, learning how to tail, etc. The second case is a bit more involved, focusing on embezzlement in a large local firm, which leads to car chases and a kidnapping...and a nice retainer for Nala.
In the background, her mother, an interior designer, and her father, a police chief, support her, though her dad wishes she would apply to the police academy and her mother wants her to find a man if for no other reason than so she can have a grandchild.
Oh, and I didn't mention her talking dog. Only Nala and her friend from the dog shelter know Max, the german shepherd, can speak. He's the comic relief in the book.
And then there's the guy who started the book: the man who's trying to break into her building to retrieve diamonds he and a partner stole before he went to jail years before...unresolved, so I imagine he shows up again. He gets a lot of words on the page to just get tossed.
In the background, her mother, an interior designer, and her father, a police chief, support her, though her dad wishes she would apply to the police academy and her mother wants her to find a man if for no other reason than so she can have a grandchild.
Oh, and I didn't mention her talking dog. Only Nala and her friend from the dog shelter know Max, the german shepherd, can speak. He's the comic relief in the book.
And then there's the guy who started the book: the man who's trying to break into her building to retrieve diamonds he and a partner stole before he went to jail years before...unresolved, so I imagine he shows up again. He gets a lot of words on the page to just get tossed.
August 22, 2020
Just ok
This was not a bad book. In my opinion, it was not a great book. I got book three in the series for free, so I purchased this one for .99 in order to get some background for the story. (Marketing win!)
Pros:
I enjoyed the inclusion of the dog, although I never particularly warmed up to him.
Yay for including rescued shelter dogs!
The book was clean and free of profanity and obscenity.
Cons:
Primarily, I just never felt compelled to continue reading, and was never really curious to know what happened next. I will probably go ahead and read the third book, hoping that the characters feel more personable now that the series is established. I think the book was intended to be humorous. I might have laughed once? I doubt I would purchase another installment, but this isn’t my favorite genre. YMMV
FYI: I found around 10 grammar etc. errors that should have been caught by proofreading. That’s actually not horrible compared to many independently published books. At one point the MC mentally rehashed something as though it was a new, novel idea, but it had already been covered. One weird error was that they set up plans for the MC to leave the dog with her friend, and they mentioned afterward that she had left the dog with her friend, but in between she left the dog at home free to roam the house.
This was not a bad book. In my opinion, it was not a great book. I got book three in the series for free, so I purchased this one for .99 in order to get some background for the story. (Marketing win!)
Pros:
I enjoyed the inclusion of the dog, although I never particularly warmed up to him.
Yay for including rescued shelter dogs!
The book was clean and free of profanity and obscenity.
Cons:
Primarily, I just never felt compelled to continue reading, and was never really curious to know what happened next. I will probably go ahead and read the third book, hoping that the characters feel more personable now that the series is established. I think the book was intended to be humorous. I might have laughed once? I doubt I would purchase another installment, but this isn’t my favorite genre. YMMV
FYI: I found around 10 grammar etc. errors that should have been caught by proofreading. That’s actually not horrible compared to many independently published books. At one point the MC mentally rehashed something as though it was a new, novel idea, but it had already been covered. One weird error was that they set up plans for the MC to leave the dog with her friend, and they mentioned afterward that she had left the dog with her friend, but in between she left the dog at home free to roam the house.
August 1, 2017
[I received this book as a giveaway. I am voluntarily reviewing it. It will not show as a verified purchase]
“I realize some people are motivated by money. Others by power and the majority by both. I want to know how this guy is wired”
Nala Bonne is ready for a change. Her intuition isn't helping her skills as a teacher. With her father a chief of police, applying to the academy is out. So, she decides to try her hand at being a private investigator. With her new sidekick Max, a rescued German Shepherd, she moves into a rundown office in a shabby building. And, even before the letters are adhered to the window, she gets two clients. Although one is a family friend, the other is a pretty serious case. All in all, it takes all Nala has not to spill where she gets her weirdly inside information, let alone her off the cuff insights. Leaving us the readers just wondering who might be running the actual investigation.
As a new fan of MK Scott ( I recently reviewed the audio of Murder in the Painted Lady) I am glad to see her tongue-in-cheek humor is prevalent in this light mystery that seems to be the beginnings of another great series. The characters are just finding their footing, and when they do, this will rival her Painted Lady books. Recommended
“I realize some people are motivated by money. Others by power and the majority by both. I want to know how this guy is wired”
Nala Bonne is ready for a change. Her intuition isn't helping her skills as a teacher. With her father a chief of police, applying to the academy is out. So, she decides to try her hand at being a private investigator. With her new sidekick Max, a rescued German Shepherd, she moves into a rundown office in a shabby building. And, even before the letters are adhered to the window, she gets two clients. Although one is a family friend, the other is a pretty serious case. All in all, it takes all Nala has not to spill where she gets her weirdly inside information, let alone her off the cuff insights. Leaving us the readers just wondering who might be running the actual investigation.
