Barking up the Wrong Tree

Gone to the Dogs #3

by Janice Thompson

A Champion Dog Is Off His Game
 
Grab a puppy to snuggle and unwind with a delightful small-town mystery in book 3 of the Gone to the Dogs series.
 
Inquisitive, detail-oriented, Veterinarian Kristin Keller prides herself on winning over any dog. But has this self-proclaimed dog whisperer finally met her match in a Sheltie named Remington who has just won the Texas state agility course competition? The champion pooch is acting out of sorts—almost as if he is not the same dog. Has he, by chance, been switched out with another dog just before the next big competition? Kristin and the other Lone Star employees will do anything to help the Atkinson family figure out this mystery surrounding their beloved Remington.

Genres: Mystery, Christian Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Christian

253 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

Welcome to the wacky, wonderful world of inspirational author Janice Hanna Thompson, where romantic comedy rules the day! I hope you love to laugh, because I make it my goal to tickle your funny bone at every turn in my light-hearted tales.

Whether you’re looking for inspirational romance, quirky cozy mysteries, light-hearted historicals or fun books for younger readers, you will find it here. You will also find an abundance of non-fiction books, guaranteed to ease life’s burdens.

Why do I focus on the light-hearted stuff? Because life is hard! My readers lead busy, chaotic lives and need those special “Calgon, Take Me Away!” moments! Providing “Love, Laughter and Happily Ever Afters” brings me great delight. Lest you think it’s all fluff, think again!

Woven between the lines of each cheerful tale you will find the ultimate love story, one guaranteed to stir your soul and get your heart fluttering. Talk about a real happily ever after! There’s something for everyone on my site, so settle back in your chair, grab a cup of Earl Grey tea, and get ready to discover a light-hearted approach to life!

Reviews

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute! Easy 4.25 stars, personally.

This was so cute, the ending!! My heart!

One thing that really stands out to me about this series is the importance of the friendships between the staff at the vet clinic. Yes, they’re co-workers, but they all have such a heart for animals and helping them, which brings the group closer together. I love the camaraderie of it all. It was really so heartwarming to read about a group that cares so much about their clients and helping animals, I just love that element.
Another element that was so fun and continued in this third book was the sweet romance—this time between Kristin and Tyler! It was so precious! I was absolutely tickled pink about it and how sweet (& clean!) it was!

When I really am enjoying a mystery or suspense book, my brain turns off trying to figure out who did the crime and just goes along with the characters for the ride; that’s definitely how this book was for me. It was intriguing but yet at the same time heartbreaking, because I couldn’t imagine what I would do if my dog was missing or stolen! But I knew with a book written by this author that everything would turn out just, well, peachy! ;)

Ah, I’m doing happy sighs over here now and super-duper excited to read the fourth book!


Full Content Review to Come Closer to Release Day :)

[Melike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book didn't work well for me. The dialogue seemed to be never-ending and immature at times. the mystery was easily predictable and the story was disjointed at times.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda (BookLoverAmanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barking up the Wrong Tree by Janice Thompson is book 3 in the Gone to the Dogs Christian Mystery series. I have really enjoyed each book in this series so far. Each has been 4 stars! In this book, we follow Veterinarian Kristin Keller who realizes the Atkinson family champion sheltie dog, Remington, has somehow been stolen and switched with another almost identical sheltie dog right under their noses! Everyone is shocked and they start working together to figure out who could have done this, any why? We also have a cute romance between Tyler and Kristin blooming, and I loved their chemistry together. Very sweet.

What I enjoy most about this series is how these stories just always feel like you’re coming back home to your family. As a southern girl, I love the charm for each town and how each character has sincere care for one another.

I also love how we have so many different avenues as to what could have happened to the dog in this story. You never know who to trust, as so many people had different motives for wanting to possibly take the dog or switch him out with another.

I also appreciate the faith aspects we get throughout the story as we see them mentioning church, prayers, God’s plan, considering their faith when making decisions, etc.

