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Cozy Corgi #13

Meddlesome Money

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Summer in Estes Park is filled with tourists, wildlife, pastries, and scandal…


The Chipmunk Chronicles, the local newspaper, has a new gossip column—and gossip is great for the Cozy Corgi Bookshop and Bakery. Though infuriated by the way people are treated by the column’s author, Winifred Page can’t help wondering about the outrageous revelations. Fred’s grumpy corgi, Watson, however, is more concerned with an endless search for treats than the rumors flying around town.

When Gerald Jackson, a less than brilliant local lawyer, is featured in the column, people begin to suspect he’s working the town over in a quest for wealth rather than fighting for justice. As his status sinks, others are pulled under with him—people Fred loves.

For once, Fred and Watson are cajoled into investigation mode not for murder, but to help clear her friends’ names and their tarnished reputations. But while the greed and secret dealings in the dark she uncovers bring more questions than answers, murder finds a way to make an appearance after all…

(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for crispy, golden empanadas.)

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2019

465 people are currently reading
205 people want to read

About the author

Mildred Abbott

56 books372 followers
Mildred Abbott writes twisty cozy mysteries filled with humorous and complex characters. Whether brimming with magic or simply an above average dose of curiosity, Mildred's amateur sleuths solve murders with the cutest sidekicks ever.

Fifteen years as a special education teacher and a lifetime of loving rescue dogs results in creating adventures with a ton of heart and the need for lint rollers.

Connect with Mildred Abbott’s Cozy Mysteries on Facebook to catch the latest release and find fellow addicts of books, coffee, and corgis.


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MildredAbbot...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mildredabbott/

Email: mildredabbottauthor@gmail.com

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5 stars
512 (68%)
4 stars
174 (23%)
3 stars
52 (6%)
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6 (<1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
Profile Image for Shawna Shaheen.
332 reviews25 followers
July 22, 2021
The 13 th series of the series. Is about a mysterious woman Birdie making people in Estes Park on a article from Chipmunk Chronicals. ( that Alethena is working. A friend of Paulie's and Fred Winifred) share very bad information on them. Felicia, Simone , Carl l Gerald and even Fred herself. Before Birdie could dish out Fred dirt Birdie died. The last one Birdie told was Gerald dirt so every thought that is who did her in. But suspicions escalated. There were 2 murders in this one. I knew who the killer was before I knew. I love Mildred Abbot's books though. They are very interesting. And always a different story than the next. They have mostly all of the characters in it and I love the right knit of the community in Eyes Park. Absolutely love Watson the corgi. My kind of dog
Profile Image for Laura Thomas.
1,552 reviews108 followers
January 18, 2020
Small towns have just as many secrets as the larger ones. This is shown to be true when a gossip columnist at the Chipmunk Chronicles starts airing people’s dirty laundry. Will the secrets revealed lead to murder? Will Fred have to put on her sleuthing cap? We shall see.

I can’t help but feel proud of Fred. She’s come a long ways, and despite her doubts and fears of what she might discover, she pushes on. She has shown so much growth throughout the series. The more she digs, the more secrets come out and one that haunted me from the previous book is finally revealed.

Once again the characters came to life. including the adorable and grumpy Watson. And I felt like I was among the tourists, seeing the beautiful town of Estes Park through fresh eyes.

Can’t say too much about this one. Too hard not to spoil it. I’m still loving this series and I say bring on the next!

I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
Profile Image for Victoria Smiser.
83 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2019
Wonderful! An escape to Estes Park this summer. It is the height of the summer tourist season. Groups of families, couples, and children walking and shopping main street and going out to investigate the wildlife. In the midst of this happy summer arrives a new gossip columnist at the daily Chipmunk Chronicles, exposing one by one, the unsuspecting residents of Estes Park to private matters an secrets. When two surprising and even shocking deaths are discovered Fred is added as an official unofficial co-investigator to Susan Green her longtime nemesis.
MEDDLESOME MONEY is packed with our favorite characters and trust between them is a little shaky. While I have loved ALL of the previous COZY CORGI mysteries, this mystery seems to have an edge, Fred is puzzled and looks to old connections and even her family for links. The turns and the dead ends combined with the hurt felt by the exposed residents make MEDDLESOME MONEY simply a “not going to stop reading book” so plan on a good read and forget about bedtime!
Profile Image for Nola Arganbright.
1,592 reviews32 followers
August 18, 2019
Did a little bird tell

This was a tough murder for our bookseller sleuthing to solve. She and officer Susan Green become wary comrades in order to find answers to the recent murders in Estes.
Profile Image for Robin Powers.
1,427 reviews35 followers
August 2, 2019
Omg! Just when I think Fred and Watson couldn’t get more wrapped up in a murder mystery, Meddlesome Money proves me wrong. I loved the twists and my little ol’ heart was beating pretty fast at the end. Fred does manage to find herself in some tight situations. I can’t imagine having her determination to find the truth. I enjoyed hanging out with the Estes gang and finding out more salacious secrets. What is going on in this town? It seems like everyone has something to hide and Fred is going to uncover it all one by one.
Profile Image for Emmalynn.
2,949 reviews28 followers
April 24, 2023
Fred is the best part of these book 😂😂😂 his snobbery when denied his treats and his side eyes when giving the cold shoulder is epic! There’s a new gossip column in town that’s storing up gossip and hurt amongst the resident, including Carl and Anna. Soon after the shyster lawyer, Gerald is exposed, the columnist is found dead and then Gerald is found murdered. Winnie is on the case with the approval of Officer Susan! Such a change from the prior administration. Even Winnie is trying to get used to being an asset to the PD and not seem as a nuisance.
Profile Image for Betty.
17 reviews
August 7, 2019
So many twists and turns!

I just couldn't figure out how Fred was going to solve this one! And the way the story came together at the end was masterful! Loved it!
Profile Image for Karen (BaronessBookTrove).
1,124 reviews108 followers
March 11, 2024
Meddlesome Money by Mildred Abbott is about a mysterious woman named Bridget Sutton who moved to town and started writing a gossip column. That column is diving into the dark secrets of the citizens in the town, which almost everyone knows about already.
Why even bring up this gossip column? And, why does what was written about Gerald Jackson ring true?
Winifred "Fred" Page
Poor Fred in this installment. She is the next subject in the gossip column penned by one Bridget "Birdie" Sutton, making her one of the prime suspects. Well, if she didn't have a reputation for herself already. Fred is still funny, as can be when she gets to solving a mystery and trying to figure out the clues. She has a lot of love for Estes Park, even if some of its citizens don't feel the same for her. Fred has so much on her plate while also trying to solve this murder. I have to say her interaction with Susan Green in Chapter 6 is hilarious:
"I've been excepting this call any day now," Susan's harsh voice grumbled on the other end of the line. "What's it been, four weeks? Maybe five?" She didn't wait for me to answer. "Who is it, and where are you?"

I balked. "What do you mean you've been excepting this call? It's not like I'm arranging to stumble across dead bodies on a schedule. This isn't routine."

One of the things I love is how Officer Susan Green is willing to let Fred help out on cases instead of trying to talk her out of meddling in the cases.
Meddlesome Money CRThe Mystery
This time, there are two mysteries around Bridget Sutton, the new gossip columnist for The Chipmunk Chronicles newspaper, and Gerald Jackson, the lawyer in town. Fred finds out a lot about the two of them throughout her investigations. I thought the two cases were related, but then I didn't after a certain point. For Gerald Jackson, I didn't know it was who it was at the end since it just seemed too easy, I guess. I thought that it was something else. Perhaps, he got in way overhead his head on a scheme that a crime family could be a part of. I admit Ms. Abbott had me chasing red herrings again.
Five Stars
Meddlesome Money by Mildred Abbott is a page-turner that would get any reader going, "huh, that person did it... I thought it was this person". Or at least that was how it was for me. I missed the signs the whole time, even though I still think it was someone else. I can't wait to dive into Precarious Pasta next.

Don't forget to check out: Katie's Empanada Recipe in the back of the book.


The Cozy Corgi Mystery Series

Cozy Corgi Mysteries Series
Also Available on #KindleUnlimited.



Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed these reviews of Meddlesome Money by Mildred Abbott.

Until the next time,

Karen Signature

Happy Reading!

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

Profile Image for Michelle Nelson Lowery.
20 reviews
September 19, 2019
Amazing!

I was completely taken aback! Never mind the twists and turns. Maybe never underestimate the power of a strong woman. This is my new favorite book. I’m going to try to RE-read it to see where I missed the clues. I never would have guessed who it was!
Profile Image for John.
451 reviews68 followers
August 11, 2019
Mildred, please come back to that gossip list soon. I need to know what everyone's dirty little secrets are.

