Who’d have thought mulch could cause such a stink?Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott is happy to score some free mulch from one of her brother’s landscaping jobs—until she discovers the dead body buried beneath the bark.Worse, her brother’s landscaping tools were used to commit the murder. Once the police arrest her brother and seem happy to have “caught their man,” Andi Grace has no choice … choice but to track down the real killer. She’ll risk everything to prove her brother’s innocence. Even if it means turning over every rock in town.If you love small-town coastal life, dogs, and strong heroines, you’ll love Dog-Gone Dead.
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The second book in A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery, Dog-Gone Dead is an enjoyable read. Good character dynamics, enticing settings and al over all well delivered storyline made this and wonderful story. I will recommend this book and series and will read more by this author.
Fun reading! Author Jackie Layton writes delightful cozy mysteries!
Dog-Gone Dead is the second book I’ve read in author Jackie Layton’s Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series. Selfless heroine Andi Grace faced some challenges raising her siblings…..and now finds herself involved in solving murders happening in Heyward Beach.
In Dog-Gone Dead, her brother is accused of murdering a local business man. The story weaves around possible suspects as Andi Grace investigates what happened while also caring for her doggie clients and opening her bed and breakfast inn. A romantic plus is watching the more-than-friendship relationship with handsome attorney Marc Williams develop.
I truly enjoyed the warm small town atmosphere with interesting characters and charming eateries. I felt like I was on a virtual vacation with friends. As for the cozy mystery part, I was concerned for the safety of Andi Grace, plus the clues sprinkled throughout the story kept me trying to solve the murder. I was guessing until the end. Great reading!
Dog-Gone Dead is dog-gone good. An enjoyable series with likeable characters, nice setting and the ending was a bit of a surprise.. I especially like the family dynamics and supportive friendships. I have not read the first book in the series but it only took a little bit to feel caught up so this could easily be read as a stand alone.
Thanks to Bell Bridge Books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
Dog-Gone Dead by Jackie Layton has Andi Grace Scott and her best friend, Juliet Reed out early to pick up mulch from her brother, Nate. They arrive to find Corey Lane dead under a pile of mulch and her brother who looks like he has gone three rounds in the fighting ring. Nate’s tools had been used to kill Corey which has him in handcuffs. Andi Grace has no choice but to dive into the case and track down the real killer. Dog-Gone Dead is the 2nd book in A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery. I had not had the pleasure of reading Bite the Dust, and I found that this did not hinder my reading experience. Everything a reader needs to know is included. There are realistic characters and a small-town feel. I like it when the characters have flaws and struggles. Andi Grace is close to her siblings and her best friend Juliet is like another sister. Andi Grace is busy turning the plantation she inherited into a bed and breakfast with Juliet plus building up her dog walking business. She also has plans for the barn on the estate. But when her brother is accused of a crime, Andi Grace does not hesitate to investigate. There mystery has interesting clues and red herrings that will have you doubting if you arrived at the correct solution. It is fun following Andi Grace along with her family and friends as they work to catch the killer. I was happy that there was a complete wrap up of the case. I could have done without the endless speculation and the repetition of case details. There are sweet and loyal dogs in this story plus puppies (a little three legged one). I Love how much Andi Grace cares for animals. There is romance in the air in Heyward Beach. Andi Grace is dating a lawyer who makes her heartbeat faster. Juliet would love for Nate to see her in a romantic light. Prayer and faith are lightly touched upon in the story. Dog-Gone Dead is a cute cozy with delightful dogs, vibrant VW Bug, murderous mulch, a set-up sibling, curious clues, and a stubborn, sleuthing sister.
murder, murder-investigation, cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, lawyers, family, family-dynamics, friendship, pets, infidelity, small-business, small-town*****
Andi Grace is rather more than a dog walker but also does dog rescue placement and obedience training and is still feels responsible for her siblings that she raised after their parents died in an auto wreck (even though they are now adults). The brother who is a landscaper has been concussed but is the chief suspect for a murder as he was at the scene and without verifiable alibi. Let the sleuthing begin! This book comfortably stands alone.
The characters are wonderful, the world building is great, and the dogs are really special.
I really loved it and had to finish it in one day!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Bell Bridge Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with Andi Grace & Marc, as well as their canine companions Sunny & Chubb. I also loved spending more time with Andi Grace’s brother Nate and her best friend Juliet and getting to know them a bit more than we did in book 1. And of course I’m a huge fan of the continuing romance (and genuine affection & respect) between Andi Grace & Marc … and the sparks between Nate & Juliet too. The mystery is again very well done and full of plausible suspects. In Bite the Dust I had the “who” figured out pretty quickly but the “why” remained a puzzle until a reveal that had me holding my breath; in Dog-Gone Dead, I kept changing my mind about the “who” even though I was fairly certain (at least in a general sense) about the “why”. I was pleased that both books were different enough to avoid falling into a predictable pattern, yet they both shared that warmth I loved so much in Bite the Dust. And while I’m glad I read book 1 first, Dog-Gone Dead can easily work as a stand-alone too.
Bottom Line: Dog-Gone Dead is a delightful, warmly written cozy mystery! The main characters are quite likable – both the two and four legged varieties – and the host of possible suspects will keep you guessing right up to the very end. Faith, family & friends are central to the story’s backdrop & add further layers to our amateur sleuth Andi Grace. A well-written & enraging whodunit!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Dog-Gone Dead is a wonderful addition to the Low Country Dog Walker Christian cozy mystery series with likable characters and an interesting cozy mystery! In this 2nd book in the series, Andi Grace and her friend Juliette are finishing some projects for the grand opening of the B&B. They get some mulch from Andi Grace’s brother Nate, who has a landscaping business. What they didn’t expect, to find is a body buried in the mulch which makes Nate the prime suspect. Andi Grace needs to clear his name and find another suspect for the police to focus on. This is an enjoyable Christian cozy mystery! I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Belle Books for an honest review. #NetGalley #BelleBooks #DogGoneDead