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Tori Mulligan Mystery #1
Vetted for Murder
Nothing stays secret in a small town...especially murder.
As the obituary columnist for a small NC mountain newspaper, Tori Mulligan is no stranger to death. But when a real-life murder mystery lands at her feet, she discovers that everyone has secrets—some more deadly than others. The sticky situation is further complicated by a handsome widower, an adorable dog, and a slew of sketchy characters. Can the sassy southern sleuth find “whodunit” without adding herself to the body count?
As the obituary columnist for a small NC mountain newspaper, Tori Mulligan is no stranger to death. But when a real-life murder mystery lands at her feet, she discovers that everyone has secrets—some more deadly than others. The sticky situation is further complicated by a handsome widower, an adorable dog, and a slew of sketchy characters. Can the sassy southern sleuth find “whodunit” without adding herself to the body count?
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 5, 2021
61 people are currently reading
682 people want to read
About the author
D.W. Earnhardt
2 books28 followersD.W. grew up in the Sandhills of NC reading C.S. Lewis, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and the Queen of clean—Betty Neels. This literary upbringing—plus her love of family, food, and small towns—brought her back to the genre she first started writing...mysteries! And although her cozy mysteries deal with some of the not-so-lovely sides of the human condition, her stories are always filled with hope.
When D.W. isn’t spending time with her family or writing, then you can find her learning the Irish language, researching local history, or trying to find new ways to avoid housework.
When D.W. isn’t spending time with her family or writing, then you can find her learning the Irish language, researching local history, or trying to find new ways to avoid housework.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 10, 2022
Obituary writer, Tori Mulligan, is used to death… on paper, at least. But when a dead body lands at her feet, she’s tossed into solving a crime she never expected in her small town. She’s in for quite a number of discoveries as secrets abound, stunning her at every turn. Can Tori catch the killer or will she become the next victim?
I found this book to be an enjoyable Southern-style mystery. The characters were unique and relatable. I especially enjoyed the author’s portrayal of middle-aged characters. They were all feisty and still full of life (unlike other books who portray them as being ancient). The setting is perfect and Ms. Earnhardt throws in enough Southern-isms to set the tone but not enough to be over the heads of us Northerners!
The pace of the story is well done and the mystery evolves at a nice pace with some interesting sleuthing on Tori’s part.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and found it to be a great series opener!
I found this book to be an enjoyable Southern-style mystery. The characters were unique and relatable. I especially enjoyed the author’s portrayal of middle-aged characters. They were all feisty and still full of life (unlike other books who portray them as being ancient). The setting is perfect and Ms. Earnhardt throws in enough Southern-isms to set the tone but not enough to be over the heads of us Northerners!
The pace of the story is well done and the mystery evolves at a nice pace with some interesting sleuthing on Tori’s part.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and found it to be a great series opener!
November 18, 2021
I took this book to the beach with me and had to keep pulling it out of my husband's hands so he wouldn't read it before I could! Once I started reading it, I could hardly put it down. D.W. Earnhardt does a great job pulling readers into this book and introducing her fun characters and down home mountain setting. I quickly felt like I had new friends to eat BBQ with and other people I needed to watch like a hawk. This is a great cozy mystery--one I would recommend to my own friends and even older generations who steer clear of anything edgy. I would love to see the Hallmark Channel make a movie out of this, but at the very least, I'll be looking out for the next Tori Mulligan Mystery to enjoy!
February 21, 2022
Murders amongst friends
A delightful book that included multiple mysteries, pets, friendship (new and old), and yummy food. Maybe even a hint of romance helped make this a fun book with great characters. I definitely will be reading more by this author and in this series!
A delightful book that included multiple mysteries, pets, friendship (new and old), and yummy food. Maybe even a hint of romance helped make this a fun book with great characters. I definitely will be reading more by this author and in this series!
October 9, 2021
absolutely fantastic!
Cozy mystery fans, this is a must read! From the first page, I was drawn into the lives of the fun folks in this book! Plenty of twists and turns to keep your interest. Just a great read. I can hardly wait to see what other adventures Tori will have with Jo and the rest!
Cozy mystery fans, this is a must read! From the first page, I was drawn into the lives of the fun folks in this book! Plenty of twists and turns to keep your interest. Just a great read. I can hardly wait to see what other adventures Tori will have with Jo and the rest!
January 16, 2022
Very enjoyable book.
February 3, 2022
Excellent cozy mystery.
December 21, 2021
An entertaining who-done-it. Jobless, Tori investigates a murder while caring for an abandoned dog and her two pups. Tori quickly becomes friends with the new veterinarian, Duncan who may or may not become a future love interest. In addition to trying to solve a murder, Tori has decisions to make. Should she keep Holly, the dog she is caring for and should she reopen the inn that her Aunt left her. Vetted for Murder is an enjoyable read for those who like cozy mysteries.
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December 11, 2021Pet friendly cozy.
Fast moving cozy featuring food and pets. Tori has inherited her aunt's inn, but hasn't decided to open it ...yet. She is writing a mystery and writing articles for a small town paper before becoming embroiled in a murder case
Fast moving cozy featuring food and pets. Tori has inherited her aunt's inn, but hasn't decided to open it ...yet. She is writing a mystery and writing articles for a small town paper before becoming embroiled in a murder case
November 13, 2021
Great mystery
I really liked this cozy mystery. Good characters and a good plot. It kept me guessing. I hope there will be more.
I really liked this cozy mystery. Good characters and a good plot. It kept me guessing. I hope there will be more.
December 6, 2021
What a fun cozy mystery! The characters felt so real and relatable and I honestly kept guessing right up until the end. Definitely recommending this and I can't wait for the next one.
December 16, 2021
Won a kindle edition through Goodreads . The book hooks you right from the start with murder and sweet puppies thrown in the mix. Great read.
November 19, 2021
Earnhart's talent for combining humor, heart, and "whodunit" shines in this debut cozy mystery. With a well-drawn cast of characters, a small town bursting with charm, a sweet dose of romance, adorable animals, and a plot that keeps readers guessing, this book checks ALL the boxes. I can't wait to see what this author gifts us with next!
November 28, 2021
Good
a book about a women and her best friend who is married to a dective with the local police Department.
a book about a women and her best friend who is married to a dective with the local police Department.
October 24, 2021
This was very good for a cozy mystery debut. The characters and the story were interesting. I enjoyed both Tori and Holly.
October 16, 2021
Great story
I loved the characters. Especially Holly. I can’t wait to see what Tori gets into next and hoping this is going to be a series. It kept me interested in what was coming next. It was hard to put the book down.
I loved the characters. Especially Holly. I can’t wait to see what Tori gets into next and hoping this is going to be a series. It kept me interested in what was coming next. It was hard to put the book down.
August 31, 2022
Too many logic/timeline errors and proofreading errors to earn five stars. It's a good story, but someone needs to learn where to use apostrophes (it's not "head's up") and how to hire a proofreader.
Logic errors include one suspect's spouse providing an alibi that doesn't fit the timeline, and Tori ordering a pound of brisket for five people, and having leftovers.
With some careful editing, this could be a great story.
Logic errors include one suspect's spouse providing an alibi that doesn't fit the timeline, and Tori ordering a pound of brisket for five people, and having leftovers.
With some careful editing, this could be a great story.
December 17, 2021
On December 13, 2021, I received the Kindle book Vetted for Murder: A Tori Mulligan Mystery by D.W. Earnhardt for free through Goodreads First Reads. I love a new mystery series and hoping this one is good. Just a suggestion for the author but if you revise any part of the blurb about the book or the beginning of the book, you may want to put that she is an aspiring writer, especially since she loses her job as an obituary writer. This book is very entertaining so far, with characters Tori, Jo, Hank, and Duncan, even Tori’s parents appear to be good characters. This is a very entertaining book, and it kept me turning pages. I am giving this book 4 stars, I really liked the book, and look forward to the next one in the series to see if the author can keep a good series going. I also look forward to more Tori and Duncan, and Jo and Hank (and Grady and Booker), her parents, and of course Holly. I did like the characters of the book just the right amount to be able to keep track of who everyone was. Happy reading.
Spoilers:
I thought her parents were supposed to get one of the puppies
If this is turning into people staying at her Inn die in each book, that has been done many times, and to me is not another series I would read, I already stopped reading one of the other series that did this after getting tired of it
Spoilers:
I thought her parents were supposed to get one of the puppies
If this is turning into people staying at her Inn die in each book, that has been done many times, and to me is not another series I would read, I already stopped reading one of the other series that did this after getting tired of it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2022
Earnhardt's Vetted for Murder has all the things that make a cozy mystery good--a murder in a small town, a handful of suspects, hint of a new romance, and a pet sidekick. Victoria Mulligan is 48 years old. (I like reading about characters that are older than 35!) She lives in Craven and works for the Mountain Gazette. She lives in a farm house that she inherited from her aunt, Bert Diggs. It used to be a successful B & B. When Tori discovers the local veterinarian has been murdered, she and her bff Jo Parker, start to do some sleuthing. This is a great start to the Tori Mulligan mystery series and my introduction to this author. I enjoyed this story.
April 8, 2024
Lots of southern fun, good food, and adorable animals in this excellent cozy mystery, the first in the Tori Mulligan series. Tori is so relatable and likeable, the mystery is difficult solve, and there's an escape-artist bull named Houdini who lives next door. LOVE IT! D.W. Earnhardt is one to follow. I'm ready for the next one!
May 20, 2023
ebook
She inherited a B&B but is working a a newspaper instead. She finds a dog and puppies and that starts the beginning of a murder investigation. She’s an ametuer sleuth and eventually solves the murder.
She inherited a B&B but is working a a newspaper instead. She finds a dog and puppies and that starts the beginning of a murder investigation. She’s an ametuer sleuth and eventually solves the murder.
August 2, 2023
Cozy mystery full of quirky and flawed characters and animals. Plot twists and turns, and struggled to take breaks from reading as wanted to find out the story behind the death and robberies. Very enjoyable and am now waiting for next in series….:)
June 23, 2024
Cute book, fun story, set in NC, but for some reason it felt very New England. It shows book one of a series, but was published back in 2021, and there is nothing available about book 2, so I'm a little bummed.
August 20, 2025
I liked everything about this character as well as the story. I enjoyed all the twists and turns, but I pretty much new who the murderer was, but it was fun seeing how the writer was going to get to the reveal... And it ended great too!
July 19, 2022
Enjoyable 1st in the series. Wonderful characters. Great canine cast. Good mystery and plenty of twists. Looking forward to the next book.
January 18, 2023
This was a wonderful read. Could not put it down. I read it straight through.
March 6, 2023
The Best no are text I've Ever
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. This is the first by this author ghat I have read. I am looking forward to reading another
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. This is the first by this author ghat I have read. I am looking forward to reading another
March 23, 2023
Vetted for Murder
I really like the characters so down to earth wish I could be their friend and need to read more
I really like the characters so down to earth wish I could be their friend and need to read more
June 20, 2024
A fun read
Enjoyed the characteristics. Plot was too open and too obvious. Animals contributed greatly to the story . An enjoyable biik!
Enjoyed the characteristics. Plot was too open and too obvious. Animals contributed greatly to the story . An enjoyable biik!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews