Cathy C. (cathyskye) - , reviewed on 7/7/2024 + 2360 more book reviews

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.

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