Another series that I hadn't heard about until I came across the Arc for book #5 on NetGalley. The blurb sounded interesting so I decided to give it a try and was not disappointed. Although, it is book #5, it can be read as a standalone.

Jim Duncan, a state trooper who has recently been promoted to the criminal investigation unit and Sally Castle, a public defender who decides to go solo, both get cases that are very different at face value but as investigation progresses, could have a connection. The chapters alternate between Jim and Sally's cases and the plot is engaging without doing too much. I liked Jim and Sally's investigative skills--precise and to the point and they kind of made it look very easy (even though it isn't).

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Level Best Books and the author Liz Milliron for the e-Arc of the book.

This is a new to me author and I have to say I am looking forward to reading more by this author! I loved this book

I'm starting to love a good mystery and this one was no exception. I loved the many twists and turns this story had to offer.
I really liked that a Greyhound dog was involved too! To me, it made the story that much more interesting.
Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. It was fast paced and exciting all rolled into one!
I don't blame Sally for what she did. In fact I greatly admire her in standing up for what she believed in! I loved the fact that her husband supported her too. We need more men like Jim.
This new to me author has done a wonderful job in keeping my attention all the way through. I will be looking forward to what she writes next! This will be added to my list of favorites for 2022!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Pennsylvania state trooper Jim Duncan has just been promoted from patrol to the criminal investigation division and is eager to make a good impression on his first case, an especially sad murder where the body is not discovered until it had significantly decomposed and the victim’s dog is found seriously malnourished. His girlfriend Sally Castle also has a career change because she has quit her job as a public defender in frustration at her inability to do as much good as she wants for clients and has preliminarily gone to work with a friend as a private defense attorney. In her first case an accountant is accused of stealing from a greyhound adoption group. Meanwhile, the couple are wrestling with the decision of whether or not to move in together. The plot definitely kept my interest.
The characters in this book are a breath of fresh air. They are like real people I might know, with feelings and reactions I could relate to. For example, I warmed up to Jim immediately when the poor dog approached him at the murder scene and he held out his hand for the dog to sniff. His partner warns that the dog could get his pants dirty, and Jim replies, “Damn the clothes. I can always send them to the dry cleaners.” Yay, Jim! Jim’s new partner Jenny Cavendish and his boss Lt. Leslie Ferguson are also interesting, as each grapples with being women professionals in a still predominantly male field.
There is a lot of interesting information about greyhound racing and about greyhounds themselves. I had not realized that they are not all gray but come in a number of colors and fur patterns.
I found the circumstances around the supposed theft of the funds somewhat unsatisfying. As a former CPA I am picky about numbers and do not really understand the circumstances that caused the accountant to be accused.
I had not read any of the other books in this series, but I did not feel at a disadvantage. There were no spoilers except possibly for the progression of Jim and Sally’s relationship. I will find out, though----the first book is on my kindle now!
An enjoyable mystery with likable characters and dogs!

Trooper Jim Duncan and his girlfriend Sally Castle both embark on sudden career changes and find their first respective cases have some overlap in the world of greyhound racing. Duncan is investigating a murder where a retired racer is found looking emaciated and Sally takes on a client who is facing embezzlement charges from a dog rescue group. The pair must work to find how the players in their cases may intertwine and seek justice along the way.

It’s always a risk starting a series with the latest book, rather than the first. But that’s the way it sometimes goes when an appealing book appears in netgalley. And this certainly sounded appealing to a dog lover like me. Luckily, the book was a solid mystery that has me wanting to go back and start at the beginning. (Obviously, the book worked just fine as a stand-alone.).
The two main characters are Jim Duncan, a Pennsylvania State Trooper who’s recently been promoted to the criminal investigation unit and Sally Castle, a public defender trying to decide whether to go out on her own. They are also engaged romantically, trying to decide whether to move in together. These two were both great characters. And the story was engrossing. Jim is called to a murder scene. A man’s been shot in his own house. And caged in the house was a malnourished greyhound. Meanwhile, Sally is taking a two week vacation to try her hand at being self employed. She takes on the case of an accountant accused of financial fraud, of stealing from a greyhound rescue group.
This was a straightforward procedural. The chapters alternate between their two cases. Both were equally engaging. There’s also just the right amount of personal life, team building between Jim and his new partner, Cavendish, and Sally’s thoughts on her future. The endings to both stories were believable. No major violence.
My thanks to Netgalley and Level Best Books for an advance copy of this book.

Sally Castle, a Pennsylvania public defender quits her job and begins temporarily working as an attorney with a friend. Her boyfriend, State Trooper Jim Duncan, had been promoted to the Criminal Investigation unit. On his first day he is sent to a murder scene that also has a greyhound caged up. Sally's client is a self-employed bookkeeper/accountant who is accused of stealing money from a client, River City Hounds, a non-profit dog adoption agency.
As each work on their respective cases it appears that their cases could be related.
A quick enjoyable cozy mystery that has our partners finding new life paths that bring them even closer together.
Thank you NetGalley and Level Best Books for this e-galley of "Lie Down With Dogs".

Sally Castle and Jim Duncan join forces! Found in the backyard of the home of the victim is a retired greyhound. Both Jim and Sally are dog lovers.

This novel delves into the questionable world of greyhound racing and the folks involved in the enterprise.

These characters are well developed and the inter-action between them is a fresh approach to a crime novel. Both of them work well together. A very intriguing approach to a relationship. Enjoy! 4.5 stars – CE Williams

I was blessed to receive an Arc from the author. A great police procedural! Two main characters, one is Jim Duncan, the cop, whose first day begins when he catches a murder and finds a very decomposed body and a very abused greyhound. The other is Sally Castle, an attorney who is starting a new job with an old college friend. Her first case is a client that is accused of embezzlement from a greyhound rescue/adoption group. Could the two cases be connected? Especially since Greyhound racing is illegal in Pennsylvania. Lots of twists and turns to keep your interest. Definitely recommend. I will be reading more by Liz Milliron as well!

Lie down with Dogs by Liz Milliron is the fifth book in the Laurel Highlands Mystery series. This is a well-written police procedural crime solving story. The two main characters, Pennsylvania State Trooper Jim Duncan and attorney Sally Castle each have separate cases to solve in this book. The cases very loosely touch on each other. Jim has murders to solve and Sally has an accountant to prove innocent of embezzling. I think the two cases worked out well and the prose for each flowed well. I enjoyed the logical thought process of Jim and his new partner while investigating suspects. I appreciated Sally's concern for her client and those others affected by the money problem. I really like the two main characters but what I really enjoyed was the locations of the actions in the story. I live in the area and it was fun reading about all the locations I am familiar with. One location is actually my post office location. I got a kick out of that. I look forward to the next book in the series.

A clever plot

A cosy mystery with two investigations within one book. Written from both Sally and Jim's POV, with numerous characters and plenty of twists and turns, concentration is required to fully enjoy this intriguing book.

One thing puzzled me, the book cover showing forests was unconnected to the plot which took place between a town and the suburbs. Nevertheless the storyline kept me turning the pages, good book – recommended. I'll look for more from this author.

Thank you Level Best Books and NetGalley for the ARC, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

Sally and Jim are facing changes in their professional lives but seemed to have found a steady relationship rhythm. As a newly promoted detective, Jim has to deal with being a "rookie" despite his 14 years of experience when he catches his first murder case, one that involves a retired greyhound. Sally is trying to balance her compassion for her clients with a need to keep an eye on billable hours with a case that involves accounting irregularities with a greyhound rescue group. The twists and turns as they both follow their separate cases will keep you hooked from the first page. Highly recommend!

Thanks to Level Best Books for access to an ARC on NetGalley.

This was a really fun read. Being a greyhound owner I truly loved the dogs and adoption things. I also volunteer for a hound non profit so that was interesting. The plot about illegal racing was something I was not aware of...fun book read it!!!

This book exceeded my expectations. I was drawn into the world of Sally and Jim from the first chapter. I have read the previous books by Ms. Milliron and feel this is the best yet..