The Dogwalkers' Detective Agency

by Michael Hogan

PAWS FOR THOUGHT…THERE’S MURDER AFOOT IN FRAMSTONE


Cosy crime, wagging tails and one mystery too deadly to ignore.

'Brilliant - I inhaled it...this is my dream book' CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN

'This sweet, big-hearted novel is like The Thursday Murder Club With Dogs' MARIAN KEYES

'A delight for lovers of cosy crime, and a must for all lovers of a good mystery involving dogs!' PETER JAMES

'Charming, big-hearted, and with a gigantic twist. But frankly, you had me at dogs' JOJO MOYES

--
They've got a lot of leads...but can they collar a killer?

When Charlie Boardman and his beloved Staffy, Ruby, stumble across a corpse in the woods, the sleepy coastal town of Framstone is rocked by the discovery that the local pub landlord has been murdered.

Charlie and his fellow dogwalkers take it upon themselves to try and sniff out any clues that might help the local police with their investigation.

But what begins as idle speculation and gossip quickly becomes something more sinister, when Charlie starts receiving anonymous threats warning him off the case.

Then, a second body washes up on the beach…

Can Charlie hunt down a killer, before he becomes the next victim?

--

Authors and reviewers are barking mad for The Dogwalkers' Detective Agency!

'A heartwarming, satisfying page-turner with a delicious final twist that made me gasp' DAISY BUCHANAN
'Wit, charm, warmth and dogs - what more could you want from a cracking whodunnit?' LUCY MANGAN
'Funny, big-hearted, cosy but never comatose, The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency is an absolute must-read for all dog lovers - and even you strange cat people too!' MIKE GAYLE
'What a joy The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency is – once I began reading it I just couldn’t put it down. Funny and ingeniously plotted, this is a terrific debut' JILL MANSELL
'Michael Hogan is a hilariously funny writer, and this is a total treat' JENNY COLGAN
'Subtle, absorbing and bursting with rambunctious, tail-wagging charm. I was grinning and gripped from the very first page' JIMI FAMUREWA
'I couldn't stop devouring the pages here, packed with such warmth, fun and breezy humour' FIONA GIBSON

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

467 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025

Reviews

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie is a dogwalker in a sleepy British seaside town. While walking the dogs in the woods one day, he stumbles upon a body. The local pub landlord has been murdered.

The gossip around town reigns supreme and everyone wants to know who did it, but Charlie knows a detail that didn’t make the papers: the dogs found two wigs near the victim. And Charlie knows the detective on the case quite well because he went to school with her. So he and his fellow dogwalkers think they have a leg up on the others and decide to start their own investigation. But Charlie quickly gets the feeling that he’s being watched.


This is the author’s debut novel, and it mostly doesn’t feel like it. It’s a little bit too long, but the chapters are quite short so it moves at quite a fast pace. There are dogs, which is always a bonus. There is a good mystery with quite a few twists. And there are a lot of fun busybody characters.


There are lots of puns and fun references sprinkled throughout the book. This influences the story in a good way and really make this a fun read. It also adds some personality to the characters. It’s clear Charlie loves his dog very much. Like when there’s danger, his first instinct is to protect his dog. This is very much appreciated. It’s also realistic as it’s very relatable for people who love their dogs. I also like how Charlie uses walking his dog to his advantage in the investigation, as it makes it easier to “accidently” run into people he wants to talk to.


This story has dogs and an interesting mystery. Apparently that’s all you need to convince me sometimes. Now, it needs to be said that this book is a bit too long for its own good. Still, no regrets. It’s a solid, light and rather cozy murder mystery with some fun characters.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eigenlijk vond ik hem wel heel leuk. kneuterig. dorp aan zee. herfst. alleen het laatste hoofdstuk voelde overbodig. hoezo geven 3 mensen in 24 uur genadeslag aan hetzelfde slachtoffer, het plot hoeft echt niet overbodig te worden.

[Niamh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ very slow first half, did have a good twist though

[Helena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, to me, this book is a prime example of great premise but bad execution. The dialogue is clunky, almost like someone is ticking off dialogue with an NPC in a video game. The characters were one dimensional. The social commentary was constant, oddly placed in conversation, and delivered by characters who had no business doing so.

Also, WHAT THE F- is this random final ending bit?? That's just, not necessary.

[Ellen Boardman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent cosy crime debut from Michael Hogan. Thoroughly enjoyed!!

[Ali Radbourne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really didn’t need to be as long as it is, it’s like 40% too long for the content with too much repetition. It’s a fair enough story but really not worth so much effort.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously I was going to like it... I love dogs and own two m̶o̶r̶o̶n̶s̶ dogs myself...one of which is a rehome.

I DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS A DEBUT! But I'm hoping this is just the beginning and we'll get to hear a lot more from Charlie, Ruby and their friends...they're all such great characters, humans and canines alike.

Doused in mystery and murder, the plot is compelling and had me hooked!

It's written with warmth and fun, and was an absolute joy to read.

However, my only criticism is the title of Chapter 10 'More bodies than the Somme'...I felt it was a very poor choice of words considering how many people lost their lives, even on the first day.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie Boardman had noticed that dead bodies were often discovered by dog walkers, but even though he was one, the body he found in his local woods still came as a very unpleasant surprise! Thankfully, he has a group of dog owning friends to rely on when he begins his own investigation even if he has known the lead detective since school. His dog walking business, set up after he returned to live at home to keep an eye on his mum, does however give him good reason to be out and about in areas where maybe he shouldn't really be! When anonymous notes start arriving, the danger level increases, but he can’t stop now, not when he's getting closer to their killer, or is the killer actually getting closer to him?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, but the opinions expressed are my own. The first book in a new series this was a fun read but also, I think, a bit on the long side! Charlie Boardman is a good main protagonist, but his friend Tess Cheong was my favourite character along with her brilliantly named dogs. I will definitely give book two a chance as, apart from the length and a couple of annoyances, which could be spoilers, this was an enjoyable read.

[Rowena Onions · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terminally slow!!

[Devi · Rating 3 out of 5]

📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 480 pages
⏱ Duration: 5 hours
🏷️ Publisher name: Pegasus Crime
📅 Release Date: June 2, 2026
ARC provided by Edelweiss

I went into this one expecting cozy mystery vibes with dogs, amateur sleuthing, and a quirky small-town investigation. And to be fair, the premise absolutely delivers on that promise. A group of dogwalkers stumbling into a murder mystery is exactly the kind of setup that cozy crime readers tend to love. Ruby the Staffy adds a fun layer to the story, and any mystery that includes dogs instantly earns a little goodwill from me.

That said, this book took the scenic route. A very scenic route. At 480 pages, the pacing felt stretched far beyond what the story really needed. I found myself repeatedly wishing the plot would tighten up and move faster. The investigation meanders, conversations linger, and while there are interesting moments along the way, the narrative often feels like it’s taking a long walk rather than chasing down a killer.

One thing that really pulled me out of the story was a moment involving Ruby. At one point the antagonist kidnaps her to make a point. Naturally, that’s a big emotional beat. But later in the story, Ruby doesn’t react to this person at all. If you know dogs, you know that memory and instinct tend to stick. That moment felt oddly disconnected from how animals actually behave.

The ending leans heavily into twists. And while unexpected reveals are always welcome in a mystery, the spacing between them made the final stretch feel even longer. By the time the last 15 percent rolled around, I genuinely found myself saying out loud, “Okay… speed up already.” Not the reaction you want when the book is supposed to be sprinting to the finish line.

Still, the core idea is solid. A cozy mystery centered around dogwalkers solving crimes in a seaside town is genuinely fun. I just wish the story had been edited down into something tighter and faster-paced.

Would I recommend it?
If you adore dog-centered cozies and have the patience for a long leash on pacing, you might still enjoy this one. The premise is charming, the world well-built. If you’re a cozy mystery reader who enjoys leisurely paced stories with a lot of small-town chatter and a canine companion at the center, this one might still appeal to you. The premise is charming and dog lovers will enjoy Ruby’s presence throughout the story. It just overstays its welcome.

[Alis Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dogwalkers Detective Agency by Michael Hogan is a cosy murder mystery and the author’s debut novel—and what a fun debut it is!
It definitely falls into the cosy crime category, but with short, snappy chapters that give the story an extra bit of tension. I actually found that made it quite a page-turner. This was such an easy read with a fantastic group of characters—honestly, I’d happily sit and have coffee with them all. They were caring, funny, and so believable.
The book had a witty edge too, and there were plenty of moments that made me chuckle. As detectives, the group was a little haphazard, but that’s exactly what I loved about them. They felt real and endearing, like friends muddling through rather than professionals with all the answers.
Now, I’ll admit, I’m not entirely sure the police would really share quite so much with a bunch of amateurs, but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment at all. For me, this book had a surprising feel-good factor despite being a crime novel, and that’s a rare balance to strike.
The conversations between the group flowed so naturally that I could almost hear them chatting away. I especially loved the scenes where they sat around over coffee, dissecting the clues, with a pack of dogs curled up at their feet—it felt so warm and authentic.
I really enjoyed The Dogwalkers Detective Agency. It’s cosy, witty, and full of heart, with a group of characters I can’t wait to meet again in future books. If you enjoy crime novels with a lighter, feel-good touch (and you’re a dog lover like me), then this is definitely one to add to your reading list. Now, I think I’ll follow the book’s lead and head to my favourite coffee shop—with my own pooch in tow, of course!

[Anne T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about the book: the friendly and warm colour and the lightweight feel. It’s wonderfully comfortable to hold and has just the right-size print for easy reading. Found the short chapters a great idea too and loved the way the last sentence in each chapter whetted your appetite for the next. Jill Mansell’s comment on the front cover sums it all up perfectly.

I really did enjoy every page - Michael is a brilliant writer with such dry wit and I often chuckled out loud.

Loved the characters…especially Charlie…and Tess. Polly endearingly reminded me of my dear mum.

I was hooked right from the start to the last word and well, the ‘Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency’ felt like my kind of ‘tribe’…miss them all… but have a feeling we’ll be hearing more of their whereabouts at a later date!

[Zoe B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love dogs and I’ve always fancied being a detective, so a cozy crime featuring both, My ideal combo!

It’s always the dog walkers who stumble across the body, isn’t it? In this charming debut, Charlie and his lovable staffie Ruby discover one during their walk and soon, Charlie and his friends (plus their fur babies!) form an unlikely detective crew on the hunt for clues.

I really liked Charlie and his amateur sleuth pals, full of warmth, humour, and heart. The relationship between Charlie and his elderly mum was especially touching.

I did think the police were a bit lax about how much the dog walkers got involved (and how freely info was passed around but it all added to the fun and games of this light-hearted mystery.

While cosy crimes can sometimes be predictable, I didn’t see the culprit coming in this one! The perfect read for dog lovers or anyone who prefers their mysteries lighter on gore and big on charm.

A delightful debut. I hope to see more of The Dog Walkers Detective Agency!

[Lucy Melton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, maybe not as much as I'd hoped to though. I loved the dogs, the characters were interesting... but the set up wasn't quite believable to me. I know there are a number of fictional cosy places with high crime levels (don't go to Cabot Cove, Midsommer or Coopers Chase) but wrong 'uns are even more rife in Framstone. It felt a little bit contrived - police are loose lipped because they're talking to a nice bloke, there are a few nods towards diversity that felt a bit forced and stereotyped, and while the puns were good it felt like they'd come before the story line. Would I read the next in the series? Probably, if I needed a palate cleanser before I tackled something else.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this is a debut novel but for a cosy crime it was way too long and really needed a better edit. I felt a lot of the text was filler, did we really need to know every time anyone scratched behind Ruby’ ear as even for dog lovers this was way more than we need to know. The story was slightly too far fetched and the characters were not well drawn especially Charlie (and please drop his nick name as everyone sounded about 6 years old saying it over and over again).

[SkyeWake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cosy crime it may be, but there are still enough tense moments and a few twists, to make you wonder whether there’ll be the right kind of ending! I did like the way things were explained- I hate having to surmise what actually happened afterwards. A lovely group of friends and an even lovelier group of dogs! Obviously more to come, especially in Charlie’s own story.
Downside - a little long winded. Maybe too much detail at times.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really enjoyable read. It’s full of twists and turns, and I made plenty of wrong guesses along the way. The dogs are the true stars of the show – Ruby sounds absolutely divine.

The only thing I found a bit unnecessary were the additional details at the end. They didn’t seem to serve a purpose and felt like a bit of a twist that went too far. However, it didn’t detract from the overall wonderful read.

Thank you Netgalley

[S D · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short chapters were quite handy. I liked the book. I particularly liked the relationship that Charlie had with his mum and his dog. A bit of a cosy crime, and I love that the dogs were featured and had their own personalities sometimes a bit more fleshed out and some of the human characters! Some of the dialogue in the book was a bit cringey but on the whole yeah, I liked it. I’d read another one if it’s a series which I think it might be.

[Jane Shand · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably a 3.7*. It was enjoyable, great characters, including the dogs! Although there was a nasty murder or two, this still had lighthearted humour in it and managed to be warm and a little bit cosy. There were some aspects that didn’t feel 100% believable but not enough to throw me out of the story. My main issue is right at the end there is a bit of a twist and it seems completely unnecessary in every way - unless it is setting something up for a next book.

[Gordon Smart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this debut book in the cosy crime genre and liked the idea of a dog-walking setup as I’m fond of dogs. Similar to the Thursday Murder Club in many ways, of course, even down to a seaside town so perhaps not greatly original though. Good characters and a reasonable plot with flashes of humour. It is a bit longer than it needs to be though.

[Rikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot progression may feel a bit slow, but yes I love it!
lovely story, lovely characters, and the DOGS of course. I really hope this book could be adapted into a TV series, like thursday murders club.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow to start, but it picked up pace, and I looked forward to reading a bit more every night. The main characters are very likeable, although there is little information about their backgrounds or current situations. It feels like there's more to come from The Dogwalkers' Detective Agency.....

[Iona McConnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun cosy mystery, pulls in a lot of different characters and angles - prob a few too many. I found it a bit slow and the motivations a bit off. However some good scenes and created the world of the book well.

[Aileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good 3.5* read, rounded up to 4* as I like Michael's blogs in the newspapers too. As others have said, it’s a tad too long and repetitive in parts. But a jolly cosy crime tale, with dogs aplenty (and cake).

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable storyline and characters but it felt overlong and slow. Needed an edit!

[MRS LORRAINE J SANKEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this debut novel. Interesting friendship story in small, sleepy seaside town with canine friends thrown in! Definitely worth a read.

[Anna Senk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super cozy crime novel set in a small English seaside town with a very loveable furry and human cast

[Sylvia 1170 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cosy and not exciting - exactly what I wanted. Liked the idea - I am very fond of dogs - but too long, sometimes too slow. Enjoyed it anyhow.

[Elizabeth Hollins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice cosy detective story by my favourite live blogger.

[Melanie Harman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cosy crime and dogs - pretty good combination 😊