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A Pet Psychic Mystery #1
Karma's A Bitch
Darwin Winters, reluctant pet psychic, is determined to leave her family’s paranormal past behind and lead a normal life. So she strikes out on her own and opens up a new pet boutique in St. Pete, Florida. When a local homeless man she befriends is found dead, and the police assume it’s a suicide, Darwin has no choice but to use her gift to help collar the killer.
She adopts his grieving mastiff, Karma—and with the dog’s help—tries to piece together the events of that fatal night. Accepting the visions is one thing, but can she solve the mystery without revealing her powers to the jaded, yet drool-worthy, detective in charge of the case? Or will the killer put an end to her psychic sleuthing and bury the truth for good?
She adopts his grieving mastiff, Karma—and with the dog’s help—tries to piece together the events of that fatal night. Accepting the visions is one thing, but can she solve the mystery without revealing her powers to the jaded, yet drool-worthy, detective in charge of the case? Or will the killer put an end to her psychic sleuthing and bury the truth for good?
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2011
643 people are currently reading
1114 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Esposito
27 books147 followersShannon Esposito lives in a magical Gulf Coast town with fluorescent sunsets, purple dragonflies and the occasional backyard alligator. Her mysteries transport readers to Florida without the hefty price of airfare. Although she knew from the age of five she wanted to be a writer, she briefly entertained the idea of being a scientist, until she found out it involved math, which gives her hives.
She shares this little corner of paradise with her husband, twin boys and dogs. If she's not writing, you'll find her coddling one of the above, hiding with a book or daydreaming with her toes in the sand.
Get a free full-legnth mystery when you sign up for my newsletter at murderinparadise.com
She shares this little corner of paradise with her husband, twin boys and dogs. If she's not writing, you'll find her coddling one of the above, hiding with a book or daydreaming with her toes in the sand.
Get a free full-legnth mystery when you sign up for my newsletter at murderinparadise.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
June 9, 2019
This was one supposedly "cozy" mystery that completely surprised me - in a good way. It does have elements of the cozy genre in that an amateur sleuth is invested in finding the killer and that you have to dispense with a bit of reality. There is also a smidge of romance to heighten the tension and Darwin (yes, that's her name!) is also a pet psychic. Although the "messages" she receives from the poochies can be serious, how she has to deal with the psychic flash is funny as!!
Now the part that's serious and very un-cozy like. This story revolves around the many homeless, some with PTSD, and the great violence they live with, both inside their "city" and from the police. I'll admit I had tears on more than a few occasions, but then I am a bit of a sook.
The biggest shock however was the ending and what befell our protagonist.
Full of cute poochies and more than a few observational laughs this was a surprise package that left me begging for more! (And yes, I have downloaded the next book. 😂)
Now the part that's serious and very un-cozy like. This story revolves around the many homeless, some with PTSD, and the great violence they live with, both inside their "city" and from the police. I'll admit I had tears on more than a few occasions, but then I am a bit of a sook.
The biggest shock however was the ending and what befell our protagonist.
Full of cute poochies and more than a few observational laughs this was a surprise package that left me begging for more! (And yes, I have downloaded the next book. 😂)
December 6, 2011
Karma's a Bitch was such a delightful book.
It follows Darwin, a 28-year-old woman who moves to Florida and opens a pet boutique, along with Sylvia, who takes care of the grooming. As she is new there and quite softhearted, she befriends a homeless man, Mad Dog, who eventually ends up dead in a lake with an expensive bottle of rum nearby.
Darwin, has a unique gift, she gets psychic visions from animals and Mad Dog's dog, Karma, "tells" her that this was no suicide or accident. She keeps believing that even when a suicide note turns up and she has difficulty convincing the detective leading the investigation, Will without actually disclosing her secret.
Being kind and charitable as she is, she is friendly with the whole homeless community in the area and it is there, through helping the, that she seeks for answers. She knew Mad Dog was sober and she knew he had no desire to kill himself, so she embarks on an investigation on her own tracking leads and being reckless.In this quest she is aided (even if they didn't exactly realize they were helping her) not just by the homeless, but also by Frankie, a homeless-turned-millionaire after she won the lottery. And as Darwin keeps closing in on the murderer even through sheer luck and determination, she realizes that maybe her life is at danger.
I loved Darwin. She was such a sweetheart, without being too "saintly". I liked how she realized the danger on some level, even if she didn't acknowledge it. She grew up rather rurally so, perhaps she didn't exactly appreciate how more difficult life could be in a bigger city, but still she took everything as it came with dignity and courage and humor. I liked how she was polite to everyone and the relationships she built with her assistant/partner, the homeless, Frankie, even the dogs were quite touching. They felt real and warm and it was just the kind of person she was.
The plot was quite interesting as you had to know what was going on. The author paid attention to detail and it was fascinating to see everything evolve, because it was developed gradually and realistically. There was no instant "uhuh" moment of epiphany - that happens mostly in movies, but it was slow and it felt like an investigation anyone would do, in the sense that she was an everyday girl and had no experience or skills regarding that. Even though the character we come to know more about is Darwin, we still get glimpses of the other characters as well and som e of their mannerisms and some characteristics that defined them, like i.e. Sylvia with her loyalty and love for anything having to do with fashion, Frankie and her soft spot for the people who were in her precious position and her need to pamper herself and help others, Will and his need to get to know Darwin better (fact which caused him to reveal certain aspects of the investigation's findings to her...
I have to admit that I didn't see the end coming. I was thinking something along the lines of "Fight Club" or something, but the author proved me wrong. It was a lot more sinister and abrupt.
I had no idea who the real killer was till the very end and I also had no idea why Mad Dog was killed. Like some people in the book say, the homeless community is a dangerous one, but still it doesn't always lead to violent death, especially when someone plans to turn his life around and has already started to.
The book was very entertaining and you got invested in the story but I have to admit it was a bit slow at some points (without ever, actually dragging) and the first vision Darwin had, which made her initiate the investigation, was not a very clear one, with Karma seeing Mad Dog in the water and following someone there. I had no idea if that meant that he got there himself and fell or if it was someone else and not some sort of accident. But as the story moved on we understood it better by Darwin's conviction. Also even if the attachment Darwin formed on Mad Dog was a little quick (after all, they only knew each other for a week), I can really see how with her having no friends there and missing her family, she wanted to feel needed and like she was helping someone and grew fond of him so soon.
All in all an adorable book that will captivate your heart with its directness and lovely dog images...And of course, the social message that you should help whoever you can!!oh and a dash of romance.
** Given by the author for my honest opinion. Thank you! :)
It follows Darwin, a 28-year-old woman who moves to Florida and opens a pet boutique, along with Sylvia, who takes care of the grooming. As she is new there and quite softhearted, she befriends a homeless man, Mad Dog, who eventually ends up dead in a lake with an expensive bottle of rum nearby.
Darwin, has a unique gift, she gets psychic visions from animals and Mad Dog's dog, Karma, "tells" her that this was no suicide or accident. She keeps believing that even when a suicide note turns up and she has difficulty convincing the detective leading the investigation, Will without actually disclosing her secret.
Being kind and charitable as she is, she is friendly with the whole homeless community in the area and it is there, through helping the, that she seeks for answers. She knew Mad Dog was sober and she knew he had no desire to kill himself, so she embarks on an investigation on her own tracking leads and being reckless.In this quest she is aided (even if they didn't exactly realize they were helping her) not just by the homeless, but also by Frankie, a homeless-turned-millionaire after she won the lottery. And as Darwin keeps closing in on the murderer even through sheer luck and determination, she realizes that maybe her life is at danger.
I loved Darwin. She was such a sweetheart, without being too "saintly". I liked how she realized the danger on some level, even if she didn't acknowledge it. She grew up rather rurally so, perhaps she didn't exactly appreciate how more difficult life could be in a bigger city, but still she took everything as it came with dignity and courage and humor. I liked how she was polite to everyone and the relationships she built with her assistant/partner, the homeless, Frankie, even the dogs were quite touching. They felt real and warm and it was just the kind of person she was.
The plot was quite interesting as you had to know what was going on. The author paid attention to detail and it was fascinating to see everything evolve, because it was developed gradually and realistically. There was no instant "uhuh" moment of epiphany - that happens mostly in movies, but it was slow and it felt like an investigation anyone would do, in the sense that she was an everyday girl and had no experience or skills regarding that. Even though the character we come to know more about is Darwin, we still get glimpses of the other characters as well and som e of their mannerisms and some characteristics that defined them, like i.e. Sylvia with her loyalty and love for anything having to do with fashion, Frankie and her soft spot for the people who were in her precious position and her need to pamper herself and help others, Will and his need to get to know Darwin better (fact which caused him to reveal certain aspects of the investigation's findings to her...
I have to admit that I didn't see the end coming. I was thinking something along the lines of "Fight Club" or something, but the author proved me wrong. It was a lot more sinister and abrupt.
I had no idea who the real killer was till the very end and I also had no idea why Mad Dog was killed. Like some people in the book say, the homeless community is a dangerous one, but still it doesn't always lead to violent death, especially when someone plans to turn his life around and has already started to.
The book was very entertaining and you got invested in the story but I have to admit it was a bit slow at some points (without ever, actually dragging) and the first vision Darwin had, which made her initiate the investigation, was not a very clear one, with Karma seeing Mad Dog in the water and following someone there. I had no idea if that meant that he got there himself and fell or if it was someone else and not some sort of accident. But as the story moved on we understood it better by Darwin's conviction. Also even if the attachment Darwin formed on Mad Dog was a little quick (after all, they only knew each other for a week), I can really see how with her having no friends there and missing her family, she wanted to feel needed and like she was helping someone and grew fond of him so soon.
All in all an adorable book that will captivate your heart with its directness and lovely dog images...And of course, the social message that you should help whoever you can!!oh and a dash of romance.
** Given by the author for my honest opinion. Thank you! :)
November 14, 2013
I just finished reading Karma's A Bitch and I have to tell you it's one of the most emotionally satisfying reads I've had in long time! I know, I know, it's supposed to be a lighthearted romp, and it is – but I fell head over heels with Karma (a dog) and my poor heart ran the gamut between grief and ridiculously soaring happiness. I loved this book right from the beginning. The main character, Darwin, is just kooky enough to be loveable and her psychic ability to communicate with pets endeared herself to me forever. The pages of this book are chock full of laughter, love, adventure, mystery and even a little romance. Not to mention a plethora of pooches and enough pastries to make me gain a pound or two.
I adored this book – so much so that, the second I finished the last page, I went to Amazon and ordered the next book in the series, Lady Luck Runs Out. If it's anywhere near as good as Karma, I know I'm in for a treat!
I adored this book – so much so that, the second I finished the last page, I went to Amazon and ordered the next book in the series, Lady Luck Runs Out. If it's anywhere near as good as Karma, I know I'm in for a treat!
February 12, 2012
I want to say that this is a cozy mystery, but it is not like any cozy I have ever read. Most are light and fun, this one is kind of depressing. In other cozies, the main character/amateur detective has very little or no grief for the victim. Darwin was grieving way too much for my taste. Especially for a man she only knew for a week.
I didn't get attached to any of the characters. I think I would have liked this book a lot better if there was more in it about Darwin's powers.
I didn't get attached to any of the characters. I think I would have liked this book a lot better if there was more in it about Darwin's powers.
January 23, 2012
Firstly, the title of this novel is so witty on numerous levels! What a hoot! But, alas, one must read this fetching novel to fully appreciate the novel's name in accordance with the storyline. Bravo to author Shannon Esposito for her play on words!
I LOVE the wonderful world of canines so with this fun, mystery novel incorporating dogs as characters it was a big plus for me. While reading the novel I thought that the author had to be, without question, a dog lover simply from her writing in this novel. It was confirmed at the end of the novel where there is a brief synopsis of the author. I also prefer big dogs (of which I have had all my life) but the dog star in this novel (Karma) takes the term "big" to a whole new level. He is a big massive bundle of fur and love -- a mastiff weighing in at 150-pounds!
When the protagonist of this novel (28-year-old Darwin Winters -- female) serendipitously becomes the owner/caretaker of a dog (Karma) after his master (a homeless man known as "Mad Dog") is found dead under mysterious circumstances the human/canine "bond" between Darwin and Karma is instantaneous and meant to be. As a dog lover, I was happy to read that Karma was not described as going through a grieving period after his owner left this world. He was surely a free spirit -- as was Darwin -- so they easily became a uniting force in more ways than one.
Darwin is a most delightful, 28-year-old young woman venturing out into the world after living around (or with) her family in Savannah Georgia. She decides to settle down in St. Petersburg Florida where she met another young woman (Sylvia) who had enough money to begin an entrepreneurship of starting her own business (a Pet Boutique) and asked Darwin to be her right arm. Sylvia couldn't have made a better choice having Darwin work with her to help make the Pet Boutique a success. Small businesses usually have a higher failure rate (especially during the first year) so these two women would really have to work at gathering customers and keeping them. I like reading about small businesses because my parents and grandparents were small-business owners their entire lives. And, all the while, I felt like I was right there with Darwin & Sylvia with their charming personalities, their super go-getter attitudes to please customers who want to pamper their pooches and their interesting eclectic customers.
With the Pet Boutique being new to the area, drumming up business was key. One day Darwin decides to take some flyers (about the newly opened Pet Boutique) to post around the area including a nearby park. It is there where she sees the big mastiff alongside his most probable master -- a man who looks to be snoozing under a shade tree. Darwin's outgoing personality, (along with not being able to leave the park without giving such a lovable looking big canine at least a pat on the head) Darwin goes to do just that -- go meet and greet this big guy along with his owner. She learns that the massive dog belongs to a homeless man whom she befriends. His name in the homeless community is "Mad Dog" but his personality is more like a lovable, somewhat lost, Golden Retriever. "Mad Dog" becomes Darwin's first friend in St. Pete (besides her coworker Sylvia)
Being new to St. Petersburg Florida, and leaving her family behind in Savanna, Darwin figures it can't hurt to get to know some people in any way possible for potential friendships. Darwin befriends "Mad Dog" in a short period of time and enjoys getting together with him for lunch every day before his untimely death. Even though the police and detectives want to overlook Mad Dog's demise and brush it off as just another homeless man's suicide, Darwin gets a brief psychic energy flash and mind flashes from Karma (via touching him) that his master (Mad Dog) did not kill himself. If Darwin's psychic abilities hold true then what she sees in "instant mind flashes" suggests the very possibility that Mad Dog WAS murdered. Mad dog had been so sweet and kind as well as being Darwin's first friend in her new town that she couldn't just let it go. Or could she?
Since no one (including the local police or detectives) wants to delve into the truth of a potential murder Darwin makes it her mission to find out who and why someone would want to murder her new friend (Mad Dog). Mad Dog's life is shrouded in mystery but the people who knew him best resided in a homeless community nearby -- in a local commune known as "Pirate City." Darwin takes her life in her own hands by visiting "Pirate City" -- a place with its share of shady characters. But since she knew that was probably the only place she could gain valuable information (via Mad Dog's friends there) she is determined to do just that. The reader will get a small peek into the author's view and perception of a small group of close-knit homeless folks.
The story draws readers in by writing using the first-person method. The story is told through the eyes and ears of the protagonist (Darwin) so we get a first-hand account of all that is happening. I loved the wonderful relationship that came to be between Darwin and Karma (the big Mastiff breed), the working relationship between Darwin's eccentric coworker/boss and herself, the relationships with the customers (including canines of various breeds) and several other stimulating and compelling relationships between Darwin and the myriad of people she comes across in a small corner of St. Pete.
This story is a warm and soft one. But definitely not a "sickly sweet" story that would exclusively draw a female audience. It is a superb, well-written suspense mystery with just a dab of the paranormal thrown in. So if the term "pet psychic" (from any other synopsis' or other reviews) scares any readers out there away from what they think might be a novel saturated with a potential pseudoscience -- don't let it!
I LOVE the wonderful world of canines so with this fun, mystery novel incorporating dogs as characters it was a big plus for me. While reading the novel I thought that the author had to be, without question, a dog lover simply from her writing in this novel. It was confirmed at the end of the novel where there is a brief synopsis of the author. I also prefer big dogs (of which I have had all my life) but the dog star in this novel (Karma) takes the term "big" to a whole new level. He is a big massive bundle of fur and love -- a mastiff weighing in at 150-pounds!
When the protagonist of this novel (28-year-old Darwin Winters -- female) serendipitously becomes the owner/caretaker of a dog (Karma) after his master (a homeless man known as "Mad Dog") is found dead under mysterious circumstances the human/canine "bond" between Darwin and Karma is instantaneous and meant to be. As a dog lover, I was happy to read that Karma was not described as going through a grieving period after his owner left this world. He was surely a free spirit -- as was Darwin -- so they easily became a uniting force in more ways than one.
Darwin is a most delightful, 28-year-old young woman venturing out into the world after living around (or with) her family in Savannah Georgia. She decides to settle down in St. Petersburg Florida where she met another young woman (Sylvia) who had enough money to begin an entrepreneurship of starting her own business (a Pet Boutique) and asked Darwin to be her right arm. Sylvia couldn't have made a better choice having Darwin work with her to help make the Pet Boutique a success. Small businesses usually have a higher failure rate (especially during the first year) so these two women would really have to work at gathering customers and keeping them. I like reading about small businesses because my parents and grandparents were small-business owners their entire lives. And, all the while, I felt like I was right there with Darwin & Sylvia with their charming personalities, their super go-getter attitudes to please customers who want to pamper their pooches and their interesting eclectic customers.
With the Pet Boutique being new to the area, drumming up business was key. One day Darwin decides to take some flyers (about the newly opened Pet Boutique) to post around the area including a nearby park. It is there where she sees the big mastiff alongside his most probable master -- a man who looks to be snoozing under a shade tree. Darwin's outgoing personality, (along with not being able to leave the park without giving such a lovable looking big canine at least a pat on the head) Darwin goes to do just that -- go meet and greet this big guy along with his owner. She learns that the massive dog belongs to a homeless man whom she befriends. His name in the homeless community is "Mad Dog" but his personality is more like a lovable, somewhat lost, Golden Retriever. "Mad Dog" becomes Darwin's first friend in St. Pete (besides her coworker Sylvia)
Being new to St. Petersburg Florida, and leaving her family behind in Savanna, Darwin figures it can't hurt to get to know some people in any way possible for potential friendships. Darwin befriends "Mad Dog" in a short period of time and enjoys getting together with him for lunch every day before his untimely death. Even though the police and detectives want to overlook Mad Dog's demise and brush it off as just another homeless man's suicide, Darwin gets a brief psychic energy flash and mind flashes from Karma (via touching him) that his master (Mad Dog) did not kill himself. If Darwin's psychic abilities hold true then what she sees in "instant mind flashes" suggests the very possibility that Mad Dog WAS murdered. Mad dog had been so sweet and kind as well as being Darwin's first friend in her new town that she couldn't just let it go. Or could she?
Since no one (including the local police or detectives) wants to delve into the truth of a potential murder Darwin makes it her mission to find out who and why someone would want to murder her new friend (Mad Dog). Mad Dog's life is shrouded in mystery but the people who knew him best resided in a homeless community nearby -- in a local commune known as "Pirate City." Darwin takes her life in her own hands by visiting "Pirate City" -- a place with its share of shady characters. But since she knew that was probably the only place she could gain valuable information (via Mad Dog's friends there) she is determined to do just that. The reader will get a small peek into the author's view and perception of a small group of close-knit homeless folks.
The story draws readers in by writing using the first-person method. The story is told through the eyes and ears of the protagonist (Darwin) so we get a first-hand account of all that is happening. I loved the wonderful relationship that came to be between Darwin and Karma (the big Mastiff breed), the working relationship between Darwin's eccentric coworker/boss and herself, the relationships with the customers (including canines of various breeds) and several other stimulating and compelling relationships between Darwin and the myriad of people she comes across in a small corner of St. Pete.
This story is a warm and soft one. But definitely not a "sickly sweet" story that would exclusively draw a female audience. It is a superb, well-written suspense mystery with just a dab of the paranormal thrown in. So if the term "pet psychic" (from any other synopsis' or other reviews) scares any readers out there away from what they think might be a novel saturated with a potential pseudoscience -- don't let it!
March 20, 2018
Not kindle unlimited, got it on a freebie day.
Darwin Winters, reluctant pet psychic, is determined to leave her family’s paranormal past behind and lead a normal life. So she strikes out on her own and opens up a new pet boutique in St. Pete, Florida. When a local homeless man she befriends is found dead, and the police assume it’s a suicide, Darwin has no choice but to use her gift to help collar the killer. She adopts his grieving mastiff, Karma—and with the dog’s help—tries to piece together the events of that fatal night. Accepting the visions is one thing, but can she solve the mystery without revealing her powers to the jaded, yet drool-worthy, detective in charge of the case? Or will the killer put an end to her psychic sleuthing and bury the truth for good?
