If you love small towns, endearing relationships, food, animals, and a touch of murder, you will love this cozy mystery series.Tony has decided to donate a hundred percent of the proceeds from the video game he developed with his friend Shaggy to the White Eagle Animal Shelter. Tess and Brady plan to use the generous donation to expand the facility. Permanent housing for elderly, sick, and other … and other hard to place animals, is their main focus, but then Brady decides to go all in on the new state of the art service dog and search and rescue training facility, and Tess makes a major decision that will affect the rest of her life.
Meanwhile, Tess has her feeling hurt when her dad contacts Tony directly to ask for help tracking down someone from his past, but as they dig deeper into the correspondence they begin to wonder if the email even really is from her dad. Could someone other than Tess’s dad be using Tony to find the women Grant Tucker helped decades ago?
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The Puppy Project
Tess and Tilly, Book #9
Kathi Daley
5 Stars
Synopsis:
If you love small towns, endearing relationships, food, animals, and a touch of murder, you will love this cozy mystery series.
Tony has decided to donate a hundred percent of the proceeds from the video game he developed with his friend Shaggy to the White Eagle Animal Shelter. Tess and Brady plan to use the generous donation to expand the facility. Permanent housing for elderly, sick, and other hard to place animals, is their main focus, but then Brady decides to go all in on the new state of the art service dog and search and rescue training facility, and Tess makes a major decision that will affect the rest of her life.
Meanwhile, Tess has her feeling hurt when her dad contacts Tony directly to ask for help tracking down someone from his past, but as they dig deeper into the correspondence they begin to wonder if the email even really is from her dad. Could someone other than Tess’s dad be using Tony to find the women Grant Tucker helped decades ago? (Goodreads)
Review:
There are a lot of changes going on in Tess’s life. I do not want to mention them now because I do not want to spoil your read, just know that Tess did a lot of soul-searching before reaching the decisions she made. The characters are well rounded and well developed and they make this series very interesting.
The writing style flows smoothly. The descriptions pulled me into the story right from the very beginning. The author is so talented in her character development and her settings and these things come alive in her books.
As is usual, there are a couple of mysteries going on: who the dead body is, who is the killer and what is going on with Tess’s father. These mysteries will keep you engaged in the story and guessing what is going on, and that is a good thing.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I would also recommend that you get a copy and enjoy the read.
Tess and Tilly (and friends) venture away from their past routines as Author Kathi Daley expands upon her creative talents with this series. Edgier than other cozy series we have come to know and love from her, this book still has the quality characters and beautifully described settings. I am enjoying seeing personalities and relationships develop with each book.
The continuing mystery over Tess and Mike’s father emerges again as she and Tony go in search of women who were part of a human experiment decades past. Tess will be taking over duties as a training instructor for the new canine center Tony is financing, but the project is temporarily on hold when human remains are uncovered at groundbreaking ceremonies. This sends Mike and Frank on a search with their own cold case.
Meanwhile best friend Bree seems to be having health issues. Supporting characters always play important roles in Kathi’s series.
With so much going on, you know danger lies around every corner.
The Puppy Project earns 5/5 Cold Case Mysteries…Engaging Fun!
“Dreams aren’t real, or at least that was what I’d been trying to tell myself…”
—Tess Thomas, The Puppy Project
Kathi Daley has penned a great new book in her Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery series with an immediate “catch up” to bring newbies up to speed on the mystery of Tess’s father that has trickled out over the series, but now has reached a perilous crescendo. Tess’s sleepless nights and Tony’s concern for her health, appear related to the return of disturbing nightmares…nightmares connected to the secrets and surprises surrounding her father, Grant Thomas. The decades he was absent, thought dead, discovery of curious letters and photos, clues to his real identity, chance meetings, and now living underground has brought confusion, fear, and personal peril to Tess and those she loves. And now, Tony has received encrypted messages from Tess’s father on an account few can access, asking for his assistance in an important search, but with the caveat that Tess not be told. However, suspicions are raised whether the message is really coming from her father…a test is devised to determine the truth.
