Death at the Dog Show by Peter Boland (#3 – Charity Shop)

 

 

Death at the Dog Show by Peter Boland

Publishing:  December 5, 2023 by Joffe Books

 

 

 

Reason I chose to Read this Book: I enjoyed the first in the series, and sometimes a light cozy mystery is needed..

 

Previous Book in the Series: #2 – The Beach Hut Murders

 

Death at the Dog Show by Peter Boland is the 3rd in the Charity Shop Detective Agency series, a  Cozy Mystery Series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Joffe Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Fiona Sharp is in her mid-seventies, and enjoying a rather quiet life volunteering in a local charity shop called Dogs Need Nice Homes.   That’s where she adopted her scruffy terrier-cross Simon Le Bon. She works with “Partial Sue” (who often opens her mouth before thinking),  and the rather meek, but tech-savvy Daisy.  Together, they formed the Charity Shop Detective Agency.  They live in a small sea-side town. They love their tea and cake, and are quite bored without a good mystery to solve. Neighborhood police DI Fincher and DS Thomas don’t always appreciate the help.

 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Fiona, Sue and Daisy attend the Christchurch Dog Show, where they see a woman being given CPR by the show’s vet.  They are later shocked to discover that Sylvia Steadman had been murdered.  Who would want to kill Sylvia?  The women, of course, decide it is their responsibility to find out.

Meanwhile, they agree to accept a new volunteer at the shop.  Molly’s parents are in prison from a previous case that the women worked, and Molly seems o be at loose ends.  It will be handy having an extra pair of hands around so that they can concentrate on finding a killer.

 

My Opinions:
Okay, I was hesitant with this book.  I loved the first in the series, and found the second one quite boring, but this was quite good.  Yes, it’s probably still longer than necessary with a lot of descriptions that were not necessary (sandwich choices, etc.), but at least it didn’t drag too badly.

The main three characters are quirky and loveable, but I still wonder why the author felt it necessary to have others in their close circle which are just aggravating (Malorie and Sophie are recurring antagonists).  I’m also not a fan of the Wicker Man.

There were a lot of suspects, and as everything is explained in such great detail, there were no real surprises.

I’m still wondering about the glossary of British terms for US readers at the back.  It’s getting annoying.

Overall, the plot was good, and if you need a nice light read, this would be it!

 

Read: March, 2024

 

Peter BolandAbout The Author: Pete Boland is a British author, and the husband of fellow author Shalini Boland.  He studied to be an architect, and instead became a advertising copywriter.  Then, he decided to try his hand at books.  He started with his John Savage action thriller series.

*** Photo Taken from GoodReads

 

Check him out:

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6423032919

 

Have you read it?  Do you plan to?  Tell me your thoughts…do you agree or disagree with my assessment?  These are only my opinions – and it would be a boring world if we all thought the same.  Either way, I’d love to know.

 

 

 

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