Sit, Stay, Slay

Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery #1

by Linda O. Johnston

Introducing Kendra Ballantyne...Former high-powered litigator (temporarily on the outs) Hollywood pet-sitter (desperately in need of cash) Crime-Solver (currently at wit's end)

Canned from her L.A. law firm, Kendra Ballantyne is now a freelance pet-sitter. When her clients start getting knocked off one by one, Kendra fears she's being set up. Aided by sexy detective Jeff Hubbard, she's got to find out why, and fast. This killer's animal instincts are downright dangerous.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Animals, Chick Lit, Murder Mystery

295 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Linda O. Johnston's first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the Year. Since then, Linda has had more short stories and novellas published, plus, by the end of 2018, she will have had fifty novels published, including mysteries and romance.

Linda currently writes the Barkery and Biscuits Mysteries cozy mystery series for Midnight Ink, and also wrote the Superstition Mysteries for them, both featuring dogs. She has also written the Pet Rescue Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, which was a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series. And yes, they involved dogs, too.

Linda also writes for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, including a new miniseries about a K-9 ranch where dogs are trained. Linda additionally writes paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne including the Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters--and all the werewolves also have cover dogs.

Linda, a currently inactive transactional attorney, now writes fiction full-time. She is a member of the Los Angeles chapters of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America, including the Los Angeles, Orange County and Santa Clarita chapters.

Reviews

[Paula Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lawyer gets her licence suspended for something she didn't do. Now she gets talked into pet sitting and she discovers that she loves it. Kendra wasn't thrilled about the snake but hey who would be even with the extra pay. But things start happening to her clients of which she is innocent but someone is framing her as with her law job. Now she has to investigate as she doesn't trust the police as they have blinders on.

I enjoyed this first book of the series and am looking forward to reading the others.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent opening to a new cozy mystery series!! And it has dogs!! And a snake.

I really enjoyed this. A good mystery and a good dash of romantic suspense. Plus the final reveal came out of left field - at least for me!

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. I though Kendra was okay as a character, and I liked Jeff. I got really annoyed with how the the antagonistic police detective was written - I can't believe he would really have been that fixated.

[Avanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really more like 3 1/2 ☺️

[Douvonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good start to the series. I enjoyed this book and think the series has some potential. I liked Kendra and all the different dogs were cute. The mystery kept me guessing until the end. I'll read more because I want to see what direction Kendra decides to go in now.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never really got invested in this book, and it showed in how long it took me to read. I put it in my purse and read it occasionally but never really got the urge to pull it out and finish it. The pet sitting was an interesting concept, but I never really connected with Kendra. I was surprised that Susan, her secretary, was the one behind all of her troubles; from leaking the strategy to the murders to the stolen car. That was a good surprise. I plan to read the second book in the series before deciding if I will continue or not.

[Tracy Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this cozy mystery starting a recently suspended lawyer forced to make ends meet by pet sitting. I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 simple because I got annoyed by the sleuth's constant yearning for the male client/PI she's housesitting for. There wasn't anything graphic, sex wise. Just thought too much energy in the book was spent angsting for it.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #26 read in 2018

I enjoyed Kendra and her supporting cast.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this first installment of this new series. I enjoyed the concept of the MC being a pet sitter. I nice reading cozy.

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

From high-paid litigator, to pet-sitter, to murder suspect Kendra Ballantyne has had quite the slide in her life. But, to her surprise, she's enjoying her new career in pet and house-sitting when she finds one of her current pet-sitting clients, and former law clients, in his home murdered and becomes the prime suspect. Since the detective in charge doesn't seem inclined to look any further, Kendra is forced to investigate for herself. With the help of some of her new pet clients, staid friends, and even her old firm she navigates the complex and confusing possibilities. Another client is killed, her home is broken into, and her vehicle is stolen before the connection finally dawns on Kendra. The assistance of a most unexpected friend saves the day...and her life, in more ways than one.

[Camilla Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat lover here, but pets are family. Yes I like dogs. Had one growing up, then a couple again years ago. But cats require less "maintenance"; however I'm not sure about my current 3 spoiled loves. (2 brothers and their younger sister - from the mother's next litter) All are 13 years old now, but take turns being lap cats. And yes, spoiled!
Sometimes that makes it real hard to read (or do anything). But I do love reading. Kind of hard when a cat wants to sit on the book! Pet sitting sounds like a great job, except I don't think I could handle the snakes. Kendra was amazing with Py, much better than I could have been.
I had my suspicions about the culprit, but wasn't sure. Love that in a mystery. Read and enjoy!

[SuperSleuth · Rating 1 out of 5]

This cozy series just wasnt for me. I really didnt connect with the story or the main character, I found her interactions with other characters a bit annoying, especially the detective who she mostly house sits for. It took me forever to get through it because I was not motivated to read the story. I had gotten this book, and the second in the series together from a second hand seller on ebay and I deposited both in a local book swap without ever bothering to crack the second book open.


Not every book is for everyone, im sure there are plenty out there who would enjoy this much more than I did.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kendra is smart and a quick thinker but keeps finding herself in trouble. What's a girl to do? In Kendra's case, it is figure it out herself! This cozy is charmingly quirky with a few comedic moments but what else can one expect from a suspended lawyer turned pet-sitter? Dogs, cats, rabbits and even a ball python are among her client list these days. This light reading was fun and entertaining like her other pet cozy series, A Barkery and Biscuits Mystery. Will consider reading more by this author.

[Tiffany M · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the plot line had me guessing as to who was framing Kendra and I would have never guess who did it. At times though I felt the books was a little hard to read. Its probably just me because I like to read books where the words don't make you ponder exactly what they mean. I felt the author was trying a little too hard to be very intelligent with her words rather than just simplifying it and letting the story speak for itself. With that said, I did enjoy the story line and will probably read book #2.

[Ronni Nanney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute cozy mystery, I found the main character to be very relatable,  minus the face that she's a lawyer and I law type stuff usually bores me. She falls on some hard times, not able to practice for the moment, and gets thrown into a pet sitting job. That turns to many jobs. And what started as just an easy way to make some cash, turns into a job she really enjoys and takes to heart, leads to a possible romance (although i think shes trying a little too hard to make that not work), and, of course...a murder to solve! 5 ☆ for me!

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm starting to try out some mysteries. This did not resonant with my personal tastes. So, much of my rating is just my preferences.

However, I would say that as the mystery plot progressed with two murders, I noticed what seemed to be clues with a certain common feature. (It didn't point to one specific person, but could have been a start to reducing suspects.) But nobody made any reference to this until the end of the book where the perpetrator explained everything. Also, at the end when the protagonist is saved, part of that isn't explained (one might guess at one possibility.)

[Khanson919 · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Kendra Ballantyne's law license is suspended she becomes a pet sitter. When one of her clients is murdered Kendra is accused to the crime. She then decides to use her former legal knowledge and the help of one of her pet sitting client's security service to figure out who is trying to frame her. Kendra is a fun a character and the pets she watches adds a lot of sweet moments to the story. I would definitely read the next book in the series. I would give 3 1/2 stars if it was possible.

[ReadaBook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I enjoy discovering new cozy mystery series with a dog theme, for some reason (that I can’t put my finger on) this struck me as a somewhat different story. Regardless, I enjoyed the difference, and while I came close to figuring it out “who done it”, it wasn’t until maybe a chapter before the reveal that I actually did!
In addition to adoring the dogs, puppies, and cats, this book even made me like a certain reptile!
Looking forward to reading book two (etc).

[Ewa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know many of the reviews are not too positive, but I personally really liked this book. It was easy to read, quick paced, fully o funny stories about animals. Maybe I would prefer less sex and more romance, as this was a little bit unusual for a cozy. But all in all I liked it and look forward to read another from the series.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and fun, a good light read.
Compaints--The use of a python in one's pocket to startle the bad guy, was set up a bit too thoroughly but then unconvincing at the denouement. And Kendra went over old ground a bit too much for my taste. Still a charming first book in a series.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good first book. Kinda slow to start but really picked up towards the end. Now I want to read more in the series.

[Whi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was the secretary. Kendra meets Jeff

[Marseydoats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast, fun read. I will definitely continue with the series.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS! Really good series. Very different storyline. Well developed characters and hot love interest!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery was pretty much a what you see is what you get. Former lawyer Kendra B. has gone from famous litigator to bankrupt has-been. The cause? Kendra claims she was framed for leaking private client information. To make it even worse, the client in question was killed due to the information leak. Kendra is forced to sell nearly all her possessions (save a BMW, every girl needs her BMW to survive) and rent her beautiful Hollywood home to a former reality tv star and boy toy. To add insult to injury, Kendra now lives above the garage with her Cavalier King Charles, Lexie, watching the parties of the rich and famous-for-no-good-reason.

Things perk up when Lexie's former boarding facility (headed by a friend of Kendra's) is in dire need of a pet sitter. Kendra volunteers reluctantly, only to meet the (conveniently) handsome private eye, Jeff, whose Akita instantly loves Lexie. As more pet sitting jobs come rolling in Kendra begins to feel that her life is finally perking up a bit.

Then, life turns out to be more of a bitch than Lexie.

Kendra finds two different pet sitting clients (both of whom are former law clients of Kendra's) stabbed to death in their homes. With no real suspects, the police center on Kendra as a "person of interest". Adding flame to the fire, the head of the investigation happens to have a vendetta against Mr. Sexy Jeff (with whom Kendra is now trading pet sitting favors with to prove her innocence). Each chapter brings up new suspects and new problems as Kendra is further implicated in pretty much every crime in the area.

The author does a good job making anything Kendra does backfire pretty miraculously. While there are some parts I felt were not entirely realistic (how much access she had to her old job for one), I wasn't bothered enough to notice until after my reading. The ending will be a surprise twist for most simply because there is a crucial fact that the reader is not told until the end. However, the criminal is actually mentioned in the book more than once and is a reasonable candidate (in a crazy, conspiracy theory way). This is not a novel that will change the way you think, but it will amuse you.

Parents: There is sex implied in this book. I would call it a "lime", meaning that sex is mentioned and then the bedroom door closes. There is definitely seductive mentions of how handsome so and so's chest hair is, but it's pretty PG13.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cozies depend on their sleuths, so when I hate the sleuth, I'm going to hate the cozy. And I hate the sleuth.

The writing isn't bad and the plot was okay. The protagonist was painful.

[Diane Morasco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Kendra Ballantyne & Lexie her adorable tricolor Cavalier King Charles spaniel.Kendra Ballantyne can no longer practice law. She was accused of providing a strategy memo to opposing counsel’s client. The client then killed the CEO of the corporation she was suing.Kendra insists that she in innocent, but she was forced to resign from her law firm and her law license was suspended for three months.As Kendra's finances started mounting she had to file for bankruptcy.

Fortuitously, she was able to hold onto the old family home.Unfortunately, she can't afford to live in it. She’s rented out the house and is living in the cottage in back.Kendra's friend Darryl Nestler who runs Doggy Indulgence Day Resort talks her into dog sitting for Jeff Hubbard’s Akita. She accepts because she is allowed to live in his house while he’s gone and she won’t have to see her mansion being lived in by strangers. Slowly she accepts additional pet sitting jobs, not always of the dog variety. She is able to juggle the many schedules and still have time with her dogs as well. The fact that Jeff is quite a looker and sexy is an added bonus. Everything is flourishing until she finds one of her clients murdered in his home when she arrives to take care of his dog.Unfortunately the detective believes Kendra is guilty of the murder. Before Kendra can prove that she didn’t perpetrate murder, she stumbles upon another dead client, also murdered. When in town, Jeff, a private detective and security expert, gives her advice on proving her innocence. Kendra is intent on finding the killer, but will she survive?

[Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love mystery novels especially when they have a a mix of romance in the plot so when I won an autographed copy of one of Linda O. Johnston's Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery I knew I had to get all of them to read. I also thought this series was very intriguing because it involved animals which even though I've never had any pets of my own I've got family who have had dogs and cats as pets. There are 6 books in this series so far but the 7th book in the series called Never Say Sty is going to be coming out on Tuesday, April 7th which is a day I look forward to because it is going to be good. Sit, Stay, Slay is the first book in the series and the book that captured me from the very beginning to the very exciting life of Kendra Ballantyne. Kendra was one a litigator with a high-powered L.A. law firm until scandal forced her resignation and when at wit's end, desperate, and broke, she's now had to rent her Hollywood home to strangers.


So she's had to move into the maid's quarters above her garage for a place to live and even jumped at a new job offer as a freelance pet-sitter. Her life has gone to the dogs and who'd have guessed it would be so dangerous when Kendra finds one of her first pet-sitting clients stabbed to death in his upscale Toluca Lake home.

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