For a Good Paws by Linda O. Johnston is the 5th book in the Barkery & Biscuits Mystery series, and my second book by this author. I enjoy these books, especially since my daughter is a veterinarian technician, also. Carrie Kennersly is a part time vet tech, and owns a two part bakery, that has treats for people and pets. When a local man is released from prison and comes back to town, they town is worried. What is the truth, did he kill the women or did her husband her. Better read the book and find out.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Midnight Ink. Thank you.

When the man accused of murdering Knobcone Heights' mayor is paroled after serving only ten years in jail, Carrie and the other town residents worry about the danger he could bring to the small town. On one of his first nights back in town, he is overheard arguing with the former mayor's husband, who has also recently returned to town – and with several others from the community as well. When another murder takes place and one of Carrie's friends is one of the primary suspects, she is determined to discover the truth.

This fifth book of the Barkery and Biscuits series was a so-so read, with the same issues that have bothered me in the previous installments. While the town of Knobcone Heights sounds delightful, and filled with shops and businesses I'd like to patronize, I'm not a fan of the way Carrie jumps to conclusions about who may or may not be guilty. Even worse, the questions Dinah poses in the name of "research" are way out of line, and she doesn't seem to give any thought to the feelings or reactions those questions might produce. Both women could use a filter or two, and it's amazing that neither of them has come to serious harm. Add to that the repetitive writing style – how many times do we need to read that Biscuit was kept in her enclosure on the Barkery side the business, or that Carrie's treats are healthy treats? – and I'm left to wonder if I really want to continue this series.

This is cute and fun. I have read another of this series and the minute I heard a lady owned two businesses side by side, one a Bakery and one called The Barkery I was ready to read. Treats for people and treats for pets. I love cozies with pets involved, so I knew I’d have fun. This was an easy to read book and it had your basic components of a cozy. You know, your dead bodies, your amateur sleuth, friends that must be saved, and bad guys of course. This sounds like I’m making light and I’m not. I love a good cozy. The fun aspects of this one…the bakery, the Barkery, the pets, and so forth, are what made this one worth the time. Johnston’s characters were fine as far as her immediate friends and her handsome vet boyfriend goes.

One thing that bothered me and I think this will sound silly to a lot of people but…it seems as if the author is very concerned a reader will think she isn’t applying all safety rules and regulations in the Bakery/Barkery. By that I mean that I seemed to read an awfully lot of explanations about employees washing their hands really well. It just seemed redundant. As if Johnston was worried that my mother might be reading it whispering, “wash your hands dear”. I’m sure this must be a difficult balance, but it is after all fiction. Surely someone will not read the story because “ooh, their buns might be cross-contaminated”.

So, I guess in conclusion, while this maybe wasn’t a super deep story with a very clandestine plot, it was a fun read and a relaxing story, and I sure didn’t waste one bit of my time in reading it.
Hope you’re writing Book 6 Linda Johnston.

In 'For a Good Paws', we follow Carrie Kennersley, a part-time vet tech and the proud owner of a two-part bakery that serves delicious treats to humans and dogs. When Carrie learns that a convicted murder- who was a resident in their town- is being paroled, she begins to worry about what this may mean for the safety of her town and the people. Things get even more heated when the deceased mayor’s husband, Henry, returns to the town as well; years after his wife’s death. However, Carrie is convinced that there is more to the story and begins her own investigation on what had really happened the night their town mayor died as she believes that there are still secrets that need to be unravelled.

I really liked the idea of the plot. I thought it had potential to be something really good, but one thing I could not get pass was the writing style. I felt like the author over-described everything that she did and it wasn't even necessary in some situations. It was almost oddly un-descriptive but with long descriptions which could've been written and edited into one page instead of three. There was also quite a lot of repetition of events and actions that kind of got annoying once in a while.

The mystery aspect was quite disappointing. The plot seemed like it was going at a really slow pace, and there wasn’t enough going on to keep me engaged all throughout the story. I understand the author trying not to reveal all the clues but there were times where some scenes where almost filler scenes and not needed.

Despite that, I did really enjoy the secondary characters. They were well-written and I did find myself caring for what might happen to them. You didn't need to read the first couple of books to know who was who in order to understand the story. The author did do a good job of creating these characters and describing them. Carrie, on the other hand, is not my favourite protagonist or sleuth. I did enjoy the abundance appearance of many dogs in the book being a dog lover myself.

There are also some really delicious treats for both humans and for dogs at the end of the book. I am actually quite tempted to make some for myself and some for my dog.

2 stars.

I would recommend this to people who want to read a cozy mystery that is not plot-driven and more focused on characterisation. I still might pick up another book by this author in the future.

Thank you, NetGalley and MidNight Ink for an advanced reader's copy of 'For a Good Paws' by Linda O. Johnston


This review will be posted on my blog Chapters and Chats (linked) on or before March 8 2019.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

I am honest to god a peanut. I ADORE cozy mystery, and for some reason I have a block on the fact that I haven't liked ANY of the books in this series, and yet I still asked for it on Netgalley. Someone send help, please.

As soon as I started reading, I remembered why I just can't get into these books- the writing is some of the chunkiest I've endured in a long time. It probably wouldn't annoy most people, but it drove me insane!

Then there was the repetition; I started laughing uncontrollably at one point, because the word 'Fortunately' appeared twice on the page in a fortunate way for the main character...until I highlighted how many times the words 'Fortunate' 'Fortunately' and 'Unfortunately' appeared in the book...over fifty times total. We are to believe that Carrie, who does absolutely no investigating at all, has the good fortune of finding yet another murderer (in the last five percent of the book, of course) because of fifty fortunate moments. O-Kaaaayyy.

I am going to resist the urge next time I see this series. The problem is those darn covers are so cute and I never associate them with the book inside. Please don't let me get the next in the series, brain!

A fair cozy mystery, where Carrie comes to the rescue of her worker, who is accused of murder. Working on the murder of 10 years ago, when the confessed killer is released and the widower is then killed all kinds of accusations unfold. Overall not a bad story, but tended to be a little too easy to skim. Would still recommend, but expected a bit more.

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, atmosphere, and characters. I would recommend the book to friends and family for their reading pleasure.

Stay away from Knobcone Heights--there have been an inordinate number of murders in this small town. Carrie, a part-time vet tech and owner of the bakery, which caters to both two and four legged customers, steps in and helps to solve the mysteries, which the town police force seems unable to do. I like both cozy mysteries and books about animals but the paper-thin plot made this book a disappointing read for me.

Two bakeries, one owner. Who can resist pet treats or human treats and that's exactly what Carrie was hoping for when she bought her well loved shop. It's always a pleasure to read a new book in this great series.

I didn't enjoy this one very much because of the rather scattered writing I know many characters from previous books but this time they didn't come through clearly and the plot didn't interest me
Thank you to the publisher and meatballs for allowing me this arc for an honest review

amateur-sleuth, murder-investigation, women-sleuths, pets, cozy-mystery

Good hints in the publisher's blurb. A local convicted murderer is released back to the town where he confessed to killing the mayor ten years ago. However, it doesn't take long before there is another murder and once again the same man is the prime suspect. It sounds too convenient an answer so Carrie, the owner of the Bakery/Barkery, puts her amateur sleuth nose into the investigation and the sleuthing begins!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Midnight Ink via NetGalley. Thank you!

When a convicted murderer is released from prison after serving ten years for the murder of Knobcone Height’s mayor, he’s not the only one returning to town. The mayor’s widower also returns to town and is then murdered as well…and Carrie’s full time assistant, Dinah is the prime suspect. Even without full confidence that Dinah is innocent, Carrie has a few other suspects and doesn’t trust the local police to seriously consider other suspects with stronger motives, so she does what she normally does and begins digging around to help the police out.

To be honest I was not in love with the previous book and figured I would give this one a shot…sometimes it is the frame of mind you are in at the time. But I find the attitude that Carrie has towards the local police to be rather annoying. If it weren’t for her, they’d never have figured out all the murders that have taken place in town and she doesn’t have confidence in their abilities, yet she claims she’s just an amateur sleuth. I’m going to skip any future entries in this series as it’s just not my style.

Although a standalone book I believe it is advisable to read the first books in the series. For a Good Paws has you guessing whodunnit until the end. I will definitely read the others in the series

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for letting me have the chance to read this book I love a good mystery this one was very good