This is the 2nd of the series and the first that I have read. Lilly Echosby and her dog Aggie (Agatha) have moved to Chattanooga from Indiana after the death of her husband (first book). This is the hometown of her best friend Dixie and Lilly soon finds an affordable house to rent along with a new job at a museum. Things seem to be going great except for a nasty neighbor no one can get along with and finding a dead body. I should say Aggie digs up the body. Good solid mystery with lots of twists that keeps you engaged the entire time. I plan to order the first in the series I enjoyed this so much. Looking forward to the next in this series.

The Puppy Who Knew Too Much by V. M. Burns is the 2nd book in the Dog Club Mystery, and another wonderful addition. I have enjoyed the author's Mystery Bookshop series, and her first book in Dog Club Mystery series. Ms. Burns is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Lilly Echosby's husband left her after thirty six years of marriage, so she decides to move to Florida and get a puppy her husband would never let her have. Lilly's new toy poodle is named Agatha Christie, and she can be a handful. Good thing Lilly best friend ,Dixie, trains dogs. Lilly moves into a to good to be true house, and bodies start turning up. Lilly and Dixie are determined to find the murderer, since Lilly is a suspect. On top of that Lily gets a job working for a museum after not working for a long time, except for her ex husband business. There is so much going on in this book, between the neighborhood and her work place, plus a little romance too. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love cozy and fun mysteries, I strongly recommend this book. 

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

A page turner cozy mystery. Three dogs play key rolls in this story. A move to a new city has unexpected consequences, some good, some not. This is a quick, fun read with a hint of romance, good friends and family. I look forward to reading the further adventures in this charming dog club mystery series.

Awesome book! Totally didn't expect the twist at the end, but loved it! V.M. Burns hits it out of the park again!

If you're looking for an easy read with likeable characters and a good plot, this is the perfect book.for you. I have a fondness for stories that include dogs so this was a great read for me. I specially like that the dog characters were skillfully crafted and the information about training and behavior was correct.

Lilly Echoby was ready for a new start. She chose to move to Chattanooga Tennessee where her long time friend Dixie lived. Things seemed to fall into place with a new house to live in and a new job. Then, one morning while walking her adopted six pound poodle Aggie, life took a wrong turn. Aggie discovered a dead body. What follows is a mix of comedy, a little bit of romance and good detective work.

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from Kensington Publishing through NetGalley.for the purpose of review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
#ThePuppyWhoKnewTooMuch #NetGalley

The Puppy Who Knew Too Much by V.M. Burns was an engaging second book in the Dog Club Mystery series.

Lilly Echosby and her toy poodle, Aggie, have moved to Chattanooga, TN to start a new life. Her best friend, Dixie, has welcomed her to her home town and is ready to help her get settled. I love both of these women! They are both smart, independent and determined. Fortune smiles on Lilly when she meets Mrs. Hanson who decides to rent her son's house and she knows about a job opening that would be perfect for Lilly. Lilly's new job is at The Chatanooga Art Museum and Linda Kay, her boss, and Jacob, a co-worker, make her feel right at home. Unfortunately, the good luck stops there as Aggie discovers a body on their morning walk after moving into their new home.

The story moved quickly with twists and turns, few suspects and no clear motives to keep readers turning the pages as they follow the clues. I really enjoy this series and would highly recommend it.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Lyrical Underground via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

I nudged Stephanie. “Look, that’s Freemont.” I pointed with my head in their direction.
Stephanie looked over and whistled. “He’s handsome…too handsome.”
“Agreed.” Freemont, with his fancy suit and manicured nails, looked out of place at the plain red-brick church. The contrast of his immaculate clothes and fastidiously groomed hair looked phony when viewed in the context of the simple elegance and honesty of the small country church. I couldn’t imagine Freemont eating fried chicken.
V. H. Burns, The Puppy Who Knew Too Much, Kindle Loc. 2544

Lilly Echosby and her toy poodle Aggie find a fresh start in Chattanooga, Tennessee, spoiled by the scent of murder . . .

Having solved the shooting death of her cheating husband, Lilly's left behind the drama of Lighthouse Dunes, Indiana, to start over in the hometown of her best friend, Scarlett "Dixie" Jefferson. As she gets settled in her new rented house, Lilly gives Aggie, short for Agatha Christie, her own fresh start by enrolling her in the Eastern Tennessee Dog Club, where Dixie is a trainer.

But drama seems to hound Lilly like a persistent stray. Her cranky new neighbor appears unfamiliar with Southern hospitality and complains that Aggie barks too much and digs up his prized tulips. But what the poodle actually unearths is the buried body of a mysterious man who claimed ownership of the lost golden retriever Lilly recently rescued. Now it's up to Lilly and Dixie to try to muzzle another murderer . . .
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D233MVK/ref=series_rw_dp_sw

Two weeks ago, I interviewed an author whose book also had a cute dog pictured on its cover. This week—puppies!

Maybe it’s the weather and I want at least a two-dog night, but my decision to download the book wasn’t only based on the cover. After researching author V. M. Burns, I knew the writing had to be good because of her 2017 Agatha nomination for The Plot Is Murder, her first book in the Mystery Bookshop series. The Puppy Who Knew Too Much is the second book in the Dog Club Mystery series. She also authors the Detective RJ Franklin series.

If you read the above quote, you understand that the author’s forte is writing descriptions that transform characters into three-dimensions. That makes for good reading. The characters are distinguishable, no mental groping trying to identify a character, and there are two major, five secondary, and eight walk-on (periodic appearances) characters in this book.

Was the title catchy but unrelated to the plot? Nope, the major characters based the truth and integrity of potential dog owners on a puppy’s reaction and decision. Puppies know and don’t lie!

This is a fun, cozy series I found delightful. Please welcome V. M. Burns to WWK.
E. B. Davis

You live in Chattanooga, Tennessee and set the book there. Lilly’s bestie, Dixie, lives on a nearby mountaintop, but there’s also a river that runs through Chattanooga. Are there dramatic changes in altitude around the city? Did you include real venues in the city or base them on real places?
Altitude isn’t really a problem in the normal sense, not like in places like Denver. Chattanooga is surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains and the Cumberland Ridge. My biggest problem with altitude comes in the fact that I didn’t realize I had a problem with heights until I moved here. I’m originally from Indiana, which is flat. When I moved here, I was amazed at how steep and narrow the roads are leading up into the mountains. So, the anxiety Lilly has about driving up Lookout Mountain to visit Dixie is real. The restaurants and venues in the book are based on real places, although I’ve changed the names. Locals will recognize that Lilly’s favorite coffee shop, Da Vinci’s, bears a striking resemblance to a local Chattanooga coffee shop called, Rembrandt’s. Rarely do I use the actual names of venues in any of my books. After all, I do write murder mysteries.

Set in December, the temperature is mild at sixty-seven degrees. Is this typical or does Chattanooga have its share of snow?
The normal temperature in the winter is mid to upper fifties, but we recently had upper sixties and low seventies right after Christmas. It was wonderful. It does snow (occasionally) in Chattanooga. When it does, there is a rush at the grocery store to buy bread and milk. Most businesses and schools close and they wait until the snow melts, which is a good thing because few residents have mastered the skill of driving on snow and ice. When I first moved to Tennessee, I drove through a blizzard in Northwestern Indiana which was harrowing (even for someone accustomed to driving in snow). I was pleasantly surprised to arrive to temps in the mid-sixties. Mild winters are one of the things I love most about the area.

Agatha or Aggie, Lilly’s toy poodle, is about two-years-old and having behavior problems. Is Aggie’s behavior due to youth or other factors? How old can a dog be and still be a puppy? Does it vary by breed?
Aggie’s behavior problems are due to a lack of training. In the first book in the series, In The Dog House, Dixie mentions that Aggie was rescued from a puppy mill. Often dogs at puppy mills spend their entire lives in cages and are used purely for breeding. These dogs receive no training or socialization. Dogs need to be trained so they know what is expected of them. Dogs and humans can live together happily once boundaries are set and the dog is trained to know what is expected.

Most puppies are considered adults around twelve months. However, different breeds will mature at different times. I have also noticed that my male dog matured slower than my female dog. Age, training, and temperament are all important factors in behavior. Poodles are very smart dogs and need stimulation or they can get into trouble. Lilly needs to learn how to keep Aggie stimulated, and Aggie needs to learn what she should and shouldn’t do.

When the perfect rental house appears too miraculously for Lilly, she doesn’t suspect the nefarious consequences. Is this magical thinking or not looking a gift-horse in the mouth?
Honestly, I think this is the consequences of being stuck in a hotel room with an energetic dog for far too long. I believe Lilly is anxious to get to a place of normalcy where she has her books, her clothes and space for her and Aggie. So, when the rental house falls into her lap, she jumps on it.

