Cute and adorable cover , a fun cozy mystery to get lost in and the characters themselves are fun to read .

The author gives us a mystery that is engaging, well written, with a few red herrings, very few suspects, and clues that lead straight to the guilty party which makes it seem like the mystery really isn't all that complex. The characters are well written, well developed, likable, and quirky so they seem very relatable. The dogs also each have their own personalities and quirks so they seem very lifelike.

I had one big problem with the book and that was when the coroner kept giving out confidential information about an active police investigation to civilians just because they were friends. In the real world if a coroner was doing this they would find themselves in deep trouble with the law. I also really disliked Lowry's lawyer since he was a big jerk who was always putting on an act to keep his true self undercover but the dogs could tell what kind of person he really was. I didn't like that Stephanie kept going out to dinner with him since she is in a relationship with Joe. I do like that Lilly and Red's relationship is still going strong and that you can tell how much they care and love each other. I look forward to reading book # 5 Sit, Stay, Slay to see what kind of mystery Lilly finds herself involved in and too see where her and Red's relationship is heading.

I received an ARC of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley for my honest review.

A good read the story sucks you in quick and before you know it you've finished the book and can't wait for the next one.

I adore this series. I love the Cozy Mystery genre and the easy to fall in love with protagonists. However, I hadn't realized I missing something more until I read this series. The protagonist is a middle aged woman dealing with real middle aged problems. It was really nice to truly relate on a deeper level.

Lillie Ann Echosby is asked to foster a poodle after his owner is murdered. The poodle is a good fit for her and they immediately bond. Lillie, Rex (the new poodle) and Aggie (the poodle she already owned) are now a family.

Lillie is offered an outrageous sum of money for Rex, which she declines, and then someone tries to kidnap Rex. Lillie begins to question whether there was more to Mr. Littlefield’s death than first suspected, and why is someone trying to nab the little poodle?
This was a good read with interesting characters

With this being the 4th book in the Dog Club Mystery series, I was expecting a fun story, and this one was the best so far. In this story, Dixie has arranged a fundraiser for the Eastern Tennessee Poodle Rescue, and has convinced eccentric billionaire Archibald Lowry to sponsor it. He is also considering the rescue as a beneficiary of his estate when he dies as he has not children. When he is killed at the fundraiser, things get shutdown. As his will is shared, it becomes confusing as to who is responsible for his death and is this the real will??

I love both Dixie and Lilly. They are strong and independent women so love dogs, a lot. Lilly takes on Archibald's little poodle, who she renames Rex until the will is probated and his ownership is cleared up. I love the dogs in these books. They are smart, they are fearless, they are loved and they often help to solve the crime. Once again, Lilly's daughter Stephanie also makes an appearance, but is having man troubles. She is not sure about her relationship with Joe and takes up with a smooth talking, handsome lawyer in this one. Lilly and Red's relationship continues to grow and I enjoy seeing this development to the series. They do work well together, even though it is reluctantly as Lilly doesn't listen to him. I was pretty sure who was doing the killing, but there was a good twist that had me questioning myself. The motive was awesome. I'm never disappointed with V.M. Burns books. Her plot, character development and humour are all well developed and will keep any cozy mystery lover happy.

I just love this series! Paw and Order, the fourth book in V.M. Burns’ Dog Club Mystery series, is a fun, quick, and entertaining story that is perfect for a lazy afternoon. At only 168 (kindle) pages, it is nonetheless full of fast-paced action, wit, humor, friendship, cute dogs, and yes . . . murder! Ms. Burns makes every word count in this delightful cozy mystery.

Lilly Ann Echosby and her best friend Dixie Jefferson are hosting a fundraiser on behalf of the Eastern Tennessee Poodle Rescue Association at the Chattanooga Museum when one of the charity’s most generous benefactors, Archibald Lowry, is murdered, leaving behind a toy poodle with an unpronounceable name. Lilly is prevailed upon to foster the abandoned dog (who she renames “Rex” as in Rex Stout), however, she gets more trouble than she bargains for. In quick succession, Lowry’s distant relatives offer an absurd amount of money for Rex, a second murder takes place, and there is an attempted dognapping. Lilly and her boyfriend, TBI officer Rex Olson, must find the perpetrator before anyone else gets hurt.

What I love most about this book are the characters. Lilly and her best friend, Dixie, are as close as sisters. Lilly’s daughter Stephanie is a multi-faceted person with real-world problems. Red is suave and charming, and the perfect counterpart for Lilly. And of course, the dogs! Aggie, Rex, Chyna, Leia, Lucky, and Turbo are so precious! It’s really a plus that Ms. Burns is able to weave so many different themes – ranging from trusts and estates law to dog agility --into the story.

Fast-paced and well-written, Paw and Order is a gem of a story. If you love dogs and deftly-plotted cozy mysteries, this is the book for you!

Note: I received an ARC of Paw and Order from NetGalley and Kensington Books. The above is my honest review.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie

I greatly enjoyed this latest in the Dog Club Mystery series. There is suspense and laugh-out-loud humor, characters who are genuinely likable, and a mystery that keeps the best dog club sleuths on their toes! I was sad, however, to see who the victim was, as I would have liked to get to know him better. Even though I had figured out who may have been involved with the crime, I didn’t figure out the full range of motives.

Dixie and Lilly have been best friends since their college days. After her husband left her, then was murdered, Lilly left Lighthouse Bay, Indiana to move to Chattanooga, Tennessee where Dixie and her husband, Beau, live. Dixie has been in the world of poodle competitions and training for many years, and now primarily does training and judging. Lilly now has an adorable toy poodle, Aggie, who she takes to Dixie’s training school.

The benefit for the East Tennessee Poodle Rescue has its opening night at the museum where Lilly works, and the next day will be at the estate of the eccentric, wealthy Archibald Lowry, a poodle lover and recluse. If he does venture out from home, he does so only if accompanied by his beloved poodle. When he arrived at opening night of the fundraising event, it was to a stunned Dixie who took it well in stride. Archibald had a new poodle pup with a name bigger than him! Indulf is the offspring of one of his former dogs, and immediately takes to Lilly. A short time later, little Indulf, separated from his owner, ran to Lilly and leaped into her arms. She and Red, her boyfriend who works for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, begin to search for Archibald when a scream brings them running to find the Scotsman, lying dead in a pool of blood.

The woman who screamed said she saw him when leaving the restroom. Red sent Lilly to keep an eye on her. Fiona Darling, a PI, seemed scared at first, and knows something she clearly won’t reveal to either the local police or Red. She had seen Lowry arguing with someone, but the person he argued with was out of sight behind a pillar. He then saw the person hit the dead man in the face before stabbing him. Despite being at a poodle show, she asked what kind of dog Indulf is – was she really hear for the fundraiser?

Lilly is afraid of losing her job over the murder in and publicity for the museum. Friends and fellow training class members Monica Jill and BJ tell her she has only one choice – find who killed the poor man. Having helped find murderers in the past, Lilly just isn’t ready to get involved again.

The next day, Dixie picked Lilly up for the second day of activities, this time for judging at Archibald’s estate. His attorney allowed it to continue. Persuasive as she is, Dixie also talked Lilly into fostering the darling little Indulf, who if he were Lilly’s dog, she would call Rex – after Rex Stout, of course! Fortunately, Aggie and Rex get along very well.

One of the first discoveries made is that Achibald changed his will substantially. Instead of leaving his estate to previously named charities and his visiting distant relatives from Scotland, he made bequests to his staff members and charities, with the bulk of his estate going to the Poodle rescue. Next, the Kilpatricks, the Scottish cousins, want the pampered poodle as a memorial to their dear Archibald, and offer a ridiculous amount for him – far more than any pup is worth. Someone tries to steal Rex from Lilly’s back yard. And one of Lowry’s staff members is murdered. They need to find a killer, fast.

The regular characters are three-dimensional, people I would enjoy knowing were they real. They are intelligent, personable, and are willing to put themselves out to help others. There is nothing Dixie and Lilly can’t accomplish when they get their heads together. Add in Lilly’s adult daughter, Stephanie, and their respective guys, and they are a force to be reckoned with!

The story is fast-paced and flows well. Plot twists and turns make the mystery even more interesting. This armchair sleuth was able to guess part of the solution, needing help on the motive and another part of it – which didn’t dampen my enthusiasm for it at all, as there were still aspects that surprised me! The conclusion was very satisfying, leaving no loose ends. I highly recommend it!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

Dollycas’s Thoughts

When poodle-loving billionaire Archibald lowry is murdered at an event he is sponsoring for the Eastern Tennessee Poodle Rescue at Scarlett “Dixie” Jefferson’s request Lily Echosby finds herself fostering the billionaire’s pooch while trying to catch his killer.

Friendship blooms within these pages, Lily and Dixie are women I would love to hang out with in real life. They always have each other’s back and their love for their canine companions is heartwarming. Lily and Red’s relationship is evolving nicely. Lily’s daughter Stephanie comes for a visit, there is a little tension in her relationship with Joe and she needs a little TLC from mom. Her mom may need her for some advice as well. I enjoyed the way Dixie’s training group gets involved in all the chaos. All the characters are well-developed with plenty of room left to grow.

The story has an excellent flow with action ratcheting up in all the right places. There are several suspects and different events for them to be observed and questioned. Well-crafted twists kept me guessing right up until the very end. I continue to be amazed by Ms. Burns tells such a great story in less than 200 pages, especially with her wonderfully descriptive writing style.

Paw and Order is a delightful cozy mystery that I enjoyed start to finish. Engaging characters, precious poodles, a great mystery, with a touch of romance and a nice amount of humor make this story a perfect escape.

While this book can be read on its own for maximum enjoyment I recommend reading them all in order.

I’ve read and reviewed other books by V M. Burns and every time I start out it is to say I think it will be like another “dog show” type cozy from another author. And then...I find it isn’t true. This series seems to have its own set of plots, many of which are cute and funny. Even when there is a dead body. The characters have their own distinct and very different personalities. Those created by V.M. Burns.

So what I’m really saying is I love both series I’m hinting at here. The one by that other author and this one, A Dog Club Mystery. I’m also saying that you must write rather good books to write right alongside that other “dog show” author and I think V.M. Burns seems to keep holding her own.

Lilly and Dixie are wonderfully creative loveable characters that readers enjoy more and more with every new book. Their pets hold your heart and keep things interesting, and now Lilly has added a new little four-footed bundle to the mix. Paw And Order delight and entertains.

When someone kills Archibald Lowry at a fundraiser that involves Lilly and Dixie, they can't stop themselves from investigating. Suspects seem to come out of the woodwork, and even Dixie might be on the list. Lilly takes over the care of Archibald's beloved pet. It looks like she may have taken on more than she could chew. After several attempts by someone to steal the small dog, Lilly's realizes that she can't let him go, and has to find out who is trying to dognap her new fur baby.

There are plenty of red herrings in this animal/pet cozy story. Characters are likable and exciting, with enough quirks to make readers smile and laugh. The pets, mostly poodles, will have you wanting to cuddle with your adorable pup or kitten or wanting to get one of your own to love. The evidence leads straight to the murderer, but not everyone will guess precisely what happened, who did what, or why until the end.

Lilly has several suspects on the run and comes up with a plan to catch a killer. The plan doesn't go quite the way she had hoped, but in the end, the killer is caught, and Lilly's new pet, Rex, is safe and sound. The cast of returning characters and animals in this book brings interest, action, and moral support. The location is a setting built for mystery, murder, and dogs. Readers will be thrilled with the plot, the writing, and the ending. I am happy to recommend Paw And Order.

A fun series from V.M. Burns that features great characters and adorable poodles. Lilly Echolsby, an accountant, works for a museum that has agreed to host an event that Lilly's best friend Dixie is organizing to raise money for a poodle rescue. A guest is murdered at the event, and Lilly feels partially responsible for helping to solve the crime because it happened at her work. Also, her best friend is involved. This isn't the first murder that Lilly has been involved with and along with her friends and her daughter Stephanie, they try to figure out who committed the crime. The victim was very wealthy and has a mysterious past so there are several motives for his murder and just as many suspects. I always enjoy this series and this was no exception.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love this series. This is book seven and one of the best so far. Chet, our canine hero tells the story of Bernie and Suzy's romantic reunion in Washington D.C. She's enjoying her new job but thinks she might be writing her news story about something much bigger than she anticipated when her source is murdered and Bernie is arrested. Chet is his usual investigative mode and helps save the day. Lots of twists and a great story line. It's fun to hear how Chet deducts and thinks when his main concern revolves around his food. Great read.

Prose (Story): Book four in V.M. Burns's popular Dog Club cozy mystery series finds Chattanooga's newest amateur sleuth, Lilly Echosby, donning her deerstalker again when uber-rich dog aficionado Archibald Lowry is murdered at her friend Dixie's charity event (which happens to take place at the museum Lilly works for), and Lilly subsequently becomes custodian of his favorite pet poodle ... whom other, more malevolent forces also have their sights on.

Don's (Review): Somehow, some way, I bonded with Lilly Ann Echosby from the minute I met her on the page. I get the same warm, hot-chocolatey feels reading her novels that I get every time I watch an old episode of "Murder, She Wrote" - and actually, feel just as squishy for her friends like Dixie and BJ and Dr. Morgan, daughter Stephanie and potential son-in-law Joe, and of course Red - Lilly Ann's cop boyfriend. All of the above, happily, are featured here along with a slew of new suspects - er, characters - and the mystery surrounding whodunnit in the stabbing murder of Archibald Lowry is well-paced as Lilly, along with her visiting daughter and gang of Watson-like friends, unpeels the layers of what ends up being the darker-than-expected eccentric millionaire's past, while getting closer to the truth. Indeed, another hallmark of the series is that the books are short, quick reads, trimmed of fat so that the mystery moves along swiftly, clues and red herrings leading us - in this case - to one of the better, more suspenseful finales I've read in a cozy in awhile. A solid mystery, but with this series what makes me always come back as much as the puzzle is the extremely likable, life-like cast of characters in Lilly Ann and her world; the humor and heart they bring that makes you wish they were friends of yours in the real world. 4/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Paw and Order: A Dog Club Mystery
By V.M. Burns
Lyrical
September 2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

Former Indianan Lilly Ann Echosby has fully embraced her new life in the heart of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her Southern Belle best friend Scarlett “Dixie” Jefferson has introduced Lilly to the rewarding world of dog shows and dog training, with the real treat being her adoption of the adorable toy poodle Aggie. Naming her furry companion after favorite mystery author is only one aspect of Lilly’s appreciation for the genre that has influenced her life, as the dog class led by Dixie have enmeshed them in more than one murder investigation. Their latest case occurs just after the Eastern Tennessee Poodle Rescue Association’s fundraiser, when uber-rich eccentric Archibald Lowry is found murdered during the event. Worried that her suggestion of the Chattanooga Museum as the site of the fundraiser could jeopardize her job, her fellow dog club members encourage Lilly to once again use her knowledge of mystery novels to help her solve a real case.

As the Poodle Rescue Association Fundraiser weekend continues, Lilly and Dixie have the chance to delve into the mysterious past of the reclusive billionaire. The source of his funds is as unknown as the man’s origins, although it’s not long before his Scottish relatives arrive to mourn; and perhaps get their share of the inheritance. When Archibald’s poodle Indulf is nearly kidnapped and then her own home broken into, Lilly begins to wonder just whom the murderer sees as a threat. Fortunately for Lilly she has the unwavering support of handsome Tennessee Bureau of Investigations agent Dennis “Red” Olson, as well as her visiting attorney daughter Stephanie. When offers to buy poor Indulf - now renamed by Lilly as Rex after one of her other favorite authors – escalate, they must unravel the tangle of identities and past crimes that endanger Lilly and her family.

This fourth in the series continues to highlight Lilly’s growth and comfort in the new life she is building for herself in Chattanooga. The exploration of yet another facet of the dog world is always fascinating and a delight, and never judges the indulgences that humans give to their furry companions. Just as compelling is Stephanie’s confusion as she is torn between her career and her long-distance relationship with Indiana police officer Joe Harrison, whom she believes is demanding that she choose between the two. Stephanie can’t help but compare her relationship to her parents’ and how theirs ended in divorce, or that Lilly gave up her life for her husband’s. Lilly’s advice is sympathetic and wise, and promises happiness for both their futures. Of course, the never-ending love for canines always center the novel, and when combined with an intriguing plot and great dialogue it delivers a fun and lively read.

I have read the other books in the series and enjoyed this one as much as I did the others. In this book, Lily’s friend Scarlett “Dixie” Jefferson has convinced a reclusive billionaire, Archibald Lowrey, to sponsor a fundraiser for the Eastern Tennessee Poodle Rescue. During the event, unfortunately, Archie is murdered, so Dixie and Lily set out to figure out who murdered him. Archie has a tiny toy poodle, which Dixie convinces Lily to foster until things get straightened out and the poodle finds a home. For Lily it is love at first sight—as well as for her own toy poodle Aggie, and the little dog soon becomes an integral member of the family. As Lily and Dixie delve into the event, they find that things are not really what they seem. No one can figure out where Archie got his money. He has hired ex-cons to be his chauffeur and housekeeper. Even his model-good-looking lawyer raises questions. In the middle of all this, Lily’s daughter Stephanie comes for a visit to think through what she is going to do about her beau, Joe. Likewise, Archie’s murder brings Lily’s own beau, Red, the Tennessee law enforcement officer, into the story, as he is in charge of the investigation. Needless to say, Lily and Dixie get deeper and deeper into the mysterious death and find clue after clue about what exactly happened, as they move toward a solution to the problem at hand.

As I said, I enjoyed this one as much as I have enjoyed the other books in the series. I find Lily and Dixie quite realistic and likeable, despite any minor flaws each may have. I also like the way the author incorporates the dogs into the story, not as props, as many other authors do, but as major players in the story. The plot for this one was well-done and interesting to follow. As always, the dogs were show-stealers, and, as I said, were a big part of the story. This is definitely a good book for dog lovers, or anyone who likes to read about dogs in a real-time situation. Or, if you just enjoy a good cozy, this is for you. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

I enjoy this series so much! The characters are interesting, and the mysteries always keep me guessing until the end. Plus there's poodles and it's set in my home town, Chattanooga.
I highly recommend this book and the series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

Paw and Order is the fourth book in V.M. Burns’ Dog Club Mystery series. The storyline is well plotted, and the well-developed characters are affable. The story flows at a steady pace, with humorous moments, and an interesting mystery with enough twists and red herrings to keep the reader engaged and guessing. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys reading a well-crafted cozy mystery.

Lilly Ann Echosby and her toy poodle, Aggie, are settling into their new life after deciding it was time for a fresh start and moving from Lighthouse Dunes, Indiana to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where her best friend since college, Scarlett “Dixie” Jefferson, a dog trainer and dog show judge, lives with her husband, Beau, and two champion standard poodles. Lilly loves her job as a temporary accountant at the Chattanooga Museum of Art and is dating Dennis “Red” Olson, a Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Officer. She has two adult children, Stephanie, a lawyer in Chicago who is dating Joe Harrison, a K-9 handler for the Lighthouse Dunes, Indiana police force, and David, a successful actor who lives in New York. Lily’s boss, Linda Kay Weyman, the museum’s executive director, agreed to host a fundraiser for the Eastern Tennessee Poodle Rescue Association’s fundraiser. When Archibald Lowry, a reclusive eccentric billionaire, is murdered at the fundraiser, Lilly agrees to foster his adorable toy poodle puppy, Indulf, who she renames Rex. Red knows he can’t stop Lily from getting involved with the investigation, so instead of telling her not to, he cautions her to be careful. Lilly, Dixie, Stephanie, and the members of one of Dixie’s training classes look into the death. Rex becomes the subject of an attempted dognapping, and two of A’s relatives try to buy him from Lilly. Stephanie and Joe are having some problems, so she and her golden retriever decide to spend a week with her mom. Joe and Turbo, his K-9 partner, make the trip to Chattanooga and help Red with his investigation.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This was fantastic! My only complaint is that a book so focused on poodles has another breed of dog on the cover. That really threw me. Otherwise, the characters, the setting, and the mystery here were all fantastic. I loved the human and dog characters in this - the author does a great job of integrating the dogs and their personalities into the story. The mystery was paced well and twisty enough to keep me guessing to the end. This is the first book I have read in this series, but I already have the first three books on my wishlist now.

This is a cute cozy mystery series - but I guess I am biased in the fact that this book deals a lot with poodles and I am already hooked on another series involving these lovable dogs and I just couldn’t help comparing the two. This book just couldn’t hold a candle to the other series. It’s entertaining enough, it just doesn’t have the extra flare I like. It’s a fast flowing read and I’m sure most readers will ultimately enjoy it.