Hero’s Journey by J.J. Cook is book #1.5 in the “Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, December 2013

A hot dog and a hot head are on the loose in Sweet Pepper, Tennessee, and it’s up to Fire Chief Stella Griffin to collar them both…

The Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade’s newly adopted Dalmatian puppy, Hero, is missing. Stella believes he just wandered away from her cabin and got lost. But despite posters and searches by the fire brigade and spotty sightings by locals, there are no leads, and the furry fire fighter has yet to return.

Stella is already worried with a series of progressively dangerous arson fires plaguing Sweet Pepper. And oddly enough, Hero’s appearances are coinciding with the fires. Now with the help of the ghost of Sweet Pepper’s former fire chief, Stella will have to dig up some clues if she hopes to find the pup before he’s lost for good—and find the arsonist before someone loses a life.

This was such a cute story that I could not put down. Is the recent fires and the disappearance of Hero connected? Pick up this book and you’ll be enjoying a delightfully charming and fresh whodunit where the team set out to find answers. With Stella and Eric leading the way, this excellent tome is a wonderfully enjoyable book with a sneak peek for the next adventures with the Sweet Pepper Brigade.

FTC Disclosure – The author sent me this book, in hopes I would review it.