About this book:

“A Champion Dog Is Off His Game
Grab a puppy to snuggle and relax into a delightful small-town mystery in book 3 of the Gone to the Dogs series.
Inquisitive, detail-oriented, Veterinarian Kristin Keller prides herself on winning over any dog. But has this self-proclaimed dog whisperer finally met her match in a Sheltie named Remington who has just won the Texas state agility course competition? The champion pooch is acting out of sorts—almost as if he is not the same dog. Has he, by chance, been switched out with another dog just before the next big competition? Kristin and the other Lone Star employees will do anything to help the Atkinson family figure out this mystery surrounding their beloved Remington.”


Series: Book #3 in the “Gone to the Dogs” series. Can be read as stand-alones, but would be most enjoyed if read in order. Reviews of Book #1 Here! And Book #2 Here!


Spiritual Content- Proverbs 12:10 at the beginning; A couple Scriptures are quoted & thought on; Prayers & Thanking God; Talks about God & His will; 'H's are capital when referring to God & Jesus; Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of prayers, praying, Thanking God, & blessings over food; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of testimonies & people sharing their testimony; Mentions of churches, church going, services, & pastors/reverends; Mentions of Catholics, Baptists, & Presbyterians; Mentions of blessings & being Blessed; A few mentions of ministries; A couple mentions of someone being so cheap that they wouldn’t pay to see Jesus on a bicycle; A mention of a song that focuses on the love God offers His children; A mention of confessing to a reverend; A mention of a godsend; A mention of a miracle; A mention of a reverend wanting to build an arbor like they had in the Old Testament days; A mention of a cross necklace; A mention of Kristin’s (Baptist) grandmother telling her husband that they don’t speak to Presbyterians;
*Note: A couple mentions of a reverend teasing that a certain cat might need an exorcism on occasion, but he knows a thing or two about spiritual warfare, “which comes in handy when the demons begin to dance”; A mention of a guy being Adonis material; A mention of Pandora’s box.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘gosh’, a ‘stinking’, two ‘for pity’s sake’s, two ‘for the love of Pete’/’for Pete’s sake’s, and five ‘stupid’s; A few mentions of curses (said, not written); Sarcasm & Eye rolling; Being pushed into oncoming traffic (barely-above-not-detailed); *Spoiler* A woman says her daughter is wheelchair-bound and on oxygen, but that turns out to be a lie to gain sympathy *End of Spoiler*; All about many mentions of a swapped/missing/stolen dog & who could have done it; Many mentions of sick dogs, a breeder that doesn’t care good take of her dogs, hoarding cases/puppy mills, people abandoning and abusing dogs, dog illnesses (including parvo), & deaths of dogs (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of stealing, thieves, crimes, criminals, & being arrested; Mentions of an aggressive dog & it trying to bite others (because it’s not feeling well); Mentions of alcohol, drinking, addictions, & former addicts; Mentions of manure & animal waste; A few mentions of grief after the death of a loved one; A few mentions of someone smuggling whiskey; A few mentions of being pushed into oncoming traffic; A few mentions of smoking & cigarettes; A few mentions of social media trolls; A couple mentions of a car accident & deaths; A couple mentions of the possibility of getting shot; A couple mentions of a fire (Book #2); A couple mentions of gambling; A couple mentions of lies & liars; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of the Great Depression; A mention of dogs fighting for food; A mention of cheating; A mention of an old TV show not having any bad language; A mention of farting; A mention of the phrase about a terrible smell being enough to knock a buzzard off a death wagon;
*Note: Mentions of TV shows, characters, & actresses (I Love Lucy, Golden Girls, & Hoarders); Mentions of a magazine (Southern Living); A few mentions of Woodstock; A couple mentions of car brands; A couple mentions of stores (Home Depot & Walmart); A mention of social media (YouTube); A mention of Boy Scouts.