Also, the latest Hallmark dream casting: Treat Williams for Gerald.
Profile Image for Chris.
531 reviews2 followers
January 8, 2021
Not as good as previous in the series, but okay. Could be me and I was having a hard time focusing. I don't feed my dogs a lot of treats and the amount of food Watson gets makes me cringe.
Profile Image for Grammy 1.
805 reviews18 followers
Read
August 11, 2019
5 *****Stars
Book: Meddlesome Money
Series: Cozy Corgi Mysteries #13
Author: Mildred Abbott
Publisher: Mildred Abbott
Pages: 259
Release date: August 7, 2019
Genre:Murder mystery
Rated: YA and above

Mildred Abbott has changed up her series, and offered us a new look at how a mystery can be written. It has been thru this series , that our sleuth Winifred happens to ‘find’ a body and the story is how she unmasks a killer. In Meddlesome Money, Ms. Abbott has chosen another approach and I found it was a refreshing change of pace.

Having a new person enter the community during the summer festivities and summer tourist rush has people buzzing. The newbie is hosting a Gossip Column in the local paper ,with major community people being targeted with nasty innuendoes and rumor.

Winifred is asked to seek out information about the writer and how she has all this knowledge… and why she was hired in the first place. Most of the information is public record but there is a hint of more. A list is discovered of who the people being attacked will be. Winifred name shows next and will be published the next day. It it is not until the woman’s body is found under dark circumstances, that has Winifred turn gears, now investigating a murder.

I love this series. We are privy to know almost everyone in tow, especially the store owners in Estes Park, and many of the founding families. This change up has given the series a boost for me…..I sorta thought I knew who the killer was….But waited for the big reveal!

Can’t wait for #14


Profile Image for Kirby Manning.
39 reviews4 followers
August 19, 2019
Who to trust???

This was an exciting and different story. I have read all the series in order from the beginning and have enjoyed all of them. Each story is about Winfred Page and her life journey when things happened in her previous career that forced changes. She moved to a small town in Colorado and opened a book store. That's where the stories begin and mysteries are solved. This particular story was full of a lot of surprises however I was not surprised at the demise of the first individual, the second individual was a surprise. Something about this story left a few questions unanswered and I suspect those questions will continue in the next story or stories.
I'm sad that it will be Fall before the next story is completed but I look forward to being able to order it. To fully appreciate the stories my recommendation is to begin with the first one because that's how a reader gets to Lear and appreciate all the characters. Any reader should want to visit Katies bakery and meet the little Corgi with a personality all his own . Hopefully Fred will begin to enjoy her life and friends and let the idea of solving the Iron's family mysterious links to her father's death and leave that to those better equipped to dealing with those deeply ingrained negative individuals of society. I sincerely hope the little Tourist town will return to normal with all their quirky characters continuing to be their quirky selves....and Fred and her Corgi back to the bookstore meeting new and unusual individuals.... and feeling more confident about who to trust....
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
August 9, 2019
Have the stories lost their edge?

I must admit that this has been one series that i have followed faithfully but although it was great to catch up with the characters the plot itself was a definite let down. Okay it was well contrived and well executed but the spark that made the others great is missing. Is this the end of the line for this series?
A gossip writer has moved to the town and is now writing in depth pieces on some of the residents. Offering up their skeletons for the world to see. When she finds her dead body the question is raised about her latest piece on the lawyer (the only one in town) and his less than scrupulous dealings with the cases he got and his investment schemes. Was he to blame for the death? Add in a wealthy resident with an axe to grind, insurance claims, a code and another death. Is he part of the local mafia ad was his death suicide or murder? Can she get the answers without falling victim?
Profile Image for Jeannie and Louis Rigod.
1,991 reviews40 followers
August 14, 2019
Winifred (Fred) and her corgi, Watson are expecting another glorious day at the bookshop/bakery. Instead, they enter into silence... what they find launches the pair into a level of secrets and death.

A gossip has entered Estes Park, CO. Now, there are several individuals, that shall we say, enjoy the art of spreading news of an intimate nature...work situations, romantic situations and more. This gossip no one knows. And, to make matters worse there appears to be a 'hit' list.

The gossip finds misadventure and for the first time, Fred is asked to look into an 'accidental' death. But is it? When, paths of inquiry lead Fred to wonder about the 'hit' list, a local celebrity is murdered, or was he?

You, as a reader will join Fred and friends down the clue laden paths. Trust me, you will soon learn there are surprises along the way.