Noticed some of the reviews, the parts about if she's in dog grooming how can she be wearing heels and have manicured nails and all, but what I wondered was if she's in that business why is her partner the one that seems to be doing everything {washing and grooming and all} and all she seems to do is to straighten up inventory, talk to people, and bake animal treats. I understand that each of her sisters is supposed to have a gift {and there was something about her gift being 'water'} along with the herbs and essences and all, but doesn't seem to be enough needed in the story to have it brought up as much, and the different asides/tangents or whatever just seem to drag the story line. If you know a cop, and you trust him, you would lie {sin of omission} not to tell him about your pet psychic gift as well as not tell him when you are going to investigate something that already got one person killed and possibly one injured, but instead go out in the middle of the night to somewhere you think had something major to do with the killing? Listening for an alarm, when they make a lot of silent alarms is also off. It's also very odd that every time just about she goes to do something it's a Sunday, except the one time when it mentioned another day instead. Also needed to quit switching tenses, especially in the same sentence; it's grammatically wrong and rather irritating.
How does someone 'hang up' the video phone system at that jail, it's a computer with audio headset and doesn't have to be 'hung up' once one caller stops the call on their side. Paint used on windows is rarely water based, and oil based in no way cleans up with just soap and water {and in fact the water makes it worse} even on windows {and takes specific tools to take it off glass without scratching in to or breaking the windows} plus if it was actually still wet when they got there, why did it have to be scraped off anyway, AND it was raining heavily in the scene. Does she not work her business on the weekends, she's always going somewhere on those days, and most people work during the week so they take care of other business on the weekends, or else they don't work but still probably do things such as pet grooming on the weekend. No, the law states several things for non-cremated remains and then that cremated remains be at LEAST 3 miles or MORE from land/shore and they disperse and sink fairly rapidly. How did she, not being a family member, get to claim Mad Dog's ashes? Why wouldn't she had told the police about his possible living family as well as had them look for those people or at least had them doing so to help her search. She didn't remember the address, but she does remember the corporation name that bought the house. 'dead end' is not a pun, it would be irony. The stop and go with proper and improper punctution use is annoying and confusing.
If you really don't like having to deal with the bad things and times associated with people {and their pets} because it's too much and/or you don't want people knowing about the 'gift', don't you think it would have been wise to definitely not be in some business such as pet grooming or pet treats or pet walking/care, or pretty much anything where you would have to be around that type thing every single day, day after day. How does one suture or have a lacertion of a BONE. Dogs don't see gold, at best it's a yellow of some sort or a darker yellow that appears brownish; dogs see the colors of the world as basically yellow, blue, and gray, so more of the lighter shade of but not particulary pastel. Your known, cop, boyfriend is 'undercover' so even though known as a cop and known as your boyfriend, he comes to visit you? Then while still on vicodin and not recovered fully from being purposely hit with a car, you take a taxi, alone and not telling the cop boyfriend, to the place where the killing actually happened? You let a dog lick the baking kitchen utensils? Somebody gives you professional help, about a real estate sale the story said didn't have address for, which I commented knew company name that bought it, but that wasn't given to the person nor the address, yet they come up with the information later, somehow, and you tell them as payment their animal gets one free gourmet treat next time they are in the store, wow, cheap much.
A cruise is not a spa trip, how low is the supposed coffee table that you can hit a shin {which is only halfway up past the ankle} yet high enough to set under/at to do things with candles and bowls? If you get psychic vibes from animals, why all the talk about vibes from humans since said basically only from animals. You don't want the one chick telling the main chick about what all happened...then let it go because she says you'll be dead, while a VIDEO camera is rolling? Eyes don't swell shut that fast, you can't beat someone to a 'bloody pulp' with one hit to the ribs and 1 to the jaw, and 1 to the face. This story went from a 5, where always start, and between all the issues put down, in detail, ended up a 1; interesting premise, really lousy exectution.
Darwin Winters, reluctant pet psychic, is determined to leave her family’s paranormal past behind and lead a normal life. So she strikes out on her own and opens up a new pet boutique in St. Pete, Florida. When a local homeless man she befriends is found dead, and the police assume it’s a suicide, Darwin has no choice but to use her gift to help collar the killer. She adopts his grieving mastiff, Karma—and with the dog’s help—tries to piece together the events of that fatal night. Accepting the visions is one thing, but can she solve the mystery without revealing her powers to the jaded, yet drool-worthy, detective in charge of the case? Or will the killer put an end to her psychic sleuthing and bury the truth for good?
Noticed some of the reviews, the parts about if she's in dog grooming how can she be wearing heels and have manicured nails and all, but what I wondered was if she's in that business why is her partner the one that seems to be doing everything {washing and grooming and all} and all she seems to do is to straighten up inventory, talk to people, and bake animal treats. I understand that each of her sisters is supposed to have a gift {and there was something about her gift being 'water'} along with the herbs and essences and all, but doesn't seem to be enough needed in the story to have it brought up as much, and the different asides/tangents or whatever just seem to drag the story line. If you know a cop, and you trust him, you would lie {sin of omission} not to tell him about your pet psychic gift as well as not tell him when you are going to investigate something that already got one person killed and possibly one injured, but instead go out in the middle of the night to somewhere you think had something major to do with the killing? Listening for an alarm, when they make a lot of silent alarms is also off. It's also very odd that every time just about she goes to do something it's a Sunday, except the one time when it mentioned another day instead. Also needed to quit switching tenses, especially in the same sentence; it's grammatically wrong and rather irritating.
How does someone 'hang up' the video phone system at that jail, it's a computer with audio headset and doesn't have to be 'hung up' once one caller stops the call on their side. Paint used on windows is rarely water based, and oil based in no way cleans up with just soap and water {and in fact the water makes it worse} even on windows {and takes specific tools to take it off glass without scratching in to or breaking the windows} plus if it was actually still wet when they got there, why did it have to be scraped off anyway, AND it was raining heavily in the scene. Does she not work her business on the weekends, she's always going somewhere on those days, and most people work during the week so they take care of other business on the weekends, or else they don't work but still probably do things such as pet grooming on the weekend. No, the law states several things for non-cremated remains and then that cremated remains be at LEAST 3 miles or MORE from land/shore and they disperse and sink fairly rapidly. How did she, not being a family member, get to claim Mad Dog's ashes? Why wouldn't she had told the police about his possible living family as well as had them look for those people or at least had them doing so to help her search. She didn't remember the address, but she does remember the corporation name that bought the house. 'dead end' is not a pun, it would be irony. The stop and go with proper and improper punctution use is annoying and confusing.
