This is the fourth book in the Lowcountry Dog Walker series by Jackie Layton, a series I recently rediscovered after seeing and getting this ARC on NetGalley. I already had the first book and knew I’d be able to binge through the first three before reading this. In fact, now that I’ve read all four, I strongly suggest reading from the beginning. The series is more like a serial story that has characters, relationships and even a new dog or two in each story that all build on each other. Sometimes a person or dogs are just randomly mentioned, but it’s really cool to be able to think back and know you’ve already met those or read about them. And some of the people you might not’ve thought would be important when you met them turn out to be pretty important to a book’s storyline.
I just love the series so much that if I had time and not a gazillion other books on my WTR, it’d be one of those series I could easily reread. I hope the author keeps on writing in it as I feel some of the main characters and side characters still have lots of great stories to tell!
I found a picture of a beagle that made me think of poor sweet Peanut in the story who lost his human but eventually gained a new dad to love and take care of him.
My Goodreads review:
Caught and Collared A Low County Dog Walker Mystery #4 by Jackie Layton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love how the character and their relationships have built in this series. It’s definitely a series I’d recommend starting from the beginning. Leroy, for example actually became a pretty important character in this book, but a couple books ago, he was just that guy out there fishing. Same for Jeremiah and Frank, two veterans that I’ve liked since I met them. And Ike’s another veteran and a sweetheart, but you really need to get his backstory before reading this book, if you want full enjoyment. The series is more like a serial story without cliffhangers, if that makes any sense.
Marc and Andi have such an awesome relationship that isn’t too mooshy or unbelievable. They’ve learned mutual trust and I thought it was sweet how they had some plans for gifting that included her siblings. Andi’s whole posse of friends and family are so amazing with how they help each other out in the community. And again, it’s told in a believable way and not bigger than life and not outrageously flaunting how good they are. It’s just normal nice people doing everyday nice things for each other expecting nothing in return except the love and friendship they all enjoy.
This was one crazy mystery that had everyone puzzled until Andi’s research led her to something big. It all built up to an exciting showdown where both Marc and Andi along with two very cool veteran characters managed to survive a killer.
If Heyward Beach with its characters and places was real, I’d visit in a heartbeat and rent part of the renovated old kitchen building–or maybe I’d wanna stay on the beach. Now I’m so eager for the next book. I’d gotten and read this book as an ARC but liked it so much, I went ahead and bought the Kindle file. I just want the author to keep writing this series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery 