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Wagging Tail Mystery #1
Murder at Pooch Park
A canine-loving sleuth. A detective barking up the wrong tree. It’s a race against time to follow the scent and find the murderer before someone else ends up dead.
Nikki Green thought muddy paws and furry scuffles were the worst troubles she’d encounter at the local dog park. So, she’s shocked when her client’s German Shepherd sniffs out her friend’s dead body. And her confusion only grows when the hunky detective who helped her through a life-changing experience years ago treats her like a total stranger. But with her friend’s killer on the loose, she has little time to ponder the mystery of his baffling behavior.
Side-by-side with her canine companions, she searches for the killer and discovers her detective pal wasn’t the only one acting strangely. To find her friend’s murderer, Nikki must dig through a web of secrets and suspects before the killer strikes again.
Murder at Pooch Park is the first novel in the Wagging Tail Cozy Mystery series. The prequel to the series, Murder at Pawprint Creek is available as part of the Summer Snoops and Cozy Crimes: 12 Mysteries for the Dog Days of Summer anthology. The stories can be read in any order. If you like quirky characters, crafty canines, and twists and turns that will keep you glued to the page, then you’ll love Cindy Bell’s heartwarming, tail wagging whodunits.
Buy Murder at Pooch Park to unleash a twisty mystery today!
Nikki Green thought muddy paws and furry scuffles were the worst troubles she’d encounter at the local dog park. So, she’s shocked when her client’s German Shepherd sniffs out her friend’s dead body. And her confusion only grows when the hunky detective who helped her through a life-changing experience years ago treats her like a total stranger. But with her friend’s killer on the loose, she has little time to ponder the mystery of his baffling behavior.
Side-by-side with her canine companions, she searches for the killer and discovers her detective pal wasn’t the only one acting strangely. To find her friend’s murderer, Nikki must dig through a web of secrets and suspects before the killer strikes again.
Murder at Pooch Park is the first novel in the Wagging Tail Cozy Mystery series. The prequel to the series, Murder at Pawprint Creek is available as part of the Summer Snoops and Cozy Crimes: 12 Mysteries for the Dog Days of Summer anthology. The stories can be read in any order. If you like quirky characters, crafty canines, and twists and turns that will keep you glued to the page, then you’ll love Cindy Bell’s heartwarming, tail wagging whodunits.
Buy Murder at Pooch Park to unleash a twisty mystery today!
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2018
976 people are currently reading
504 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 10, 2018
When Nikki was walking her dogs at Pooch Park – she was a pet walker, so they weren’t really hers – Coco, the German Shepherd, normally well-behaved, lunged forward, barking. The subsequent discovery of Nikki’s friend, Chelsea’s body was a dreadful shock, and started an investigation which would lead Nikki into danger herself.
Detective Quinn Grant was in charge of the responding team of police, and Nikki realized she knew him from many years ago. But it was obvious Quinn didn’t recognize her. As Nikki searched for clues to her friend’s death, Quinn conducted his own intensive investigation. Would Nikki find the killer? Or would she be the next victim?
Murder at Pooch Park is a quirky, fast-paced and fun cosy mystery by Cindy Bell which I thoroughly enjoyed. While Nikki continued to take silly risks – to the stage of me rolling my eyes and muttering “seriously?!” – she loved her pooches and did a good job for her clients. Recommended.
Detective Quinn Grant was in charge of the responding team of police, and Nikki realized she knew him from many years ago. But it was obvious Quinn didn’t recognize her. As Nikki searched for clues to her friend’s death, Quinn conducted his own intensive investigation. Would Nikki find the killer? Or would she be the next victim?
Murder at Pooch Park is a quirky, fast-paced and fun cosy mystery by Cindy Bell which I thoroughly enjoyed. While Nikki continued to take silly risks – to the stage of me rolling my eyes and muttering “seriously?!” – she loved her pooches and did a good job for her clients. Recommended.
June 11, 2021
Giving this a 3 star because although it wasn't a bad mystery especially cosy mystery it didn't leave me fully satisfied something was missing from this.
November 28, 2018
such a fun mystery read. funny at times ... humorous to me. a laughter is the best. but i guess we all find many things funny at different moments. great style, i will read more from Cindy soon enough. i see there are 2 books in this series ... can't wait for more.
October 12, 2018
An enjoyable mystery. The only thing that jars is why the heroine puts her life deliberately in danger. With all the abuse against women nowadays it seems such a foolish thing to do.
May 15, 2019
This has to be one of the worst books I've ever read and I have read thousands of books! The character development was practically non-existent, background stories were ridiculous and story lines popped up out of no where! The sentences were too short, I mean, use a comma, it won't hurt you. Also, the paragraphs were not broken up like they should be. So, my review is, not only was the story bizarre and convoluted, but the writing felt grade school'ish. I think the author used a thesaurus for every adjective she wrote. I rarely write book reviews, but I had to with this one. I should have stopped reading it, but honestly, there's never been a book that I haven't finished and I had to see what kind of ending this book had. Like the rest of the book, it has bad, really, really bad!
November 29, 2018
When the fur flys
Nickkie is in hot pursuit when her friend is murdered.
Then fur bristles between her and the dective on the case.
But who does a girl trust with all the suspects as they get more mysterious,
and all the crazy twists as the plot thickens. Nickkie realises she's on her own,
with only her trusty dogs to trust in all the kayoss around her. This is a very good mystery to read.
Debra H.
Nickkie is in hot pursuit when her friend is murdered.
Then fur bristles between her and the dective on the case.
But who does a girl trust with all the suspects as they get more mysterious,
and all the crazy twists as the plot thickens. Nickkie realises she's on her own,
with only her trusty dogs to trust in all the kayoss around her. This is a very good mystery to read.
Debra H.
February 17, 2022
Murder at Pooch Park by Cindy Bell is the first of the "Wagging Tail" cozy mystery series, and it's told in first-person point of view by Nikki Green, dog walker extraordinaire.
While walking dogs one morning, Nikki stumbles across the body of her friend, Chelsea, in the park where she likes to let the dogs burn off some energy. As if that wasn't bad enough, the detective in charge of the case, Quinn, doesn't seem to remember Nikki, even though he was instrumental in an event from her teen years. Nikki doesn't know who would have wanted to kill Chelsea, but when she begins asking questions, she finds out she didn't know Chelsea as well as she thought she did. As the official investigation stalls, Nikki refuses to give up on the case. She wants justice for Chelsea, and she's determined to find out who killed her.
This story was inane, for lack of a better word. The protagonist had no real reason to investigate. Sure, Nikki and Chelsea were friends, but they weren't besties, and I got the impression they hadn't known one another long. Second, Nikki took some extremely foolish risks in the course of her sleuthing, including ineptly following three surly, burly men to see where they were headed. It got worse. SPOILERS!!! Less than 48 hours into the investigation, Quinn called Nikki to notify her that the case was closed, due to lack of evidence. What the flippin' f*ck?! Does the author know NOTHING about murder investigations? No case is ever truly closed until it's solved, as evidenced by the occasional 'cold cases' we see in the news that have been solved after decades. Good grief, woman. Second, as someone who grew up in a small town, I can say for certainty that you knew everyone at your high school. Quinn may not have recognized Nikki when he first saw her, but once he learned her name, he would have known who she was. Vexing. Certain things were never explained. For instance, the police determined that Chelsea wasn't murdered where her body was located, but we never did learn where she was killed nor why the killer would have put her body where Nikki found her. Also, I could have sworn that both Calvin and Quinn asked Nikki to dinner 'later that night', but she doodled through the rest of her day/evening and went to bed that night, then got ready for her date the following night. I wasn't invested enough to go back and double-check, but since my eyebrows climbed when she just went home that first night, I'm 90% sure I'm correct. Editing, people!
The story was sloppy and would have benefited from both editing and polish. Giving it a generous two stars.
While walking dogs one morning, Nikki stumbles across the body of her friend, Chelsea, in the park where she likes to let the dogs burn off some energy. As if that wasn't bad enough, the detective in charge of the case, Quinn, doesn't seem to remember Nikki, even though he was instrumental in an event from her teen years. Nikki doesn't know who would have wanted to kill Chelsea, but when she begins asking questions, she finds out she didn't know Chelsea as well as she thought she did. As the official investigation stalls, Nikki refuses to give up on the case. She wants justice for Chelsea, and she's determined to find out who killed her.
