The success of her first book for middle-grade readers, The Adventures of Bailey the Bloodhound, encouraged elementary school teacher Priscilla Cummings to quit, move back to Crosbyville, Indiana, and take up the writer's life with her bloodhound, Bailey.
Pris soon finds out that former high school mean girl and newly elected school board trustee, Whitney Kelley, is on a campaign to eliminate frivolous spending-- and by "frivolous" she means anything to do with the arts and social programs, including Pris and Bailey's pet-assisted reading program.
As a result, Pris and Whitney have a rather public argument, and when Bailey finds Whitney's body in a flowerbed, Pris finds herself Suspect #1.
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I was in the mood for a canine-themed light and fun mystery, so I picked up Sniffing Out Murder by Kallie E. Benjamin (AKA V.M. Burns) with mixed results.
I did enjoy the small town setting and the cast of characters, like Pris's Aunt Agatha who owns the Blue Plate Special Café, and the police chief's eight-year-old daughter, Hannah. Her background as an elementary school teacher means that Pris has many tools in her arsenal when dealing with children and-- more importantly-- with difficult adults (excluding Whitney). The relationship she forms with Hannah is exceptional.
I also liked how Bailey's reaction to one of the characters was a dead giveaway, but his reaction did not solve the entire mystery.
Then there were the things that didn't sit well with me. Like the fact that Pris was under a critical deadline yet did not write one single word of her next book. Or the fact that she kept sticking her nose in various people's business, getting harsh reactions, yet was so absolutely clueless that she didn't realize she was putting her own life in danger. Or the fact that Bailey the bloodhound really didn't figure in the book much.
However, the major thing that I didn't care for was the overwhelming aroma of romance throughout the entire book. Pris had just had the very traumatic experience of finding a dead body, but the split second she spies Police Chief Gilbert Morgan, she longs for a comb and a makeup touchup. (If you just pictured my eyes rolling back in my head, you hit the bull's-eye.) Yep, there were just too many curling toes and quivering livers in Sniffing Out Murder that kept me from truly enjoying the book, but it is a light, fun, and fast read-- perfect for the summer.
Sniffing Out Murder by Kallie E. Benjamin
ISBN: 9780593547359
Berkley Prime Crime © 2023
Paperback, 352 pages
Cozy Mystery, #1 Bailey the Bloodhound mystery
Rating: C+
Source: Purchased from The Poisoned Pen Bookstore.
It sounds like a decent premise for a book, Cathy, and sometimes, a light summer read is just what the doctor ordered. But I've never liked the clueless amateur sleuth; that annoys me no end. So does too much of the whole romance thing. Hmm.....personally, I'd say 'no thanks' to this, but I do love the idea of Bailey!
ReplyDeleteSo do I! I wish he'd been in it more.
DeletePris sounds like a character that would have me rolling my eyes, too!
ReplyDeleteMy eyes were in danger of locking back there more than once.
DeleteYour criticisms are many of the reasons that I rarely read cozies. I'm glad there were good aspects to carry you through.
ReplyDeleteMy appetite for cozies has really fallen off the past few years.
DeleteMy eyes just rolled back in solidarity. Glad another book to not read.
ReplyDeleteI knew this wouldn't be a book for you, Kathy. :-)
DeleteLove the quivering livers line. I happily just found Peggy Rothschild's second book with Harlow and Noddle at the library and she has a third one in that series. Now those are perfect for summer reads and dog lovers.
ReplyDeleteQuivering livers was a much-used phrase in the book. I really liked Peggy Rothschild's first mystery, and I'm looking forward to reading the second.
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