{Animal Welfare Week: Review & Giveaway} DOGHOUSE by L.A. Kornetsky

ISBN #: 978-1476750040

Page Count: 278

Copyright: July 22, 2014

Publisher: Pocket Books

Book 3 of the A Gin & Tonic Mystery Series

Book Summary:

(As provided by the publisher)

Amateur sleuths Ginny Mallard and Teddy Tonica and their furry partners prove in L.A. Kornetsky’s DOGHOUSE that twelve legs are better than four when it comes to solving a risky new case in the third novel from the “entertaining” (Library Journal) Gin & Tonic mystery series.

At her favorite Seattle bar, professional concierge Ginny Mallard can always count on a perfectly mixed gimlet and a friendly welcome for her shar-pei, Georgie, from resident cat, Penny. On this visit, Ginny gets an unexpected bonus. One of the regulars asks her and her sometime partner, bartender Teddy Tonica, to save an old friend who’s facing eviction. This is no simple landlord spat. Rumors abound of an underground dogfighting ring on the premises—a crime guaranteed to get Gin’s hackles up. Gin and Teddy want to believe the old man is innocent of all charges, thought a new piece of evidence suggests otherwise. Penny and Georgie keep their noses to the ground as they help their humans investigate the vicious animal rights case. But the truth is buried deep, and digging it up will unearth dangerous complications for owners and animals alike.

Mandy's Review:

Not having read the first two novels in the A Gin & Tonic Mystery series, I wondered if I'd be able to follow the characters and their quirks. Never fear, dear followers, DOGHOUSE can be read on its own and be understood just fine. There were several references to things that happened in the past that I wish I would've had knowledge of, but that's just my OCD kicking in.

Ginny is a snarky individual who enjoys playing the tough-girl role. She lives alone with her dog, but has a boyfriend who doesn't agree with her interest in investigations. With how she kind of falls into these situations, though, it's hard for her to say no to someone who needs her help.

Teddy is the manager of a bar and never expected to partner with one of his customers in a semi-business venture ... if you can call it that. Where Ginny's snarky, Teddy is laid back and a people-person. He swears he won't join Ginny for another investigation, but when it's one of his employees asking for their help, he has a hard time saying no as well.

The interplay between Ginny and Teddy is friendly and believable. It's nice to see a man-woman relationship that's not filled with sexual tension. What I really enjoyed about the novel, though, were the animals. Penny's attitude is perfectly in line with how a cat behaves. She's the owner of the bar. The humans are her people, not the other way around. Georgie's a typical dog. She loves her human and hates to disappoint her. Although she's a sweetie, she'll attack anyone dumb enough to try and harm her human.

This was a fun novel in a unique series that I will be going back to read from the start. If you want a cozy little mystery to read while by the fire during these upcoming chilly nights, then I recommend you pick up this series.


*A paperback copy of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Giveaway:

For this giveaway, one physical or e-copy is up for grabs so this is an international giveaway. This giveaway will close Sunday, 10/12. If you're in an area where The Book Depository ships, or if you like ebooks, then you're eligible to enter. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted tomorrow. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner fails to respond, then another winner will be chosen in their place. Good luck!