Never Say Sty

Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery #7

by Linda O. Johnston

L.A. attorney and pet-sitter Kendra Ballantyne, Esq., has recently taken on a third job masterminding a new reality show. But things get messy when the hot new producer is suspected of murder.

Wealthy dreamboat and pet supply magnate Dante DeFrancisco thinks Kendra's the cat's pajamas. So one of his conditions--before he signed on as producer of her new reality show, Animal Auditions, is that she dine with him. The meal is delicious and the kiss is steamy--so why does Kendra have a hunch Dante's up to something?

Meanwhile, on Animal Auditions, pot-bellied pigs are to be judged by a panel. But things screech to a halt when a nasty judge is found strangled to death by a pig harness. The suspects include Kendra's cop friend, Ned, his sister . . . and Dante. For their sake--and that of the show--Kendra just work like a dog to clear their names. If only Dante didn't make such a sexy suspect.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Animals, Cozy

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

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

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was almost 2 stars. There were so many things wrong with this one, but it was still relatively fun and quick, so I stayed at 3.

I kinda loathed Kendra in this one. Early on when she's trying to figure out who Daryl is seeing, one of the WORST things she can think of about the person, as to the reason why he isn't telling her who it is, is that they're ugly. Seriously? WTF Kendra?

Also, I despite Dante. He's worse than Jeff, who I didn't like either. Or the vet. Blech. This is probably my least favorite of the series. But I have the last ones, so I'll get to them at some point. Probably soon so I can be done with this series.

[Whi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeff is on the outs and a new, richer, more successful, better looking, hotter, mysterious past, man named Dante sweeps in to take his place (yeah, right, but the character IS likeable) Dante owns (like there was another choice?) a mega pet store chain. And Ned the nasty cop is suddenly kind AND good looking. Ned and sister (What else) Neti Noralles have (wait for it -)
pet pigs!!! Potbellied, but still how hilarious. Her secondary story line ends up with a tv show as a solution, where tenant Rachel now works.
Killer turns out to be police officer Whelon who had lost his girl.
I like how the pet related aspects are all worked in, but perhaps naming the nasty judge Sebastian was a bit much.
Nice plot twists.

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kendra Ballantyne's idea for an animal reality show is coming to fruition with the help of her friends and a wealthy benefactor, the owner of a local pet mega-store HotPets Dante DeFrancisco. But then one of the judges is killed and everyone becomes a suspect, production and participants alike. The police assigned the case quickly zero in on two participants, a fellow cop and his sister, people that Kendra knows and believes innocent. She agrees to help them and, along with her ex-boyfriend and current maybe-boyfriend, follows a trail of angry and hostile people who have had contact with the deceased judge. When things finally begin clicking together, Kendra comes up with a clever scenario using the reality show to unveil the killer and vindicate her friends.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a pleasure to visit with Kendra and her adorable Lexie. This time they get embroiled in the death of a nasty judge on Animal Auditions. Kendra is determined to find the killer before someone else dies.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow and hard to get into.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never say Sty is a fun little title. So are the others in this Kendra Ballentyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery series by Linda O. Johnston—Sit, Stay, Slay; Fine-Feathered Death; Nothing to Fear but Ferrets, to name but a few. And the book has a very fun cover—sweet little puppy jumping through a hoop, except that on closer observation that puppy’s a piglet.

This isn’t the first book in the series, but the author does a good job of telling just enough to make the background make sense. Kendra works for law firm Yurick & Associates in her everyday life, but enjoys a second career as a pet-sitter, combining clever animal psychology with excellent people skills to earn an extra penny or two and keep the wolf from the several people’s doors. She’s also embarking on a third career promoting a new TV reality show where animals train and perform, and get voted off by audience and judges of course.

The show is financed by intriguing millionaire Dante DeFrancisco, who apparently likes Kendra for more than just her animal skills. And it’s judged by the usual trio of suspects, one of whom seems set to make a few too many enemies.

The combination of human and animal mysteries makes for a fun read and keeps the pages turning, even if Kendra does seem to fall too easily under the spell of Dante’s charms. The author’s timing, pushing each mystery a little way forwards then spinning back to another, is excellent, and whatever I thought I’d guessed as I read, there was always more to seek.

A very well-constructed tale, with pot-bellied pigs (yes, and dogs); I certainly enjoyed this and I’ll be looking out for more.

[Emmalee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Due to the library no longer having books 4, 5, and 6 it's on to book 7. So something happened between her and Jeff. No biggie, Kendra moves on. However, the whirlwind romance between her and Dante is ridiculous. Also, the complete trust in both Dante and his buddy with the mysterious security background is ridiculous. Why on earth would she suddenly throw over any trust in jeff's company? She uses Jeff's employee and good friend Athelea as a security consult, but totally ignores one of the judges strange behavior and doesn't even bother to try and investigate. Lots of holes in this one.

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, and it's nice to see Kendra expanding her dating horizons a bit. But such a controlling pretty boy? I remain to be convinced, but am happy to see that Darryl is finally allowed to renounce his implicit vow of celibacy. I can't wait to learn more about De Francisco and Boyd's backstory--as there's likely something murky going on there.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. These Pet Sitter Mysteries are lighter cozies with a good sense of humor, but not TOO fluffy. The plot was interesting, and I was glad to see some new characters added to the mix. I'm curious to see how they develop in the next book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Say Sty
Linda O. Johnston
Mystery
295 pages
copyright: 2009
isbn: 978-0-425-22704-6

I will definetly be reading more books by this author. She always keep you wondering what is going to happen next.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes cozy mysteries.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had not read any other books in this series and was surprised to see this was #7. The one thing I hated was that the author would reintroduce you to characters like you'd forgotten them, like a neighbor of one of her petwalking jaunts. Truly annoying, yet a good series.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. For me, it was the first introduction to a series that is obviously well-formed. I loved the pot-belly pig angle.

The career path of the sleuth is very creative and interesting. Life is about choices and that is spelled out clearly within this book.

Very enjoyable.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A: Hadn't read this series for awhile and slid right back into Kendra's pet sitting and legal adventures. She has a new love interest this time as she's involved with her new reality show, pot bellied pigs, and her ex.

[Janet Armentani · Rating 4 out of 5]

so good that once i started i could not put it down until i was at the end!

[Anne-Kathrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book :) Looking forward to the next book in the series :)

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 - Not Bad

[Sarah Murphy]

Not so crazy about trained pot-bellied pigs, but it was cute.