BURIED TO THE BRIM is Jenn McKinlay’s sixth book in the Hat Shop Mystery series. When it comes to her Mysteries, I think that this series might be one of her most unique ones. Not only do you have an interesting backdrop as the setting, but the characters in this series offer something a little special for reader, especially if you live in North America. The European city vibe permeates through this entire book and I think the dog show only added to that allure. As a dog lover, this book definitely fit my interests and became one of the more memorable books of the series for me.

I really love the dynamic between Scarlett and Vivian. McKinlay did a really great job of creating a relationship that continues to grow and change throughout the series and so with each book, we get a different side of them.

I also enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book, which for most readers is the most important of course. So I definitely felt like this book had it all. The premise and mystery was fun and I liked all the different characters too, making this one of my favorite books in the series for sure.

Buried to the Brim is the 6th title in the Hat Shop Mysteries from popular author, Jenn McKinlay. Although this title was a little light on the mystery, it is always a pleasure to revisit Scarlett & Vivian at Mim's Whims. I love the quirky characters and the London setting but I was especially happy that Scarlett and Harrison are finally engaged. They are the cutest couple and it charmed me to no end to have them together and talking about marriage and babies!

What I didn't love about this title, was that the mystery started a little late in the book. We had a lot of information about Aunt Betty, her dog Freddy and the dog show before we actually come across the murder. As a reader, I'm not a fan of pet cozy mysteries and this just had too much dog story to keep my entertained. I still love a Jenn McKinlay mystery, but this one just wasn't for me.

BURIED TO THE BRIM is Jenn McKinlay’s sixth book in the Hat Shop Mystery series. When it comes to her Mysteries, I think that this series might be one of her most unique ones. Not only do you have an interesting backdrop as the setting, but the characters in this series offer something a little special for reader, especially if you live in North America. The European city vibe permeates through this entire book and I think the dog show only added to that allure. As a dog lover, this book definitely fit my interests and became one of the more memorable books of the series for me.

I really love the dynamic between Scarlett and Vivian. McKinlay did a really great job of creating a relationship that continues to grow and change throughout the series and so with each book, we get a different side of them.

I also enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book, which for most readers is the most important of course. So I definitely felt like this book had it all. The premise and mystery was fun and I liked all the different characters too, making this one of my favorite books in the series for sure.

I see from other reviews that I'm an outlier here, but the charm of this book was lost on me. I'm pretty forgiving, but the set-up for this mystery was incredibly sloppy. Harrison's aunt Betty is determined to win the dog show one year, but she still feels compelled to chew out the main sponsor because its dog food made her dog sick. Sick in what way? Could it be allergies? Of course, when they throw her out of the dog show, she's the main suspect when the sponsor shows up dead. And he's found by the dog under the dais? I don't know, I just didn't find the premise or the characters as charming as I was clearly meant to.

Hugh fan of this series from the beginning. It was great to catch up with Scarlett. Vivian and Harrison. I hope she continues with this series

I am so happy that Jenn Mckinlay has a chance to continue this series. I loved having to get to travel back to London and visit with Scarlett, Vivian, Harrison, and the rest of the gang. And add in some dogs and this is one cute cozy-mystery. I enjoyed the pace of the storyline and did not figure out who the murderer was till the very end. I can't wait to see what happens next for these characters, especially with Scarlett and Harrison's wedding.

Murder at a dog show is the name of the game in this hat based mystery. There's plenty of intrigue, lots of suspects and dogs in cute outfits! A fun mystery!

Buried to the Brim
A Hat Shop Mystery #6
by: Jenn McKinlay @mckinlayjenn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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I love any of Jenn McKinlay’s cozy mysteries, and this one did not disappoint!
#callireads2020 #bookstagram #cozymystery #jennmckinlay #ahatshopmystery

Scarlett Parker is loving working at their hat shop in London with her cousin Vivian and their friend Fee. When her beloved fiancee Harrison comes to the shop with his Aunt Betty, who is seeking matching hats for her and her dog Freddy, Scarlett suddenly finds herself drawn into the competitive and intense world of dog shows. When a murder occurs, Scarlett must save the day in more ways than one.

