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A Dog Days Mystery #3

Fatal Festival Days

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It's a dog's life for Cameron when a killer threatens the Winter Festival fun Planning activities for the Winter Festival in Metamora, Indiana, is hard work for Cameron Cripps-Hayman. Not only is she organizing dog sledding, ice sculpting, and downhill skiing events, but she's also dealing with angry protesters and a missing mascot. The last thing she needs is another mystery to solve. And yet, that's what she gets. After a greedy landowner is found dead on top of a ski hill, Cameron scrambles to keep the reindeer games running. Then the festival's former-Olympian host is also found dead. Cameron gets the Metamora Action Agency together to investigate, but proving the victims were both murdered―and catching the killer―will take a miracle on ice. Praise for the Dog Days Mysteries "[A] laugh-out-loud funny cozy...Dorothy Cannell and Donna Andrews fans rejoice!"― Library Journal "The plot is very, very good in this one. The dogs are fun, the mystery is difficult to solve, and all the characters make this a great afternoon read."― Suspense Magazine

240 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2018

142 people are currently reading
107 people want to read

About the author

Jamie M. Blair

11 books20 followers
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5 stars
127 (52%)
4 stars
75 (30%)
3 stars
30 (12%)
2 stars
9 (3%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Shawna Shaheen.
332 reviews23 followers
March 19, 2021
Cam is hosting a Winter Festival. With older Olympianist David. They were going to film the festival. Cam was setting up a Ski Course . But Clayton did not want it anywhere near his property when the two men both did what secrets did they have that got them killed. This is the 3 book from the series. I like Cam and her 5 pups that she rescued in the first book. Her sis Monica opened up a Dog Diggity and is going strong with her buea Quinn. Ben Cam estranged husband Ben the police man are finally living under the same roof, and step daughter Mia is be is following in Cam footsteps trying to figure out murders. The Action Agency that Cam started trying to get information from her 4 volunteers of some of the crimes that they have solved. These are pretty good books
102 reviews1 follower
December 19, 2025
This was the last in a 3-book murder mystery series involving a small town in Indiana, dogs, and small town folk. Great series.
Profile Image for Sandy Bartles.
1,395 reviews37 followers
January 23, 2020
Another exciting book in this series. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. The characters are wonderful! The author is fabulous.

I borrowed the book from Kindle Unlimited.
Profile Image for Barb (Boxermommyreads).
930 reviews
December 20, 2018
December was the perfect time to pick up the latest installment of the Dog Days Mysteries because this time, the murders take place during the Winter Festival. That's right, murders is plural because this time not just one, but two people wind up dead and unfortunately, Cam takes it upon herself to figure out what is going on. And on top of that, the town mascot, Metamora Mike (a duck) is missing. Is he the latest victim?

I had so much fun visiting Metamora and all of the familiar characters as well. Anyone who likes zany individuals would surely appreciate some of the attitudes of Cam's Action Agency which range from geeky teenagers to an elderly crumudgeon to a knitter with a tendency to steal yarn. In addition to that, Cam's house is still full of dogs and she is STILL trying to find the perfect names for the two dog brothers she adopted in the last book.

Finally the mystery was fun and kept me guessing up until the end. It was fun to see the town pull together to save their Festival Days and it once again made me crave some small town life.
Profile Image for Eva North.
114 reviews36 followers
September 2, 2019
Ok, so I originally started this book months ago and kept starting it and setting it down for other things, and this week, while not feeling well, I sat and finally finished it. It, like the rest of her series, is really good. I gave it five stars, even thought at the beginning, I wasn't sure. I'm gonna miss Ben, Cam, mystery solver along with her action agency crew and Mia and the dogs. Irene finally grew on me, so glad Ben and Cam are back together. Really glad to hear they found metamora Mike, the duck and that he wasn't dead like everybody thought. I'd like to see a series or books of how everybody is doing after they've parted ways. I hope for anyone just seeing this, they start with the first book and enjoy the series like I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,769 reviews23 followers
June 9, 2020
What an array of caracters teenagers to seniors each different in thier own unique way bonded through the fact most all have been born and raised in thier small town accept Cam she arived through marriage, even then she hustled up her own small posse to form events in thier small town or tackle the intreage of awful situations turning them into amateur sleuths adding humor into every day events. Aquier a copy of "Fatal Festival Days"so you to can enjoy reading it as much as I have. 🙂🤔🙄Kat
Profile Image for Lise.
1,067 reviews
May 3, 2020
First, a curmudgeonly landowner is poisoned, then the host of the winter carnival is murdered with an ice pick. Probably best not to ask "what else could go wrong?" Cam!

