Hoard It All Before

The Circus of Unusual Creatures #1

by Tammie Painter

Like any traveling circus, Zin's has hair-raising acts and fried food on sticks. But it's also got an aura-spotting centaur, a chain-smoking unicorn, and an omelet-addicted dragon.

Oh, and a body in the center ring.

Duncan — aka "Brutus Fangwrath, Deadliest Dragon in the West" — wakes one morning to find his best friend isn't just sleeping off a hangover.

Suspicion for the murder quickly turns to the circus's new hire, Cordelia Quinn. After all, she's got motive, she got means, and she's got loads of circumstantial evidence stacked against her.

When it looks like no one else is going to step in to help Cordelia, it's up to Duncan to unravel the case, prove Cordelia's innocence, and uncover a troubling secret along the way.

As soon as he's done with his omelet, that is.

Set in a 1930s that's just a tad different than what you're used to, Hoard it all Before is the start of a delightful humorous mystery series with plenty of tantalizing twists, a troupe of quirky characters, and death-defying feats both in and beyond the big top.

If you like paranormal mysteries like those by Kim M. Watt and C.K. McDonnell that mix laughs in with the murderous mayhem, you'll love Hoard it all Before.

Note: While this cozy mystery is mostly clean, it does have a lusty, chain-smoking unicorn who makes more than a few naughty innuendos, a dragon that drinks heavily, a tiny bit of swearing, and (obviously) there's a murder along the way.

Genres: Mystery, Fantasy, Dragons, Paranormal, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Supernatural

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2022

About the author

THE RAMBLING BIO AND OFFER OF FREE STUFF
Many moons ago I was a scientist in a neuroscience lab where I got to play with brains and illegal drugs. Now, I take wickedly strong tea and turn it into comic fantasy whodunits full of mythical misfits and magical mishaps that I hope give you a giggle.

My tales run the gamut from the ever-expanding  Cassie Black Trilogy with its wryly humorous paranormal mysteries to the comical fantasy whodunits in The Circus of Unusual Creatures , and from light-hearted novellas celebrating my love of books to short fiction in which I really flex my myth-loving and humor-craving muscles!

When I’m not creating worlds or killing off characters, I can be found gardening, planning my next travel adventure, concocting some sort of mess in the kitchen, or working as an unpaid servant to three cats and a guinea pig.

Want to learn more and get free stuff? Then be sure to pop by TammiePainter.com to see everything I'm up to and to grab your free copy of "Mrs. Morris Meets Death," a humorous tale of mortality, time management, cruise ships, and romance novels.



THE QUICK AS YOU CAN STORY BEHIND MY BOOKS...
My fascination for myths, history, and how they interweave inspired my two historical fantasy series, The Osteria Chronicles and my second series, Domna (you can grab your free series starters for those HERE and HERE).

But all those ancient myths and angst-ridden heroes got a bit too serious for someone with a strange sense of humor and odd way of looking at the world. 

So, while sitting at my grandmother’s funeral, my brain came up with an idea for a contemporary fantasy trilogy that’s filled with magic, mystery, snarky humor, and the dead who just won’t stay dead. That idea turned into The Cassie Black Trilogy, which has turned into a fan favorite.

Then, because writer brains are weird, a simple elephant story I had in mind somehow morphed into a "hilarious" cozy fantasy series featuring a detecting dragon. So, if you like comic fantasy whodunits that mix in laughs with murderous mayhem, mythical beasts, and a staggering variety of omelets, you’ll want to check out my Circus of Unusual Creatures mysteries!


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Reviews

[Kim Watt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A murder mystery set in an old-school travelling circus is already the sort of thing that gets my fingers twitching toward the 'Buy it now' button. A murder mystery set in an old school circus packed with (and run by) fantastical creatures? I went after it faster than Duncan goes after his beloved omelettes.

I've already read 'The Undead Mr Tenpenny' by Tammie Painter, so I was expected lots of humour, characters with depth, and a good fun romp. She didn't disappoint. This is an easy, fun read, packed with fascinating details of the new world she's created. I found the pacing a little slow to start with, while everything was being established, but never to the point where I got impatient and just wanted to get on with the story. 'Hoard it All Before' creates a fantastic new world that I'm looking forward to seeing more of in the sequels. Just keep your wine out of dragon reach ...

