About the Book
Genre: Cozy Mystery, #1 in A Barkery and Biscuits Mystery
Publisher: Midnight Ink (May 8, 2015)
Paperback: 312 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0738745039
Synopsis from Goodreads...
Carrie Kennersly, a veterinary technician, has become known for offering healthy and popular dog treats at the clinic where she works. When the local bakery's owner moves away, Carrie jumps at the chance to convert it into the Barkery, a shop to make and sell her canine delights.
But Myra Ethman, co-owner of another pet product store, hates the new competition. At the Barkery's opening party, she badmouths Carrie's homemade dog biscuits, insisting she'll find a way to shut the place down. So when Myra is found dead with a Barkery biscuit beside her, Carrie must prove she didn't do it before she's collared for murder.
My Review
This is an exciting time for Carrie Kennersly. She’s about to start a new venture when she buys her friend’s bakery and turns it into two bakeries – one for humans and one for dogs. In addition to her job as a veterinary technician, she plans to juggle both stores and make a success out of it.
At the opening of her stores, things take a nasty turn when the owner of another pet store, Myra Ethman, publicly badmouths Carrie and her doggie bakery goods. Myra is determined to see Carrie’s new shop go under and she makes sure everyone knows Carrie’s products are inferior.
Naturally Carrie publicly threatens to stop Myra. The very next day, Myra is murdered and Carrie is the number one suspect. The police are totally focused on Carrie, so it’s up to her to find the real killer.
This is a sweet, cute cozy mystery complete with a dog named Biscuit. I love the bakery setting and Carrie is adorable. She has so much spark and strength. I’m wondering how long she will continue managing two bakeries and working as a vet tech, though. That’s a pretty stressful life she’s building for herself, but it’s fun for the readers.
There are several romantic possibilities, but the author isn’t pushing Carrie into anything in the first book. She’s just kind of testing the chemistry. The secondary cast of characters are interesting and I’m looking forward to learning more about them, especially Carrie’s brother.
The storyline itself is fast-paced and the book is a quick read. I didn’t figure out who did it until the end, although I did have my suspicions. This is very well written and a great start to the series.
For reading challenges:
2015 Foodies Read Reading Challenge
2015 My Kind of Mystery Reading Challenge
2015 NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge
What an animal reading challenge
Where are you reading? challenge (California)
FTC Disclosure: NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the Author
Linda O. Johnston’s first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the year. Since then, Linda, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer, has published more short stories, novellas, and 38 romance and mystery novels, including the Pet Rescue Mystery Series, a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime, and Harlequin Romantic Suspense as well as the Alpha Force paranormal romance miniseries for Harlequin Nocturne. She additionally writes the Superstition Mysteries for Midnight Ink.
Her latest cozy mystery series, the Barkery and Biscuits Mysteries also from Midnight Ink, kicks off in May with BITE THE BISCUIT.
Author Links
Webpage: www.LindaOJohnston.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaOJohnston
Tour Participants
May 8 – WV Stitcher – Review
May 9 – Deal Sharing Aunt – Interview
May 10 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Guest Post
May 10 – LibriAmoriMiei – Review
May 11 – Community Bookstop – Review
May 12 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post
May 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Cozy Wednesday – Booked by Author
May 14 – Musings and Ramblings – Review, Guest Post
May 15 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review
May 16 – readalot – Review
May16 – Laura’s Interests – Review
May 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Review, Interview
May 18 – Bea’s Book Nook – Review
May 18 – View from the Birdhouse – Review
May 19 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – Review, Interview
May 20 – Socrates Book Reviews – Review
May 21 – dru’s book musings – Booked by Author
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Loved your review! Makes me want to read this even more. It sounds like there will be lots of fun and mayhem.
ReplyDeleteCrossing fingers, toes, eyes, and anything else I can to win. LOL
This sounds soooo good. Would love to win
ReplyDelete