Sexual Content- Two cheek kisses, a hair kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, and a border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss; Recalling a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed);
Touches, Embraces, & Hand holding (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes & Winks; A ‘babe’; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, dates, dating, & exes (including a girl’s abusive ex-boyfriend); A few mentions of a father teasing that he and his wife figured out what was causing them to have so many children; A few mentions of seeing couples kissing (barely-above-not-detailed); A couple mentions of a child being conceived on a trip; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a husband slapping his wife on the backside (teasing); A mention of flirting; A mention of a guy’s “Casanova thing”; Some love, falling/being in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Many mentions of breeding dogs (including ones that were bred a lot and their physique being saggy), stud dogs and horses, and a dog that is sterile despite being “fully intact”; Mentions of neutering dogs; A few mentions of a man not wanting to say that a woman looks like a natural in the kitchen because she’s liable to sue him; A couple mentions of miscarriages; A mention of a old TV show not having any “questionable material”; A mention of a dog’s hormones; A mention of expressing a dog’s anal glands.

-Kristin Keller
1st person P.O.V. of Kristin
256 pages

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Pre Teens- 1 star

New Teens- 3 stars

Early High School Teens- 4 stars

Older High School Teens- 4 stars

My personal Rating- 4 stars

This was so cute, the ending!! My heart!

One thing that really stands out to me about this series is the importance of the friendships between the staff at the vet clinic. Yes, they’re co-workers, but they all have such a heart for animals and helping them, which brings the group closer together. I love the camaraderie of it all. It was really so heartwarming to read about a group that cares so much about their clients and helping animals, I just love that element.
Another element that was so fun and continued in this third book was the sweet romance—this time between Kristin and Tyler! It was so precious! I was absolutely tickled pink about it and how sweet (& clean!) it was!

When I really am enjoying a mystery or suspense book, my brain turns off trying to figure out who did the crime and just goes along with the characters for the ride; that’s definitely how this book was for me. It was intriguing but yet at the same time heartbreaking, because I couldn’t imagine what I would do if my dog was missing or stolen! But I knew with a book written by this author that everything would turn out just, well, peachy! ;)

Ah, I’m doing happy sighs over here now and super-duper excited to read the fourth book!

“Dogs weren’t the only ones who responded to love. People did too.”

In this third installment in the Gone to the Dogs Mysteries, Janice Thompson has accomplished exactly what she set out to do. Barking Up the Wrong Tree had me thoroughly engrossed in the mystery, loving the focus on the rescue dogs and the Lone Star Vet Clinic gang. I loved how Thompson highlighted her knowledge of dog shows, agility competitions, and the love between dogs and their devoted owners.

I was a bit surprised to find Dr. Kristin Keller to be the first person narrator. Somehow, I expected the series to continue to revolve mostly around Trina and Mari. We do get to see them, and quirky Grandma Peach figures into the equation as a side character.

Kristin’s family is having trouble releasing her to be her own person and allowing her to leave the family. Kristin is having trouble appreciating her family. How often we don’t appreciate our flawed, but more than adequate (actually blessed) backgrounds until someone close points out how much we’re taking for granted. Kristin also learns from Tyler and others how to truly give of herself to others.

We eventually see more of Mari and gain a deeper appreciation of this young vet tech. A real encourager and team player, Mari goes out of her way to help others. Hopefully, as the series progresses, she will come to understand that she can’t save every dog or person. Nor is that her responsibility.

Great twists are a tool Thompson wields well, and I found myself talking back to the book on more than one occasion.
I belly-laughed often. Barking Up the Wrong Tree is great medicine for a troubled soul! A few times I wondered if situations resolved themselves too simply, but then, this is a cozy (and zany) world!

I would highly recommend this book, read in order of its publication. Each book in the series builds on the next.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

This story gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. Even though I wanted to find out who the culprit was, I didn’t want the book to end! The characters won me over and I felt like I had new friends.
Right from the start numerous possibilities were presented regarding the champion dog’s whereabouts. My opinion changed along with the story. As a bonus, I learned a little about veterinary medicine. You don’t have to be a dog owner to enjoy this story. Since finding out our granddaughter is allergic to dogs, I enjoy them from a distance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise

3.5 Stars

When I read the second book in this series, I was a tad disappointed that each book featured a new point of view because I wanted to spend more time with Mari (the main character in book one of the Gone to the Dogs series). Barking Up the Wrong Tree gave me what I was missing in the previous book plus a new heroine, romance, and mystery.

I’d say this book has more of the cozy mystery element than the first two in the series, but for me, that mystery was extremely easy to solve. While the mystery was unique, the red herrings were too obvious and the moment Kristin interacted with the suspect (of which there are a few), I knew who was to blame.

On the other hand, I loved the romance in this book. Kristin and Tyler make a good match. Since the previous books hinted at this, it was fun to finally see them together. Especially how well Tyler accepted Kristin’s quirky family.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree is definitely heavier on the romance angle than most cozy mysteries out there, but as a romance fan, I didn’t mind that at all.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.

This is a good cozy style dog mystery for lovers of animals and all things southern. It is a fun immersion into the southern atmosphere from food to dialog. It is also a mystery with the missing champion dog. The characters are sort of hit and miss in trying to find the dog with many frustrated attempts. In the process, we readers learn a bit about dogs and their care, such as dogs have unique DNA and that rawhide is a choking hazard. The main characters are compassionate people and it was good to see them help others but it was hard to read about the mistreatment of some dogs. There are also a couple of romance threads running through this novel.

There are several people working at the veterinarian office and several suspects in the dog abduction, making this a study in character too. There are some that are willing to help those in need while others are willing to take advantage of the naïve. There was a plot twist near the end that was both disappointing yet realistic in character revelation.

I enjoyed this fun mystery and romance. While it is the third in a series, it read well on its own. There's a yummy recipe at the end too.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Hot Dog!

A championship dog, a sheltie named Remington, has been stolen and replaced with a look alike--one who is mean and poor tempered. After taking the dog to the vet, the switch is discovered. The owners are besides themselves with worry.

Veterinarian, Kristin, who saw Remington when he was brought in has decided she is going to solve the mystery. There are lots of good candidates who could have done it:

A maker of a mediocre dog food has a picture of Remington on their company information--it is falsely implying he ate their food.

An elderly man with early dementia is rumored to have a new dog, maybe a sheltie. Lots of signs point to him as the dognapper.

Could it be a local dog groomer who has been confrontational to their clinic's groomer? She might be behind their groomer's false negative reviews posted on social media.

There is a secretive dog breeder who has lots of sick dogs, and whose place is very run-down. Remington could be used by her to prop up her breeding business.

Red herrings abound in this tale. As Kristin tries to find Remington, her relationship with fellow vet, Tyler, increases as he helps out with the investigation.

This is a great mystery that kept me guessing until the end. This tale stands alone but it is part of a series. This time the tale was told from Kristin’s viewpoint, it was interesting to get her take on things. I liked the humor in this five-star book along with the Christian characters. I highly recommend it to everyone--especially lovers of mysteries or dogs!

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Barking up the Wrong Tree, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

A highly entertaining read and great addition to this wonderful series.

Veterinarian Kristin Keller and her staff are determined to help the Adkinson family find out what happened to their champion dog Remington, go along with them in this entertaining adventure filled with mystery, friendship, and faith.

A delightfully cozy mystery, that brings back familiar faces, but also would work well as a standalone. I loved seeing Kristin and Tyler working together and reconnecting over the mystery. I liked that they bonded over their shared love of animals and faith. Parker is a great friend, and I liked how they worked together to help others.

Overall, a fantastic, heartwarming read, that for me is a standout in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Barking up the Wrong Tree is the third installment from the Gone to the Dogs series and another contribution from Janice Thompson to it. I thought it was a fun and entertaining tale to read. I liked trying to solve the mystery while also chuckling at some scenes throughout. Kristin and Remington were so delightful together. As a dog owner, this book puts a big smile on my face. I loved it.

I am giving Barking up the Wrong Tree five stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean cozy mysteries. I look forward to the fourth books from the Gone to the Dogs series, Kathleen Y'Barbo’s The Bark of Zorro.

I received a paperback copy of Barking up the Wrong Tree from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

I’ve enjoyed reading this fascinating series by an author who loves animals. I appreciated how she gave readers a peek into what Veterinarian’s and rescue workers do. This team of Veterinarian’s, groomers, and people that dedicate their lives to animals are an interesting bunch as they unite to find the champ and unite him with his family. I loved hanging out with this group of professionals and the endearing pet lovers in this small-town, that are relatable, humorous characters, involved in crazy situations.

This story is heartwarming, with rescue dog drama, a full out dog search, sprinkled with a sweet romance (or two) and an interesting mystery.to solve. There are many suspects, fun family drama, and quirky pets and their owners. Intertwined with a natural spiritual thread. It’s a winning combination. If you love dogs, quirky family members trying to solve a mystery, this book is for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

When the very pregnant owner of Texas agility champion Shetland Sheepdog Remington brings her dog in to see veterinarian Kristen Keller at Lone Star Veterinary Clinic, she explains Remington hasn’t been feeling well and his attitude has changed. She’s hoping they can figure out what’s wrong, but is forced to leave him at the clinic when she unexpectedly goes into labor.

Dedicated DVM Keller sets out to discover what’s wrong with the champion before the upcoming National championship. What she discovers amazes even his owners. While he may look like him, Remington is not Remington…his blood type isn’t even the same. The clinic staff nickname him Fred (after Fred Mertz of I Love Lucy fame) because of his grumpiness. Fred is soon feeling better after the right course of treatment is begun.

Kristen and her colleagues, Mari, Dr. Tyler, Parker and Isabel dig into finding the missing Sheltie in time for the Nationals. As they hunt for Remington, they assist a neighbour with dementia, rescue some dogs in need, shut down a puppy mill and find a home for Remington’s replacement.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree is just a delight to read. The characters are well developed, there’s a cozy mystery and a bit of romance between the two vets. It’s like spending time with old friends who all support one another.

This Christian mystery is the third in a series and it’s a light, sweet read.

This is book three in the Gone to the Dogs Mysteries. I have read all three and if you are wanting a series of light mysteries, then they are the books for you. We visit characters from the first two books and this one centers on the veterinarians themselves, instead of the rescuers and the rescued dogs. After a prize winning dog has won the competition, he is stolen and replaced with an almost identical dog. This is learned when the dog becomes sick and is taken to the clinic. Thus begins this interesting tale with many twists and turns. There is romance and Christian faith woven through out the pages. I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all the opinions are my own.

A cozy mystery with a difference. A vets practice and a show dog, how can they come together, read it to find out. Well worth 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Such a cute book. I enjoyed seeing the people in the book again. Parker, Mari, Kristen, Tyler and the whole gang at the Vet clinic. Remington goes missing. Of course Remington is a dog. They are on the hunt to find this prize winning dog. Kristin, Veterinarian, and Tyler, Veterinarian have a budding relationship in this book. Can they and the whole staff find out what is going on and why Remington was taken from his family? As they try to find Remington they also find many people needing their help. The whole Veterinarian crew load up and help an elderly man that has a hard time getting anything done. They sweep in and clean his home, fix his yard, get groceries for him and try to be a blessing to him. He is super happy! Such a good book. I enjoyed reading it.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree is so cute! What a fun cozy mystery, especially for dog lovers. I haven’t read the previous books in the series, but I certainly hope to.

I want to work at The Lone star Vet Clinic! What a fun place. I also liked the southern characters and setting. I enjoyed getting to know Kristin and seeing her growth. Tyler, who had a big part in Kristin’s growth, is a great character as well. I liked his outlook and perspective on life.

I don’t read cozies often, but I enjoyed that this one involved a missing dog. It kept me guessing until near the end. To describe this read in one word: Fun.

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

I love Janice Thompson's books, especially Weddings by Bella. So I jumped at the chance to read her newest book, one that features dogs, a mystery to be solved, and two sweet love interests. Oh, and that fantastic, down-home Texas setting so many of Thompson's books feature. While I'm kind of jumping into the middle of a series here, I was able to pick up on the series dynamics quickly and the mystery Thompson weaves through the story kept me second-guessing myself until the end. The romance is sweet, the dogs are fun to read about, and overall, it's a great, quick read! Definitely pick this one up if you want a light, sweet read, or if you're a fan of Thompson's works.
***I read an advanced copy of this book to share my opinions. Opinions expressed above are my own.***

This is becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery series! The people of Lone Star Veterinary Clinic and their families are like my old friends now, and I like how each novel focuses on a different person at the clinic. I like that the veterinary clinic, rescue, and the shelter are the primary settings. I appreciate a mystery in which nobody is murdered, but solving the mystery is still a matter of urgency. What I really appreciate is how each person demonstrates their faith in a very non-threatening manner and without pushing any one denomination. Whether it is praying, attending worship, putting faith into action, helping others in the community, or encouraging another person, there is clearly something different about the staff at Lone Star.

In this novel, Kristin, one of the veterinarians, discovers something most vets would never come across. A couple brought in their beloved, award-winning Sheltie, but something has not been right about Remington since the state finals. He growls, snaps, and tries to bite them and they are afraid to have him around their toddler and their soon to be born son. He doesn’t look or act healthy and seems confused by the agility equipment. His biggest show ever, the Nationals, is coming up soon, but he may not be able to compete.

Kristin studied the labs that came back, and Remi had an easy to treat infection. All his labs were so different from those of a few months ago, that it was as if he were a different dog. Which he is. When Isabel, the groomer, saw him, she knew immediately it wasn’t Remi because some of the markings were different. Whodunit and where their beloved Remi is will take everything they have to figure out.

The characters are Southern through and through, with charm that is backed by genuine caring and concern for others. I enjoyed how Tyler set up an I Love Lucy night after work since Isabel had no idea who Lucy was, much less Fred Mertz! He is a good business owner and vet; it is easy to see how Kristin fell for him in college and still has feelings for him. I liked watching their relationship change, and how Kristin began to see her family – and other people – from Tyler’s perspective.

Kristin loves her family, and at one point described them as a “multi-generational hodgepodge of country livin’, Jesus-lovin’ folks who never met a stranger”. When Tyler meets them, she was embarrassed, and his response was eye-opening. “The world needs “out there”, Kristin. . . And folks like your brother who’ve been around the block and learned a thing or two. . . they can really impact this world for good.” I learned more about myself and others from this novel and see changes I can make.

Plot twists revealed several people who could have taken Remington, yet whose dog did they have? Surely someone is missing a handsome Sheltie like this one, even if not an award-winning pup. Don’t let the fact that nobody was murdered deter you from this novel as the loss of a show dog who is also a member of the family is not a small thing. I highly recommend this to all who enjoy well-written Southern cozy mysteries with dogs, suspense, animal rescue groups, and sweet romance.

From a thankful heart: I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Barbour, through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Dr. Kristin at the Lone Star Veterinary clinic knows her furry clients. When the award winning Sheltie champion family brought Remington in because he wasn't acting right, she discovered the dog was not the same one. The search by the whole clinic is started as they are shocked how this could of happened.

This engaging story is filled with multiple characters that has positive and negative flaws to them with some being more shady. There are several characters that could have kidnapped and swapped Remington out, as the staff and others reviewed video footage. Thompson has her readers guessing till close to the end. The story is filled with a cozy mystery, faith that is portrayed in

simple and true scriptural basis, budding romance and characters that wanted to rescue all the dogs and individuals they encountered.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publisher for an ARC e-book of this fun cozy mystery without any obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own opinion

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC I was given.

All I had to do was look at the cover and I fell in love. That being said, I started reading this without knowing it was a part of a series. That didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying it, though. This book holds a lot of charm and warmth within it. Think Best in Show meet Sweet Magnolias, lots of love.

This is book 3 of the Gone to the Dogs series. Kristin Keller, one of the Veterinarians at the Lone Star vet clinic, knows her clients well, but finds that Remington, a champion pooch who has just won the Texas state agility championship, seems to be acting strangely. Her owners bring her in and even questions if it is the same dog. They explain to Kristin that there is a competitor that has a dog that looks like Remington and they even wonder if maybe he somehow switched the dogs. There are many interesting facts about dogs that come out in this book.s

Kristin and her co-workers took it upon themselves to see if they can find out if that is a possibility. The amateur sleuths pursue another mystery in this continuing series.

I love the characters and how they always interact and all the great dogs that appear in these books. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour for the opportunity to read this book. The comments are my own opinions.

Good addition to this cute cozy mystery series!

In book three, an agility course champion (Remington) is believed to have been stolen. The amateur sleuths at Lone Star Veterinarian are on the case. Along the way, the heart of the veterinarians and staff come shining through as they help others in need.

Nice humor and an engaging story line. I learned a few things in the pages too (ex. who knew dogs had different blood types than humans?) Recommend this series for fans of cozy mysteries!