I teeter back and forth as to whether or not I like this series. The plots are unique and the characters as well-formed but it really is the inclusion of some of the animals that make me want to read on.
360 reviews2 followers
April 25, 2020
Fun!

This is a nice lite mystery that will keep you entertained the whole way through. It has humor along with mystery.
Profile Image for Sherry McWilliams.
741 reviews4 followers
May 12, 2020
Enjoyed reading and meeting the characters. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
929 reviews4 followers
July 20, 2020
enjoyable story with fun characters in a small town .I loved the dogs and duck too. I will read more of this series
41 reviews
July 24, 2020
, A really fun series

The antics of Cam and her crew make the an enjoyable read. The sub story about Mike keeps you wondering.
Profile Image for Lynn.
357 reviews3 followers
July 22, 2023
Good read with just the right amount of drama. This is like murder is best served cold considering its winter. Good job.
Cheers
Lynn🇨🇦
336 reviews
July 25, 2024
Awesome Book!!

Definitely held my attention from beginning to end. I can’t wait to finish this review and go start the next one!!
938 reviews20 followers
October 26, 2024
Poor editing
Ice pick in victim and under couch
Stray sentence re Mila
105 reviews
January 4, 2020
Super cute....

And a cheerful read. Great cast of characters, and just enough clues to keep it interesting, before resolving the mysteries. Oh yes, there's more here than meets the eye 😊
Profile Image for Kathy Martin.
4,157 reviews115 followers
October 22, 2018
Cameron Cripps-Hayman is planning the Winter Festival in Metamora, Indiana, and waiting for something bad to happen. She says she's a pessimist, but experience has proven her right more than once. When Clayton, the man who is letting them use his land for the ski races, is found dead on the top of the hill, Cameron has to find the killer in order to save the festival. She has many suspects including a Native American group unhappy that his "ski hill" is a sacred mound. Clayton was a wheeler-dealer who made some other enemies in town too.

Before she can even get very far into her investigation, there's another death. David, the former Olympian who is the guest of honor at the festivities, is found dead stabbed by an ice pick from the ice sculpture competition.

Main characters in this one beyond Cameron are her sister Monica who has a business baking dog treats - which is useful because Cameron seems to have five rescue dogs of her own; Cameron's somewhat estranged husband Ben who is the local police officer; Cameron's Action Agency which consists of two high school seniors and two senior citizens. Throw in Clayton's family and some of his friends, Monica's dog trainer boyfriend, Ben's parents, and you have a book filled with bunches and bunches of characters.

This is the third book in a series but the first I have read. I had many, many questions as I was reading and had a hard time keeping track of the characters. I am assuming that reading the previous books would have helped keep the characters straight and answered some of my questions.

This was an entertaining mystery, but I would recommend reading the first two books before reading this one.
Profile Image for Stephenee.
1,869 reviews47 followers
October 28, 2018
This was my first book by author Jamie M. Blair, but it won't be my last! I enjoyed the plot, the characters (mostly) and the dogs! I have a wild pack of dogs (6) and can understand each and every moment that the author described in this book! I felt like it was happening at my house!

This book takes us to a super small town that is preparing for a festival, but instead, they get a murder...the festival committee is working on trying to figure out who murdered not 1 but 2 of the town's citizens while trying to overcome the daily obstacles that life throws their way (a missing duck, a broken wrist, marriage troubles, etc.). Cam and her group are all about solving the murder, but will they solve the murder or be charged with the murder?!?!

The plot is a little slow at times, and by the very end of the book, the reader may be so sick of the phrase "good gravy" that they don't even want to see gravy (at least this reader was). The characters are relatable and anyone that has lived in a small town can understand how there is nothing private in their lives. It is a town of no secrets, no privacy, and no way to not know your neighbor, but it is also a town that draws the reader in and makes them want to live there as well. The idea of the small town is tempting.

