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3rd out of 19 books
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16 voters
Desperate Housedogs (Pampered Pets Mystery #1)
by
Sparkle Abbey (Goodreads Author)
When Caro Lamont, former psychologist turned pet therapist makes a house call to help Kevin Blackstone with his two misbehaving German Shepherd dogs, she expects frantic dogs, she expects a frantic dog owner, she even expects frantic neighbors. What she doesn’t expect is that two hours later the police will find Kevin dead, his dogs impounded; and that as the last person t...more
Kindle Edition, 202 pages
Published
October 17th 2011
by Bell Bridge Books
(first published October 14th 2011)
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Aug 09, 2012
Rose Cimarron
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
fiction,
kindle-free-books,
reviewed,
amazon,
wordpress-reviewed,
romance,
first-in-series,
crime,
2012
This book surprised me - in a really good way. I downloaded it during my first "free kindle book" sweep on Amazon...I wasn't convinced - it looked like chick lit - but I thought "Hey, it's free."
The book is well written, well paced and populated with a range of well drawn characters, including the eponymous dogs and several stereotypes. The plot is as unrealistic as any other "member of public gets drawn into solving mystery" story, but is written well enough to allow the necessary suspension of...more
The book is well written, well paced and populated with a range of well drawn characters, including the eponymous dogs and several stereotypes. The plot is as unrealistic as any other "member of public gets drawn into solving mystery" story, but is written well enough to allow the necessary suspension of...more
This is the first in the Pampered Pet Mystery Series written by "Sparkle Abbey" a collaboration of two authors . This dynamic duo hail from Des Moines Iowa but have family in Texas and California that give them plenty of insight for their books. One author writes the odd number books while the other writes the even numbered books each with their own main characters. Two authors for the pices of one. What a deal! In this book Caro a psychologist and former Texas beauty queen losses her practice t...more
http://www.cozylittlebookjournal.com/...
Caro Lamont is a pet psychologist, a job that makes her difficult for this reviewer to relate to or sympathize with. What the heck is a pet psychologist? She’s not an obedience trainer, she asserts, but a trained psychologist (for people) who now works exclusively as a freelance therapist who tells rich Californians how their pets are feeling. Her office is in the same building as a psychic. Of course it is.
When Caro discovers that one of her clients, Kevi...more
Caro Lamont is a pet psychologist, a job that makes her difficult for this reviewer to relate to or sympathize with. What the heck is a pet psychologist? She’s not an obedience trainer, she asserts, but a trained psychologist (for people) who now works exclusively as a freelance therapist who tells rich Californians how their pets are feeling. Her office is in the same building as a psychic. Of course it is.
When Caro discovers that one of her clients, Kevi...more
I got this book as part of a two-book galley from NetGalley and I am in love. This is the first book in a new series and Caro Lamont is a character that I adore. She's a pet therapist, former beauty queen, and Southern transplant now living in sunny California.
She's used to dealing with problem pets but one of her clients calls her. He's frantic because his two German Shepherds are barking their heads off. Caro is confused because she's been working with the dogs and they've been doing much bett...more
She's used to dealing with problem pets but one of her clients calls her. He's frantic because his two German Shepherds are barking their heads off. Caro is confused because she's been working with the dogs and they've been doing much bett...more
Caro and her cousin Mel both think that they were grandma "Tillie" Matilda Montgomery's favorite granddaughter. That explains the horrible brooch they keep stealing from each other. Perfectly clear..right? Well that's only the first thing that will take some explaining, some amateur detective work and some deduction to clear up.
Caro is the owner of the PAWS clinic, Professional Animal Wellness Specialist Clinic, in Laguna Beach. She caters to an upscale clientele that has issues with their dogs...more
Caro is the owner of the PAWS clinic, Professional Animal Wellness Specialist Clinic, in Laguna Beach. She caters to an upscale clientele that has issues with their dogs...more
Mar 17, 2012
Ellen Dark
added it
I've just finished reading Desperate Housedogs, by Sparkle Abbey, the pseudonym of Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter, both of Des Moines, Iowa.
