Yoga instructor Kate Davidson’s life takes a chaotic turn once she agrees to not only be the doula for her pregnant best friend, but also play foster mother to two puppies. The chaos gets worse when Kate finds the dead body of a philandering fertility doctor and sees Rachel, one of her yoga students, fleeing the scene. Kate is convinced her student is innocent, and she sets out to find the real … the real killer before her testimony condemns Rachel to a life behind bars. But her hands are full with caring for three dogs, teaching yoga classes, and gaining an unexpected crime-solving partner. If she’s not careful, Kate’s next yoga pose may be a fatal one.
Praise:
“If you’re a fan of yoga, dogs, childbirth and murder cases, then Tracy Weber’s A Fatal Twistis just what the fertility doctor ordered.”–The Seattle Times
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I loved it! A Fatal Twist is following the tradition of excellence that Tracy Weber established in the first book of The Downward Dog Mystery series. In the time honored tradition of cozy mysteries, ever since Kate found George’s body, she has tripped over bodies and felt compelled to discover the murderer. There is however nothing trite about this book or any other in the series. Kate is frustrated that she can’t be the perfect follower of yoga with calm and balance in all of her life, but the anger, frustration, and irritation that she feels so guilty about are among the traits that make her feel so human to the reader. As much as I love Bella and appreciate the other dogs in the books, I think it is watching Kate interact with and care about people that make me love the books most. Humor and heart keep the murders and the pain of her friends from overwhelming the reader. Those puppies and Rene had me laughing out loud so many times!
I received an early reader copy of this book via NetGally. My review is completely voluntary. I review every book that I love.
4 stars to Tracy Weber’s A Fatal Twist, the fourth book in her Downward Dog mystery series. I don’t usually read a book from the middle of a series, but this one fell in my lap and I decided to give it a chance. I will go back and read the earlier ones next. Excited to.
Story
Kate’s a yoga instructor with a penchant for finding dead bodies and adopting homeless pets. When a pair of 6 week old puppies appear on her doorstep, she and boyfriend, Michael, agree to watch them until finding a better home. But their older dog, Bella, not the friendliest of animals to those she doesn’t know, has medical issues, which makes it difficult. And then Kate’s student’s husband is found murdered in the birthing hospital where Kate’s just started working as a doula. She’s got a cast of doctors, nurses and ex-girlfriends to tackle in trying to save her friend from being put in prison. Weaving the puppy adoption, her new career as a doula, her increasing investigation skills and decisions on her relationship lead Kate through many twists and turns, but in the end, she solves the case and finds a home for the puppies. And almost avoids another near-death injury.
Strengths
I know nothing about yoga, but I learned a few things. Might even give a class a try one day. I love dogs and there are many lighthearted and funny moments to make readers think of their own pets.
The entire concept of the doula was new to me, and very interesting. Being a man, and not having children, the concept of childbirth is a bit foreign to me. I know enough now! 🙂 But not in a bad way. The details were handled with great aplomb, and always from a very medical and nurturing perspective. Makes me wonder how I would feel about natural childbirth.
The mystery was in that middle sweet spot. Not easy. Not difficult. Enough characters to create some red herrings, side stories and realistic clues. Very little interaction with the police, which makes the book so much more believable when a non-detective gets close to a murder investigation. I never found myself thinking “this couldn’t happen.”
Characters are funny, sweet and memorable. I want to know what happens to them in the future. Michael and Kate. Nicole and Rachel. Sam and Rene. Betty. Bella.
Writing is clear, direct and at the right level. Not simple. Not convoluted. A few great narrative sections, witty dialogue and descriptive settings.
Suggestions
I’m not sure the title fits. But that’s not a very big issue, is it? Of course it was fatal, and there’s always a twist in the cozy mystery.
I think someone would have figured out the murderer’s true problem (don’t want to give away spoilers) before Kate, given this takes place in a hospital among people “in the know.” But I can close my eyes and squint to see how this turn of events would have happened.
Final Thoughts
I enjoy the series a lot. It’s got lots of side stories between yoga, dogs, medicine, birthing, etc. And the backstory seems interesting, so it’s probably worth reading from the beginning. Plus it takes place in Seattle. Can’t wait to see more of the surroundings!
Kate Davidson is a yoga teacher with a knack for solving murders. This time around, Kate has taken on the role of a doula for her best friend Rene and somehow stumbles into another dead body. When good friend Rachel is suspected and then arrest for the murder of her philandering hubby, Kate jumps in to prove she isn’t guilty.
This is the fourth book in the series and is just as delightful as the first three. Kate is not only smart and resourceful, but she has a soft spot for helping people and animals. She is the friend you wish you had, especially if you are ever accused of murder.
The book is filled with a touch of romance, lots of humor, a great plot, and enough twists and turns to delight its readers.
A Fatal Twist is so much more than a cozy mystery. Kate Davidson, yoga studio owner, decides she has to help prove that one of her students did not murder her cheating husband. Also, she is dealing with two mischievous puppies that have been abandoned at her boyfriend’s business. Cleverly twisted into the story are life lessons, yoga principles and humor. The end result is a story that is encouraging, hopeful and entertaining.
The author did a good job of giving details and descriptions that made it easy for the reader to visualize the story but the amusing dog tales were my favorite part of the book.
I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.