The definition of cosy crime, with paws galore, murders and, more and what's not to love about a three-legged Chihuahua called Telescope? Great Escapism.

I loved this book so much. along with all the characters and the dog. This was a well written book and I hated to see it end. This is my first read from this author and it definitely won't be the last. Looking forward to reading more from the author. I recommend it to others you are going to love it.

A fun cozy and great start to a series. I love the characters (Willow, Wednesday, and Griffin) and their interaction with one another but I fell in love with the little chihuahua Telescope. Telescope is a tri-paw but he doesn’t let his disability slow him down. The mystery is well-written with a few twists along the way. I have already started book two, I can’t wait to see how the relationships develop and how the progress on the Doggie Gym turns out.


I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

Willow returned home for a new start in life after her divorce, what she hadn’t been looking for was a new murder mystery right in her backyard. As the daughter of the police chief, she couldn’t help her curiosity about the crime as it involves the contractor her aunt had awarded the job to do repairs to the house she left for Willow. Seeing as he was the no 1 suspect and her new business and the repairs on her new home are in limbo unless Willow could put her investigative skills to work, and find the real killer before it’s too late. An Interesting and entertaining, mild cozy read.

Home Is Where the Bark Is by Stella St. Claire is the first installment of a new series. This book is a charming cozy mystery. The plot and characters are interesting and fun.
Throw in an animal and I am hooked. Will be anxiously awaiting the next installment

Home is Where the Bark Is has charm in abundance and will readily appeal to fans of light mysteries.  Willow Wells is starting a new life in her hometown after her divorce. Her plans are to turn her Aunt’s property into a dog gym and training facility.  But her plans are threatened when her sister’s cat Rover and her dog Telescope unearth the body of a local developer - one known to be in conflict with Griffin, Willow’s contractor.  With Griffin as lead suspect, and his accounts frozen by the police, Willow’s building deadlines look like a lost cause. Needless to say Willow decides to investigate with the help of her sister Wednesday and Griffin.  She may not have her father, the police chief ‘s experience, but what she does have is determination in abundance. Everyone says Lee Hunter was a good guy, but clearly someone had a motive…


Willow and Wednesday’s attempts at gathering information are haphazard and more than a little obvious, but their intentions are good.  The mystery is easy to solve as long as you pay attention. I particularly liked how some chapters were from Griffin’s point of view.


There is nothing in Home is Where the Bark Is that will offend anyone.  It is a straightforward light mystery with likable characters and charming animals. Stella St Claire’s debut Paws fur play mystery is an entertaining novel that will appeal to mystery lovers of all ages.  


4 / 5


I received a copy of Home is Where the Bark Is from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


— Crittermom

Home is Where the Bark is by Stella St. Claire is the 1st book in the Paws Fur Play Mystery series. I really enjoyed the Happy Tails Dog Walking Mysteries series by this author, so was excited to read this book, and was not disappointed. Willow Wells recently divorced, where she lost everything, moves to her aunt's property that she inherited. Willow is a dog trainer, and her aunts property has a dog gym on the property, but it needs a lot of repairs. Willow hires contractor Griffin Maynard, when they discover a body on the property, and Griffin becomes the prime suspect. Griffin's assets are frozen by the police, Willow's father, so he can't buy the supplies he needs or refund Willow's money to her. Determined to get her dog gym done, she sets out to solve the case. I really enjoyed this book, and can't wait for the next one. If you like cozy mysteries, give this book a try.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Home is Where the Bark Is is such a cute mystery. Loved the plot and the characters. I look forward to reading more books in this series. Mystery fans will enjoy this one.

I always like Stella St. Claire books and this one was no exception
What a lovely book! It was an enjoyable and entertaining read.
The plot is sound and hooks you since the beginning, and I was kept guessing til the end.
I loved the cast of quirky characters both human and animal. Tele, the dog, was lovely.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Relay Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC

I just read Home is Where the Bark Is by Stella St. Claire. I was provided a review copy via NetGally.com. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It seems strange to say of a murder mystery, but I found it to be a light, easy book to read. The main character, Willow, is optimistic and adventurous, in spite of the blows life has dealt her so far. Griffin, the contractor is likeable, and I can see a romance may develop in future books. And the character of the dog Telescope, and whether or not he understands what is going on and helps to solve the crime adds a unique element. I am looking forward to reading Ms. St. Claire’s. next book to see what happens next to the cast of characters I came to know while reading Home Is Where the Bark Is. I recommend it for young adults, or young at heart adults. Good book!

This was a really fun enjoyable book! I have never read this author before but it kept me entertained, especially the dog, Tele. But, hey, I love dogs, so you can never go wrong with a great dog character! I also enjoyed the mystery of the book. Even though it was a murder mystery, it never got too deep and stayed a fun, lighthearted book that kept me guessing 'who dun it'. until the end. I changed my mind a few times, but honestly I didn''t feel like I had to figure it out, I just enjoyed the ride. I liked all the characters, especially Willow and Wednesday. I took off one star because I didn't love the relationship between Willow and Griffin. They had some spats but instead of being light hearted like the rest of the book they seemed angry. When they were investigating together, I liked him more. Hopefully their relationship is something that grows throughout the series and he grows on me as a character. Looking forward to reading more from this author! Would recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Relay Publishing for the eARC.
Willow, after a divorce that left her with nothing, has returned to the town she grew up in with her beloved Chihuahua mix Telescope. She inherited her aunt's house and plans to renovate it and the disused dog run. She would like to restart her business of training dogs and running a Doggie Gym. The contractor she hires, Griffin, is excellent and not bad on the eye either, but unfortunately they find a body on her property and Willow's father, the Police Chief, believes Griffin to be the main suspect.
This was a fun, quick read and I love Telescope, who reminds me of my own Chihuahua. But I didn't feel invested in any the human characters that much; although they will probably be more fleshed out as the series continues. A nice beach read.

A barking good story. A friendly, happy murder mystery - and it's not often you can say that - with a 3 legged chihuahua and a cat that believes it's a dog. What more could you ask for. Oh yes a doggy play gym. This is one of the most fun murder mysteries that I've read. The people are good people - even the murderer. The only 'bad' person is the victim. Loved it.