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A Furry Friends Mystery #1
Dogged by Death
In Laura Scott's Furry Friends series debut, veterinarian Ally Winter must collar the killer of a shifty lawyer. Does the dead man's dog know who committed the arf-ul crime?
Ally Winter is going through a ruff patch. The thirty-something veterinarian lost her fiance, her clinic, and her savings in rapid succession. So when Ally's grandfather undergoes hip replacement surgery, she moves back to Willow Bluff, Wisconsin, to care for him. She arrives home, tail between her legs, only to find sleazy lawyer Marty Shawlin murdered in his home office. And the only witness was Marty's faithful boxer, Roxy.
Quick as a greyhound, Noah Jorgensen is on the case. The good news is, he's the best detective around. The bad news, at least the way Ally sees it, is that Noah is still just as fetching as he was back in high school. He also just happens to have witnessed every embarrassing incident that befell accident-prone Ally--including the fire-ant attack that set tongues wagging and won her the unshakable nickname Hot Pants.
Meanwhile, true-crime aficionado Gramps fancies himself a sleuth, and he is doggedly determined to sniff out the culprit himself...with Ally's reluctant help, of course. Ally has no choice but to team up with Noah--and the irrepressible Roxy--to solve the case while keeping Gramps on a short leash.
Ally had better learn some new tricks, lickety-split. Because if she can't bring the killer to heel, she won't just be playing dead.
Ally Winter is going through a ruff patch. The thirty-something veterinarian lost her fiance, her clinic, and her savings in rapid succession. So when Ally's grandfather undergoes hip replacement surgery, she moves back to Willow Bluff, Wisconsin, to care for him. She arrives home, tail between her legs, only to find sleazy lawyer Marty Shawlin murdered in his home office. And the only witness was Marty's faithful boxer, Roxy.
Quick as a greyhound, Noah Jorgensen is on the case. The good news is, he's the best detective around. The bad news, at least the way Ally sees it, is that Noah is still just as fetching as he was back in high school. He also just happens to have witnessed every embarrassing incident that befell accident-prone Ally--including the fire-ant attack that set tongues wagging and won her the unshakable nickname Hot Pants.
Meanwhile, true-crime aficionado Gramps fancies himself a sleuth, and he is doggedly determined to sniff out the culprit himself...with Ally's reluctant help, of course. Ally has no choice but to team up with Noah--and the irrepressible Roxy--to solve the case while keeping Gramps on a short leash.
Ally had better learn some new tricks, lickety-split. Because if she can't bring the killer to heel, she won't just be playing dead.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 13, 2021
83 people are currently reading
595 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
July 3, 2021
My job is pretty high stress at the moment. Reading is my escape, and there are days I just need an entertaining cozy mystery to just let me escape into a story for a few hours. When I read the name of this new cozy series, I had to read it right then. No question. Immediate read required.
Furry Friends Mysteries.
Yes. Please.
And I'm glad I jumped on book 1 of this new series and read it! Very enjoyable story!
The basics: Ally Winter is a veterinarian. Her life implodes - fiance gone, savings gone, vet clinic gone. All gone. So she moves back to her hometown, Willow Bluff, WI, to begin a do-over and to help her grandpa after his hip replacement surgery. Things get worse when Ally finds a local shady attorney dead. Can a down-and-out vet and a true-crime buff grandpa catch a killer??
Ally and her grandpa are awesome characters! Roxy the dog is also wonderful -- I have a dog named Roxie so the name alone made me smile! The mystery is entertaining and engaging. I like the characters and the side plot. Overall, a very enjoyable cozy mystery. I'm definitely reading more of this series.
This is the first book by Laura Scott that I've read. I will definitely be reading more by her. Love it when I find a new-to-me author that I enjoy! The front cover is so cute. Cozies have the best covers!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Furry Friends Mysteries.
Yes. Please.
And I'm glad I jumped on book 1 of this new series and read it! Very enjoyable story!
The basics: Ally Winter is a veterinarian. Her life implodes - fiance gone, savings gone, vet clinic gone. All gone. So she moves back to her hometown, Willow Bluff, WI, to begin a do-over and to help her grandpa after his hip replacement surgery. Things get worse when Ally finds a local shady attorney dead. Can a down-and-out vet and a true-crime buff grandpa catch a killer??
Ally and her grandpa are awesome characters! Roxy the dog is also wonderful -- I have a dog named Roxie so the name alone made me smile! The mystery is entertaining and engaging. I like the characters and the side plot. Overall, a very enjoyable cozy mystery. I'm definitely reading more of this series.
This is the first book by Laura Scott that I've read. I will definitely be reading more by her. Love it when I find a new-to-me author that I enjoy! The front cover is so cute. Cozies have the best covers!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
January 21, 2023
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Veterinarian Ally Winter has returned to Willow Bluff, Wisconsin to care for her grandfather after hip replacement surgery and to hit the restart button on her life following a bad breakup. She has bought the clinic of a retiring vet and is working hard to build her client list. Her Grandpa Oscar is recovering in an assisted living home along with three widows who all would like to be more than friends with Oscar. Oscar is more into true crime books and television shows but he eats up all the women’s attention with a smile.
One of Ally’s first clients is a boxer named Roxy, owned by lawyer Marty Shawlin. He has hired her to walk Roxy daily. When she arrives to take Roxy on her walk she makes a gruesome discovery. Martin Shawlin stretched out on the floor, eyes staring vacantly into space, his head matted with blood, and no pulse. Roxy is barking like mad. Marty Shawlin has been murdered and the only witness seems to be his beautiful boxer.
Ally Winter is a wonderful protagonist. She’d been knocked down and she got back up and is slowly succeeding at getting her life back on track after leaving her cheating fiancé in the dust. She has a great bond with her grandfather. Oscar thinks it will be easy to catch a killer and encourages Ally to investigate with his help, of course. Harriet, Lydia, and Tillie reside with Oscar at the Willow Bluff Legacy House, a small assisted-living facility. The “Willow Widows” are all trying to outdo each other for Oscar’s attention. We also meet Detective Noah Jorgensen. He went to school with Ally and knows all of her embarrassing history. And then there is Roxy. She immediately stole Ally’s heart and mine as well. All of Ms. Scott’s core characters are very well developed for the first book in the series. They are genuine and for the most part, engaging. Noah hit me wrong from the start so I haven’t made up my mind about him yet.
The mystery was very well-plotted. The victim had angered several people which meant a nice pool of suspects. I got a real kick of Grandpa Oscar. He doesn’t let a little thing like a hip replacement slow him down especially when the police have him on their suspect list. Ally tries hard to reel him in but when the threats hit close to home she knows she needs his help. I enjoyed tagging along with them as they followed the clues and came up with theories.
The author adds a whole bunch of humor to the story too. The Willow Widows bring their share but Gramps and Allie have their moments too.
Dogged by Death has set this series off to an excellent start. Tailing Trouble is impatiently waiting on my Kindle. I can’t wait for my next trip up the road to Willow Bluff.
Veterinarian Ally Winter has returned to Willow Bluff, Wisconsin to care for her grandfather after hip replacement surgery and to hit the restart button on her life following a bad breakup. She has bought the clinic of a retiring vet and is working hard to build her client list. Her Grandpa Oscar is recovering in an assisted living home along with three widows who all would like to be more than friends with Oscar. Oscar is more into true crime books and television shows but he eats up all the women’s attention with a smile.
One of Ally’s first clients is a boxer named Roxy, owned by lawyer Marty Shawlin. He has hired her to walk Roxy daily. When she arrives to take Roxy on her walk she makes a gruesome discovery. Martin Shawlin stretched out on the floor, eyes staring vacantly into space, his head matted with blood, and no pulse. Roxy is barking like mad. Marty Shawlin has been murdered and the only witness seems to be his beautiful boxer.
Ally Winter is a wonderful protagonist. She’d been knocked down and she got back up and is slowly succeeding at getting her life back on track after leaving her cheating fiancé in the dust. She has a great bond with her grandfather. Oscar thinks it will be easy to catch a killer and encourages Ally to investigate with his help, of course. Harriet, Lydia, and Tillie reside with Oscar at the Willow Bluff Legacy House, a small assisted-living facility. The “Willow Widows” are all trying to outdo each other for Oscar’s attention. We also meet Detective Noah Jorgensen. He went to school with Ally and knows all of her embarrassing history. And then there is Roxy. She immediately stole Ally’s heart and mine as well. All of Ms. Scott’s core characters are very well developed for the first book in the series. They are genuine and for the most part, engaging. Noah hit me wrong from the start so I haven’t made up my mind about him yet.
The mystery was very well-plotted. The victim had angered several people which meant a nice pool of suspects. I got a real kick of Grandpa Oscar. He doesn’t let a little thing like a hip replacement slow him down especially when the police have him on their suspect list. Ally tries hard to reel him in but when the threats hit close to home she knows she needs his help. I enjoyed tagging along with them as they followed the clues and came up with theories.
The author adds a whole bunch of humor to the story too. The Willow Widows bring their share but Gramps and Allie have their moments too.
Dogged by Death has set this series off to an excellent start. Tailing Trouble is impatiently waiting on my Kindle. I can’t wait for my next trip up the road to Willow Bluff.
March 10, 2021
Dr. Ally Winter has taken over Furry Friends Veterinary practice since the previous vet retired. After a bad breakup and heavy financial losses, Ally moved to Willow Bluff, Wisconsin to be close to her Gramps (Oscar), who’s recovering from hip surgery and living at a nice assisted living ranch. The three widows who also reside there take good care of him and provide humor to the story. Gramps is fascinated by true crime novels, news, and TV shows.
Ally is barely making ends meet and has started grooming pets and pet walking to make extra income. When she goes to walk Roxy, a beautiful female boxer, imagine her horror when she finds her scam artist owner murdered in cold blood. Roxy appears to be the only witness to the crime. True to his nature, Gramps is chomping at the bit for he and Ally to investigate.
I just couldn’t get into Detective Noah Jorgensen. His personality rubbed me wrong from beginning to end because he was so rigid and rude. I loved Ally, Gramps, and Roxy. Gramps is Ally’s champion and she his, and they have a wonderful relationship, and are persistent about solving the murder. The characters who seem likely suspects certainly do their share to cast suspicion upon themselves making the elimination process dicey. The author does a good job of creating a tangled web, for sure. I did figure out the culprit around three-fourths of the way through the story; however, I suspected a couple of other people before that. All in all, this is an entertaining story that both furry friend lover’s and cozy mystery fans will enjoy.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you.
Ally is barely making ends meet and has started grooming pets and pet walking to make extra income. When she goes to walk Roxy, a beautiful female boxer, imagine her horror when she finds her scam artist owner murdered in cold blood. Roxy appears to be the only witness to the crime. True to his nature, Gramps is chomping at the bit for he and Ally to investigate.
I just couldn’t get into Detective Noah Jorgensen. His personality rubbed me wrong from beginning to end because he was so rigid and rude. I loved Ally, Gramps, and Roxy. Gramps is Ally’s champion and she his, and they have a wonderful relationship, and are persistent about solving the murder. The characters who seem likely suspects certainly do their share to cast suspicion upon themselves making the elimination process dicey. The author does a good job of creating a tangled web, for sure. I did figure out the culprit around three-fourths of the way through the story; however, I suspected a couple of other people before that. All in all, this is an entertaining story that both furry friend lover’s and cozy mystery fans will enjoy.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you.
February 12, 2021
A grandaughter/grandfather sleuthing team, a small town with quirky and lovable characters, animals, and a mystery that keeps you guessing - a perfect cozy! Ally and Gramps are on the trail of a murderer who won't hesitate to make them the next victims.
I loved everything about the book - Ally is a veterinarian who has moved back to her hometown after losing her boyfriend and her business. Gramps is living in a independent living residence with three widows who are adorable and funny! There's never a dull moment with Gramps on the case since he's a big fan of crime shows like Dateline. Ally has to keep him out of trouble and find out who murdered a local scam artist. The vet clinic provides a great background and I enjoyed reading about the people and animals who came into the clinic.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
I received an ARC from NetGalle y and the opinions expressed in this we are my own.
I loved everything about the book - Ally is a veterinarian who has moved back to her hometown after losing her boyfriend and her business. Gramps is living in a independent living residence with three widows who are adorable and funny! There's never a dull moment with Gramps on the case since he's a big fan of crime shows like Dateline. Ally has to keep him out of trouble and find out who murdered a local scam artist. The vet clinic provides a great background and I enjoyed reading about the people and animals who came into the clinic.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
I received an ARC from NetGalle y and the opinions expressed in this we are my own.
April 17, 2021
Rounded up from 3.5 stars
This is the debut book in the Furry Friends Mystery series by author Laura Scott. Ms. Scott is a new to me author, but the book synopsis and the fact that the book is set in the midwest were draws for me. This was an enjoyable read and a solid start to a new series. Dr. Ally Winter returns to her hometown of Willow Bluff to regroup after a break-up and the loss of her veterinary practice. Coming home for Ally means being closer to her parents, grandfather and overcoming an unfortunate nickname that she was given when she was in high school. I read cozy mysteries first for the characters so it is important to me that I am engaged by and interested in the characters. Ally accomplishes that with her personality. The secondary cast of characters is a nice addition. In addition to Ally's grandfather, there are the widows who live at the assisted living home. Ally's grandfather is true-crime obsessed in both his reading and his tv choices. As a result, when Ally finds the dead body of her first client, her grandfather (who had a run-in with the victim shortly before his murder) encourages her to investigate with him because he believes the police aren't solving it fast enough.
The mystery was not bad. There are plenty of suspects to choose from but where I had some issues. There are plenty of suspects as Ally and her grandfather investigate but I never felt like as a reader I got a good sense of who these people were and why they would commit murder. Therefore, it was difficult for me to settle on the identity of the killer because of this. The mystery is wrapped up nicely and in part due to the help of Ally and her grandfather, along with Roxy, the dog Ally ends up adopting during the course of the book.
This is a nice start to a new cozy mystery. It has plenty to recommend it and with some tightening around the mystery and allowing the reader to know a bit more about the suspects this series could be a solid 4 stars for me.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This is the debut book in the Furry Friends Mystery series by author Laura Scott. Ms. Scott is a new to me author, but the book synopsis and the fact that the book is set in the midwest were draws for me. This was an enjoyable read and a solid start to a new series. Dr. Ally Winter returns to her hometown of Willow Bluff to regroup after a break-up and the loss of her veterinary practice. Coming home for Ally means being closer to her parents, grandfather and overcoming an unfortunate nickname that she was given when she was in high school. I read cozy mysteries first for the characters so it is important to me that I am engaged by and interested in the characters. Ally accomplishes that with her personality. The secondary cast of characters is a nice addition. In addition to Ally's grandfather, there are the widows who live at the assisted living home. Ally's grandfather is true-crime obsessed in both his reading and his tv choices. As a result, when Ally finds the dead body of her first client, her grandfather (who had a run-in with the victim shortly before his murder) encourages her to investigate with him because he believes the police aren't solving it fast enough.
The mystery was not bad. There are plenty of suspects to choose from but where I had some issues. There are plenty of suspects as Ally and her grandfather investigate but I never felt like as a reader I got a good sense of who these people were and why they would commit murder. Therefore, it was difficult for me to settle on the identity of the killer because of this. The mystery is wrapped up nicely and in part due to the help of Ally and her grandfather, along with Roxy, the dog Ally ends up adopting during the course of the book.
This is a nice start to a new cozy mystery. It has plenty to recommend it and with some tightening around the mystery and allowing the reader to know a bit more about the suspects this series could be a solid 4 stars for me.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
July 21, 2021
I was happy to dive into Dogged by Death, the début of the Furry Friends Mystery series set in Willow Bluff, Wisconsin, featuring veterinarian, Ally Winter. I got to meet Ally who has recently had a challenging time, losing her fiancé, Tim Mathai, and her co-owned vets practice. Protagonist Ally had been living in Madison but moved back to Willow Bluff. Her granddad, Oscar has had surgery and needs some aftercare, so Ally has stepped in. Ally is in the process of building up her new practice, Furry Friends Veterinary Clinic in Willow Bluff only this time she will be its sole owner. Ally is concerned about the lack of clients for her business, but although she has a bit of spare time on her hands she turns down the chance to knit or play cribbage with her granddad and the Willow Bluff Widows (a small group of women who constantly vie for Oscar's attention). Ally returns to the vet clinic and finds Marty Shawlin, a lawyer waiting for her along with boxer dog Roxy. Marty wants Ally to do a spot of dog walking but when she arrives at his place the next day she is greeted by Roxy and a terrible smell, which turns out to be Marty, dead with his head bashed in.
This was an excellent, absorbing cozy mystery. Ally and her chirpy granddad, in particular, were great characters and excellent in their respective roles and of course, Roxy deserves a mention. With its injections of humour and splashes of romance, I enjoyed my time trying to solve the crime alongside Ally right up until the finale. I will be watching out for book two and look forward to spending more time with Ally, Oscar and the Willow Bluff Widows in Wisconsin.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
This was an excellent, absorbing cozy mystery. Ally and her chirpy granddad, in particular, were great characters and excellent in their respective roles and of course, Roxy deserves a mention. With its injections of humour and splashes of romance, I enjoyed my time trying to solve the crime alongside Ally right up until the finale. I will be watching out for book two and look forward to spending more time with Ally, Oscar and the Willow Bluff Widows in Wisconsin.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
July 3, 2021
An enjoyable start to a new series. Ally discovers a dead body and much to her dismay her Gramps, a true crime addict, is ready to investigate. It is also a thorn in the side of Detective Noah Jorgenson who still calls Ally "hot pants" thanks to her unfortunate experience with fire ants in high school.
I really enjoyed the characters with Gramps as a women magnet who fancies himself an amateur sleuth and his granddaughter Ally who just wants to get her new veterinarian business going. Also the smart and loving boxer (dog) Roxy. This story is complete with a good mystery, humor and a tease of romance. I look forward to the next book in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed the characters with Gramps as a women magnet who fancies himself an amateur sleuth and his granddaughter Ally who just wants to get her new veterinarian business going. Also the smart and loving boxer (dog) Roxy. This story is complete with a good mystery, humor and a tease of romance. I look forward to the next book in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
May 6, 2022
2.5 stars
Maybe you need to be in the right "cozy mystery" mood to enjoy this. I found the writing to be rather "basic", there wasn't enough character development that made me root for them. Ally didn't do anything much (and what was about this whole thing about eating and that she felt that she would gain weight?).
I found Ally's grandfather being busybody to be rather annoying to read. I didn't get his living situation with the three widows who clearly vying for his attention. The killer was identified NOT because Ally or her grandfather managed to solve the mystery, but because the killer threatened Ally and the dog, Roxy.
I liked the animals coming to Ally's clinics but that was it. I won't follow this series
Maybe you need to be in the right "cozy mystery" mood to enjoy this. I found the writing to be rather "basic", there wasn't enough character development that made me root for them. Ally didn't do anything much (and what was about this whole thing about eating and that she felt that she would gain weight?).
I found Ally's grandfather being busybody to be rather annoying to read. I didn't get his living situation with the three widows who clearly vying for his attention. The killer was identified NOT because Ally or her grandfather managed to solve the mystery, but because the killer threatened Ally and the dog, Roxy.
I liked the animals coming to Ally's clinics but that was it. I won't follow this series
January 23, 2021
Dogged by Death is the debut of the A Furry Friends Mystery series set in Willow Bluff, Wisconsin and featuring veterinarian, Ally Winter. Having been duped, dumped and left in debt by her ex-fiance, Ally has moved back home to Willow Bluff to start her own veterinary practice and be closer to her grandfather, Oscar.
Oscar is living at the Legacy House with three widows - Harriet, Lydia and Tillie while he recovers from a broken hip and Ally visits the quartet daily. On arrival one afternoon, Ally is shocked to hear her grandfather arguing with a man, and is equally surprised when after threatening him the man goes running from the house.
Later that afternoon, the man appears at the vet clinic and introduces himself as Marty Shawlin, a recently divorced lawyer. Marty tells Ally that he needs to hire her to sit for his boxer, Roxy while he is working during the day. Ally doesn't really like the man but she desperately needs to start earning money to stay in business so she accepts the job. Unfortunately, the next day when she goes to let walk Roxy she discovers Marty bludgeoned to death in his kitchen.
Ally teams up with her grandfather (and Roxy) to track down a killer much to the dismay of Ally's high school classmate Noah Jorgensen, starring quarterback now the town's lead Detective. A fast paced plot with several twists and turns, likable characters and delightful animals. There are several things that become a little repetitive throughout the book, but I just learned to skim over those paragraphs and I hope the author eases up on the daily meals in future installments . I hope that there are more adventures for Ally, Oscar and Roxy on the horizon.
I received an advanced copy of Dogged by Death from NetGalley via Crooked Lane Books. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
Oscar is living at the Legacy House with three widows - Harriet, Lydia and Tillie while he recovers from a broken hip and Ally visits the quartet daily. On arrival one afternoon, Ally is shocked to hear her grandfather arguing with a man, and is equally surprised when after threatening him the man goes running from the house.
Later that afternoon, the man appears at the vet clinic and introduces himself as Marty Shawlin, a recently divorced lawyer. Marty tells Ally that he needs to hire her to sit for his boxer, Roxy while he is working during the day. Ally doesn't really like the man but she desperately needs to start earning money to stay in business so she accepts the job. Unfortunately, the next day when she goes to let walk Roxy she discovers Marty bludgeoned to death in his kitchen.
