Some dogs chase balls. Some chase squirrels. Me? I chase killers.

Not alone, of course. I’m part of the Unlikely Murder Club. My humans do the talking, the snooping, and the wildly incorrect guessing. I do the hard part: keeping them on track.

And when we succeed, they can keep the glory. I’ll settle for a handful of dried liver treats.

Rule #1: Don’t eat the evidence
How was I to know? Rawhide dog chews. Leather key chain. It’s a fine line. Turns out chewing a critical clue is “obstruction of justice.” And it does not taste like chicken.

Rule #2: Always nap with one ear open
Just because I’m asleep doesn’t mean I’m off duty. I can hear a suspicious creak, a whispered confession from across the room, or the snack drawer opening even while I’m snoozing.

Rule #3: Don’t bark during surveillance
Hardest rule of all. The temptation is strong. Especially when a stranger walks by. Agatha says I have to play it cool. And I am cool. Except with Fred the mailman. He knows what he did.

Rule #4: Follow your nose
Literally follow it. There’s a scent that shows up when someone’s scared. A different one for guilt. Anger smells sharp and bitter. I’ve learned to trust those smells. And how to convey my observations to the others, even if they are terrible at reading my signals.

Rule #5: Comfort the pack
Sadness smells like the inside of an old coat. When a human smells sad, I leap into action. I might do something particularly cute to make them laugh, or just snuggle into their lap—all forty pounds of me. It’s not fancy detective work, but it keeps us going.

Rule #6: Know your role
Martin is the muscle. Agatha is the brains. Echo is the tech. I am the vibe check. If I growl low in my throat, you’re probably hiding something. If I wag my tail like a metronome, you’re probably fine. If I lie flat and refuse to move, it’s definitely a trap.

Rule #7: Stick close. Especially in Chapter 22.
Can’t say more. Spoilers.

Rule #8: Keep your secrets
I know things. Things I’ve heard, sniffed, or stepped in. But I’m a loyal dog. I don’t gossip. I don’t judge. I don’t tell Martin what Agatha said about his wardrobe. And I definitely don’t mention what Echo was really doing on her laptop that night. I just sit. Stay. Watch. Wait.

We all play a part in solving crimes here in Unlikely, New York. Mine just happens to involve a set of sharp teeth and a nose that won’t quit. Biting the bad guy or digging up a skeleton is all in a day’s work.

So the next time you hear that the Unlikely Murder Club cracked another case, remember this: behind every good sleuth is a loyal dog, sniffing out the criminals.

And possibly a half-chewed piece of evidence.

The Unlikely Murder Club – An Unlikely Murder Club Mystery, Book 1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: August 2025
Format: Digital
Purchase Link

A former con artist, a retired FBI agent, and a teenage hacker walk into a murder investigation. Stop me if you’ve heard this one.

Ex-con Agatha Shadewell spent decades outwitting the law until…she sacrificed her freedom to save a life.

Now, at sixty-five, she’s traded prison walls for a court-ordered stay in Unlikely, New York, under the watchful eye of the FBI agent who brought her down.

Except Agatha still feels trapped. No problem for this shady lady. She’ll shed the hated ankle monitor, and she’s outta there.

But when the FBI agent’s granddaughter begs for help to prove her mother’s not a killer, Agatha caves to the teenager’s pleas. She can never say no to someone in need. Compassion has always been her greatest flaw.

To uncover the real murderer, she’ll need every dirty trick in her toolbox. And if she’s caught, it’s straight back to prison…Or worse!

For Agatha Shadewell, catching the killer might be the most dangerous con of all!

About the author
Gina X. Grant is the author of The Unlikely Murder Club, a quirky new cozy mystery series launching August 28, 2025. It features cons, clues, and a crime-solving dog named Chance—who may or may not be based on Gina’s own rescued Mexican street dog. Start with the free prequel at www.ginaxgrant.com.