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The Sacred Dog
Bad blood between two men, and that feud’s ultimate climax…
Frank Hooker owns The Sacred Dog, the only bar in a New England hill town, where the locals gather to drink beer, gab, and get away from their families. The only person not welcome is Al Kitchen, but Frank has his reason — he blames him for the death of his younger brother, Wes. But after an appeal from Al’s grandmother, he is allowed in for two beers. Frank figures it’s better to keep his eye on someone he doesn’t trust or like.
Al Kitchen is a hellraiser; no surprise considering the grandfather who raised him was a drunk and an abuser. About the only good thing the man did was teach him to hit a baseball. But Al always has had his kerosene-smelling granny on his side, even as an adult. Yes, Al was in the car crash that killed his best buddy, Wes, but he wasn’t at the wheel — a fact Frank won’t accept.
Frank’s life is about to change now that his ex-wife and their daughter have returned after living in Florida for three years. Verona says she misses her old life, although coming back might mean facing a dark secret that involves Frank — and Al.
Now, all is about to come to a reckoning…
Frank Hooker owns The Sacred Dog, the only bar in a New England hill town, where the locals gather to drink beer, gab, and get away from their families. The only person not welcome is Al Kitchen, but Frank has his reason — he blames him for the death of his younger brother, Wes. But after an appeal from Al’s grandmother, he is allowed in for two beers. Frank figures it’s better to keep his eye on someone he doesn’t trust or like.
Al Kitchen is a hellraiser; no surprise considering the grandfather who raised him was a drunk and an abuser. About the only good thing the man did was teach him to hit a baseball. But Al always has had his kerosene-smelling granny on his side, even as an adult. Yes, Al was in the car crash that killed his best buddy, Wes, but he wasn’t at the wheel — a fact Frank won’t accept.
Frank’s life is about to change now that his ex-wife and their daughter have returned after living in Florida for three years. Verona says she misses her old life, although coming back might mean facing a dark secret that involves Frank — and Al.
Now, all is about to come to a reckoning…
- GenresEbooks
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 27, 2022
About the author
Joan Livingston
21 books61 followersJoan Livingston is the author of novels for adults and young readers.
She has completed seven books so far in her mystery series featuring Isabel Long, a longtime journalist who becomes an amateur P.I. They are: Chasing the Case, Redneck's Revenge, Checking the Traps, Killing the Story. Working the Beat, Following the Lead, and Missing the Deadline. Her Hilltown Books include The Sweet Spot, The Sacred Dog, and Northern Comfort.
An award-winning journalist, Joan started as a reporter covering the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. She was an editor, columnist, and the managing editor of The Taos News, which won numerous state and national awards during her tenure. Her last gig was the Pioneer Valley Editor-in-Chief overseeing the Greenfield Recorder, Daily Hampshire Gazette and Athol Daily News. She's officially done with journalism and concentrating on writing fiction.
After eleven years in Northern New Mexico, Joan returned to rural Western Massachusetts, which is the setting of much of her adult fiction, including the Isabel Long Mystery Series.
She has completed seven books so far in her mystery series featuring Isabel Long, a longtime journalist who becomes an amateur P.I. They are: Chasing the Case, Redneck's Revenge, Checking the Traps, Killing the Story. Working the Beat, Following the Lead, and Missing the Deadline. Her Hilltown Books include The Sweet Spot, The Sacred Dog, and Northern Comfort.
An award-winning journalist, Joan started as a reporter covering the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. She was an editor, columnist, and the managing editor of The Taos News, which won numerous state and national awards during her tenure. Her last gig was the Pioneer Valley Editor-in-Chief overseeing the Greenfield Recorder, Daily Hampshire Gazette and Athol Daily News. She's officially done with journalism and concentrating on writing fiction.
After eleven years in Northern New Mexico, Joan returned to rural Western Massachusetts, which is the setting of much of her adult fiction, including the Isabel Long Mystery Series.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 10, 2023
Two men couldn't let go of the past!
January 8, 2024
3.5⭐️
Typical small town drama between two men who cannot let go of the past. Unfortunately in the end it leads to the “feud’s ultimate climax”
This book was a quick, easy read.
I picked out this book because it is categorized as a thriller, the story takes place in a New England hill town, and is a short read.
If I needed to share with my city-folk friends what it is like to live in a small hick/redneck town, I’d recommend this book. Besides that, I didn’t find this book incredibly thrilling. More of a “ok, that happened. Move on”
Typical small town drama between two men who cannot let go of the past. Unfortunately in the end it leads to the “feud’s ultimate climax”
This book was a quick, easy read.
I picked out this book because it is categorized as a thriller, the story takes place in a New England hill town, and is a short read.
If I needed to share with my city-folk friends what it is like to live in a small hick/redneck town, I’d recommend this book. Besides that, I didn’t find this book incredibly thrilling. More of a “ok, that happened. Move on”
March 30, 2023
Like Livingston's growing Isabel Long series, this book is well-written and completely believable, giving a fabulous insight into small town rural New England life. The difference here is that the mystery is not WHO did it, but rather WHAT, WHEN and HOW.
July 31, 2023
Such a good story
Small Town life revealed, the good and not so good. Old wounds resurfacing, coming to a final head and changing some li myves forever. This isn't a happily ever after story but a wonderfuly told one.
Small Town life revealed, the good and not so good. Old wounds resurfacing, coming to a final head and changing some li myves forever. This isn't a happily ever after story but a wonderfuly told one.
November 12, 2024
The sacred Dog reminded me of the small town I grew up in.
The book kind of meandered along until the end. I did appreciate the pace and I felt as if I knew the patrons of The Sacred Dog.
The book kind of meandered along until the end. I did appreciate the pace and I felt as if I knew the patrons of The Sacred Dog.
July 3, 2023
A Good Book
This book begins as a sweet story that then spins out of control. It was easy to read and well written.
This book begins as a sweet story that then spins out of control. It was easy to read and well written.
July 4, 2023
Nice but sad
The story was very nice. Everyone wants happiness in the end. But this brought heartache and sadness to this reader.
The story was very nice. Everyone wants happiness in the end. But this brought heartache and sadness to this reader.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews