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Molly Madison #1
A Deadly Bone to Pick
When Molly Madison, dog-wrangler extraordinaire, stumbles upon a murder in her new hometown, she must track down a killer to save the day.
Ex-police officer and former P.I. Molly Madison is starting over. After the death of her husband, she and her golden retriever, Harlow, move cross-country to California. But as charming and peaceful as the beachside town seems, she soon learns its tranquil tides hold dark secrets.
On her first day in the new house, a large, slobbering Saint Berdoodle wanders in. Molly winds up taking on the responsibility of training Noodle since his owner is too busy to do the job. On one of their daily beachside walks, Noodle digs up a severed hand. Once Molly alerts the police and they run a background check on her, she's an immediate suspect--after all, Noodle's testimony to clear her name won't hold much water in court.
To prove her innocence, Molly must rely on instincts keener than a canine's to sniff out the real killer. But when Molly's life is put in danger, will her two very loyal pups be able to rescue her?
Ex-police officer and former P.I. Molly Madison is starting over. After the death of her husband, she and her golden retriever, Harlow, move cross-country to California. But as charming and peaceful as the beachside town seems, she soon learns its tranquil tides hold dark secrets.
On her first day in the new house, a large, slobbering Saint Berdoodle wanders in. Molly winds up taking on the responsibility of training Noodle since his owner is too busy to do the job. On one of their daily beachside walks, Noodle digs up a severed hand. Once Molly alerts the police and they run a background check on her, she's an immediate suspect--after all, Noodle's testimony to clear her name won't hold much water in court.
To prove her innocence, Molly must rely on instincts keener than a canine's to sniff out the real killer. But when Molly's life is put in danger, will her two very loyal pups be able to rescue her?
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 8, 2022
29 people are currently reading
1012 people want to read
About the author
Peggy Rothschild
11 books126 followers I'm an author, mystery-lover, friend of the feline, and avid gardener.
After losing our home in a California wildfire, we moved to the Central Coast where the hiking trails and birds are plentiful!
After losing our home in a California wildfire, we moved to the Central Coast where the hiking trails and birds are plentiful!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
June 30, 2022
Happy publishing day!! This one is out now! ❤️
Throughly enjoyable! If you love mystery novels and you love dogs, then this is definitely the book for you! The storyline was interesting and kept me guessing and flipping the pages. Harlow and Noodle, the 2 adorable dogs in this story just added to the book and made it even more fun and enjoyable. There is a lot of dog training info and facts about dogs lightly sprinkled in throughout the book which was neat. I actually learned a thing or two. Overall, a cute story that I would recommend!
Thank you, Berkley and Net Galley, for an ARC in review for my honest review.
Throughly enjoyable! If you love mystery novels and you love dogs, then this is definitely the book for you! The storyline was interesting and kept me guessing and flipping the pages. Harlow and Noodle, the 2 adorable dogs in this story just added to the book and made it even more fun and enjoyable. There is a lot of dog training info and facts about dogs lightly sprinkled in throughout the book which was neat. I actually learned a thing or two. Overall, a cute story that I would recommend!
Thank you, Berkley and Net Galley, for an ARC in review for my honest review.
June 23, 2022
How well do you know your neighbors? Good question, right? You might wave or exchange pleasantries with them. Have you been invited in for tea and a chat or had a neighborhood backyard barbeque? You might know their names and occupations, but do you really know them?
Molly Madison and her golden retriever, Harlow, move to Pier Point, California to start over.
Moving in, Molly’s doors are wide open. A neighbor notices and drops by to warn her to keep her doors shut, always. Frankendoodle, a two hundred pound ivory and mocha monster has a habit of walking into the neighborhood houses and making himself at home.
The following day Molly and Harlow, joined by Noodle (Frankendoodle) who has stopped by to say hello, walk to the beach where Noodle digs up a severed hand. Molly starts to wonder if relocating to California and settling in this neighborhood was a mistake.
A Deadly Bone To Pick by Peggy Rothschild combined two of my interests, mysteries and dogs, into a refreshing storyline outside of the normal crime/thriller novel. I highly recommend that you add this book to your summer reading list!
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February 2, 2022
Be still my happy heart: I read almost all the way to the end of a cozy mystery before realizing it's a cozy. Why? It's missing all the annoying hallmarks of other cozies: No hand-wringing heroine who won't listen to reason. No wacked-out loud-mouthed friend who gets her into even more trouble . No paranoia, questioning everything every other character says and does or waffling between two hunky guys. Better still, apparently it's the first of a series. My reaction? Thank you - and bring on the next one quickly, please!
That's not to say that Molly Madison isn't carrying around some serious baggage; after her husband's demise - for which some still blame her - the former Massachusetts police officer and private eye has moved to coastal California, taking very little except her beloved golden retriever, Harlow. Even before she gets settled in her new digs, she gets a visitor - in the form of a huge, exceptionally slobbery Saint Berdoodle (that's a blend of St. Bernard and well, you know). Turns out he belongs to a down-the-street neighbor who is happy to share a dog he doesn't care much for anyway.
A practiced dog trainer (who shares her expertise with readers, a plus for dog-lovers), Molly tolerates the drools and takes a shine to Noodle - as does Harlow. On a beach walk, though, Noodle starts digging around, triumphantly retrieving a human hand. Uh, oh, Molly thinks - time to call the cops. When she does, she bumps into perhaps the only similarity to most cozies: A cop with an ax to grind, and it's name is Molly - and his sympathetic, good-looking sidekick who steps in to dull his partner's blade.
After that, nothing much goes according to plan except Molly's training schedule for Noodle - approved by his emergency doctor owner - and training sessions for the dog belonging to super-smart eight-year-old Amy, whose parents are, shall we say, less than attentive. This is followed by a couple of neighborhood murders (which, of course, that unfriendly cop would love to pin on Molly if he could just figure out how). The closer Molly gets to the truth, though, the more she puts her own life in jeopardy.
The whole thing is an engaging romp with plenty of action from both people and canines, for which I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading and reviewing. For those who enjoy an entertaining, well-written book, I have this advice: Sit. Stay. Read!
That's not to say that Molly Madison isn't carrying around some serious baggage; after her husband's demise - for which some still blame her - the former Massachusetts police officer and private eye has moved to coastal California, taking very little except her beloved golden retriever, Harlow. Even before she gets settled in her new digs, she gets a visitor - in the form of a huge, exceptionally slobbery Saint Berdoodle (that's a blend of St. Bernard and well, you know). Turns out he belongs to a down-the-street neighbor who is happy to share a dog he doesn't care much for anyway.
A practiced dog trainer (who shares her expertise with readers, a plus for dog-lovers), Molly tolerates the drools and takes a shine to Noodle - as does Harlow. On a beach walk, though, Noodle starts digging around, triumphantly retrieving a human hand. Uh, oh, Molly thinks - time to call the cops. When she does, she bumps into perhaps the only similarity to most cozies: A cop with an ax to grind, and it's name is Molly - and his sympathetic, good-looking sidekick who steps in to dull his partner's blade.
After that, nothing much goes according to plan except Molly's training schedule for Noodle - approved by his emergency doctor owner - and training sessions for the dog belonging to super-smart eight-year-old Amy, whose parents are, shall we say, less than attentive. This is followed by a couple of neighborhood murders (which, of course, that unfriendly cop would love to pin on Molly if he could just figure out how). The closer Molly gets to the truth, though, the more she puts her own life in jeopardy.
The whole thing is an engaging romp with plenty of action from both people and canines, for which I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading and reviewing. For those who enjoy an entertaining, well-written book, I have this advice: Sit. Stay. Read!
August 23, 2021
Cozy up with your pup! Molly Madison is a dog lover’s sleuth! What better excuse to interact with new neighbors than training their dogs? Flawless and descriptive writing frame an enviable beach community where ex-cop, Molly, is determined to start a new life. Dog owners will appreciate the training tips!
February 16, 2022
Molly Madison and her dog have relocated to Pier Point, California, and she is looking forward to starting all over. However, she has not completely unpacked before a dog she is dog sitting uncovered a hand in the sand of a nearby beach. With the police looking at Molly as a suspect because of a scandal in her past, she has to figure out what is going on. But if she doesn’t even know her neighbors, can she do that?
I picked up this book because of the Southern California setting, and I loved that. Even though Pier Point is fictional, I could easily picture it. I also enjoyed meeting Molly and the rest of her neighbors. They are slightly eccentric, but not so over the top that they didn’t still feel real. There are plenty of dogs, and they are equally charming. Unfortunately, the pacing of the book is very off. It was slow in the beginning, focusing on Molly settling into her new life. The ending, while logical, was rushed. That kept me from fully enjoying what was a promising debut.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I picked up this book because of the Southern California setting, and I loved that. Even though Pier Point is fictional, I could easily picture it. I also enjoyed meeting Molly and the rest of her neighbors. They are slightly eccentric, but not so over the top that they didn’t still feel real. There are plenty of dogs, and they are equally charming. Unfortunately, the pacing of the book is very off. It was slow in the beginning, focusing on Molly settling into her new life. The ending, while logical, was rushed. That kept me from fully enjoying what was a promising debut.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
January 25, 2025
And the heroes of the story are…
A golden retriever and a Saint Berdoodle. If that isn’t a set-up for a cozy mystery, I don’t know what to tell you!
Premise: Molly Madison has picked her life up with her golden retriever dog Harlow and is completely starting over by moving across the United States to a beautiful beach town in California. (This story has adorable dogs, and a beach setting, too!)
But...We don’t know much about Molly’s past...
And...It doesn’t take long for her to be immersed in a mystery when another dog, (this is where the Saint Berdoodle enters). She ends up training and “babysitting” Noodle on her second day in town, who happens to pick up a human hand on the beach.
How many times has that happened in a story???
Still...Molly does the right thing by involving the police immediately.
But...The police are suspicious of Molly because of her own “shady past” which we as readers need to discover.
And...There is also something about Molly and her love and attention to both these dogs that we can’t help but love.
So...We become engaged in this cozy mystery, and want Molly’s innocence to be proven on all levels.
Besides...Who wouldn’t want to support her – after all, one who loves dogs, must be a good person, right? Of course!
Now...Then the question becomes...who could be the bad guy?
And...You as readers have to decide if the story is worth it enough to find out.
A golden retriever and a Saint Berdoodle. If that isn’t a set-up for a cozy mystery, I don’t know what to tell you!
Premise: Molly Madison has picked her life up with her golden retriever dog Harlow and is completely starting over by moving across the United States to a beautiful beach town in California. (This story has adorable dogs, and a beach setting, too!)
But...We don’t know much about Molly’s past...
And...It doesn’t take long for her to be immersed in a mystery when another dog, (this is where the Saint Berdoodle enters). She ends up training and “babysitting” Noodle on her second day in town, who happens to pick up a human hand on the beach.
How many times has that happened in a story???
Still...Molly does the right thing by involving the police immediately.
But...The police are suspicious of Molly because of her own “shady past” which we as readers need to discover.
And...There is also something about Molly and her love and attention to both these dogs that we can’t help but love.
So...We become engaged in this cozy mystery, and want Molly’s innocence to be proven on all levels.
Besides...Who wouldn’t want to support her – after all, one who loves dogs, must be a good person, right? Of course!
Now...Then the question becomes...who could be the bad guy?
And...You as readers have to decide if the story is worth it enough to find out.
May 15, 2022
MY NEW FAVORITE MYSTERY! 2 reasons I adored this so, so much:
1) it was a perfect blend of cozy mystery and Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone - I grew up on the alphabet series and seeing glimpses of Kinsey in Molly just brought me all kinds of joy ❤️ But also, the cozy aspects were there too. NOT cute and quaint cozy - not at all. But the “tied up with a bow by the end” and the small community parts are all there.
2) THE DOGS. I have never read a book where the main character talks to and relates to her dogs just like I do. Seriously I talk to my dogs more than my family members some days - and those are the best days 😉 The dogs aren’t some weird humanized characters either, they’re just normal dogs but with full realistic dog personalities, needs and fierce loyalties. I adored every second of this aspect of the book.
All in all - a PHENOMENAL debut and I’m so eager for book 2 in the series!
1) it was a perfect blend of cozy mystery and Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone - I grew up on the alphabet series and seeing glimpses of Kinsey in Molly just brought me all kinds of joy ❤️ But also, the cozy aspects were there too. NOT cute and quaint cozy - not at all. But the “tied up with a bow by the end” and the small community parts are all there.
2) THE DOGS. I have never read a book where the main character talks to and relates to her dogs just like I do. Seriously I talk to my dogs more than my family members some days - and those are the best days 😉 The dogs aren’t some weird humanized characters either, they’re just normal dogs but with full realistic dog personalities, needs and fierce loyalties. I adored every second of this aspect of the book.
All in all - a PHENOMENAL debut and I’m so eager for book 2 in the series!
June 26, 2021
Fresh, captivating, and unexpected. Set in Coastal California, this engrossing story about ex-cop Molly Madison, her canine sidekick, and a neighborhood full of secrets is a must for dog lovers and cozy mystery fans alike.
August 30, 2022
I really loved this book! With an entertaining writing style, Peggy Rothschild weaves great info about doggie care and training into a delightful mystery. I enjoyed the interactions of both humans and animals as Molly navigates moving to a new town to pick up a new life and community. She and her golden retriever, Harlow, take Noodle, a rollicking Saint Berdoodle, under their wings for doggie day care and training and get more than they bargain for when he finds human remains on the beach. Despite Molly trying to avoid getting involved with the investigation, circumstances keep bringing her in. If you like mysteries and dogs, this book is for you!
February 23, 2022
A Deadly Bone To Pick
Molly Madison, Book #1
Peggy Rothschild
5 Stars
Synopsis
When Molly Madison, dog-wrangler extraordinaire, stumbles upon a murder in her new hometown, she must track down a killer to save the day.
Ex-police officer and former P.I. Molly Madison is starting over. After the death of her husband, she and her golden retriever, Harlow, move cross-country to California. But as charming and peaceful as the beachside town seems, she soon learns its tranquil tides hold dark secrets.
On her first day in the new house, a large, slobbering Saint Berdoodle wanders in. Molly winds up taking on the responsibility of training Noodle since his owner is too busy to do the job. On one of their daily beachside walks, Noodle digs up a severed hand. Once Molly alerts the police and they run a background check on her, she's an immediate suspect--after all, Noodle's testimony to clear her name won't hold much water in court.
To prove her innocence, Molly must rely on instincts keener than a canine's to sniff out the real killer. But when Molly's life is put in danger, will her two very loyal pups be able to rescue her? (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Molly has decided to move across the country to start over after her husband dies. Her and her golden retriever, Harlow, move to a beach town. Shortly after she moves,she meets Noodle, a huge Saint Berdoodle, who is in desperate need of some dog training. After talking to the dog's owner, Molly begins training him and she gets a couple of other dogs to train. One of her new acquntaines is killed, and Molly finds herself a person of interest in to the murder. She will have find the culprit with the help of her canine friends.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. I did not know who the culprit was until it was revealed at the end but they were on my radar, along with a couple others.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This book had everything that I look for in a cozy: great characters, adorable dogs, an inviting setting and a great mystery. I cannot wait to read the next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Molly Madison, Book #1
Peggy Rothschild
5 Stars
Synopsis
When Molly Madison, dog-wrangler extraordinaire, stumbles upon a murder in her new hometown, she must track down a killer to save the day.
Ex-police officer and former P.I. Molly Madison is starting over. After the death of her husband, she and her golden retriever, Harlow, move cross-country to California. But as charming and peaceful as the beachside town seems, she soon learns its tranquil tides hold dark secrets.
On her first day in the new house, a large, slobbering Saint Berdoodle wanders in. Molly winds up taking on the responsibility of training Noodle since his owner is too busy to do the job. On one of their daily beachside walks, Noodle digs up a severed hand. Once Molly alerts the police and they run a background check on her, she's an immediate suspect--after all, Noodle's testimony to clear her name won't hold much water in court.
To prove her innocence, Molly must rely on instincts keener than a canine's to sniff out the real killer. But when Molly's life is put in danger, will her two very loyal pups be able to rescue her? (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Molly has decided to move across the country to start over after her husband dies. Her and her golden retriever, Harlow, move to a beach town. Shortly after she moves,she meets Noodle, a huge Saint Berdoodle, who is in desperate need of some dog training. After talking to the dog's owner, Molly begins training him and she gets a couple of other dogs to train. One of her new acquntaines is killed, and Molly finds herself a person of interest in to the murder. She will have find the culprit with the help of her canine friends.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. I did not know who the culprit was until it was revealed at the end but they were on my radar, along with a couple others.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This book had everything that I look for in a cozy: great characters, adorable dogs, an inviting setting and a great mystery. I cannot wait to read the next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
March 10, 2022
This title rides the edge of cozy mystery and amateur sleuth mystery. It has a lot of the cozy elements: setting you want to move to, main character with a job training dogs, adorable pets that steal the spotlight. But the main character was also formerly a cop/PI, so she had legit investigative experience, and the tone and investigation were a little more serious than the typical cozy. It was a really enjoyable mystery.
My only negative is that the author overused the word "yup" - it may not be as noticeable reading the text, but it was very apparent listening to the audio. It also made me think I probably overuse the word, too, so that was uncomfortable :D
Bonus factor: the primary scene-stealer is a Saint Berndoodle named Noodle.
My only negative is that the author overused the word "yup" - it may not be as noticeable reading the text, but it was very apparent listening to the audio. It also made me think I probably overuse the word, too, so that was uncomfortable :D
Bonus factor: the primary scene-stealer is a Saint Berndoodle named Noodle.
May 9, 2022
3.5 stars rounding up.
I'm most bothered that the dog on the cover doesn't match the 2 main dogs.
I'm most bothered that the dog on the cover doesn't match the 2 main dogs.
January 10, 2022
"A Deadly Bone to Pick" is a cozy mystery. It took a bit to get into the mystery, though. Molly's settling in and working with the dogs. One dog found a severed hand and later a unique wedding ring. Then a neighbor was found dead. The police were so much at a loss at finding suspects that a jerk cop basically accused Molly and expended resources trying to find some vague, meaningless connection. This pushed her into investigating the clues and connections herself, and she still had her P.I. resources to do research on people.
Throughout the story, we got dog training as Molly helped a smart, young girl (awesome character) with her puppy and an adult neighbor with a deaf puppy. The main characters were interesting and acted realistically. Some of the characters really charmed me, like the girl, the party boy neighbor, and of course the dogs. Absolutely loved the ending with Noodles showing off his new training in the best way possible! However, I had whodunit figured out long before Molly. Certain factors (like the fact this is a cozy mystery) limited the suspect pool, so I had an advantage. But it was a fun read anyway.
There was no sex. There was some bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this engaging, interesting mystery.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Throughout the story, we got dog training as Molly helped a smart, young girl (awesome character) with her puppy and an adult neighbor with a deaf puppy. The main characters were interesting and acted realistically. Some of the characters really charmed me, like the girl, the party boy neighbor, and of course the dogs. Absolutely loved the ending with Noodles showing off his new training in the best way possible! However, I had whodunit figured out long before Molly. Certain factors (like the fact this is a cozy mystery) limited the suspect pool, so I had an advantage. But it was a fun read anyway.
