Lilly Echosby and her toy poodle Aggie find a fresh start in Chattanooga, Tennessee, spoiled by the scent of murder . . . Having solved the shooting death of her cheating husband, Lilly’s left behind the drama of Lighthouse Dunes, Indiana, to start over in the hometown of her best friend, Scarlett “Dixie” Jefferson. As she gets settled in her new rented house, Lilly gives Aggie, short for … Aggie, short for Agatha Christie, her own fresh start by enrolling her in the Eastern Tennessee Dog Club, where Dixie is a trainer.
But drama seems to hound Lilly like a persistent stray. Her cranky new neighbor appears unfamiliar with Southern hospitality and complains that Aggie barks too much and digs up his prized tulips. But what the poodle actually unearths is the buried body of a mysterious man who claimed ownership of the lost golden retriever Lilly recently rescued. Now it’s up to Lilly and Dixie to try to muzzle another murderer . . .
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Melanie Travis – watch out! There is a new poodle in town with an owner who attracts trouble and can sniff out clues.
Lilly Echosby may be a bit on the more experienced (read that as mature) side, but that doesn’t mean she is slow or unobservant. She is starting over, with a new job and new friends while taking her poodle Aggie to obedience classes.
While spending time together, this pair stumble over a dead body and Lilly has another mystery to solve. Fortunately, Lilly’s daughter is also in town and has a friend who is a K-9 handler. Lilly also finds supportive friends at her new job. The characters Ms. Burns introduces to us are wonderful. I also appreciated the canine insights and tips.
This book offers something for everyone – mystery, danger, romance, and friendship escapes.
The Puppy Who Knew Too Much, the second great novel in VM Burns Dog Club mystery series, is another winner. A recent entry into the world of the cozy mystery, Ms. Burns has been spot-on with every book she has released and this series is taking off like a flash. The newest book includes a perplexing mystery that left me trailing around with no clue and an insightful presentation of characters who brought the warmth that I demand of a cozy mystery. Those characters feel realistic even when they face the unusual number of murders that come with cozy mysteries drew me through both books as much as the complex mystery that she does so well. As much as I enjoy the people Ms. Burns as introduced me to, her knowledge of dogs offers an even greater connection. She leaves me nodding at the antics of the fur babies. While little Aggie is the star of the show for me, I love all of them.
I was delighted to receive an ARC of The Puppy Who Knew Too Much via NetGalley and will be sharing that delight with anyone who will listen.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
This book is just too adorable for words!!! To start with the cover is just too cute with all the puppies and that is before the story. I side we get a town full of adorable fur babies that help solve the case while moving the story along. Lilly is a strong lead character with some interesting side kicks. Full of humor, mystery, and cuteness to create a book you just cannot stop reading. Perfect for fans of animal cozy mysteries. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Lilly Echosby has left Indiana behind and followed her best friend Scarlett “Dixie” Jefferson to Tennessee. It took a while but a chance encounter helped Lilly finds not only a job but a house to rent that was in her budget and allowed her adorable toy poodle, Aggie. She is excited her daughter Stephanie is coming to visit to help her get settled. Lilly finds it refreshing how friendly everyone is until she meets her new neighbor. He is not happy about having another dog in the neighborhood. Her daughter also falls hard for a golden retriever found under Lilly’s deck. After rushing it to the vet and getting its injuries cared for she declares she won’t be giving it up without a fight.
When dear sweet Aggie digs up a body instead of a bone the neighbor is apoplectic and Lilly finds herself back on a suspect list. Stephanie calls in the cavalry, aka Joe, her new boyfriend, the one that helped clear her mom in Lighthouse Dunes. He, in turn, calls in a friend and they along with Dixie are all determined to find the real killer, especially after another body is found.
First, the cover is a little deceiving. The two standard poodles owned by Dixie and Lilly’s Aggie return in this story where they all make a new friend. Aggie does start obedience classes with Dixie where a variety of dogs come together.
Lilly can’t catch a break but she has the perseverance to keep moving forward. New house, new job, new people in her life, and another murderer on the loose. She quickly finds new friends at her job and they are so supportive. I loved her new boss, Linda Kay, and love that we have something in common. The author does such an excellent job with all the characters. They have depth and something about them that draws the reader in and pushes us to want to know them better. Even the cantankerous neighbor and the man that used to have Lilly’s job.
Moving Lilly to Tennessee adds a very interesting twist. She was used to the flatlands of Indiana and Dixie lives on a mountain top with a fantastic view. The road to get there was winding and narrow and made Lily very nervous with its huge dropoffs. She is also very unfamiliar with the area and dependent on her GPS. Each place was nicely described as we readers saw it through Lilly’s eyes for the first time right along with her.
The mystery was not easy to solve with the requisite twists and turns. What I love and what makes this story unique in the part the canines play in solving it all. The motives were very unclear and the clues weren’t falling into place either until the wonderful, surprising, and exciting ending.
Well-plotted and written this story was hard to put down. A complex mystery with its share of Southern charm and humor. Right in Chapter 1 Lilly experiences her first “Bless Your Heart” which she learned was “Southern-speak for “You’re an idiot.” I really enjoy the way V.M. Burns tells a story. The care she takes with her characters is commendable and her love of dogs glows within the pages.
I highly recommend this series. I can’t wait for book #3!
The Puppy Who Knew Too Much
Dog Club Mystery, Book #2
V.M. Burns
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Lilly Echosby and her toy poodle Aggie find a fresh start in Chattanooga, Tennessee, spoiled by the scent of murder…
Having solved the shooting death of her cheating husband, Lilly’s left behind the drama of Lighthouse Dunes, Indiana, to start over in the hometown of her best friend, Scarlett “Dixie” Jefferson. As she gets settled in her new rented house, Lilly gives Aggie, short for Agatha Christie, her own fresh start by enrolling her in the Eastern Tennessee Dog Club, where Dixie is a trainer.
But drama seems to hound Lilly like a persistent stray. Her cranky new neighbor appears unfamiliar with Southern hospitality and complains that Aggie barks too much and digs up his prized tulips. But what the poodle actually unearths is the buried body of a mysterious man who claimed ownership of the lost golden retriever Lilly recently rescued. Now it’s up to Lilly and Dixie to try to muzzle another murderer… (Goodreads)
Review:
This is such a great book and series. It has everything that I look for in a cozy: relatable characters, an inviting setting, humor, intrigue and adorable animals, (just look at the cover).
The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. Lilly is older and more mature and she did not just forget about her safety while investigating another murder. The relationship between her and Dixie, a long time friend, was sincere and heartwarming. They would do anything for each other. We should all have a friend like that. Dixie is very funny and I laughed a lot while reading this book.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and made the setting so inviting that I want to go to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for a visit. I would love to spend a week with Lilly and Dixie.
The mystery held my interest throughout the entire book. With two murders to solve, you better put your thinking cap on. There were plenty of suspects to consider and clues to sift through with plenty of suspense to keep the reader engaged.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. I would not change a thing about this book, I thought it was perfect just the way it was.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
The story is cute with strong and sassy leading female characters. Protagonist Lilly Echosby is a recently divorced CPA who’s just moved from Indiana to Chattanooga, Tennessee with her toy poodle, Aggie (short for Agatha). I like how the action starts immediately as Lilly, accompanied by her best friend, Dixie, has the opportunity to rent a nice house practically drop right in her lap. A disagreeable neighbor manages to infuriate her quickly, but she’s told no one can get along with him. Lilly’s starting a new job at a museum, and I loved her co-workers who immediately took her under their wings.
When little Aggie sniffs out a dead body, the author really begins to spin the wheel and readers should watch closely as she drops off clue after clue as to answers for this niftily crafted plot! With a winning cast of secondary characters including all the dogs, plus an unexpected yet possible romantic interest for Lilly, this is a fun, fast read! I highly recommend!
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Lyrical. Thank you.
The Puppy Who Knew Too Much by V.M. Burns was an engaging second book in the Dog Club Mystery series.
Lilly Echosby and her toy poodle, Aggie, have moved to Chattanooga, TN to start a new life. Her best friend, Dixie, has welcomed her to her home town and is ready to help her get settled. I love both of these women! They are both smart, independent and determined. Fortune smiles on Lilly when she meets Mrs. Hanson who decides to rent her son’s house and she knows about a job opening that would be perfect for Lilly. Lilly’s new job is at The Chatanooga Art Museum and Linda Kay, her boss, and Jacob, a co-worker, make her feel right at home. Unfortunately, the good luck stops there as Aggie discovers a body on their morning walk after moving into their new home.
