Murder Always Barks Twice has everything a good mystery novel needs. An amateur sleuth, a body or two, beautiful settings, intrigue and a talking dog, named Oliver. Wait, did you say a talking dog? Yes, I did.

From the moment I met the main character, Emma, a baker/amateur sleuth and her talking dog, Oliver, I was hooked. The pair reminded me of Holmes and Watson, in a talking Corgi-ish sort of way. Delicious!

The story takes place in Cornwall, UK. Emma has recently opened a bakery inside a B&B belonging to her friends, Angelique and Pearl. Her dog, Oliver, is allowed to come to work with her, so she is able to be with him all day. Oliver and Emma have a special relationship: Emma can hear Oliver talk.

Oliver’s barks and yips come out as plain speech to her. It appears that all of Emma’s family has this gift. Unfortunately, the gift doesn’t extend to all dogs, just hers.

This can make for some very interesting scenarios, considering Oliver is always by her side, and they have apparently solved a murder in the past in the first book of The Chatty Corgi Series, To Fetch A Felon. I will definitely be reading this book in the near future!

As Emma is getting her big break to cater a posh event for the du Maurier Literary and Appreciation Society, disaster strikes the family hosting the event. Emma and Oliver are asked by a member of the victim’s family to investigate the situation on the sly.

This gives the duo a chance to investigate the mansion, grounds, and the family – and Oliver will leave no stone un-sniffed.

Murder Always Barks Twice is a sinister but beautiful mystery. Not only are Emma and Oliver likable characters, but author Jennifer Hawkins offers such descriptions of the manor and Cornwall that you feel like you’re right there with the dynamic duo in this breathtaking location.

I fell absolutely in love with Oliver. He’s wise, funny, adorable, and very much the huggable Corgi I would hope for.

This book is an absolute delight for mystery buffs. If you like all things British, a puzzle of a plot line with as many twists and turns as a country manor, you will enjoy this book. Dog lovers, especially Corgi enthusiasts, will enjoy the read for Oliver’s antics alone.

It’s a quick read and the plot unfolds at a fabulous pace without giving too many details to keep the reader in the dark until the reveal. Murder Always Barks Twice is a definite must read mystery. I eagerly look forward to reading more books in the series.

The very first section of the story had too much description and information about tea and cakes for someone who isn't into that. Once I got past that section this became a book I wanted to finish. Emma and Oliver are cute. You would think there would have to be talk about the crazy lady who takes her dog everywhere and holds conversations with him. But this is a story where the dog can talk to his owner after all. Even with the whole trying to find a murderer aspect, this was a cute easy to read mystery.

When I started this book I was not sure I was going to like it. The whole idea of a person and a dog having a conversation. was odd.... or was it. I talk to my dog and sometimes answer for him to other people. So I dove right in and quickly realized I loved the book. Emma was a fun although not so smart heroine. Oliver was the perfect side kick and sometimes I almost forgot he was a dog. This was the first book I have read in the series, but I will definitely be reading more. The mystery kept me waffling back and forth on the suspects. I loved the setting of the tea shop. I am so glad to kept reading!

Another delightful installment from this series. I love Oliver the corgi and the misadventures he finds himself on with his owner.

Emma Reed left her job as an accountant and opened Tea and Cakes within her friend’s B&B in Cornwall. She loves the job, the creativity involved with new recipes, and finding the right tea and cake matches. One benefit is Oliver, her Corgi, can be with her instead of at home alone. They have a special relationship; Oliver speaks Welsh-accented English. He and Emma understand each other, with a little dog-human translation needed now and again, with Oliver not so good with human names and relying more on smells than looks.
Emma’s been asked to cater the annual Daphne Du Maurier festival after another catering company bowed out just weeks before the event. In addition to the short notice, there was a problem of checks not clearing, the group’s in-fighting, possible sabotage, and problems with the family as some think the festival is demeaning to their status.

When the festival’s organizer is found dead, her family tells everyone it was suicide. Even the coroner is pressured to go along with that ruling. Emma, having found the body, isn’t so sure. Oliver, with his super-sniffer nose, agrees with Emma. The worst part is, the whole thing is so mismatched, it doesn’t make any sense. There’s embezzlement, but where’s the money? Suicide, but wrong injuries. Heirs fighting, but no will. It’s a mess Emma’s logical mind should be able to figure out. Oliver is sure about that.

This is book three in the series. Emma has settled into her rental house, has a huge vegetable garden, takes long walks with Oliver, loves the tea parties, and although she tends to deny it, there’s a romance brewing as well. Oliver is a complete joy as any Corgi lover would expect. His ability to speak never takes away from the storyline but adds clues for Emma to follow and a great deal of fun for the reader. I can’t wait for book four.

The corgi in this book was so adorable - I could literally hear his cute little Welsh accent through the pages. LOVED this sleuthing due: Emma and her talking dog. He's cute but proper and still dog-like. I loved this book so much!

5 stars = Outstanding!

Another delight from Jennifer Hawkins! Oliver and Emma make a fantastic sleuthing team. I love that Oliver gets a few POV chapters - I find the character so endearing and funny. And the mystery is fantastically paced and plotted - as well as twisty! This is one of my favorite cozy series right now.

Jennifer Hawkins gives us a second Chatty Corgi mystery in Murder Always Barks Twice. Oliver, the brave and clever corgi, helps his mistress, ex accountant Emma Read, find out who murdered two women involved with the local Daphne du Maurier Festival . Emma is also a baker who is going to cater for the festival. Money is missing from festival accounts; then things are missing from the estate where the festival was to be held. Emma has one curious ability she can speak to and understand Oliver who is clever and loyal and thinks like a dog. What could go wrong? Clever cozy.

Lover's of Jennifer Hawkin's To Fetch A Felon, the first book in the Chatty Corgi series will be excited to see the second installment in the series, Murder Always Barks Twice.
A quaint British Village is the setting for this book with Emma Reed and her charming Corgi, Oliver opening Reed’s Classic Tea & Cakes. Putting her accountant job behind her Emma is excited about the fresh start she and Oliver are making especially when business is so brisk,friends are aplenty and it looks like a new romance may be in the cards.
Things are going peachy and Emma and Oliver, who just happens to be a talking Corgi, at least with her, settle in nicely.
Trouble soon starts brewing though after a festival organizer is found dead at an event Emma is helping to cater.
Well paced engaging cozy mystery.

Pub Date: 03 Aug 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Emma and her Welsh Pembroke Corgi Oliver are back for a second adventure in Murder Always Barks Twice, the wonderful sophomore entry in the Chatty Corgi Mystery series. The story gives a big nod to Rebecca and has loads of English village charm, appealing characters, and an engaging mystery that keeps readers guessing.

When Emma agrees to do a last minute catering job for the annual Daphne DuMaurier Literary Festival, she does not expect to find bickering board members or the death of one of its members. Marcie Chocrane, a superfan of DuMaurier, is the treasurer of the literary society, and the annual festival takes place at her ancestral estate. When Emma and her friend Genny arrive at Truscott Grange, they find Marcie’s crumpled body on the drive below an open window. Is her death an accident, suicide, or something more sinister? Emma agrees to look into things at the behest of Marcie’s niece Daphne. With the help of her noble warrior corgi (his words) Oliver, Emma quickly finds herself in a cesspool of money hungry, power seeking, jealous siblings and Marcie’s money troubles, stress, and secret plans. Oh, and the literary festival must go on, too.

How can you go wrong with a talking corgi sleuth? As a self-proclaimed corgi nut, I think Oliver, who communicates with Emma through full sentences and a Welsh accent, is just about the greatest thing since sliced bread. He might not be every reader’s cup of tea since one must suspend reality a bit, but I love him and think that author Jennifer Hawkins does a fantastic job making this unusual sleuthing pair believable. I like Emma a great deal and find her relatable (she and I are about the same age) and a thorough, intelligent amateur sleuth. Her coworkers/friends Angelique and Genny are also especially enjoyable, and I love the relationships they are forging.

Marcie dies fairly early in the story, but we get to know her well through what the other characters have to say about her. Her situation was terrible, and I felt a great need for Emma to find justice for her. The suspects are comprised mostly of immediate family and one board member, and the more Emma investigates, the more ugliness and motives for murder she finds. Hawkins takes readers through a twisty, emotional puzzle that sometimes involves danger for Emma. It is compelling from start to finish.

Murder Always Barks Twice is delightful cozy mystery reading. Highly recommended…especially to fans of pet themed mysteries.

I really enjoy this series! The theme is fantastic, and the author does a great job of fleshing out the characters. Emma was very relatable, and I loved the English setting. The story was well-paced, and I had so much fun trying to solve the mystery.

Cute cozy mystery that is easy to read. While I enjoyed meeting Emma, I felt this wasn't my style of story.
This is no fault of the authors, just my own personal opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#MurderAlwaysBarksTwice #NetGalley

MURDER ALWAYS BARKS TWICE by Jennifer Hawkins is everything a cozy mystery should be - high tea and a B&B, murder in the English countryside, and of course, Oliver the talking corgi. With enchanting vibes, clever characters, and an engaging mystery, MURDER ALWAYS BARKS TWICE is as cozy as it gets!

4 Star review Murder Always Barks Twice by Jennifer Hawkins

Jennifer Hawkins is a new author to me. Murder Always Barks Twice was an entertaining cozy mystery that ticked a lot of the boxes for me. I have to say I was intrigued when I learnt that the heroine's sidekick is her corgi Oliver, who talks to her.

Emma Reed has opened Reed's Classic Tea & Cakes in the village of Trevena in Cornwall, fulfilling a long planned dream. Trying to get the business established and running successfully , she has made friends and is excited when she is asked to assist in the catering for the Daphne DuMaurier literary festival. Excitement turns to horror when a suspicious death occurs and Emma is asked to do some investigating along with her friends and Oliver by her side.

There were numerous twists and turns within the story and I found Emma easy to relate to and I liked her. This is a quirky mystery with characters who were engaging that kept me invested in the story.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery and am looking forward to reading more from Ms. Hawkins. I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.

This was a cute read. I loved the setting, the characters were nice (except for the ones who weren't supposed to be), the food mentions were dreamy sounding, and the mystery was interesting. I'm not sure I'd want a dog that talks. While Oliver is really cute every dog I've ever had (most of which were herding breeds) were perfectly able to communicate their thoughts through expression and barks and I'm REALLY sure I don't want more communication then that!

The mystery was interesting but never fully hooked me. I think this is a it's not you it's me kind of situation as there were no faults I can really point to - more that while I enjoyed it I was never invested enough for this to become a must read series for me.

"A charming tea room owner and her excitable talking corgi will need to work together to bring a killer to heel in this delightful cozy mystery.

For ex-accountant Emma Reed and her beloved corgi, Oliver, opening Reed's Classic Tea and Cakes in the idyllic village of Trevena in Cornwall has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Her cakes are popular, she has a host of wonderful new friends, and even a potential new romance. There's even time left over for plenty of long country walks with Oliver, who is not only the cutest corgi on record (at least to Emma), he happens to talk (at least to Emma). What could be better?

How about being asked to help cater the local Daphne Du Maurier literary festival?

But when the festival organizer is found dead and foul play is suspected, Emma, Oliver and their friends are plunged deep into a poisonous mix of village jealousy, family tension, money troubles, and secret love affairs. Emma quickly realizes it's up to her and her intrepid corgi to discover a canny killer whose bite is worse than their bark."

I want to live in a world with corgi crime solvers and Daphne Du Maurier literary festivals! I've watched enough Midsomer Murders to hopefully survive!

Likeable Emma Reed has moved from London, England to Cornwall and has started a fledgling bakery/tea business in her new friend Angelique's B & B. After helping to solve a murder with the help of her trusty, noble corgi Oliver, and her first local friend Genny, she is ready to concentrate on her business. Then Emma and Angelique are engaged to cater a Daphne du Maurier Literary Festival and Emma and Genny find the body of the treasurer of the committee Marcia, outside her home where the event was to take place. Marcia's niece asks Emma to do a little investigating because she has questions of whether Marcia committed suicide or was she murdered by another family member or committee member. Oliver who can "talk" to Emma makes this a whimsical mystery, but there are thoughtful explorations of family relationships. I look forward to Oliver's next investigation. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.