Life goes on…Tess and Brady, the local veterinarian, are set to expand the White Eagle Animal Shelter facility to better meet the needs for permanent residence of older and unadoptable animals. They also plan to include a top-level training wing to prepare dogs for search and rescue, therapy, and other service needs. They’ve planned a big gathering to break ground on the new area, but drama just won’t stay away. One volunteer storms out after learning about her husband’s possible indiscretion and when scooping up a spade of dirt for the groundbreaking celebration, they make an astounding discovery…bones! Another mystery begins.
“The Puppy Project” is a compelling storyline filled with secrets, stalking, more secrets, international intrigue, did I say secrets?, and murders. The series could have focused solely on it, however we’re treated to other mysteries that double, often triple, the engagement. Finding bones and the subsequent investigation is quite the added drama! Tess has so much in her life and she has the character and personality to handle it all, well, most of the time. She is painted realistically so her meltdowns over the nightmares, compassion for friends who hit roadblocks, support provided to family who have their own drama enfolding (brother Mike and BFF Bree as an example), and navigating her own relationship with Tony are well-developed and make her entertaining to follow. Support characters, too, have realistic demeanors, responses, and interactions; readers may recognize a friend, family member, or neighbor in them. I always enjoy Kathi’s writing style with a first-person narrative from Tess’s perspective (the “I” gives me a vicarious role in the drama), vivid descriptions, expressive dialogue, and a WOW! ending to one mystery and “on to the next clue” in the other. I can’t wait for the next adventure.
The Puppy Project is the ninth in the Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery series by Kathi Daley. Main character Tess Thomas and her sidekick Tilly, are enjoying the nicer weather that has started to arrive in White Eagle. Since Tess and Tony have alternated living in her cabin and Tony’s house by the lake, Tess has began to think of where her true heart should be. She has also began to have terrible dreams. Dreams that included her father. Because of this Tony shares he has been receiving e-mails from someone who says they are her father and asks for Tony’s help. Is it really her father or is someone reaching out for information for ill-will.
Brady Baker the local veterinarian, and Tess have designed plans for a shelter to care for elderly animals and hard to place cats and dogs. Tony Marconi, Tess’s boyfriend, has committed to fund the White Eagle Animal Shelter. The groundbreaking ceremony was not just a time for celebration but also for residents of White Eagle to learn of what the facility is planning. However, when the third bulldozer shovel reveals human bones, an new mystery is unearthed.
Of course Tess is curious on both instances as well as making a decision as to where she feels her future lies with Tony, her residence, and her job. As always I enjoyed the characters who are well written but found the ending to leave me wanting more answers. I guess answers will be found in the next book in the series.
The White Eagle Animal Shelter has received the donation of a lifetime, Tess’s boyfriend Tony has agreed to give all the proceeds from his new video game to the shelter. Tess is already helping vet Brady make plans toward where the shelter needs the most help. They want to add on and have a place where un-adoptable animals can live out their life peacefully. Meanwhile Tess has come to a decision that will definitely affect the rest of her life and she isn’t sure exactly how to deal with that. When she learns that her father has contacted Tony and asked for his help, leaving g her out with no explanation, she is truly hurt. She worries that more is going on than meets the eye and that Tony is being pulled into a so that that neither of them want him to be in. Can the two come to terms with what is going on and get the answers that they need or will they both be pulled into a dangerous situation!
The Puppy Project is the ninth fantastic episode in the Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery series. This book is filled with the elements of a cozy mystery including suspense, romance, humor, love, friends and family, and a sense of community.
In this story, Tess is preoccupied with many situations and decisions in her life. Then a skeleton is uncovered during the groundbreaking ceremony for the expanded animal shelter and new training facility, and she becomes involved in the investigation. Also, Tony receives an e-mail that advances the mystery surrounding Tess’s father.
I love the way Ms. Daley writes in a continuing saga fashion with hints and clues to stories in the future (and red herrings). I love that not all questions are resolved in each book. As always, her writing flows smoothly, and her setting and relatable characters make for an extremely enjoyable read. I am extremely excited for the next book in this series!
I NEED the next book right now. This is one of my favorite series with one current mystery per book and the ongoing mystery. It really keeps me hooked and I can’t believe it ended when it did because I was so ready to read more. Tess has made a lot of life altering decisions which should come into place in the next book. Tony is, as always, wonderful and supportive. Will miss Tess and Tilly’s daily walk-ins on all the merchants but hopefully we will see those folks in future stories.
