Two Dogs Lie Sleeping

Mae December #2

by Lia Farrell

It’s early August in Rosedale, Tennessee, and July December Powell is alone at the historic Booth Mansion, putting the finishing touches on the Showhouse room she designed for tomorrow’s grand opening. A loud noise draws her to the nursery, where a man lies dying. Not just any man, but Tom Ferris, the love of her life, who she hasn’t seen since he disappeared with no explanation some fifteen years earlier. Who shot Tom in the back? What drove him away in the first place and made him stay away, even after his parents were killed in a car accident? What was he trying to tell July with his last breath? The gossip mill is in high gear in the small town of Rosedale, and July is the sister of Mae, a dog breeder and kennel owner who happens to be dating the sheriff, Ben Bradley. Ben’s close relationship with the December family has thrown a wrench in his investigation, forcing him to rely on Detective Wayne Nichols, his deputies, and his office manager Dory to do most of the legwork. Meanwhile July’s marriage is imploding, and Mae already has too much to deal with—including a new corgi puppy and Ben’s four-year-old son. Mae is torn between loyalty to her boyfriend and her sister as she does her darndest to get the bottom of a case that just seems to involve more and more of their friends and neighbors. Two Dogs Lie Sleeping is Book 2 of the Mae December Mystery series, which began with One Dog Too Many.

284 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 2014

About the author

Lia Farrell was born in January of 2009, the brain-child/pen-name of a mother/daughter writing team. Lia’s first book, cozy mystery ‘One Dog too Many’, was released by Camel Press on November 15th of 2013. It was, of course, instigated by a dog. Lyn Farquhar, the mom in this duo, lives in Michigan. One icy morning when she was going out to walk her dogs, her younger Corgi, Millie, pulled hard on the leash. Lyn slipped and broke her right arm for the second time in a year. She needed surgery and her daughter Lisa Fitzsimmons came up from Tennessee to stay with her after her surgery. Having lived in the South for many years, Lisa quickly tired of the winter weather. She persuaded her mom to come stay with her in Tennessee while her arm was healing. They flew together to Tennessee where Lisa and her husband, Jim, took Lyn out for brunch. Whilst awaiting Mimosas, they read the newspaper. An article detailing a legal battle captured their attention; emotions and lawsuits ran high over the widening of a road that was very close to Lisa and Jim’s house. After listening to the article, Lyn said “that sound like the beginning of a book I’d like to read.” Their protagonist, Mae December, was born in that instant. After Lyn went back to Michigan, the two women took turns writing chapters and emailing them back and forth. Two years into the process, they thought the book was done. They came up with their pen-name and got an agent, Dawn Dowdle, who made them rewrite almost everything, which took another year. Dawn marketed the book for a year before finding them a publisher and getting them a three book deal with Camel Press. Then came more rewrites and edits, as well as writing the second book in the Mae December Mystery series. ‘Two Dogs lie Sleeping’ was turned in to the publisher on November 14th, the day before ‘One Dog too Many’ was released. Lia Farrell needs a few days off, but she’ll begin work on the third book in the series soon, so stay tuned!

Reviews

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: A Mae December Mystery

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable cozy. Fun surprises. different idea for a mystery

[Susie James · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Two Dogs Lie Sleeping", which was one of my wins from the Goodreads Giveaway, was a fun, rather light-hearted caper! I'm not just barking, either! This story provided a pleasant break from high-tension dramas. I could relate to the inclusion of those small day to day details of the characters' lives, from dealing with pets to sibling relationships. I sympathized with "Sheriff Ben" and his frustrations in trying to solve those "two sleeping dogs" -- including the fact that his sweetie, Mae, took a while to get on the same page with him. I could visualize Sheriff Ben, stomping a bald spot in the yard, say, because folks just didn't get in behind his program! Well in his case it wasn't a bald spot in the grass, but read this cutie pie of a book, and you can certainly get the picture.

[Christine Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Dogs Plus

Being a longtime dog owner/lover, any book involving dogs catches my eye. This is a fun read about Miss Mae December and her boyfriend Sheriff Ben Bradley. The book opens with the return of Tommy Ferris. Tommy abruptly left town 15 years ago without an explanation. Who would want to kill Tommy the day after his return?

I enjoyed the mystery and the relationships. It's nice to read a book that can advance a story without using graphic sex, unnecessary swearing or bloody violence. The people and situations were believable. The who done it kept me guessing right to the end. I liked it enough to buy the third book for a future read.

[ChrisGA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intriguing cozy mystery centering around a designer show house fundraiser in a small Tennessee town. A local man who had been missing for 15 years turns up shot in the house the night before it is opened to the public. Lots of secrets become known and suspects abound. Lots of dogs and puppies also.

This was a collaborative effort of a mother and daughter team. The storyline takes many twists and turns, and all the characters slowly reveal depth as the book moves along. I really enjoyed this one.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed this book. Looking forward to starting #3