Be prepared to enter a world that has lots of dogs, stores with cute names and a murder or two...an overall good read, with just a few things that the reader wishes they omitted. I will read more by this author in the future!

Review done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our fan site at http://www.facebook.com
Profile Image for Cozy Reviews.
2,050 reviews5 followers
November 29, 2018
This is the third book in the Dog Days Mystery series and my first in the series. I found this book can be read as a stand along. I look forward to exploring the prior books in the series.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the ARC. My opinion is my own.
I found this to be highly entertaining and fun to read. I enjoyed the addition of humor which was perfectly woven within the story and events.
Our protagonist is Cameron who is busy planning activities for the Winter Festival in Metamora, She is organizing dog sledding, ice sculpting, and downhill skiing events with many funny occurrences along the way. , She has to work with protesters and a missing mascot on top of all her duties. She wears many hats and has many responsibilities.
As the festival commences the owner of the Ski area is found dead. He was disliked by many including the protesters. Cameron is determined to find the killer and put together the clues to save her festival and her town.
I loved the winter events so richly described here. This is the perfect winter time read. All the charcters add to the story and the humor was very enjoyable. I look forward to further books in this fun series. This is the perfect cozy mystery with a well crafted sleuth and all the right elements
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
September 8, 2019
Didn't really like this one

Okay it had it's lighter moment - the animals provided that but the plot was really again overshadowed by the events in her life. Getting together with her estranged husband (still can't believe that) and really not resolving any of the issues she has with her stepdaughter or mother-in-law. Plus he's not happy with her constantly poking into murders and this will lead to friction.
The plot was a good one - a murdered landowner who apparently died from poisoning and then the death of an old Olympian who had agreed to report on their winter festival. Plus Mike has gone missing! Throw in a lot of arrests, pills and wheat. Can they find the killer and get a confession?
738 reviews5 followers
December 20, 2018
The Action Agency is a riot! Great story line and well developed characters. I was able to clearly see each of them in my mind from surly Roy to persnickety Elaina and her " I'm better than everyone especially my daughter in law Cameron", attitude. It's time for the Winter Festival complete with a skiing competition and so much more until the owner of the "ski slope" turns up dead and then former Olympian skier and friend of the deceased man turns up dead as well. Are the murders related? Where is the town mascot, Metamora Mike the mallard? I managed to figure that mystery out on my own but I did not see the twists and turns related to the double homicide as quickly.
1,226 reviews11 followers
December 7, 2019
Another festival gone awry!

It’s winter in Metamora and The Action committee is planning the Winter Festival, with sled dog races, a downhill race with an Olympic champion to host it, and a bunch of other activities. But as usual, murder(s) disrupt everything! Cam’s dogs are as crazy as ever, and the committee decides it needs to help the police solve the murders, so the festival can go on. And, gasp, Metamora Mike, the beloved town duck is missing!! Yes, these are cozy murder mysteries, but with all the shenanigans, it’s a hoot watching everyone try to fix things!
Profile Image for Kristin.
772 reviews10 followers
August 1, 2018
Very enjoyable book but the main character got a little too cocky about her sleuthing, and that's a major irritant for me and the reason I didn't give it 5 stars. Loved the developing storyline with Anna and Logan and the others. It was a great mystery and a fun story with funny parts. I look forward to reading more of this series.
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews165 followers
November 8, 2018
A nice and enjoyable cozy! It made me laugh out loud and was really entertaining.
I liked the nice setting, the quirky characters and good style of writing.
The plot was interesting and kept me guessing till the end.
An entertaining and engaging read.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Midnight Ink and Netgalley for this ARC
965 reviews6 followers
November 5, 2019
Murder

Love this series. Any time they have a planned event a murder seems to happen. Good lots and wonderful characters. A wedding is next, looking forward to it.
456 reviews15 followers
November 16, 2019
The Snow Festival didn't go exactly as planned but Cam and her crew did a great job anyway. Another fun book. I love how the relationships are working out for all these wonderful characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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