To Fetch A Thief
Cozy Mystery Anthology
Light, humorous, dog-themed mysteries.
Bay Breeze Publishing, LLC (November 8, 2018)
Paperback: 278 pages

Synopsis

To Fetch a Thief, the first Mutt Mysteries collection, features four novellas that have gone to the dogs. In this howlingly good read, canine companions help their owners solve crimes and right wrongs. These sleuths may be furry and low to the ground, but their keen senses are on high alert when it comes to sniffing out clues and digging up the truth. Make no bones about it, these pup heroes will steal your heart as they conquer ruff villains.

Review

Short stories, dogs, and murder – what a great combination!

This book has four short stories that each have a dog or two in them.  I think my favorites were the first and the third story.

The first story centers around a dog walker and a client hiring her to do some sleuthing to find a missing necklace.  She is able to narrow down the suspects but a major twist is thrown in and surprises everyone, me especially!

The second is a young couple purchase a home where the couple just left.  The neighbors have some crazy stories to tell about the couple and the wife keeps finding things in the house that were left behind.  There are some crazy things that happen and while the story is good I wanted to know more about how the story ended.  I can’t say too much but let’s just say that this could have gone on for many more pages to maybe tie up the loose ends.

The third story has a couple of mysteries – where are the painted rocks going that represents the passing of some pets and who killed Sean?  Another story where I was surprised when the killer was revealed.  I think I had some ideas about this character but not many.

The last story feels like it is set in England based on some of the descriptions and it just has a more European feel.  The main character is a person of interest simply because a suspected weapon ends up in his bag.  This story is a bit more “formal” for lack of a better word.  I suppose you could say it is more of a police procedural.  I found it interesting that he named his dog after his former girlfriend.  Either a sign of love or craziness! There are plenty of clues to determine who the killer is but it is interesting how it all comes together in the end.

You can’t lose picking up this book especially if you love dogs and mysteries.

We give it 5 paws up.

About the Authors

Teresa Inge grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries. Today, she doesn’t carry a rod like her idol, but she hotrods. She is president of Sister’s in Crime Mystery by the Sea Chapter and author of short mysteries in Virginia is for Mysteries and 50 Shades of Cabernet.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Heather Weidner, a member of SinC – Central Virginia and Guppies, is the author of the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, Secret Lives and Private Eyes and The Tulip Shirt Murders. Her short stories appear in Virginia is for Mysteries series and 50 Shades of Cabernet. Heather lives in Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers, Disney and Riley. She’s been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. Some of her life experience comes from being a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, IT manager, and cop’s kid. She blogs at Pens, Paws, and Claws.

Website * Pens, Paws, and Claws Website and Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram

Jayne Ormerod grew up in a small Ohio town then went on to a small-town Ohio college. Upon earning her degree in accountancy, she became a CIA (that’s not a sexy spy thing, but a Certified Internal Auditor.) She married a naval officer and off they sailed to see the world. After nineteen moves, they, along with their two rescue dogs Tiller and Scout, have settled into a cozy cottage by the sea. Jayne is the author of the Blonds at the Beach Mysteries, The Blond Leading the Blond, and Blond Luck. She has contributed seven short mysteries to various anthologies to include joining with the other To Fetch a Thief authors in Virginia is for Mysteries, Volumes I and II, and 50 Shades of Cabernet.

Website * Blog

Rosemary Shomaker writes about the unexpected in everyday life. She’s the woman you don’t notice in the grocery store or at church but whom you do notice at estate sales and wandering vacant lots. In all these places she’s collecting story ideas. Rosemary writes women’s fiction, paranormal, and mystery short stories, and she’s taking her first steps toward longer fiction, so stay tuned. She’s an urban planner by education, a government policy analyst by trade, and a fiction writer at heart. Rosemary credits Sisters in Crime with developing her craft and applauds the organization’s mission of promoting the ongoing advancement, recognition, and professional development of women crime writers.

Goodreads

Mutt Mysteries Website * Mutt Mysteries Facebook * Mutt Mysteries Twitter