On the Trail of a Killer

Fairmont Finds Canine Cozy Mysteries #1

by Cate Lawley

A deliciously doggie mystery

A hound with a nose for trouble and a heart for romance stirs up both in this small-town cozy mystery.

Fairmont has a murky history, but none of that matters now that he’s started his new life with Zella. A fluffy dog bed, great meals, and even better company - what more could a dog want? Everything’s grand, until he sniffs out a dead body.

Zella’s new life began when she adopted Fairmont, but he was just the start. The changes kept coming: a new home, a new town, a new name. A lovely beginning, spoiled only by the corpse in her otherwise perfect backyard.

Can Zella, Fairmont, and all their new friends in White Sage find the murderer before Zella’s fresh new start turns deadly?

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy, Animals, Mystery Thriller

230 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2020

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Cate Lawley writes humorous, action-filled mysteries that frequently contain paranormal elements.

When Cate's not tapping away at her keyboard or in deep contemplation of her next fanciful writing project, she's sweeping up hairy dust bunnies and watching British mysteries.

Cate is from Austin, Texas (where many of her stories take place), but has recently migrated north to Boise, Idaho, where soup season (her favorite time of year) lasts more than two weeks.

She's worked as an attorney, a dog trainer, and in various other positions, but writer is the hands-down winner. She's thankful readers keep reading, so she can keep writing!

For bonus materials and updates, visit her website to join her mailing list: www.CateLawley.com.

Reviews

[Chris St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zella is newly divorced with a rescue dog named Fairmont, she is moving to a smaller house in a smaller town. Problem is when she arrives at her new home her dog finds a dead man in her yard. Nice cozy mystery with a cute dog, easy enjoyable reading.

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairmont Finds a Body
Fairmont Finds, Book #1
Cate Lawley
5 Stars

Synopsis:

A hound with a nose for trouble and a heart for romance stirs up both in this small-town cozy mystery.

Fairmont has a murky history, but none of that matters now that he’s started his new life with Zella. A fluffy dog bed, great meals, and even better company - what more could a dog want? Everything’s grand, until he sniffs out a dead body.

Zella’s new life began when she adopted Fairmont, but he was just the start. The changes kept coming: a new home, a new town, a new name. A lovely beginning, spoiled only by the corpse in her otherwise perfect backyard.

Can Zella, Fairmont, and all their new friends in White Sage find the murderer before Zella’s fresh new start turns deadly? (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Zella and Fairmont are starting a new life in White Sage. They are moving into a smaller house and hope that things will be simpler and easier. They do not get to really check that situation out because on their first trip to their new house, Fairmont finds a dead body. Zella feels like she has to find out who the dead body is and who killed them because they were found on her property. Zella is a smart inquisitive lady and Fairmont is her adorable smart inquisitive dog. The neighbors in the small town are nosy and opinionated and it is going to take some time for Zella to get used to this.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the book from the very beginning. I really liked how fast news travels in White Sage, at times it seemed faster than the internet. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider, and it was not easily solved.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading more adventures by Zella and Fairmont.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, easy, enjoyable read.
While the mystery of the murder was unexpected the part about the dog was not. Tho I can't imagine a dog like that was not microchipped.
But gave it 3 stars because the narrator sounded like a computer generated voice rather than an actual person. Because of that, I doubt I will listen to the other books in the series.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good start to which, I hope, is a new series of cozy mysteries with a 'whiff' & a 'woof' of a doggy Sherlock Holmes & his human Dr Watson non-stop adventures! Following divorced Zella, who's hoping to make a fresh start in a 'quiet' small town in a smaller property & less possessions. Just her, her furry companion, (Pointer extraordinaire) Fairmont, & her new SUV. You get the suspicion things aren't going to be quite as expected when Fairmont duly discovers a body in their back yard - a new take on 'fixtures & fittings included' in a house sale! Zella quickly makes some new neighbourhood friends & finds herself 'getting close up & personal' with the hunky Sheriff, Luke, who's investigating her new 'garden feature'. There's never a dull moment in this small town neighbourhood, (& quirky tale), with more questions than answers turning up left, right & centre than Zella ever envisioned! Will they be able to solve the numerous mysteries & will Zella ever get to buy some furniture! Recommended read. Hope there's going to be a book 2 with lots more of Fairmont's doggy chapter insights - loved it!

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute cozy and I enjoyed the brief chapters from Fairmont's perspective. I will have to look for more in this series, because I hope we learn more about his background, and if he was a search and rescue dog, or a cadaver dog, or something else.

And you have to love small towns...everyone knows everyone and their business!

[Connie P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, good characters, smart dog.

Zella is a 40-something woman on her own again after divorcing her husband, who had a penchant for younger women. She doesn't hate the guy, and she thinks he at least had the redeeming quality of loving his children. Anyhow, she downsized from her big, expensive home in Austin, sold off all her furniture and jewelry, and moved to a small Texas town. She also adopted a dog she named Fairmont, and he is her newest and only male in her life, other than her grown son. Her first day in town, before she can even set foot in her new house, Fairmont finds a dead body in her backyard. That's when she meets the new sheriff, Luke. And what seems to be most of the rest of the town, all interested in both gossiping about the body and in finding out if the sheriff is really interested in Zella as a possible love interest (ain't small towns fun!). I don't usually like romance mixed in with my mysteries because too often, they end up being more about the smoldering glances and cutesy dialogue between the "hot" detective/cop/sheriff, etc. and the gorgeous "hot" amateur sleuth. Don't worry...this is NOT that. Zella is a mature, smart woman who doesn't really have a big urge to solve the murder, but her new neighbor, Helen, has a theory. Fairmont has some tricks up his paws, too (no, no magical powers) that prove helpful. Luke is a nice, good looking, competent Sheriff, originally also from Austin. There's no pussyfooting around, with no snark, no smoldering, no cute dialogue. Luke simply expresses his admiration for Zella in a straightforward manner and leaves the rest up to her. The murder and Helen's theory take precedence, and the possible romance is secondary. There is a section that is very disturbing, and I hope that's a one-off occurrence. I don't mind the possible romance between Zella and Luke because it's handled in a mature way, and the dialogue is not cringe worthy like some other books I've read (snarky, smoldering, sickly sweet, argumentative, etc...ugh). I like this author's style and would like to continue reading this series. And, by the way, Fairmont is completely adorable.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Fairmont Finds a Body, the first book in the Fairmont Finds mystery series featuring a rescue dog who seems to have been a search dog otherwise known as a cadaver dog. I look forward to future books featuring the adorable Fairmont and his new people. He and Zella have moved from Austin to a smaller town to move on from her two year old divorce. He doesn't remember the divorce but he knows the old house made her sad and the new one makes her a little afraid and a little excited. Before they even walk into the new house, that excitement changes when he discovers a dead body in the back yard. He thought that is what he was supposed to do but it upset her. Fairmont only gets a tiny chapter to alternate with Zella's full ones in this just a big above cozy mystery. The book offered both humor and heartache which is the reason it is not a true cozy mystery. I borrowed the book from KU but will probably buy it since I want to follow the series.

Spoiler below!
I was excited to discover the series but am ambivalent about recommending it because it has the one absolute taboo for me and most readers of lighter fiction. Although it is handle delicately, dogs and cats have been killed before the story begins. While loss is obvious, it is gently played. I was able to handle it. The author wrote it while mourning the recent loss of her own German Shorthaired Pointer but she is keeping a version of him alive for us.

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nose for trouble

What a wonderful read. Completely different to the Vegan Vamp but just as good. The story is interspersed with doggy thoughts and feelings from Fairmont which just add to the charm of this book. Certainly hope there are more to come as the characters seem so real and vibrant that they fairly leap off the page. Just a shame it was only 72% of the page count. Wanted so much more. Alright I got what was happening with the animals straight away buy the rest - I didn't have a clue! Brilliant.
She has downsized from her martial home to the little box that she will call home now. Okay so she hasn't any furniture or appliances but she's got Fairmont her dog. However her arrival at her new house is met by a neighbour and Fairmont barking. He never barks! A dead body, a handsome sheriff (who everyone says is sweet on her), missing dogs and cats. What is going on? When her new found friend goes missing the search is on. Will they and Fairmont find her? Will she give the sheriff a chance and go out on a date? Why does Fairmont react the way he does around bodies and blood?

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I'm in love with Fairmont! He's such a sweetheart and had his little doggie thoughts in every other chapter. I could hear Dug's voice narrating those!

I like a book where two people attracted to each other during the mystery actually own up to it and do something about it. It was hilarious how the town grapevine had the sheriff and Zella dating long before he asked her. Fairmont took to him immediately--if that was my dog, I'd know I had the right guy, lol! Together, Zella and Sheriff Luke discovered a unique talent that Fairmont had which helped them nab the killer. I hadn't really thought about this person as the killer either.

I really loved all the older ladies' characters, they were a hoot! Great little mystery series that I know I'll have to revisit soon!

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Seriously, who am I to resist a cozy mystery that is co-authored by a dog? lol Loved Fairmont's contributions -- there aren't many and they are short and sweet but so very doggish. :-)

A short, fun read...until the end and then I was ''Ewwww, not so very cozy!" over the murder backstory.

I loved the time spent getting to know Zella as she settles into a new town and meets some interesting characters. And the hints at rescue dog Fairmont's history -- eager to see how that develops. I also really enjoyed the uncomplicated start to a romance. No looming love triangle or coy protests about the mutual attraction. No romantic angst at all...that was reserved for the 'ick' factor of the murder mystery. Not cozy at all!

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice book and had lots of little chuckles about small town living. It seemed everything moved a little too fast-the tight friendship with Helen, the gossip that raced around town, the neighbors all coming to call the first morning spent at the house, and of course the sheriff being "sweet" on her was especially rushed. However many truisms about small towns came out (everybody does know everyone else's business) and some fun characters were introduced. I had to admit I did enjoy the sheriff's mother's take on rental units (small homes). I also liked the way Fairmont turned out to be more than a rescue dog, and surprised both his owner, Zella and the sheriff, Luke.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down. It is fun and funny, despite the background murder mystery. Zella is making a new start in a new town. She is hoping to lead a quiet life unhindered by her past and the first thing she finds when she arrives is a murder victim. Fairmont, Zella dog companion, is her healing element. His calm and reassuring nature keep her focused on the good things around her. Totally love Fairmont he steals your heart. Will Zella settle into her new town and new life comfortably? Read this book and find out. Oh, and a little bit of romance is thrown into the story to add a bit of interest.

[Sheryl Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy mystery alternates voices between our female protagonist and her dog. I love the dog's voice, so chipper and about what I would expect from that kind of dog. The story takes place in a small town and you know how that goes in a cozy mystery. So much fun getting to know the characters and the *characters* if you know what I mean. :)

Fairmont, the dog, is really the star of the show in this story, and it is a lot of fun following him as his skills and personality are revealed. He starts out as a bit of an enigma, but by the end he is well defined and ready to start work on the next mystery!