Lilly is a CPA, but she hasn’t worked in her profession for over twenty years. I was surprised how easily she adapted to working at the museum, especially given the financial problems caused by the former incompetent financial director. Is she a whiz kid?
You’re right. There have been a lot of changes in the accounting field in the past twenty-five years. However, Lilly kept her CPA license. CPAs, like doctors and lawyers are required to take a certain number of continuing education units (CEU) each year to stay current in their field and to keep their license. The exact number of CEUs needed varies by state. Lilly hasn’t worked outside her home, but at one time she did the accounting for her husband, Albert’s, car business.

Dixie is a lovely, best-friend character. She doesn’t have children, but she has two award-winning standard poodles, whom she ferried around the country to shows prior to their retirement. Are many show-dog people childless, transferring their time, affection, and money from empty-nest to dogs?
That’s an interesting theory. I don’t think I’ve seen any studies on this. However, I can say that competing at dog shows can be expensive and very time consuming. When people with families compete, they often involve the entire family in the process.

Why are German Shepard Dogs also called Alsatians?
The German Shepherd Dog originated in Germany and was referred to as the “Deutscher Schaferhund” which translated in English to German Shepherd Dog. During World War I, the Allied countries didn’t want anything to do with anything that had “German” in its name. Dog enthusiast believed keeping the name might make people view the breed negatively. In 1917, the American Kennel Club changed the breed name to the “Shepherd Dog.” The British and some European countries referred to the breed as “Alsatians,” which refers to the Alsace-Lorraine region of France which borders Germany. The breed name wasn’t changed back to German Shepherd Dog until 1977.

Some characters in your book seemed shallow, basing their judgments of people on the cars they drove. But people do judge on appearances. Is this the reason for Lilly agreeing to Dixie’s proposal—getting a makeover at the salon or does she just feel like she deserves it after all she’s been through—divorce ending with widowhood, which occurred in the first book in the series, In The Dog House?
In the first book of the series, In The Dog House, Lilly’s daughter, Stephanie, talks about how much her mother sacrificed for her husband and her family over the years. After that, Lilly meets a wise woman, Miss Florrie, on a train. That’s when she decides to stop hanging onto the past and to find her “happy place.” Lilly’s makeover is intended as part of her “fresh start” and a boost to her confidence. After all, she’s been through a lot.

I lived in a neighborhood whose HOA president inspected houses as she walked her cat in a baby carriage around the streets. Does every neighborhood have at least one legalistic, weirdo, judgmental, complaining, bombastic resident?
LOL – I think it’s a requirement.

When Lilly finds two bodies, the local detective acts like she’s his most likely suspect. She’s lucky her daughter, Stephanie, is a lawyer. Stephanie’s boyfriend is a detective, but not a local. Together, they deter the police. But Lilly is very proactive about her defense. Why?
In the first book, Lilly was a victim. Her husband didn’t appreciate her, and she was trying to hang onto someone who didn’t respect her. She lived in a subdivision she didn’t like. She lived in a house that was very similar to all of the other houses because that’s what her husband wanted. She didn’t get a dog because her husband hadn’t wanted a dog. She quit working as a CPA because Albert wanted her to stay home. Lilly is evolving in this second book. She got her dog. She sold the house. She moved to Chattanooga. She is much more independent. However, I think her ordeal hurt her confidence and she is nervous about jumping into another relationship. Over the course of the series, I think readers will notice that Lilly gains self-confidence and takes more responsibility for her happiness.

What is “pica” behavior?
Pica behavior in dogs is basically when a dog continues to eats something it shouldn’t. My cousin had a lab who used to eat socks and washcloths. Every sock had to be accounted for or Tilly would gobble it down. They spent a great deal of money on training and deterrents. However, constant vigilance was the only way they were able to prevent her from eating socks or other small pieces of fabric.

Although Dixie is mindful of dog diets, she proposes Lilly use hot dogs and string cheese, not particularly healthful fare, as training motivators. Why?
Many dogs are motivated by food. When training a dog, you often get great results when using an extra special treat that the dog only gets at certain times. I used to have a poodle who got stressed out whenever I left for work and didn’t want to get in her crate. However, when she saw me get the string cheese, she would willingly get into her crate because she knew that was the only way she would get the cheese. Items like string cheese or hot dogs shouldn’t be given as regular food because they have salt and preservatives that dogs don’t need. However, in small amounts as a special treat, they can work wonders. There are also, nutritious training treats that can be used.

Why do people in the south use their first and middle names like they’re one word, like MaryBeth or JohnRobert?
That is a good question. I wish I knew. However, I have found it happens a lot. I first noticed this when I lived in Indiana and worked for a CPA firm. When the company I worked for acquired a smaller CPA firm in Tennessee, I had to train the new employees. I was given a list of attendees for my class, but I remember being really confused because I couldn’t find many of the people I was supposed to train in our system. When I asked about it, I found that all of the people I couldn’t locate went by a middle name.

My CPA refused to audit the finances of volunteer organizations I was involved in. Yet Lilly gets drawn into two organizations to prepare them for audits. Is this an onerous job few CPAs volunteer to take?
There are a number of differences between finances for not-for-profits and for-profits. I can think of a number of reasons a CPA wouldn’t want to get involved with a nonprofit. I don’t think anyone, including CPAs want to prepare for IRS audits. Lilly is trying to re-establish her work experience and make friends in her new city, so she is willing to take on jobs that others might reject.

When a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation detective, Red, protects Lilly at the request of Stephanie’s boyfriend, she’s attracted to him but denies her attraction, at least at first. Why?
I wanted to balance Lilly’s love life. She is still dealing with a lot of emotional turmoil from her husband’s infidelity. I felt it would be normal for her to struggle with confidence (hence the makeover suggestion). Albert might have been a dud, but he dumped her for a much younger woman. She hasn’t dated in decades and after such a long time, I think she might be reluctant about admitting an attraction in case she misread signals.

How often do you clean out your pocketbook?
You’re supposed to clean it out?

What’s next for Lilly and Dixie?
Things in the rental house haven’t worked out so well for Lilly. She really needs her own place. Lilly becomes involved in the dog club and works on Aggie’s training. The third book in the series, Bark If It’s Murder, will release later in 2019.

Do you have a dog(s)?
Yes, I have two toy poodles. I have a 3-year-old black female toy poodle. Her name was “Lou” when I got her, but I named her after one of my publishers, “Kensington.” I call her “Kenzie.” She is my inspiration for Aggie. I also have a 16-year-old chocolate male toy poodle. His registered name is, “Show Me the Money,” I call him “Cash.” If you read my Mystery Bookshop Mystery Series, Cash is the basis for one of Samantha Washington’s dogs, Oreo. I used to have two chocolate toy poodles, but unfortunately, my female, Coco, died. She was the inspiration for “Snickers” in the Mystery Bookshop series.

With three series, is it time to quit the full-time job?
Interestingly, I just read an article that stated most writers have a full-time job. I suspect it’s because writing doesn’t provide a constant, reliable monthly income. I love writing and hope that I get the opportunity to do this for many years after I retire from my full-time job.

Good read, just disappointed that once again the dogs on the cover in no way resemble the dogs in the book. Kensington never seems to get this correct.

The Puppy Who Knew Too Much is the second book in V.M. Burns’ A Dog Club Mystery series. The storyline is well plotted, and the well-developed characters are affable. The story flows at a steady pace, with humorous moments, and an interesting mystery with enough twists and red herrings to keep the reader engaged and guessing.

Deciding to make a fresh start after the death of her husband, Albert, Lilly Echosby has decided to and her two-year-old toy poodle, Aggie, moved from Lighthouse Dunes, Indiana to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where her best friend since college, Scarlett “Dixie” Jefferson (a dog trainer) lives with her husband, Beau, and two champion standard poodles. Lilly has two adult children, Stephanie, a lawyer in Chicago, and David, an actor, touring in Europe. Lilly’s been staying at an extended-stay hotel but hopes to find an affordable rental house in a decent neighborhood and employment. It seems luck is on her side when Jo Ellen Hansen introduces herself and not only offers to rent her son, Robert’s, house to her but also knows someone who is looking to hire an accountant. Stephanie’s visiting her mother and they find a neglected and injured golden retriever under the porch of the house Lilly rented. Lilly believes she’s going to enjoy working at the Chattanooga Museum of Art and likes Linda Kay Weyman, the executive director, and Jacob Flemings, Linda Kay’s assistant, but has her work cut out for her trying to unravel the mess Freemont Hopewell, the previous financial manager, created. Shortly after she moves in, Lilly and Aggie find a body of a man identified as Robert Hansen, her landlord. Officer Lewis doubts Lilly when she denies knowing the victim, and when she finds Theodore Livingston’s body, he advises her that she’s a person of interest because she not only had a run-in with the grumpy old man but also had a confrontation with him at a neighborhood association meeting where she ended up uncharacteristically striking and threatening him. Stephanie’s boyfriend, Joe Harrison, a K-9 handler, was also visiting and when he has to return home, he contacts his friend, Dennis “Red” Olson, who works with the Drug Enforcement Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, to look after Lilly and Stephanie. Lilly, Stephanie, and Dixie decide to take matters in their own hands and track down the real killer or killers.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

The Puppy Who Knew Too Much, the second great novel in VM Burns Dog Club mystery series, is another winner. A recent entry into the world of the cozy mystery, Ms. Burns has been spot-on with every book she has released and this series is taking off like a flash. The newest book includes a perplexing mystery that left me trailing around with no clue and an insightful presentation of characters who brought the warmth that I demand of a cozy mystery. Those characters feel realistic even when they face the unusual number of murders that come with cozy mysteries drew me through both books as much as the complex mystery that she does so well. As much as I enjoy the people Ms. Burns as introduced me to, her knowledge of dogs offers an even greater connection. She leaves me nodding at the antics of the fur babies. While little Aggie is the star of the show for me, I love all of them.
I was delighted to receive an ARC of The Puppy Who Knew Too Much via NetGalley and will be sharing that delight with anyone who will listen.
#NetGalley #ThePuppyWhoKnewTooMuch

This second book in the series is even better than the first!
A first rate mystery that kept me entertained and guessing (incorrectly!). The story was well written and engaging from start to finish.
The characters are really enjoyable and I look forward to reading the next in the series!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of the book.

The Puppy Who Knew Too Much is Book 2 in the Dog Club Mystery Series and I LOVED It as much as the first book in the series, [book:In the Dog House|37703508] . I loved the action from the first page and such likeable characters and DOGS!!!! The protagonist Lilly Echosby is a strong female character with some sass!

The well written dialogue made it a real page turner and a quick read. I enjoyed all elements of this book especially the mystery! I read ALOT of mysteries and I kept guessing who it might be and I was wrong every time! Such a great book by a great author!

What a fun story! Lilly is a great character and her pup Aggie is fun to read about. This series will appeal to all mystery lovers, but more so to those who have a love of animals. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.

The story is cute with strong and sassy leading female characters. Protagonist Lilly Echosby is a recently divorced CPA who’s just moved from Indiana to Chattanooga, Tennessee with her toy poodle, Aggie (short for Agatha). I like how the action starts immediately as Lilly, accompanied by her best friend, Dixie, has the opportunity to rent a nice house practically drop right in her lap. A disagreeable neighbor manages to infuriate her quickly, but she’s told no one can get along with him. Lilly’s starting a new job at a museum, and I loved her co-workers who immediately took her under their wings.

When little Aggie sniffs out a dead body, the author really begins to spin the wheel and readers should watch closely as she drops off clue after clue as to answers for this niftily crafted plot! With a winning cast of secondary characters including all the dogs, plus an unexpected yet possible romantic interest for Lilly, this is a fun, fast read! I highly recommend!

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Lyrical. Thank you.

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
This is the second book in a new series and I loved it. Lilly and her dog Aggie have moved from Indiana to Chattanooga for a fresh start. Putting all that murder business behind them and looking forward to a little Southern hospitality and some Southern comfort, well they find that and them some. So hold on to your hats and prepare to laugh out loud for a fun, sweet adventure with a some murder thrown in the mix.

Oodles of Poodles with a great storyline!

Chattanooga, Tennessee’s newest resident, Lily, has finally found a home and a job. Unfortunately right after she moves in she finds a dead body that turns out to be her landlord. The second day of work she meets her handsome predecessor, who is not only horrible at the job he left behind, but i s rude beyond measure. Poor Lily, what a start to a new life.

But when Lily is a prime suspect and then finds another body, this one a senior citizen she had punched at a home owners association meeting, she’s really in a hot spot. Luckily Lilu’s BFF Dixie lives in town and her daughter is visiting, so she’s got the girl power to help and try to figure out what happened and how to clear her name.

The characters are solid and the writing makes you feel right at home with the characters. Aggie is adorable and “The Golden” is a keeper! The storyline is well written and has a few curves you did not see coming! A great read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

I loved the first book in this series and I loved this one.
It is fun to read, fast paced, and engaging.
It's a character driven book with a lovely cast of characters, both human and canine. At the end of the book I was feeling like adopting a toy poodle even if I'm not a big fan of poodles.
I like reading about the developments in Lily's life and I'm curious about the new characters in the series.
The mystery was interesting, with no plot hole, and with a lot of twists and turns. It kept me guessing till the end and ending was quite a surprise.
I look forward to reading the next instalment as this one was so good.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC

A fun one with every character--including the dogs --have distinct voices. The plot is a who done it and why with unexpected elements and likable characters. Action and well written dialogue make it a fast read
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in return for my honest review