What an interesting business Emma has created with A Friend for Hire. Her latest client is Kim, whose husband of 30 years left her for a younger woman. Kim's an empty nester too and things just seem bleak until she sits with Emma and comes up with a list of things she can do. Unfortunately, Kim also jokes about killing her ex- and then he ends up dead, strangled- and Kim is the prime suspect. Well, cozy readers, like Emma, know that Kim didn't do it. Emma and her loyal dog Scout. as well as her friends Dottie (a hoot) and Stephanie, are on the case. I might have guessed the identity of the villain but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this well written mystery - it's the characters! Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. I missed the first book so this was a standalone for me (it was fine) and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Emma’s newest client is a woman who is struggling to come to terms with her new life. Her grown kids have left the nest, and her husband has hit her with an unexpected request for a divorce. Together, Kim and Emma create a bucket list of things Kim has always wanted to do but was too busy being wife and mother to do them. Kim adds a few items intended to be jokes, but when her ex-husband is found dead, and one of her “jokes” is the cause of his death, she catapults to the top of the suspect list.

This is the second book in this series, and my second series by this author. I’m glad to have gotten in on this series from the start, although it means having to wait a year between books. The setting doesn’t seem to play much of a part in this series, but it doesn’t detract from the story either. I like Emma and the recurring characters, although Dottie is rather imperious and bossy. Scout, the dog, is great, and I’m eager to see where things go with Jack and his son Tommy.

There didn’t seem to be many potential suspects to be considered, although I began to suspect the character who eventually turned out to be the murderer as Emma continued to ask questions. The motive was a bit of a surprise, but it made sense. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
A Perilous Pal by Laura Bradford is the second book in her popular Friend for Hire Mystery series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. This cozy mystery had everything I want in a cozy mystery to include a delightful Golden Retriever named Scout.

Emma Westlake has started her own company called A Friend for Hire. She helps lonely people by being their friend and spending time with them. When she meets a new client Kim Felder, they make a list of activities to help Kim recover from her sudden divorce. Kim makes some jokes about hurting her ex-husband, so when he turns up murdered the next day, all fingers point toward Kim. But Emma knows she couldn’t have done it, so she goes and investigates herself.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. The pacing was good, and I enjoyed the mystery. I didn’t figure it out until our sleuth, Emma did. Scout, the golden retriever really stole the show for me, and I adored Emma and Scout together. The book is full of quirky characters in a charming small town. It’s the perfect escape mystery.

I highly recommend A Perilous Pal to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Emma Westlake is the owner of A Friend For Hire and has just taken on new client, Kim Felder, who is really struggling with life right now. She’s battling empty nest syndrome and her husband of 30 years has just left her, so she turns to Emma’s company to supply her with a companion. Still angry at her ex-husband, she’s made up a bucket list that includes ways she would kill her ex-husband. When he actually turns up dead and the cause of death is ironically one of the ways listed on the list, all fingers point to her. Emma doesn’t believe this for a second. Can she prove Kim’s innocence or is she wrong for trusting someone she just met?
Thank you Netgalley, Laura Bradford, and Berkley Publishing Group the opportunity to read and review this book. This book has an adorable dog named Scout, a budding romance and of course, what cozy mystery wouldn’t be complete without a murder? What’s not to love? This is the second book in the A Friend For Hire Mystery Series. I didn’t read the first one but it was fine to read as a stand-alone. I loved all the characters in this book and how well the story seemed to flow. This was a quick easy read that held my attention. An absolute must read for those cozy mystery lovers out there! I can’t wait for the next book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Entrepreneur Emma Westlake’s new business is booming until her latest client is arrested for murdered. I love this series by Laura Bradford. Emma is a sweet character that has such a heart of gold. She is hired by a woman that has an empty nest that has been a hard adjustment. Then her beloved husband left her for his younger secretary. Emma helps Kim make a bucket list of activities. Then her husband is found murdered and the police are looking at Kim. Emma and her friends take on the case.
#APerilousPal #NetGalley

I was kind of surprised I liked the first book in this series, because it's such an unlikely premise. But somehow, the author makes it work! I do wish her new client in this new case, Kim, didn't come across as quite so pathetic. But other than that, Emma's friends and clients (and clients who become actual friends, etc.) are turning into quite an ensemble cast. I feel like the identity of the murderer was a little bit too obvious in this case, but it's still an enjoyable read--one that actually makes me think a little bit about the nature of friendship and relationships and who we fill our lives with.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Perilous Pal is the second book in this unique cozy mystery series by Laura Bradford.
Emma Westlake is a friend for hire, simply put, she will attend a wedding, a party, go to the gym or movies with you, for a price.
It may seem odd to some, but there are people out there too shy to make friends, and this is a simple solution to awkward situations.
Emma enjoys being a friend for hire, she's met a few quirky, colorful people who she is proud to call friends.
When Kim Felder reaches out to Emma, it breaks her heart to see a woman who appears broken, and terribly sad by the turn of events happening in her life. Her children have left the nest and her husband trades her in for a younger model.
Kim feels destroyed, in her mind she has nothing left, and she turns to Emma in desperation.
In a matter of hours, Kim tells Emma how hurt she was by her husband's actions and jokingly admits to thinking about killing him, making him suffer they way he made her.
Unbeknownst to Emma, Kim's husband is found dead, strangled, and Kim becomes the first and only suspect.
Emma is adamant that Kim is not guilty, and she's determined to prove her innocence, with the help of a few friends.

I read this book in one sitting, it gripped me from the beginning and before long I was looking for clues with Emna, Dottie, and the rest of the gang.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
I recommend this series to readers who enjoy a well written story filled with colorful characters.
#APerilousPal #NetGalley #BerkeleyPublishingGroup

This is the second book in the series, but the first one I've read. I loved the premise and look forward to more. The mystery kept me guessing. I liked the characters and seeing what other trouble her clients get into.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Emma's new business is called Friend for Hire. She has a way of helping people with whatever they need, from someone who wants a friend to encourage them to go to the gym, to regularly visiting an elderly parent. Her newest client is Kim, a woman whose children are grown and who has been dumped by her husband of 30 years. When Kim is accused of murder, Emma and her adorable golden retriever Scout, octogenarian Dottie, and Nurse Stephanie decide to work to clear her and find the real murderer. It's hard to resist a book with a golden retriever on the cover. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This is the second book in the friend for hire series. Emma Westlake Is contacted by a new client looking for a friend. When she meets Kim for the first time she finds her situation heartbreaking and vows to do whatever she can to help. She never expected that she would need help proving she is innocent of killing her ex-husband. Thus begins the investigation for a very reluctant amateur sleuth. I really like these books. The friend for hire angle is new and very interesting and brings in varied characters who we would not meet otherwise, I am looking forward to the next book.



I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.