This is such a fun cozy mystery! Scarlett is a great main character, tenacious and smart, and her relationship with Harrison is absolutely adorable. The supporting characters are unique and full of life themselves, not just there as background props-and two even have a developing romance that I was really rooting for. The group reads as this wonderful, quirky, always there for each other family that I couldn't help but love.

I loved the dog show setting as well. I'm a dog mom, and reading about all the adorable dogs and the fascinating aspects of a competitive dog show drew me even more into the story.

The mystery was a clever one, and I did not see the solution coming, which is always fun for me.

Really, there wasn't anything not to like about this fun, light read.

This book has me wanting to go back and read the rest of the series, which to me is always a very positive sign!

Jenn McKinlay immerses us in a British dog obedience charity competition in Buried to the Brim, a Hat Shop mystery. Scarlett gets her milliner cousin to design hats for Freddy the corgi who is competing. Her fiance' s aunt Betty is disqualified to show her corgi Freddy so Scarlett steps in. Freddy discovers a dead body during the competition. Mayhem results. Red herrings galore. Cute dogs. Great story.

BURIED TO THE BRIM is the sixth book in Jenn McKinlay’s “Hat Shop” cozy mystery series set in England. Even though this is part of a series, Jenn McKinlay is able to bring readers new to the series – like me – up to speed on who the main characters are and what their relationships to each other are. Scarlett Parker and her cousin Vivian “Viv” Tremont have a hat shop. Scarlet’s divinely dishy fiancé Harry has an Aunt Betty who is psyched to enter her corgi in the PAWS annual dog show. The competition is fierce, and the kooky complexes of the dog owners and the canine contestants are wild. When dog show sponsor and dog food magnate Gerry Swendson croaks, it’s easier making a list of who wouldn’t want him dead rather than potential suspects for murder.

Part of the draw in a Jenn McKinlay mystery is the endearing cast of “good guys” in each book. In this case – Viv, Fee, Harry, Harry’s buddy Alistair, and Scarlett’s friends Andre and Nick – all provide amusing commentary and support Scarlett as she hunts down clues and investigates alibis. Suspects abound in this charming cozy mystery. Among the unsavory characters is one of the doggie contestants with sociopathic tendencies named Henry. Uncovering the various relationships and motivations of the various people associated with the victim, and dog show, prove vital to the investigation. This is a situation in which the victim was not really that good a guy and there is not a lot of love lost after he’s murdered.

BURIED TO THE BRIM is a fast-paced and sparkling mystery with diabolical motives for murder. I found the solution of this mystery to be like something out of one of Dorothy Sayers’ “Lord Peter Whimsey” Golden Age mysteries. Aunty Betty is a little too much for me initially and something of a geriatric loose cannon, but she grows on me as the story progresses. The canine characters in BURIED TO THE BRIM are equally as compelling as the human ones. I look forward to Jenn McKinlay’s next book.

While I do thoroughly enjoy Jenn McKinlay's books, I found that Buried to the Brim was a weaker installment to the Hat Shop Mystery series. Two aspects I always enjoyed about this series were the London setting and the quirky, almost magical, hat shop. I found there was too much emphasis on the dog show and too much time spent in the one location. Of course, McKinlay's trademark sense of humour pulls the reader through the story, but I would have loved to explore more of London with Scarlett Parker.

It's going to the dogs! What could possibly be cuter than a corgi? Why, a corgi in a hat, of course! After being a runner-up for years, Aunt Betty is determined that her adorable corgi, Freddy, will finally win the PAWS dog show.

Things begin to go awry when Aunt Betty is disqualified; however, Scarlett agrees to show Freddy. Murder ensues, and Scarlett puts Freddy through his paces, as Aunt Betty becomes suspect number one.

This is an adorable cozy mystery! I would especially recommend this title to any dog lover.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this title to review from Net Galley.

#BuriedtotheBrim#NetGalley

Even though I started with the last in the series, I loved this book enough to want to go back and read the rest. What a fun cozy mystery!

It’s no secret that I adore Jenn McKinlay. I recommend her numerous cozies and romance novels all of the time. I was so thrilled to see a new addition to this series. It has always been one of my very favs. Mainly because I adore Harrison, but also because it takes place in London and has such a fun cast of regular sidekicks.

