Kristina A. reviewed Death by Chocolate Lab (Lucky Paws Petsitting, Bk 1) on + 1528 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Death by Chocolate Lab by Bethany Blake is the first book in A Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series. Daphne Templeton lives in Sylvan Creek, Pennsylvania with her sister, Piper (their mother, Maeve lives in the town as well). While Daphne has a PhD in philosophy, she runs Daphne Templeton's Lucky Paws Pet Sitting (now many job opportunities for someone with a degree in philosophy). Her sister, Piper owns Winding Hill Farm (and is the local veterinarian) and is hosting a dog agility trial competition the next day. Late that night, various vendors show up to set up their tents. Steve Beamus, owner of Blue Ribbon K-9 Academy arrives to set up the course. Steve is not well-liked because of his condescending, superior attitude and womanizing ways. The next morning, Daphne is out early with her dog, Socrates and her foster dog, Arnie (a little Chihuahua with an overeager personality and an unfortunate overbite). Arnie enters the course and dives in a red tunnel. When he does not exit, Daphne crawls in to get him. She gets a shock when she discovers the body of Steve Beamus. The new to town Detective Jonathan Black is in charge of the case and happens to hear a private conversation between Daphne and Piper that puts Piper at the top of the suspect list. Daphne is determined to prove her sister's innocence to the detective. There is no shortage of suspects for the murder of such an unlikeable victim. Daphne, with the help of her canine sidekicks, starts questioning her list of suspects. When Daphne is out late one night for a clandasdine meeting, she discovers the body of Virginia Lockhart in the park. Virginia must have stumbled upon the killer and paid the ultimate price. Daphne will need to up her game if she is to find the killer before he strikes again (and she stumbles across another body)!
I found Death by Chocolate Lab to be easy to read. I like the various dogs included in the story (can you tell I am trying to list the positive attributes first) and there are some good recipes for dog treats included at the end of the book (I will have to try them out). I enjoyed the mystery that Bethany Blake created in Death by Chocolate Lab. I do not think that many readers will guess the identity of the murderer. You will need to utilize deductive reasoning to identify the perpetrator (really think about all the people in the book). I give Death by Chocolate Lab 3 out of 5 stars. I thought that Daphne was too quirky (nicest word I can use). Daphne has a PhD in philosophy (she is also a vegetarian). It takes intelligence and time to get a doctorate degree. But the author then made her out to be a babbling idiot who cannot remember to keep gas in her car. Daphne has not managed to get her life together and lives with her sister who likes to remind her of this frequently (that she does not pay rent). She drives a 1960s era VW bus that breaks down as frequently as it runs out of gas (she puts in $5 and then drives 10 plus miles and is shocked there is no gas). The car has the worst paint job on the planet. It is supposed to depict a dog (for her business), but it looks like a horse (of course). I wish the author would have let Daphne be an intelligent, confident woman. It would have made for a more appealing story. Then there is the situation with Jonathan Black. It seems he is very handsome and Daphne cannot help but notice him. A reader is subjected to the many fine attributes of Detective Black several times throughout the novel (every single time Daphne and Black encounter each other). I like a little romance in cozy mysteries, but I do not feel the reader needs to be hit over-the-head with it (and we do not need the main character to be drooling over him). Detective Black is not the only hunky man in the book (there are two others). While Death by Chocolate Lab is not the right book for me, I believe others will enjoy the humor. The next book in the series is Dial Meow for Murder.
I found Death by Chocolate Lab to be easy to read. I like the various dogs included in the story (can you tell I am trying to list the positive attributes first) and there are some good recipes for dog treats included at the end of the book (I will have to try them out). I enjoyed the mystery that Bethany Blake created in Death by Chocolate Lab. I do not think that many readers will guess the identity of the murderer. You will need to utilize deductive reasoning to identify the perpetrator (really think about all the people in the book). I give Death by Chocolate Lab 3 out of 5 stars. I thought that Daphne was too quirky (nicest word I can use). Daphne has a PhD in philosophy (she is also a vegetarian). It takes intelligence and time to get a doctorate degree. But the author then made her out to be a babbling idiot who cannot remember to keep gas in her car. Daphne has not managed to get her life together and lives with her sister who likes to remind her of this frequently (that she does not pay rent). She drives a 1960s era VW bus that breaks down as frequently as it runs out of gas (she puts in $5 and then drives 10 plus miles and is shocked there is no gas). The car has the worst paint job on the planet. It is supposed to depict a dog (for her business), but it looks like a horse (of course). I wish the author would have let Daphne be an intelligent, confident woman. It would have made for a more appealing story. Then there is the situation with Jonathan Black. It seems he is very handsome and Daphne cannot help but notice him. A reader is subjected to the many fine attributes of Detective Black several times throughout the novel (every single time Daphne and Black encounter each other). I like a little romance in cozy mysteries, but I do not feel the reader needs to be hit over-the-head with it (and we do not need the main character to be drooling over him). Detective Black is not the only hunky man in the book (there are two others). While Death by Chocolate Lab is not the right book for me, I believe others will enjoy the humor. The next book in the series is Dial Meow for Murder.
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Fun read, unusual and different.
Rachel A. (ra7) reviewed Death by Chocolate Lab (Lucky Paws Petsitting, Bk 1) on + 1026 more book reviews
Daphne has a PhD in philosophy and works as a pet sitter. Her older sister, Piper, is a vet. Piper is also allowing her to live with her, rent free. When Piper's ex, Steve, is found murdered, Piper is a suspect. So, Daphne decided to find the real killer.
Socrates (a basset hound who is "not impressed" with anything) and Artie (a chihuahua with an overbite who drools. A lot) were the best parts of this book. The small town is interesting and it turns out a lot of people didn't like Steve. Thus, the mystery wasn't too bad.
My main issue with this book was Daphne. I didn't like her. At all. She's immature and a moocher (broke all the time and borrows money from whomever will lend it to her). Sure, she's a "free spirit," but in this case it means idiot. She takes advantage of her sister. Repeatedly. Yes, I don't want to read about perfect characters, because no one is. But I also don't want to read about someone who is, IMO, an idiot. Daphne had way, way too many of those moments. The 3* is generous and it's because of the dogs!
Socrates (a basset hound who is "not impressed" with anything) and Artie (a chihuahua with an overbite who drools. A lot) were the best parts of this book. The small town is interesting and it turns out a lot of people didn't like Steve. Thus, the mystery wasn't too bad.
My main issue with this book was Daphne. I didn't like her. At all. She's immature and a moocher (broke all the time and borrows money from whomever will lend it to her). Sure, she's a "free spirit," but in this case it means idiot. She takes advantage of her sister. Repeatedly. Yes, I don't want to read about perfect characters, because no one is. But I also don't want to read about someone who is, IMO, an idiot. Daphne had way, way too many of those moments. The 3* is generous and it's because of the dogs!
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Death by Chocolate Lab is the debut in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series featuring Daphne Templeton and her furry friends. Daphne is busy promoting her pet sitting business, Lucky Paws in Sylvan Creek Pennsylvania and trying not to take in too many strays to live with her on her sister Piper's farm, Winding Hill.
Veterinarian Piper is hosting a dog agility contest at the farm and the course is being set up by her obnoxious ex, Steve Beamus, owner of Blue Ribbon K9 Academy. Having abruptly dumped Piper and with a reputation as a womanizer, Steve is not one of Daphne's favorite people and it's really no surprise when Daphne stumbles upon his dead body.
With other vendors having overheard an argument between Piper and Steve, Piper quickly becomes a person of interest in his murder. Determined to clear her sister's name and uncover the true killer, Daphne sets out with the help of her faithful sidekick, basset hound Socrates and her temporary charge, disfigured Chihuahua Artie. Oh, and a little help from best friend Moxie Bloom and hunky Detective Jonathan Black doesn't hurt either.
A terrific cast of zany and fun characters that will draw you in from page one. A fast moving storyline that has a bit of everything including pets, an overbearing mother, a best friend and gorgeous guy (unfortunately there does seem to be a hint of the dreaded love triangle - which I hope will be resolved in the next installment in the series).
As every dog owner knows each dog has it's own personality. Many pet owners find themselves having conversations with their pets and most like me, find themselves giving their pets a voice and answering for them. The author does exactly this with Socrates and even the non pet lover will have a smile on their face reading about the antics and "thoughts" of this portly basset hound. Without a doubt Socrates is my new favorite "cozy" dog. I can't wait to see what future adventures are in store for Daphne and her friends.
Veterinarian Piper is hosting a dog agility contest at the farm and the course is being set up by her obnoxious ex, Steve Beamus, owner of Blue Ribbon K9 Academy. Having abruptly dumped Piper and with a reputation as a womanizer, Steve is not one of Daphne's favorite people and it's really no surprise when Daphne stumbles upon his dead body.
With other vendors having overheard an argument between Piper and Steve, Piper quickly becomes a person of interest in his murder. Determined to clear her sister's name and uncover the true killer, Daphne sets out with the help of her faithful sidekick, basset hound Socrates and her temporary charge, disfigured Chihuahua Artie. Oh, and a little help from best friend Moxie Bloom and hunky Detective Jonathan Black doesn't hurt either.
A terrific cast of zany and fun characters that will draw you in from page one. A fast moving storyline that has a bit of everything including pets, an overbearing mother, a best friend and gorgeous guy (unfortunately there does seem to be a hint of the dreaded love triangle - which I hope will be resolved in the next installment in the series).
As every dog owner knows each dog has it's own personality. Many pet owners find themselves having conversations with their pets and most like me, find themselves giving their pets a voice and answering for them. The author does exactly this with Socrates and even the non pet lover will have a smile on their face reading about the antics and "thoughts" of this portly basset hound. Without a doubt Socrates is my new favorite "cozy" dog. I can't wait to see what future adventures are in store for Daphne and her friends.
Kimberly N. (kimberlyrav) -
This. is. a. 5. STAR. read!
I absolutely loved this cozy. It was FANTASTIC! I loved the characters and the dogs and everyones professions. Im not a dog lover but it sure made me want to get one. This was very well put together, a real page turner. I was hooked from page one. I have bought the next 2 in the series and cant wait to read more! Excellent cozy!
I absolutely loved this cozy. It was FANTASTIC! I loved the characters and the dogs and everyones professions. Im not a dog lover but it sure made me want to get one. This was very well put together, a real page turner. I was hooked from page one. I have bought the next 2 in the series and cant wait to read more! Excellent cozy!
