This is the third book in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery. Local pet sitter and soon to be baker, Daphne Templeton is not too sure about this job but it is for an animal cause, and that is what Daphne excels in. What she also seems to have is a innate ability to solve crimes and also become a killer's focal point.

It was January and the annual Tail Waggin' Winterfest was underway along with Daphne trying to get her pet bakery grand opening set up. When she discovered the body of a TV executive in the water during the polar plunge, there was no shortage of suspects and Daphne was worried that she'd be tossed into that mix if she didn't do something to help find the real killer. It wasn't much help when her friend Jonathan the detective removed himself from the case since his ex-wife happened to be one of the suspects. There were a lot of great twists and turns to get to the killer.

This is such a fun book, its light and humorous with a touch of mystery and of course, murder.

Daphne Templeton is a free-spirited pet sitter, armed only with a Ph.D. in Philosophy and a stubborn Basset Hound, who has become an amateur sleuth.

In this installment of the series, Winterfest is the highlight of the season in the famously pet-friendly town of Sylvan Creek. However, a television network has taken over and made it a little contemporary for some of the towns liking. When the unpopular, TV producer Lauren Savidge, who's filming the festivities, is found dead, there are many suspects to chose from.

With the help of the beloved Socrates, Daphne sets off to sleuth around town and get answers. Will she be able to find the killer before the killer finds her??

This series is a fun way to escape the day or intrigue those who love a good "who dunnit" series. I swear, I have yet to figure it out in this series. I really enjoyed the detail of the story and character development, even all the dogs have great character development. A lot of cozies that I read, I describe as quick and fun, I would not describe this one as such. Like I said, Ms. Blake is very detailed in her plot and characters, so you really get to dive into the story. I would not say one style is better than the other because I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to continuing on with the series.

I have this book in both digital (NetGalley) and audio versions. The narrator, Elise Arsenault, does an amazing job.

This was a lovely little cozy mystery. The characters were great and the animals made it all the cozier---except the rat. I'm sorry---I know she tried to make the rodent endearing and cute but I could not get past the fact that it was a rat! Ugh! However - that was my only complaint. Great little read. I had not read the titles that preceded - but will certainly being doing so.

I really love this cozy series it's always a lot of fun every time I dig into one of the books. 

In Book three Winterfest is going all out and Daphne has signed up for the Polar Plunge because she thought her best friend Moxie wanted them too, turns out that was not it. So she is off to plunge on her own and in the misted of all that a dead body is found. It's Lauren a reporter that wasn't very well liked by a few people, she seem to be making their cute little pet friend town seem like a weird thing.

Jonathan Black, the detective who is usually on the case has to step down because his ex is a suspect and it's a conflict of interest. It doesn't stop Daphne from checking things out and then telling him things, which only makes him a bit mad as he doesn't want her mixed up in things. Daphne is also going out with Gabriel, a reporter, she is not sure if she likes him or not, but she sure doesn't trust him not after finding out some things about him. 

I really love the characters in this story, especially the dogs! Socrates and Artie, plus now there was a new one I think his name was Bernie. He is the Saint Bernard who found the dead body. Daphne who owns a pet walking service has also opened a pet food bakery, which is just getting started. Her sister Piper pretty much pushed her into opening sooner than she wanted too by putting up posters with a opening date, got to love a sister like that! Jonathan Black, one of my favorite detectives! I really hope Daphne and him end up together, she needs to forget that Gabriel! 

It has a really good mystery that took my by surprise as I didn't figure it out! Though it made a lot of sense. :)

If you love a pet themed cozy then you need to try out this series!

Daphne takes part in a town sponsored Polar Bear Plunge in the local lake during a winter festival. When a St. Bernard pulls a dead body out of the icy lake it is identified as a television producer with a lot of enemies. Daphne gets involved in finding the murderer and along the way there are lots of animals, a fun and cozy winter setting and a lot of surprises. Recommended!

Thank you to the publisher for the free advance copy!

Another great installment in the series! I continue to love Daphne and Socrates, and I was thrilled to have more Artie in this one. The mystery kept me guessing until the very last second, which is hard to do. Can't wait for the next book!

Pawprints & Predicaments by Bethany Blake was a fun story filled with animals, friends, and one of the most philosophical characters I have come across in a cozy series. Daphne Templeton holds a PHD in philosophy, but runs a pet-sitting business and is getting ready to open a pet bakery. She lives in the town of Sylvan Creek, known as one of the most pet loving towns. When a television crew descends on the town, their plan is to make a show that makes them look pet crazy, not pet loving. When the producer ends up dead, Daphne once again, gets involved in solving the crime.

I love Daphne's character. She is not as ditzy as she was in previous outings, but still has her moments. She has a quote for every situation showing her upbeat nature. She is an allover nice person who I would love to meet. Of course she seems to stumble onto murder victims quite regularly. Luckily for her, her instincts are great and she is often able to solve the crimes herself. Of course my favorite characters are Socrates, the basset hound, who seems to be the reincarnation of Socrates himself, and Artie, the one-eared chihuahua, owned by Detective Jonathan Black. Their personalities are hilarious and they are able to assist in solving the crimes unintentionally. The mystery was a good one, and the murderer was not even on my radar before the big reveal. Each book in this series seems to get better. We get to know a bit more about Daphne and Jonathan in this book. I wonder if their friendship will ever become more? I am looking forward to the newest addition to this series due out in November 2018. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating and opinions are my own.

This is the third book in the series. Recipes are included! I didn't see the second murder coming nor did I see the end happening. Total surprise! Two possible love interests- one going for it and one holding back? We shall see. Great reading!

Third in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series is a fun tale of a Winterfest in the town of Sylvan Creek. PAWPRINTS & PREDICAMENTS are about to ensue. The setting is between mountains, woods, and a lake. The weather looks set to snow and doggie knitwear is selling fast. Daphne Templeton runs a pet sitting business, and has a basset hound named Socrates. She and her friends are out for fun, but the news that Stylish Life TV network is filming events doesn't meet with approval.
The producer Lauren Savidge and crew have been upsetting people in town somewhat, and the local newshound is always keen to report on fractious situations. Between simmering tensions and the issue of jumping into the icy lake for charity, Daphne finds herself on edge. The cold, murky water hides a secret, and someone shrieks for help. Before you can say hot rum punch, the town police detective, Jonathan Black, an ex-SEAL, is investigating a probable murder.
To add another string to her bow, Daphne is planning to open a wholesome bakery store... sometime. She's working up to it, testing recipes. Meanwhile she traipses around town caring for pets, of all shapes and sizes. She fits in a call to reporter Gabriel Graham, who claims he was a top investigative journalist in Philly before buying the local paper. Daphne is wondering what the story is there, I was too, especially when he challenges Daphne to match wits with him on resolving the murder issue. He's just rescued a stray St. Bernard dog, but turns out he has no interest in keeping such a big dog and palms him off on guess who.
I'm puzzled as to why Daphne took a doctorate in philosophy, unused except to let her drop Greek musings into conversations. How does this help the author Bethany Blake establish her character as an amateur sleuth? The degrees must have cost her a fortune, as well as the best earning years of a young person's life, so how does she intend to make the money back? Walking dogs? Maybe the rationale was explained in the previous two books. Admittedly Daphne's mother seems to be well enough off, working as a real estate agent and dabbling in property. The style of the book is also jarring; over seventy very short chapters, which usually end on a dramatic note; words like hurtling, disaster, scream, full speed; but the next chapter just starts with something bland. I have to say I got tired of the arrangement quickly. The story does definitely take a turn to drama, so hang in there. A few recipes are at the end of PAWPRINTS & PREDICAMENTS -- treats for the furry friends. Enjoy.

So I bought the first one in this series after checking it out from the library because I enjoyed it. I liked the second installment just as much as the first. It's a fun series to read.

This is such a good cozy mystery series. Daphne is a likeable heroine who wants to help solve the mystery of the unlikeable tv producer Lauren's death at a polar bear plunge for charity. It's fun and quirky with a lot of twists and turns. There are plenty of likeable characters and sweet pets too. And don't forget the pet treat recipes at the back!

Daphne, and other locals in Sylvan Creek, are not too happy with Lauren, a TV producer. Lauren is working on a show that features the pet-friendly town, but she is harsh and controlling. At the Winterfest's first-ever polar bear plunge, Lauren is killed. Amateur sleuth Daphne sets out to find who killed Lauren.

The 3rd book in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series. I have not read the previous two books, but I enjoyed this book and will keep an eye out for others by Bethany Blake.

A cozy mystery for dog lovers. The mystery part was good and kept me interested. The characters and setting were delightful. Sylvan Creek is very pet-friendly, especially to dogs. Most characters have a dog in this everyone knows everyone, and their dog, town. As a nice bonus, recipes for pet treats are included in the back of the book.

I enjoy this series, Lucky Paws Petsitting series. This is book 3 and Daphne and her friends are enjoying their winter in the Poconos getting ready for the Tail Waggin' Winterfest. With a tv crew in Sylvan Creek to film the festivities and highlight the Polar Bear plunge some people are not happy with the direction of the festivities. When the producer is murdered the locals don't want the bad publicity and Daphne and her police nemesis are back to butting heads to get the crime solved. With basset hound Socrates helping her out, Daphne has the advantage and puts her in the killer's sights. I received a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I absolutely adore Bethany Blake’s animal cozies.  She has such an amazing way of bringing the various furred characters to life.  As an animal lover and pet parent I’m well aware of the quirks our beloved friends have and the ways we happily bend over backwards to make them happy.  That is at the core of Pawprints and Predicaments. Sylvan Creek is famously pet friendly, so much so that it is the topic of a television series. But not everyone is enamoured with the quirky tourist town.  Tv producer Lauren Savidge has other ideas - ideas that get her murdered. Once again Daphne Templeton, pet sitter extraordinaire is lured into investigating. This charming mystery has plenty of wonderful pets, unusual characters, quirky customs, humorous hijinks and just the right dose of romance.  


Pawprints and Predicaments is fun, festive and funny - making for a fabulous cosy read.


5 / 5


I received a copy of Pawprints and Predicaments from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


— Crittermom

Daphne Templeton runs the Lucky Paws Petsitting company, which is located in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. It is winter and the Tail Wagging Winterfest is about to start. One of the events is the polar bear plunge into the lake. The plunge is being filmed for a television show and Daphne does not get along with the producer, Lauren Savidge. Both have entered the plunge. Daphne makes it back to shore with assistance but Lauren is pulled out of the water and she is very dead. However, it appears her death is a result of murder. One of the suspects is Elyse, an ex-girlfriend of Daphne’s boyfriend, Jonathan. Daphne doesn’t agree and decides to investigate the murder on her own. Cozy readers and dog lovers will love this witty story. A clever and interesting book. Thanks again to Net Galley for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of this book.

As always, Bethany Blake takes us on a fun, rollicking ride with the third in the Lucky Paws petsitting mystery series. The action never stops, and if you can guess the murderer than you're a better sleuth than me. Everything leads up to it, but I was so in the dark it wasn't funny. Speaking of funny, the humour in this series is a real draw card; I can't count the amount of times I laughed or smiled while reading!

It's always a plus to involve animals in cozy mystery, but this one not only adds in new dogs and cats every so often, but adds baking and baking tips too. There are recipes at the end for people who can actually bake (not me). Little details like this just add to the general fun of this book. You don't have to just picture the food, you can try it for yourself!

These books are a real gem in a genre I generally enjoy anyway. They're only getting better! Five stars

So once again we are thrown into the pet-loving town of Sylvan Creek and if there was ever a place for me and the boys to take up a new residence, it would definitely be the place. This town LOVES its pets and has all kinds of events and businesses which cater to them. "Pawprints & Predicaments" picks up right after the Halloween Pet Parade and at the very beginning of the Tail Waggin' Winterfest. However, a big-time TV producer is still working on her new series but before long, it's clear that she isn't going to make it to the end of the production.

Once again all of my favorite characters are front and center. Daphne, the MC and owner of the wonderful Socrates and now Mr. Tinkleston, her best friend Moxie, who now has a new best pal of her own in her pet rat Sebastian, and Detective Black and his newly adopted crew, Axil and Artie. Also, Daphne has been convinced to take in a newly found St. Bernard named "Bernie" until the town can figure out if he is linked with Lauren's death.

I pretty much loved everything about this book - the small town feel, the pets, the quirky townspeople, and as mentioned, some very colorful characters. However, I did struggle with one aspect - a love triangle (DA DA DUM!). So let me start by saying I thought for a brief moment I would give this latest installment 4/5 instead of my final decision of 5/5 because love triangles really bother me. BUT, this one is a tad different in that it's not technically a triangle. First of all, Daphne is not sure of her feelings for one individual and secondly, Detective Black, whom I am fully and completely cheering for, has not really made his intentions clear. So I'm calling it a non-triangle at this time and giving it the coveted 5/5. I will just be leery going into the next one and hope this aspect resolves itself.

If you enjoyed the first two books, then don't hesitate to pick this one up. I'm sure you'll love it as much as I did.

I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

BOOKER T'S THOUGHTS: Socrates is one of the best Bassets I've met in a long time. Seems Mom must have a thing for them because first there was Elvis and now there is Socrates. However, they are VERY different dogs. Socrates is smart and intellectual and I bet he reads a lot, just like Mom. He also tolerates his animal siblings and boy, can I understand that. So why are you still reading my thoughts - go check him out!

I would say this is the best yet in a quaint series set in the Poconos town of Sylvan Creek. Daphne's pet sitting business continues to flourish, and her pet-centric bakery is almost ready to open. Sylvan Creek is hosting the area's Winterfest, complete with a Polar Plunge and cardboard Iditarod parade. A New York cable channel is in town to cover this pet friendly town and its' quirky owners. Producer Lauren Templeton leaves a lot of bad feelings in her wake and when she is pulled from the cold water Plunge, she is dead. With a mysterious St. Bernard and Daphne's every present basset hound Socrates, Daphne sticks her nose where it doesn't belong (at least according to police detective Jonathan Black), to help solve the mystery. Blake's animals are some of the best described creatures around, their slightly human traits magnified slightly enough to be realistic. I passed along the treat recipe from the end of the book to a friend who makes her own dog food, will be waiting to hear if it is paws up after she tries it! I look forward a lot more stories in this engaging series.

Pawprints and Predicaments is the third book in Bethany Blake's petsitting series. Set in the Pocono mountains, this takes place during the Tail wagging winter fest. Daphne and her sister are of course on hand, and ready to solve the untimely death of an annoying television producer covering the festivities. With her background in philosophy, Daphne always has something witty and insightful to say, and I really enjoy her character. This was a fast paced mystery with all of the crazy schemes that are what make cozies a fun and easy read. And I want to know, who will Daphne end up with?! I can't wait to read more in this series.

This is a great cozy mystery! Not one, but two murders, two possible love interests, close friend and family for support, and a cast of eccentric suspects to keep you guessing. All set in a small town that loves their pets, especially the canines. What's not to love? This is the first story I have read from this author, and is the third book in a series. I didn't notice anything missing and was able to follow the story without issue, so I would say it could be a stand alone read. I do plan to read the first two books of the series. Loved it!