The book's narrator is Caroline "Caro" Lamont, a pet psychologist in Laguna Beach, CA. When the story begins, Caro is breaking into her cousin's house to steal
a brooch that Caro and her cousin both claim to have inherited from their grandmother. The women spend their time stealing the brooch from each other. But the real
action takes place when one of Caro'...more
The book's narrator is Caroline "Caro" Lamont, a pet psychologist in Laguna Beach, CA. When the story begins, Caro is breaking into her cousin's house to steal
a brooch that Caro and her cousin both claim to have inherited from their grandmother. The women spend their time stealing the brooch from each other. But the real
action takes place when one of Caro'...more
Texas transplant Carolina “Caro” Lamont lost her license to counsel people because of her then husband’s affair with a client. Now she’s on her way to building a successful practice as a pet therapist in Laguna Beach, California. Caro is co-chairing a charity fundraiser along with her friend, animal rights activist and former movie star, Diana Knight. Caro is stunned to learn Kevin Blackstone, the owner of one of her canine clients, has been murdered. Her surprise turns to shock when she realize...more
This is the first in a new series, focusing on pets. It seems that the books will alternate between 2 different narrators, Caro, the narrator of this one, and Melinda, her cousin. The two of them are embroiled in an on-going feud regarding a brooch left to one of them in their grandmother's will. The wording of the will makes it difficult to figure out which one of them she left it to, so they end up stealing it from each other in creative ways. While this wasn't the main plot of the book, it wa...more
Review:Desperate Housedogs by Sparkle Abbey
5 STARS
I enjoyed Carolina Lamont who counsil dogs and their owners. She goes to their homes and helps train and figure out dogs bad behaviors. She also has a feud with her cousin their grandmother left a pin to her favorite grandaughter with gems in it. They both think they should own it and go after it in serious way. They are fun to watch.
One customer that Carolina had was Kevin and his two dogs. after she left his house he was murdered. Detective Ju...more
5 STARS
I enjoyed Carolina Lamont who counsil dogs and their owners. She goes to their homes and helps train and figure out dogs bad behaviors. She also has a feud with her cousin their grandmother left a pin to her favorite grandaughter with gems in it. They both think they should own it and go after it in serious way. They are fun to watch.
One customer that Carolina had was Kevin and his two dogs. after she left his house he was murdered. Detective Ju...more
MY REVIEW
I downloaded Desperate Housedogs and Get fluffy as an omnibus edition but have chosen to review them on two separate posts.
I love the dog themed cover with the paw-print and magnifying glass, to signify how Caroline ends up being an animal detective crossed with her “normal job” as a pet psychologist. The cover also gives you the chick lit feel of the book too.
The book itself is well written and holds your attention at all times whilst reading it too. I love the feud between Caroline an...more
I downloaded Desperate Housedogs and Get fluffy as an omnibus edition but have chosen to review them on two separate posts.
I love the dog themed cover with the paw-print and magnifying glass, to signify how Caroline ends up being an animal detective crossed with her “normal job” as a pet psychologist. The cover also gives you the chick lit feel of the book too.
The book itself is well written and holds your attention at all times whilst reading it too. I love the feud between Caroline an...more
Desperate Housedogs by Sparkle Abbey surprised me. I used to live within a short driving distance of Laguna Beach where the book is set. The author is spot on. I read a few reviews of this book and was amused that the reviewers did not buy into her portrayal of little beachside town. But yes, in Laguna Beach it would not be unusual to see a pet psychologist's offices next to psychic offices. And everyone in that area knows what a pet psychologist is!
Caroline Lamont used to be a counselor until h...more
Caroline Lamont used to be a counselor until h...more
The Dog Whisperer Meets Cozy Mystery. First the bad... The characters in this were a bit thin, seeming to make up for depth with colour. While the quirky attributes many of them had were fun, I would have liked to see more substance, especially for the more important characters. Also, the parts relating to the dogs made up a significant portion of the book, without actually moving the plot along much. As a dog owner I enjoyed these doggie detours and learned a few new tricks to try with my pup,...more
I was looking forward to reading this book because 1) I love cozy mysteries and 2) I love animals. I have to say while the book was okay, I was a tad disappointed. There were times when I thought the protagonist - Caro - was a bit too thick. Or maybe just naive. I'm not sure which. But it took away from the story. I also found the stuff about the cousin rivalry over the jewelry a bit too much.
There were also times when the writer chose to talk to me - the reader - directly. I found that a proble...more
There were also times when the writer chose to talk to me - the reader - directly. I found that a proble...more
I liked this book, for the most part. What I didn't like was the subplot of her and her cousin and the stupid brooch. The obvious answer would be to break up the brooch - since she, herself dubbed it as ugly - into two smaller brooches and then they wouldn't be constantly stealing it from each other, and there would be nothing to fight about. But common sense doesn't always apply in books, and authors seem to think these little "side plots" are more interesting to the reader than the main plot....more
A former practicing psychiatrist, Caro Lamont now lives in Laguna Beach, CA and has a thriving pet therapy business going. She adores dogs and cats and is loving her life.
Then she learns from an intimidating Detective, Judd Malone, that a client has been murdered. Caro is worried about his two German Shepards, Malone is worried about Caro being the suspect.
This book is well written, the Character of Caro is from Texas where she broke away from the beauty pageant circuit, her friends are fun but...more
Then she learns from an intimidating Detective, Judd Malone, that a client has been murdered. Caro is worried about his two German Shepards, Malone is worried about Caro being the suspect.
This book is well written, the Character of Caro is from Texas where she broke away from the beauty pageant circuit, her friends are fun but...more
I loved this book !! I'm a real doggy person anyway and love books about all murder and mayhem and this book has it all !! It features a girl called Caro who's a pet therapist. It's even got great dogcare tips in the tale and describes each breed she meets very well too.
One of her clients is murdered and Caro was the last person believed to have seen him alive and this follows her as she attempts to figure out the true protagonist herself.
She also has an ongoing battle going on with her cousin M...more
One of her clients is murdered and Caro was the last person believed to have seen him alive and this follows her as she attempts to figure out the true protagonist herself.
She also has an ongoing battle going on with her cousin M...more
'Desperate Housedogs' is the first book in a new themed cosy mystery series based around pets. This book is great fun and makes for light reading. The characters are well developed and the main character Caro came across as a real person. I thought the book was well written with the story flowing along nicely; there is a good mix of clues introduced and it allows you to get to know all the characters. I also enjoyed the information about the different breeds of dogs and pet care, which was scatt...more
The first book in a "themed" cozy mystery series; theme being pets.
The series is written by two authors under the name Sparkle Abbey. How I understand it, the series will alternate between two protagonists Caro Lamont (written by Marylee Woods) and Mel Langston (written by Anita Carver);
Desperate Housedogs was a "good" read. The story kept going, the main character, Caro is interesting and likeable, the supporting cast is also enjoyable. I thought the mystery was a little ho-hum and predictable...more
The series is written by two authors under the name Sparkle Abbey. How I understand it, the series will alternate between two protagonists Caro Lamont (written by Marylee Woods) and Mel Langston (written by Anita Carver);
Desperate Housedogs was a "good" read. The story kept going, the main character, Caro is interesting and likeable, the supporting cast is also enjoyable. I thought the mystery was a little ho-hum and predictable...more
The title drew me in, finished it because I hate to leave a book unread. While I wanted to like this book, animal murder mystery I just couldn’t. The main character Caro was flat to me, she was developed very little and I just couldn’t connect with her. I had a similar problem with all the characters not enough about them to be interested really if they lived or died. And Judd Malone the detective, come on, no romance there at all, just so much left unsaid it made me sad.
The idea behind the book...more
The idea behind the book...more
REALLY enjoyed this. If you're a fan of the Susan Conant or other "cozy dog mysteries" you're going to find another passion with Ms Abbey! Using a dog psychologist as the protagonist added a unique flair and a lot of insight that I wish all pet owners had. (I'd suggest reading it if you own a dog just to pick up on the small ways that you should be able to read your dog's body language and understand how to be sensitive to their actions!)It was a good storyline and in a rare twist, I actually di...more
This is the best book I've read all year. I've read some good ones but this one is the topper so far. The author is actually two neighbors (it's in the bio in the back so no secrets being told here) who are huge animal people and their pen name is made up of their two rescue dogs. I finished it today and felt kind of sad because the characters are just so great with so much personality. Even if you aren't a mystery fan this is one book you've got to check out. I have book 2, Get Fluffy, ready to...more
3 stars isn't a slam, I really enjoyed this book. I was surprised at the end, there was a nice puzzle element, and interesting characters. I will be reading the next book. I enjoy the animals being involved, but I felt that the dogs were more of an accessory to the plot, rather than having more to do with actually solving the story. I can see the writers used them in action and as instruments to get us through certain plot points, I just wish they were even further involved. I really enjoyed the...more
I love love love this new series. Can't wait until the next one arrives.
Caro is a pet therapist who specializes in working with pets and their owners to get along. Things are going pretty well until one of her clients ends up murdered. It appears she was the last one to see him alive. Will the police think she is the one who killed Kevin. In her quest to find out what really happened, she gets in way over her head.
