A laugh-out-loud mystery series set in Laguna Beach, California
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AUTHOR: Sparkle Abbey
GENRE: Mystery
FIRST BOOK PUBLISHED: 2011
SETTING: California
The Pampered Pets mystery series is written by two friends and writing partners, Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter, who combined the names of their rescue pets to form their pseudonym. They’ve come up with a fun cozy series that takes place in Laguna Beach.
Just like the series is written by two women, the books alternate between two protagonists, Caro LaMont, a pet therapist, and her cousin Mel Langdon, owner of the Bow Wow Boutique.
Books in the Pampered Pets Mystery Series
Desperate Housedogs
LENGTH: 202 pages (paperback edition)
FIRST PUBLISHED: 2011
In the first book of the series, Caro Lamont, a pet therapist who makes house calls to all her posh clients, meets up with her client Kevin to help him with his two misbehaving German Shepherds.
Shortly after her meeting, Kevin is found murdered and she was the last person to see him alive. Caro suddenly needs to clear her name and find a murderer. Can she find the real killer?
Purchase Desperate Housedogs here.
Purchase the Kindle edition here.
Get Fluffy
LENGTH: 196 pages (paperback edition)
FIRST PUBLISHED: 2012
Soon after Caro solves her first mystery, Mel Langdon is thrust into a mystery of her own. Mel’s most despised client, Mona, is the owner of Fluffy, a star dog who’s worth millions. When Mona is found whacked in the head by one of Fluffy’s Daytime Emmys, Mel is spurred into action.
She discovers blackmail, long lost relatives, and plenty of secrets. But, can she find Mona’s killer?
Purchase the Kindle version here.
Kitty Kitty Bang Bang
LENGTH: 178 pages (paperback edition)
FIRST PUBLISHED: 2012
Caro’s neighbor, Kitty Bardot, is the owner of two Bengal cats – who paint! After an art show opening of the cats’ latest paintings , Kitty is found shot to death.
Soon, Caro finds herself in the middle of another mystery when she’s asked to look after Kitty’s long-lost sister, April Mae.
Purchase Kitty Kitty Bang Bang here.
Purchase the Kindle version here.
Yip/Tuck
LENGTH: 150 pages (paperback edition)
FIRST PUBLISHED: 2013
Mel finds one of Laguna Beach’s best known plastic surgeons, Dr. O’Doggle asleep on a bench outside the Bow Wow Boutique, or so she thinks. But, when Fluffy lunges towards the doctor, he falls off the bench – dead.
When Mel is checking for a pulse, she finds a dog leash, identical to the ones she sells in her store, wrapped around his neck. Can Mel find the killer?
Purchase the Kindle version here.
Fifty Shades of Greyhound
LENGTH: 186 pages (paperback edition)
FIRST PUBLISHED: 2014
While Caro is attending an elite fundraising gala for Greys Matter, a southern California greyhound rescue, one of the attendees is found dead.
The rescue group enlists Caro’s help, which becomes a race against time after a second person is found dead. Can she uncover the truth and find the killer?
Purchase Fifty Shades of Greyhound here.
Purchase the Kindle version here.
The Girl With the Dachshund Tattoo
LENGTH: 216 pages (hardcover edition)
FIRST PUBLISHED: 2014
Mel and her assistant Betty go to the races – dachshund races that is. Before the races begin, things turn deadly when hated dachshund owner, Richard, is found shot to death.
Unfortunately, Betty’s got a gun with her and she becomes the number one suspect. Can Mel clear her name and find the real killer?
Purchase The Girl With the Dachshund Tattoo here.
Purchase the Kindle version here.
Downton Tabby
LENGTH: 180 pages (paperback edition)
FIRST PUBLISHED: 2015
Caro does a favor for her office mate, Graham Cash, and drops his Scottish Fold tabby off at his mansion. While there, she discovers a dead business partner. Cash turns up missing too!
Was Cash kidnapped or is he dead too? Can Caro find her missing office mate and find a killer or are there too many secrets and unanswered questions?
Purchase the Kindle version here.
Raiders of the Lost Bark
LENGTH: 206 pages (paperback edition)
FIRST PUBLISHED: 2016
Mel finds herself coerced to go on a glamping trip with Orange Country’s hottest new gourmet pet chef and blackmailer, Addison Rae. Before Mel can get her to lay off the blackmailing, Addison is found dead.
Thanks to Addison’s blackmailing ways, there’s a whole host of suspects, including Mel. Can Mel get to the bottom of things and find the killer?
Purchase Raiders of the Lost Bark here.
Purchase the Kindle version here.
Barking With the Stars
LENGTH: 188 pages (paperback edition)
FIRST PUBLISHED: 2017
Caro’s ex-husband, Geoffrey, is spreading rumors and snuggling up to the stars at a star-studded fundraiser to help provide service dogs to wounded warriors.
As Caro is trying to salvage her reputation, one of the biggest stars is found dead and Geoffrey is seen leaving her hotel room. All evidence points to Geoffrey and as mad as she is at her ex, Caro doesn’t think he’s the killer. Can she clear his name and find the real killer?
Purchase Barking with the Stars here.
Purchase the Kindle version here.
The Dogfather
LENGTH: 190 pages (paperback edition)
FIRST PUBLISHED: 2018
A local handbag designer is found dead and Mel’s former fiancé, Grey Donovan, is the number one suspect.
Now, they’ve got to work side-by-side to find the killer, uncovering family secrets and a pile of secrets. Can they find the killer before it’s too late?
Purchase the Kindle version here.
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