Buried to the Brim

Written by Jenn McKinlay

Narrated by Karyn O'Bryant

New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay's beloved Hat Shop duo Scarlett Parker and Vivian Tremont return to don their sleuthing caps and solve a murder that's death in show.

London's most refined canines and their humans are gearing up for the Pets and Wellness Society's annual dog show-and Betty Wentworth, favorite aunt to Scarlett's fiance Harrison and proud owner of corgi front-runner Freddy, knows that this could be their year with the right edge. Never one to turn away a corgi in need, Scarlett convinces her milliner cousin, Vivian, to design matching hats for dream team Betty and Freddy as they compete for Best in Show.

It's a tail wagging good time until the dog-food sponsor of the event is found dead and Betty is the prime suspect. Vivian and Scarlett agree to enter the competition in Betty's place and help Harrison catch the real killer before Betty is collared for a crime she didn't commit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Jan 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781515941965

Jenn McKinlay

Jenn McKinlay is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of several mystery series, including the Good Buy Girls series and the Decoupage Mystery series, which she wrote under the pseudonyms Josie Belle and Lucy Lawrence. A former librarian, she studied English literature and library science at Southern Connecticut State University before moving to Arizona, where she lives in a house that is overrun with kids, pets, and her husband’s guitars. For more information, visit her at www.jennmckinlay.com.

Reviews for Buried to the Brim

[nlb1050 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great book in the series. Love all the characters.

[Claudia Henion Russell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the story but the audio recording was not well done-in my opinion. The previous audiobooks were wonderfully done. I look forward to The Fatal Fascinator. I feel that Buried to the Brim was a fluke, possibly due to the pandemic. I truly enjoy Jenn Mckinlay’s writing. ❤️

[Theresa Conner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another winner! Scarlett's life and her business seem to be going to the dogs when she and her cousin, Viv, get talked into making hats for a dog! Murder and mayhem soon follow. A fun and entertaining addition to the Hat Shop series!

[jfe16 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

With the Pets and Wellness Society’s annual dog show coming up, Vivian Tremont, co-owner of Mim’s Whims, finds herself making matching hats for Harry’s favorite Aunt Betty and her darling corgi, Freddy. Although Freddy hasn’t yet won the coveted crystal bowl at the dog show, Aunt Betty is hopeful that this is finally his year.It doesn’t take long for things to get out of hand when Aunt Betty accuses the show’s major sponsor of poisoning dogs with his company’s inferior dog food and shortly thereafter finds herself tossed out of the competition. Scarlett Parker, Harrison’s fiancé, steps up to walk Freddy through his paces in the dog show.But as they finish their first event, Freddy brings Scarlett a shoe . . . from the body of a dead man. And it isn’t long before Aunt Betty is the prime suspect in the murder of the dog food sponsor.Will Scarlett and Viv find the true murderer before the police jail Aunt Betty for the crime? And who will win the dog show competition?Sixth in the Hat Shop Mystery series, “Buried to the Brim” offers readers believable, well-drawn characters, an interesting mystery with some unexpected surprises, and strong relationships. There’s a delightful running gag about puns, the dogs are all adorable, and readers new to the series will find sufficient backstory to make them feel right at home. The unfolding narrative moves along at a quick pace, keeping the suspense building as readers learn more about the people involved in the dog show competition. This charming cozy mystery, filled with irresistibly cute puppies and spectacular hats, is sure to bring a smile to every reader’s face. Along with the story, readers will find an excerpt from Jenn McKinlay’s “Paris is Always a Good Idea” included here. Highly recommended.

[drebbles · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Happily engaged to Harrison Wentworth, Scarlett Parker is more than happy to help his Aunt Betty and her corgi Freddy enter and hopefully win the Pets and Wellness Society’s Annual Dog Show – Freddy has been runner-up for the past several years and Betty is determined that this year Freddy will win. But when someone is murdered at the dog show, the police investigating the case seem to wonder just how far Betty would go to win. Now Scarlett, her cousin Vivian, and Harrison are determined to clear Betty’s name and collar the real killer.“Buried to the Brim” is the delightfully done sixth book in Jenn McKinlay’s Hat Shop cozy mystery series. This book is the very definition of cozy – it is cute, filled with great characters, with a wonderful sense of humor – I chuckled while reading much of this book. I love Scarlett, Vivian, Harrison, and the rest of the crew as characters – even if they do tease Scarlett about her puns. The London Hat Shop is a wonderful setting – I love reading about the various hat designs. The dog show is also a nice setting – and I love the idea of dogs wearing hats! The mystery itself is well done with plenty of suspects – I have to say I was completely surprised at the solution to the murder – well done by McKinlay.“Buried to the Brim” is a nicely done cozy mystery.

[fernemysteryreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was simply heartbroken when the London Hat Shop Mystery series came to an end and then equally full of delight when I learned that there would be another story for the beloved characters of this series. My pre-ordered copy couldn't come fast enough and the appreciation began in reading Jenn McKinlay's dedication... "This book is for every reader who asked me to write another Hat Shop Mystery. Your devotion to the series inspired me to write just one more...for now." Without a doubt I was one of the many readers and the London Hat Shop Mystery series remains my favorite cozy mystery series.After following each step of Scarlett Parker and Harrison Wentworth's first meeting to friendship to romance it was exhilarating to read of Scarlett admiring her sparkling diamond ring as she was gazing out the window of Mim's Hat Shop. As Scarlett's assistance is also engaged to help Harry's dear Aunt Betty and her corgi Freddy it was easy to guess that Scarlett was about to discover another body even in the midst of an all important dog show.One of my favorite delights of the series is to read the newest puns shared by Scarlett, cousin Vivian Tremont fondly called Viv, Fee, oftentimes Harry, and even sometimes neighbors Nick Carroll (dentist) and Andre Eisel (photographer). No one is impressed by Scarlett's puns but I think the contributions of all are hysterical and one of the many highlights of reading this series.As with many cozy mysteries series each book can be read as a stand-alone but I would give the highest recommendation to read this series in order so that you can truly enjoy each step not only of Scarlett and Harry's relationship but for all of the characters. As Scarlett arrives in London (from the US) none of their lives is ever the same and it's simply wonderful to keep pace with Scarlett's reactions and interactions with everyone.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Buried to the Brim is the sixth novel in A Hat Shop Mystery. I love A Hat Shop Mystery series with its quirky characters and English setting. Scarlett Parker and her cousin Vivian Tremont own Min’s Whims in Notting Hill on Portobello Road. Vivian creates the hats with the aid of her assistant, Fee Felton while Scarlett deals with customers and publicity. Scarlett is recently engaged to Harrison “Harry” Wentworth and she is viewing the world through love colored glasses. Harry’s Aunt Betty along with her corgi, Freddy are entering the annual PAWS charity dog show and she wants to win this year. Aunt Betty asks Vivian to create a hat for Freddy. Aunt Betty is upset with the shows sponsor, Gerry Swenson over the quality of his dog food because it made Freddy sick last year. After a run in with Gerry at the kickoff cocktail party for PAWS, Aunt Betty finds her paperwork “misplaced” for the competition. Vivian enters Scarlett as Freddy’s handler much to Scarlett’s dismay. Things go from bad to worse when Gerry is found dead next to the agility course by Freddy. One person is quick to point the blame at Aunt Betty. Scarlett begins listening in on conversations and searching for suspects so she can clear Aunt Betty of any wrongdoing. I found Buried to the Brim to be a delightful book to read. It can be read on its own if you have not read the other five books in A Hat Shop Mystery series. It contains good writing and the story moves along as fast as Freddy on the agility course. Scarlett is a fun character. I like that she is an American in England. There are fabulous British expressions. I enjoyed the puns even Scarlett’s who seem to miss the mark. There is plenty of tea along with various food items to keep the group up to snuff (must keep up their strength). It was interesting to learn more about the game of rugby. The explanations were easy to understand. The mystery had several suspects with good clues. It depends on your sleuthing level on whether you solve it completely or are surprised when Scarlett has a Miss Fletcher moment. I loved the hat descriptions including the adorable ones made for Freddy. Bella, a rescued corgi, was a loveable addition. I look forward to the next A Hat Shop Mystery featuring Scarlett, Vivian, Fee, Harry and their friends. I am hoping for a wedding with a gorgeous headpiece for Scarlett. Buried to the Brim is an irresistible cozy mystery with pitiful puns, cute corgis, a succumbed sponsor, charming chapeaus, and a gobsmacked gumshoe.