Overall, a fun, cute continuation to the Gone to the Dogs Series! If you love clean cozy mysteries, check this series out. Book 1 is Off the Chain by Janice Thompson. 😊 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy to honestly read and review.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good addition to this cute cozy mystery series!

In book three, an agility course champion (Remington) is believed to have been stolen. The amateur sleuths at Lone Star Veterinarian are on the case. Along the way, the heart of the veterinarians and staff come shining through as they help others in need.

Nice humor and an engaging story line. I learned a few things in the pages too (ex. who knew dogs had different blood types than humans?) Recommend this series for fans of cozy mysteries!

My gratitude to publisher Barbour for a NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series, and the authors do a wonderful job of updating us, but each book does build on the next. There are recurring characters, and the building of the veterinary practice, and the dog rescue.

This book does have another mystery, and yes you will be guessing, and maybe changing your mind, I did!

I love the caring and giving going on here, both human and canine, this is such a warm hearted read, and it makes you want to hold you dog close.

There are twists and turns and we are looking for a champion dog, a beautiful Sheltie, but we get to see what happens to the imposter, not what you expect!

I loved this series, and it does come to a great conclusion, but I wish it didn't have to end!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Published Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian fiction mixed with mystery, romance, compassion, interesting characters and sweet dogs. This is a nice feel-good story that will both inspire and entertain you.

Thanks to Barbour Fiction and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly entertaining read and great addition to this wonderful series.

Veterinarian Kristin Keller and her staff are determined to help the Adkinson family find out what happened to their champion dog Remington, go along with them in this entertaining adventure filled with mystery, friendship, and faith.

A delightfully cozy mystery, that brings back familiar faces, but also would work well as a standalone. I loved seeing Kristin and Tyler working together and reconnecting over the mystery. I liked that they bonded over their shared love of animals and faith. Parker is a great friend, and I liked how they worked together to help others.

Overall, a fantastic, heartwarming read, that for me is a standout in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Sarita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another cute cozy mystery with the mystery of a champion dog gone missing. There was a lot of possible kiddognappers but I think halfway I did guess the napper correctly.

I enjoyed getting back to the group of friends and their love interest as well as their longing and willingness to help animals.

I am enjoying this cozy mystery series with the 4 paw friends.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

[Theodene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gone to the Dogs Mystery Series is an amazing adventure full of well defined characters who all have a love for dogs (and cats, too). While I’ve never read Book 1, I did read and review Book 2, Dog Days of Summer by Kathleen Y’Barbo. Having read two of the three books in this series, now I really want to read book 1!

Barking Up the Wrong tree is a mystery about a champion agility dog gone missing. Somehow, someone did a switcheroo and replaced the champion with a sickly dog. But who dunnit and will the champion Remington be found before nationals?

Remington’s vet office is on the case I’m looking for who has him. There are several possibilities that the team is investigating. As they dig deeper and look further into the possible culprits, it seems something else pops up as another potential direction to look into. All this happens while those working at the vet office is busy caring for their pet patients and they expand to helping others on their time off as well.

Let’s not forget there’s a romance brewing amongst everything else happening at Lone Star Animal Clinic. The two veterinarians are college classmates and apparently they’ve spent many years admiring each other but a romance didn’t ever start until they’re in the middle of looking for the missing Remington. It all comes together eventually leaving me saddened that I once again arrived at the end of a book and all the new friends I’ve made. All the possibilities are resolved, but do they actually find Remington?

Barking Up the Wrong Tree by Janice Thompson is an excellent book that’s full of action and leads. I give it 5 out of 5 tiaras because there’s never a dull moment between these covers!

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barking Up the Wrong Tree is so cute! What a fun cozy mystery, especially for dog lovers. I haven’t read the previous books in the series, but I certainly hope to.

I want to work at The Lone star Vet Clinic! What a fun place. I also liked the southern characters and setting. I enjoyed getting to know Kristin and seeing her growth. Tyler, who had a big part in Kristin’s growth, is a great character as well. I liked his outlook and perspective on life.