If you really don't like having to deal with the bad things and times associated with people {and their pets} because it's too much and/or you don't want people knowing about the 'gift', don't you think it would have been wise to definitely not be in some business such as pet grooming or pet treats or pet walking/care, or pretty much anything where you would have to be around that type thing every single day, day after day. How does one suture or have a lacertion of a BONE. Dogs don't see gold, at best it's a yellow of some sort or a darker yellow that appears brownish; dogs see the colors of the world as basically yellow, blue, and gray, so more of the lighter shade of but not particulary pastel. Your known, cop, boyfriend is 'undercover' so even though known as a cop and known as your boyfriend, he comes to visit you? Then while still on vicodin and not recovered fully from being purposely hit with a car, you take a taxi, alone and not telling the cop boyfriend, to the place where the killing actually happened? You let a dog lick the baking kitchen utensils? Somebody gives you professional help, about a real estate sale the story said didn't have address for, which I commented knew company name that bought it, but that wasn't given to the person nor the address, yet they come up with the information later, somehow, and you tell them as payment their animal gets one free gourmet treat next time they are in the store, wow, cheap much.
A cruise is not a spa trip, how low is the supposed coffee table that you can hit a shin {which is only halfway up past the ankle} yet high enough to set under/at to do things with candles and bowls? If you get psychic vibes from animals, why all the talk about vibes from humans since said basically only from animals. You don't want the one chick telling the main chick about what all happened...then let it go because she says you'll be dead, while a VIDEO camera is rolling? Eyes don't swell shut that fast, you can't beat someone to a 'bloody pulp' with one hit to the ribs and 1 to the jaw, and 1 to the face. This story went from a 5, where always start, and between all the issues put down, in detail, ended up a 1; interesting premise, really lousy exectution.
July 17, 2016
Reviewed by Crystal
Darwin Winter's has a paranormal past that she is trying desperately to leave behind but her heart wont let innocent animals suffer. Starting over in the small town St. Pete in sunny Florida Darwin and friend Sylvia open a Pet Boutique catering to all the towns pampered pooches. Things couldn't be more wonderful with a fresh start and a blooming business... but Darwin soon finds herself knee deep in a murder investigation... one that can get her added to the list of victims...
I really enjoyed reading this little cozy! I found the plot to be well thought out and not like any other cozy I have read. I normally figure out who done it pretty quickly and I did get half way there but was pleasantly surprised with some twists that I didn't see coming.
Find the rest of our review here along with a yummy recipe!
http://eatingbetweenthelinesinc.com/2...
Darwin Winter's has a paranormal past that she is trying desperately to leave behind but her heart wont let innocent animals suffer. Starting over in the small town St. Pete in sunny Florida Darwin and friend Sylvia open a Pet Boutique catering to all the towns pampered pooches. Things couldn't be more wonderful with a fresh start and a blooming business... but Darwin soon finds herself knee deep in a murder investigation... one that can get her added to the list of victims...
I really enjoyed reading this little cozy! I found the plot to be well thought out and not like any other cozy I have read. I normally figure out who done it pretty quickly and I did get half way there but was pleasantly surprised with some twists that I didn't see coming.
Find the rest of our review here along with a yummy recipe!
http://eatingbetweenthelinesinc.com/2...
August 8, 2017
So much fun
This book is fun! I enjoyed the writing style, the pacing, the premise, and the great plot, but the characters really captured me. I'll be buying the next book in this series for sure!
This book is fun! I enjoyed the writing style, the pacing, the premise, and the great plot, but the characters really captured me. I'll be buying the next book in this series for sure!
May 13, 2021
This book made me cry. So much sadness related to a part of American society.
But it also drew me in by it’s main character Darwin. There is much more to her than was revealed in this first book in the series - a good thing in any series! I look forward to learning more about about her, and her family.
There are other characters that I hope will appear in future books. I’m ready to begin the second book as soon as I read an assigned book club book!
The animal aspects of this book also drew me in, and I hope to see more of Karma and the other dogs in future books too.
All that said, I had to take off a star for this out-of-the-blue stereotypical negative description of a type of dog that suffers from this falsehood. I don’t understand how an author that intentionally creates a fictional environment with dogs also includes such descriptions:
Page 211: “... if you were a dog, you’d be a pit bull, Darwin. You just sink your teeth into something and don’t let go.”
Stop it, please. You contribute to society’s behavior toward these dogs when such throw-away (& inaccurate) descriptions are included in an otherwise decent book.
But it also drew me in by it’s main character Darwin. There is much more to her than was revealed in this first book in the series - a good thing in any series! I look forward to learning more about about her, and her family.
There are other characters that I hope will appear in future books. I’m ready to begin the second book as soon as I read an assigned book club book!
The animal aspects of this book also drew me in, and I hope to see more of Karma and the other dogs in future books too.
All that said, I had to take off a star for this out-of-the-blue stereotypical negative description of a type of dog that suffers from this falsehood. I don’t understand how an author that intentionally creates a fictional environment with dogs also includes such descriptions:
Page 211: “... if you were a dog, you’d be a pit bull, Darwin. You just sink your teeth into something and don’t let go.”
Stop it, please. You contribute to society’s behavior toward these dogs when such throw-away (& inaccurate) descriptions are included in an otherwise decent book.
March 5, 2019
Friends, Fate and a dog
A wonderful read. A great plot about a psychic who gets visions from animals. Well written and flows smoothly. Great characters that immerse you into their lives, hopes and dreams.
She and her friend have opened a pet boutique - dealing with everything from grooming to natural remedies. Although she hasn't opened up to her friend, she misses her sisters but this is her chance for a normal life. Her solitude is broken by befriending a homeless man and his dog. But she becomes concerned as he seems to suffering from beatings. When he turns up dead, she takes his dog in but refuses to believe that he had an accident or was suicidal. The dog has shown her that he tried to rescue him but failed. The more she speculates the more she vows to find the real reason the man died. A homeless village, new friends, a handsome detective, threats, accidents and a new girlfriend are all woven into a terrific read. Can she get answers?
A wonderful read. A great plot about a psychic who gets visions from animals. Well written and flows smoothly. Great characters that immerse you into their lives, hopes and dreams.
She and her friend have opened a pet boutique - dealing with everything from grooming to natural remedies. Although she hasn't opened up to her friend, she misses her sisters but this is her chance for a normal life. Her solitude is broken by befriending a homeless man and his dog. But she becomes concerned as he seems to suffering from beatings. When he turns up dead, she takes his dog in but refuses to believe that he had an accident or was suicidal. The dog has shown her that he tried to rescue him but failed. The more she speculates the more she vows to find the real reason the man died. A homeless village, new friends, a handsome detective, threats, accidents and a new girlfriend are all woven into a terrific read. Can she get answers?
December 18, 2021
This series is off to a good start. Darwin is a pet psychic but is still learning to control it. She befriends a homeless man and his pet dog Karma, and is shocked when he turns up dead and Karma leads her to believe it's murder.
The characters are good and the mystery kept me guessing. There were a couple times when I got frustrated with Darwin, I'm not a fan of secret keeping with loved ones, but otherwise I liked her determination and trying to do what is right. I will continue on with this series.
The characters are good and the mystery kept me guessing. There were a couple times when I got frustrated with Darwin, I'm not a fan of secret keeping with loved ones, but otherwise I liked her determination and trying to do what is right. I will continue on with this series.
June 2, 2019
What a fun book! The main character owns a pet boutique AND happens to be a pet psychic! My dream life! Her psychic abilities are secret, so she has to cunningly navigate her way into a murder investigation without revealing the true source of her knowledge. She takes care of the murder victim's dog, Karma, while getting close to the investigating detective and personality interviewing the key players. It's a super cute book, and I switched between the written version and the Audible version. The narration was great.
Want to read
February 18, 2020TheFussyLibrarian
May 26, 2025
Very enjoyable, light cozy mystery.
July 15, 2013
This is the first novel in a series that is unique...both the main character, Darwin Winters, and a Mastiff, Karma are psychic! That puts a difference in the crime solving that was special.
Darwin has moved to St. Pete, Florida to begin her own independent life. Finding herself away from family (a psychic one that is alluded to,) she is naive in the ways of the world. Darwin works in a Pet Boutique with a lovely woman, Sylvia, but she is still lonely. Meeting a homeless man (Mad Dog,) and his trusty partner, Mastiff Karma, she proceeds to make a careful friendship with them.
To Darwin's horror, Mad Dog is murdered, or so Karma says. Since Darwin found him and the police insist that it is a suicide, Darwin finds herself in a quandary. Karma says he was murdered but...?
There was a fun romance that threaded throughout the novel and added some break from an intense murder attempt. All in all a very good debut novel.
Darwin has moved to St. Pete, Florida to begin her own independent life. Finding herself away from family (a psychic one that is alluded to,) she is naive in the ways of the world. Darwin works in a Pet Boutique with a lovely woman, Sylvia, but she is still lonely. Meeting a homeless man (Mad Dog,) and his trusty partner, Mastiff Karma, she proceeds to make a careful friendship with them.
To Darwin's horror, Mad Dog is murdered, or so Karma says. Since Darwin found him and the police insist that it is a suicide, Darwin finds herself in a quandary. Karma says he was murdered but...?
There was a fun romance that threaded throughout the novel and added some break from an intense murder attempt. All in all a very good debut novel.
January 23, 2014
Karma's a big dog -- a really big dog with no teeth. He and his owner, a homeless man known as MadDog, make friends with Darwin, who is new in town and runs an upscale pet boutique. The story unfolds from there, and it's a good one. I figured out the biggest part of the "whodunit" portion of the story before it was revealed, but I still enjoyed every page of the adventure. The "pet psychic" angle was handled without too heavy a hand, and I thought the story was well-crafted.
Darwin needs to learn to trust others a bit more, although she as an interesting back-story that I'd love to better understand. I also feel like the supporting characters need greater development, and I am interested to see more of them. I'm thinking that both of these issues will be dealt with in additional books in the series.
*I received a free download of this e-book from the author, but the review is my own. :-)
Darwin needs to learn to trust others a bit more, although she as an interesting back-story that I'd love to better understand. I also feel like the supporting characters need greater development, and I am interested to see more of them. I'm thinking that both of these issues will be dealt with in additional books in the series.
*I received a free download of this e-book from the author, but the review is my own. :-)
October 13, 2016
Escaping from a sheltered home life and a world were her family's unusual abilities make them different, Darwin opens a pet boutique with her dog groomer and friend, Sylvia. Her need to hide her ability to "read" traumatized pets gets more difficult soon after Darwin befriends Karma and his person Mad Dog, a homeless Gulf War vet. This talent leads Darwin in her search for the truth behind the murder of her new friend Mad Dog when Karma shares images with her that do not fit the official explanation of his death. Meet Will, the handsome detective, Frankie the homeless lottery winner turned flamboyant multimillionaire, Mac the unofficial leader of a homeless group, and Landon the handsome and mysterious magician.
I can't wait for more books in the Pet Psychic series.
January 9, 2015
Pet psychic? Let me at it!! Alas, this book did not quite live up to my expectations. There was such a focus on food, both eating and cooking/baking, that at times I wondered if the author had to fill empty spaces because she had run out of ideas. Her characters are not sufficiently developed; no attempt is made to describe the main protagonist's reasons for moving away from her family and her way of dealing with energy "buzzes" is severely over the top. As for her partner's bizarre accent, NONE of my Portuguese friends talk like that!! The cover is colourful and rather appealing, and I did finish the book in one day, so it definitely isn't all bad.
I will try the second book in the hopes that it will be an improvement (I see there's a cat featured on the cover)
I will try the second book in the hopes that it will be an improvement (I see there's a cat featured on the cover)
November 27, 2015
Enjoyed the story. I loved the way she weaved the magic into the heroine’s personality. I think I got this book for free, I’m going to buy the next one.
February 18, 2016
Such a cute, sad, good book. I really enjoyed it. Darwin opened an Pet Boutique with Sylvia. Darwin was a dog psychic. Darwin meets a homeless man and Karma is his dog.
May 15, 2020
🚨 ****SPOILER ALERT***🚨
As anyone who follows my reviews know, I absolutely hate to leave a negative review. After all, authors work hard to create a story and long hours. That being said, this one failed to deliver. There will be spoilers so beware. First of all, this supposed to be about someone who is psychic with pets. She has her own boutique where she bakes cookies and snacks for dogs and pets and also makes herbal remedies for anything afflicting them, like to help calm them for example. Her co-owner does grooming. All this works out very well for someone being a pet whisperer. The start drew me right in. I liked Darwin’s character. We meet a homeless guy named Mad Dog. He has been in the war and suffers from PTSD. I liked him. He remained elusive and I wasn’t sure if he would be a bad guy or what. As soon as we get to liking him, he is found dead. I really wish his character would’ve been more developed. From then on, Darwin was out to find his murderer. The police think it’s suicide because there’s a note. But she knows better and also sees what Mad Dog’s dog is telling her. I loved the dog, Karma. But Darwin can’t tell the cops she’s psychic. Who wants to be taken away in a straight jacket? Oh, and her and the detective start sort of dating. He is a good guy but not in the story like he should be. She spends lots of time in the section of town called Pirate City. It’s where the homeless live. It is dangerous but she still goes at night sometimes and alone. Who does that? All her questions about Mad Dog are never answered. Only some vague information. I got so frustrated because the characters were sort of shallow but almost developed. Nothing ever happened with her sleuthing. The worst part was she very rarely had a psychic moment. It shouldn’t even be chalked psychic series. The ending was so preposterous. Why did the author even make Maddy be pregnant? And Frankie, I loved her, but it’s like her and Darwin meet and become besties overnight? I feel like I was dropped into the middle of a few peoples’ lives and just seeing random day to day stuff then some action. Darwin hardly worked. And the dog getting hit by the car was awful. But there’s no way it would’ve ran in to try and save her with a cast on it plus it was getting IV treatment and fluids at home. I don’t think any vet would send one home for that. Idk. The whole death thing and people being beat up was a joke. I don’t think that would’ve made the internet like it did. Plus, Mad Dog would’ve been more intelligent than that I think. His wife and daughter showing up at end, I think he would’ve tried harder for daughter. From what we knew of him and wife. This could’ve been a really great book. It’s like ideas were formed but not planned out. I do have to say, the covers are so amazing! That’s what led me to start this series. I’m not sure I will read another one. I’m all for giving authors an extra try so maybe I will. Just not right now. This one had me interested until about halfway through then sort of fizzled out.
