Something Borrowed, Something Mewed

Nothing screams tacky as a bridesmaids dress inspired by the Statute of Liberty. In Something Borrowed, Something Mewed by Bethany Blake, Daphne Templeton's sister Piper is getting married. Their mother insists on hiring Sylvan Creek's top wedding planner Abigail Sinclair. 

Before long there are major problems including six weddings booked for the same time and place and the hideous bridesmaid dresses, but more importantly, a dead wedding planner. Daphne finds Abigail in a fountain with a garter tied around her neck on Piper's wedding day. She figures with so many weddings disrupted, there should be plenty of suspects. 

When her prospective brother-in-law cannot account for his time the evening of the murder, Daphne struggles to clear him from suspicion.  Because all the mayhem, Piper decides to postpone her wedding until Roger can be cleared. 

With the mothers-in-law at loose ends, their budding

friendship takes a turn towards unhealthy competition, when Roger's mother becomes the listing agent for Abigail's house. But Daphne has issues of her own to deal with. Her boyfriend Jonathan Black has been working as a consultant on a naval base in San Diego. His Navy SEAL experience has made him valuable and he has been offered a full-time job in San Diego. 

Daphne wades through all the possible suspects and thinks she is headed in the right direction until someone else is murdered. Now she must double down on her investigation to clear her family. 

Another intriguing mystery with a full range of suspects. As Daphne is a pet sitter by trade, there are also some homemade pet treat recipes. 



Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher. 

Pawprints & Predicaments

A year ago, I don't think I would have read a mystery featuring dogs (Please don't hate me), but then I met Beau and things changed. You'll learn more about Beau on Friday on MapYourMystery.com.

In the meantime I dove right into Pawprints & Predicaments Bethany Blake. Daphne Templeton runs a petsitting business and is now in the process of open a bakery shop for pet treats. Right in the middle of her planning is the Sylvan Creek Winterfest highlighting her pet-friendly Pocono Mountain town.

TV producer Lauren Savidge decides she needs to film her show "America's Most Pet Friendly Towns" at various locales in town and also the Polar Bear Plunge during the Winterfest. Lauren's intrusive ways have rubbed many residents the wrong way and it is no surprise that she doesn't survive the polar plunge.

Daphne and a phantom St. Bernard dog drag a limp Lauren from the water. Once on land the dog escapes into the woods. He is the embodiment of the legendary St. Bernard known throughout Sylvan Creek. At first it appears she drowned in the confusion, but Detective Jonathan Black discovers blood on her head and calls it suspicious.

Of course there are many suspects including some of the town's quirkier residents as well as Lauren's own staff.  Although Daphne is warned by Detective Black to keep away from investigating. especially after her previous close calls. Daphne, not one to be quieted or controlled, continues investigating.

Pawprints and Predicaments has a little dog that loves to dress up in costumes; another dog, Socrates, who is the reincarnation of the great philosopher; and of course, the elusive St. Bernard.

The Lucky Paws Petsitting Mysteries are a fun series and I will have to go back and read the earlier ones. I'm looking forward to the next one and to see how Daphne manages the pet bakery.