I don’t read cozies often, but I enjoyed that this one involved a missing dog. It kept me guessing until near the end. To describe this read in one word: Fun.

First Line: “Remington’s off his game, Dr. Kristin.”
Series: Gone to the Dogs book 3
Genre: Christian Mystery/Suspense
Author: Janice Thompson
Page Count: 256
Content: Clean

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Kristin at the Lone Star Veterinary clinic knows her furry clients. When the award winning Sheltie champion family brought Remington in because he wasn’t acting right, she discovered the dog was not the same one. The search by the whole clinic is started as they are shocked how this could of happened.

This engaging story is filled with multiple characters that has positive and negative flaws to them with some being more shady. There are several characters that could have kidnapped and swapped Remington out, as the staff and others reviewed video footage. Thompson has her reading guessing till close to the end. The story is filled with a cozy mystery, faith that is portrayed in simple and true scriptural basis, budding romance and characters that wanted to rescue all the dogs and individuals they encountered.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publisher for an ARC e-book of this fun cozy mystery without any obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own opinion.

[Connie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barking up the wrong tree is written by Janice Thompson. This is book three In the Gone to the Dogs series. While each book can be read as a stand alone, the characters are so much fun and you will find yourself invested in them.

This is Dr. Kristin Kelley’s story. She’s the other vet at the Lone Star Veterinary clinic. She’s had such a crush on her fellow vet and boss. It was nice to start to see that romance building. Kristin sees one of her usual clients whose dog Remington is a Texas Agility champion. However the dog is off his game. His owners have noticed a change in behavior. They soon find out that it’s a different dog completely. The Lone Star crew is then on the case.

There’s are plenty of suspects. The second place dogs owner who owns a dog food company that the vets refuse to endorse. The groomer that lost Remington as a client. The older Mr. Flores who seems to have dementia. The not so reputable dog breeder. So many suspects.

The author has written a fun story with a mystery woven in. I loved seeing the characters again and have gotten to know them so well. Their stories are well written.

I have enjoyed this series so far. I can’t wait until the next story. Thank You to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

[Jessicarose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC I was given.

All I had to do was look at the cover and I fell in love. That being said, I started reading this without knowing it was a part of a series. That didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying it, though. This book holds a lot of charm and warmth within it. Think Best in Show meet Sweet Magnolias, lots of love.

[Ailey Leman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun easy read. I especially appreciated a few parts of this story. First, the themes of reaching out to people in our community. That was a neat element. Second, the romance was not drama filled. It was simple and sweet and worked without a bunch of extra stress involved. There was a little more drama, rumors, gossip, etc. on the mystery side, I felt like, because of the small-town vibes.
I also enjoyed getting to see more of the characters from the previous books in the series.
I’m not as much of a dog/pet person as most of the characters in these books, but am still enjoying this series!

[Becky Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dogs weren’t the only ones who responded to love. People did too.”

In this third installment in the Gone to the Dogs Mysteries, Janice Thompson has accomplished exactly what she set out to do. Barking Up the Wrong Tree had me thoroughly engrossed in the mystery, loving the focus on the rescue dogs and the Lone Star Vet Clinic gang. I loved how Thompson highlighted her knowledge of dog shows, agility competitions, and the love between dogs and their devoted owners.

I was a bit surprised to find Dr. Kristin Keller to be the first person narrator. Somehow, I expected the series to continue to revolve mostly around Trina and Mari. We do get to see them, and quirky Grandma Peach figures into the equation as a side character.

Kristin’s family is having trouble releasing her to be her own person and allowing her to leave the family. Kristin is having trouble appreciating her family. How often we don’t appreciate our flawed, but more than adequate (actually blessed) backgrounds until someone close points out how much we’re taking for granted. Kristin also learns from Tyler and others how to truly give of herself to others.

