Dog Gone Ghost

Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #4.5

by Angie Fox

Who let the dogs…and cats…out?

Verity Long’s new ghost hunting career has gone to the dogs, literally. A spirit is releasing animals from their cages at the Sugarland Animal Rescue Center. It’s an unusual haunting that gets even more bizarre when she uncovers a new clue in a case of a missing child. Verity vows to reunite the lost boy with his family. And when she does, Verity just might answer the age-old question: Do all dogs go to heaven?

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Cozy Mystery, Ghosts, Fantasy, Romance, Audiobook

53 pages, ebook

First published January 24, 2017

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Angie Fox writes sweet, fun, action-packed mysteries. Her characters are clever and fearless, but in real life, Angie is afraid of basements, bees, and going up stairs when it is dark behind her. Let’s face it. Angie wouldn’t last five minutes in one of her books.

Angie is best known for her SOUTHERN SPIRITS™ mysteries, and for her ACCIDENTAL DEMON SLAYER books.

Visit Angie at www.angiefox.com.

Reviews

[Bobby Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be the best of the Verity Long short stories which supplement Angie Fox's Southern Ghost Hunter series. It begins in Sugarland, Tennessee with Verity attempting to train her pet skunk, Lucy — and yes, I do know how frivolous and ridiculous that sounds — without much assistance from live-in ghost, Frankie, the lovable former prohibition-era gangster who lends her his energy so she can see ghosts, and — not often enough for Frankie — turn a buck.

Bree, who works at the Sugarland Animal Sanctuary, stops by to enlist Verity’s help in discovering why ghosts have been setting the animals loose at night, endangering both the animals and possibly people. Frankie isn’t keen on the pro bono work, but suspiciously changes his tune when he discovers the animal shelter is near the river. What Verity discovers, while Frankie is using the situation for a little side job, makes for an excellent short story.

I’m reticent to give too many details, but this one is actually quite tender and moving for something in this light sub-genre. It’s funny, atmospheric, and will have anyone who loves dogs and children complaining they’ve got something in their eye before the final page is turned. You get the impression at the outset of this one that it's going to be a little sillier than the other two supplemental short stories, but it ends up being warm and tender, even a tad memorable. I loved this one and highly recommend it.

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/

This story packs quite the punch into just a little over an hour. After finishing the previous installment in the series, I wasn’t quite ready to move on to something else so when I saw that there was a short story available I started listening right away. I really liked this story and thought that it reminded me of the show, Ghost Whisperer, more than any of the previous installments.

Verity is asked to look into a possible haunting at the local animal shelter. The cages keep opening on their own and the shelter needs to figure out what is going on. Verity is surprised to find a little boy opening the cages who she remembers as being missing. She helps him find his lost dog and get the closure that both he and his family need. It really was a touching story and I felt so bad for him and his family after learning what happened to him.

Tavia Gilbert once again does a great job with the narration. The time that I spent listening to this audiobook flew by quickly because I was so absorbed in the story. I am convinced that the best way to experience this series is through audio. I would highly recommend this series to fans of paranormal cozy mysteries. I hope to read more of this entertaining series soon.

Book source: Audible Plus

Initial Thoughts
This was a fun short story. Very "Ghost Whisperer". Excellent narration.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dog Gone Ghost By: Angie Fox Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert This is a novella of a ghostly adventure! I love this series even though I haven't been reading them in order. This one is a mystery at the humane society. Someone keeps opening up the cages and letting the animals out and scaring the staff! Our ghost whisperer,😉, says she will help and gets her ghostly gangster to help her. It turns out to be a very touching and heartwarming story! I am so glad I got this book! Great narration too!

[Quenya · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I really love these little novellas that go with this series. They are great little additions and ramp up the emotional level a lot higher than the other books in the series. Verity is up to her usual “do-gooder” status in this one and drags Frankie along kicking and screaming as usual. I liked the fact the ghost in this one wasn’t from the historical time of Sugarland but was rather a more recent inductee to the ghost world. The story just comes down the tale of a boy and his dog and is wonderfully sweet. The only issue I had with this book is that Frankie was a little inconsistent as compared to book 4 and book 5 in the series. This story is in between those two but Frankie is closer to a book 2 Frankie not a book 4 Frankie.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very bittersweet. Good, but warning, involves the prior death of a child and a dog. Might be difficult for some readers to read. 5 solid stars and on to the next one in the series.

[Wendy Keel · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. First I LOVE this series. I'm not normally a fan of first person stories, but I love Verity and this series so much I forget it's written in first person. Fans of mysteries with a touch of romance, and great characters need to read these books. With DOG GONE GHOST we get a quick, easy, sweet read. No Ellis in this one, which I was sad about, but you do get a story that will touch your heart. It's really fast read, one setting read to be honest, but the story is so well written you won't notice how short it is. This novella can be read as an introduction to the series however I personally feel you are better off reading the series in order, mostly because it's that great. This story will touch your heart, it brought a mist to my eyes and smile to my face. I LOVED this novella. I recommend this one to everyone especially fans of Angie Fox and the Southern Ghost Hunter mysteries series. You need to get this one TODAY! I can't wait to see what comes next!!!

[Misty vassar stockton · Rating 5 out of 5]

i always love reading about verity and frankie and even littlte lucy. This story brought alot of tears to my eyes . It take you through alot of emotions. I loved it. It a short story. So how do i tell you about without give it away? Well bree has a ghost problem and needs help .verity has to make frankie help her. Lucy get to go this time and get leash trained. Frankie and verity find parker. That all Im saying... love it .love it

[Judy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL AND ONE OF MY FAVORITES !!!
Title: Dog Gone Ghost
Series: Southern Ghost Hunters Mysteries
Designation: Book 4.5 of Series, Standalone Novella(50 pages), NO Cliffhanger
Author: Angie Fox
Reading Platform: Kindle Edition
My Rating: FIVE DELICIOUSLY CUTE STARS*****
I adore cozy mysteries, love gripping suspense and totally addicted to anything supernatural but throw in a little sweet romance and I'm totally smitten! Unfortunately, it's often difficult to find all four elements in one book but fortunately, I've found an author that brilliantly combines them all into one exceptional story. Angie Fox has delighted her readers yet again with Dog Gone Ghost: Book 4.5, a standalone novella in the Southern Ghost Hunters Mysteries Series and I totally loved it! Although this is a standalone short story which can be enjoyed all on its own, I highly recommend at least reading the first book of the series, Southern Spirits which will give you the premise and backstory for all the releases in the collection. I became a diehard Angie Fox fan several years ago after reading The Accidental Demon Slayer, the outrageously funny first release in Fox's best-selling Biker Witches Mystery Series, another fabulous collection I highly recommend, especially if you love your mystery generously laced with side-splitting humor. But I digress, let's talk about Dog Gone Ghost. The book is imaginative, unique, exciting, cute, sweet, heartwarming, well crafted and well edited with a beautiful, eye-catching cover. The narrative is exceptionally well written in the first person from the perspective of the heroine, Verity Long. The dialogue is smart, well executed and flows effortlessly. I love all the components of this story but it's the characters that completely steal the show. They are fascinating, captivating, realistic, engaging, relatable and humorous. Fox skillfully combines these elements to craft a deliciously cute and delightfully entertaining whodunit filled to the brim with danger, drama, action, mystery, suspense, humor, ghosts and even a little heartbreaking angst and heartwarming romance. What did I love about this story? Everything!

The last several months have been busy for Verity Long, a beautiful former aspiring graphic designer from Sugarland, Tennessee. Despite successfully solving several murders, life continues to be difficult. Verity is still short on funds and desperately trying to hang on to the home she inherited from her grandmother. She lost absolutely everything after breaking off her engagement last year with her cheating, now ex-fiance Beau Wydell, youngest and favored son of wealthy, influential town aristocrat Virginia Wydell. Her graphic design services had been in demand until her almost mother-in-law used her influence to ruin her and her business. Now it seems no one in Sugarland, Tennessee needs her services so she's embarked on a new occupation and has a whole new business...as a ghost hunter. Yup, she's officially out of the closet and has been months, or rather since her interview with Ovis Dupree, guest investigative reporter from the local newspaper, The Sugarland Gazette. And that's not the only change in her life. Her kinda-sorta-maybe but very hush-hush and on-the-sly boyfriend, deputy sheriff Ellis Wydell is now her public main squeeze! And yes, Ellis and Beau are related - they're brothers! Huh? Oh yes, brothers! As you can imagine, the news was not well received by Virginia Wydell. And let's not forget her sweet little pet skunk Lucy and her very dead, black and white gangster ghost housemate, Frankie. Yup, I said ghost. Frankie became trapped on Verity's property when she unknowingly dumped the ashes from his urn onto the roots of her rose bush. Oh my! But in her defense, she had no idea what they were and what would happen. So until she can figure out a way to free Frankie, she's stuck with the not-so-nice criminal from the flapper era who has turned her backyard shed into a speakeasy and hideout for him and his ghost gang cronies. Verity is barely scraping by with very little food and even less money. But on the bright side, she does have her pet skunk, Lucy, a hot hunky boyfriend, and, on occasion, Frankie does actually lend her, albeit begrudgingly, some of his power so she can see all those otherworldly things that go bump in the night. But it seems her new ghost hunting business is really going to the dogs. No really....her newest case literally involves dogs, or more accurately the animals at the Sugarland Animal Shelter. It seems someone or 'something' is letting all the animals out of their cages in the middle of the night. The privately run no-kill facility is in desperate need of her services. Too bad they can't afford to pay her. But when did a little thing like money ever stand in the way of Verity doing a good deed? Never! But will this case find Verity chasing tails or will she be able to solve the mystery? We'll see!

Did I like this book? No, I LOVED it! I adore the Southern Ghost Hunters World and the town of Sugarland as well as the characters Fox has created for this series. Verity Long is an absolute delight and Ellis Wydell is one hunk of burning love! lol... And never fear, Verity's gangster ghost, Frankie, is around to cause all kinds of trouble and Lucy, the pet skunk, is ever present for a little comic relief. And the supporting characters in this little story just completely captured my heart! There is absolutely nothing sweeter than a young boy who loves his dog! I sniffed and snuffled through the last half of the story. Would I recommend it? You bet and I am for ages twelve to a hundred and twelve! Will I read this author again? Absolutely! Just as soon as she releases her next book! Was I entertained? Completely and totally entertained! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars. Dog Gone Ghost is book 4.5 in the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries series. This is a cozy mystery told in 1st person POV for main character Verity Long. This book is a quick read/listen at only 53 pages or 1 hour and 10 minutes.

The series is about a woman named Verity who unknowingly cleans out a man named Frankie's ashes from an old vase looking jar into her rosebushes and it traps his ghost on her property allowing him to only leave when Verity takes his urn off the property. The ghost, Frankie, shows himself to her and so begins her ability to see ghosts.

In this book, Verity gets a ghost hunting job at the local animal shelter. Someone has been letting all of the animals out of their cages at night and a shelter worked offered Verity a trade. She will help leash train Verity's pet skunk, Lucy, if Verity will get to the bottom of the animal escapes at the shelter. Things take a turn when Verity sees the ghost who is causing the trouble and recognizes him as a nine year old boy, named Parker, who went missing 10 years prior. Parker's faithful dog, Bailey, has recently died and Parker is searching for her everywhere. Verity, Frankie, and Parker go on the search for Bailey so the boy and his dog can be reunited. In Dog Gone Ghost, Verity does something she has never done before with a spirit. Something that reaffirms her abilities and the good she can do.

I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed reading this book as much as I enjoyed listening to it. The narrator does a really good job. Her voices were distinct and clear and her pronunciation was good.

So far, I still recommend this series!

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghostly goings on are causing consternation at the Sugarland Animal Shelter. Verity accepts the case and finds herself in the middle of a 10 year old mystery about a boy and his dog.

[Visionary Druid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Verity Long is Sugarland’s only resident Ghost Investigator. She agrees to explore the strange nighttime happenings at Sugarland Animal Rescue Center. Her ghostly partner’s easy compliance bothers Verity. As she inspects the grounds, she discovers the ghost of a nine-year-old boy is responsible for releasing the animals from their pens. Verity offers to help the ghost boy search for his faithful pet dog. Will Verity find the missing Dog without any mishaps? Or will she fall victim to another ghostly escapade?

Verity continues to amaze me with her kindness and generosity despite all the hardships others have hurled at her. I adore Verity’s refusal to use her new ability for personal gain, instead, she asks only for what people can afford. She shows her big-heartedness when she aids a young ghost and gives grieving parents closure without expecting any compensation.

I love the subtle changes happening with Frankie. In her unique way, Verity is working her subtle magic touch on the ghostly gangster. He still enjoys the wild life of his era, but when it matters, Verity can count on him doing the right thing.

DOG GONE GHOST is book 4.5 in Angie Fox’s light-hearted paranormal series, SOUTHERN GHOST HUNTER MYSTERIES. The only complaint I find in these short novellas is the glaring absence of Verity’s sexy sheriff, Ellis.

DOG GONE GHOST is a quick, heart-touching story of ghosts, the living, and pets finding closure. I enjoy these short stories of Angie Fox’s. They are great fillers during the wait for the upcoming full-length books while showing the characters evolving.

Review courtesy of Romance Junkies

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the tweeny novellas nearly as much as I do the full-size novels in the series. They have a different feel to them- a more heartwarming touch for the ghostly case, but no less developed or lacking.

This one was sweet. Verity convinces Frankie to help her solve the mystery of how the animal cages at the shelter are opened each night causing mayhem among the animals and volunteers. They meet and ghost and bring closure to a decade long mystery while bringing the disruptions at the shelter to an end.

It was a quick one, but left me happy-sad at the same time. And also, rarin' for the next caper with this fun pair of ghost hunters.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun series to read in between other books. They are a light hearted break.

[Mystereity Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and sweet review for a short and sweet book:

This is one of my favorite cozy series and I snap them up as fast as they come out and this one was exceptional! From Lucy and her ruffled harness to a very sweet ghost boy to another one of Frankie's money making scheme, this had all the elements of a full length book condensed into a few short pages. By the end of the book, I was trying to catch the tears before they ruined my makeup. Such a sad, sweet, touching ending.

Another excellent addition to a fantastic series and this is definitely a must read series for any paranormal mystery fans.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story, I usually am not crazy about them because things feels rushed but I didn't get that feeling with this one. Verity decides to help and animal shelter that is haunted and also finds answers about a missing child. This was a touching read and I loved how it wrapped up.
I will continue on with this series.

[Jessica Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

For such a short story it sure packs a punch. Emotional, sweet and with a bitter-sweet end, I really loved this short story.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dog Gone Ghost by Angie Fox is the latest short story (Book 4.5) in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries. Verity Long is trying to teach her pet skunk, Lucy to walk outside using an adorable gingham harness and matching leash. Unfortunately, the training is not going well. It does not help that Lucy is afraid of Frankie, the resident 20s gangster ghost. Verity is trying to coax Lucy out from the woodpile when she is approached by Bree LaMont. Bree works at the Sugarland Animal Sanctuary. Recently, someone has started letting the animals out of their cages at night. Bree would like Verity to use her ghost hunting abilities, but she is unable to pay her. Verity agrees to trade leash training for ghost hunting. Everyone is happy except Frankie, who prefers cold hard cash. It takes a little convincing, but Verity finally gets Frankie to agree to assist. Later that night, Verity, Lucy and Frankie head to the sanctuary. In solving the sanctuary’s problem, Verity will also get answers on what happened to a little boy who disappeared a decade ago. Join Verity, Frankie and Lucy on their latest caper in Dog Gone Ghost.

Dog Gone Ghost is just delightful. It will make you laugh out loud, and you might even shed a tear. I found Dog Gone Ghost to be well-written, easy to read, and to have a fast pace. This book (actually the series) has loveable characters that you want to revisit again and again. I give Dog Gone Ghost 5 out of 5 stars. Dog Gone Ghost is a short story, but it is a delightful addition to The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries. While Dog Gone Ghost can be read alone, I suggest you read all the books in this highly engaging series. Frankie, his friends and antics are a constant source of amusement. I cannot wait for Sweet Tea and Spirits (the next book in the series) to come out this spring.

[Laura Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books, and the novellas are perfect for those days (like today) when I just want to laze around and read without overthinking or committing. They're funny, spooky, and sweet with just enough mystery to fill an afternoon.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella from the Ghost Hunter Series.

While Verity is trying to leash train her pet skunk, Lucy, a young woman from an animal shelter shows up and asks her to find out who is letting the animals out of their cages at night. She suspects it is a ghost.

Verity discovers that it was a young ghost boy looking for his dog who is letting the animals out, thinking they can help him find his dog. With the help of her own resident gangster ghost, Frankie, Verity goes to the place on the river where the boy died and they find the pug mix. The boy then goes with Verity to the home of his parents to tell them what happened to him and to say good-bye. He assures them he will be back for a family birthday party when his Uncle Mike will be there. Clutching his beloved pug, he goes to the light.

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this Novella Verity is back trading services (in this case skunk training for ghost hunting!) much to the disgust of Frankie, her resident ghost who would like some actual money coming in! (although her first job did actually net some cash), the local animal rescue centre has suddenly got a rash of cages being opened at night and when one of the staff stayed over she saw the cages opening .... but no one there, hence the call on Verity.  She discovers the culprit and the reason why the cages are being opened, now all she needs to do is reunite the ghost with their family and their dog and everything will be back to normal, just why does she have to go to the place known as Convict Bend in order to do that!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars... A heartwarming short story in the “Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries” series... Verity and Frankie must discover the ghostly presence at the local animal shelter and protect the animals at all costs... Neither believe they will stumble across a decades old missing child mystery and the possibility of bringing peace to a family... All in a days work for the local ghost whisperer... Another sweet read in this fun and intriguing series.:)

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is

So heartwarming! How could it not be. It has cats and dogs and a little ghost boy and his ghost dog! When Verity spoke to the boys parents, I cried. Love this series and the short stories in between!

[Mhairi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute short story for Verity and Frankie. It also pulls at the heart with the youngest ghost yet.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too short.

[Diana-christie Biancardi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't know it was in the middle of a series when I added it on Audible!

[Georgina Greenwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly emotional ending. Still loved it.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short heartwarming funny book. A skunk in a leash, gangster ghost, and at least one dog getting to heaven 💗💗

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short between the novels mystery about Verity Long and her resident ghost, Frankie. When the local animal rescue shelter begins having unexplained activities , one of the workers decides to consult Verity, known ghost hunter. In exchange for teaching her pet skunk how to walk with a leash, Verity takes on the case. During the night, someone is releasing the cages of the dogs and they are escaping. Frankie lends her his powers, and soon Verity discovers the ghost of a 9 year old boy, Parker, who has been dead for a decade. It turns out he is searching for his dog Bailey who has recently died. Since he rescued her from the shelter, he thought she would come back to the shelter and he could find her. Verity takes the situation in hand and talks to Parker until she discovers that he drowned on the river near a place called Convict's Bend. A harrowing trip to Convict's Bend with help from Frankie meets with threats from a convict ghost and the river itself.

This was a short story, but sweet because of Verity's helping the boy as well as going to see his parents and giving them peace. Followers of the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries won't want to miss this novella! Anyone who likes ghost stories-especially non-scary ones will enjoy this as well. I felt it was almost a ghostly love story, just not the typical romance. It makes you feel good inside as well as making you want to read more of Verity's adventures!

[Kristine (The Writer's Inkwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review was originally posted on The Writer's Inkwell

The novellas for this series are standout stars. This particular one has a weird placement in the series. Deader Homes and Gardens ends with a cliffhanger that picks up immediately with Sweet Tea and Spirits. Yet, this novella is considered #4.5. I’m a huge fan of continuity and this book can’t possibly be in between both books because the two books share a scene that connects them. That’s my only gripe about this novella, it’s in the wrong place in the series.

In this short story, Verity is tasked with finding out who is suddenly letting out the animals in a no kill shelter. As usual, Verity accepts the job without consulting Frankie and he’s highly upset to learn she’s being paid in skunk walking training. To be fair, I can agree. Especially since Verity frivolously used her payment to buy a harness for Lucy.

At the end of the day, Verity finds herself not only solving the mystery of who let the dogs out, but what happened to a young boy ten years earlier when he disappeared. It’s a touching little story and I enjoyed it.