Dog Days

Raine Stockton Dog Mystery #10

by Donna Ball

"A simply fabulous mystery starring a likable, dedicated heroine..." --- Midwest Book Review The dog days of summer bring murder to the Smoky Mountains in this tenth installment of the best-selling Raine Stockton Dog Mystery Series. For Raine Stockton, owner and proprietor of Dog Daze Boarding and Training, August is the busiest time of year. She has all she can handle with a kennel full of dogs, a very strange new employee, and a personal life that seems to be falling apart at the seams. The last thing she needs is another complication. But when she takes in a gorgeous white golden retriever that was found covered in blood and wandering alone in a national park, the complications have only begun. When the new dog escapes during the night, the search for her leads Raine and her irascible search-and-rescue dog, Cisco, to the scene of a tragic accident at the bottom of a gorge. But was it an accident, or a well-planned murder? The answer to that question draws Raine into a dangerous intrigue in which she doesn’t know who to trust... one that will turn an afternoon at the fair into a deadly ordeal, and could end up costing Raine her life.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Animals, Dogs, Fiction

244 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2015

Reviews

[angela yargus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The End?

I hate when I get greedy! I want to be privy to more of Raine and Miles with their lives, the Dog Daze, and so, Donna, I beg you, PLEASE don't end this series! I see a LOT of ways to continue, and we dog lovers want you to go there!
You other readers, you won't ever get tired of Donna Ball's series!

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore this series! Mysteries and emotional turmoil once again bring confusion, if not total choas, into Raine's life A stranger shows up for a job interview that Raine doesn't remember scheduling, a gorgeous rescue that is left with her disappears and reappears bringing seeming to bring sorrow and danger in her wake, a stranger keeps popping up where ever Raine goes, Miles is acting strangely, Buck fails to share key information, and the very attractive new candidate for sheriff keeps popping up too.

[Dlora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like these mysteries featuring Raine Stockton and her dog Cisco too much--I end up reading them in a day and then want another one immediately. I like the realism of how Raine trains and takes care of her dogs in her boarding and training facility. I suspect I like this series so much because I adore dogs even though I don't own one myself, my love of dogs perhaps a holdover from growing up with my Norwegian Elkhound. Today I get to enjoy visits with my children's dogs, and I appreciate the tips from these books, like: "A tried and true method for getting the attention of a dog who refuses to come when you call is to simply walk away. If there's a gate you can shut between you and him, or a car you can get in that he can't, so much the better. You'd be amazed at how much bad-dog bravado goes out of a dog when he's ignored and left behind." Or "Shunning, in dog language, is a fairly effective treatment for a deliberately disobedient dog. The next time your dog is flinging himself at you uncontrollably when you come home, try turning your back on him, crossing your arms, and refusing to make eye contact. It won't take long before he figures out he had done something wrong." Or course, you can get professional tips from books specializing in training a dog, but it is much more fun to find nuggets of information embedded in a puzzling murder mystery. In this book, the story revolves around a lost dog who is brought to Raine, who takes in rescue dogs. When the dog escapes again, Raine with Cisco's skills of search-and-rescue is led to the scene of a tragic accident at the bottom of a gorge.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 10 of this series. I've listened to all of the series that are on Audiobooks. This installment is mediocre and, at times, annoying.

Annoying parts:
1) The gushing over "English Cream" golden retrievers, basically a meaningless puppy mill marketing tactic that the author evidently fell for.
2) Raine Stockton's utterly unreasonable attitude towards her ex-husband getting married. Seriously? Raine is herself in a relationship, but felt like she had some claim to know what was going on with her ex-husband? It made Raine appear very unlikable.

Better parts:
For dog lovers, dogs have big parts in the story.

[Järken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting mystery for sure! I feel that this book had the mystery quietly in the background, with the main focus being character developments and the relationships within the series. Not a negative comment! I enjoyed seeing a bit more into the complicated lives of Raine, Miles, Buck, Wyn, the new political opponent in town and the mysterious new help that seems to be the solution to all of Raine's problems! This almost slow-paced mystery came to an incredible climax that almost took me completely by surprise. Donna Ball truly has a talent for writing a good crime-drama-mystery. Another fantastic addition to the Raine Stockton Dog Mysteries series!