Ally teams up with her grandfather (and Roxy) to track down a killer much to the dismay of Ally's high school classmate Noah Jorgensen, starring quarterback now the town's lead Detective. A fast paced plot with several twists and turns, likable characters and delightful animals. There are several things that become a little repetitive throughout the book, but I just learned to skim over those paragraphs and I hope the author eases up on the daily meals in future installments . I hope that there are more adventures for Ally, Oscar and Roxy on the horizon.
I received an advanced copy of Dogged by Death from NetGalley via Crooked Lane Books. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
February 6, 2021
Have to admit that I'm pleased to see more cozies set in the Upper Midwest (where I live). This fun thing is about a thirtyish veterinarian who was swindled by her fiance/business partner and has returned to the small town where she grew up and her grandfather is residing in a small assisted living home. He is addicted to crime stories in books and TV, so when she comes across the body of the man who hired her dog walking services he gets busy investigating. Much to the irritation of the local law who was known to her in high school. Lots of situational humor and beloved pets. Loved it!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
February 8, 2021
Cozy mysteries are my go to and I read this book in just a few hours! The story sucked me in and held my attention from beginning to end. This is the first book in a new series about Dr. Ally Winters and her vet clinic. Ally has recently moved back to her hometown and taken over for the retiring owner of a vet clinic and is struggling to get settled. The only thing bad about this book is that I have to wait for the next one to come out to see what happens!! This author’s hilarious storytelling reminds me of one of my favorite authors, Janet Evanovich. I can’t wait to read more about Ally and in the meantime, I’m going to read some of her other series!
February 5, 2021
Usually when I read a first in a new series, I'm overwhelmed by all the new characters, however, with Dogged by Death, I was hooked and read it page to page in one sitting. I could not put it down.
Ally Winter is a great character, I loved her ambition and tenacity, and her relationship with her grandfather is sweet.
The mystery was well written and I found myself rooting for Ally and her grandpa to solve the case.
I love Roxy, they are definitely meant to be together, and I see a lot fun things in their future. I'm excited to follow this series.
Ally Winter is a great character, I loved her ambition and tenacity, and her relationship with her grandfather is sweet.
The mystery was well written and I found myself rooting for Ally and her grandpa to solve the case.
I love Roxy, they are definitely meant to be together, and I see a lot fun things in their future. I'm excited to follow this series.
June 28, 2021
When reading cozy mysteries, there are certain expectations which the genre fandom of readers looks to the author to fulfill. With Dogged By Death Laura Scott does not disappoint in meeting the hopes of mystery aficionados who are content with suspense without theatrics, crime without brutality, small-town criminals without big-city savagery, and relatable character personalities.
While the heart-attack inducing suspense novels provide a prolonged and complex drawing out of the plot, this novel tones down the level of drama. The reader, rather than being on the edge of his or her seat without intermission, gets a refreshing stroll through small-town life and veterinary adventures as Dr. Ally Winter embarks on a mission to succeed in running her own veterinary clinic. Scott’s blending of the normalcy of every day life amidst murder gives the reader a balance of the seriousness of the crime while dispensing small doses of comic relief.
In contrast to the in-depth crime novels that thrive on delivering gruesome imagery by the page, Dogged By Death simply describes the fatality briefly and moves on smoothly to pave the way for less gore and more plot-centered details.
The nature of the criminals
in this cozy mystery embodies the definition of good and evil without adding extreme gangster-like qualities to the villains that require distasteful illumination.
Another benefit to reading Dogged By Death is the collection of quirky and lovable people of Willow Bluff, Wisconsin. From the caring and knowledgable local vet protagonist, to her humorous and outgoing grandfather with a penchant for true crime, to the three widows sharing a residence with him, to the former high school quarterback-turned -detective, and the rest of the small-town citizens, the reader will feel like a part of the community from page one.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the generous opportunity to read and review such an entertaining mystery by a talented author.
While the heart-attack inducing suspense novels provide a prolonged and complex drawing out of the plot, this novel tones down the level of drama. The reader, rather than being on the edge of his or her seat without intermission, gets a refreshing stroll through small-town life and veterinary adventures as Dr. Ally Winter embarks on a mission to succeed in running her own veterinary clinic. Scott’s blending of the normalcy of every day life amidst murder gives the reader a balance of the seriousness of the crime while dispensing small doses of comic relief.
In contrast to the in-depth crime novels that thrive on delivering gruesome imagery by the page, Dogged By Death simply describes the fatality briefly and moves on smoothly to pave the way for less gore and more plot-centered details.
The nature of the criminals
in this cozy mystery embodies the definition of good and evil without adding extreme gangster-like qualities to the villains that require distasteful illumination.
Another benefit to reading Dogged By Death is the collection of quirky and lovable people of Willow Bluff, Wisconsin. From the caring and knowledgable local vet protagonist, to her humorous and outgoing grandfather with a penchant for true crime, to the three widows sharing a residence with him, to the former high school quarterback-turned -detective, and the rest of the small-town citizens, the reader will feel like a part of the community from page one.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the generous opportunity to read and review such an entertaining mystery by a talented author.
July 11, 2021
Dogged by Death by Laura Scott is a great start to the Furry Friends Mysteries! Ally, Gramps and the three widows are wonderfully developed characters, and it was so much fun reading about Ally and Gramps investigating, since they are the perfect compliment to each other. And the three widows add some levity to the story, especially with how they all compete with each other to get in Gramps and Ally’s good graces. And the little girl who kept bringing Ally injured animals was adorable.