The Puppy Project is book nine in the Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery series. I really enjoyed this story. It’s one of those that you just keep reading and reading until you suddenly realize you’ve reached the end. I highly recommend it.
I loved it! The Puppy Project is Book 9 in The Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery Series.
There are some major changes being discussed that might be happening very soon that will have a big impact on Tess’s and Tilly’s lives. Not saying any more on that, as I don;t want to create a spoiler here.
Meanwhile, there is the dead body, found while starting to dig for the foundation of the new addition to the animal shelter facility.
Tess and Tony lend their inquisitive minds to Tess’s brother, Mike, who is the head cop in their little town of White Eagle, to try and solve an old disappearance that was apparently a murder after all.
A clean, fun read with great characters and a really good plot.
I very much enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Big changes in the works, surprising things happening, promises being made, hopes/dreams being planned, and dealing with dad issues or not, all while solving a cold case murder mystery with lots of twists and turns. Well woven story and one I thoroughly enjoyed. So looking forward to #10 in the series.
The Puppy Project : A Cozy Mystery ( A Tess And Tilly Cozy Mystery #9 )
By: Kathi Daley
The Puppy Project is book nine in the series A Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery. The story is well written and the characters are well developed. There are some twist and turns that kept you turning the pages. Tess its trying to decide about some major moves that will effect some changes in her and Tony’s life. Yes, a body is found that stirs a mystery about a missing person. Tess’s dad or someone is trying to contact Tony . Is it her dad or someone else? The author keeps you guessing till the end.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
The Puppy Project is the ninth book in Kathi Daley’s Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery series. I love all of the wonderful characters as well as the charming setting. The author’s smooth writing style flows at a steady pace, the characters are three dimensional and affable, and the storyline is well-plotted and interesting with lots of twists and red herrings to keep readers engaged. Once again, Ms. Daley has provided readers with a clean, fun read, with caring and compassionate characters, intriguing mysteries, and adorable fur babies. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy reading well-crafted cozy mysteries.
Tess Thomas delivers mail for the United States Postal Service along with her dog, Tilly, who accompanies her on her route in the small community of White Eagle, Montana. Her mom co-owns a café, Sisters’ Diner, with her aunt. She has one brother, Mike, who’s a member of the White Eagle Police and who is married to one of her best friends and bookstore owner, Bree. Tess is seriously dating her other best friend, Tony Marconi, a computer genius. In addition to being a mail carrier, Tess is an animal shelter volunteer, and works closely with Brady Baker, the local veterinarian and shelter owner, to train and place animals with people who are a perfect match for each other. Brady and Tess have planned a major expansion of the shelter, including permanent housing for hard to place animals, and search and rescue training. When the skeleton of Johnny Peyton, a young man who disappeared eight years ago, is found during the groundbreaking ceremony, Mike has his hands full trying to solve Johnny’s murder. Meanwhile, Tess’s dad contacts Tony, asking him to locate some people for him, but Tess and Mike don’t believe their dad would ever ask anyone for help.
Things are changing in White Eagle for the animal shelter when Tony donates all of proceeds from a computer game he and his friend, Shaggy, developed. While the original plan was housing for the shelter’s long-term residents, Brady decides to go all-out and build a training facility too. But things take a turn for the worse when a body is unearthed during the groundbreaking ceremony. The body turns out to be that of a local guy who went missing a few years ago when he was home the summer after college. Frank had investigated at the time but got nowhere. Can he and Mike, along with Tess, solve the mystery now?
In addition, Tony has been contacted by a man claiming to be Tess’ father asking for help in locating three women. However, Tess has her doubts that it’s actually her dad so she and Tony start their own investigation while they try to contact her dad on the side.
I have really enjoyed this series and this book is no exception. Tess and Tilly is one of my favorite of Kathi Daley’s many series. I love all the animals and the small town interactions. As usual, Kathi did not fail. I was drawn in from the beginning and kept hooked until the end. I’m eager for more Tess and Tilly. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.