Monday, August 16, 2021

To Fetch a Killer (Dog Groomer Mysteries Book 3)

Author:    Chelsea Thomas
Genre:     Mystery

Trade Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #:    9798538739325
Independently Published
242 Pages
$12.99; $5.99 Amazon
July 16, 2021

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


When Amy moved back home and opened a cute little pet salon, she never expected her work to be interrupted by death.  It's especially odd when the victim is a nurse.

Aren't medical professionals supposed to know how to stay alive?

The big clues suggest this rowdy nurse drank a little too much and then never woke up.  But that doesn't sit well with Amy, and it's not long before she's poking her nose where it's not wanted.

Not surprisingly, it's not long before Amy uncovers evidence that suggests the death of the nurse was murder -- and she and Granny set off to catch the killer before there's another murder in town.

But this killer was smart, they covered their tracks, and Amy suspects the key evidence is in a briefcase that's under lock and key.  Is she right?

The closer Amy and Granny get to catching the killer, the more danger they find, and the angrier the local cops become.

With threats mounting, and more secrets than the ladies can count, Amy knows this case has to be solved before another victim turns up.

Will Amy solve the murder or will the killer claim another victim?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Amy Stewart moved back to her hometown in California after a nasty breakup and decided to open a pet grooming salon with her grandmother, Petunia.  Along with her granny, Amy's friend Betsy works there.  Betsy is excited because her red Mustang is going to be entered into a car contest, and she's sure she'll win.  But she doesn't expect an encounter with a nurse named Wendy who also has a red Mustang, and wants her to leave.  After the confrontation turns ugly, Betsey and Amy move to another spot.

But later on that evening, Wendy calls Betsy and tells her that she accidentally put her bag in Betsy's car and wants them to bring it to her.  When Amy and Betsy arrive, they don't see the Mustang, but they see Wendy, very much dead.  When the police arrive, they aren't really surprised to see the two women, but after learning of the altercation, they immediately suspect Betsy of killing Wendy.  Now Amy and Granny have to gamble that they can catch the real killer to keep Betsy from going to prison...

This is the third book in the series, and I actually think it's the funniest.  While I wasn't overly impressed with Granny in the last book, perhaps it's because she rather grows on you.  In this book, she shows her grit and actually gets down to helping Amy find the killer instead of spending every free minute playing poker.  (Never fear; there's a lot of that along the way, too!)

There are actually a couple of truly hilarious scenes -- one depicting Amy in the hospital, and another with her having a wild ride on a motorcycle with Dirk, the newspaper editor.  That's all I'm going to say on that subject.  There's also a side story involving Fluffy, Amy's Persian, while he's investigating a little mystery all his own.  I loved that, by the way.

When Amy and Granny start investigating, they're at first sure who the killer is, but as they interview other people, their belief is soon tested, as other potential suspects come into view quickly.  But they both have some surprises along the way -- including an eye-opening one for Granny -- that sets them off on another direction. 

Then there's also the bag they were supposed to deliver when they found the dead woman: what does the briefcase hold, and is it a clue to her death?  I found the story funny, endearing, and full of action as they make their way to the side of a killer, and the ending does not disappoint.  I look forward to the next in the series.  Highly recommended.



More on Chelsea Thomas's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/t/chelsea-thomas/

1 comment:

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