I do enjoy this series. I look forward to years more to come, if I have my wishes come true.
Profile Image for Sherry Vaughan.
842 reviews10 followers
August 27, 2019
Fred and Susan--The Mystery Continues

Once again, Fred is involved in a mystery. An anonymous reporter is writing articles about certain people in town. The articles are not nice but they are truthful. The reporter is killed but, not before some of her articles are published. Then, one of her articles causes an upstanding citizen to commit suicide. Or did he? As Fred tries to solve the mystery, she keeps being sidetracked by thoughts of the Irons family and a possible vendetta against her family. The biggest question is this--is Susan really going to be her friend? A delicious recipe for empanadas is also included.
Profile Image for Debby.
38 reviews
August 10, 2019
I have to say, I have loved this series since book 1 - Cruel Candy … and it never fails to deliver. There is a bookseller who finds herself looking into situations, and yes a murder too, for friends. There is Watson, the most wonderful grump of a Corgi you could ever meet. His favorite word is T-R-E-A-T-S, and he earns them once again. There is the on-going list of friends and townspeople for us to like, love, and maybe even “strongly dislike”. Throw in a dead body, and lots of twists! What you have is a fun read that keep me guessing up to the end.
Profile Image for Terri Nelson.
123 reviews4 followers
October 19, 2019
Meddlesome Money

Just when I thought that this series couldn't get any better, this author just hit this story out of the park! The plot twists kept the pages turning right to the end. Well developed characters and the pictures painted in my head of the beautiful setting for this series just keeps me wanting more and more. Thank you for such a great read! I look forward to each new story in this series!
Profile Image for Nann Tucker.
39 reviews1 follower
January 19, 2020
I so enjoy these mysteries. I love Winifred and Watson her beautiful corgi. The murderer in this book was a complete shock, and I really like that!!! The entire series has great story lines and really lovable characters. At the risk of sounding old-fashioned, I like the absence of bad language and overly sexual content. I think the cozy reader will love this story especially because of the great details, and as I said I really did not expect the ending.
Profile Image for Karel .
201 reviews3 followers
April 25, 2020
Wow!!

This book was a real thriller! Thank heaven everything does work out well! Fred and Watson are embroiled in another case but were they murders or suicides or accidents? Fred doesn't figure things out until she and Watson are almost killed!! Fred starts to question her deductive abilities. What does the future hold for our intrepid hero and her awesome sidekick? The saga continues.
960 reviews3 followers
September 12, 2022
Better than Ever

Besides the tight plot with an ending I didn't see coming and characters I've cone to consider friends of a sort, this episode has a killer empanada recipe at the end. Yes, I made them. While I couldn't get anyone else in the family to give them a try, that meant more for me. Sounds like something Fred would say.

As usual, the book was well written and well edited, which made it even more of a joy to read. I'm looking to the next one.
84 reviews
October 6, 2025
Wow another great mystery! This one was a little too close for comfort with Fred and Watson! You never really know what a person is capable of when they have been swindled out of a lot of money! Paulette being a frail old woman knew exactly how to fool people and she killed her boss and then tried to kill Fred and Watson! Love the way Officer Susan Green and Fred get along so well and that Susan came to Fred and Watson's rescue!❤️
88 reviews
August 9, 2019
Always enjoyable

While I was pretty sure who did it this time I wasn't 100% until the end . I always enjoy reading this series. Not your run of the mill storylines ,which are usually predictable by some authors- this author is one of my favorites - because they aren't like everyone elses's!! Keep up the good work writing !
And I'll wait impatiently for the next book!!
5 reviews
August 11, 2019
Crazy Cozy Corgi

I really like the personality of Watson. I believe animals can tell when people need emotional support and are so willing to give it. The rest of the characters in the book are also interesting and make for good reading. There is not bad book in the entire series and I hope there are many more of them to come.
22 reviews
August 12, 2019
Another comfy cozy from Mildred Abbott

You don’t have to love corgis (but it doesn’t hurt) to enjoy this series. Ms. Abbott weaves a community of quirky characters into each of her books. This latest episode doesn’t disappoint in any way. I want to visit the Cozy Corgi and enjoy some of Katie’s goodies.
Profile Image for June Price.
Author 6 books81 followers
August 7, 2019
This one is just out so I won't say much and ruin the story for anyone. I found it a quick, easy read, with just enough mentions of corgi Watson to keep me smiling, and look forward to the next book from Mildred Abbott.
Profile Image for Maryruth Drescher.
111 reviews5 followers
August 8, 2019
Terrific mysteries

I love the corgi in this series. All of the characters are great and it is so easy to put yourself into the story. The ending always surprise me.
Thanks for a great read
Profile Image for Barbara Fryer.
65 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2019
Excellent

I love the development of the characters in this series. This particular book had me intrigued from the beginning. I could not figure out the killer which I really admire in this author. Her clues are not obvious.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews

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