There were two things that stood out and I don’t want to say annoyed me, exactly, but paused my reading because it was mentioned so much. The first was Ruby growling when a certain person seemed to be around. And while Ally noticed it and thought about it, she kept pushing off really investigating it. I don’t know how Laura Scott could have handled it differently because it was essential to the story, but there was just something there.
And I know all the protagonists who own businesses often leave them to solve the crime, but I find it really unlikely that a vet would be leaving the business (especially a new one) as much as she did, even if she didn’t have a lot of appointments in the books. I know our vet’s office is always booked and there are always emergencies, so this also stood out. I think that if she had an answering service or if it was mentioned that the phones could be forwarded to her phone, it would have been an easy fix.
I don’t want to discourage you from reading the series because it really is very good, but with how many cozies I read these just felt like issues that could have been handled better. Already looking forward to book two in the Furry Friends Mysteries!
There were two things that stood out and I don’t want to say annoyed me, exactly, but paused my reading because it was mentioned so much. The first was Ruby growling when a certain person seemed to be around. And while Ally noticed it and thought about it, she kept pushing off really investigating it. I don’t know how Laura Scott could have handled it differently because it was essential to the story, but there was just something there.
And I know all the protagonists who own businesses often leave them to solve the crime, but I find it really unlikely that a vet would be leaving the business (especially a new one) as much as she did, even if she didn’t have a lot of appointments in the books. I know our vet’s office is always booked and there are always emergencies, so this also stood out. I think that if she had an answering service or if it was mentioned that the phones could be forwarded to her phone, it would have been an easy fix.
I don’t want to discourage you from reading the series because it really is very good, but with how many cozies I read these just felt like issues that could have been handled better. Already looking forward to book two in the Furry Friends Mysteries!
October 17, 2021
I was lucky to be allowed to read the second book as an ARC, so I had to read the first one as well. They can be read stand alone, but in order is always more fun!
And so, I started with this one and finished it in two evenings! I love Ally and her Gramps, they are so cute together! In this first book Ally has just taken over Furry Friends Vet Clinic and the residents of Willow Bluff are doubtful of her skills, as they are used to their old vet.
She offer various things next to her veterinary skills like grooming, boarding and walks. So when Marty Shawlin hires her for walking his dog Roxy, she is shocked to find him dead the next morning when she comes by to collect Roxy.
Detective Noah Jorgensen is on the case. He is the best around, it's just a problem that Ally knows him from high school and he calls her Hot Pants. But their relationship kindles as Ally and her Gramps try and help Noah solve this murder, even though he doesn't want their help.
The characters are great, Ally, Gramps, the Widows with whom Gramps lives, Noah and all the others. There is a nice change between detecting scenes, Ally/Gramps/Widows scenes and vet scenes. The story was great, I had no idea who did it! Loved it and recommend it!!!
And so, I started with this one and finished it in two evenings! I love Ally and her Gramps, they are so cute together! In this first book Ally has just taken over Furry Friends Vet Clinic and the residents of Willow Bluff are doubtful of her skills, as they are used to their old vet.
She offer various things next to her veterinary skills like grooming, boarding and walks. So when Marty Shawlin hires her for walking his dog Roxy, she is shocked to find him dead the next morning when she comes by to collect Roxy.
Detective Noah Jorgensen is on the case. He is the best around, it's just a problem that Ally knows him from high school and he calls her Hot Pants. But their relationship kindles as Ally and her Gramps try and help Noah solve this murder, even though he doesn't want their help.
The characters are great, Ally, Gramps, the Widows with whom Gramps lives, Noah and all the others. There is a nice change between detecting scenes, Ally/Gramps/Widows scenes and vet scenes. The story was great, I had no idea who did it! Loved it and recommend it!!!
June 15, 2021
Synopsis:
In Laura Scott's Furry Friends series debut, veterinarian Ally Winter must collar the killer of a shifty lawyer. Does the dead man's dog know who committed the arf-ul crime?
Ally Winter is going through a ruff patch. The thirty-something veterinarian lost her fiance, her clinic, and her savings in rapid succession. So when Ally's grandfather undergoes hip replacement surgery, she moves back to Willow Bluff, Wisconsin, to care for him. She arrives home, tail between her legs, only to find sleazy lawyer Marty Shawlin murdered in his home office. And the only witness was Marty's faithful boxer, Roxy.
Quick as a greyhound, Noah Jorgensen is on the case. The good news is, he's the best detective around. The bad news, at least the way Ally sees it, is that Noah is still just as fetching as he was back in high school. He also just happens to have witnessed every embarrassing incident that befell accident-prone Ally--including the fire-ant attack that set tongues wagging and won her the unshakable nickname Hot Pants.
Meanwhile, true-crime aficionado Gramps fancies himself a sleuth, and he is doggedly determined to sniff out the culprit himself...with Ally's reluctant help, of course. Ally has no choice but to team up with Noah--and the irrepressible Roxy--to solve the case while keeping Gramps on a short leash.
Ally had better learn some new tricks, lickety-split. Because if she can't bring the killer to heel, she won't just be playing dead. (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I enjoyed getting to meet all of the characters. You can tell how much Ally and her grandpa love each other and care for each other. We also got to meet the Willow Bluff Widows, the three elderly widows with whom her grandpa lives. The dynamics between them all was very funny. And Roxy was a cute addition to the story. After a while I got a little tired of hearing about how much Grandpa enjoyed mysteries and could not wait to investigate. Murder is nothing to play games with. That is only my opinion and others may not agree with me.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. And the fact that Ally was a vet held my interest and added another layer to the story. The writing style flows smoothly and the book was an easy read. The mystery was well developed and there were enough clues and suspects to consider.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Crooked Lane, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
In Laura Scott's Furry Friends series debut, veterinarian Ally Winter must collar the killer of a shifty lawyer. Does the dead man's dog know who committed the arf-ul crime?
