Murder, mayhem, dogs, love and happy endings! This is the latest delightful book in the Hat Shop Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay. I love the supporting characters in this series as well as Scarlet and Viv, the Hat Shop gals. The whole crew just makes me smile! The pictures in my mind of the dogs with their beautiful hats tickled me. In fact, there were so many Dog Show people and their canine companions that occasionally I got them confused, I eventually got them sorted out.

If you like British humor, canines of all kinds and a romping cozy mystery, this book is for you!

As usual, Jenn McKinlay writes another mystery that is sure to entertain and keeo people engaged in this delightful series.

Freshly engaged, Scarlett's floating on cloud nine. Everything makes her smile and she just can't wait to walk down the aisle with her fiance Harrison. When Harrison's aunt Betty shows up with her corgi Freddie convince that Mim's Whims is just the shop to help him beat out the competition at the annual dog show.

It can't be a cozy mystery without hilarity and mayhem ensue. A sponsor is murdered and Betty is the prime suspect. In true amatuer sleuth fashion, Scarlett takes the investigation personally, and vows to clear Betty's name.

McKinlay has always had an ear for dialog, and she keeps things fresh and engaging while also showing real growth in her characters. Nothing is frustrating about Scarlett and all her character flaws. In fact, all the things that could be seen as insufferable, add to the charm of this fan-favorite cozy series.

Scarlett and Vivian own a hat shop. Vivian designs the hats and Scarlett deals with the customer.

Scarlett is recently engaged to “Harry” Harrison. Harry’s Aunt Betty has an unusual request, she wants Min’s Whims, Scarlett’s and Vivian’s hat store, to design hats for her corgi, Freddy. Freddy is competing in a dog show that he hasn’t been able to win and Betty is ready to pull out all the stops.

So, when one of the sponsor’s of the show, Gerry Swenson, ends up dead. Its up to Scarlett and the gang to figure out who committed the murder, help Freddy win the competition and clear Aunt Betty of any misdeeds…including the murder of Gerry.

Let's just say, MAYHEM ENSUES.

Cute and quirky. Hats and canines, where could it go wrong? Well, a murder sure could put a damper on things when the prized top dog bowl is at risk.

You have to love a book that can make you laugh out loud, and seriously, you'll laugh out loud. But it went one step more with an engaging mystery, marvelous characters and lots of puppy love.

I received this ARC copy of Buried to the Brim from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Buried to the Brim is set for publication Jan. 28, 2020.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Jenn McKinlay
Series: A Hat Shop Mystery (Book 6)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (January 28, 2020)
ISBN-10: 1984804723
ISBN-13: 978-1984804723
Genre: Mystery

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Buried-Brim-Ha...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/buri...
Itunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/burie...

Harrison's Aunt Betty thinks a hat from Mim's Whims will help Freddy, her corgi, stand out at the dog show where he has come in second each of the past few years. Viv is reluctant to make a hat for a dog, but Scarlett thinks it could be good advertising for the shop. When the show's biggest sponsor is found dead and Betty becomes the prime suspect, Scarlett, Harrison and friends are determined to clear her name.

This is the sixth book in one of my favorite series by one of my favorite authors. It's been nearly three years since the last book in the series, and I was afraid that it had ended, so I was really looking forward to reading this one. Thankfully, the book did not disappoint. Reading these books feels like visiting old friends, and it's been fun watching relationships between the characters develop as the series has progressed. The setting for this story provided an opportunity to learn a bit about how some dog shows are run and judged. As a dog lover and someone who watches dog shows on television, it made for a nice change of pace.

There were almost too many suspects in this story, and I wasn't sure of the villain's identity until it was revealed in the book, although the person was on my short list. I hope there will be at least one more book in this series, as there are loose ends I would like to have wrapped up :)

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.</i>

This book is absolutely fantastic. Scarlett and her pack take on a local competitive dog show, PAWs. When Harrison's Aunty Betty is banned from the competition. Aunt Betty and her corgi Freddy have always been runner-up and she was determined this would he her year, until she has a public confrontation with the PAWs biggest sponsor. Scarlett must take Aunt Betty's place and along with Freddy try to get the trophy he deserves. Freddy surprises the show when he finds a body on his first run through the show. Aunt Betty is the prime suspect along with Scsrlett as she is leading the competition. Scarlett and her pack must uncover the real murderer before the show is done.

I love this series. The book has me going back and forth between possible suspects. Not only is the murder interesting but the supporting characters are one of my favorites. I cannot wait to hear what happens next in this series.

The audio book was released and I did listen to parts of it as well. This series I most definitely love the audio. The voices are superb

3.75 stars

This light-hearted series is always a fun read. Scarlett Parker and her cousin Viv run a posh hat shop in London. Scarlett is engaged to Harry, and she accompanies him and his Aunt Betty to a dog show where Betty's charming Corgi Freddy is competing.

But the dog show circuit is beset with problems. Betty accuses the shop's main sponsor of supplying tainted dog food to the entrants. This enrages the head of the charity putting on the show and she forbids Betty to participate. So, Scarlett is reluctantly tapped to put Freddy through his paces. Will this be the year they finally break out of second place to win the show?

But the problems multiply when the dog food sponsor is found murdered. Suspects abound. His wife is having an affair, his sister wants him out of the family business, and the dog show staff are mired in infighting and jockeying for position. And of course Aunt Betty is on the list after her very public argument with him the night before.

Naturally, Scarlett gets involved. The Hat Shop mysteries are charming, undemanding fun. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

From Berkley Publishing Group comes the long-awaited sixth book in the wonderfully original and intoxicating cozy mystery series, “A Hat Shop Mystery” by Jenn McKinlay’s, Buried to the Brim.

This is the first book in this cozy mystery series that I have read, and I am happy to say that it didn’t matter. The characters are instantly appealing, easy to relate with, and I didn’t need a ton of background to understand who was who and their role to play in the story or series. The story is fast-paced, the writing is professional, the plot is original, and the Corgis are adorable. (You can’t go wrong with adding Corgis to any book!)

Scarlett is one of those characters that readers instinctively like. She has issues, but she knows it and accepts them. Her friends, fiancé, and his aunt are a compelling group that will have readers smiling and cheering for them as they travel through Scarlett’s latest adventure. Most all cozy mystery series have characters you can relate with, but few have the depth these characters bring to the page.

Suspect possibilities are almost endless. The victim was not well-liked, not to mention greedy. Evidence is a bit on the lite side, but readers will find that it's there, they just have to look for it. This isn’t unusual for a cozy mystery, so I had no issue following the evidence and seeing where or who it lead to. The exposure of the killer was delightfully reminiscent of Hercule Poirot’s studious fashion of revealing all of the crucial details we missed. The motive is one any dog lover who attends or competes in dog shows will fully grasp. I am happy to recommend Buried to the Brim cozy mystery book to hat, dog, and Brittish book lovers everywhere.

Another wonderful addition to Jenn McKinlay's hat series. The cozy mystery keeps you guessing the entire time. Familiar characters are just so much fun. You don't have to read these books in order.

BURIED TO THE BRIM is the sixth book in the Hat Shop Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay but somehow is the first I’ve read. A longtime fan of this author, I was excited to have a new series to dive into even if I didn’t start from the very beginning. Given the personal storyline of the protagonist, Scarlett, I could see how it might be beneficial to start with the first book and make your way through in order to enjoy the unfolding of the characters’ development. However, the characters were easy to get to know and each had distinct personalities so I never felt confused over who was who. There was enough backstory included so I never felt lost, yet it didn’t detract from the plot. The interaction between Scarlett and her friends is pure fun and the puns they throw around adds additional entertainment. I had a few chuckles over Scarlett’s pun attempts since they never seem to quite up to par with her friends’ banter.

The story and mystery were well-plotted and who knew the world of a dog show competition could be so cutthroat! The canine character, Freddy, stole each scene he was in and Ms. McKinlay writes warmhearted scenes highlighting a rescue dog. There were plenty of suspects to keep me guessing and the antics of Scarlett and her gang kept the story moving forward as they hunted for a killer. BURIED TO THE BRIM is a lighthearted, entertaining read with enjoyable characters.

Thanks to Net Galley for providing this digital ARC for me to read. Buried to the Brim is a cute story I think you will enjoy.

I love this series and was glad she is back with a new one! The characters are great and it was fun to revisit them. I liked the mystery with the dog show and was happy with the ending. Hoping she keeps going, because we need to see this wedding!

I cannot get enough of these girls and their sleuthing. Love the descriptions of the hats. Makes me wish I could wear hats like they do.

This was my first experience with the Hat Shop Mystery series. I was less than impressed. The dogs and their personalities were more impressive than the human characters. I just could not get past the dialogue and the extensive details in the story. The mystery part of it was almost transparent.

If a cozy read is all you are looking for, then this book might fill that role.

I was over the moon that a new installment of this series was written. I loved the characters and felt like they were short changed in terms of development since the series was cut short. But never say never and I could not have enjoyed a story more. As always the author has a nice balance of mystery, romance, and humor that keeps the reader engaged and trying to figure out "who dunnit" with each page. This is a light mystery and readers will enjoy every minute of it.

A fun cozy in a unique setting. I enjoyed spending time in Mim's Whims again.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing and e-galley in exchange for an honest review!

I have enjoyed the Hat Shop Mystery series, but was underwhelmed by this book. There wasn't much of a plot, and I quickly solved all the mysteries.

Ok, if you have a large cozy mystery collection or fans of the author, but not one of my favorites. I've tried her Cupcake shop Mysteries and I tried this one as well. I just could not get past the dialogue and wasn't into the extensive details in the description.