We eventually see more of Mari and gain a deeper appreciation of this young vet tech. A real encourager and team player, Mari goes out of her way to help others. Hopefully, as the series progresses, she will come to understand that she can’t save every dog or person. Nor is that her responsibility.

Great twists are a tool Thompson wields well, and I found myself talking back to the book on more than one occasion.
I belly-laughed often. Barking Up the Wrong Tree is great medicine for a troubled soul! A few times I wondered if situations resolved themselves too simply, but then, this is a cozy (and zany) world!

I would highly recommend this book, read in order of its publication. Each book in the series builds on the next.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

[Jennifer McClurkan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. This story is KrKristin Kellers story. She's a vet and self proclaimed dog whisperer. Has she finally met her match in a sheltie named Remington who has just won the Texas state agility course competition? The champion pooch is acting out, like a different dog. Could he have been switched. Enjoy this mystery that has a little romance and small town feels.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw this was releasing sooner than the date that showed in NetGalley, I hoped I could get it done in time, but no worries there. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop! It was great to read about the vet/office team at Lone Star clinic especially when they were sleuthing. And while I'm all about cozy murder mysteries, I've never minded that this series doesn't have that. I get so wrapped up in the characters and how they're going about solving the mystery, it just never seems to matter if it's a murder or a swapped-out dog.

I love how there's always a couple of side stories about the friends doing some positive things and goodwill gestures for some of the neighbors like Mr. Robbins finally adopting a dog or Mr. Flores getting some much-needed house and yardwork help. But the ones who aren't the good guys never get away with it--that you can count on! It was great how the crew flushed out the missing dog.

Grandma's wedding was awesome especially what happened at the reception! Super sweet and just fun to visit with these characters again. I enjoyed this book being from Kristin's viewpoint too!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Barbour Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Thompson really had me guessing until the end! Didn't figure it out until almost the end! What a great story! I'm loving this series and I got my wish! I was hoping the author would write more!
This one is my favorite so far!
Kristin is really cool! Her family is too even though they're way out there but that is what I love about them. They're not afraid to be themselves.
Mari is my favorite character. I like her because of her passion for animals and wanting to help them in any way she can.
In a way I think that this is really her story because it involves her grandmother Peaches. ( what a cute name).
My favorite thing about this story is that it is told from Kristin's point of view. I could relate to her so much better.
My other favorite thing about this book is how the characters refer and pray to God and let him take control of their adventure.
I am loving this series so much. I hope it doesn't end for a while.
Poor Remington and "Fed!" I felt sorry for them. I even found myself praying for them and that everything would turn out all right lol. After all, dogs have feelings too!
This story was such a delight and fun to read. I highly recommend it.
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the whole practice is involved in this book, we have a bit more on Kristin and it’s a great read! These are the cleanest cozies I have read and if you’re taken aback by some cozy series content, this one is definitely for you! A great series with solid mysteries each and every time!

[Cynthia Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was great for mystery lovers and dog lovers. This was a fast read and cute read. This was a lighthearted and clean mystery.

[Stacey E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really loving this series!

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery series! The people of Lone Star Veterinary Clinic and their families are like my old friends now, and I like how each novel focuses on a different person at the clinic. I like that the veterinary clinic, rescue, and the shelter are the primary settings. I appreciate a mystery in which nobody is murdered, but solving the mystery is still a matter of urgency. What I really appreciate is how each person demonstrates their faith in a very non-threatening manner and without pushing any one denomination. Whether it is praying, attending worship, putting faith into action, helping others in the community, or encouraging another person, there is clearly something different about the staff at Lone Star.

In this novel, Kristin, one of the veterinarians, discovers something most vets would never come across. A couple brought in their beloved, award-winning Sheltie, but something has not been right about Remington since the state finals. He growls, snaps, and tries to bite them and they are afraid to have him around their toddler and their soon to be born son. He doesn’t look or act healthy and seems confused by the agility equipment. His biggest show ever, the Nationals, is coming up soon, but he may not be able to compete.

Kristin studied the labs that came back, and Remi had an easy to treat infection. All his labs were so different from those of a few months ago, that it was as if he were a different dog. Which he is. When Isabel, the groomer, saw him, she knew immediately it wasn’t Remi because some of the markings were different. Whodunit and where their beloved Remi is will take everything they have to figure out.

The characters are Southern through and through, with charm that is backed by genuine caring and concern for others. I enjoyed how Tyler set up an I Love Lucy night after work since Isabel had no idea who Lucy was, much less Fred Mertz! He is a good business owner and vet; it is easy to see how Kristin fell for him in college and still has feelings for him. I liked watching their relationship change, and how Kristin began to see her family – and other people – from Tyler’s perspective.

Kristin loves her family, and at one point described them as a “multi-generational hodgepodge of country livin’, Jesus-lovin’ folks who never met a stranger”. When Tyler meets them, she was embarrassed, and his response was eye-opening. “The world needs “out there”, Kristin. . . And folks like your brother who’ve been around the block and learned a thing or two. . . they can really impact this world for good.” I learned more about myself and others from this novel and see changes I can make.

Plot twists revealed several people who could have taken Remington, yet whose dog did they have? Surely someone is missing a handsome Sheltie like this one, even if not an award-winning pup. Don’t let the fact that nobody was murdered deter you from this novel as the loss of a show dog who is also a member of the family is not a small thing. I highly recommend this to all who enjoy well-written Southern cozy mysteries with dogs, suspense, animal rescue groups, and sweet romance.

From a thankful heart: I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Barbour, through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

[Barbara Sousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barking Up the Wrong Tree, the third book in the Gone to the Dogs mystery series, is immensely charming. Author Janice Thompson has created a book that not only has a compelling mystery, but also a delightful cast of characters and a touch of humor.

In the course of routine bloodwork, veterinarian Kristin Keller discovers that her canine client, Remington, an agility-champion Sheltie, has been switched and a lookalike put in his place. She enlists the aid of her veterinary co-workers to find the missing dog.

Suspects abound in this engaging mystery. There’s Andrea, an unscrupulous breeder with “purebred” dogs in deplorable condition; Kirk, the owner of Remi’s chief competitor on the agility circuit; and Danielle, a groomer with attitude who is angry with Remi’s owner for using a different groomer. I like the idea that the missing dog is the focus of this story. Obviously, most cozy mysteries involve a murder (or several), but the dog-in-peril situation here really ups the stakes for me. My heart breaks at the thought of a beloved dog going missing (especially a Sheltie).

The characters and their emotions ring true for me. The veterinary employees and their friends feel almost like family. I enjoyed the budding romance between Kristin and Tyler and loved the interaction with the various dogs. The only thing that gave me pause was a brief scene in which Kristin couldn’t make out whether the dog she was observing from next door was a Sheltie. Shelties are pretty distinctive, so this, to me, was a stretch.

Overall, if you like a cute, clean mystery with a lot of heart, Barking Up the Wrong Tree should be right up your alley. With a light and engaging tone, this mystery is for dog lovers everywhere.

Note: I received an ARC of Barking Up the Wrong Tree from NetGalley, and Barbour Publishing. The above is my honest review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG: https://bookreadingtic.com/2023/01/15... THANK YOU!

Hot Dog!

A championship dog, a sheltie named Remington, has been stolen and replaced with a look alike--one who is mean and poor tempered. After taking the dog to the vet, the switch is discovered. The owners are besides themselves with worry.

Veterinarian, Kristin, who saw Remington when he was brought in has decided she is going to solve the mystery. There are lots of good candidates who could have done it:

A maker of a mediocre dog food has a picture of Remington on their company information--it is falsely implying he ate their food.

An elderly man with early dementia is rumored to have a new dog, maybe a sheltie. Lots of signs point to him as the dognapper.

