Title: Paws for Concern
Author: Amy Hueston
Series: Canine Confections Mysteries #1
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: August 21, 2020
Pages: 247
Book Source: eBook
“Life is good for Samantha Armstrong. She left her cheating boyfriend, settled into her cozy cottage on her Aunt Mary’s Palm Beach estate and is finally opening Canine Confections, her dream dog bakery on the ritzy Worth Avenue.
But Samantha’s happy new life goes doggone crazy when Palm Beach resident and pastry shop owner Whitney Goodwin is found dead on Canine Confections’ floor, whisking Samantha into the middle of a murder investigation. The only bright spot is that she finds herself adopting Whitney’s lovable dog Sweet Pea.
As the killer strikes again, it’s obvious that the shopkeepers on Worth Avenue are the target. Samantha’s impatience won’t let sleeping dogs lie. She takes it upon herself to move things along by padding around town with Sweet Pea and sniffing out clues to clear her name and Canine Confections’ reputation—before it is too late …” – Amazon
Kim’s Review
Paws for Concern by Amy Hueston is the first book in the Canine Confections Mysteries and it was a fun look at a rich and famous world I will never be part of, Palm Beach. Paws for Concern would be a great beach read or when you want a light, entertaining read.
I enjoyed getting a peek into all the fancy stores and the art gallery on Worth Avenue. Many of the owners were a bit snotty, but there were a couple that seemed a bit more down to earth… even if they almost all had a trust fund.
It’s a good thing that a reporter for the local gossip rag shows up to get a story on Canine Confections’ Grand Opening, otherwise Samantha wouldn’t have had someone to watch the store while she was off chasing down leads and interrogating her fellow shop owners. It may make Samantha seem a bit naive trusting Tracy so quickly, but there is just something about Tracy that makes her so lovable. I am looking forward to more scenes with Samantha and Tracy.
I also really liked how in most cozies the police officer/detective/lawyer/reporter is the protagonist’s love interest, but in Paws for Concern it happens to be Sam’s aunt’s. This was a fun way to change it up, show some romance between older people, and still have someone that Samantha can go to for help if need be… and you know she’s going to need it!
The killer was easy for me to guess very early on, but one doesn’t read cozies for the mystery alone, but for the community, location, and career/hobbies too. A great start to the Canine Confections Mysteries and I am looking forward to more in the series.
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