[Holly Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this audiobook the dog is adorable...and he is or had been trained in scent searching... the other characters need some fleshing out but that will come as the series progresses I hope. all in all moving to a new town buying a new home finding a dead body in your back yard and realizing your newly adopted pet is a highly trained scent search cadaver dog...phhssst all in a day's work. I must admit though I didn't know the killer and it sort of surprised me Lol. Good Start to a new series Ms. Lawley

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

I love Fairmont. He sounds exactly the opposite of my first rescue dog who had the energy of six dogs, lol. I enjoyed the humor throughout the book even in tough situations. And the description of small town life of pretty spot on in my experience of growing up in one. I think I am going to like Sheriff Luke a lot because Fairmont loves him. Appropriate for almost any reader too.
Thanks for sharing Fairmont/Vegas with us Kate.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zella’s divorce freed her to sell her massive home and escape her class-conscious snobby neighbors. She sells almost all of her belongings, adopts Fairmintm a spotted rescue dog, and buys a small home sight unseen. It all feels right until Fairmont finds a dead body of her new backyard BEFORE she can even move in. Lots of small town neighbors and gossip follows germ as well as the local sheriff, as she tries to find the killer.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rescued Dog

Loved Fairmont Finds a Body! The pace of the action was just perfect, the characters were familiar in interesting ways, and the viewpoint of the dog made me wonder if my dogs think those things about me! Simple and straight-forward plot with enough reality to be believable! Good, relaxing read.

[Cheryl P. Vetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read. A little mysyery and little romance in a small town where everybody knows everything about everyone’s business thanks to a very vigorous grapevine. The point of view of Fairmont, a rescued German Shorthair Pointer, augments that of Zella, “his lady” and the story’s protagonist, adds affectionate and humorous touches Looking forward to a continuation of this new series.

[Sandy Bartles · Rating 5 out of 5]

After her divorce, Zella and her terrific fur baby Fairmont leave Austin for a smaller town, a very nosy smaller town. Where a body is found in her backyard. I love the characters in this book, especially Fairmont. They all come together to create a very enjoyable read. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

I borrowed a copy of this book from Kindle Unlimited.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and Sweet

This was a good little cozy mystery set in a small town where everyone knows everyone else AND their business. Boy does the gossip mill move fast. It was a nice touch adding in Fairmont's point of view. It's not often that you get a dog's perspective. This was a fast and enjoyable book.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun cozy mystery told partly from the view of Fairmont, a German Shorthair rescued dog. As the story develops, we find out that Fairmont had been trained by unknown previous owners as a cadaver/tracking dog. It is an interesting mix between Fairmont and his new owner plus the situations they find themselves in. Lighthearted and a relaxing read.

[Sheila Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first installment of the Fairmont Finds Canine Cozy Series from Cate Lawley. This book was original, entertaining, creative, and held my attention all the way through. I enjoyed this one better than the Night Shift Witch, which is really saying something. Well worth the time to read. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Andrea Latham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love dogs and this is why I selected this story about Fairmont, a spaniel who has a murky history but Zella doesn't care after adopting him giving a new life and like Zella I would spoil him with a lot of tender loving care. Zella has a new home, new town, a new name but a corpse in found in her back yard and the hunt for the murderer starts.

[Christine Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I have found a new favorite author! This story is well told with the dog an important character! I loved his comments! The murder and scent of a romance were also well handled. Bravo!!!

[Priscilla Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books with a bunch of older lady's investigating crime with the help of a most lovable dog. Read all three in a day and a half and was so disappointed to have to wait for number 4. Wonderful series.

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love dogs and cozy mysteries. This is one for you. It stars Fairmont, a German Pointer, and his human Zella. Fairmont and Zella have move to their new home in White Sage, Texas. Only until both find a body on the property. The story was great and the characters were likeable.

[Peggy Louise Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

New life for Two

Nice story line and Fairmont a sweet addition . Fast paced and a guessing mystery. Enjoyed it very much, the romance part wasn't my thing but ok.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairmont

I liked this book but I must admit Fairmounts chapters were my favorite. I am looking forward to reading more.

[Tracy Zullo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute - quick read
I really love the quirky dog point of view

[Linda C. Brizendine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good cozy mystery

A good quick read. Interesting, enjoyable (especially if you are a dog person) mystery. I hope this is the first of a series.