This story was inane, for lack of a better word. The protagonist had no real reason to investigate. Sure, Nikki and Chelsea were friends, but they weren't besties, and I got the impression they hadn't known one another long. Second, Nikki took some extremely foolish risks in the course of her sleuthing, including ineptly following three surly, burly men to see where they were headed. It got worse. SPOILERS!!! Less than 48 hours into the investigation, Quinn called Nikki to notify her that the case was closed, due to lack of evidence. What the flippin' f*ck?! Does the author know NOTHING about murder investigations? No case is ever truly closed until it's solved, as evidenced by the occasional 'cold cases' we see in the news that have been solved after decades. Good grief, woman. Second, as someone who grew up in a small town, I can say for certainty that you knew everyone at your high school. Quinn may not have recognized Nikki when he first saw her, but once he learned her name, he would have known who she was. Vexing. Certain things were never explained. For instance, the police determined that Chelsea wasn't murdered where her body was located, but we never did learn where she was killed nor why the killer would have put her body where Nikki found her. Also, I could have sworn that both Calvin and Quinn asked Nikki to dinner 'later that night', but she doodled through the rest of her day/evening and went to bed that night, then got ready for her date the following night. I wasn't invested enough to go back and double-check, but since my eyebrows climbed when she just went home that first night, I'm 90% sure I'm correct. Editing, people!
The story was sloppy and would have benefited from both editing and polish. Giving it a generous two stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2022
I enjoyed this book. It is a nice cozy mystery with a lot of bark and it is off to a good start as a new series. The mystery was interesting with plenty of suspects and waggy tails to keep it interesting. I did feel the story needed a bit more explanation as to what the bad guys were up to buy that might just have been me. I liked the fact that the main character is a dog walker, it's an unusual occupation but lends it's self to plenty of story plots, as well as adding humour- with the dogs behaviour and there kooky owners. I liked the characters and had my suspicions of who the bad guy was but it was more of a hunch than puts the clues together. Just a fun mystery.
Nikki is surprised her friend isn't in her usual place taking photos when she hears out for her morning walk, as a dog walker. When one of her regulars gets excited she soon discovers why. But who would want to kill her? Was it wrong place at the wrong time? A robbery or something more personal? The police investigation gets shut down pretty quickly when rumours begin to fly? Was it her connect to a political figure or just a rich family trying to protect themselves? Anyway she looks at it, if Nikki wants to find out who killed her friend then she will have to do it herself.
Nikki is surprised her friend isn't in her usual place taking photos when she hears out for her morning walk, as a dog walker. When one of her regulars gets excited she soon discovers why. But who would want to kill her? Was it wrong place at the wrong time? A robbery or something more personal? The police investigation gets shut down pretty quickly when rumours begin to fly? Was it her connect to a political figure or just a rich family trying to protect themselves? Anyway she looks at it, if Nikki wants to find out who killed her friend then she will have to do it herself.
July 20, 2018
Murder at Pooch Park by Cindy Bell is an entertaining read where we get to meet Nikki, pet sitter who while walking dogs in the local park finds dead body of her friend.
Bewildered and shaken she is even more stunned when the police show up because detective in charge is no other than old high school crush who doesn’t even remember her.
Than to make things even more heartbreaking she realizes while talking to others that her friend has not revealed everything about herself and has kept some very important facts all to herself.
Nikki decides to investigate herself thinking that police might not be doing all they can as she seems to be their main suspect.
If you are in for an light and enjoyable book and not too concerned with actual police procedure but are looking for the pleasurable story this is the perfect choice.
Bewildered and shaken she is even more stunned when the police show up because detective in charge is no other than old high school crush who doesn’t even remember her.
Than to make things even more heartbreaking she realizes while talking to others that her friend has not revealed everything about herself and has kept some very important facts all to herself.
Nikki decides to investigate herself thinking that police might not be doing all they can as she seems to be their main suspect.
If you are in for an light and enjoyable book and not too concerned with actual police procedure but are looking for the pleasurable story this is the perfect choice.
July 27, 2018
Nikki Green has chosen a path of dog walking and sitting until she decides what she wants to do with her life. She is satisfied picking up her usual crew of dogs every morning and walking them toward the more elite neighborhood which includes Pooch Park. Some of the mansions are gated, some even have guard shacks. Nikki has befriended a new artist named Chelsea. When walking the dogs one morning, Coco, a German shepherd becomes very agitated and discovers Chelsea's body at the edge of Pooch Park.
The story has the usual twists and turns. Detective Quinn Grant is investigating the murder. Nikki keeps having flashbacks to her high school days when Quinn helped her. It appears to Nikki he doesn't remember her.
The characters are all interesting and an enjoyable story for cozy mystery readers.
The story has the usual twists and turns. Detective Quinn Grant is investigating the murder. Nikki keeps having flashbacks to her high school days when Quinn helped her. It appears to Nikki he doesn't remember her.
The characters are all interesting and an enjoyable story for cozy mystery readers.
July 19, 2018
Photographs, paintings and dogs
A good solid cozy. She might not be doing what others think is worthwhile but dog walking and pet sitting suits her down to the ground. As she is introvert, shy and uncomfortable being in the limelight. However today has not gone as planned. The dogs have led her to discovering the body of a friend. When the investigation into the death looks as if it has been shut, she takes matters into her own hands. Her friend deserves justice! Can she find out all the secrets her friend hid from her? Which secret led to her death? A nice plot but I had guessed the killer from the start, unfortunately. Whilst the characters were well developed and I really like the hero, I must admit that the heroine was just too timid for me.
A good solid cozy. She might not be doing what others think is worthwhile but dog walking and pet sitting suits her down to the ground. As she is introvert, shy and uncomfortable being in the limelight. However today has not gone as planned. The dogs have led her to discovering the body of a friend. When the investigation into the death looks as if it has been shut, she takes matters into her own hands. Her friend deserves justice! Can she find out all the secrets her friend hid from her? Which secret led to her death? A nice plot but I had guessed the killer from the start, unfortunately. Whilst the characters were well developed and I really like the hero, I must admit that the heroine was just too timid for me.
February 9, 2022
Missing Too Many Details
This is the first in a series, but there is a prequel available in an anthology. This is a pretty good little cozy mystery. There are plenty of dogs and lots of things going on. I have 2 major objections. Our heroine is 23 years old, lives in her hometown, and her parents and family are rarely mentioned – are they alive? The final resolution of the crime does not tell us what was going on that the victim was murdered. On a lesser note, we learn some about the past between our main character and the detective, but it really falls flat. I wanted more all the way around. I am going to read the prequel because I have it. I will decide about reading more of this author's work after that.
This is the first in a series, but there is a prequel available in an anthology. This is a pretty good little cozy mystery. There are plenty of dogs and lots of things going on. I have 2 major objections. Our heroine is 23 years old, lives in her hometown, and her parents and family are rarely mentioned – are they alive? The final resolution of the crime does not tell us what was going on that the victim was murdered. On a lesser note, we learn some about the past between our main character and the detective, but it really falls flat. I wanted more all the way around. I am going to read the prequel because I have it. I will decide about reading more of this author's work after that.
July 25, 2018
Nikki, a dog walker had her client’s dog at a rather ritzy dog park where it sniffed out and discovered her friends' dead body. The Detective which she had previous dealings with acted like he didn’t even know her. I really enjoyed reading about Nikki hearing how she loved animals and her friend. When she thought justice wasn’t complete she took matters into her own hands. She takes the dogs and begins her own investigation to solve her friends murder. I didn’t care for the way she didn’t trust the Detective Grant to do his job. She assumed he wasn’t doing his job but he was looking for facts.
August 4, 2018
MURDER AT POOCH PARK
WOW-WEE-WOW This is my first book I've read by Cindy Bell. I can guarantee it won't be the last I loved the wonderful characters, the plot, easy reading. The only downside is having to wait for the next book in the series...if the other books by Cindy is as good I've got at least 10 series to reading love finding new, to me, authors. I'm not all that good at writing reviews but I sure know a good enjoyable book when I read it AND I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED MURDER AT POOCH PARK...
WOW-WEE-WOW This is my first book I've read by Cindy Bell. I can guarantee it won't be the last I loved the wonderful characters, the plot, easy reading. The only downside is having to wait for the next book in the series...if the other books by Cindy is as good I've got at least 10 series to reading love finding new, to me, authors. I'm not all that good at writing reviews but I sure know a good enjoyable book when I read it AND I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED MURDER AT POOCH PARK...
November 29, 2018
Nikki Green encounters her friend's dead body at the local dog park and when the hunky detective who helped her through a life-changing experience years ago treats her like a total stranger and thinks she could be a suspect she sets out to find her friend’s killer. This story is fast paced and the side characters are great to get to know. Nikki is a likeable character and the descriptions are good. I did realize who the murderer was about half way through the book but a great read and I am looking forward to reading more.
November 5, 2018
Enjoyable read
Nikki is a dog walker despite her diminutive size. One day her client's German shepherd alerts her to her friend's murdered body. She is determined to do her own investigating and comparing notes with hunky detective Quinn who (much to her dismay) doesn't seem to remember her from uears ago. Quinn always seems to turn up just at the right time when Nikki gets into strife a few times. Enjoyable characters and recommended for anyone who loves cozy mysteries.
Nikki is a dog walker despite her diminutive size. One day her client's German shepherd alerts her to her friend's murdered body. She is determined to do her own investigating and comparing notes with hunky detective Quinn who (much to her dismay) doesn't seem to remember her from uears ago. Quinn always seems to turn up just at the right time when Nikki gets into strife a few times. Enjoyable characters and recommended for anyone who loves cozy mysteries.
January 14, 2019
I read the book until the end but honestly I wonder why I bothered. I really found Nikki the main character annoying and childish. Why should the detective in charge report back to her about his findings when the case has just been opened??? So much of the book didn't make sense including the case being closed after a few days for lack on evidence although the victim's apt was broken into the day before...
July 13, 2021
Underdeveloped, but has potential
Nikki seems like she could be a charming character, and the pooches are perfect, but the writing is rather unfinished. The characters need further sketching to be engaging; the mystery has several intriguing possibilities that are left dangling; and the setting provides no sense of place. This is well edited, though, and might be an enjoyable read for teens.
Nikki seems like she could be a charming character, and the pooches are perfect, but the writing is rather unfinished. The characters need further sketching to be engaging; the mystery has several intriguing possibilities that are left dangling; and the setting provides no sense of place. This is well edited, though, and might be an enjoyable read for teens.
February 10, 2022
solid start
I felt like this was an OK start to a Mystery series, I love the small-town feel, but I had hope for more diversity, maybe it will happen down the road. The pace of the story is a little bit fast, but nothing feels overly rushed, I enjoyed the characters, and hope that we get to see more growth in the following books in the series, overall I definitely want to read more from this author.
I felt like this was an OK start to a Mystery series, I love the small-town feel, but I had hope for more diversity, maybe it will happen down the road. The pace of the story is a little bit fast, but nothing feels overly rushed, I enjoyed the characters, and hope that we get to see more growth in the following books in the series, overall I definitely want to read more from this author.
April 1, 2024
Cute story
This was a cute cozy mystery. But I think it could have been spaced better. It seemed like the first 70% of the book, went super slow, and then the last 30% everything kinda smooshed together. The main character also seemed kinda wishy-washy. The book did seem to be edited very well. There wasn't a bunch of typos and misspelled words like a lot of cozy mysteries now a days.
This was a cute cozy mystery. But I think it could have been spaced better. It seemed like the first 70% of the book, went super slow, and then the last 30% everything kinda smooshed together. The main character also seemed kinda wishy-washy. The book did seem to be edited very well. There wasn't a bunch of typos and misspelled words like a lot of cozy mysteries now a days.
July 26, 2018
Very nice cozy mystery with lots of suspense, a determined amateur sleuth who is surprised to find that her high school hero is the town detective, leashes full of dogs, and a wide assortment of characters. The publisher's blurb gives hints and there is no need for spoilers. I enjoyed it very much!
May 25, 2020
Great Mystery
Cindy Bell writes a great mystery with likable characters. This was a fast paced, on the edge of your seat story. No one can get into a mess quite like Nikki does and have a handsome hero rescue her. A truly fun adventure. Can't wait to start the next book in this series.
Cindy Bell writes a great mystery with likable characters. This was a fast paced, on the edge of your seat story. No one can get into a mess quite like Nikki does and have a handsome hero rescue her. A truly fun adventure. Can't wait to start the next book in this series.
March 6, 2022
Nikki Green, dog walker, finds the body of her friend. Well, one of the dogs does.
Who would want to kill Chelsea? What had she done or seen? Was she really married to this creep? What is going on in this high-class neighborhood?
There are plenty of clues for the reader to pick up on and one or two false leads. All-in-all, a good read for a cold windy day in March.
Who would want to kill Chelsea? What had she done or seen? Was she really married to this creep? What is going on in this high-class neighborhood?
There are plenty of clues for the reader to pick up on and one or two false leads. All-in-all, a good read for a cold windy day in March.
April 24, 2022
Nikki is a dog walker and pet-sitter. One day, she was walking the dogs at Pooch Park, where the dogs discovered something in the bushes: the dead body of her friend.
When the newbie detective in town suspects Nikki, she sets off to find the killer herself.
Between a secret husband, a powerful father, and an enemy, who could’ve killed her friend?
An interesting and enjoyable mystery!
When the newbie detective in town suspects Nikki, she sets off to find the killer herself.
Between a secret husband, a powerful father, and an enemy, who could’ve killed her friend?
An interesting and enjoyable mystery!
February 12, 2025
I enjoyed the frost book in this series
I like this first book in the Wagging Tail Cozy Mystery. The story was captivating and suspenseful. It was also a quick and easy read. Quinn sure had a good sense of timing. Maybe he should get Nikki a tracking devise implanted. She is nosey and gets herself in Jam daily. I look forward to book #2.
Robert Ericksen
I like this first book in the Wagging Tail Cozy Mystery. The story was captivating and suspenseful. It was also a quick and easy read. Quinn sure had a good sense of timing. Maybe he should get Nikki a tracking devise implanted. She is nosey and gets herself in Jam daily. I look forward to book #2.
Robert Ericksen
July 21, 2018
Good Start
I have enjoyed every book and series by Cindy Bell. I like Nikki and Quinn together. A series about a dog walker sounds like fun. Looking forward to the changes in the characters. Good first book in a new series.
I have enjoyed every book and series by Cindy Bell. I like Nikki and Quinn together. A series about a dog walker sounds like fun. Looking forward to the changes in the characters. Good first book in a new series.
July 25, 2018
Another great story.
I enjoyed it. She's a good writer. I have thoroughly read several of her stories in different series she has written and I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. Well worth the read.
I enjoyed it. She's a good writer. I have thoroughly read several of her stories in different series she has written and I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. Well worth the read.
July 27, 2018
A Nice Cozy
Suspense,twists and turns pulls you through this cozy mystery.
I loved the storyline and I am anxious for the next book in the series.
Nikki is an interesting character and I hope we see more of Quinn and all the dogs.
Cozy mystery fans will love this book.
Suspense,twists and turns pulls you through this cozy mystery.
I loved the storyline and I am anxious for the next book in the series.
Nikki is an interesting character and I hope we see more of Quinn and all the dogs.
Cozy mystery fans will love this book.
October 10, 2018
A great mystery to read. It has a lot of twists and turns. With many
suspects that just keep getting deeper. Clues running rampant and the fur flyer between dective Nickkie. So who does a girl trust in all the kayoss, why her dogs of course. A very fun mystery to read. D. H.
suspects that just keep getting deeper. Clues running rampant and the fur flyer between dective Nickkie. So who does a girl trust in all the kayoss, why her dogs of course. A very fun mystery to read. D. H.
December 7, 2018
Good idea
A good idea for a cozy series set-up (dog walker), and the murder mystery itself was interesting. However the writing could use a major edit and the detective/heroine storyline and the heroine's actions are quite hackneyed.
A good idea for a cozy series set-up (dog walker), and the murder mystery itself was interesting. However the writing could use a major edit and the detective/heroine storyline and the heroine's actions are quite hackneyed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews