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Marcia Banks and Buddy Mysteries #12

To Bark or Not To Bark, A Marcia Banks and Buddy Mystery

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Just because you’re paranoid...

Service dog trainer Marcia Banks tackles a locked room mystery in a haunted house, while training the recipient of her latest dog.

The border collie, Dolly has been trained to clear rooms for an agoraphobic Marine who was ambushed in a bombed-out building in Syria. But the phantom attackers in his psyche become the least of his troubles when Marcia finds his ex-wife’s corpse in his master bedroom, with the door bolted from the inside.

Was it suicide or murder? Marcia can’t see her client as a killer, but the local sheriff can.

Then the Marine reports hearing his ex calling for him to join her on the other side of the grave. Is his house really haunted, or is he hallucinating?

Bottom line: Marcia has lost a client to suicide before. She’s not going to lose another!

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Published July 16, 2022

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About the author

Kassandra Lamb

52 books233 followers
Psychology and writing (or writing and psychology) have always vied for the number one spot on my list of greatest passions. I am now a retired psychotherapist and can afford to spend as much time as I want on my writing.

I am in Heaven! (Well, actually I live in Florida now.)

Some people have asked me if my protagonist, psychotherapist Kate Huntington, is me. I wish! She's much more consistently kind and compassionate than I am.

I was born and raised in Maryland and lived there most of my adult life. In addition to my psychotherapy practice, I also taught at Towson University for a decade. It was my favorite job of my entire lifetime, so I decided to base my first series, the Kate Huntington mysteries, in Towson, Maryland. My newer series, about a service dog trainer, is set in central Florida near where I live now, the Marcia Banks and Buddy cozy mysteries.

I blog about psychological topics, or anything else that strikes my fancy, about twice a month at www.misteriopress.com.

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
1,545 reviews29 followers
July 24, 2022
Book 12 in the series - already? Really? These books are all great. What's not to love? Dogs being trained to help our wounded veterans. Mystery galore. Likeable characters. Each book in the series has been great. And his one is no exception. Please keep them coming.
150 reviews4 followers
July 13, 2022
Wow! This is one of the best in the series. I loved this book and hated to put it down. The story goes in several directions. I enjoyed watching Marcia and her husband's relationship grow. Her stepfather Clint is a great character. The plot will keep you guessing what's what until the end.
Profile Image for Andrea Stoeckel.
3,088 reviews131 followers
July 19, 2022
"Grief could make people irrational, but this was crazy."

In this story Marcia Banks-Haines, along with her mentor dog Buddy, is trading a veteran and his new service dog Dolly. While doing so she unexpectedly finds Herb's ex wife in a locked room in Herb's home. It is assumed it was a suicide from a convoluted note left near the body. However..

Interweaving the psychology of PTSD and a few other disorders, Kassandra Lamb takes us through this locked room mystery along with Marcia (and Bumpkin her expected baby) discovering just how well Herb and Dolly began working together. Marcia really loves training service dogs and the new PI agency she and husband Will have begun. However, what will happen with the baby coming?

I love the characters in this series and understand from the author notes that this may be the last novel in the group, which makes me sad, although she hints at a final novella to wrap it all up soon. Meanwhile, Kassandra Lamb is a pretty prolific author so there WILL be more books in my future. Highly Recommended 5/5

[Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntary read and reviewed it]
Profile Image for Dwayne Keller.
984 reviews13 followers
July 24, 2022
Wow. One of the best stories in this series. Marcia is training another dog for a veteran that suffers from agoraphobia. The Marine's ex is still heavily involved in his life and she is very controlling. The Marine thinks his house is haunted as he is hearing voices at night. Then a dead body is found in his house and he is accused of murder. Marcia and her husband Will investigate to solve the case. A great story with plenty of action, adventure, and humor. Marcia's Mom and Stepdad add nicely to the case and their story. Thoroughly enjoyable mystery, like visiting old friends.
1,382 reviews17 followers
July 16, 2022
A locked room mystery in a haunted house. An emotionally engaging mystery with an agoraphobic marine, his service dog in training (Dolly) and Marcia, the service dog trainer with a knack for solving mysteries. I love the characters in this series but felt especially attached to the agoraphobic marine as the tries to overcome his challenges. I highly recommend this book and this series. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sandy.
858 reviews14 followers
July 28, 2022
Wonderful series! Marcia has trained a service dog for another veteran, who soon finds his ex-wife has been murdered in his own bedroom. Marcia doesn’t think he killed her, so sets out to find out who did. A great plot, skilled writing and complex characters make this one a page turner! I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more from this author. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.
Profile Image for Bev.
3,250 reviews97 followers
August 7, 2022
Marcia is trying to help a client with numerous ailments with a trained dog to help him out. But his overbearing, narcissistic ex-wife isn't helping. That and he believes his house is haunted. When his ex-wife is found dead in a locked room, things just got more complicated. There was a note so was it suicide or murder? I really enjoy the role of "Ms. Snark" that pops in and out at the perfect time! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
242 reviews4 followers
August 4, 2022
A great book, as usual! :) I’ve really enjoyed this series so was very disappointed to read in the author’s notes that the series is finishing. There will only be one more book, a novella, later this year or early next year. The only type of “cozy” mystery I read are those with animals, especially dogs and horses, so I’m sad to see the series end.
Profile Image for Pam Bales.
2,491 reviews11 followers
July 30, 2022
Ms Lamb does it again.

Great story. Dogs have been a favorite of mine you as long as I can remember and dog books are on the top of my list of favorite reads. Add in a little murder, and shady characters and it's definitely a keeper. Can hardly wait for the next in the series.
216 reviews2 followers
July 8, 2022
Loved this story! Old, familiar characters are back along with some new ones to get to know. The plot is involving and kept me turning pages long after bedtime. I just couldn't put it down!

I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy and couldn't resist getting it for myself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great mystery.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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