This story follows Scarlett as she helps Harrison’s Aunt Betty with her adorable Corgi at an annual dog show. I enjoyed this setting and found the ins and outs of the show very intriguing. The descriptions and antics of all the dogs were an added bonus. It was cute watching the cast fall in love with their own new puppy. I look forward to her making an appearance in future stories.

The mystery was great and definitely kept me on my toes until the end. There were plenty of likely suspects. I had my suspicions about one, which turned out correct, but was still surprised when Scarlett broke open the case and explained everything to the clueless inspector. It’s always wonderful seeing a great group of friend’s stick up for one another too.

As always, I loved watching the milliners find some unique inspiration. The story included lots of puns, plenty of foodie descriptions and many entertaining moments. I hope book 7 is announced soon. I need to see a certain wedding take place and witness a couple embark on their new romance.

Brought to you by OBS Review Daniele

was excited when I heard that a new Hat Shop Mystery was in the works. I have always enjoyed Jenn McKinlay’s cozy mystery series, and Buried to the Brim is pure delight. Full confession here, I am quite the anglophile and an absolute freak about corgis so Buried to the Brim is ideal reading for me. That aside, the mystery is solid and the characters series readers have grown to love are all back…and there are CORGIS!

Scarlett and Viv are busy, as always, with their hat shop, but they agree to take on a special order for Harrison’s Aunt Betty – matching hats for Betty and her adorable corgi Freddy. Freddy has come in second place three years in a row at the PAWS dog show, and Betty wants something to make them stand out. After Betty has a very public argument with Gerry, the show’s sponsor, her entry paperwork goes “missing” and Scarlett steps in to be Freddy’s handler for the competition. When Freddy finds Gerry’s body during the agility round, Betty becomes the prime suspect, and Scarlett puts on her sleuthing cap.

McKinlay does an excellent job of making the setting feel small-town cozy even though the story takes place in London. The characters are endearing and memorable. Scarlett is as lovable as ever and Harrison ever indulgent of Scarlett. Viv is a bit annoying in her obtuse treatment of Alistair, but VIv’s assistant Fee and Alistair handle the situation with humor and grace. Characters central to the mystery surrounding Gerry’s death are not nearly as pleasant, with the exception of Betty, but they do make wonderful murder suspects. Of course, Freddy and the other dog competitors steal the show.

The mystery provides a good puzzle, but it is a little easy to figure out. This posed no problem for me since I enjoyed every minute with Scarlett as she gathered clues. My only quibble is the ease with which Scarlett stepped into Betty’s role as Freddy’s handler. Even though it is emphasized that she is out of her element, she does a remarkably good job, making light of all of the time and work that goes into showing dogs. Again, this was minor.

Buried to the Brim is lighthearted, cozy fun, and I hope the Hat Shop Mystery series is back for good.

*OBS would like to thank the author for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

This was an exciting edition from one of my favorite authors. As a librarian and person who loves fashion I loved this book especially. I cannot wait to read more from this series. Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this ARC.

This was a very fun read. I enjoyed the characters, the dog show setting in London and the story. I really need to go back and read the ones I have missed (having only read the first in the series and this one). The murder kept me guessing which is always nice.

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for me eARC in exchange for an honest review. - I look forward to more!

Buried to the Brim: A Hat Shop Mystery
By Jenn McKinlay
Berkley
January 2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

Scarlett Parker may have been made infamous by a viral video depicting the furious destruction of her married boyfriend’s anniversary cake, but she is now gloriously happy and engaged to her Mr. Right. While she would be more than happy to bask in her joy while helping her cousin manage their Mim’s Whims hat shop in Notting Hill, the arrival of fiancé Harrison Wentworth’s aunt makes that impossible. More specifically, the hullabaloo is caused by Aunt Betty’s companion Freddy Darling Wentworth, a magnificent Pembroke Welsh corgi whose lineage can be traced to one of the Queen’s corgis. Freddy will be competing in the Pet Animal Welfare Society’s charity event, and Aunt Betty is determined that this year he will finally win and not be a three-year runner-up. Standing in their path is Richard Freestone and his champion English bulldog Muffin, and Aunt Betty believes that a Mim’s Whims custom hat is the perfect accessory to nudge Freddy to the top.

Scarlett’s cousin Vivian Tremont does her best to resist the adorable allure of the pup with a heart-shaped fluffy butt, but it doesn’t take long before she’s designing an assortment of canine-friendly bowlers, fedoras, and trilbys. Less amenable is Liza Stanhope, the director of the PAWS committee and who declares that a corgi will never take home the prize. This leads to a series of confrontations that result in Aunt Betty being banned from the competition, forcing Scarlett to step in as Freddy’s handler. While Scarlett is a novice at leading Freddy through agility tests and obedience demonstrations, she’s more than experienced at being enmeshed in murder investigations. Which is convenient as that’s just where she finds herself when Freddy leads her to Gerry Swendson, the sponsor of the event and whom Aunt Betty accused of poisoning Freddy with tainted dog food, dead under the dais. Now with an unfriendly Detective Inspector Bronson zeroing in on Aunt Betty as his prime suspect, it’s up to Scarlett to unravel this four-legged version of Game of Thrones and discover who was vicious enough to commit murder to have the Top Dog.

This sixth in the series is an irresistible blend of couture, canines, and killers. More than a dash of romantic intrigue is added by the manipulations of Scarlett’s friends, who are determined to overcome Vivian’s stubborn refusal to admit her feelings or open herself up to the possibility of a relationship. The prolific author of the Library Lover’s and Cupcake Bakery Mystery series delights in exploring the eccentricities and complexities of a professional dog competition, where the human owners are truly the ones with egos on the line and willing to do anything to win. The brilliant twist of this mystery is how canine psychology leads Scarlett to a solution, but not without threats coming from decidedly two-legged culprits. Humor, the companionships between humans and their fuzzy friends, and rom-com-level interactions deliver a thoroughly entertaining read full of rewarding moments and emotions.

Buried to the Brim is the sixth novel in A Hat Shop Mystery. I love A Hat Shop Mystery series with its quirky characters and English setting. Scarlett Parker and her cousin Vivian Tremont own Min’s Whims in Notting Hill on Portobello Road. Vivian creates the hats with the aid of her assistant, Fee Felton while Scarlett deals with customers and publicity. Scarlett is recently engaged to Harrison “Harry” Wentworth and she is viewing the world through love colored glasses. Harry’s Aunt Betty along with her corgi, Freddy are entering the annual PAWS charity dog show and she wants to win this year. Aunt Betty asks Vivian to create a hat for Freddy. Aunt Betty is upset with the shows sponsor, Gerry Swenson over the quality of his dog food because it made Freddy sick last year. After a run in with Gerry at the kickoff cocktail party for PAWS, Aunt Betty finds her paperwork “misplaced” for the competition. Vivian enters Scarlett as Freddy’s handler much to Scarlett’s dismay. Things go from bad to worse when Gerry is found dead next to the agility course by Freddy. One person is quick to point the blame at Aunt Betty. Scarlett begins listening in on conversations and searching for suspects so she can clear Aunt Betty of any wrongdoing. I found Buried to the Brim to be a delightful book to read. It can be read on its own if you have not read the other five books in A Hat Shop Mystery series. It contains good writing and the story moves along as fast as Freddy on the agility course. Scarlett is a fun character. I like that she is an American in England. There are fabulous British expressions. I enjoyed the puns even Scarlett’s who seem to miss the mark. There is plenty of tea along with various food items to keep the group up to snuff (must keep up their strength). It was interesting to learn more about the game of rugby. The explanations were easy to understand. The mystery had several suspects with good clues. It depends on your sleuthing level on whether you solve it completely or are surprised when Scarlett has a Miss Fletcher moment. I loved the hat descriptions including the adorable ones made for Freddy. Bella, a rescued corgi, was a loveable addition. I look forward to the next A Hat Shop Mystery featuring Scarlett, Vivian, Fee, Harry and their friends. I am hoping for a wedding with a gorgeous headpiece for Scarlett. Buried to the Brim is an irresistible cozy mystery with pitiful puns, cute corgis, a succumbed sponsor, charming chapeaus, and a gobsmacked gumshoe.