Lie Down with Dogs

Laurel Highlands Mystery #5

by Liz Milliron

Trooper Jim Duncan’s first day with the Criminal Investigation Division starts off with a bang when he is called to a murder scene with a badly decomposed body. After he finds an abused greyhound in the victim’s garage, the simple homicide becomes more complicated. Why would anyone want an unreliable racetrack employee dead, especially when greyhound racing is illegal in Pennsylvania?

Assistant public defender Sally Castle is facing her own career change. When she accepts a position with an old law school friend, her first case seems to be one that is exactly what she wants to do. Then she learns the greyhound adoption group her client may have embezzled from has ties to the shooting victim. What else is her client hiding?

Jim and Sally work their respective investigations, which may or may not be related. Along the way, they learn important lessons about themselves, those they work with, and the people they protect. But can they complete their tasks without falling prey to a killer?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

Paperback

Published August 9, 2022

About the author

Compassion, loyalty...and crime.

Liz Milliron is the Shamus award-nominated author of the Homefront Mysteries, set in Buffalo, NY during the early years of WWII, the Laurel Highlands Mysteries set in the scenic Laurel Highlands of southwest Pennsylvania, and the Jackson Davis Mysteries set in Niagara Falls, NY. Her short fiction has been published in multiple anthologies including Murder Most International, Murder Most Historical, and the Anthony award-winning Blood on the Bayou. Liz is a past president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Sisters in Crime and the current Secretary, as well as the Education Liaison for the National Board of Sisters in Crime. She is also a member of International Thriller Writers, Pennwriters and the Historical Novel Society. Liz lives in the Laurel Highlands with her husband and a very spoiled retired-racer greyhound.

https://www.facebook.com/LizMilliron/
https://www.instagram.com/lizmilliron/

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s always a risk starting a series with the latest book, rather than the first. But that’s the way it sometimes goes when an appealing book appears in netgalley. And this certainly sounded appealing to a dog lover like me. Luckily, the book was a solid mystery that has me wanting to go back and start at the beginning. (Obviously, the book worked just fine as a stand-alone.).
The two main characters are Jim Duncan, a Pennsylvania State Trooper who’s recently been promoted to the criminal investigation unit and Sally Castle, a public defender trying to decide whether to go out on her own. They are also engaged romantically, trying to decide whether to move in together. These two were both great characters. And the story was engrossing. Jim is called to a murder scene. A man’s been shot in his own house. And caged in the house was a malnourished greyhound. Meanwhile, Sally is taking a two week vacation to try her hand at being self employed. She takes on the case of an accountant accused of financial fraud, of stealing from a greyhound rescue group.
This was a straightforward procedural. The chapters alternate between their two cases. Both were equally engaging. There’s also just the right amount of personal life, team building between Jim and his new partner, Cavendish, and Sally’s thoughts on her future. The endings to both stories were believable. No major violence.
My thanks to Netgalley and Level Best Books for an advance copy of this book.

[Tahera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another series that I hadn't heard about until I came across the Arc for book #5 on NetGalley. The blurb sounded interesting so I decided to give it a try and was not disappointed. Although, it is book #5, it can be read as a standalone.

Jim Duncan, a state trooper who has recently been promoted to the criminal investigation unit and Sally Castle, a public defender who decides to go solo, both get cases that are very different at face value but as investigation progresses, could have a connection. The chapters alternate between Jim and Sally's cases and the plot is engaging without doing too much. I liked Jim and Sally's investigative skills--precise and to the point and they kind of made it look very easy (even though it isn't).

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Level Best Books and the author Liz Milliron for the e-Arc of the book.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm starting to love a good mystery and this one was no exception. I loved the many twists and turns this story had to offer.
I really liked that a Greyhound dog was involved too! To me, it made the story that much more interesting.
Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. It was fast paced and exciting all rolled into one!
I don't blame Sally for what she did. In fact I greatly admire her in standing up for what she believed in! I loved the fact that her husband supported her too. We need more men like Jim.
Thos new to me author has done a wonderful job in keeping my attention all the way through. I will be looking forward to what she writes next! This will be added to my list of favorites for 2022!

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lie down with Dogs by Liz Milliron is the fifth book in the Laurel Highlands Mystery series. This is a well-written police procedural crime solving story. The two main characters, Pennsylvania State Trooper Jim Duncan and attorney Sally Castle each have separate cases to solve in this book. The cases very loosely touch on each other. Jim has murders to solve and Sally has an accountant to prove innocent of embezzling. I think the two cases worked out well and the prose for each flowed well. I enjoyed the logical thought process of Jim and his new partner while investigating suspects. I appreciated Sally's concern for her client and those others affected by the money problem. I really like the two main characters but what I really enjoyed was the locations of the actions in the story. I live in the area and it was fun reading about all the locations I am familiar with. One location is actually my post office location. I got a kick out of that. I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Mary Cadahia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, can't believe I have never read this series, definitely will be reading her books now. Sally and Jim are well rounded characters and the addition of a greyhound was a good touch. I couldn't put it down. Got to get rest of series.

[Roxanne Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally and Jim are facing changes in their professional lives but seemed to have found a steady relationship rhythm. As a newly promoted detective, Jim has to deal with being a "rookie" despite his 14 years of experience when he catches his first murder case, one that involves a retired greyhound. Sally is trying to balance her compassion for her clients with a need to keep an eye on billable hours with a case that involves accounting irregularities with a greyhound rescue group. The twists and turns as they both follow their separate cases will keep you hooked from the first page. Highly recommend!

Thanks to Level Best Books for access to an ARC on NetGalley.

[Angie Boyter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pennsylvania state trooper Jim Duncan has just been promoted from patrol to the criminal investigation division and is eager to make a good impression on his first case, an especially sad murder where the body is not discovered until it had significantly decomposed and the victim’s dog is found seriously malnourished. His girlfriend Sally Castle also has a career change because she has quit her job as a public defender in frustration at her inability to do as much good as she wants for clients and has preliminarily gone to work with a friend as a private defense attorney. In her first case an accountant is accused of stealing from a greyhound adoption group. Meanwhile, the couple are wrestling with the decision of whether or not to move in together. The plot definitely kept my interest.
The characters in this book are a breath of fresh air. They are like real people I might know, with feelings and reactions I could relate to. For example, I warmed up to Jim immediately when the poor dog approached him at the murder scene and he held out his hand for the dog to sniff. His partner warns that the dog could get his pants dirty, and Jim replies, “Damn the clothes. I can always send them to the dry cleaners.” Yay, Jim! Jim’s new partner Jenny Cavendish and his boss Lt. Leslie Ferguson are also interesting, as each grapples with being women professionals in a still predominantly male field.
There is a lot of interesting information about greyhound racing and about greyhounds themselves. I had not realized that they are not all gray but come in a number of colors and fur patterns.
I found the circumstances around the supposed theft of the funds somewhat unsatisfying. As a former CPA I am picky about numbers and do not really understand the circumstances that caused the accountant to be accused.
I had not read any of the other books in this series, but I did not feel at a disadvantage. There were no spoilers except possibly for the progression of Jim and Sally’s relationship. I will find out, though----the first book is on my kindle now!
An enjoyable mystery with likable characters and dogs!

[Stanley McShane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read his full review on Rosepoint Publishing.

Sally Castle and Jim Duncan join forces! Found in the backyard of the home of the victim is a retired greyhound. Both Jim and Sally are dog lovers.

This novel delves into the questionable world of greyhound racing and the folks involved in the enterprise.

These characters are well developed and the inter-action between them is a fresh approach to a crime novel. Both of them work well together. A very intriguing approach to a relationship. Enjoy! 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Coco · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever plot

A cosy mystery with two investigations within one book. Written from both Sally and Jim's POV, with numerous characters and plenty of twists and turns, concentration is required to fully enjoy this intriguing book.

One thing puzzled me, the book cover showing forests was unconnected to the plot which took place between town and the suburbs. Nevertheless the storyline kept me turning the pages, good book – recommended. I'll look for more from this author.

Thank you Level Best Books and NetGalley for the ARC, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trooper Jim Duncan and his girlfriend Sally Castle both embark on sudden career changes and find their first respective cases have some overlap in the world of greyhound racing. Duncan is investigating a murder where a retired racer is found looking emaciated and Sally takes on a client who is facing embezzlement charges from a dog rescue group. The pair must work to find how the players in their cases may intertwine and seek justice along the way.

[Carole Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in her Laurel Highland Mystery series but can be read as a standalone.

A police procedural, twisty mystery, written from both of Milliron’s main characters in the series, Sally Castle and Jim Duncan’s POV, this novel is two investigations intertwined in the world of greyhound racing.

[Judyann Mika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love dogs so I really enjoyed the book and the mystery . I enjoyed the interesting overlap of the two cases from the two main characters. I definitely want to read more books in this series by Liz Milliron. O received this book in a goodreads giveaway.

[Gracie Boissel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Will keep you wanting to read the next chapter. I enjoyed reading and thank you for such a wonderful story.

[Jane Schwarz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sally Castle, a Pennsylvania public defender quits her job and begins temporarily working as an attorney with a friend. Her boyfriend, State Trooper Jim Duncan, had been promoted to the Criminal Investigation unit. On his first day he is sent to a murder scene that also has a greyhound caged up. Sally's client is a self-employed bookkeeper/accountant who is accused of stealing money from a client, River City Hounds, a non-profit dog adoption agency.
As each work on their respective cases it appears that their cases could be related.
A quick enjoyable cozy mystery that has our partners finding new life paths that bring them even closer together.
Thank you NetGalley and Level Best Books for this e-galley of "Lie Down With Dogs".