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Puppy Love And Peril: A Bizzy Devlin Cozy Mystery, Volume 0
A new start, a new life... a new murder?
After personal tragedy strikes, what can reignite the passion Bizzy Devlin once had for her photography business? Her assistant may have the answer when he sets up a photo gig with a high-profile dog breeder. After all, what could be better than photographing puppies?
But when a too-charming dog trainer is found dead, it appears that one of the ladies of Lovely Labradoodles kennel may have had a hand in it.
When an old rival on the police force has the wrong suspect in his sights, Bizzy must dig deep to bring the facts into focus. In the process, she puts her own life on the line.
Join Bizzy and her loyal labradoodle on their first foray into sleuthing by picking up Puppy Love & Peril, the prequel to the Bizzy Devlin Mystery series!
The first book of the series, Buried in the Sand, comes out June, 2021
After personal tragedy strikes, what can reignite the passion Bizzy Devlin once had for her photography business? Her assistant may have the answer when he sets up a photo gig with a high-profile dog breeder. After all, what could be better than photographing puppies?
But when a too-charming dog trainer is found dead, it appears that one of the ladies of Lovely Labradoodles kennel may have had a hand in it.
When an old rival on the police force has the wrong suspect in his sights, Bizzy must dig deep to bring the facts into focus. In the process, she puts her own life on the line.
Join Bizzy and her loyal labradoodle on their first foray into sleuthing by picking up Puppy Love & Peril, the prequel to the Bizzy Devlin Mystery series!
The first book of the series, Buried in the Sand, comes out June, 2021
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
100 pages, ebook
Published March 19, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 17, 2021
Cute story with puppies and a good mystery.
September 8, 2021
This was a fairly generous-sized prequel that got my interest right away. Bizzy must have felt like she entered a soap opera of some type when she and Jacko took the job to get pictures at a Labradoodle kennel for their website and brochures. It wasn't too hard to guess whodunit after all was said and done, but there were a lot of other compelling reasons for the other players too.
At least before confronting the killer, Bizzy had called for reinforcements. It was so funny that Bizzy's favorite puppy got in on the action and hilarious what he did to the killer. It's not super essential to read this before you start the series, but it was cool to get a little background story on what happened during Bizzy's first venture back into photography after her beloved husband died.
This book is only available through BookFunnel. I think I saw it in one of those freebie collections where you sign up to get the author's newsletter, then they'll send you a prequel.
At least before confronting the killer, Bizzy had called for reinforcements. It was so funny that Bizzy's favorite puppy got in on the action and hilarious what he did to the killer. It's not super essential to read this before you start the series, but it was cool to get a little background story on what happened during Bizzy's first venture back into photography after her beloved husband died.
This book is only available through BookFunnel. I think I saw it in one of those freebie collections where you sign up to get the author's newsletter, then they'll send you a prequel.
February 5, 2023
After losing her husband in an accident, 40-year-old former crime scene photographer Bizzy Devlin is getting back in the swing of things career-wise with a new photoshoot for a Labradoodle breeder. Bizzy falls in love with one of the puppies and is excited to photograph the puppies but the humans are a different story. Zelda, the owner of the business, is pleasant and helpful enough but the rest of the staff are unfriendly or acting dramatic about something. When Bizzy and her assistant Jacko return to get more pictures in better light, they discover dog trainer Nick dead, with a dog leash wrapped around his neck. How could a 6 pound puppy kill a 6 foot grown man? Bizzy isn't buying it and neither are the police. When Nick's car window is smashed, Bizzy is certain there's a connection but who was angry enough at Nick to commit these crimes? Bizzy has some ideas and is determined to help her former nemesis figure it out.
No. no. no. no. Dog breeding is not a BUSINESS. Dogs are not STUDS like bulls and horses. They are family members. We treat them with love and kindness, care and attention and they love us unconditionally in return. NOWHERE in this story do we meet the mothers of the puppies and NOWHERE do we see where they give birth. It may be clean and fancy inside where the photoshoot is, the puppies may get playtime and blankets and training but it's still a puppy farm. ADD TO THAT the choice of breed. Of ALL the dog breeds in the world, the author had to choose a fake breed. Labradoodle is not a breed. Labradoodles were bred ONCE for a person with allergies who needed a service dog. They weren't meant to be cute, fuzzy, hypoallergenic frankendogs. Now there's a billion designer dog breeds and it's a big business. People who buy these dogs are idiots. People who buy dogs are idiots, my family included. People who buy dogs online are super idiots. So-called breeders who have to advertise are questionable. I questioned the "purebred" Australian Labradoodle but then I looked it up and I guess it is a breed of sorts (still a mutt) and there is a breeder association and there is a breeder in New Hampshire I am betting this story is based on. You can get a nice adorable mixed breed at a shelter or rescue for far less money. No fancy pedigree necessary for a beloved family member. /end rant
The story wasn't all that interesting either. I speed read through most of it. The writing was flat and boring. I didn't care who killed Nick. I wanted them all to die, especially Nick. The mystery did keep me guessing but I do not appreciate it when the sleuth can't figure it out before the villain lures them into a trap/they get nearly killed. I hoped to like the New England setting but only the joke about the bad drivers and Dunkin' Donuts really made it New England for me.
I didn't like any of the characters. Bizzy has a backstory we don't know much about yet. She's kind of a horrible person. She's renamed her assistant, Giacomo, "Jacko" because she doesn't speak Italian. Does he care? Why Jacko? That's a silly name. Why not Jack, which is the English translation? If he had chosen this nickname himself, I would not complain. He even goes by the name professionally which is just weird. Also the name she bestows on the dog, while Italian, has got to be one of the most stereotypical lame names possible. Most New Englanders have Italian-American family members and neighbors. I feel bad for Jacko. I really do. Just as he's advancing career-wise, his boss comes back to take over. She trusts him and he is learning to trust himself, Jacko is in a toxic relationship with a woman named Marissa and feels obligated to stay with her. She's jealous, possessive and attention-seeking. She sounds horrible and he should break up with her.
Zelda is the evil puppy farm breeder/owner. She's supposed to be a good person, a character you like but might not trust. Zelda runs a tight ship with her business. She's tough but seems fair enough to her employees. She is super proud of her daughter Brie for getting into a top veterinary school and has big dreams for a family owned and operated business. Brie is young and somewhat impulsive. She's still in the emo teen phase and behaves very immaturely. Bizzy seems to like Zelda and Brie but senses they're both hiding something. Sandra, Zelda's sister, is more like Brie, a drama queen, and not so much of a tough businesswoman like her sister. Sandra seems to know more about the murder than she lets on. She is either trying to save herself by throwing someone else under the bus or getting revenge on someone she dislikes. I think she could be the murderer.
Nick, the dog trainer and murder victim, was a super sleaze bag. If he spoke to me the way he speaks to Bizzy, I would leave and cancel the contract. Bizzy can handle herself but I think she's too polite. I'd quit and then tell Nick where to go and threaten to call my lawyer. Jacko needs the money but I do not need to be sexually harassed in the workplace, k? thanks. Oh and Nick most certainly can control himself and if he's a flirt, that's on him and not his gender so quit with the sexism. Martin, the oldest team member, is grouchy and unfriendly. What's his problem? Who could be so grumpy working with puppies all day? He doesn't even seem to like puppies!! (see, puppy mill!) He also doesn't seem to like Nick. Is he jealous?
Doug Williams, the police officer in charge, seems mild mannered. He's ready to move on before retiring soon and doesn't seem to be trying too hard to solve this case. He has a past history with Bizzy we don't really know much about and I don't know why she likes to needle him by calling him Dougie. She must know him very well and dislike him. I like Bizzy's friend Edy. She's smart, sophisticated and a world traveler because of her job as a flight attendant. She speaks Italian with Giacomo and calls him by his given name. However, I don't understand why Bizzy comments on how Edy will be "pissed" about the puppy. What business of it is hers? She doesn't have to live with the puppy. Yeesh.
I loathed this book so much I will not be reading any further about Bizzy and Jacko.
No. no. no. no. Dog breeding is not a BUSINESS. Dogs are not STUDS like bulls and horses. They are family members. We treat them with love and kindness, care and attention and they love us unconditionally in return. NOWHERE in this story do we meet the mothers of the puppies and NOWHERE do we see where they give birth. It may be clean and fancy inside where the photoshoot is, the puppies may get playtime and blankets and training but it's still a puppy farm. ADD TO THAT the choice of breed. Of ALL the dog breeds in the world, the author had to choose a fake breed. Labradoodle is not a breed. Labradoodles were bred ONCE for a person with allergies who needed a service dog. They weren't meant to be cute, fuzzy, hypoallergenic frankendogs. Now there's a billion designer dog breeds and it's a big business. People who buy these dogs are idiots. People who buy dogs are idiots, my family included. People who buy dogs online are super idiots. So-called breeders who have to advertise are questionable. I questioned the "purebred" Australian Labradoodle but then I looked it up and I guess it is a breed of sorts (still a mutt) and there is a breeder association and there is a breeder in New Hampshire I am betting this story is based on. You can get a nice adorable mixed breed at a shelter or rescue for far less money. No fancy pedigree necessary for a beloved family member. /end rant
The story wasn't all that interesting either. I speed read through most of it. The writing was flat and boring. I didn't care who killed Nick. I wanted them all to die, especially Nick. The mystery did keep me guessing but I do not appreciate it when the sleuth can't figure it out before the villain lures them into a trap/they get nearly killed. I hoped to like the New England setting but only the joke about the bad drivers and Dunkin' Donuts really made it New England for me.
I didn't like any of the characters. Bizzy has a backstory we don't know much about yet. She's kind of a horrible person. She's renamed her assistant, Giacomo, "Jacko" because she doesn't speak Italian. Does he care? Why Jacko? That's a silly name. Why not Jack, which is the English translation? If he had chosen this nickname himself, I would not complain. He even goes by the name professionally which is just weird. Also the name she bestows on the dog, while Italian, has got to be one of the most stereotypical lame names possible. Most New Englanders have Italian-American family members and neighbors. I feel bad for Jacko. I really do. Just as he's advancing career-wise, his boss comes back to take over. She trusts him and he is learning to trust himself, Jacko is in a toxic relationship with a woman named Marissa and feels obligated to stay with her. She's jealous, possessive and attention-seeking. She sounds horrible and he should break up with her.
Zelda is the evil puppy farm breeder/owner. She's supposed to be a good person, a character you like but might not trust. Zelda runs a tight ship with her business. She's tough but seems fair enough to her employees. She is super proud of her daughter Brie for getting into a top veterinary school and has big dreams for a family owned and operated business. Brie is young and somewhat impulsive. She's still in the emo teen phase and behaves very immaturely. Bizzy seems to like Zelda and Brie but senses they're both hiding something. Sandra, Zelda's sister, is more like Brie, a drama queen, and not so much of a tough businesswoman like her sister. Sandra seems to know more about the murder than she lets on. She is either trying to save herself by throwing someone else under the bus or getting revenge on someone she dislikes. I think she could be the murderer.
Nick, the dog trainer and murder victim, was a super sleaze bag. If he spoke to me the way he speaks to Bizzy, I would leave and cancel the contract. Bizzy can handle herself but I think she's too polite. I'd quit and then tell Nick where to go and threaten to call my lawyer. Jacko needs the money but I do not need to be sexually harassed in the workplace, k? thanks. Oh and Nick most certainly can control himself and if he's a flirt, that's on him and not his gender so quit with the sexism. Martin, the oldest team member, is grouchy and unfriendly. What's his problem? Who could be so grumpy working with puppies all day? He doesn't even seem to like puppies!! (see, puppy mill!) He also doesn't seem to like Nick. Is he jealous?
Doug Williams, the police officer in charge, seems mild mannered. He's ready to move on before retiring soon and doesn't seem to be trying too hard to solve this case. He has a past history with Bizzy we don't really know much about and I don't know why she likes to needle him by calling him Dougie. She must know him very well and dislike him. I like Bizzy's friend Edy. She's smart, sophisticated and a world traveler because of her job as a flight attendant. She speaks Italian with Giacomo and calls him by his given name. However, I don't understand why Bizzy comments on how Edy will be "pissed" about the puppy. What business of it is hers? She doesn't have to live with the puppy. Yeesh.
I loathed this book so much I will not be reading any further about Bizzy and Jacko.
July 21, 2024
This is a pretty good mystery, with spunky characters, a fun setup, and you know—cute puppies.
Even though, as confirmed by the main characters, most of the minor characters are kind of weird, haha, and sometimes even unempathetic or not seeming to have common sense, the main two characters are unique and likable, as well as Bizzy’s amusing parents. There’s also some good writing, from the small-town dialect to the pun about Bizzy seeing things through a different lens than other people.
Overall, she and Jacko kind of have their own Psych duo vibe going, and I think it would be fun to read the books that follow this prequel!
Even though, as confirmed by the main characters, most of the minor characters are kind of weird, haha, and sometimes even unempathetic or not seeming to have common sense, the main two characters are unique and likable, as well as Bizzy’s amusing parents. There’s also some good writing, from the small-town dialect to the pun about Bizzy seeing things through a different lens than other people.
Overall, she and Jacko kind of have their own Psych duo vibe going, and I think it would be fun to read the books that follow this prequel!
April 25, 2022
Read this for the second time. Still enjoyed it. The main character is Bizzy, a photographer who is taking pictures puppies and the owner of the farm where they are bred. While there the witness finding a dead body. Nick the trainer is murdered. Bizzy gets caught up in the investigation and the more she learns, the she gets to the death of herself. Can she figure out who did it before it's too late for her ?
September 4, 2023
I received this book as a freebie in return for an honest review.
This was a story about Bizzy and Jacko, professional photographers who were hired by a puppy breeder to take photos for brochures advertising the business. A murder was committed while they were there and naturally, this is a cozy mystery after all lol, Bizzy became involved in trying to solve the crime.
This was a story about Bizzy and Jacko, professional photographers who were hired by a puppy breeder to take photos for brochures advertising the business. A murder was committed while they were there and naturally, this is a cozy mystery after all lol, Bizzy became involved in trying to solve the crime.
October 23, 2022
Buzzy is out and about photographing labradoodle puppies only to stumble into a family mess of a murder. Can she solve it and who is Luigi?
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews