I have thoroughly enjoyed the books I have read in the Low Country Dog Walker series. This was another great addition. You know when you pick up a book by Jackie Layton that you are going to be in for a wonderful adventure. The characters are richly developed and I love Andi Grace and her fiancé, Marc. Between the murder, crooked lawyers, dognapping, drug rings, wedding planning, dog walking business, and a hurricane(!), Andi Grace has her hands full. You will find yourself flipping quickly through the pages to discover who really committed murder. And what is the truth about a few of the newly introduced characters? Are they who they say they are? Hmmmm! Guess you’ll have to get lost in the pages of this delightful cozy mystery to discover the answer.

While the fifth book in the series, you could read this one as a standalone. But why would you want to do that?! I strongly encourage you to go back and read from the first book so you can get a wonderful view of Andi Grace, her family, and the rest of the people in Heywood Beach, South Carolina. And if you’re a dog lover, this one will definitely be a series of books to put on your to-be-read list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Loved this book. Had a great storyline and fun and relatable characters. I am a big fan of stories that include the characters pets and such. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a great cozy mystery

I did quite enjoy this story, I've never read any of Jackie Layton's work before, but I really loved her writing.
I liked the way she could create tension and suspense with minimal build up, I consider this to be a writing super skill.

The story focuses around Andi Grace, a pro dog walker in her full time. In her spare time, she's planning her wedding but when a murder occurs she puts that aside to do some investigative sleuthing. A fun and easy read and despite it being fifth in the series, I was surprised to see how well it worked for a new reader like me, who hadn't read previous books, this really ticked a box for me and I will be going back to read other I haven't.

I received this free ARC in return for my honest review.

I just kept putting this down. It didn’t hold my attention. This is the first Jackie Layton book I have read. Maybe knowing more about her characters from previous books would have helped. Maybe the problem was too many characters, too many suspects popped up, too many bad guys. There were so many plot pieces…the mob, drugs, singers, hurricanes. Maybe the number of characters and layers of story made it not enjoyable to me because each time I picked it up I had to catch up again.

Low Country dog walker Andi Grace is happy to go and check on a worried client’s dog when she gets a anxious call from the out-of-town owner. When she goes to the house and checks, Andi Grace can’t find the dog. She does find the client’s husband dead, strangled in his office. Then she finds a ransom note for the safe return of the dog. Are the crimes related? Andi Grace begins to wonder just what’s going on when the client seems more concerned about her missing dog than her deceased husband.

With a wedding to plan and her dog business Stay and Play to run, Andi Grace didn’t plan to become involved in a murder investigation, but finds herself drawn in. It will take her best efforts to figure out who committed both crimes.

Ms. Layton crafts an interesting plot line with characters you’ll enjoy getting to know. She has a great way with description and anyone who is a dog lover will enjoy this book and this series.

A Killer Unleashed
Low Country Dog Walker Mystery, Book # 5
Jackie Layton
5 Stars

Synopsis:

When a client’s dog turns up missing and her husband turns up dead, Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott will have to rely on dogged determination to track down a killer . . .

When a frantic client calls, worried about her dog, Andi Grace is happy to drop by the woman’s home and check in on her beloved pet. She’s initially concerned when she discovers the dog’s not in the house, but she’s out-and-out shocked to discover that the woman’s husband is—strangled to death in his office chair. On top of that, she soon finds a ransom note demanding a hefty sum for the dog’s safe return. Andi Grace knows better than to meddle in a murder investigation, but there’s no way she’s going to let a dognapper get away with it.

Unsure of whether the killer took the dog or if they were unrelated crimes, Andi Grace finds herself confounded from the start. More puzzling still is that the dog’s owner seems more upset about her missing pooch than her dead husband. Could the whole thing have been a setup? Did the woman murder her own husband and send Andi Grace to the house under false pretenses to discover the body? As sinister as that possibility may be, the trail of clues leads Andi Grace to uncover an even more nefarious scheme, and she knows she’ll have to tie up all the loose ends fast before the whole case goes to the dogs . . .

Praise for the Books of Jackie Layton:

“Kept me guessing till the end. Andi Grace is an excellent amateur sleuth . . . and Caught and Collared is an engrossing and enjoyable cozy mystery." —The Book Decoder, Best Books of 2022

“Andi Grace is adorable, resilient, and has a doggedly curious need to solve a murder. A pleasure to read.” —C. Hope Clark, award-winning author of Edisto Tidings

“Completely charming—and exactly what a cozy mystery should be. Amateur sleuth (and dog whisperer) Andi Grace Scott is wonderfully endearing, and her devotion to her pooches—and to justice—will have you rooting for her from the absolutely irresistible page one. Bow wow—What a terrific debut!” —Hank Phillippi Ryan, nationally best-selling and award-winning author of The Murder List


About the Author:

Former Kentuckian Jackie Layton loves her new life in the Low Country. She enjoys time on the beach, despite one vacation that ended with cracked ribs from riding her boogie board with the kids and another trip that ended with a fish hook in her foot and a trip to the emergency room. There’s nothing like time at the beach, although she tends to be a bit more cautious these days. Jackie is the author of five Low Country Dog Walker Mysteries, including Bite the Dust, Dog-Gone Dead, Bag of Bones, Caught and Collared, and A Killer Unleashed. (Amazon)


Review:

Andi Grace is busy planning her wedding and keeping Stay and Play, her dog-walking company on track. When one of her clients asks Andi Grace to go to her house and check on her dog. When she goes to her client's house, Andi Grace does not find her dog, but she does find something. Her client’s husband is found dead, strangled to death. Andi Grace will have to try and figure out who the murderer is. But it will not be easy.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story and took me on a fun ride. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is well plotted and there were plenty of suspects to consider and clues to sift through.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to the next one when it is released.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Beyond The Page Publishing, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

I thought this sounded like a book that I might enjoy.

This was an entertaining, quirky cosy mystery, and a light, easy read. The dogs played an important part in the story, so I think animal lovers, or dog lovers in particular, might enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

A terrific addition to a delightful series. Dogs are the heart in this convoluted cozy mystery. The people are a challenge. Rain provides another problem for all. Or should I say potential hurricane. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

A Killer Unleashed, the 5th in the Low Country Dog Walker series by Jackie Layton, is an entertaining cozy mystery with warm characters, precious dogs, and a decent light mystery. It stood out for me that it is the male characters' dialog that was smoothest; I am used to the best dialog coming from female characters. That is probably why I connected with the men a bit more than the women even though I like all the main characters. We spent too much time in Andi Grace's head as she circled the round and round. This issue is common in cozy mysteries, but it is still a weakness for me since I am characters centered more than plot focused. I loved the time she and Marcus, her fiancé spent together.
I saw a blog post about this book, and it sounded so good that I immediately bought the first book in the series. The next day I saw this one listed on NetGalley and I couldn't resist grabbing it; I am glad I did. It was well worth reading and I look forward to diving into the beginning of the series.
My thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read and review A Killer Unleashed and to Jackie Layton for creating a world with dogs, good people, and an interesting mystery.
#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #LowCountryDogWalker #JackieLayton

amateur-sleuth, dognappers, dogs, family, family-drama, family-dynamics, fiancé, friendship, law-enforcement, lawless, murder, murder-investigation, pets, read, relationships, relatives, sisters, small-business, small-town, South Carolina*****

It all started with a Schnoodle.
The publisher's blurb is a good hook to get your nose in this convoluted tale. Loved it and read it in one day!
Even though it's a series, this stands alone because the author keeps the reader posted. But I can't claim unbiased because I love dogs.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

A Killer Unleashed is another fantastic addition to this series by Jackie Layton.
Andi Grace and her love for her four legged friends shines through in this book.
A concerned pet owner reaches out to Andi Grace, worried about her dog. Andi drops everything and soon finds herself embroiled in a crazy murder investigation.
Andi Grace knows the right questions to ask, and her unique investigative skills and before long, she begins to piece the truth together.
I had a blast reading this book and I hope other readers do too.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

#AKillerUnleashed #NetGalley

Grab a chilled Coke and sit because you will find yourself staying with this book until the end because it is another great cozy in another great series. I have no idea how Andi Grace finds the time to not only work full time on her own dog walking/boarding/grooming business, but also see to wedding details, and solve yet another murder mystery and rehome a dog. This multipart mystery has Andi Grace and her fiancé Marc wondering if Andi Grace stumbled upon a murder and a dognapping by accident or if a stage had been set by a consummate liar? This isn't the first time Andi Grace has had to rehome a pup due to a murder and this time, Ike, very pregnant baby sister Lacey Jane's biological father, has been identified as a person of interest and Andi Grace has been asked to find the killer. This story twists and turns but never gets you lost and always supplies background when needed. In addition to being highly entertaining there is an excellent wedding menu complete with BBQ sliders.

A Killer Unleashed is the fifth instalment in the Low County Dog Walker Mystery series set in Heyward Beach and features dog walker, Andi Grace Scott. Andi is engaged to Marc and she is planning their upcoming wedding. Her brother, Nate is also marrying so it will be a double wedding. Andi Grace gets a call from dog client, Ivey Gilbert to go over to her house and check on her dog, Lady, a schnoodle. She and Marc arrive and find a blister pack of tablets in the kitchen and Ivey's husband, Norris dead in his office with a bright pink leash around his neck.

With strong family and personal relationships, this was an engaging cozy. I'm interested to read the first three instalments and continuing with it going forward.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Andi Grace has lots on her mind these days. Her dog walking business is growing and she is also planning her upcoming double wedding. Getting involved with another murder is not part of those plans. When she gets a frantic call from one of her clients asking her to go to the woman's house to check on her dog, Andi Grace agrees. Taking Marc, her fiance, with her, they arrive at the house to discover the woman's husband dead with a dog leash wrapped around his neck. There is no sign of the dog. Then the situation shifts when a ransom note is found - the dog has been snatched.
When the client shows more concern over her missing dog and not much concern over her dead husband and someone close to Andi Grace is being questioned by the police as a person of interest in the killing....well forget what Andi Grace said about staying away from any more investigations - she jumps right in find the killer and rescue the dog.
I came to this series late, missing the first three books but at no time did I feel like I had missed anything. It works fine as a stand alone. The setting is lovely, the characters are well fleshed out and entertaining and the mystery kept me guessing to the end. I had guessed wrong. I'm looking forward to more mysteries featuring Andi Grace, her family and friends and, of course, dogs, dogs, dogs.My thanks to the publisher Beyond the Page and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was so happy to see this series continue that I jumped at the chance to get it on NetGalley. It was great getting back to visit with Andi Grace and all her friends. Prep for the double wedding for Andi Grace and Marc and Andi's bestie Juliet and Juliet's fiancé Nate (who's Andi Grace's brother).

This was a twisty mystery with lots of secrets so I never really had a clear idea of whodunit although I had my hopes lol. I always love all the dog activity going on and how previous characters like Marc's pal Lincoln and Lacey Jane's dad Ike are included. In fact, Ike's kinda front and center when he's all the sheriff's got for a main suspect in this murder--even though Andi Grace pretty much knows Ike's no killer.

The showdown was a good one and the complete explanation afterward is always the best! I really hope the series continues so Lacey Jane and David can welcome their baby. And that double wedding oughta be something else! I hope Andi involves dogs in it somehow!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Low country dog walker and doggie daycare owner Andi Grace is at it again. One of her clients asks her to stop in and check on her dog as she's out of town. Andi Grace finds the dog missing and her clients husbands dead body-
strangled to death in his office. Later she finds a ransom note for the missing dog on the windshield of her car. This was another quick fun read that kept me guessing til the end. A perfect cozy in every way.

Andi Grace is now engaged to Marc and they are discussing wedding plans when Ivey (a woman for whom she walks the dog) calls and tells her she needs to check on Lady, her dog. Ivey can't get through to her husband Norris who is supposed to be bringing the dog to Savannah. When Andi gets to the house, the dog isn't there, but Norris is in his office strangled by a dog leash around his neck. She finds a ransom note on her windshield for Lady, the missing dog. When the police interview Ike (Andi's sister Lacey Jane's real father), Lacey Jane begs Andi to help investigate. There is no clear suspect, as Norris was not a popular man. He was a lawyer, and most of his clients have complaints about him, and even his wife is much more upset about her missing dog than her murdered husband.

Andi Grace does find the dog, supposedly just found by the young woman who has been chasing Lady in the woods near the scene of the crime. Cheyene claims she had just found the dog and desperately needed the reward for finding her, and Andi Grace helps her out with some clothes as well. When someone tries to run Andi Grace off the road, Marc and the police try to convince her to keep out of the case. Of course, Andi Grace must continue looking. The book becomes very exciting as we near the end.

Andi Grace is a very likeable character, and the book is exciting and clever.

This was my first book in this series and even so, I thought it was a delightful read. I will go back and start the series from the first book. It kept me interested and I read it in just a few hours.

I really enjoyed Ms. Layton’s A Killer Unleashed. Her characters and their lives made interesting reading, from the dog walker and fiance, to family and friends. She put out good suspects with believable motives and plenty of action scenes. I recommend it highly. The dog walker, Grace is great with deductive reasoning and is taken seriously by the police, no doubt aided by one being related.
I requested and received a Net Galley ARC to peruse gratis and offer my opinion in the same.

I have been following this series from the start and was excited to catch up on the latest installment. I loved the mystery and the sleuthing. If I have to compare this book to the previous installments, I am a tad disappointed with the pacing and repetitions.

The victim was a lawyer and his wife, a real estate agent. There's a rumor of a local clinic that was a pill mill - the victim used to send his clients there for treatment. Then there's the victim's wife to consider - she seems more worried about the missing dog than her dead husband. Finally, a college professor/environmentalist who's made it to the top of the suspects list.

I felt bad for Marc (Andi Grace's fiance) - he supports her amateur sleuthing adventures but he's worried about her. He doesn't want her to put herself in harm's way. Andi Grace's feelings for Marc seemed a bit too cheesy - she couldn't stop being grateful for getting such a wonderful man as her partner - this was getting a bit repetitive.

Emotions were all over the place and I wonder if this was because Andi Grace was going through a phase of 'wedding jitters.' Suspects know she's looking for clues and she too doesn't hide the fact that she suspects them of murder. Somehow, this wasn't up to my liking. Amateur sleuthing, yes. But Andi Grace is getting a bit too brave for my liking. Coming face-to-face with suspects without giving it a second thought. Nope, not a good sign.

Overall, this was an okay read. Since this is one of my favorite series, fingers crossed that things will get better in the next installment.

4/5