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A Pet Communicator Cozy Mystery #1
Dogs Don't Lie
An animal communicator. Murder. Furry witnesses with a story to tell…
I’m Dr. Kallie Collins, a veterinarian who can communicate with animals. No, it’s not as crazy as it sounds. Yes, it has landed me smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation.
It all starts with a bone.
A dog digs up the bone.
A detective wants the bone.
The dog wants to keep the bone.
That’s where I come in.
Instead of tranquilizing the dog as the skeptical detective suggests, I use an animal-communication technique and Voila! Tail wagging, the dog drops the bone, then leads me to the location of a complete human skeleton. Sheesh!
Now I’m up to my ears in four-legged witnesses and trying to figure out who the killer is before it’s too late and another person disappears.
I’m just hoping it won’t be me.
I’m Dr. Kallie Collins, a veterinarian who can communicate with animals. No, it’s not as crazy as it sounds. Yes, it has landed me smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation.
It all starts with a bone.
A dog digs up the bone.
A detective wants the bone.
The dog wants to keep the bone.
That’s where I come in.
Instead of tranquilizing the dog as the skeptical detective suggests, I use an animal-communication technique and Voila! Tail wagging, the dog drops the bone, then leads me to the location of a complete human skeleton. Sheesh!
Now I’m up to my ears in four-legged witnesses and trying to figure out who the killer is before it’s too late and another person disappears.
I’m just hoping it won’t be me.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2019
332 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
April 9, 2020
Loved this quick, cozy mystery about a vet who can communicate with animals. Kallie is a sweet character who only wants to help animals and humans alike. With the help of a hunky police detective, Kallie uncovers a murder and a plot to defraud elderly landowners of their property.
The pace is quick, the characters are fun, and the story is well plotted. The premise of a veterinarian who can talk to the animals is very entertaining.
I will follow this author for more enjoyable reads.
The pace is quick, the characters are fun, and the story is well plotted. The premise of a veterinarian who can talk to the animals is very entertaining.
I will follow this author for more enjoyable reads.
October 25, 2019
Dogs Don’t Lie
Lisa Shay
5 Stars
Synopsis:
On call at Crater Emergency Animal Hospital, I, Doctor Kallie Collins, receive a curious request from the sheriff’s department. I’m to meet with a detective at a small ranch outside of town.
You see, there’s this dog with a bone he’s not willing to part with.
On scene, the dog tells me the bone is human. Actually, he shows me the location of the body, complete with a human skull, through an animal-communication technique I learned a couple years ago. Now I have to explain how this works to the detective, convincing him I’m not the murderer.
Who knew a simple farm visit would put me in the middle of a murder investigation? Well, I did kinda jump into this mess. I had to. I know what happened. The two four-legged witnesses to the murder told me.
And I’m the only one listening. (Goodreads)
Review:
I am so glad that I read this book, I enjoyed it so much. The characters are great, the animals adorable and the mystery hard to solve. What more can you ask for?
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Kallie is a vet who happens to be able to talk with animals. What a great ability to have, especially in her line of work. I enjoyed meeting Kallie and her friends and the animals added so much. Sam, Grace and Kallie find themselves in plenty of hot water and made for some very funny moments.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all the action taking place. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and red herrings thrown in and it was not easy to solve.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I really hope this is the start of a series because I want to spend more time with Kallie and her friends and animals.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Lisa Shay
5 Stars
Synopsis:
On call at Crater Emergency Animal Hospital, I, Doctor Kallie Collins, receive a curious request from the sheriff’s department. I’m to meet with a detective at a small ranch outside of town.
You see, there’s this dog with a bone he’s not willing to part with.
On scene, the dog tells me the bone is human. Actually, he shows me the location of the body, complete with a human skull, through an animal-communication technique I learned a couple years ago. Now I have to explain how this works to the detective, convincing him I’m not the murderer.
Who knew a simple farm visit would put me in the middle of a murder investigation? Well, I did kinda jump into this mess. I had to. I know what happened. The two four-legged witnesses to the murder told me.
And I’m the only one listening. (Goodreads)
Review:
I am so glad that I read this book, I enjoyed it so much. The characters are great, the animals adorable and the mystery hard to solve. What more can you ask for?
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Kallie is a vet who happens to be able to talk with animals. What a great ability to have, especially in her line of work. I enjoyed meeting Kallie and her friends and the animals added so much. Sam, Grace and Kallie find themselves in plenty of hot water and made for some very funny moments.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all the action taking place. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and red herrings thrown in and it was not easy to solve.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I really hope this is the start of a series because I want to spend more time with Kallie and her friends and animals.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
October 7, 2019
Veterinarians supposed to be good with animals but Kallie has an edge - she can communicate with her patients and this ability leads her into a murder mystery that just might be her last appointment!
The book was enjoyable on so many levels - I love animal characters in mysteries and this book had wonderful two and four legged characters, the main character was likable, the family and friends were well written and realistic, the romance was secondary to the mystery and Ariel and Ella (animal crime solvers) were charming!
The mystery was a challenge to figure out (I didn't until the author revealed "whodunit") and the "red herrings" were perfect! My only thought that wasn't positive was that maybe Kallie could not take as many risks in solving a mystery. However, that won't keep me from getting the next book!
I received an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of the book.
The book was enjoyable on so many levels - I love animal characters in mysteries and this book had wonderful two and four legged characters, the main character was likable, the family and friends were well written and realistic, the romance was secondary to the mystery and Ariel and Ella (animal crime solvers) were charming!
The mystery was a challenge to figure out (I didn't until the author revealed "whodunit") and the "red herrings" were perfect! My only thought that wasn't positive was that maybe Kallie could not take as many risks in solving a mystery. However, that won't keep me from getting the next book!
I received an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of the book.
November 22, 2019
Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.
Dr. Kallie Collins is proud of her job as a veterinarian in a rural Oregon community. If only her mother was as proud! Kallie's mom is more interesting in fixing Kallie up with any available, professional man. Fortunately Kallie's job keeps her busy and on call so she can duck out of an unwanted blind date when needed. As luck would have it, Kallie is called from her family's awkward (NOT intimate family) gathering to assist the Jackson County Sheriff's department. Her talents as an animal communicator are needed to persuade a dog to part with a bone that looks suspiciously human. Kallie is able to convince the dog to not only part with the bone but show her where he found it. Unfortunately for the Sheriff's department, the bone wasn't alone and did indeed belong to a human. Soon Kallie is involved in the mystery of the dead man when Detective Ben Jackson needs Kallie's special talents again to speak with the presumed victim's pets. Kallie finds herself in the spotlight and also the target of some threats as she tries to piece together what happened to the man and the strange business he was involved in.
I really enjoyed this mystery. It's not quite a cozy, more of an amateur sleuth crime novel. A cozy usually centers around a small town and spends a lot of time world building but this one dives right in with the mystery beginning on page 8. It's not your average whodunnit, in fact thanks to Kallie's special talent the animals reveal what happened. It's up to Detective Johnson and Kallie to put the pieces together. My only major complaint about this novel is that it's long and complicated. I had to skim a lot of the details towards the end and am left with a bit of confusion. This book may warrant a second reading.
The animals are my favorite part of this novel, especially Ariel the Corgi-Terrier mix (the adorable baby on the cover). They communicate with Kallie in a realistic way. I've heard of animal communicators before. Kallie doesn't claim to be psychic or think what she does is that hard. She gets visual impressions from the animal's point-of-view and tries to interpret that for humans.
I like Kallie too. I feel bad for her that in 2018 people except her to be a male and older and her mother thinks her career isn't valid. Kallie seems to love her job. She's kind and sympathetic with the animals. Kallie is able to keep her distance from her family while still remaining close. She knows how to deal with her mother's matchmaking schemes without drama. I did not like how she decided to investigate and how she made a really stupid rookie mistake that could have had dangerous consequences. Her friend Gracie is crazy and seems to think investigating a mystery is fun and exciting. I like their friend Sam better. She's an ER nurse and knows first hand how dangerous the real world can be. Sam is the voice of reason. I think the three of them mucked up the entire investigation because of their meddling.
Detective Johnson is a good guy in spite of not being fully comfortable around animals. I do hate how "city slickers" are stereotyped in these novels. I'm from the city/suburbs but I'm not stupid. Even city people have pets and city people can watch TV and movies, read books and are aware of how to dress for the country. Ben and Kallie's first meeting is a little awkward because he's a professional doing his job. He didn't have to be a city stereotype. Ben seems like a good guy. He's intelligent and cares about the people involved in the mystery. Ben respects Kallie and her talent, even when he doesn't quite believe in it. I think he cares a lot for Kallie too! There's a hint of a romance brewing between them. Tara, the deputy, is a strong female character who is intelligent enough to spot potential corruption and go after it. She is really dedicated to helping the community and any ego she may have is checked at the door. I really like her.
The animal hospital where Kallie works takes the place of the small town in this mystery. Eric seems like a fun co-worker and he also seems to be an animal lover. Kallie's boss is a bit tough. She seems a little scared of him. I don't believe his decisions were based on what was best for Kallie but more about what was best for his practice.
The big mystery seems to be who is Mr. Wheedon and what is his involvement in the mystery. This seems to be the weak link in the plot at the end when all is revealed. His associates are pretty nasty people without scruples or morals.
I recommend this to people who don't care for silly cozies, for animal lovers and mystery lovers. Kallie is a fan of Lilian Jackson Braun and other cozy mysteries so if you like Kinsey, you may like Kallie. I would like to read more about Kallie and her animal friends.
Dr. Kallie Collins is proud of her job as a veterinarian in a rural Oregon community. If only her mother was as proud! Kallie's mom is more interesting in fixing Kallie up with any available, professional man. Fortunately Kallie's job keeps her busy and on call so she can duck out of an unwanted blind date when needed. As luck would have it, Kallie is called from her family's awkward (NOT intimate family) gathering to assist the Jackson County Sheriff's department. Her talents as an animal communicator are needed to persuade a dog to part with a bone that looks suspiciously human. Kallie is able to convince the dog to not only part with the bone but show her where he found it. Unfortunately for the Sheriff's department, the bone wasn't alone and did indeed belong to a human. Soon Kallie is involved in the mystery of the dead man when Detective Ben Jackson needs Kallie's special talents again to speak with the presumed victim's pets. Kallie finds herself in the spotlight and also the target of some threats as she tries to piece together what happened to the man and the strange business he was involved in.
I really enjoyed this mystery. It's not quite a cozy, more of an amateur sleuth crime novel. A cozy usually centers around a small town and spends a lot of time world building but this one dives right in with the mystery beginning on page 8. It's not your average whodunnit, in fact thanks to Kallie's special talent the animals reveal what happened. It's up to Detective Johnson and Kallie to put the pieces together. My only major complaint about this novel is that it's long and complicated. I had to skim a lot of the details towards the end and am left with a bit of confusion. This book may warrant a second reading.
The animals are my favorite part of this novel, especially Ariel the Corgi-Terrier mix (the adorable baby on the cover). They communicate with Kallie in a realistic way. I've heard of animal communicators before. Kallie doesn't claim to be psychic or think what she does is that hard. She gets visual impressions from the animal's point-of-view and tries to interpret that for humans.
I like Kallie too. I feel bad for her that in 2018 people except her to be a male and older and her mother thinks her career isn't valid. Kallie seems to love her job. She's kind and sympathetic with the animals. Kallie is able to keep her distance from her family while still remaining close. She knows how to deal with her mother's matchmaking schemes without drama. I did not like how she decided to investigate and how she made a really stupid rookie mistake that could have had dangerous consequences. Her friend Gracie is crazy and seems to think investigating a mystery is fun and exciting. I like their friend Sam better. She's an ER nurse and knows first hand how dangerous the real world can be. Sam is the voice of reason. I think the three of them mucked up the entire investigation because of their meddling.
Detective Johnson is a good guy in spite of not being fully comfortable around animals. I do hate how "city slickers" are stereotyped in these novels. I'm from the city/suburbs but I'm not stupid. Even city people have pets and city people can watch TV and movies, read books and are aware of how to dress for the country. Ben and Kallie's first meeting is a little awkward because he's a professional doing his job. He didn't have to be a city stereotype. Ben seems like a good guy. He's intelligent and cares about the people involved in the mystery. Ben respects Kallie and her talent, even when he doesn't quite believe in it. I think he cares a lot for Kallie too! There's a hint of a romance brewing between them. Tara, the deputy, is a strong female character who is intelligent enough to spot potential corruption and go after it. She is really dedicated to helping the community and any ego she may have is checked at the door. I really like her.
The animal hospital where Kallie works takes the place of the small town in this mystery. Eric seems like a fun co-worker and he also seems to be an animal lover. Kallie's boss is a bit tough. She seems a little scared of him. I don't believe his decisions were based on what was best for Kallie but more about what was best for his practice.
The big mystery seems to be who is Mr. Wheedon and what is his involvement in the mystery. This seems to be the weak link in the plot at the end when all is revealed. His associates are pretty nasty people without scruples or morals.
I recommend this to people who don't care for silly cozies, for animal lovers and mystery lovers. Kallie is a fan of Lilian Jackson Braun and other cozy mysteries so if you like Kinsey, you may like Kallie. I would like to read more about Kallie and her animal friends.
November 15, 2024
I loved reading this book. It got a good pace, suspense and interesting and enjoyable characters. It's interesting that Kallie is a vet, but that she can communicate with animals. It takes her job to a higher level, especially in solving a mystery.
I liked her best friends Gracie and Sam. Together they acted as amateur detectives. Also, there was a lot of food involved: burgers, bacon, cupcakes, chocolate...Beware, you might get hungry while reading.
The story didn't had real depth, but that was okay for this. The mystery was a bit confusing at the moment, but thinking together with Kallie, it kept you on the toes.
I liked her best friends Gracie and Sam. Together they acted as amateur detectives. Also, there was a lot of food involved: burgers, bacon, cupcakes, chocolate...Beware, you might get hungry while reading.
The story didn't had real depth, but that was okay for this. The mystery was a bit confusing at the moment, but thinking together with Kallie, it kept you on the toes.
January 26, 2020
Dr. Kallie Collins is a fairly new veterinarian in a rural Oregon community. She has a unique talent as an animal communicator. She interprets the dogs body language, stance and behavior. The Jackson County Sheriff's department calls her in to convince a dog to release a bone he has. When this happens, Kallie also has the dog show her where the bone was found.
The Detective on the case, Ben, is new to the area and is skeptical of her talents. They work together to piece the clues.
This series has lots of possibilities and is well written. I liked the premise didn’t include actually reading the animals’ minds or talking to them.
Looking forward to the next instalmment.
Thank-you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book after the publication date. I am not required to leave a positive review.
The Detective on the case, Ben, is new to the area and is skeptical of her talents. They work together to piece the clues.
This series has lots of possibilities and is well written. I liked the premise didn’t include actually reading the animals’ minds or talking to them.
Looking forward to the next instalmment.
Thank-you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book after the publication date. I am not required to leave a positive review.
December 22, 2019
Dr. Kallie Collins can communicate with animals.
*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley for my honest review.*
Kallie has been a vet for 6 months and is establishing herself in her career in her hometown in Oregon. She is on call when she is called to a crime scene where a vet is needed to subdue a canine. When she arrives, there is a dog with a human bone and she through her skills with communicating with animals, she is able to get the dog to give up the bone and lead her and the police to the site where he found the bone. Once she is cleared from being involved due to her 'knowledge' of the location of the bones, Detective Ben Jacobson needs her help when he does the next of kin notification. And then Kallie is fully involved in the investigation.
It is really hard not to like a story that has a John McClane and Die Hard reference in the very first paragraph!! There are also plenty of references to Kinsey Millhone who I have a very fond relationship with (my dog is Kinsey Milkbone, PI in honor of Sue Grafton!). I found Dogs Don't Lie to be very witty and well written. I really enjoyed the concept of animal communication and feel that it is a very fresh shtick for a cozy mystery series. The relationships touched on in the book between Kallie and her friends and Ben did not feel cliche and I feel as though there is a lot of room for expansion in future books in the series. The relationship between Kallie and her mother started out as a little cliche with the overbearing mother trying to run the daughter's life, but there was a nice bit at the end that gives me hope for this relationship as well.
I am already looking forward to the next book in this series!
*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley for my honest review.*
Kallie has been a vet for 6 months and is establishing herself in her career in her hometown in Oregon. She is on call when she is called to a crime scene where a vet is needed to subdue a canine. When she arrives, there is a dog with a human bone and she through her skills with communicating with animals, she is able to get the dog to give up the bone and lead her and the police to the site where he found the bone. Once she is cleared from being involved due to her 'knowledge' of the location of the bones, Detective Ben Jacobson needs her help when he does the next of kin notification. And then Kallie is fully involved in the investigation.
It is really hard not to like a story that has a John McClane and Die Hard reference in the very first paragraph!! There are also plenty of references to Kinsey Millhone who I have a very fond relationship with (my dog is Kinsey Milkbone, PI in honor of Sue Grafton!). I found Dogs Don't Lie to be very witty and well written. I really enjoyed the concept of animal communication and feel that it is a very fresh shtick for a cozy mystery series. The relationships touched on in the book between Kallie and her friends and Ben did not feel cliche and I feel as though there is a lot of room for expansion in future books in the series. The relationship between Kallie and her mother started out as a little cliche with the overbearing mother trying to run the daughter's life, but there was a nice bit at the end that gives me hope for this relationship as well.
I am already looking forward to the next book in this series!
January 18, 2024
Review in English by a Frenchie:
First, I have to say that I really loved this book. The heroin, Kallie is a vet who has the ability to communicate with animals and it is the main reason that incited to start this book. We follow her through an investigation engaged by the discovery of a corpse thanks to a dog and her ability. She is investigating with her best friends, Gracie and Sam, who have very different personalities, they are very likable. Then, she also works with a kind and honest and cute detective, Ben. He really cares for Kallie and they develop a sort of intense friendship that could lead to a very cute lovestory. The mystery stay intact until the big reveal at the end of story, which is good because we don't know what happened until this final chapter.
The only little thing that bothered me is that, there are not enough moments of communication between Kallie and the different animals. It is mostly at the beginning of the story and then her ability is mentioned but she does not use it much. Well, it is just a little detail and it is just my opinion.
Anyway the book was really good and I'm really looking forward the next one!
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
First, I have to say that I really loved this book. The heroin, Kallie is a vet who has the ability to communicate with animals and it is the main reason that incited to start this book. We follow her through an investigation engaged by the discovery of a corpse thanks to a dog and her ability. She is investigating with her best friends, Gracie and Sam, who have very different personalities, they are very likable. Then, she also works with a kind and honest and cute detective, Ben. He really cares for Kallie and they develop a sort of intense friendship that could lead to a very cute lovestory. The mystery stay intact until the big reveal at the end of story, which is good because we don't know what happened until this final chapter.
The only little thing that bothered me is that, there are not enough moments of communication between Kallie and the different animals. It is mostly at the beginning of the story and then her ability is mentioned but she does not use it much. Well, it is just a little detail and it is just my opinion.
Anyway the book was really good and I'm really looking forward the next one!
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 24, 2019
This is such an AWESOME AMAZING book by Lisa Shay I don't know where to start!!!! I LOVED this book the story, plot, word and character building were off the charts amazing, It grabbed for the beginning and I couldn't read fast enough to see what the out come was, but than I'm sad because I'm done. Kallie is a VET who is like the dog whisperer only she can talk to all animals. When there's a Dog who has a human bone the police need help and they send her. While there she meets a policeman Dan who is skeptical of her gift when the dog shows her of a killing in it's mind. When they met sparks fly, one thing leads to another, there's drama, suspense, danger, action, intrigue, funny moments, friends and family, romance all leading to a fantastic ending you won't want to miss!!!! Grab this book now and see all the fun and in the end when it counts DOG'S DON'T LIE!!!! I can't wait to read more form this author!!!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 23, 2019
Dogs Don't Lie is a fantastic book by Lisa Shay.
