Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Clever, twisty murder mystery with a great canine theme!
Diamond in the Ruff is the first book in author Cindy Goyette's cozy canine-themed Wiggle Butt Manor Mystery series set on a small island off the Washington coast and featuring a strong young female protagonist and her companion dog, a lovable cocker spaniel named Noah. With its wonderful main characters, both human and canine, and an intriguing, complex plot, I didn't want to put this one down.
When Charlie Calderbank returns to Orca Cove, where she spent many happy childhood visits, it is to help out at her Aunt Jo-Jo's dog hotel while her aunt recuperates and undergoes rehab after a near-fatal car accident. But while walking dogs with her aunt's troubled teenage part-time employee, they discover the body of the owner of a particularly rambunctious charge, floating near the shore, with Jo-Jo's unique handmade necklace clutched in her hand. As the evidence against Jo-Jo starts to stack up, Charlie initiates her own investigation into who murdered Lucy Masanova and is trying to implicate her aunt.Charlie is such an interesting and relatable character. Although a life-long dog lover and clearly happy to help out with her aunt's business, it had always been her dream to be a police officer back in her home state of New Jersey. However, a recent diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and symptoms affecting her hands and fine motor skills make her career choice no longer viable. Anyone suffering from this incurable disease will find her experiences relatable and authentic. Suddenly out of work, when the call comes about Jo-Jo's accident, Charlie is able to leave immediately for the Pacific Northwest to help out. The descriptions of her aunt's island home are entrancing.
The plot, with its different concurrent storylines, moves at a fast pace, and the suspense quickly mounts as someone is seen lurking around the hotel in the dark, the orphaned part-timer is threatened by her sleazy uncle and aunt, and the case against Jo-Jo continues to look bleak. The hunky island police officer is a tempting distraction both for Jo-Jo's future freedom and Charlie's heart as she tries to keep him focused on those she pinpoints as better suspects, including Lucy's own nephew, who arrived suspiciously quick from Georgia, for her murder. With the storylines intertwining, there are a couple of good red herrings to knock off the suspect list before arriving at the shocking revelations of some years-old island secrets and real killer.I recommend DIAMOND IN THE RUFF to mystery readers who enjoy canine themes, Pacific Northwest settings, underlying romantic potential, and a strong female protagonist.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.