The story moved quickly with twists and turns, few suspects and no clear motives to keep readers turning the pages as they follow the clues. I really enjoy this series and would highly recommend it.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Lyrical Underground via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
I loved the latest installment in the Dog Club Mystery series! Lilly has moved to Chattanooga, where her friend Dixie lives, for a new start. I love the characters in this series and the dogs are a great element in the story. Also, since Lilly starts a new temporary job and she’s in a new city there are several new characters that are introduced and I hope that many of them will return in future books and have a bigger role. I was caught up in the story and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Lyrical Underground through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Lilly Echosby has left her troubles (namely, the murder of her husband) behind and has moved to Tennessee to be near het closest friend, Dixie. She’s looking for a place to live and doesn’t believe her good luck when she’s offered a rental house in a good area, that accepts pets, and that she can afford.
Unfortunately, she’s right to be leery. In no time at all, she gets in a fight with her neighbor, her landlord turns up dead, and then, so does her neighbor. And the common denominator? Yep…it’s Lilly. But she’s not about to let herself get in trouble for something she didn’t do. It’s time for Lilly and her crew to get busy and solve the murders before anyone else dies…or Lilly gets arrested…again.
I really enjoyed the second book in this cozy mystery series. Lilly and her crew are awesome and all the dogs add to the fun.
I Really Loved this book.
It was any easy read, and I enjoyed the characters very much
What a great book! I just love that little Aggie! She reminds me of a dog I used to babysit. So many surprises I never saw coming. I can’t wait for the next one.
The Puppy Who Knew Too Much is the second book in V.M. Burns’ A Dog Club Mystery series. The storyline is well plotted, and the well-developed characters are affable. The story flows at a steady pace, with humorous moments, and an interesting mystery with enough twists and red herrings to keep the reader engaged and guessing.
Deciding to make a fresh start after the death of her husband, Albert, Lilly Echosby has decided to and her two-year-old toy poodle, Aggie, moved from Lighthouse Dunes, Indiana to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where her best friend since college, Scarlett “Dixie” Jefferson (a dog trainer) lives with her husband, Beau, and two champion standard poodles. Lilly has two adult children, Stephanie, a lawyer in Chicago, and David, an actor, touring in Europe. Lilly’s been staying at an extended-stay hotel but hopes to find an affordable rental house in a decent neighborhood and employment. It seems luck is on her side when Jo Ellen Hansen introduces herself and not only offers to rent her son, Robert’s, house to her but also knows someone who is looking to hire an accountant. Stephanie’s visiting her mother and they find a neglected and injured golden retriever under the porch of the house Lilly rented. Lilly believes she’s going to enjoy working at the Chattanooga Museum of Art and likes Linda Kay Weyman, the executive director, and Jacob Flemings, Linda Kay’s assistant, but has her work cut out for her trying to unravel the mess Freemont Hopewell, the previous financial manager, created. Shortly after she moves in, Lilly and Aggie find a body of a man identified as Robert Hansen, her landlord. Officer Lewis doubts Lilly when she denies knowing the victim, and when she finds Theodore Livingston’s body, he advises her that she’s a person of interest because she not only had a run-in with the grumpy old man but also had a confrontation with him at a neighborhood association meeting where she ended up uncharacteristically striking and threatening him. Stephanie’s boyfriend, Joe Harrison, a K-9 handler, was also visiting and when he has to return home, he contacts his friend, Dennis “Red” Olson, who works with the Drug Enforcement Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, to look after Lilly and Stephanie. Lilly, Stephanie, and Dixie decide to take matters in their own hands and track down the real killer or killers.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Meh, didn’t really hold my interest, and the resolution came so suddenly out of the blue
Fun and intriguing! Lilly has moved to Tennessee and is starting over after the death of her ex. After moving into a new home, her landlord is found murdered. All kinds of fun twists and turns ensue. This book was a delight to read and I look forward to more books in this series and seeing a relationship develop between Lilly and Red!
Enjoyed the book. It was written like the author was sitting in front of you telling a story.
fun to read, great story line
This is an entertaining cozy mystery
Old fashion who done it to me
Love this new series!!
IT WAS A REALLY GOOD FUN READ.