Dr. Kallie Collins is a vet with unique abilities, she can communicate with animals and they can communicate with her. Dr. Collins gets called out to a home by the police, it seems a dog has a human bone in its possession and doesn't want to give it up. While skeptical, the detective on the case is willing to see what Kallie can do.
Before long, she gets wrapped up in a crazy investigation and finds herself in some precarious situations.
This story is very well told and I immediately liked Kallie and her fruit Gracie and Sam. Kallie's unique abilities add a fun twist to the story and it was very easy to become lost in the story. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me to read this book.
Dr. Kallie Collins is a vet with unique abilities, she can communicate with animals and they can communicate with her. Dr. Collins gets called out to a home by the police, it seems a dog has a human bone in its possession and doesn't want to give it up. While skeptical, the detective on the case is willing to see what Kallie can do.
Before long, she gets wrapped up in a crazy investigation and finds herself in some precarious situations.
This story is very well told and I immediately liked Kallie and her fruit Gracie and Sam. Kallie's unique abilities add a fun twist to the story and it was very easy to become lost in the story. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me to read this book.
December 27, 2019
Dogs Don't Lie by Lisa Shay is the 1st book in the Kallie Collins cozy mystery series, and my first book by this author. Kallie Collins is a veterinarian, who can communicate with animals though a technique she learned. Kallie is called to a small ranch when the sheriff is unable to get a human bone away from the dog. Kallie is able to communicate with the dog, and lead the police to the rest of the skeleton. I really enjoy this book, and am looking forward to reading more books in this series. I love the unique communication technique aspect of the story. I highly recommend this book to cozy and animal lovers, how can you resist that cover.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.
September 23, 2019
I Want This Woman's Life!
Have you ever daydreamed about being able to clearly communicate with an animal? Well, our heroine, the veterinarian can do just that! And the cozy mystery just gets better from there. I would love this gal's life! I sure hope that this is the beginning of a series because I will read them all. I will certainly read anything this author writes, she has the gift. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprouts and this is my honest review.
Have you ever daydreamed about being able to clearly communicate with an animal? Well, our heroine, the veterinarian can do just that! And the cozy mystery just gets better from there. I would love this gal's life! I sure hope that this is the beginning of a series because I will read them all. I will certainly read anything this author writes, she has the gift. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprouts and this is my honest review.
January 23, 2021
Loved it. Absolutely loved it.
Dogs can talk. Mine does anyway. Turns out it's not him who needs to learn English, it's me needing to listen.
This is definitely a whodunit but also whatyadoingthatfor story. You'll love the characters. I'd love the leads even more if they weren't Pepsi drinkers.
I've made notes throughout but not a single one is an error. This author likes many of the same books I do. Wonder if she has read "The Cat Who..." books by Lillian Jackson Braun. This is a fun read. Enjoy. Highly recommend.
Dogs can talk. Mine does anyway. Turns out it's not him who needs to learn English, it's me needing to listen.
This is definitely a whodunit but also whatyadoingthatfor story. You'll love the characters. I'd love the leads even more if they weren't Pepsi drinkers.
I've made notes throughout but not a single one is an error. This author likes many of the same books I do. Wonder if she has read "The Cat Who..." books by Lillian Jackson Braun. This is a fun read. Enjoy. Highly recommend.
February 5, 2020
Want more
Enjoyed this book immensely. Want to read more with these characters. They were well written and fun to go through on this adventure with the
Enjoyed this book immensely. Want to read more with these characters. They were well written and fun to go through on this adventure with the
October 25, 2019
My Thoughts: While I might not be the target audience for this particular genre, I was intrigued by the unusual concept of Dr. Kallie Collins, veterinarian, being able to communicate with animals and the cover is compelling.
The characters, beyond protagonist Kallie, are all very engaging and very well fleshed. She has two close friends who are quick (well, mostly, sorta) supportive of her swiftly escalating escapades.
Kallie meets the probable love interest, Detective Ben Jacobson, when she is called out to investigate a dog that won't relinquish her bone. The problem was that it was a human bone and it doesn't take long for Kallie to exhibit her dog whispering talents and create converts.
Kallie seems to be a great deal more adventurous than cautious and it doesn't take long before she is deep into the mystery. Then come red herrings, lots of giggles and food (especially cupcakes and burgers).
It's cute. And it works. The venue is the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, and the characters are engaging. The well-plotted concept unique, the interaction with the animals investing, and I'm quite sure anyone a monster fan of Star Wars will love it. 4/5 stars
His Thoughts: A very astute veterinarian oversees an unlikely adventure with the help of two animal friends. Communicating telepathically with a dog and cat, Kallie Collins is thrust into an investigation of mysterious events including fraud against senior citizens.
Kallie’s strong female character with the help of two friends, brings the story along smartly. This author writes an entertaining tale that kept me turning pages. At times I wondered why the heroine kept investigating when very real threats were made on her life. A younger crowd will find this read very entertaining. 5/5 stars
I received this digital download from the publisher and NetGalley and shared with the CE who also greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. You will enjoy getting to know these solid characters and now is the time to get in on the first of what looks to be the first of a sweet new cozy series.
See our full reviews at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2019/...
