Title: A Dog Detective Series Books 1-3
Author: Sandra Baublitz
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Cozy Animal Mystery
Book Blurb:
Mystery, Murder, and a Saint Bernard sleuth!
This boxset contains books 1-3 in A Dog Detective Series.
Dig up the clues and solve the mysteries along with Paw, the smartest four-legged, furry detective.
MASTIFFS, MYSTERY, AND MURDER
It's murder at the dog show!
When amateur sleuth Clarissa Hayes and her trusty Saint Bernard, Paw, enter a dog show, they expect to find dogs, blue ribbons, and trophies. Not dead bodies.
Clarissa and Paw must sniff out the clues to solve the crime before the killer collars them.
Will Best in Show become Best in Death?
BASSETS AND BLACKMAIL
Will this mystery game be murder?
Peaceful Dreams B&B is hosting a murder mystery game to celebrate its grand opening. Local sleuth Clarissa Hayes and her loyal Saint Bernard, Paw, have joined in the entertainment.
All is fun and games until one of the guests is found dead.
It's up to Clarissa and Paw to trail the clues to find out the truth.
Will peaceful dreams reign or will the killer unleash nightmares for all?
CANINES AND CRIME
Life is ruff.
Tranquil Valley's park committee is hosting a fundraiser to restore the town's beloved gazebo. At the event, aspiring author Clarissa Hayes and her pet detective Saint Bernard meet David Tanner, a fellow town resident who admits to a troubled past that he has worked hard to rectify. He seems like a nice guy.
Then he's murdered.
As Clarissa, Paw, and friends hunt for clues, will they find the killer? Or will the murderer unleash a trap from which even Paw can't dig out?
Excerpt:
Shelbee spoke from across the table. “Clarissa Hayes.”
I turned, curious why she was using my full name.
Shelbee was gesturing to me but speaking to the woman on her right.
I nodded to the woman who was dressed in a light blue pantsuit with a flower in her light brown hair. The woman waved to me.
Shelbee completed the introduction. “Clarissa, this is Madeline Wells. She and her friend, Karen Taylor, are eager for the mystery to begin.”
Karen Taylor wore a stylish gray wool suit; her chestnut-streaked hair pulled back low on her neck in a chignon. She nodded to me. “Nice to meet you.”
“And you both as well. Have either of you participated in a mystery game before?”
Madeline's smile widened. “Lots of them. We love murder mysteries. Shelbee tells us that you have solved real crimes.”
I shifted in my seat, self-conscious at the attention. “A few.”
Shelbee grinned and winked at me. “Clarissa's boyfriend is a detective.”
Karen and Madeline goggled at me.
I scowled at Shelbee who continued to grin. “Yes. He is.”
“She's worked with him on cases,” Shelbee added.
Both women leaned forward as Madeline said, “That must be exciting.”
“At times,” I said, not wanting to encourage them.
Bruce Sever, my detective boyfriend, didn't like to talk about his work since he took client confidentiality seriously. I wished he were here now to deflect the women's interest, but he was out of town visiting friends. Bruce and I had met when I found a dead body in my neighbor's shed.
Madeline Wells leaned so far forward she grazed her plate with her chest. “Do you go on stake-outs?”
Shelbee took pity on me. “She has a time or two, but they're really boring.”
Thomas Cafferty spoke loudly, cutting through the conversations around the table. “This wine is garbage.”
His female companion, Jessica, whose last name I hadn’t heard, rolled her eyes at his rude pronouncement. I didn’t know if she was his wife or girlfriend since Cafferty just referred to her as Jessica or honey.
Various guests gasped or glared at Cafferty. Patricia drew in her breath beside me.
Not being a wine fan, I had opted for water at dinner, but in my opinion, it was rude to insult your host's selections at a meal.
We all turned to observe William's reaction. To my surprise, he smiled and dipped his head. “Well...I wouldn't call it garbage, but I admit it isn't the finest wine available since we’re on a budget being a new inn.” He shrugged. “We usually only serve breakfast. To celebrate our first murder mystery, we decided to offer dinner. Wine seemed appropriate under the circumstances. You see when we refurbished this house we discovered several bottles of wine in the basement.”
By now, everyone but Cafferty was hanging on William's every word. “Cheap dreck, no doubt.”
I heard a squeak and turned to see Donna Dayton, who sat on my left, shift in her chair. Jessica, sitting on Cafferty’s right, fiddled with her spoon.
William shrugged. “Most were, except for one special bottle.” William paused to build suspense.
On his right, Robert Roberts was poised on the edge of his seat. No doubt he would be urging William to join the theater.
Jac, beside Robert, leaned forward.
William bent down next to his chair. I had seen him place a canvas bag next to it when we sat down for the meal. He sat up, lifting a wine bottle onto the table.
Cafferty sat up, exclaiming, “Impossible!”
Donna Dayton half stood, saying, “Oh my gosh!”
I was confused. I turned to Patricia who sat back and gave me a small smile. I knew nothing about wine. I didn't tolerate alcohol well, so I seldom drank it.
Cafferty huffed. “That can't be real!”
William smirked. “I assure you this wine is the real thing.”
Donna's voice squeaked. “That's a Chateau Haut-Brion.”
“Yes.” William nodded. “An excellent vintage too.”
Donna dropped back into her seat, shaking her head.
Cafferty snorted. “Impossible. That wine has to be vinegar by now after being stored in the basement.”
William smirked. “Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. Our local wine expert believes it has value, so next month I’m donating it to be auctioned off at the fundraiser for our local park. The proceeds will go to rebuilding the park’s gazebo.”
Cafferty shook his head, disgust on his face. “You’re an idiot!”
William stiffened. “There's nothing idiotic about charity.”
“There is if you're giving away something valuable.”
Both men glared at each other.
Robert cleared his throat, raising his glass, and stood. “A toast to fine wines and good taste.”
Everyone but William and Cafferty raised their glasses. Patricia reached across the table and laid her hand on William's arm. He shook himself then picked up the bottle of wine and stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll return this to the wine cellar.”
As William stood up, Cafferty shoved back his chair, saying, “Fine wine? This stuff isn't fine. It's dreck.” He threw down his napkin, jerked his head at Jessica, and stalked out of the room.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/u/m2ePWO
What makes your featured book a must-read?
A Dog Detective Series Box Set is a must-read for anyone who loves cozy mysteries and dogs. Paw, the mischievous Saint Bernard sleuth, noses his way into his owner’s confusing and twisty mysteries. His antics and trouble-making provide hours of fun as he digs up clues and collars killers.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $10 Amazon US or Amazon Canada gift card
Open Internationally. You must have an active Amazon US or CA account to win.
Runs February 20 – February 28, 2023.
Winner will be drawn on March 1, 2023.
Author Biography:
Sandra Baublitz loves mysteries. Both reading and writing them. And animals.
She fell in love with the Saint Bernard from the Beethoven movies. Since she couldn’t have one of her own, she created her own in her cozy mystery books.
Social Media Links:
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Website: https://sandrabaublitz.com/