Ally Winter is going through a ruff patch. The thirty-something veterinarian lost her fiance, her clinic, and her savings in rapid succession. So when Ally's grandfather undergoes hip replacement surgery, she moves back to Willow Bluff, Wisconsin, to care for him. She arrives home, tail between her legs, only to find sleazy lawyer Marty Shawlin murdered in his home office. And the only witness was Marty's faithful boxer, Roxy.
Quick as a greyhound, Noah Jorgensen is on the case. The good news is, he's the best detective around. The bad news, at least the way Ally sees it, is that Noah is still just as fetching as he was back in high school. He also just happens to have witnessed every embarrassing incident that befell accident-prone Ally--including the fire-ant attack that set tongues wagging and won her the unshakable nickname Hot Pants.
Meanwhile, true-crime aficionado Gramps fancies himself a sleuth, and he is doggedly determined to sniff out the culprit himself...with Ally's reluctant help, of course. Ally has no choice but to team up with Noah--and the irrepressible Roxy--to solve the case while keeping Gramps on a short leash.
Ally had better learn some new tricks, lickety-split. Because if she can't bring the killer to heel, she won't just be playing dead. (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I enjoyed getting to meet all of the characters. You can tell how much Ally and her grandpa love each other and care for each other. We also got to meet the Willow Bluff Widows, the three elderly widows with whom her grandpa lives. The dynamics between them all was very funny. And Roxy was a cute addition to the story. After a while I got a little tired of hearing about how much Grandpa enjoyed mysteries and could not wait to investigate. Murder is nothing to play games with. That is only my opinion and others may not agree with me.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. And the fact that Ally was a vet held my interest and added another layer to the story. The writing style flows smoothly and the book was an easy read. The mystery was well developed and there were enough clues and suspects to consider.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Crooked Lane, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
June 9, 2021
Good story and characters. The writing flowed well for me, which is important, but the writing was very basic. There were also so many implausible things that made this hard to get through. Ally is a good vet, every keeps complimenting her, but she's not so good as a business person. I have a hard time believing she can solve a crime when she can't come up with simple ideas to drum up business (both require common sense). And the way the killer is finally caught defies logic. I will read the next one because I really loved Grandpa and the WBW but I hope these little issues are resolved.
I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2021
Thank you NetGalley, Laura Scott and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC of Dogged by Death. This is my personal review.
I liked everything about this book. The characters, the location ,the mystery everything.
Dr. Ally Winter runs the Furry Friends Veterinary in Willow Creek, Wisconsin. The name of the business is fantastic. I could picture it as I was reading the name.
The murder mystery is one that kept me guessing as to what happened and why.
This was a great debut book in a new series. I am looking forward to reading more in the Furry Friends Mystery series.
I liked everything about this book. The characters, the location ,the mystery everything.
Dr. Ally Winter runs the Furry Friends Veterinary in Willow Creek, Wisconsin. The name of the business is fantastic. I could picture it as I was reading the name.
The murder mystery is one that kept me guessing as to what happened and why.
This was a great debut book in a new series. I am looking forward to reading more in the Furry Friends Mystery series.
April 26, 2022
Well, I started A Furry Friends series backward but that in no way stymied my enjoyment of it! I wasn't confused, so you could read both books as stand-alone, but I would encourage you to read both of them. The characters are quirky, annoying, cute, and well, we all need those kinds of people, whether real or imagined in our lives to balance things out in life! I am looking forward to more installments of this series.
July 21, 2021
This was such a fun cozy mystery! It has great characters and a dog that adds a lot to the story. The mystery was well done and engaging. The writing was great and flowed nicely. I am very excited to read the next book in the series!
August 26, 2021
4.5 Stars
This is the first book in the Furry Friends Mystery series by Laura Scott.
Ally has bought out a local vet clinic after the previous vet left town. She is in town to be near her father after hip replacement surgery. She discovers an underhanded lawyer slain in his office and it kind of puts a black spot on her new vet venture.
She garners the interest of Noah, a local officer, who helps her and they have a history together since they knew each other back in the day. She has a bit of a reputation from her school days that still follows her and she has a challenge getting people to take her new venture seriously.
I totally enjoyed this new cozy series and look forward to reading more from this author. Just a fun romp with a bit of a challenging edge that just keeps you on your toes. Loved it!
If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great series too!
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions are completely my own.
This is the first book in the Furry Friends Mystery series by Laura Scott.
Ally has bought out a local vet clinic after the previous vet left town. She is in town to be near her father after hip replacement surgery. She discovers an underhanded lawyer slain in his office and it kind of puts a black spot on her new vet venture.
She garners the interest of Noah, a local officer, who helps her and they have a history together since they knew each other back in the day. She has a bit of a reputation from her school days that still follows her and she has a challenge getting people to take her new venture seriously.
I totally enjoyed this new cozy series and look forward to reading more from this author. Just a fun romp with a bit of a challenging edge that just keeps you on your toes. Loved it!
If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great series too!
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions are completely my own.
July 21, 2021
The characters need more development.
August 3, 2021
Ally lost everything and moved back home to open a vet clinic. With the help of her grandfather who lives in a boarding house with 3 elderly women, they solve crimes. This time it is a con man who has been killed.
