There is a dog show going on when suddenly they find two women murdered.
Berkley and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be published November 2nd.

It doesn't look good for the groomer because the items used to kill them were her equipment.

The cops are asking questions and so are her friends. They find that the first dead woman was showing dogs that were not full bred as she said.

As time goes on, they start narrowing down suspects. After various questions, the killer confesses. I was surprised by the identity of the killer.

Can you figure it out before the confession?

Doggone Deadly: A Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery
By Deborah Blake
Berkley
November 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

All it took was the impulsive – and desperate – purchase of a lottery ticket for waitress Kari Stuart to be able to turn her life around and find a new purpose. That came when she found a stray kitten, which in turn inspired Kari to purchase a run-down animal shelter and renovate it into a much-needed pet rescue shelter. That doesn’t mean that Serenity Sanctuary still doesn’t need financial support though, which is why Kari let herself be talked into helping her friend Suz Holden at the Tri-County Kennel Dog show. It’s an opportunity for Kari to promote and fundraise for the Sanctuary, even though it also has her dealing with the demands of a very high-maintenance clientele. Roped in as a last-minute organizer herself, professional dog groomer Suz is quickly realizing why the previous kennel club member called out sick. Imperious competitor Olivia Weiner is a micromanaging nightmare, and rivaling Olivia in disrupting the dog show are SHAFFT, the Save Helpless Animal Friends From Tyranny animal rights organization. Mostly well-intentioned, their beliefs that the dogs are being exploited threatens the safety of both the animals and their companions. Further chaos stems from an unexpected source though, when Saratoga Kennel Club member Miriam Rosenbaum accuses another member of lying about her identity and demands that Francine Carver be banned from the event.

Kari’s attempts to sift through the accusations and lies becomes dire when Francine is found stabbed to death with Suz’s customized grooming shears. Kari hopes that Sheriff Richardson won’t follow the easy trail of clues of an obvious frame-up job, and while Officer Clark and Officer Kent (yes, they’ve heard all of the jokes) may not understand why people would compete with dogs, they are at least fair in interrogating everyone. As Kari is frequently led to the interview station she will soon call the Picnic Table of Doom, she quickly discovers that dog shows are a deadly event with thousands of dollars at stake.

It’s impossible to resist such a dog-friendly series, with this second installment focusing on the highly competitive world of professional dog shows. While many may only experience this on the holidays when the Westminster Dog Show and AKC National Championships air on television, for the participants it can become an all-consuming obsession. It’s a vastly different world than Kari’s, where less-prestigious but just as beloved pups are treasured until they can find forever homes. Kari’s charming but very busy veterinarian Dr. Angus McCoy (not of the Enterprise) provides free vet service but unfortunately only a few dates, but hopefully their schedules will be freed up soon. As another murder occurs and the relationships between competitors overlap, a much darker side of the dog world emerges and exposes the lengths many will go to obtain their perfect pooch. This is still balanced out by the genuine appreciation of all of man’s best friends, who may vary in attractiveness but not in their ability to love. An animal-loving heroine, generous shelter volunteers, and Kari’s beloved feline Queenie all make for another satisfying mystery where a lottery-winner has definitely put a quirk of fate to good use.

I liked this but did find it was a little slow going at times. There were enjoyable behind the scenes bits about what goes on at a dog show and in an animal shelter which I liked, I would read another in this series but I hope for a bit more action next time.

Kari Stuart is finding fullfilment in fixing up the beleaguered pet shelter she purchased. She is loyal and determined. Suzanne (Suz), is her supportive best friend and a dog groomer with lavender colored hair who is the main assistant running the dog show. Shelter volunteer Sara Hanover is a retired ninth-grade English teacher who is somewhat a mother figure. Bryn, a younger volunteer training to be a Vet-Tech, gets more page time in this book. Angus McCoy is a local veterinarian who volunteers his time to the shelter and is the potential love interest. A little black kitten, Queenie, is the star of the show with personality and a sixth sense. Queenie helps in the investigation in a very natural way.

The majority of time is at the kennel club regional dog show with the shelter and a few trips to investigate in or around town or with Kari at home. The dog show is used well as the hectic stage for the story.

The story has a good pace that kept moving and thus I had to read "just one more page". If you have been with me on this blog for a while, you know I love tense or nail-biting killer reveals. Although this didn't have that sort of unmasking of the murderer, it was very effective none-the-less. The wrapup leaves you with a smile and looking forward to returning to Lakeview and Kari very soon.

All around a good mystery with interesting characters that you miss when the story is done. The writing style is clean and draws you in effortlessly. Queenie, the kitten, is written so you question whether she is helping solve the murder or is that just giving her too much credit. Sneaky! I love this new series and it is now on my list of "must-read" books.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.

This was a bit different from what I was expecting. Kari spending time at a dog show full of AKC (American Kennel Club) breeders and handlers with all the dog show craziness that that entails was entertaining and unexpected. I love that her black kitten, Queenie, managed to worm her way into the mix as well.

Kari is just as likable of a character as I remember from the first book and I love the team feel that the Serenity Sanctuary group feels like. The mystery was interesting with lots of potential motives and lots of suspects. I love the time spent around the dogs (and Queenie) and enjoyed this read from start to finish. It's nice to have a cozy mystery where dogs show up a bit more even if there is a cat main character! This is a fun cozy mystery series that is perfect for animal lovers and is just lots of fun!

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

This quickly became my new favorite series of cat – and dog – mysteries with the first book earlier this year. Kari, her best friend Suz, the staff and volunteers at the shelter, and Angus, the charming young veterinarian, are my kind of people. The setting in Lakeview, New York, is beautifully described. There is humor and a personality-plus kitten who refuses to take NO for an answer.

Kari and others from Serenity Sanctuary set up at the Tri-County Kennel Club show for the weekend. They have a tent to bring awareness of the shelter, including a request for volunteers and a donation jar. They brought photos of dogs ready to be adopted and several kittens needing fur-ever homes. Kari’s six-month-old kitten, Queenie, is with her. Queenie rides in Kari’s tote or on her shoulder and was excellent at finding clues when a dead body was found on the shelter property a few months ago.

Suz, a pet groomer and member of the local kennel club, also has a tent set up. Her clients want final touchups on their dogs before taking them into the ring. She brought one of her own dogs to show. Jazz is not a purebred, but they have worked hard to prepare him for agility trials for mixed breed dogs. Suz was appointed to take the place of the woman in charge of overseeing the show due to sudden illness.

Olivia is president of the local kennel club where Suz is a member. She is intimidating and only impressed with prestige, money, and power. She has dreams of going all the way to the Westminster show with Snowball, her bichon frise. Snowball has won every show he has been in this year. Olivia has a special handler for her dog, Francine of Blue Skies Kennel.

A professional in the ring, Francine was very unprofessional outside the ring. She and Suz had words when it looked like she had her hand raised over a frightened Snowball. She also had loud, angry words with a man who is shouting about being there to get his money, but she denies knowing who he is. Somebody took a snip of fur out of the perfect trim Suz gave Snowball, and there were additional words between Suz, Olivia, and Francine even as she repaired the appearance of the gorgeous pup. Francine and octogenarian Miriam had words as well. Miriam said she was also known as Lois Keller, whose unethical breeding business had been shut down after selling her a dog with a serious genetic disorder.

Suz and Kari went through the grounds to attend to everything on the closing checklist as the first day ended. When complete, they headed to the supply tent to store ribbons and other items. The tent, surprisingly, was tied shut. Queenie dashed under the canvas and into the tent. They untied the entry, Kari went to get her kitten, and made the grisly find. Francine was dead inside with a pair of special-order grooming scissors sticking out of her chest. Unfortunately, only Suz used the unique lavender handled grooming tools.

I got to know the regular characters even better in this novel than the first. More than merely telling the basic facts, the author shows who each person is through realistic conversations and behavior. While it is hard to choose a favorite, Kari is one, and Sara, one of the volunteers, is another. I enjoyed seeing Kari and Angus get to know each other a little better, but really appreciate that the mystery, characters, and pets take priority over romance in the novel.

The author builds the suspense page-by-page throughout. The sheriff got to know Kari and Suz very well during the investigation of the previous murder at the animal shelter, but he is obligated to follow the evidence. Just from her behavior, Francine would have made at least a few enemies. Kari and the sheriff were in no way prepared for who, or what they found at Francine’s kennel. While I was a little surprised at the real bad guy and multiple motives, I am not sad at the overall outcome. I can’t wait for the next adventure for Kari, Queenie, and the Serenity Shelter! This is definitely one of my favorite pet series, and I highly recommend this mystery and series!

Kari Stuart has taken a booth at a regional dog show to promote her newly renovated pet rescue shleter. Her best friend, Suz Holden is grooming dogs for the event and helping to run it. The first night, Kari is helping Suz make sure everything is shut down when they find the dead body of a local dog breeder. The murder weapon appears to be a pair of Suz’s distinctive grooming scissors, so she leaps to the top of the suspect list. Naturally, Kari adds playing detective to her weekend plans. Can she figure out what is going on?

I enjoyed the first book in this series, and I’m thrilled to say that the second is just as much fun. The set up before Kari and Suz find the body is good, and things only pick up from there. The background of the rules around dog shows is presented in an entertaining way, so it never feels like a data dump. It’s wonderful to see the returning characters again, and the suspects are just as strong. Plus, there’s plenty of cuteness from the four-legged animals. You are in for a treat when you pick up this book.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and looked forward to this second instalment. It did not disappoint. I love the idea of a lottery winner using their winnings to run an animal shelter. Kari is helping her best friend, Suz, at a dog show. It is exhausting work that starts off with excitement that quickly changes as one of the biggest local sponsors, Olivia, endlessly criticizes everything that’s been done (or not done). The first day ends with finding the body of a local dog breeder, Francine, in one of the tents. It’s a lot on Kari’s plate as she works to clear Suz’s name.
The dog show gives it a unique setting in that it’s focussed to one area (the show) but so many unknown participants are involved, even if it does seem like a small world among the participants. And who would want to frame Suz, of all people? I enjoy that Queenie the cat is offering assistance to her human once again. They are also working with the same sheriff from the last book, with the addition of a couple of local young and sort of bumbling officers for comedy relief.
I will add that there is some animal abuse in this book (by terrible people) so if that is something readers are sensitive towards, it may not be the book for them, I will spoil that all dogs are ok at the end.

Doggone Deadly by Deborah Blake is the 2nd book in her fun Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series. I loved the first book, as we were introduced to the heroine of this series, Kari Stuart, and her adorable black kitten, named Queenie (who quietly gives her tips to help solve the crime).

In Doggone Deadly, Kari is helping out her best friend, Suz, in setting up the annual local dog show; she also sets up her own booth for her animal shelter, to alert people about dogs and cats available for adoptions, as well as hoping for donations.

During the first day, Suz and Kari overhear a few arguments, one person fighting with a breeder, a woman showing her dog is convinced a breeder stole her dog, and a protest is going on outside. Suz also has to deal with the nasty president of the kennel club, as well as also showing her dog. Later that day, the handler (breeder) was found murdered, and the police are suspecting Suz, since it was one of her scissors that was used by the killer. The second day another victim is found murdered. Of course, Kari and Queenie will need to find the killer.

What follows is another cute cozy mystery, with wonderful secondary characters (Suz, Angus, Sara, Bree) and fun adorable dogs and cats. Kari was a great heroine, and I continue to adore Queenie. Doggone Deadly was a light hearted and fun small-town mystery that kept you guessing till the very end. Deborah Blake did a wonderful job writing this story, and keeping our interest throughout. I look forward to the next book in this series.

This is quickly becoming my favorite cozy mystery series! Kari, Suz, Queenie and the gang are back this time at a dog show. Of course, along with the super cute animals, there are secrets galore and nasty people to get their comeuppance. Recommended!