As anyone who follows my reviews know, I absolutely hate to leave a negative review. After all, authors work hard to create a story and long hours. That being said, this one failed to deliver. There will be spoilers so beware. First of all, this supposed to be about someone who is psychic with pets. She has her own boutique where she bakes cookies and snacks for dogs and pets and also makes herbal remedies for anything afflicting them, like to help calm them for example. Her co-owner does grooming. All this works out very well for someone being a pet whisperer. The start drew me right in. I liked Darwin’s character. We meet a homeless guy named Mad Dog. He has been in the war and suffers from PTSD. I liked him. He remained elusive and I wasn’t sure if he would be a bad guy or what. As soon as we get to liking him, he is found dead. I really wish his character would’ve been more developed. From then on, Darwin was out to find his murderer. The police think it’s suicide because there’s a note. But she knows better and also sees what Mad Dog’s dog is telling her. I loved the dog, Karma. But Darwin can’t tell the cops she’s psychic. Who wants to be taken away in a straight jacket? Oh, and her and the detective start sort of dating. He is a good guy but not in the story like he should be. She spends lots of time in the section of town called Pirate City. It’s where the homeless live. It is dangerous but she still goes at night sometimes and alone. Who does that? All her questions about Mad Dog are never answered. Only some vague information. I got so frustrated because the characters were sort of shallow but almost developed. Nothing ever happened with her sleuthing. The worst part was she very rarely had a psychic moment. It shouldn’t even be chalked psychic series. The ending was so preposterous. Why did the author even make Maddy be pregnant? And Frankie, I loved her, but it’s like her and Darwin meet and become besties overnight? I feel like I was dropped into the middle of a few peoples’ lives and just seeing random day to day stuff then some action. Darwin hardly worked. And the dog getting hit by the car was awful. But there’s no way it would’ve ran in to try and save her with a cast on it plus it was getting IV treatment and fluids at home. I don’t think any vet would send one home for that. Idk. The whole death thing and people being beat up was a joke. I don’t think that would’ve made the internet like it did. Plus, Mad Dog would’ve been more intelligent than that I think. His wife and daughter showing up at end, I think he would’ve tried harder for daughter. From what we knew of him and wife. This could’ve been a really great book. It’s like ideas were formed but not planned out. I do have to say, the covers are so amazing! That’s what led me to start this series. I’m not sure I will read another one. I’m all for giving authors an extra try so maybe I will. Just not right now. This one had me interested until about halfway through then sort of fizzled out.
June 10, 2019
It took me a long time to finish this as, pleasant as it was, it didn't really grab me. A beach read sort of a book. There were a few things that really bugged me about this book. First and foremost, Karma is NOT a bitch, he is a dog - although for the life of me I can't see that it would have made ANY difference to the story if Karma had been female. Such a simple thing to change to give the title that lovely double entendre.....but no, Karma is male. SO disappointing. In addition, I see absolutely no point in making dog toothless. It adds nothing to the story. Then the main character doesn't leash a 200 lb, grieving, only known to her for a few weeks, dog when going on a major bike ride. When she does leash him (to go potty across the street) she wraps the leash around her had a few extra times when he alerts. Well, at least she acknowledges that she's about to have a dislocated shoulder! Then there's the lady with three poodles, one in each color! What?!? Poodles come in significantly more than three colors. Maybe she meant sizes? (I think we may have stumbled across another dog lover, not dog person, story.) OK, dog stuff aside, it's a decent little mystery. Moves a bit slow in spaces. There is quite a bit of talk/teases about her home/family in Savannah - but not enough detail for it not to come off as just teasing the next book, and angsty bit of filler. 3 stars, 4 if you are not a dog person and want a beach read. Fairly clean. Necking and hormones but no sex. Some violence, but not too graphic. May read the second one some day, if only to see if the Savannah teases add up to anything -although I suspect it will take more than just one more book to figure that out.
December 5, 2018
A Pet Psychic Mystery! Interesting!
Darwin is your regular, run-of-the-mill co-owner of a pet boutique in Florida, but she also happens to be a pet psychic that is able to receive vision energies from the animals.
One day, Darwin encounters a homeless guy with a mutt named Karma and something struck her about the two. They form an instant friendship; she gives him a job and they meet up for breakfast every morning at a local café. Still, he was reluctant to open up to her, and, everyday, she would wonder what kind of trouble he was getting into since he was showing up with more and more bruises.
Then, one day, his body is discovered by the lake with Karma barking frantically by his side. One lick from Karma and ZAP! She saw it and, together with Karma, she will figure it all out, thus, beginning the quirky investigation with a loyal and lovable canine.
Right away, you feel for the heartbroken dog and the poor, dead Mad Dog, who had a tough life but still had a soft spot for the furry, little friends. The mystery was enjoyable, but I wish we would’ve gotten more from the psychic visions so we could try to piece together the puzzle. All we got were little snippets with vague descriptions. I mean, I understand author was trying to keep the mystery of it all, but the best thing about visions is actually seeing them.
A must read for any animal lover!
Darwin is your regular, run-of-the-mill co-owner of a pet boutique in Florida, but she also happens to be a pet psychic that is able to receive vision energies from the animals.
One day, Darwin encounters a homeless guy with a mutt named Karma and something struck her about the two. They form an instant friendship; she gives him a job and they meet up for breakfast every morning at a local café. Still, he was reluctant to open up to her, and, everyday, she would wonder what kind of trouble he was getting into since he was showing up with more and more bruises.
Then, one day, his body is discovered by the lake with Karma barking frantically by his side. One lick from Karma and ZAP! She saw it and, together with Karma, she will figure it all out, thus, beginning the quirky investigation with a loyal and lovable canine.
Right away, you feel for the heartbroken dog and the poor, dead Mad Dog, who had a tough life but still had a soft spot for the furry, little friends. The mystery was enjoyable, but I wish we would’ve gotten more from the psychic visions so we could try to piece together the puzzle. All we got were little snippets with vague descriptions. I mean, I understand author was trying to keep the mystery of it all, but the best thing about visions is actually seeing them.
A must read for any animal lover!
July 18, 2024
I want to say I enjoyed this book but it had me in tears ( but then I do cry at Disney films). Unusually for a cozy mystery the author kills off a nice guy, after you have gotten to know him and to be honest I was disappointed with the motive. However I liked the characters but yes you guessed it Karma the dog stole the show. Darwin's psychic powers were in the form of visions after a dog has suffered a trauma. Which did lead her to investigating the death but seemed more of a hindrance than a help, as nobody knows about her gift, not even the love interest in her life. So unable to tell anybody where she got the information she put herself in danger a lot, otherwise I liked her. The homeless situation and PTSD was handled with respect and compassion from the main character. As for the mystery I suspected everyone and kept changing my mind as to who was responsible, which kept me reading until the end.
Darwin new to the area befriends a homeless man and his dog. As her only friend, other than her new work colleague, she gets to know him well. So when the police fish him out of the river and label it an accident or suicide, she knows better. Especially when his dog shares glimpses of what he saw that night. Unable to do nothing Darwin takes in his dog and visits the homeless camp to try and learn more. Can she find a killer?
Darwin new to the area befriends a homeless man and his dog. As her only friend, other than her new work colleague, she gets to know him well. So when the police fish him out of the river and label it an accident or suicide, she knows better. Especially when his dog shares glimpses of what he saw that night. Unable to do nothing Darwin takes in his dog and visits the homeless camp to try and learn more. Can she find a killer?
March 7, 2019
Gotta love good karma
I truly hope this is not the last we hear of Darwin. She got pretty banged up in her pursuit of justice for one off society's most maligned. The author made the plight of the homeless, & their treatment very clear, but without getting preachy about it. It was a natural part of the story as Darwin made one of her first friends in a new city, aside from Sylvia, her business partner.
When her new friend is found floating in a lake, Darwin makes a startling connection to his giant mastiff. That connection has her making a promise to the dog that may land her in some serious trouble.
There are lots of hints of past trouble for Darwin, that I hope she will become more clear about as her trust grows. She's in a new town, with new friends, & a new, thriving business. She's away from what sounds like a troubling family situation. She can be anyone she wants to be. Hopefully, she will Easter true to herself.
I truly hope this is not the last we hear of Darwin. She got pretty banged up in her pursuit of justice for one off society's most maligned. The author made the plight of the homeless, & their treatment very clear, but without getting preachy about it. It was a natural part of the story as Darwin made one of her first friends in a new city, aside from Sylvia, her business partner.
When her new friend is found floating in a lake, Darwin makes a startling connection to his giant mastiff. That connection has her making a promise to the dog that may land her in some serious trouble.
There are lots of hints of past trouble for Darwin, that I hope she will become more clear about as her trust grows. She's in a new town, with new friends, & a new, thriving business. She's away from what sounds like a troubling family situation. She can be anyone she wants to be. Hopefully, she will Easter true to herself.
March 9, 2019
this is a fun read about a well to do young woman with psychic abilities who opens a pet grooming salon with a friend. She is embarrassed about her mystical abilities and leaves her family behind. She befriends a homeless man and his toothless canine companion, a large mastiff named Karma. Karma, the dog, is not, BTW, a bitch. but when the homeless man dies under suspicious circumstances, Darwin, the young woman, takes Karma and endeavours to solve the mystery of the man's death. This will put both her life and her heart in danger.
This is a fast, fun read with a cute story and likeable characters. Background of the characters is superficial but the sunny Florida atmosphere and relationships between pets and their people are conveyed convincingly. The homeless situation is portrayed unrealistically, but this is not a gritty book. It is fun and fanciful and I look forward to the next in the series.
This is a fast, fun read with a cute story and likeable characters. Background of the characters is superficial but the sunny Florida atmosphere and relationships between pets and their people are conveyed convincingly. The homeless situation is portrayed unrealistically, but this is not a gritty book. It is fun and fanciful and I look forward to the next in the series.
July 23, 2024
I only picked this up for a prompt in a challenge – do you have any idea how hard it is to find a readily available book with a flowerpot on the cover?
Anyway, the idea behind this is good: pet accessories store owner Darwin gets psychic flashes from animals, which she uses to solve the murder of a homeless man she befriended. But everything is so clunky, from the hints of her family magical background, the instalove with the local cop, and especially the interactions with the homeless community, which actively made me cringe. I mean, I know it’s a cozy mystery, but maybe make *some* effort at realism here.
It did gain an extra star by at least offering a pretty wide array of suspects for the murder, and while I figured quite a few things out, the actual murderer was a surprise to me.
Anyway, the idea behind this is good: pet accessories store owner Darwin gets psychic flashes from animals, which she uses to solve the murder of a homeless man she befriended. But everything is so clunky, from the hints of her family magical background, the instalove with the local cop, and especially the interactions with the homeless community, which actively made me cringe. I mean, I know it’s a cozy mystery, but maybe make *some* effort at realism here.
It did gain an extra star by at least offering a pretty wide array of suspects for the murder, and while I figured quite a few things out, the actual murderer was a surprise to me.
January 30, 2025
3.5 stars
Readable light paranormal cozy. Likable main character Darwin has escaped her witchy family in Savannah to open a pet boutique in Florida. She gets strong vibes from animals who have experienced or witnessed trauma. Her gift isn't much explained and that would be interesting - maybe more in a later series books.
Darwin is tender-hearted and impulsive. She doesn't want to let her business partner and friend Sylvia or her love interest Will, know about her abilities as she knows most people are skeptical at best. I understand but hope this angst doesn't drag on book after book.
Darwin gets involved in helping and interacting with the local homeless camp. When a new friend turns up dead, Darwin knows it's murder and not suicide and stubbornly keeps investigating.
Good character development and nicely paced.
Readable light paranormal cozy. Likable main character Darwin has escaped her witchy family in Savannah to open a pet boutique in Florida. She gets strong vibes from animals who have experienced or witnessed trauma. Her gift isn't much explained and that would be interesting - maybe more in a later series books.
Darwin is tender-hearted and impulsive. She doesn't want to let her business partner and friend Sylvia or her love interest Will, know about her abilities as she knows most people are skeptical at best. I understand but hope this angst doesn't drag on book after book.
Darwin gets involved in helping and interacting with the local homeless camp. When a new friend turns up dead, Darwin knows it's murder and not suicide and stubbornly keeps investigating.
Good character development and nicely paced.
November 13, 2018
Darwin Winters, a pet psychic, has left her family and settled in St Pete, Florida trying to leave the paranormal behind. She and her friend, Sylvia, open a pet boutique where Sylvia grooms the animals and Darwin sells her flower essences as well as other items for the animals. Darwin befriends a homeless man and his toothless mastiff, Karma. When he's found dead by the lake with a bottle of expensive rum the police rule it a suicide but Darwin gets a vision from Karma and knows better. So she investigates things herself. Darwin does get some help from a police detective named Will and a romance begins to bud between them.
This book is a wonderful beginning to what promises to be a fantastic series.
This book is a wonderful beginning to what promises to be a fantastic series.
March 11, 2019
Normally the cover will sometimes put me off and this one did but the title
did intrigue me and am very glad I did.
Darwin is a pet psychic which is not something she tells anyone due to
the reactions she knows she will get. She opens a pet boutique store
in Florida and also befriends a homeless man and his pet dog Karma.
As she finds out more about him and Karma she becomes more
involved in helping him only to find out he was killed. Karma becomes
hers and Darwin sets out on a course to find the killer bumping
heads with the local police force, being stonewalled by the
homeless community and some not so subtle threats.
Throughout it all Darwin's sense of humor sees her through many a
tight spot and leaves you laughing away!!!!
did intrigue me and am very glad I did.
Darwin is a pet psychic which is not something she tells anyone due to
the reactions she knows she will get. She opens a pet boutique store
in Florida and also befriends a homeless man and his pet dog Karma.
As she finds out more about him and Karma she becomes more
involved in helping him only to find out he was killed. Karma becomes
hers and Darwin sets out on a course to find the killer bumping
heads with the local police force, being stonewalled by the
homeless community and some not so subtle threats.
Throughout it all Darwin's sense of humor sees her through many a
tight spot and leaves you laughing away!!!!
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