July 9, 2021
This is the first in the series. The MC, Ally is a vet who is returning to her home town after her she loses her fiance and their business in one fell swoop. Ally is excited to be living near her grandfather again, and it is evidence throughout the book that they are very close. Her grandpa is a true crime buff, and is a bit over zealous about any kind of crime. Ally is struggling with taking over the new vet practice and starts calling around to recruit clients. She goes over to one clients house to walk his dog, and finds him dead on the ground. She and her grandpa start investigating the murder.
I enjoyed the characters and found them to be quirky and fun. I liked the relationship between Grandpa and Ally, and between the Detective and Ally. I found it to be a little frustrating how over zealous grandpa was and how they used Ally's business to track down suspects. I also felt bad for Ally with how her business was struggling. I did like the characters though.
I enjoyed the characters and found them to be quirky and fun. I liked the relationship between Grandpa and Ally, and between the Detective and Ally. I found it to be a little frustrating how over zealous grandpa was and how they used Ally's business to track down suspects. I also felt bad for Ally with how her business was struggling. I did like the characters though.
June 7, 2021
Ally’s Gramps was real good at this sleuthing thing and smooth-talking the ladies, including his granddaughter Ally. When Ally found her new client, who was also the guy, her grandfather had booted out of the assisted living home, lying dead in his house. Ally couldn’t ignore nor resist the scent of a mystery nor could her grandfather, and together they set to become the annoying duo, to the newly minted detective Ally’s former schoolmate who sets her heart racing. This has been an enjoyable and entertaining story, a lovely afternoon tea read.
February 4, 2021
After her life in Madison blows up in her face, Ally returns to her hometown to run the local veterinary office. While she struggles to get her business off the ground she's met with many challenges, clients with no money, a local detective who remembers all too well her past embarrassments, and (of course) murder.
Ally's a great character. She's down but not out, struggling to make it but not feeling sorry for herself. I loved Gramps, he's a lively and energetic 78, held back only by a still-mending hip. Gramps's love for true crime shoehorns them right into the middle of the investigation, infuriating Noah (the detective who knew too much). And of course we can't forget Roxy, the boxer, who is also down but not out. She worms her way straight into Ally's heart (not to mention the reader's).
The storyline is very typical of a cozy mystery, filled with amateur investigations and the killer fighting back to try to keep themselves from being caught. The culprit was hiding in plain sight, but I wasn't able to figure out who it was. An ideal ending!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Ally's a great character. She's down but not out, struggling to make it but not feeling sorry for herself. I loved Gramps, he's a lively and energetic 78, held back only by a still-mending hip. Gramps's love for true crime shoehorns them right into the middle of the investigation, infuriating Noah (the detective who knew too much). And of course we can't forget Roxy, the boxer, who is also down but not out. She worms her way straight into Ally's heart (not to mention the reader's).
The storyline is very typical of a cozy mystery, filled with amateur investigations and the killer fighting back to try to keep themselves from being caught. The culprit was hiding in plain sight, but I wasn't able to figure out who it was. An ideal ending!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
January 17, 2021
after a failed engagement and joint business venture. Rather than having a partner she doesn’t trust this time around, she purchases the local veterinary clinic and finds business is slow. Rather than wallow in pity, Ally spends time with her grandfather and ends up helping him sleuth when a local attorney is murdered.
Ally’s old high school crush is now a detective and is assigned to the case. Along with butting into Noah’s investigation with Gramps, Ally finds herself taking care of the dead man’s dog. While deadman tell no lies, neither do their dogs, especially when Roxy seems to sense the killer is near. Now it’s a race to find the killer before the killer finds Ally and Roxy and puts them down once and for all. The first in a new series, Dogged by Death gets things off in the right direction. With plenty of animals, red herrings and a mutual attraction, it looks like Laura Scott will have plenty to write about for many books to come. I’m looking forward to more int his series.
Ally’s old high school crush is now a detective and is assigned to the case. Along with butting into Noah’s investigation with Gramps, Ally finds herself taking care of the dead man’s dog. While deadman tell no lies, neither do their dogs, especially when Roxy seems to sense the killer is near. Now it’s a race to find the killer before the killer finds Ally and Roxy and puts them down once and for all. The first in a new series, Dogged by Death gets things off in the right direction. With plenty of animals, red herrings and a mutual attraction, it looks like Laura Scott will have plenty to write about for many books to come. I’m looking forward to more int his series.
April 4, 2021
Dogged by Death, the first book in author Laura Scott's Furry Friends Mystery series was a really fun murder mystery! I really liked the concept of veterinarian Ally Winter partnering with her Grandpa to try to solve the case. The interaction between the two of them and Detective Noah Jorgensen was entertaining. I also got a kick out of the story from Ally's high school days where she sat on a fire ant nest and ended up in the water. When her old high school classmate Noah called her "Hot Pants' I laughed. Ally's new furry friend, Roxie the Boxer, added to my enjoyment of the story. I look forward to more Furry Friends mysteries.
I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
May 10, 2021
Omg what a fantastic cozy mystery. I was on the edge of my seat as I read how Ally, her grandpa and his widowed roommates solve the murder of a local lawyer. I laughed out loud at the antics that the characters got into while solving the case and my jaw dropped reading how the suspects covered their tracks, making me wonder who exactly did do the murder. Highly recommend to all cozy mystery lovers.
February 27, 2021
Such a fun story! Yes someone dies and Ally gets involved. But the book has some great characters and makes you like them. The detective is an example. You can't help liking him even as his eye twitches. And Gramps is so adorable. He and the widows add humor to the hunt for the guilty person. I thought the book was fun to read and a good story.
I read the book on NetGalley
I read the book on NetGalley
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