A missing dog.A heartbroken young man.Stolen out of anger or affection?Or to be put at stud?After all, the Shar-Pei was a beauty and worth a lot of money!When Wade’s dog goes missing, Holly and the sheriff’s department join in the search. But is it too late for Zeus?If you’ve ever felt the pain of losing a dog, you’ll have no trouble identifying with Holly’s boyfriend as he searches for his best … boyfriend as he searches for his best friend.
This is the fourth book in the Holly Lewis Mystery Series, a modern-day version of Nancy Drew by a two-time USA Today Bestselling Author.
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***** Kudos to Ms. Harman
HOLLY & THE MISSING DOG by Dianne Harman
***** Kudos to Ms. Harman!
From the very first page, I was hooked. Expecting at least some kind of murder going in, I was surprised to find myself on-the-edge-of-my-seat throughout––and all because of a simple dog kidnapping. The victim, Zeus, is a thoroughbred Shar-Pei, and by the time he is picked up in the dead of night, the anonymously described people doing it had obviously scoped him, his habitat, and his routine out thoroughly. It was a piece of cake, with the hairless canine willingly following them––and their yummy hot dogs. As the kidnappers sped away, their discussion in the front seat about the deed and how they were “doing this for the greater good” tweaked my interest even more.
Then, like any good mystery, more suspects float in. A neighbor, who hated Zeus’ barking and possibly peeing on his dead wife’s old plant. A garage employee who stops by the house where Zeus lives on his lunch breaks, just to pet him in the front yard, all the while, wishing he owned a dog just like him. More than that. He wishes Zeus belonged to him. Hmmm. The plot thickens…
Not having read the Holly series before, I also really enjoyed the appealing, main characters: the young Holly and her love interest, Wade, the police-connected Brigid, Linc, her boyfriend, now both creating a special Bed & Breakfast on their own. So, as we learn about how to build a special cozy inn from early architectural specs to overall interiors of different bedrooms, along with Holly’s particular website design know-how, the mystery swirling around Zeus continues, slowly gathering speed.
Yet, I also have to say in the midst of all this, as I eagerly kept turning those pages, I was also touched by something else. There were a couple of instances where people who had actively distrusted each other, reached across the aisle once they got to know the other person’s real story and motivations, thus showing some true humanity. Highly recommended!!
This is a fun cosy mystery with no swearing, violence or even a dead body, perfect for the younger generation or somebody who just likes the author (like me). I Have listened to a few books by this author and find it is a nice way to spend a couple of hours catching up with what feels like friends, as you get to know them so well. I haven’t listened to the series in order but that doesn’t matter to the enjoyment, in fact it is fun to learn about the progress of the B&B. It is also nice that it isn’t just one member of the family that can solve a mystery, this time round it is the turn of the teenager Holly. The story starts with the kidnapping of the dog and then goes back in time as we are introduced to all the suspects (this does take awhile). With a number of suspects and motives the author has weaved a clever story.
Holly is finding it hard, with her busy schedule to find any time to spend with her boy friend Wade. But she never imagined that the thing to bring them together was the dog napping of his Shar-pei Zeus. Somebody has stolen the dog out of the backyard. But who? The neighbour who was annoyed with the barking? The lady so interested in the dog? Or the boy who had his skateboard damaged by the dog? Holly sets out to return the dog to it rightful owner.
I liked the narrator and thought she used a good wide range of voices to bring the characters to life.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Cute cozy mystery. I listened on Audible. I really enjoy her books on Audible. I do need to speed them up, because the narrator is going so slow and I am so impatient, that I can’t stand it. But it works well that I can speed it up to where I am happy. My heart was breaking for Wade when his dog went missing. But they followed all the clues and brought the furry guy home. I just wanted to hug and pet Zeuss. It’s a book that goes against what law enforcement would be like in real life, but it is a non fiction book after all, so I can get over that. I like that her books are easy to read/listen to and are good clean entertainment. I’m working my way through all her books. Little by little.
Having one of your pets go missing has got to be the absolute worst feeling in the world. I experienced it a couple of times with one of my dogs who liked to go take strolls by himself–he always managed to find his way home, I would get hysterical every time! And one of my cats decided he did not like who was sitting in my apartment when I went out–I still do not know where he hid–all I know is I walked the streets for hours looking for him. It wasn’t until I had about given up and was crying my eyes out when he came out of hiding to make sure I was okay!!! I can’t begin to imagine what it would have felt like if one of my furbabies had ever been stolen!!
Holly’s boyfriend, Wade has a dog. Now dogs can drive the neighbors crazy with their barking and this dog was super friendly and would make friends with people walking along the street. Of course the dog was adopted ftom a shelter and was a pure breed–
When Wade comes home from work and finds his dog missing he goes to tell Holly and they immediately start to make a plan to go find him. Bridgit gets somewhat involved as does one of the police officers–just when they are running out of suspects–they have an idea–Jett (Bridgit’s dog) has been trained for search and rescue in his younger days–
Will Jett be able to sniff out his friend so that there will be a happily ever after?
This book had me enthralled since I had furbabies who were lost for a period of time–I hope it never happens to anyone else! Read this engrossing novel to find out who the despicable person was!!!!