“Today we have Andi Grace Scott with us sharing tips about avoiding pet scams. Welcome, Andi Grace.” Podcaster Allison Blake smiled at me over the video screen. She had suggested we’d be more comfortable if we could look at each other, and I suppose she was right.

I returned her smile. “Thanks for having me. In my life, I’ve learned that our love of dogs can be used against us. So, please use caution when searching for your next pet.”

“Can you give us some specific tips?”

“Of course, I’m happy to share. Many pet scams begin when you look online for free or cheap pets. Often the scammer claims they are giving away the pet for various reasons. Some reasons might be because they are moving, their child passed away, a new apartment won’t allow pets, or maybe a new job won’t allow them enough time to care for the pet. These all sound like valid reasons for giving away a pet. This is when the scammer gets you. Once you’re hooked, there will be fees for special shipping and insurance. There have even been cases when the victim refuses to make these payments, then the scammer will report the victim for animal abandonment. Friends, be careful when looking for a pet. Go to a reputable shelter or dog breeder. Do your research and avoid heartbreak and regrets.”

The interview continued for the next forty minutes.

When we wrapped up, I contacted my fiancé, Marc Williams. We’re only days away from getting married. Instead of talking to Marc, I left a message with his voice mail.

I’d already walked the dogs on my morning schedule, and after so much talking, I decided to stop in at Daily Java and treat myself.

“Good morning,” Erin Lane greeted me. “What can I get you?”

Often, I tried her daily special, but participating in the podcast had taken me out of my comfort zone. “I’d like a mocha latte, please.”

“Coming right up. How are the wedding plans coming along?”

“We’ve has so many curve balls coming at us, we almost wish we’d eloped.”

“I heard about Zarina Mills. What is happening in Heyward Beach? How can there be another murder?”

I placed my money on the counter. “It breaks my heart.”

“Are you going to catch the killer?”

I took a deep breath. “I plan to give it my best shot.”

I left with my drink and drove to Stay and Play. It’s my business in the country. We provide doggy day care, grooming services, overnight stays, and obedience lessons. I had a good staff, and one day I hoped to start a shelter for abandoned animals.

One of my gifts is the ability to match stray animals with the right person. As I’d discussed on the podcast interview, there are scammers in the world who will take advantage of people and their love for animals. My long-term goal is to create a shelter where I can match dog to their forever families.

Right now, I had a murder to solve. Then I would marry the most wonderful man. Maybe after that, if Heyward Beach could remain murder free for a while, I could focus on beginning the animal shelter.

A Suspicious Breed, A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery #6
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: February 2024
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott is about to get married, but she’ll have to get a killer to say “I did it” before she can say “I do” . . .

With her wedding fast approaching and her plans to open a dog shelter underway, Andi Grace can barely find a free moment. Then she learns that her favorite local vet may have been roped into a crooked fundraising scheme meant to help animals, and worse still, her wedding photographer—a good friend who may have had firsthand knowledge of the scheme—is murdered. Determined to find justice for the victim and root out whoever is behind the scam, Andi Grace puts her nose to the ground to sniff out the clues.

No sooner does she begin compiling a list of suspects than she uncovers an unscrupulous music producer pressuring a friend’s talented daughter, and a haphazard dog breeding operation that may be endangering animals. With so many unsavory characters cropping up at every turn, Andi Grace enlists the help of some equally clever friends to ensnare them. But just as she finds the evidence that ties everything together, the culprit finds it’s time to kill her before she can tie the knot . . .

About the author
Jackie Layton has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Jackie is the author of cozy mysteries with Spunky Southern Sleuths. Her stories are set in South Carolina, Texas, and Georgia. Jackie lives on the coast of South Carolina, where she enjoys walks on the beach and golf cart rides around the marsh. Reading, gardening, and traveling are some of her favorite hobbies. She always keeps a notebook handy to write down ideas for future stories. Be careful what you say around her, because it might end up in a book.