There was no sex. There was some bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this engaging, interesting mystery.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
February 15, 2022
A Deadly Bone to Pick by Peggy Rothschild has Molly Madison relocating to the West coast with her golden retriever, Harlow after the death of her husband. Molly is instructing the movers when a large Saint Berdoodle walks into her home (he is a drooler). It turns out that Noodle’s owner is too busy in the ER to take care of the affectionate dog or train him. Molly takes over the task and walks him on the beach each morning with Harlow. Noodle has a good sniffer. He uncovers a hand on the beach. Unfortunately, Molly becomes the prime suspect when the cops learn about what happened in Massachusetts. When Noodle digs up another item, it is clear the lead detective has it out for Molly. If she is going to get her fresh start, Molly needs to use the skills she learned as a copy and PI to uncover the responsible party. A Deadly Bone to Pick is the first book that I have read by Peggy Rothschild. I liked the author’s writing style. It made for an easy-to-read story with likeable characters. I like Molly and her canine companion, Harlow. We also get to meet some of her new neighbors. Noodle is a delight. He adds humor to the story as well as those “ahhhh” moments. Noodle is one clever canine. The author shares information about dog breeds and training as well as agility training. I learned some interesting facts. My dog is part St. Bernard (only drools when food is present) and I learned that he has a nose for scents (explains his tracking ability). The mystery was appealing, but there was not enough of it. I wanted more details and investigation. Solving the whodunit is a snap. I was not a fan of the nasty lead detective (I do not care if he is going through an acrimonious divorce—he should not take it out on Molly). His younger partner is much nicer and easy on the eyes. I loved eight-year-old Ava. She is extremely smart and has parents who are self-involved. Molly and Ava have a lot in common despite their age difference. Molly helps Ava train her dog, Huckleberry. I hope A Deadly Bone to Pick is just the beginning of Molly Madison’s adventures. A Deadly Bone to Pick is a charming new cozy with cute canines, a clever child, a diligent doctor, an exhumed hand, a distressing detective, a perturbing past, and a determined dog wrangler.
September 12, 2021
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Live in Massachusetts and need to reinvent your life? Move to a small seaside town on the California coast. Molly Madison, ex-cop, former PI, and dog wrangler, does just that, wanting to put behind her the murder of her husband, for which she was never fully exonerated. Fortunately, Pier Point is a welcoming community that is perfect for Molly; her golden retriever, Harlow; and Noodle, a neighbor’s enormous, slobbering Saint Berdoodle that Molly semi-adopts. On a morning beach walk, Noodle digs up a woman’s hand, setting in motion a search for the victim and the murderer that again has Molly on the police’s radar. Rothschild has created the first in what could be a wonderful series. Molly is quirky and totally believable. The community is engaging. And Harlow and Noodle, rooted in real-dog behavior, make great co-stars who lend a great deal to the story. I’m hooked.—Brian Kenney
Live in Massachusetts and need to reinvent your life? Move to a small seaside town on the California coast. Molly Madison, ex-cop, former PI, and dog wrangler, does just that, wanting to put behind her the murder of her husband, for which she was never fully exonerated. Fortunately, Pier Point is a welcoming community that is perfect for Molly; her golden retriever, Harlow; and Noodle, a neighbor’s enormous, slobbering Saint Berdoodle that Molly semi-adopts. On a morning beach walk, Noodle digs up a woman’s hand, setting in motion a search for the victim and the murderer that again has Molly on the police’s radar. Rothschild has created the first in what could be a wonderful series. Molly is quirky and totally believable. The community is engaging. And Harlow and Noodle, rooted in real-dog behavior, make great co-stars who lend a great deal to the story. I’m hooked.—Brian Kenney
January 8, 2023
5 bazillion stars!!! Into infinity even!!! Sweet perfection from character to plot to Therese Plummer's exquisite narration. Totally jazzed to have discovered this new cozy mystery series -- and I'll admit that it's the narrator who drew me to it. Now I just have to wait a month before the second book comes out.
Though I'd classify this as a cozy, I'd say it's more on the serious side due to Molly's back story. But it's not heavy or graphic or in any other way thrillerish. I love that she's a 'dog wrangler' and the immersion into all things dog without overwhelming the story (though the canines definitely enhance it!) made the read all the more special for me. The mystery was solid -- I figured out whodunnit, yay me! And I enjoyed getting to know some of the secondary characters that I think will be sticking around for future books. Can't wait for more Molly stories...hope the author is a fast writer. :-)
Though I'd classify this as a cozy, I'd say it's more on the serious side due to Molly's back story. But it's not heavy or graphic or in any other way thrillerish. I love that she's a 'dog wrangler' and the immersion into all things dog without overwhelming the story (though the canines definitely enhance it!) made the read all the more special for me. The mystery was solid -- I figured out whodunnit, yay me! And I enjoyed getting to know some of the secondary characters that I think will be sticking around for future books. Can't wait for more Molly stories...hope the author is a fast writer. :-)
February 25, 2022
I loved the two dogs, and the mystery and suspense were enough to keep me glued to my ereader.
Molly Madison packed up her life in small town Massachusetts and moved all the way to California after her husband’s death. On her first day there, Molly and her dog befriended a huge Saint Berdoodle, and Noodle sort of adopted them even though his owner, a super busy doctor, lived just down the road. Molly’s hopes of a quiet life were dashed one day when Noodle dug up a hand on the beach. The local police did some digging and found out that Molly had a few skeletons in her closet, and that made her a suspect in their eyes.
Descriptions of Molly’s everyday life, feeding, training, and playing with the dogs, chats with her neighbors, errands to the store, and so on fill the pages of this book. You would think that sounds boring, but it’s not. The two dogs are beyond adorable. Molly is looking for a quiet place to start over where no one knows who she is, but she finds herself surrounded with some strange neighbors and even stranger events.
I found this book to a bit of a dichotomy. Molly is quietly going about her day with the dogs playing a prominent role, and it’s all so peaceful. And then suddenly a body pops up almost out of the blue. It certainly kept me on my toes. The identity of the murderer was a big surprise at the end.
It looks to be the start of a new series, and I would love to read more about Molly, Harlow, and Noodle. A Deadly Bone to Pick is more a mystery than anything else. There are some hints of a possible romance and maybe that will be explored more later on. I hope so.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 1, 2022
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A Deadly Bone to Pick by Peggy Rothschild is a cozy mystery that will appeal to pet-lovers everywhere! The story revolves around ex-police officer Molly, who has just moved across the country to California with her golden retriever, Harlow. But her dreams of beachside paradise are shattered when her neighbor's dog discovers a severed hand on the beach. Who could have committed this murder? And why are the police suspicious of her? It's up to Molly and her loyal dogs to solve the case!
Here is an excerpt from Chapter 1, which is from Molly's point of view:
"“Please be careful with that.” I winced as the two muscle-bound men, dressed in matching navy-blue uniforms, wrestled the antique ship captain’s desk through the front door. “It was my great-grandfather’s.” In reality, it had belonged to something like my great-great-great-great-grandfather. But why would they care? Nor would they care that Mom insisted I take the desk—part of a misguided effort to show she believed I’d move back to Massachusetts one day.
My golden retriever, Harlow, tail waving, practically vibrated with her desire to meet these potential new friends.
“Stay.” As much as I expected every person to love my dog, this was not the time. Ever obedient, she settled onto the travertine tile.
...
I wanted this move to work out. No, not wanted. Needed. I needed this move to work out."
Overall, A Deadly Bone to Pick is a light-hearted mystery that will appeal to dog-lovers everywhere. One highlight of this book is the focus on the dogs in the plot. Often, mysteries focus on the human characters only. It's clear from the adorable image of a dogbone at the beginning of each chapter, that the dogs will play almost as important of a role as the humans in this book. I'm sure that anyone who has ever owned a dog will adore this book. If I had to complain about 1 thing, I would say that I was expecting a bit more action and tension in this mystery. That's just a personal preference though, since many people enjoy reading mysteries that are a bit more light-hearted. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of cozy mysteries in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in February!
A Deadly Bone to Pick by Peggy Rothschild is a cozy mystery that will appeal to pet-lovers everywhere! The story revolves around ex-police officer Molly, who has just moved across the country to California with her golden retriever, Harlow. But her dreams of beachside paradise are shattered when her neighbor's dog discovers a severed hand on the beach. Who could have committed this murder? And why are the police suspicious of her? It's up to Molly and her loyal dogs to solve the case!
Here is an excerpt from Chapter 1, which is from Molly's point of view:
"“Please be careful with that.” I winced as the two muscle-bound men, dressed in matching navy-blue uniforms, wrestled the antique ship captain’s desk through the front door. “It was my great-grandfather’s.” In reality, it had belonged to something like my great-great-great-great-grandfather. But why would they care? Nor would they care that Mom insisted I take the desk—part of a misguided effort to show she believed I’d move back to Massachusetts one day.
My golden retriever, Harlow, tail waving, practically vibrated with her desire to meet these potential new friends.
“Stay.” As much as I expected every person to love my dog, this was not the time. Ever obedient, she settled onto the travertine tile.
...
I wanted this move to work out. No, not wanted. Needed. I needed this move to work out."
Overall, A Deadly Bone to Pick is a light-hearted mystery that will appeal to dog-lovers everywhere. One highlight of this book is the focus on the dogs in the plot. Often, mysteries focus on the human characters only. It's clear from the adorable image of a dogbone at the beginning of each chapter, that the dogs will play almost as important of a role as the humans in this book. I'm sure that anyone who has ever owned a dog will adore this book. If I had to complain about 1 thing, I would say that I was expecting a bit more action and tension in this mystery. That's just a personal preference though, since many people enjoy reading mysteries that are a bit more light-hearted. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of cozy mysteries in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in February!
September 24, 2024
Definitely a solid cozy mystery involving dogs, a former policewoman and an interesting series of murders. Funny parts and not scary at all but a delight to read.
November 23, 2024
The palette cleanser I needed after Small Game Hunting at the Local Coward Gun Club.
March 15, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. The writing reminded me of Sue Grafton’s series which I dearly love. Also it features a golden retriever named Harlow and is set on the central coast of California. Two more things I love! This is a book to entertain you and take your mind off of all the heavy things going on in the world.
January 28, 2022
3.5 STARS
Former canine cop and then P.I. but now retired, Molly Madison has left her East Coast home to start over in sunny California leaving behind too many memories and hurts including the loss of her husband. Molly hopes her new small community will be the starting point of a drama free life, but that quickly changes with a gruesome discovery.
Besides training her own dog, Molly volunteers to help a neighbor who is rarely home train and care for his big, drooly, Saint Berdoodle as the pesky pet is a nuisance in their beachside town. While walking on the beach, Noodle the doodle digs up a severed hand and suddenly Molly is right back in the thick of things with an investigation in which she is also a suspect. Molly has a past tragedy in her life that puts her character into question so that one of the local detectives wants to think the worst of her. When another piece of evidence turns up, Molly is once again in the spotlight.
Molly spends her days getting to know the neighbors, walking and training her and their dogs, and trying to do some detective work on her own since it is apparently in her blood. Molly’s reputation as a dog whisperer finds her some other clients helping to introduce her to the community folk and their local dramas. Strange things keep escalating to the point where it seems Molly just might be in peril as well. She just cannot keep her nose out of police business and someone in her neighborhood is lurking with deadly intent.
This new series will appeal to mystery readers who also are canine fans especially with details pertaining to obedience and agility training. While there is no romance in this story, hints for a possible future relationship are evident. The dog theme is quite abundant so that may be a plus or minus depending one’s reading taste. The ending seemed a bit abrupt as well; the clues about the perpetrator are very sparse making the reveal seem a bit surprising.
March 2, 2022
This is a must read for dog lovers and mystery fans. The pace is sometimes uneven, but the story is well thought out. I enjoy protagonist Molly and the dogs. There is a lot of emphasis on dog training, which I find interesting, but it might not be everyone's cup of tea. The killer's identity took me by surprise. Highly recommended.
March 14, 2025
3.75 stars
This started off awkward. She described everything: “I got in the car and drove to the store. I parked. There were four cars parked outside. I then realized I hadn’t brushed my hair. I went inside. Despite the cars outside, I didn’t see any other customers.” Paraphrased but not kidding. Nothing in that paragraph was relevant nor did it come back again. She continued to over describe but it got much better as the book progressed. She did have good grammar, using whom when appropriate. Yay!! But the character was constantly saying, “yup” and “sure!”
The mystery was good. I had some ideas but was never sure and the ending made sense. There was the usual villain spewing his confession but other than that, it was pretty good. The pacing was a little slow I think.
The dogs were the star of the show for me. I like that most of the dogs were mixes/mutts. She had some good training ideas, although when introducing a crate to an adult dog, there’s a lot more work to it. She knows dogs, so why did she leave her dogs in the car in mid-June in California? One of them is an escape artist so she couldn’t leave the windows open all the way. Fortunately, that was just one time.
The dogs also learned way too fast and she spent way too much time at once for a training session. The author way underestimates how long it takes to train. 30 minutes is two things. Ten minutes with a short break in between. It sounded like she had them working all day but said it was half an hour. Like kids, dogs being schooled need some unstructured play time.
She did know what she was doing and had good training skills. The only thing I disagreed with is something I have a big issue with crate trainers. Yes the dog feels safe and secure because they’re den animals. (I had a dog who’d sleep under my desk with her butt sticking out. She thought she was hidden because she couldn’t see anything.) But they’re also pack animals. They need their people. Keeping them crated all night alone, especially if they’re also crated during the day is mean. They should be trained to sleep on the floor near their people or at least have a choice of where to go. Crate training is just that: training. As they get older, they shouldn’t need it anymore. It can be left available for them but if they can’t get out for many hours at a time, that really is cruel.
I can’t stand overly smart kids in books but the eight-year-olds she’s playing with are dumb and way too old to play “airplane”. That’s a little kid thing. My granddaughter is smart but not brilliant and she learns a lot of those words in school that so impress the MC.
Other than the dogs, this just didn’t grab me but I might read the next one.
I just love this narrator, Terese Plummer. She put inflection in that I don’t think were in the text, things like a half laugh, or surprise and a slight stutter which is exactly how the character should sound. I’ve liked her for a long time.
This started off awkward. She described everything: “I got in the car and drove to the store. I parked. There were four cars parked outside. I then realized I hadn’t brushed my hair. I went inside. Despite the cars outside, I didn’t see any other customers.” Paraphrased but not kidding. Nothing in that paragraph was relevant nor did it come back again. She continued to over describe but it got much better as the book progressed. She did have good grammar, using whom when appropriate. Yay!! But the character was constantly saying, “yup” and “sure!”
The mystery was good. I had some ideas but was never sure and the ending made sense. There was the usual villain spewing his confession but other than that, it was pretty good. The pacing was a little slow I think.
The dogs were the star of the show for me. I like that most of the dogs were mixes/mutts. She had some good training ideas, although when introducing a crate to an adult dog, there’s a lot more work to it. She knows dogs, so why did she leave her dogs in the car in mid-June in California? One of them is an escape artist so she couldn’t leave the windows open all the way. Fortunately, that was just one time.
The dogs also learned way too fast and she spent way too much time at once for a training session. The author way underestimates how long it takes to train. 30 minutes is two things. Ten minutes with a short break in between. It sounded like she had them working all day but said it was half an hour. Like kids, dogs being schooled need some unstructured play time.
She did know what she was doing and had good training skills. The only thing I disagreed with is something I have a big issue with crate trainers. Yes the dog feels safe and secure because they’re den animals. (I had a dog who’d sleep under my desk with her butt sticking out. She thought she was hidden because she couldn’t see anything.) But they’re also pack animals. They need their people. Keeping them crated all night alone, especially if they’re also crated during the day is mean. They should be trained to sleep on the floor near their people or at least have a choice of where to go. Crate training is just that: training. As they get older, they shouldn’t need it anymore. It can be left available for them but if they can’t get out for many hours at a time, that really is cruel.
I can’t stand overly smart kids in books but the eight-year-olds she’s playing with are dumb and way too old to play “airplane”. That’s a little kid thing. My granddaughter is smart but not brilliant and she learns a lot of those words in school that so impress the MC.
Other than the dogs, this just didn’t grab me but I might read the next one.
I just love this narrator, Terese Plummer. She put inflection in that I don’t think were in the text, things like a half laugh, or surprise and a slight stutter which is exactly how the character should sound. I’ve liked her for a long time.
February 25, 2022
The first in a series, this book hits the ground running. Molly Madison is moving to California to start a new life. She's an ex-cop/PI whose husband was murdered back in Massachusetts. Now she just wants to settle down with her golden retriever Harlow and start over. On moving day, she picks up a huge pal named Noodle, a dog whose owner just lets him run wild. On a beach run with both dogs, Noodle brings back a severed hand. Yikes. She no sooner calls the police before she becomes the prime suspect.
I really enjoyed the pace and development in the novel. There were a few things that didn't make a lot of sense, but overall, it's well developed plot with some twisty turns. I especially enjoyed Molly's relationship with the dogs and the young neighborhood girl Ava. I'm looking forward to more books in the series.
I really enjoyed the pace and development in the novel. There were a few things that didn't make a lot of sense, but overall, it's well developed plot with some twisty turns. I especially enjoyed Molly's relationship with the dogs and the young neighborhood girl Ava. I'm looking forward to more books in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2022
I really liked this book. I definitely want more Molly Madison stories. The base for the series is set for Molly. She recently completed a big move across the country. Moving to California from Massachusetts being a widow now, young and needing a change. She is set here for good. She quickly becomes friends with several neighbors in her block. Good and bad.
The story really begins when the dogs unearthed a hand on the beach. There is a lot going on in this seaside town. Everyone know their neighbors and that cozy feel is what draws you in. The main character enjoys dogs, but she has a knack for training them, that is explained in the beginning when they set up her past.
The dogs were the sub-plot but to me they were the stars. The second character I really liked was Ava. This wonder kid was smart. She has a few memorable lines that were LOL funny.
The slight downfall was how thoroughly brutal this killer was. In the end the body count was pretty high, taking away the "cozy" feel.
The publisher invited me to read through NetGalley. Wait until you read this!
The story really begins when the dogs unearthed a hand on the beach. There is a lot going on in this seaside town. Everyone know their neighbors and that cozy feel is what draws you in. The main character enjoys dogs, but she has a knack for training them, that is explained in the beginning when they set up her past.
The dogs were the sub-plot but to me they were the stars. The second character I really liked was Ava. This wonder kid was smart. She has a few memorable lines that were LOL funny.
The slight downfall was how thoroughly brutal this killer was. In the end the body count was pretty high, taking away the "cozy" feel.
The publisher invited me to read through NetGalley. Wait until you read this!
February 24, 2022
ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
I liked the premise of this book, and picked it because of he cute cover - what books isn't better with a dog or two?
I liked the story for the most part, however the pacing felt off, all over the place. Yes we spend a lot of time with background which takes longer, but then it drags, then raced to the reveal and the conclusion so fast my head was spinning.
And here is my bone to pick - the dogs have names, use them. To me it felt pretentious that every second time one of the main dogs, Harlow or Noodle were mentioned, we didn't get their name, we got their breed. Ugh. It was like we were reading a kennel club booklet. It might not bother anyone else, but it irritated me.
I liked the story enough that I would read more by this author or series if it were to happen.
I liked the premise of this book, and picked it because of he cute cover - what books isn't better with a dog or two?
I liked the story for the most part, however the pacing felt off, all over the place. Yes we spend a lot of time with background which takes longer, but then it drags, then raced to the reveal and the conclusion so fast my head was spinning.
And here is my bone to pick - the dogs have names, use them. To me it felt pretentious that every second time one of the main dogs, Harlow or Noodle were mentioned, we didn't get their name, we got their breed. Ugh. It was like we were reading a kennel club booklet. It might not bother anyone else, but it irritated me.
I liked the story enough that I would read more by this author or series if it were to happen.
May 18, 2022
Great start to a new series. A debut book for this author and I'm already looking forward to future books in this series. Bring them on - with lots of the star roles for Molly and the dogs. love those dogs!
May 28, 2022
Molly Madison has relocated from the east to the west coast to start life over. She and her darling golden Harlow move to a charming little beach village in California. On her first day she meets Saint Berdoodle named Noodle. She ends up dog training Noodle. While walking along the beach Noodle retrieves a human hand. Contacting the police brings up the incident which really led to her relocating coasts. But other strange things happen to people around Molly, begging the police to question if Molly is involved.
March 5, 2022
I was led to this book by a BookPage review. It was ok but repetitious and predictable. I did skip & skim in the middle...and the ending still made sense. Lots of good info on dog training info (but I must add that it is possible for mixed breed dogs to participate in AKC agility events now).
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