Karma's A Bitch (A Pet Psychic Mystery #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Dec 10, 2024 Kelly (Maybedog) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: what-mystery-cozy, what-mystery, what-mages-witches-wizards, what-magic, what-dogs, where-library-audiobook, how-audiobook, what-modern-fantasy, what-animals, what-female-protagonist

I really liked this story. The main character was great. She was sweet and neither arrogant nor too self-deprecating. I loved that her past was hinted at and little bits revealed at a time with lots left to learn in future books. I liked her hippie/dippy type store and that her name was Darwin.

The mystery was good. Darwin’s getting involved in the investigation made sense and her search and questions were reasonable and followed a logical progression.

The situation with the homeless was the cen I really liked this story. The main character was great. She was sweet and neither arrogant nor too self-deprecating. I loved that her past was hinted at and little bits revealed at a time with lots left to learn in future books. I liked her hippie/dippy type store and that her name was Darwin.

The mystery was good. Darwin’s getting involved in the investigation made sense and her search and questions were reasonable and followed a logical progression.

The situation with the homeless was the center of the mystery. The information was fairly accurate from my pretty significant experiences with the homeless although missing a few key parts. But this is a cozy and those do not fit. It was handled with respect while keeping Darwin’s interactions realistic and revealing the plight of the those on the street. The idea of a fundraiser was great. No way could you organize one in a few days, though. I applaud the author for taking such a difficult subject and fitting it into a cozy mystery without taking away the gist of the issue.

The romance was sweet. I liked the guy and that he neither revealed too much about the investigation nor got mad at her for looking into it. He asked her not to but he was gentle, no yelling. He also understood why she wanted to figure the mystery out.

I just wish dogs were more prevalent in scenes. I feel like they were an add on. She clearly got messages from more than just animals. Calling her a perky psychic and inserting a dog follows the trend lately of cozies needing to have dog, cats, books or baking. Sometimes a dog is just included on the cover and is only in a couple of unnecessary scenes that were clearly added on. This isn’t like that so much. The dog was sweet and integrated into the plot. You probably will understand if you read this why I’m frustrated. (view spoiler)

I’ve been on a cozy mystery binge lately and most have been either awful or not really cozy or both. This is the way cozy books should be. I’m eager to read the next one.

The narrator, Stephanie Einstein was really good. The characters each had different voices appropriate for their personalities. She didn’t do a British accent very well. Sometimes it sounded Australian. But I think she’s either Southern or is amazing at a Southern accent, one that was consistent enough that it could be from a specific area. She did non-Southern accents very well too. So I’m not sure where she’s really from! ...more

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Feb 09, 2012 Diane ~Firefly~ rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, paranormal, kindle, dog

Good start to a series. Darwin moved to Florida to escape her family and try to be normal. But she never will be normal as she can sometimes see animal's memories. When she befriends a homeless man and his dog, Karma, it sets the wheels in motion on the mystery.

What I enjoyed:
* Karma, what a big, loveable dog.
* Darwin's willingness to help a friend.
* Will seems like he will make a good love interest and there is no triangle in site.
* Pirate City and the inhabitants.

What could have been better:
* ...more

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