Dial Meow for Murder

Written by Bethany Blake

Narrated by Elise Arsenault

Even an experienced pet sitter like Daphne Templeton can be fooled by animal behavior: how can an adorably tiny fuzz ball named Tinkleston be capable of sudden flying leaps with cat claws bared? But human behavior remains even more mysterious, especially when Tinkleston's owner is murdered on the night of a gala fundraiser for Fur-ever Friends Pet Rescue.

Accompanied by her unflappable basset hound, Socrates, Daphne plans to take charge of Tinks the Terror and leave the crime-solving to handsome detective Jonathan Black. But while luring the prickly Persian out of hiding, she uncovers clues that might take suspicion off her own mother. Maeve Templeton already has a reputation as a killer-in real estate. How far would she go to bag Sylvan Creek's most coveted property, the Flynt Mansion?

To expose the truth, Daphne finds herself donning a deranged clown costume on an autumnal adventure that might just be crazy enough to work-if it doesn't get her killed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Feb 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781977373113

Reviews for Dial Meow for Murder

[Joanna Lynch · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

These are light, fun books and written with a sense of humor. I love the fact that the heroine is a little goofy , gets herself into trouble a lot, and loves and cares for animals. If you’re looking for a lighthearted mystery read, this one will fill the bill!

[bgknighton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cute, entertaining cozy. Ms Flynn’s murder leaves Daphne with a cat and valuable painting. Everyone is around for the party when she is killed. But how does Daphne pay the bills — she never seems to do any work?

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a wonderful series for pet lovers, as well as cozy mystery lovers. When Daphne shows up at a Hallowe'en fundraiser for Fur-ever friends, she should have known it was going to be a tough night. She was the only person in costume having lost her invitation. When Lillian Flynt's body is found electrocuted in the upstairs bathroom, the party is off and Maeve Templeton, Daphne's mother is the prime suspect. Of course Daphne gets involved in trying to solve the crime as well as getting the opportunity to spend time with Detective Jonathan Black.

Once again the pets are front and centre. Lillian's pedigreed cat Tinkleston is left to Daphne in her will and it takes a while to warm up to each other, along with several bandages to cover Daphne's scratches. The dogs get to march in a parade, Jonathan's ex-wife moves to town and Daphne moves into the cottage on her sister's property. I liked Daphne a lot better in this book. She did not seem as scattered or clueless. She still is not the most organized but that makes her more realistic to me. This is a fun story with some different characters that had me moving through the story quite quickly. Another great cozy mystery in this series.

[jenn88-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's almost Halloween and the small town of Sylvan Creek is preparing a gala fundraiser for Fur-ever Friends Pet Rescue. It's being held on the lawn of a mansion that is said to be haunted. What's even more frightening for Daphne Templeton is that she finds the owner of the house, Lillian Flynt, dead. Daphne's dog, Socrates, is with her every step of the way as she ultimately figures out who the murderer is.This is the book that took me out of my reading slump! Dial Meow for Murder is the second book in the Lucky Paws Petsitting series. I have read the third one first then this one but have not yet read the first. I suggest starting at the beginning because there was a spoiler in this one, however I'm sure it won't spoil my enjoyment when I get my hands on Death by Chocolate Lab. I love this series. Everyone and everything seems so real and authentic and so damn cozy and festive. The whole story flows well. The animals all have their own personality. I was suspecting everyone, they all had their own reasons why Lillian Flynt should disappear. This one also includes recipes for our furry babies. I may even attempt the Pumpkin-Peanut-Butter Ghosts! I can't wait to read the first one and the fourth when it comes out later this year! Exclamation points all around!!

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Dial Meow for Murder by Bethany Blake is the second book in A Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series. Daphne Templeton owns Lucky Paws PetSitting in Sylvan Creek, Pennsylvania. Daphne is setting up her table for the Fur-ever Friends Pet Rescue gala fundraiser at Flynt Mansion which is being hosted by Lillian Flynt who is currently MIA. Daphne gets tasked with tracking down Lillian’s missing cat, Tinkleston and discovers Lillian dead in her bathroom (found the missing CD players too which explains the lack of electricity). Detective Jonathan Black is assigned the case and Daphne is happy to leave the sleuthing to him. However, when Maeve Templeton, Daphne’s mother, ends up at the top of the suspect list, Daphne has no choice but to start prowling for clues. Daphne has her hands full with her business, moving into the caretaker’s cottage, tetchy Tinkleston and tracking down a killer. Then she discovers that Maeve’s new client who wishes to purchase the Flynt Mansion is Jonathan’s ex-wife, Elyse Hunter. What is Daphne willing to do to expose a killer? Find out in Dial Meow for Murder.Dial Meow for Murder is a cozy mystery for readers who like hilarity and hijinks. Daphne is flighty, bumbling, reckless, and scattered (lost her new business cards, trouble with cell phone, daydreams frequently, stole evidence from crime scene, disregards chain of custody for evidence and so much more). Would you trust your precious pet (i.e. your baby) with this woman? I would not trust Daphne to watch a cactus. On the flip side, I do like Daphne’s interactions with her dog, Socrates. My rating for Dial Meow for Murder is 3 out of 5 stars (okay, but I am the wrong audience for this book). The killer stood out like a red wine stain on a white tablecloth. There are two big clues that provide the answer (if you need them). I wanted less silliness and more mystery (more action and less zany). I found Dial Meow for Murder to be cliché and predictable. I felt the writing lacked polish. I do enjoy light hearted stories (Seashells, Spells and Caramels for example), but Dial Meow for Murder was not one of them. Even my mother (who normally likes this type of book) found Dial Meow for Murder over-the-top.