Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Review: Dogs Don’t Lie by Lisa Shay




Genre: Cozy Mystery/Women Sleuths/Young Adult

Description:

“On call at Crater Emergency Animal Hospital, I, Doctor Kallie Collins, receive a curious request from the sheriff’s department. I’m to meet with a detective at a small ranch outside of town.

You see, there’s this dog with a bone he’s not willing to part with.

On scene, the dog tells me the bone is human. Actually, he shows me the location of the body, complete with a human skull, through an animal-communication technique I learned a couple years ago. Now I have to explain how this works to the detective, convincing him I’m not the murderer.

Who knew a simple farm visit would put me in the middle of a murder investigation? Well, I did kinda jump into this mess. I had to. I know what happened. The two four-legged witnesses to the murder told me.

And I’m the only one listening.”

Author:

“Yes. Lisa Shay is my pen name…

I live on the coast in the Pacific Northwest.

I read. A lot. Pretty much any genre.

I love animals. A bonus since the cozy mysteries are about a veterinarian who can communicate with animals… Yes. I'm a geek.”

Appraisal:

Kallie Collins is an enthusiastic young Veterinarian, who can understand animals’ thoughts. My first impression of her is of an educated, responsible young woman who wouldn’t run off half-cocked into what could be dangerous situations. But, add Kallie with her two best friends, a few cupcakes, and off they go willy-nilly. Even after the new cute detective asks her to let the department take care of the situation now that she, and the dog, had exposed a murdered victim.

I thought the premise of the story was a good one, but the execution fell flat. Kallie’s two friends were two-dimensional as were a few of the PD involved. The plot seemed to drag on and on with Kallie’s escapades. I wish the animals played a larger part, and I was disheartened when Kallie kept forgetting to listen to the cat’s side of the story. WTH? When the family disappeared from the house and left the animals behind Kallie took them both home with her. So, it wasn’t like she had restricted access to the cat.

The last fifteen percent was exciting, tense, and unexpected. I just knew Kallie’s goose was cooked and then I was afraid she was going to do something really stupid.  I really liked Detective Ben, he was smart, levelheaded, and intuitive. I think he is going to be around for a while.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Dogs Don’t Lie is book 1 in Ms. Shay’s A Kallie Collins Cozy Mystery Series.

Format/Typo Issues:

Nothing significant to mention.

Rating: *** Three Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words

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