The characters, beyond protagonist Kallie, are all very engaging and very well fleshed. She has two close friends who are quick (well, mostly, sorta) supportive of her swiftly escalating escapades.
Kallie meets the probable love interest, Detective Ben Jacobson, when she is called out to investigate a dog that won't relinquish her bone. The problem was that it was a human bone and it doesn't take long for Kallie to exhibit her dog whispering talents and create converts.
Kallie seems to be a great deal more adventurous than cautious and it doesn't take long before she is deep into the mystery. Then come red herrings, lots of giggles and food (especially cupcakes and burgers).
It's cute. And it works. The venue is the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, and the characters are engaging. The well-plotted concept unique, the interaction with the animals investing, and I'm quite sure anyone a monster fan of Star Wars will love it. 4/5 stars
His Thoughts: A very astute veterinarian oversees an unlikely adventure with the help of two animal friends. Communicating telepathically with a dog and cat, Kallie Collins is thrust into an investigation of mysterious events including fraud against senior citizens.
Kallie’s strong female character with the help of two friends, brings the story along smartly. This author writes an entertaining tale that kept me turning pages. At times I wondered why the heroine kept investigating when very real threats were made on her life. A younger crowd will find this read very entertaining. 5/5 stars
I received this digital download from the publisher and NetGalley and shared with the CE who also greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. You will enjoy getting to know these solid characters and now is the time to get in on the first of what looks to be the first of a sweet new cozy series.
See our full reviews at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2019/...
January 3, 2020
This is the start of a new series. Dr. Collins, a vet, has a unique talent/ability. She can communicate with animals, which really helps in her line of business. Kallie Collins is a great vet, daughter, friend, person. She knows her job and loves her patients. In this story, she gets involved with the police after a dog, through communication with Kallie, leads the police to a dead body. Just where the body came from, who is it and what he/she was doing is the mystery in the story. Kallie, who involves her two best friends, begins a search of the dead man’s business, clients and staff, finding some strange things as she goes along. Kallie manages to ferret out clues where no one realized they were and to help law enforcement figure out what was/is going on with the dead body and his company.
This is a well-done, interesting, fast moving story. I liked the twist the author put on things by giving the main character the ability to communicate with animals—in this case, with the dog and cat who witnessed everything. Kallie is a good vet and a good person. She came across as smart, quick-witted and ready to jump right in regardless of where it took her (like many of the other “amateur sleuths” in other mystery series). The inclusion of the dog and cat and their importance in solving the crime was done well and helped make the story stand out. I do wish there had been more interactions with the animals. However, I love dogs so always seek books with solid interactions with dogs throughout. I also liked the way her two friends stayed loyal and supported Kallie, though a few times I thought they were starting to become overbearing. Kallie’s mother was true to the mother’s role. She only wanted what is best for her daughter and, like any other mother, worked toward that. One thing I did like was that the mother was not too overbearing in the story, but hit just the right amount of concern, hovering, etc. Finally, there is a potential romantic element with the police detective Kallie works with, who will probably figure as prominently or more so in future books. This is a quick book and a good start of a new series. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
This is a well-done, interesting, fast moving story. I liked the twist the author put on things by giving the main character the ability to communicate with animals—in this case, with the dog and cat who witnessed everything. Kallie is a good vet and a good person. She came across as smart, quick-witted and ready to jump right in regardless of where it took her (like many of the other “amateur sleuths” in other mystery series). The inclusion of the dog and cat and their importance in solving the crime was done well and helped make the story stand out. I do wish there had been more interactions with the animals. However, I love dogs so always seek books with solid interactions with dogs throughout. I also liked the way her two friends stayed loyal and supported Kallie, though a few times I thought they were starting to become overbearing. Kallie’s mother was true to the mother’s role. She only wanted what is best for her daughter and, like any other mother, worked toward that. One thing I did like was that the mother was not too overbearing in the story, but hit just the right amount of concern, hovering, etc. Finally, there is a potential romantic element with the police detective Kallie works with, who will probably figure as prominently or more so in future books. This is a quick book and a good start of a new series. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
January 21, 2020
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley. My review opinions is my own.
Dr. Kallie Collins is a local vet in a small rural Oregon town. She loves animals and her job. She also is a animal communicator which means she can communicate without speech with animals. As I have worked with a animal communicator before to great success I found this fascinating and a great feature of Kallie as a protagonist.
Kallie is called out to a scene by the local sheriff where a dog is refusing to give up a human bone. Once Kallie works with the dog he shows her where the body is buried. The Sheriff then ask Kallie to speak to the victim's pets to determine what happened. Kallie becomes involved in the murder and soon finds herself in danger.
I loved this mystery ! This has all the definitive elements of a cozy mystery that readers love. The author had a great protagonist,, a well crafted sleuth and a endearing small town setting. Animal lovers will embrace Kallie and her gifts as we look forward to the next in series. Very well done to the author !
Dr. Kallie Collins is a local vet in a small rural Oregon town. She loves animals and her job. She also is a animal communicator which means she can communicate without speech with animals. As I have worked with a animal communicator before to great success I found this fascinating and a great feature of Kallie as a protagonist.
Kallie is called out to a scene by the local sheriff where a dog is refusing to give up a human bone. Once Kallie works with the dog he shows her where the body is buried. The Sheriff then ask Kallie to speak to the victim's pets to determine what happened. Kallie becomes involved in the murder and soon finds herself in danger.
I loved this mystery ! This has all the definitive elements of a cozy mystery that readers love. The author had a great protagonist,, a well crafted sleuth and a endearing small town setting. Animal lovers will embrace Kallie and her gifts as we look forward to the next in series. Very well done to the author !
November 23, 2019
Originally published on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Dogs Don't Lie is the first book in a new cozy series by debut author Lisa Shay. Released 11th Sept 2019 it's 189 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a nice cozy with a very slight magical realism facet (the communication with animals / Dr. Doolittle aspect). It's written in the first person, which is a challenge, but I didn't find it especially grating. The author is adept with the more technical aspects of writing.
Protagonist Kallie is a veterinarian working in a group practice. She can communicate with animals, but it's presented as something she learned at a workshop and can be taught to anyone. Other than that, though it plays a fairly central role to the plot progression, it's not discussed or analyzed in any meaningful degree. Other than requiring a healthy suspension of disbelief, I found the rest of the book well written and charming.
There's a slowly developing romance between Kallie and a hunky detective of course. There are numerous animals (though none talk or cast spells, thankfully). The denouement is satisfying and the book is a short and undemanding read. The language is very clean (G-rated) and there's no trigger-warning-worthy violence in the book at all.
The ebook version includes an interactive table of contents Possibly worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. It's always fun to find a new author and series to read. I would recommend this one to fans of cozies with romantic subplots. I'm looking forward to more from this debut author.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Dogs Don't Lie is the first book in a new cozy series by debut author Lisa Shay. Released 11th Sept 2019 it's 189 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a nice cozy with a very slight magical realism facet (the communication with animals / Dr. Doolittle aspect). It's written in the first person, which is a challenge, but I didn't find it especially grating. The author is adept with the more technical aspects of writing.
Protagonist Kallie is a veterinarian working in a group practice. She can communicate with animals, but it's presented as something she learned at a workshop and can be taught to anyone. Other than that, though it plays a fairly central role to the plot progression, it's not discussed or analyzed in any meaningful degree. Other than requiring a healthy suspension of disbelief, I found the rest of the book well written and charming.
There's a slowly developing romance between Kallie and a hunky detective of course. There are numerous animals (though none talk or cast spells, thankfully). The denouement is satisfying and the book is a short and undemanding read. The language is very clean (G-rated) and there's no trigger-warning-worthy violence in the book at all.
The ebook version includes an interactive table of contents Possibly worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. It's always fun to find a new author and series to read. I would recommend this one to fans of cozies with romantic subplots. I'm looking forward to more from this debut author.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
January 25, 2020
Dogs don't lie.
I'm giving 5 stars to this book. It was a good read with a lot of fun caritures.
It was a fast read with sitting on the edge of your sit.
I know anyone would enjoy this book.
Enjoy
I'm giving 5 stars to this book. It was a good read with a lot of fun caritures.
It was a fast read with sitting on the edge of your sit.
I know anyone would enjoy this book.
Enjoy
January 19, 2020
I am a dog fan and have a dog that seems to understand a lot about what I say to her she is my best friend i have a nephew who says his sister sort of communicates with animals i think animals are smarter and kinder than most people give them credit for
I am a dog fan and have a dog that seems to understand a lot about what I say to her and she is my best friend i have a nephew that says his sister talks with animals for a business . I like animal stories.
I am a dog fan and have a dog that seems to understand a lot about what I say to her and she is my best friend i have a nephew that says his sister talks with animals for a business . I like animal stories.
January 19, 2020
Best Cozy I've Read
I really liked this book. Loved the protagonist and all other characters. Story was good. Animals are great. Touches of humor are just right. None of the silliness that permeates some cozy books. I hope there are many more to come in this series.
I really liked this book. Loved the protagonist and all other characters. Story was good. Animals are great. Touches of humor are just right. None of the silliness that permeates some cozy books. I hope there are many more to come in this series.
March 27, 2021
Veterinarian Kallie's skills might be less obvious than Dr Doolittle, and she's lots younger than Dr Herriot, but she has even more in common with Kinsey Milhone! She claims that her ability to interact with animals is a thing that can be learned, but the sheriff's department and the paparazzi aren't so sure. The detective is new to the area and their first encounter is over a dog who doesn't want to give up the (human) bone but leads them into the cow pasture complete with cow pats. When Kellie isn't sleuthing, she's groaning over her mother's matchmaking schemes, so it's a good thing she's got a couple of good friends! Absolutely loved this book!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Robynn Sheahan of Independent Book Publishers Association via NetGalley. Thank you!
*****Guess I only THOUGHT I loved it because when I won an audio copy I found out how much BETTER it was when performed by Naomi Rose-Mock! She really brought more life and personality to each of the characters!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Robynn Sheahan of Independent Book Publishers Association via NetGalley. Thank you!
*****Guess I only THOUGHT I loved it because when I won an audio copy I found out how much BETTER it was when performed by Naomi Rose-Mock! She really brought more life and personality to each of the characters!
January 12, 2021
The writing was smoothing and I liked the base premise. I do not however condone the actions of the characters in this story.
Kallie is a vet who can communicate with animals. She asks a dog where it found a human bone and the dog takes her there and reveals some of the details on what happened that night. I liked it. It is a different look on the world.
After the press makes a big deal about Kallie's communication the vet office she works at asks her to take a leave of absence until the drama dies down. So what is a bored vet to do? Oh, hey going out to properties where drug smugglers are moving goods to try and take pictures. Sure why not. I mean In the story she only did stupid stuff like that say at least three times. Got caught the third time. Had it been anyone other than the undercover DEA agent she would have been dead. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID
Of course everything turned out well, Bad guys caught.
Will not be reading another.
Kallie is a vet who can communicate with animals. She asks a dog where it found a human bone and the dog takes her there and reveals some of the details on what happened that night. I liked it. It is a different look on the world.
After the press makes a big deal about Kallie's communication the vet office she works at asks her to take a leave of absence until the drama dies down. So what is a bored vet to do? Oh, hey going out to properties where drug smugglers are moving goods to try and take pictures. Sure why not. I mean In the story she only did stupid stuff like that say at least three times. Got caught the third time. Had it been anyone other than the undercover DEA agent she would have been dead. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID
Of course everything turned out well, Bad guys caught.
Will not be reading another.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2019
Doctor Kallie Collins has a special ability; she is able to communicate with animals through an animal-communication technique she learned years. This comes in pretty handy since she is a vet. When she communicates with a dog that has witnessed a murder, Kallie finds herself involved in a murder investigation. Can she convince the handsome detective on the case that she isn’t crazy and can help with the case?
Somehow the local news catches wind of Kallie’s ability and she finds herself front and center in all the attention. Does this mean the killer knows that she can help the police catch him? And is her life now in danger too?
This is a delightful new cozy mystery with a bit of romance tied in with whit, mystery, suspense, and some madcap adventure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Somehow the local news catches wind of Kallie’s ability and she finds herself front and center in all the attention. Does this mean the killer knows that she can help the police catch him? And is her life now in danger too?
This is a delightful new cozy mystery with a bit of romance tied in with whit, mystery, suspense, and some madcap adventure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 12, 2020
I enjoy reading about canine handlers, rescue and police dogs. Dogs Don't Lie is an enjoyable story with a lovable veterinarian who has a special communication gift. She can hear what animals are saying and her talent gets her into an investigation with local police. This is not a heavy handed mystery with lots of violence and villains which is a very nice change from some of the literature out there these days. Simple, to the point, and good characters make this one of my favorites so far this year.
January 11, 2020
Sweet
You had to somewhat suspend your beliefs to go along with the idea of talking to/getting visions from animals but at least the main character had a profession other than inheriting a bakery (or surviving a bad divorce) and she did not find a dead body not was she accused of murder as seems to be the premise in most of these lighthearted cozy mysteries. So, overall it was a quick enjoyable, lighthearted book. I liked the animals and that helped.
You had to somewhat suspend your beliefs to go along with the idea of talking to/getting visions from animals but at least the main character had a profession other than inheriting a bakery (or surviving a bad divorce) and she did not find a dead body not was she accused of murder as seems to be the premise in most of these lighthearted cozy mysteries. So, overall it was a quick enjoyable, lighthearted book. I liked the animals and that helped.
October 27, 2019
I enjoyed this book as it was a fun read. It followed a vet that could pick up things from animals. I liked how the author presented how she could do things. There book had cute, funny parts that for a couple made me laugh out loud. I liked the interactions between characters and how the story flowed. I would read more from this author and would also recommended this book if you like a quick, fun read.
January 2, 2020
Fun and quirky. An easy read that at times reminded me of the writing styles of other favorite authors. Aspects of the story felt a bit underdeveloped and the conclusion seemed to abrupt as though there was a need to suddenly end the story. However, I am looking forward to the next book in the series where perhaps some of the "missing" bits of the story line and character development will continue.
January 4, 2020
What a delightful story
This was a great book. The stars were animals, Ariel and Ella. I love the chemistry between the characters. Kellie and Ben's interactions brew into a great romance in a very clean and realistic way. Mom and her not so subtle matchmaking were funny. Kellie and her friends were hysterical in spite of the hair raising situations they found themselves in. In spite of what Kellie says it was like an adult Nancy Drew.
This was a great book. The stars were animals, Ariel and Ella. I love the chemistry between the characters. Kellie and Ben's interactions brew into a great romance in a very clean and realistic way. Mom and her not so subtle matchmaking were funny. Kellie and her friends were hysterical in spite of the hair raising situations they found themselves in. In spite of what Kellie says it was like an adult Nancy Drew.
January 12, 2020
For Anyone Who Loves Dogs (and other animals) and a Great Mystery!
I was looking for another great dog story but I have read everything by my favorite authors. This book popped up on my Kindle and it’s a great read and a real page turner!! 😉
I was looking for another great dog story but I have read everything by my favorite authors. This book popped up on my Kindle and it’s a great read and a real page turner!! 😉
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