Also underlying this other story is a feud between her and another family member...more
Caro is a pet therapist who specializes in working with pets and their owners to get along. Things are going pretty well until one of her clients ends up murdered. It appears she was the last one to see him alive. Will the police think she is the one who killed Kevin. In her quest to find out what really happened, she gets in way over her head.
Also underlying this other story is a feud between her and another family member...more
Great book. Being a dog lover and cozy mystery reader with humor and romance tossed in this book had a little bit of everything for me. Caro ends up solving a murder of one of her clients who left behind two German Shepherds. Lots of suspects in this gated Laguna Beach community. I had pretty much figured out the murderer from the first appearance, as had Detective Malone, so it seemed like Caro was figuring things out the long way but then she didn't have access to all the high tech police comp...more
Do you like dogs (and pets in general)? If you do, enjoy the book.
If you think dogs being pampered (i.e., paying weekly for manicures, pedicures, and grooming), riding in your Ferrari, dressed up, etc. is ridiculous, don't read the book.
The actual mystery was okay. I also like that the next in serious centers on a different character than this one. Don't know if they'll alternate between these two, which would make sense, or center on a different character with each one, which could be fun. (Not...more
If you think dogs being pampered (i.e., paying weekly for manicures, pedicures, and grooming), riding in your Ferrari, dressed up, etc. is ridiculous, don't read the book.
The actual mystery was okay. I also like that the next in serious centers on a different character than this one. Don't know if they'll alternate between these two, which would make sense, or center on a different character with each one, which could be fun. (Not...more
"Sparkle Abbey" is the pen name for collaborators Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter, who have joined forces to write a series of mystery novels featuring cousins Caro Lamont (pet therapist) and Mel Langston (pet boutique owner) in Laguna Beach, CA.
In this first entry, it's Caro who has a murder mystery land in her lap. She's been getting a lot of calls from clients in an exclusive, gated-community section of Laguna Beach, where the dogs are suddenly all very nervous and watchful. Shortly after her...more
In this first entry, it's Caro who has a murder mystery land in her lap. She's been getting a lot of calls from clients in an exclusive, gated-community section of Laguna Beach, where the dogs are suddenly all very nervous and watchful. Shortly after her...more
Quando Caro Lamont, una psicologa diventata pet therapist, riceve una richiesta d’aiuto da un cliente, si aspetta di incontrare cani inquieti, si aspetta un proprietario inquieto, si aspetta perfino dei vicini inquieti. Quello che non si aspetta è che due ore dopo il suo cliente sia morto e che lei sia coinvolta nelle indagini. Ora, con un killer in libertà, la sua migliore amica, Diana, in prigione, e la polizia che sospetta ogni sua mossa, Caro si sta rincorrendo la coda, annusando in giro per...more
This book was good, I like that the main character wasn't a detective just couldn't resist knowing the truth. I like that there were two hot males mentioned in the book. I love that the lead character Caro was a pet psychiatrist, and I understand that the talk about the animals was necessary for making the character who she is but I think that there was just a tad too much about the animals and not quite enough about the plot of the story as far as the mystery goes but I still enjoyed it and wou...more
In a light-hearted tip of the hat to the excesses of the very rich, Sparkle Abbey (actually two authors writing as one) introduces Caro Lamont, human therapist turned pet behavioral counselor living in Laguna Beach, California, whose clients are pampered pooches with “issues”. Unfortunately for Caro, she becomes a suspect when the owner of a pair of agitated German Shepherds is found murdered soon after she made a house call to try to calm the dogs. The victim lived in a gated community so the l...more
This is a cute mystery book written by a duo in Des Moines, IA. Since they are from my home state, I had to give them a read to see what their pampered pets were up to. This is book one of the pampered pet series with the second one, Get Fluffy, already out for folks to read.
I loved the pets the different owners had and how their pet seemed to define their character throughout the book. Caro is so inquisitive that Malone becomes rather irritated with her for butting in even though her help is in...more
I loved the pets the different owners had and how their pet seemed to define their character throughout the book. Caro is so inquisitive that Malone becomes rather irritated with her for butting in even though her help is in...more
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Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of two mystery authors (Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter). They are friends and neighbors as well as co-writers of the Pampered Pets Mystery Series. The pen name was created by combining the names of their rescue pets - Sparkle (Mary Lee’s cat) and Abbey (Anita’s dog). They reside in central Iowa, but if they could write anywhere, you would find them on the beach with...more
More about Sparkle Abbey...
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