[Sue Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to have a book where her land destructing boyfriend was mostly not there. It's a good solid addition to the storyline, but since I read it out of order, I'd already been aware of some of the incidents from later books. I had skipped over this book for reasons I can't remember now. It was interesting to finally find out where "Corny" came from and how he ended up working for Raine.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!
I really like this series, have read each one. And this particular book might just be my favorite. It's very hard to decide though.
The author knows Dogs.
Please, Ms Ball, keep these coming.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one in record time! Donna’s characters are so well drawn that you feel like you know them personally and get right into the story she is telling. Her stories are well written and have a way of really drawing you in and caring about the outcome.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit slow at the start but by 1/3 of the way in, the pace picked up and never flagged. Great ending!!

[Shannon C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. I hope Donna Ball keeps writing more of them!

[pat evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun tale

Throw in dogs, a mystery, a red haired stranger and a body and you have a a fun read. Donna Bell has done it again with her fascinating stories.

[Cindy Dyson Eitelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. Always.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of mysteries and Donna Ball's are the easiest to get involved in. Fast paced and great action scenes, too. If you love dogs and murder and the Smokies, you'll love her books.

[Karen Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Mystery

Raine gets caught up the death of a woman found at the bottom of a gorge. Her beautiful golden, Cameo, leads Raine to her. Who did it and why is the mystery.

[Judith Spence · Rating 3 out of 5]

hmmmmm

Seriously sometimes RAINE is simply TSTL. It can be very irritating. Should have been a seriously good story but …then her hell bent for leather comes in.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Raine Stockton books just keep getting better and better...

[ladona byers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all of her dog books

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love all of the Raine Stockton books and I've read them all! I like that the author, Donna Ball, usually brings back characters from previous books into the new book.She also includes new characters whom you hope will be in the next future book.
In this book, Miles and Melanie are in Brazil the whole time. Buck surprised everyone by getting married. Raine hires a young man named Cornelius aka Corny. There's a new character running for the sheriff position whom Raine doesn't particular like since he's running against Buck.
A lost Golden is brought to Raine for safe keeping until her owner can be found named "Cameo". It's her human Mom who is found dead and thus the mystery develops around the mystery death and Cameo. There's several suspects and as usual Raine gets into the mix of the intrigue and almost loses her life.
The book is easy and very enjoyable reading. The mystery and intrigue catches your attention from page one to the end of the book. I can't wait for the next Raine Stockton book!

[Eileen Goudge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Ball does it again! In this latest installment of her Raine Stockton mysteries, many unanswered questions are keeping Raine on her toes. Thankfully she has the help of her friends, human and furred--in the form of her faithful golden retriever Cisco and his sidekicks--in solving the latest mystery. I just love spending time with Raine. She's my kind of people. But there's also lots of other stuff to hold your interest. I was sorry to turn the last page and can't wait for the next one.

[P Caywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Cisco and Raine.

The book doesn't disappoint. Raine has decisions to make and in the end does. Some won't like her choice but some of us do. I feel her character can keep growing with these choices and it works for me. I absolutely love the series and love the way Ms. Ball keeps it fresh. I hope she continues for another 10 years!

[Cheri L. Crockett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book!

I have enjoyed reading this series and when this one came out, re-read the first one and the Christmas story of when Raine got Cisco. (As a refresher). Anyway,

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right on the mark

This series is an appealing book that any dog lover or mystery fan will love. Donna Ball combines dogs and mystery into a very good read. She hit the mark again with this well written book the latest in the Raine and Cisco series.

[Carol Schumacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatest!

I love Ms Bell's books. But I think this is the best one yet. Each story gets better and better...

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last one! I'm sad. I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Will miss Raine, Cisco ,Miles, Buck and the whole gang.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all of her Raine Stockton books.

[Sheila Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book and series. Making the dogs an equal part of the story is refreshing. Just hate the wait for the next book and what trouble Raine and Cisco get into.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this series!

[Carol Gronli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. If you love dogs, I don't care what breed you love this book - this entire series - is for you. The author has a way to show her love through her writing. Suspense is pretty good, and the personal interactions are well written. I just hope she has more in store for her readers in this series.