As a new fan of MK Scott ( I recently reviewed the audio of Murder in the Painted Lady) I am glad to see her tongue-in-cheek humor is prevalent in this light mystery that seems to be the beginnings of another great series. The characters are just finding their footing, and when they do, this will rival her Painted Lady books. Recommended
July 17, 2017
Nala Bonne, New detective, talking dog, an affinity for different cookie names, a mother who normally gets what she wants, now wants grandchildren, badly, (Nala is not dating anyone) and a father who is a captain in the police force, wanting her to follow in his footsteps, is keeping an opening for her in the academy.
After moving into her new office, Nala gets her very first two cases before she is even unpacked. A possibly unfaithful husband, and a corporate saboteur. She is attacked several times and the building has a fire set to it by someone who badly wants something that was hidden in the building.
M.K. Scott has written a story that, while slow paced, has well developed characters and a good bit of humor in it with a few surprising twists. It will be interesting to see where the characters go in the future books as having a talking dog open all kinds of possibilities, from humorous and embarrassing incidents like what happened with Francis, The Talking Mule, to having a valuable ally that is unparalleled in fact finding with help from the local dogs in the area.
After moving into her new office, Nala gets her very first two cases before she is even unpacked. A possibly unfaithful husband, and a corporate saboteur. She is attacked several times and the building has a fire set to it by someone who badly wants something that was hidden in the building.
M.K. Scott has written a story that, while slow paced, has well developed characters and a good bit of humor in it with a few surprising twists. It will be interesting to see where the characters go in the future books as having a talking dog open all kinds of possibilities, from humorous and embarrassing incidents like what happened with Francis, The Talking Mule, to having a valuable ally that is unparalleled in fact finding with help from the local dogs in the area.
July 31, 2017
Really nice but slow-paced
Nala is determined to make it as a private eye. She is likeable and not at all the hardboiled PI you’d imagine. She has a talking dog (Max) and that takes some getting used to. You have to use your imagination ;) but I really liked it! Max is funny and very opinionated.
There isn’t an actual case (or not much of it anyway) until 28% of the book. Before that it’s more of a build-up to some things. It is very slow-paced. Not much happening. She has two cases and doesn’t seem to carry out either of them with any kind of expertise. Clearly, she has a lot to learn, but that makes sense because she only just started her business. In the end the cases are solved without much work, especially the ‘real’ case. Don’t get me wrong; despite this mild criticism, it was a really nice read! Light and fun and a promising start to a new series.
I would like to read more books in this series, but I hope the next book has a bit more case-related action. I liked this book, the next one may become love.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book.
Nala is determined to make it as a private eye. She is likeable and not at all the hardboiled PI you’d imagine. She has a talking dog (Max) and that takes some getting used to. You have to use your imagination ;) but I really liked it! Max is funny and very opinionated.
There isn’t an actual case (or not much of it anyway) until 28% of the book. Before that it’s more of a build-up to some things. It is very slow-paced. Not much happening. She has two cases and doesn’t seem to carry out either of them with any kind of expertise. Clearly, she has a lot to learn, but that makes sense because she only just started her business. In the end the cases are solved without much work, especially the ‘real’ case. Don’t get me wrong; despite this mild criticism, it was a really nice read! Light and fun and a promising start to a new series.
I would like to read more books in this series, but I hope the next book has a bit more case-related action. I liked this book, the next one may become love.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book.
August 30, 2017
Nala is a pre-school teacher turned private Investigator, while setting up her new office she is surprised by a rich male voice answering her rhetorical questions only to find that it’s the dog she adopted from the animal shelter where her friend works. Quickly accepting her dog can talk Nala takes on some cases, she finds Max increasingly helpful and sometimes inappropriate.
I love Max, his witty cynicism is great. His timing sometimes hilarious. His intellect not affected by the restriction of being a canine! Max and His doggy ways equally astound, annoy and confound Nala in this beautifully written story of mystery, intrigue, suspense and hidden dangers. The story is not all about the dog there is allot of action in which the dog plays no part and there are several very interesting characters including Nala's own parents, a computer geek, and a particular cop. The dog is an inspired twist which makes Scotts books different from others in the genre. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the "Talking Dog Detective Agency" series.
I love Max, his witty cynicism is great. His timing sometimes hilarious. His intellect not affected by the restriction of being a canine! Max and His doggy ways equally astound, annoy and confound Nala in this beautifully written story of mystery, intrigue, suspense and hidden dangers. The story is not all about the dog there is allot of action in which the dog plays no part and there are several very interesting characters including Nala's own parents, a computer geek, and a particular cop. The dog is an inspired twist which makes Scotts books different from others in the genre. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the "Talking Dog Detective Agency" series.
August 3, 2017
Not what I expected... When Max, a rescued German Sheppard, began to talk back to Nala I must admit I thought to myself, "This isn't what I really wanted to read." Max kinda began to grow on me as did the story. Nala has he summer off from her teaching job and is going to try to make it as a PI. She has a lot to learn but with her policeman father, her business minded mother, an annoying hacker friend, and Max to help her I think this is going to be a very cute series. Though the talking dog is a cute angle, I think the story could have been just as good without him. It will be interesting to see where the next book takes us. I really enjoyed some of the "lady" humor and laughed out loud. I think the story deserves 4 and 1/2 stars at least. I received this as an ARC and this is my honest review.
August 11, 2025
Witty,suspenseful, nonstop action‼️
As with all of M K Scott's books I wish I could post this as a ten star rating but alas they say five ~ so this is a double five. Each and every character is vital to the workings of the mystery. Nala is a strong independent gal who's chosen her own career path instead of those her parents wanted! Nala and Max are so hilarious as is her mother! Her dad is awesome. Elvin, Harry ,Tyler ~ who I hope we see more of ~ are well developed characters. This is the first in an excellent looking series and I highly recommend it to all who love some fun and a stellar mystery. I'll be picking up the rest in the series as well! Check out the author's 'Late for.......' series which is set in a retirement home where seniors spend their time solving cold cases!
As with all of M K Scott's books I wish I could post this as a ten star rating but alas they say five ~ so this is a double five. Each and every character is vital to the workings of the mystery. Nala is a strong independent gal who's chosen her own career path instead of those her parents wanted! Nala and Max are so hilarious as is her mother! Her dad is awesome. Elvin, Harry ,Tyler ~ who I hope we see more of ~ are well developed characters. This is the first in an excellent looking series and I highly recommend it to all who love some fun and a stellar mystery. I'll be picking up the rest in the series as well! Check out the author's 'Late for.......' series which is set in a retirement home where seniors spend their time solving cold cases!
July 31, 2017
This is a very good start to a new series, and it certainly has an interesting premise, an ex-teacher who is setting up a new PI business, but has a talking dog for a companion.
Quite a lot of this book is detailing how Nala sets up her detective agency, and her first faltering steps with two cases, where she is, in a very real sense learning on the job, and this does make the pace of the book a little slow going.
But, on the positive side the characters are very well described and believable, there is some great humour and there is a great deal of scope for future books in the series, the talking dog certainly offers some great plot opportunities.
I liked this book a lot, but if the cases get a bit more involved in future books then 5 stars is a real possibility.
Quite a lot of this book is detailing how Nala sets up her detective agency, and her first faltering steps with two cases, where she is, in a very real sense learning on the job, and this does make the pace of the book a little slow going.
But, on the positive side the characters are very well described and believable, there is some great humour and there is a great deal of scope for future books in the series, the talking dog certainly offers some great plot opportunities.
I liked this book a lot, but if the cases get a bit more involved in future books then 5 stars is a real possibility.
August 7, 2017
Despite the intriguing premise of this book (a former preschool teacher decides to try her hand as a PI and ends up with a talking dog as her partner), it got off to a bit of a slow start.
The story has a lot going on simultaneously -- problems in both her business and personal lives, two very different cases, an interfering Mother, her talking dog, and so on. Because there are so many aspects to the story, it often seems disjointed. In spite of some problems, this series shows promise. The characters are intriguing and the humor somewhat reminds me Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum. This book is worth a read, and I'm interested in seeing where the author takes the second.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book. My review is voluntary and the opinions my own.
The story has a lot going on simultaneously -- problems in both her business and personal lives, two very different cases, an interfering Mother, her talking dog, and so on. Because there are so many aspects to the story, it often seems disjointed. In spite of some problems, this series shows promise. The characters are intriguing and the humor somewhat reminds me Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum. This book is worth a read, and I'm interested in seeing where the author takes the second.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book. My review is voluntary and the opinions my own.
August 15, 2017
What a fabulous start to what looks like a very promising new series of books. Nala Bonne starts a PI agency whilst on a break from teaching and takes on a new partner in the form of an adopted German Shepherd dog called Max. But Max is no ordinary dog - he can talk! This leads Nala into many humorous situations whilst she tries to solve her first two cases. The story started slowly but soon picked up pace for an exciting finale. Max and Nala make a great team and I cannot wait to read the duo's further adventures and hope the next book in the series is out soon. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it's a nice gentle and humourous cosy mystery which leaves you wanting more.
I received an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I received an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review.
September 12, 2025
Dramatic, Action-Packed, and Funny Talking Dog!
"A Bark in the Night" is Book 1 of The Talking Dog Detective Agency. Nala Bonne left her job as a kindergarten teacher, adopted a rescue German Shepherd mix dog, opened a Private Eye business, and then found out that her new dog can talk and read. This is a book with drama, lots of action, and loads of humor. Her mother hears Max's voice and thinks Nala is hiding a boyfriend. Her cop father and a goodlooking fellow cop, Tyler, think Nala is a ventriloquist and putting words in Max's mouth. There are three guys who are possible boyfriend material for Nala: Elvin, Harry, and Tyler. Nala has two clients which means she has to tail two suspects. This is a great book and I gave it 5 stars.
"A Bark in the Night" is Book 1 of The Talking Dog Detective Agency. Nala Bonne left her job as a kindergarten teacher, adopted a rescue German Shepherd mix dog, opened a Private Eye business, and then found out that her new dog can talk and read. This is a book with drama, lots of action, and loads of humor. Her mother hears Max's voice and thinks Nala is hiding a boyfriend. Her cop father and a goodlooking fellow cop, Tyler, think Nala is a ventriloquist and putting words in Max's mouth. There are three guys who are possible boyfriend material for Nala: Elvin, Harry, and Tyler. Nala has two clients which means she has to tail two suspects. This is a great book and I gave it 5 stars.
November 28, 2017
Yes, I loved it and yes, I want one!!.... a dog like Max. He is brilliant and I love the relationship that the 2 have. In fact, all the characters in this mystery are great; annoying and embarrassing when necessary (Elvin), bossy and controlling yet caring when necessary (Mum & Dad), cute and flirty when necessary (Goodnight) and yes chaos, because real life is like that.
Two new cases, at the same time - the first, a possible cheating husband and the second, a problem employee with designs on the boss. Nala is finding out that being a one man band PI is not as easy as it sounds, especially when you are trying to shadow a suspect who leaves a restaurant and disappears by the time you have followed him out!
Great fun, great start to a new series - cannot wait for the next one
Two new cases, at the same time - the first, a possible cheating husband and the second, a problem employee with designs on the boss. Nala is finding out that being a one man band PI is not as easy as it sounds, especially when you are trying to shadow a suspect who leaves a restaurant and disappears by the time you have followed him out!
Great fun, great start to a new series - cannot wait for the next one
January 10, 2018
A Bark In The Night, the first book M K Scott's The Talking Dog Detective Series, was entertaining but the talking dog scenario did not work for me. I'm not quite sure why it was annoying as I have read (and enjoyed) a few paranormal type cozy mysteries where the amateur sleuth's loveable cat has other worldly talents but Nala's talking dog Max seemed out of place in the story. To say Max was not a good fit would be an understatement in my opinion.
Putting Max off to the side, I thought the book was a good introduction to the human characters and some pertinent background information on their lives.
Putting Max off to the side, I thought the book was a good introduction to the human characters and some pertinent background information on their lives.
April 14, 2018
Out of control preschoolers and their demanding parents has Nala turning private investigator over summer break. The idea came from her ability to solve television mysteries before the sleuth did. Her agency motto is discreet inquiries, which means nothing to her wanna be action star father or her competitive mother who are determined to help.
A hunky veteran turned cop, a helpful neighbor, and a rescue dog that talks only makes things interesting. Nala might even start to enjoy the job if whoever is trying to kill her would just give it a break.
One of the weirdest books l have read. Yet i couldn't quit reading. 4 stars.
A hunky veteran turned cop, a helpful neighbor, and a rescue dog that talks only makes things interesting. Nala might even start to enjoy the job if whoever is trying to kill her would just give it a break.
One of the weirdest books l have read. Yet i couldn't quit reading. 4 stars.
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