Review by Booklist Review
Veterinarian Ally Winter is back home in Willow Bluff, Wisconsin, after a stint in Madison where her fiancé embezzled money from their joint practice and ran off with their veterinary assistant. Her new practice is slow, so she also advertises grooming and dog walking among her services. Hired to walk Marty Shawlin's boxer, Roxy, Ally finds Marty's body on her first visit to his home. Her grandfather, a true-crime aficionado, insists the two of them must assist Detective Noah Jorgensen in solving the murder, especially after Ally is targeted by the killer. Believing Roxy can identify the murderer, the two interview their suspects, to the annoyance of Jorgensen, and intensify their investigation when two other murders occur. Quirky characters--including Gramps and the Willow Bluff Widows, the three women he shares a house with--humor, and details of running a veterinary practice enhance this cozy, but Ally takes foolish risks and unfairly denigrates Noah's ability as a detective when he refuses to share information with them.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Veterinarian Ally Winter, the heroine of this winning series launch from Scott (the Swat Top Cops series), returns to her hometown of Willow Bluff, Wis., where she purchases a retiring vet's practice, only to find the good doctor apparently lied about the number of his furry clients. Broke and idle, Ally takes on dog walking. Problems multiply when Ally finds the body of her newest client, crooked attorney Marty Shawlin, on the first day walking Shawlin's boxer. The first officer to respond to the murder scene is none other than Det. Noah Jorgensen, a former high school quarterback who remembers Ally all too well from several epic moments of high school klutziness. As Jorgensen uncovers a multitude of disgruntled clients with reasons to want Shawlin dead, another body turns up. When true crime aficionado Oscar Winter, Ally's irascible Gramps, decides to investigate, Ally reluctantly joins in just to keep Gramps safe. Scott delivers distinctive characters, an appealing small-town setting, and a hint of romance. This cozy is perfect for animal lovers. Agent: Pamela Hopkins, Hopkins Literary Assoc. (July)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
The prolific Scott launches a new series starring a veterinarian, her grandfather, and a boxer dog. Ally Winter has returned to her hometown of Willow Bluff, Wisconsin, after her former fiance and business partner embezzled money from their clinic and dumped her with just enough money to buy the practice of a retiring veterinarian. Her crime-obsessed grandfather is recovering from a broken hip in a small rehab home where the three resident ladies compete for his regard. Things are so slow for Ally that she's added grooming and dog walking to her repertoire. But when she arrives to walk lawyer Marty Shawlin's boxer, Roxy, she finds Shawlin with a crushed skull. The lead detective is her high school crush, Noah Jorgenson, who starts their reunion off on the wrong foot by calling her by her hated nickname, Hot Pants, recalling an embarrassing incident with fire ants. Lots of people have been angry with Shawlin because he charged them for legal work he never completed. And that includes Gramps, who had thrown him out of the rehab house. Although business is picking up, Ally still has enough time to aid Gramps, who's determined to solve the crime, much to the despair of Noah--especially after Ally starts getting violent warnings to butt out. Ally is well aware that Roxy could name the killer if only she could talk. Even without a voice, though, she helps Ally winnow down the suspects. An entertaining cast of characters makes for a kickoff sure to please dog lovers. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
