To Fetch a Killer

Mutt Mysteries #3

by Maria Hudgins, Heather Weidner, Jayne Ormerod

It’s a dog-meet-dog world as a pack of canines team up with their humans to solve mysteries and track down killers. Four mutt-loving authors join their talents in creating this collection of canine-themed novellas which will transport you into the chaotic world of hero dogs who have a nose for murder. Grab a leash and hang on tight…the mutts are on the loose again!

262 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2021

About the author

Maria is an avid traveler and mystery lover. She is a retired teacher living in Hampton, Virginia. She started writing fiction when she retired six years ago and now has two books in print.

Reviews

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read, and each of these novella’s have a canine to partner with. As a dog lover and a mystery reader, these will keep you page turning.
Each pup is different, but each of these is a different breed, and you will fall in love with them. Some actually save lives, but all are involved in the lives of their owners, or just caretakers [that claim to not be canine lovers].
As a treat you can sit down and read just one as time allows, but you will be turning the pages to the next!
I received this book through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mutt Mysteries are back! Check out these four, fun novellas. I have so much fun participating in this anthology with Jayne Ormerod, Maria Hudgins, and Teresa Inge.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each of the stories in To Fetch a Killer are fun, quick reads. You can easily read these novellas in a day, or read one a day if you're short on time!

“Sandy Paws” by Maria Hudgins

"Sandy Paws" takes place in a beach house where several writers have gathered to write and share some of their stories with their fellow writers. How great would it be to rent a beach house with people who love to do what you love to do? In my case, a bunch of us cozy mystery readers would be gathered. But that's as far as I'd want our gathering to mimic this one! I mean, they do find one of their group murdered!

This is a very fast-paced mystery with some fun characters. I did read the prior, related novella in To Fetch a Villain, so I was familiar with Jessica, a deaf author and her adorable dogs. Though she insisted that she wasn't the group's leader (because the leader gets stuck with the work!), she was the one who seemed the most qualified to lead! And her dogs just added to the fun (and the clue finding missions)!

“A New Leash on Death” by Teresa Inge

I was familiar with the characters in "A New Leash on Life" from To Fetch a Villain as well. Catt is the owner of a dog-walking business called the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers. Since Catt has a house now, she's had the business expanded to the upstairs. And the upstairs should be having a wonderful grand opening of the new grooming area. However, a dead body is found up there, and it appears he's been killed by one of the grooming tools!

As with the prior Woof-Pack story, I really enjoyed the characters, both human and animal! This is another quick read with a mystery to solve along with the characters. The business is one I would certainly frequent if I lived in this story!

“Wags to Riches” by Heather Weidner

I thought the setting of "Wags to Riches" was really unique. This fun mystery stars Cassidy Green who runs her late father's speedway. Since racing isn't a year round sport, Cassidy's got to find ways to keep the speedway making money all year long. This particular weekend, the speedway is hosting a big rummage sale with lots of vendors. But before the sale even opens, a dead body is found!

I really liked how this mystery played out. Though it's a novella, I quickly became attached to the characters and was invested in the mystery.

I loved the characters in this story. Cassidy, her lovable dog Oliver, her uncle, and the other speedway workers seem like they're a big, happy family. The story's setting and characters gave it that really cozy feel that I love. Hopefully we'll see more of these characters in another mystery.

“Bone Appetit” by Jayne Ormerod

"Bone Appetit" stars Molly Perkins, a private chef for an influential family. One family member ends up dead from an allergic reaction. There's no way Molly would have messed up any of the dishes she served. She's determined to find out who would have tainted one of her dishes!

This novella has strong characters and a great, fast-paced plot! There are several red herrings that are going to through you off! But, I really enjoyed solving the mystery along with the characters.

[Debra Goldstein]

Like dogs? … and mysteries? Then, To Fetch a Killer, in the Mutt Mysteries series is for you. Billed by its authors, Maria Hudgins, Teresa Inge, Heather Weidner, and Joyce Ormerod as “four tails of chaos and murder,” the easy-to-read book delivers four novellas each with a featured human and at least one four-foot friend. Whether it was Hudgins’ alpha service bichon, Trey, and rambunctious Atlas, or Weidner’s very human rottweiler, Oliver, I was as engaged by the animals as I was their intelligent mystery solving protagonists. Each protagonist struggles to succeed- whether as a writer or a business owner, but being sole proprietors of woman owned startups, Inge and Ormerod’s characters also keep one hoping that the crime’s resolution will allow their businesses to survive. To Fetch a Killer is definitely a worthy addition to the Mutt Mysteries. - note, I was provided a copy but the review is my own.

[Shelle Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoy anthologies. They give a reader a chance to catch up with favorite authors or find some new favorite stories. To Fetch a Killer, Four Fun “Tails” of Chaos and Murder, is no exception. In it we have four fun cozy mysteries, with a grip of clever pups, that save the day or just their person’s sanity. I enjoyed a giggle in “Wags to Riches” at “Mr.” Oliver, the completely oblivious and unaware complaint department. The stories, of course, all center on canine sidekicks and are perfect for dog loving cozy readers.

I am familiar with most, if not all of these authors and they have written to expectations. These are fast entertaining reads with great characters and engaging mysteries. This is a quick read and a good time.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily