Here’s a typical day for me: I wake up early, then I awaken everyone else in the house by giving them lots of kisses. Then I make a fuss until someone gives me breakfast, and I go outside to, well…you-know-what. Because according to my person Mel, all the best canines are totally housebroken.
Oops, I guess I should clarify: I’m a dog. In fact, that’s my name: Dog. My people can’t agree on another name, and at this point I just go by Dog because it’s easier.
I probably had a name before, because a long time ago I belonged to someone who abandoned me at a construction site. But I can’t remember that name – I’m not that bright, actually—and I try not to remember my former people, because my new folks are the BEST. I’m no purebred, but every time one of my people hugs my neck and tells me mutts are their favorites, I know I landed in the right—
Wait, is someone opening the fridge?
Okay, I’m back. Sorry. I’m a little hungry.
Anyway…I’ve heard there are cats, and maybe even dogs, who go around solving crimes. I’m not that kind of animal. When it comes to solving crimes, I leave all the figuring-out to my person, Mel Turner –she’s the one who saved me a while ago, when I was starving and hanging around her jobsite. Rescuing me deserves many, many kisses. Mel’s super smart, and she “on the job” – which means she’s in control, and has all the bases covered. Sometimes she takes on a little too much, ‘cause she thinks she can do it all. But usually she manages not only to finish her renovation projects, but also to solve murder mysteries! And then there are the ghosts—
Hey! Is someone making a sandwich?
Sorry. Back again. I get a little distracted. Which brings me to my last point: sometimes Mel finds ghosts behind the walls of the places she’s working on. And this is my strong suit, sort of. Because even if I’m not too smart, I can see them too!
Some of Mel’s friends think she’s a little crazy when she says she can sense spirits –in fact, Mel used to wonder if she was crazy, herself– but at least I can back her up on this: Ghosts are real. For some reason, animals can feel them better than most humans; cats especially, though I hate to admit it. But to tell you the truth, even though Mel and I have uncovered a number of ghosts at her renovation projects, it’s the humans who are the real scary ones. Mel’s been in danger before, and I’m always afraid I might not be there when she needs—
I smell roast chicken!!!
(Could I just say, as an aside, that Mel’s dad – I just call him Dad—is the BEST cook. He’s just…*sigh*…he’s awesome. I heard Mel’s stepson and his friends using that word, and I think it’s perfect for Dad, because he COOKS and OPENS THE FRIDGE and PULLS OUT GOOD THINGS TO EAT!!!)
Okay, I’m back again. I told you, I get a little distracted. By food, mostly. And squirrels. And cats. And food. Wait, I already said that…
Anyway, so most days I ride in the car with Mel (I do get carsick, though, so I take doggie dramamine). We ride around from one jobsite to another to check on jobs, and then go to lumberyards and hardware stores, and the City Hall to check on paperwork.
But when Mel most needs me, of course, is when she thinks she trips over bodies, and sees ghosts, or when people are trying to hurt her. In our latest adventure, MURDER ON THE HOUSE, Mel had to spend the night in a haunted house in the Castro neighborhood in San Francisco in order to win the bid for the project. She brought a couple of human friends with her, but not me. And then someone died, which, as I pointed out, might not have happened at all if she’d kept me with her. Thank heavens Mel wasn’t hurt. But now she has to figure out who did it…plus, there’s a whole family of ghosts in that place, and the new owners want them to stick around to welcome the visitors at their new Bed and Breakfast!
Mel does have a talent for getting herself into messes, as her cute guy Graham keeps telling her. But at least she’s got me, and I do my best to help her out.
Because I might not be too smart, and it’s possible I get a little distracted – is that a can opener I hear?—but when it comes to my people, no matter if we’re up against ghosts or murderers or both, I’m “on the job”.
** Thanks to the publisher, I have one (1) copy of MURDER ON THE HOUSE to give away. Contest open to US residents only and ends December 20. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. **
Meet the author
Juliet Blackwell is the NYT bestselling author of the Haunted Home Renovation mystery series (If Walls Could Talk, Dead Bolt, Murder on the House) and the Witchcraft mystery series (Secondhand Spirits, A Cast-off Coven, Hexes and Hemlines, In a Witch’s Wardrobe). As Hailey Lind, Juliet penned the Art Lover’s Mystery series, including Agatha-nominated Feint of Art.
A former anthropologist and social worker, Juliet has worked and studied in Mexico, Spain, Cuba, Italy, the Philippines, and France. She now lives in a happily haunted house in Oakland, California, where she is a muralist and portrait painter. She was a two-term president of Northern California Sisters in Crime.
Visit Juliet at www.julietblackwell.net; on Facebook; and on Twitter.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Wow. I have started the other two series by this author, now I have to find this one. Thanks, Dee grammyd01 (at) comcast (dot) net
I’m looking forward to this book. Such a fun series and one that always amuses me.
Thank you for the chance to win this book. I enjoy reading your reviews.
Fun summary of the book, can’t pass up anything with an animal in it, particularly a rescued one. Just added this book/author to my wish list (which is, thanks to you, getting bigger and bigger). Going to have to hide this post from my Beagle or she’ll be clamoring to be included in a book as well. As usual, I’m in for the drawing – dz87507 at gmail dot com
Thank you for doing this review and hosting this giveaway.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Love rescue dogs! would love to win!
Great series. Thanks for having this contest. Happy Holidays.
That is such a cute article!! I just got If Walls Could Talk by Ms. Blackwell and would love to win this!
Just finished “Murder on the House”. As usual Ms. Blackwell did not disappoint. Please tell tell me the ART LOVERS SERIES is not finished! I really, really enjoyed it. I have them all on my Kindle. Also have the SECONDHAND SPIRITS Series on my Kindle. Just LOVE her books!
I want to know more about the ghosts!!
Really fun read! Exactly what expect from Juliet Blackwell.
Thanks for reminding me of this series.
I haven’t heard of this series until now. This little dog sounds great and to me he seems very smart. He knows all about the important stuff- like roast chicken and can openers.
Looooved Murder on the House. Mel, Graham, et al are fabulous as usual.
I love books written through the eyes of dogs! I have never found a cozy that did this before so I am very excited about this book. Thank you for this giveaway.
Dogs just add another layer of fun to cozies. I think this is another series to put on my TBR list.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Spending the night in a haunted house in order to win the renovation bid – intriguing!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
I love Juliets books! I can’t wait to read this one! The tension between Mel and Graham kills me!!
This one sounds like it has it all! Sign me up, please. Thanks. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
This sounds like my kind of book! But, then all of Juliet Blackwells books are my kind of books 😉
Sounds Sooo very good, can not wait to read it!
I love your books and would love to win one
I enjoyed meeting Dog when I read the first book in this great series. I’m glad to hear more from him!
I have enjoyed the antics of Oscar and can’t wait to meet Dog when I pick up this series. Juliet’s books are an excellent escape…they’re mini-vacations in a purse size format!
This author has been on my radar for awhile. The Haunted Home Renovation series sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the review and the giveaway!
jrobinson12 (at) austin (dot) rr (dot) com
Please enter me.
My dog would like it if I read this book and gave him popcorn.
contest is closed.