Could it be a local dog groomer who has been confrontational to their clinic's groomer? She might be behind their groomer's false negative reviews posted on social media.

There is a secretive dog breeder who has lots of sick dogs, and whose place is very run-down. Remington could be used by her to prop up her breeding business.

Red herrings abound in this tale. As Kristin tries to find Remington, her relationship with fellow vet, Tyler, increases as he helps out with the investigation.

This is a great mystery that kept me guessing until the end. This tale stands alone but it is part of a series. This time the tale was told from Kristin’s viewpoint, it was interesting to get her take on things. I liked the humor in this five-star book along with the Christian characters. I highly recommend it to everyone--especially lovers of mysteries or dogs!

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Barking up the Wrong Tree, for the purpose of review.

[Deana Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to the series where dogs are the stars and laughter abounds in this adventure filled with fun, faith and of course dogs and more dogs. I love getting to know Kristin better in this story and how compassionate she is. She has this knack for winning over even the most difficult dog until a strange mix up happens. Our Star dog is Remington who has just won the Texas state agility course. What an exciting time as Remington is now up for the nationals.

Something strange is going on with Remington as he is not himself at all. His health has declined and he is not friendly at all. When blood work comes back, it is discovered that Remington is not Remington. Someone switched dogs and the mystery begins. Why would someone take someone’s dog and leave them with a sick dog? Oh my the questions are plenty in this dog napping adventure. With a flair of I Love Lucy show, the sick dog is now named Fred Mertz. The team starts the work to help this poor dog. The question still looming is “Where is Remington.”

I love how the author gives us several suspects as the staff is on the case. Could it be someone from the competition that was jealous? Maybe it is the lady who is a hoarder or puppy mill as I think of them. Or could it be the woman who owns a mobile grooming company that didn’t like her unfavorable review from Remington’s owner?

I loved being back with friends and seeing how Mari and Parker’s relationship was slowly blossoming. Mari’s rescue group is in full swing and continues to find dogs who need love and care. Will we hear weddings bells from these two soon? I can’t wait to follow their journey and perhaps witness a special occasion in the future.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Gone To The Dogs, Book #3

Janice Thompson

5 Stars

Synopsis;

A Champion Dog Is Off His Game

Grab a puppy to snuggle and unwind with a delightful small-town mystery in book 3 of the Gone to the Dogs series.

Inquisitive, detail-oriented, Veterinarian Kristin Keller prides herself on winning over any dog. But has this self-proclaimed dog whisperer finally met her match in a Sheltie named Remington who has just won the Texas state agility course competition? The champion pooch is acting out of sorts—almost as if he is not the same dog. Has he, by chance, been switched out with another dog just before the next big competition? Kristin and the other Lone Star employees will do anything to help the Atkinson family figure out this mystery surrounding their beloved Remington. (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well rounded. I like the fact that each book has a different main character but we get to spend time with all of them and see what is going on with them. I really liked reading about the clinic and all the animals and how they are taken care of. You can tell the staff really care about their animals.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. Whether taking care of the animals or trying to find out what happened to the missing dog I was totally engaged in the story.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted book. I have read all the books in the series and I have loved them all.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Barbour Publishing, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE a Cozy Mystery book and I definitely like stories involving dogs. Barking Up the Wrong Tree by Janice Thompson is Book 3 in the series, Gone to the Dogs. I read Book 1 in this series, which was also written by Janice Thompson. Book 2 was written by a different author, and I have not read that book yet.

Kristin Keller, a Veterinarian, is a self-proclaimed Dog Whisper. She wonders if a dog named Remington will be the first dog that doesn't respond to her. Remington is a Champion Pooch, who just won a Texas Agility Competition. The owners bring him to the Lone Star Vet Clinic when he isn't acting like himself. The Vet Clinic discovers the dog they are treating is not Remington and soon they are on the case to find the REAL Remington. Kristin and all who work at Lone Star Vet Clinic want to do everything they can to bring the real Remington back to the Atkinson family before the next competition. There are many suspects that could have switched dogs, it is up to the Clinic to help. Will they find the REAL Remington before the next competition?