I received a complimentary ARC for review, but that in no way influenced my opinion. Now I'm just waiting for more dragons. :)

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book because of the high ratings, story sounded like fun and people were saying it was funny. Humour is definitely subjective. I found it very corny and the fantastical creatures could of just been humans and the story would of been the same. Story was decent but I'm afraid I didn't like it. I'm glad others enjoyed it as the premise was good.

[Todd Glaeser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasantly fanciful murder mystery. The circus setting and fantastic (in all senses of the word) characters are well thought out and believable. The humor fond in Painter’s previous series is found here as well.

Thank you to the author for a pre-release copy of her new series and I look forward to the following volumes.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a truly FUN, lighthearted read, full of fantastical and lovable characters!!! While it is lighthearted, it is also a murder mystery that is intricately woven with twists and kept me guessing until the very end. I do love this author’s style of storytelling, and as ever, I was not disappointed by Hoard It All Before!

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book to read and provide an honest review which this is.

This is the story of a circus for unusual creatures and turns out to be a who-dun-it murder mystery when a body is found. I loved the way the story was written the characters are very believable, and the way the mystery unravels is very well crafted. I never guess who did it and this story was no exception. I loved the humour that is sprinkled throughout the novel - very entertaining. A very good read heartily recommended

[Bella]

This was a lot of fun. Duncan is a fabulous MC, and there are some excellent side characters, and relationships between the side characters, and pun names (there's a bogart named Humphrey).

There are a few too many clues--I worked out who dun it early on, but I much prefer feeling smart to being given too few clues and having to have it all explained at the end. Also, I would have preferred the murder victim to have had less time on the page (I liked him), but the murder wasn't on page or gory so that'll have to do.

There is a lot of world building. And while I hope future books won't need quite so much explanation, there were many clever details to the world. I'm looking forward to reading the next book. :)

[Tsippi Jelingold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny whodunnit that takes place in a circus travelling an alternative Oregon, USA, teeming with mythical creatures. The two detectives are Duncan, a dragon with a fire phobia and a tendency to overindulge in alcohol and eggs, and his handler, Cordelia.
Duncan talks too much and I figured out whodunnit less than halfway through, but I enjoyed the story and would like to read the promised sequels.

[Jonathan Pongratz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

What a fun circus-themed murder mystery! 

Tammie Painter's a great author, and I really think she outdid herself with this book. 

Duncan the dragon aka Brutus is the main act for a travelling circus. He loves omelets, drinking wine by the bucket, and interacting with all the other mythical beasts he works with. Life is a dream, up until Duncan's handler dies and an innocent is blamed for it. Duncan must put on his thinking hat and try to make things right before the life he's known implodes around him. 

I gotta say, Duncan really made this book work. He was such a great, quirky character. I loved how much he craved omelets and cheese and his slight misunderstandings of human language. He was really funny and kept things light despite the dire circumstances in this book. 

Fergus was a good character too. I've never heard of a chain-smoking unicorn before, but I'm a big fan now! Boris was also a delight, and I enjoyed his detective getup. Very cute. 

I would categorize this as a light mystery. There are some twists and turns, but not so much to make your head spin. I will say that I figured things out pretty quickly and wish it would've had a bit more mystery to it. For that I took a little off of my star rating, but the plot was engaging, fun, and full of great puns that were memorable. I especially liked the ending and that Duncan's journey isn't over yet. 

Can't wait to find out where his silly antics take him! 

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Image a time when going to the circus was a landmark event. You saved your pennies, nickels and dimes for that special time when the circus would come rolling in. Everyone in town is going to be turning out to see Zin’s Circus of Unusual Creatures. This circus is very different from the other circuses that may show up. Zin’s Circus features elves, pixies, dwarves and other species of the strange variety. There is something even more special about this Big Top Thriller Circus. Brutus Fangswrath, the Deadliest Dragon in the West, is the big event. You heard that right! Dragon. This is a troupe of very strange creatures who get along razzling and dazzling crowds. Yet, behind the curtains, or sideshows, things can get pretty edgy. When Brutus’ handler is found murdered one night, things really start to spiral out of control as everyone is wondering who did it and why. Duncan, aka Brutus, now becomes an investigator trying to solve the murder of his handler.

This is a captivating tale, filled with weird creatures and woven with humor that will make you smile and perhaps giggle as you read through the pages. This is an really cool murder mystery with a very strange cast of characters that will leave you puzzled, chuckling and surprised all the way through the pages. If you like unusual mysteries, then put this one on your must read list today.

[Sweet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unconventional murder mystery.

Not the typical kind of book I gravitate to but I wanted to try something different. This has been sitting in my TBR shelf on my reader for who knows how long (I’m trying to knock some books off it).

The things that attracted me to this book.

1. it’s fantasy! (I love me some fantasy) who doesn’t like Dragons, Unicorns, Centaurs……
2. Good reads has it labeled as a cozy mystery which drew me in as I wanted to read something I don’t normally go for ( It still has some elements of what I usually read ie. fantasy).
3. It says it’s funny and who doesn’t like a good chuckle.

I get the game Clue vibe.
Is it a ‘I can’t put this book down’ kinda read for me? No.


Did the book have me laugh out loud where I scare the person In the same room as me, No. I did find it humorous in a cute cozy way where I may smirk instead of “LOL”.


I did found myself losing interest 1/4 of the way in. It picked up a bit in the last 2 chapters, give or take.

Cozy ‘who dun it ‘ Mystery is exactly what it is. If you are not into the action pack get your blood pumping and adrenaline flowing books, then this is for you.

Did I hate it absolutely not. Would I read the next one? I’m not going to say no. I found it to be a good book for me to read when I find myself really busy in life.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet cozy mystery. I really liked it. It’s undemanding and humorous with sweet characters.

Duncan is a dragon who is the star attraction in a circus of curious creatures, including centaurs, pixies, elves, and other ‘fey’ creatures. Duncan’s handler is murdered and there is a plot to buy him from the circus and to buy out Zin, the circus owner.

Cordelia is a new member of the circus who wants to be Duncan’s ‘handler’ and she is accused of the murder. Is she guilty or is someone else, Duncan sets out to investigate.

The crime isn’t complicated and the guilty party is pretty obvious, but it’s undemanding and entertaining. I enjoyed it and might buy the next in the series.

[Mary Ann Seidman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, the mystery was engaging and the characters were well rounded and interesting. I was a bit hesitant about reading a circus book because I am afraid of clowns! Much to my relief there were very little clowns in it, to be clear I mean not many clowns mentioned, not small clowns. I am very glad the next book should be coming out soon, I look forward to spending more time with Zin's Circus. I don't usually like first person writing, but this was done in a way that made it easy to get in to. Overall it had it's humorous parts, and mostly a light breezy feel, but suspenseful when needed. Highly recommended.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a plucky amateur sleuth, but I must admit I never expected to meet one who also happened to be an occasionally talking dragon. Steeped in the lore of mystical creatures and set against the vibrant backdrop of a working circus, with all the big personalities and unique hardships of life among a troupe of traveling performers, this book is a delight to read. But don't take my word for it. Just ask the narrator/detective Duncan and he'll tell you, unless you happen to be human. Light and fanciful and with a darn good mystery woven in. What fun!

[Heather Ruderian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and cozy, yes and a likable enough cast of characters but the world building is about as unrealistic and contrived as you can get. One of the key underpinnings of this whole world is that dragons never talk to humans but do talk to other creatures because…reasons, and somehow this has been going on for centuries without humans figuring it out?

Honestly should be 2.5 but it was fun enough after getting over the ridiculous world building and a nice break from more serious stuff so rounding up for now, may change my mind later.

[Peter Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does not take itself too seriously and it shouldn't be read that way either. It should not be prodded and pocked like some sort of specimen. It is the kind of book that you need to just abandon a little reason for and read with a good dose of acceptance. One thing that really struck me with the writing style was the rhythm of the writing and the breaking up of that rhythm at irregular intervals. I found this was essential for me in reading it and I can only speculate what my reading experience would have been like without it.

[Helen Robare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fun and entertaining. It has it all a murder circus that has strange and weird animals in it. the writer is one of the stars of the book that makes you laugh at him. A dragon that eats eggs, centaurs brownies, bogart, and many other creatures. You have the crime of an unjust person accused of the crime. It's fun it's a great mystery that will keep you guessing to the end on who the real villain is.

[Samantha Zobott-Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because the synopsis seemed interesting. Murder mystery, omelet-obsessed dragon, a chain-smoking unicorn, with the setting in the 1930s circus? I figured I would give it a shot, but my expectations were low as this wasn't in my realm of what I normally read.

While it did take me a bit to get into the storyline, when I did I highly enjoyed the book.

If this book sounds even a little bit interesting, give it a shot.

[Charlene Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and shall go buy the other 2 shortly 😁.

But I am a sucker for cozy mysteries with fantastical creatures. I think I blame Kim M. Watt for this, lol!

Anyway, it is very briskly paced, great characters and great world building.

A chain smoking unicorn and a wine and omelet aficionado for a dragon who becomes an amateaur sleuth in a travelling circus.

I mean, what more could one possibly want?

Beaufort says some scones wouldn't go amiss 😆

[Ken Glisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual cast of characters. Funny and entertaining.

Once I read the main character was a dragon, then I understood the title. Hoard it all... The characters are mythical creatures, centaurs, unicorns, brownies, satyre, elves, faeries and the like, and of course dragons. A traveling circus setting, booze drinking, murders, love affairs, laps and lust. Tasteful and not crude. Funny, heartfelt emotions. I'm hooked. I bought all 4 books in the series.

[Robin H-R Holmes Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something completely different

A very fun read. So out of the ordinary. Loved the characters and their quirks. My one criticism is that some of the references were too modern for the 1930s setting: smoothies, essential oils, a yoga retreat? Especially liked the Oregon setting. Looking forward to future investigations!

[Lynda Hendershot Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky and original

This book was quite fun and interesting. The quirky characters, situations and setting made for a fun read. Duncan the dragon is quite different from all of the other dragons I have read about. The inside look at circus life was also fascinating. I am excited to see what Duncan and friends get up to in the next book.

[Figgy L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in first person (I,Me,Mine) we solve a crime through the eyes of an omelette obsessed dragon. Cute with a few moments of the harsh life show animals can experience, this is a fun read.
Do be warned, there is fourth wall momenta where the 'authors' of the book make commentary, fun but not for everyone.

(TW: mentions of animal cruelty, murder, adulators unicorn)

[Teddi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.
At first, I didn't think i was going to like (or even finish) it because it felt like a young adult book. It did get better as it went on due to the interesting cast of characters. I do have questions though.... I'm still not sure I know what a behemoth looks like and why it wallows and in what and is it not mobile? How do they even transport one in a traveling circus?

[Ken Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny and laughs out loud will be heard when reading it
l didn't know what to make of a clrcus who dunnit with dragons and other mythical creatures but this was so good l read it in one sitting couldn't put it down

[Jack A · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Tammie Painter is not on your reading list, put her there.
Hoard it all Before is filled with unbelievable characters’ All lead by an omelette loving wine swilling dragon. All put together with a great plot and humor to keep you entertained.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked Tammie Painter's 'The Undead Mr Tenpenny' and hoped that this book with the addition of dragons would be as good. I only found it a bit ok (sorry) but I didn't warm to Duncan and his love of omelettes.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review for Hoard It All Before

I absolutely loved it! A refreshing new story and characters! I love all the characters! This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoard It All Before was a pretty fun read. I liked Duncan's narration and the Cordelia and Duncan editorial banter. The mystery itself was okay; I would argue that the characters and the world are what make the story.

[Ally Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pleasant little book but very much felt like a book fit for a tween or teen. I wouldn’t recommend it for adult reading but I’m going to get my 13 yo son to read it next and see what he makes of it! Cute characters, nicely created setting, predictably comfortable outcomes.

[Sara Christensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a poorly written book that takes away the suspense of what the story’s main plot will be then adds in several side mysteries to fill up the rest of the book. I skipped the last 50 or so pages.