Review for Fifty Shades of Greyhound by Sparkle Abbey

Fifty Shades of Greyhound

By Sparkle Abbey

Pampered Pets Mystery, Book 5

Publisher: Bell Bridge Books

Release Date: May 8, 2014

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Length: 195 Pages

ISBN: 978-1611944532

ASIN:  B00K7KV6BA

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About the book:

It was a killer party.

Caro Lamont, Laguna Beach’s favorite pet therapist is thrilled to support the elite fundraising gala for Greys Matter, a SoCal greyhound rescue group. All the guests in the couture-attired crowd are clad in varying shades of grey, the champagne and donations are flowing, and there are fifty gorgeous greyhounds in attendance. But before the evening ends a stranger in their midst is dead.

Caro sets out to help the rescue group find out the identity of the mystery guest, but soon finds herself in the doghouse with homicide detective, Judd Malone. And federal agent, John Milner. When there’s a second death, Caro is convinced she’s on the track of someone who wants a secret to stay buried, but it’s a race to see whether Caro can uncover the truth before the killer decides she’s next up.

Full of adorable pampered pets, the story re-visits lovely Laguna Beach, and some of the colorful characters readers have come to love in previous titles: Desperate Housedogs, Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang,and Yip/Tuck.

Fans of cozy pet mysteries need look no further than Sparkle Abbey’s latest addition to the Pampered Pets series, Fifty Shades of Greyhound.  Filled with well-developed characters, precocious animals and a murder mystery that needs to be solved, I found myself quickly turning the pages to discover what would happen next.  While the fifth book in the series, I was able to pick up this installment and read it on its own.

Invited to one of the pick social events of the year, the Fifty Shades of Greyhound Charity Ball, pet psychologist Caroline “Caro” Lamont is dressed to the nines and enjoying what she hopes will be a successful fund raising event for Greyhound Matters, a local rescue operation she is occasionally involved with.  When a stranger dropped dead at her feet during the party, Caro finds herself once again in the center of a police investigation.  Wondering which of the rich and successful guests at the party had something to hide, Caro soon finds herself pulled into investigating the murder.

A well-established character, and the heroine of the series, Caro Lamont is beautiful, educated and devoted to the care and love of animals.  While originally licensed to treat humans, Caro now spends her days treating the “social” maladies of her four legged patients and their owners.  Devoted to her friends, Caro does have some emotional baggage (don’t we all), which helps make her an ideal investigator.  She has a real sense for people and knows when they’re hiding a problem.

A handful of well-developed secondary characters help provide color, emotional angst and additional animals to the story.  I especially liked Caro’s best friend, former actress Diana Knight, and Caro’s office assistant, Verdi.  While the story begins somewhat slowly, the plot’s pace really picks up and the mystery is well developed.  While I did guess the identity of one villain, the “top dog” caught me completely by surprise.

Will Caro and her friends be able to solve the mystery and clear an innocent man who gets caught up in the investigation? Will Caro’s slow developing romance continue to develop or take a blow? And will her ongoing battle over Grandma Tillie’s brooch finally get settled? You’ll have to read Fifty Shades of Greyhound to find out, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Sparkle Abbey’s books.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Crowns

FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review.