WOW, I was intrigued by the storyline and characters from the very first chapter. Kristin is a caring and loving woman who loves her job at the Vet Clinic. Tyler and Parker are very good characters in the book. I really like how Tyler wants to help Kristin and they also seem to have an attraction and romance building! I truly LOVED this Cozy Mystery book with a bit of Romance in it. The books are part of a series but also read great as a Standalone books. I am looking forward to reading all the books in this series! GREAT BOOK!

[Sara Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

** “God will make a way. When He’s in a thing, well, He always does.” **

Janice Thompson delivers a delightfully heart-warming story with “Barking Up the Wrong Tree,” the third installment in the Gone to the Dogs series she shares with Kathleen Y’Barbo.

When the gang at Lone Star Veterinary Clinic realizes one of their star clients, an award-winning Sheltie named Remington, has been swapped out for a different sickly dog, they join forces to help look for the missing canine.

As the vets Dr. Kristin and Dr. Tyler join forces with their staff, they weed through several suspects — a bad groomer Danielle, a bad breeder Andrea, and the president of an inferior dog food company Kirk.

Will they find the missing Remington? And will Kristin allow her heart to open up to the hunky Dr. Tyler — and maybe even a dog of her own?

Thompson once again offers up a fun story filled with emotion and mystery. She creates wonderful characters that are filled with inspiration but also with flaws. She includes some great themes, too, like the importance of perspective; the impact of making judgements; the effect of good neighbors; recognizing the blessings we have; and God will always make a way.

Told with an almost Mitford-like tone, readers of small town stories, cozy mysteries and animal stories will love “Barking Up the Wrong Tree,” which is due out Jan. 1.

Five stars out of five.

Barbour Fiction provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed being back with my favorite veterinarian team and all their employees. This one is Kristin's story; she's been working at the Lone Star Vet Clinic for about a year now. She is still in love with her boss Tyler, and she's pretty sure he is in love with her too. They just have not done anything about it yet.

What starts out as a normal day quickly becomes abnormal. Kristen becomes alarmed at the health of prize winning Shelty by the name of Remington. Remington's owners are equally dismayed and already have a lot on their plate, including a new baby on the way. What they don't understand is why Remington has changed so, even how he acts. Well, it just so happens that Remington is not Remington. Someone switched out dogs. Why and who? So now they have a sick dog and a missing dog.

Well, the whole team gets behind this. Along with this mystery there is a big wedding happening and Kristen and Tyler begin to get closer. And then there are her parents, whom she loves dearly, but they are a lot to take in. What will Tyler think?

I like this group of people. Their comradery and family like atmosphere are heartwarming. Their love of animals and their care for them is astounding and their mystery solving skills are not so bad either. I look forward to more of these fun down to earth mysteries.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

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[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I Would Tell You by Liz Tolsma provides another excellent book revolving around historical events. This story is a dual timeline book set in Greece during World War II and the present.

Sephardic Jew Mathilda Nissim and her husband live in Salonika, Greece. In 1941, they are forced to watch their beloved city get invaded during World War II. Mathilda refuses to idly sit by and do nothing , and instead keeps writing. Once she and her husband discover they are expecting a child, she initially plans to keep her daughter with her. But eventually she takes measures to ensure her daughter’s safety.

In the present, college student Riley Payson and her cousin take a popular DNA test, and Riley discovers they share no common ancestors. Instead, she finds she is a Sephardic Jew. So she sets out for Greece to determine her real family.

As I read this book, I could tell the author put time into researching this book. The story and the characters come to life. As someone who loves history, I learned quite a bit from this story . I loved reading about the museum in Greece. My heart broke for the Sephardic Jews, and how they were basically wiped out during the ear.

So if you enjoy history, reading about World War II, or dual timeline stories, check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.