You can never, every go wrong reading V. M. Burns books - The plot, characters, dogs, and writing style is what reading a good and excellent book is made of. You will need a comfortable chair or sofa, coffee, wine or your favorite liquor and dig in. You don't even need to know the plot, you will not stop reading it until you have gone thru 2 stories, yes, 2, plots. Just enjoy the ride!!!

The author gives us a well-crafted mystery that has plenty of clues, tons of twists, a handful of suspects, and plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing until the well plotted conclusion. The characters are well-developed and likeable, they each have their own personalities and flaws so they seem very life like and relatable. The story line is well-plotted and the story flows at a nice steady pace.

I've enjoyed watching the characters develop and grow since the first book, and it's nice to see that they don't let life's little setbacks knock them down they just keep going to turn a negative situation into a positive one that will make them stronger in the end. I like that the relationship between Lilly and Red is still growing and going strong and hasn't crashed and burned like they do in some other mystery series. I also like the direction that Stephanie and Joe's relationship is going and that they are thinking about making important decisions that will affect their personal and private lives. The one thing that I was tired of reading about was Lilly constantly second guessing her decision about closing on the sale of her house, she has lived in this house since book two and was all set to buy it until she had some financial issues and then suddenly she isn't sure that the house is right for her. I hope the author continues with this series so I can see what happens in the lives and relationships of the characters.

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

This is a cozy mystery, and this is the 5th book in the Dog Club Mystery series. I found the first part of this book a bit boring and slow moving. The ending was fast pace, and I loved it. I cannot say how much I loved the ending. I love the characters in this book. The characters came to life for me while I was reading this book. This book would be a four to five stars book if the first part of the book was not so boring or slow moving. Overall, This is a fast read and a good read. This is not the best cozy mystery series I have read, but it is good and worth the read. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Lyrical Press) or author (V.M. Burns) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

I just love this series! As a dog lover, it is right up my alley. In this book, Lilly Echosby has entered her dog in obedience competition. Her best friend and dog trainer, Scarlet "Dixie" Jefferson, is there with her at the competition. One of the judges turns out to be Dixie’s rival, which only irritates Dixie. When this woman is found dead, Lily, with the help of the other members of their dog club, must work to figure out what happened and who the real killer is, so Dixie will not continue to be their suspect.

As I said, this book was definitely right for me. It had the dog story I love as well as the “who done it” mystery part. I certainly hope the author plans more to come. The dogs, as always, were great characters/stars of the story. I felt like the whole group in the novel were old friends, who wanted to stop by and share some time with me. The characters were as well done as always. I especially liked the growing romantic interest between Dixie and Red. This is a book for those who are following the series or who just love dogs and mystery or any combination of the two. Once you read this one, I am sure you will seek out the others in the series. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Dog trainer Dixie Jefferson has set up a mock obedience competition to allow her students to get the feel of a real competition but one of the judges is not judging fairly. She is taking her long-time rivalry with Dixie to a new level when she disqualifies all the dogs associated with Dixie’s business. She goes so far as to award top honors to a dog that had clear disqualification behavior. The crowd voiced their displeasure as did Dixie. To settle things Dixie entered one of her retired poodles and the judge behaves abhorrently, even hurting the dog in full view of everyone. Dixie tries to put the whole event behind but when the judge is killed Dixie becomes the prime suspect because of the events of the day. Everyone rallies to support Dixie and her BFF Lilly Echosby is ready to do anything to find the real killer even when it tests her way beyond her limits.

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!

So many good things happen within these pages. Yes, I know there is a murder and the mystery was very well-plotted with a fabulous reveal and a true edge of your seat finish. I was almost out of my chair as the final moments played out. The dogs played a major role and I loved that!

In addition to the mystery, so many characters have amazing moments. I won’t go into depth because I don’t want to spoil anything but the smile on my face kept getting bigger with each event.

Now for the sad part. this is the last book in this series and I am just not ready to leave these characters. In fact, I put off reading this book because I knew it was the end. Ms. Burns has done an excellent job leaving the characters in a good place. Each book in this series tops the last. The characters are strong and it was always hard to pick a favorite. All the dogs found a place in my heart.

The series is ending on a high but deep down in my heart, I hope we get to visit Lily, Dixie, Red, Stephanie, Joe, David, Madison, and all the dogs again sometime in the future. I want to thank the author for 5 entertaining books and glad there is a new book in her Mystery Bookshop Series coming later this year.

If you have missed this series or gotten behind I encourage you to read them now. They should not be missed.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Sit, Slay, Stay is a great addition to this series! I always look forward to visiting Lilly and Dixie for several reasons. The mystery is excellent, the long-term friendship between Lilly and Dixie show the value of our friends, and Lilly’s move to Chattanooga gives courage to the faint of heart who want to start their lives over. This series is also a great place to learn about dogs, including training and showing them and the loyalty between human and canine. And, in between the serious subjects, it is funny, and reflects the joy of sweet Southern life.

Lilly has two toy poodles that she adores, a job she loves, a membership at a dog club, real friends, and a great guy in her life. She realizes how much her life has changed and that she has found her happy place. Lilly is part of Dixie’s dog training group. The group is having a mock trial to show the owners and dogs what to expect when going to a real trial in a couple weeks. Lilly brought Aggie to the mock trial. One of the judges, Naomi, decided at the last minute that she would not waive her fee for judging. Further, she disqualified every one of the dogs brought by Dixie’s class members; the first-place winner did something that was an automatic disqualification that Naomi overlooked!

Furious, Dixie went to have words with her in the office, but the only thing accomplished was Naomi insulting her more. Dixie then entered one of her beloved, retired champions. Unfortunately, Naomi judged Chyna, also, and treated the dog poorly, even purposely stepping on the dog’s foot. The crowd was very upset at everything Naomi did; when Dixie, the ultimate Southern belle, slugged Naomi, the crowd cheered. She further threatened to strangle Naomi if she ever touched one of her dogs again.

Naomi’s day didn’t get any better. Her stepdaughter came in and poured syrup all over her. A woman went to Naomi’s RV. June had learned that Naomi was having an affair with her husband and told her to stay away from him or she would kill Naomi.

Shortly before they planned to leave, Monica Jill, a woman from Dixie’s class, went back into the building and found Naomi dead. Dr. Morgan, the coroner, along with his dog, is also one of Dixie’s clients, and found Naomi had been strangled with a lead used with dogs in certain events. By the next night, the pressure came down for Red, Lilly’s boyfriend and an investigator with TBI, to arrest Dixie as the suspect in Naomi’s murder. Red will only be able to hold the director off for so long while they look for the real killer. Lilly helped solved several murders since coming here; this time she has to keep her friend from being framed for murder.

It has been a joy to see the characters grow through the series, especially Lilly. The woman who moved to Tennessee a year ago has changed. A lot. Her life is better than she dreamed it could be. She is grateful for all she has. This can be read as a standalone, as there is sufficient backstory on Lilly, Dixie, and boyfriend Red. In addition, this time we will get to watch Lilly prepare to meet Red’s mama and five sisters and their families. The romance does not overwhelm the mystery; the author achieves a perfect balance of mystery, relationships, and the dogs.

I particularly enjoyed this cozy mystery. I found it interesting to read more about showing dogs. It helps me understand more about the dog shows we see on television and gain a new appreciation for the love and dedication the owners lavish on their pets. The characters invited me in on the first page and kept me fascinated throughout. Plot twists keep the mystery moving quickly, especially as several people had good reason to want Naomi out of the way. I looked at a couple likely red herrings, but kept coming back to the same bad guys, at least until one of them was the next murder victim. The novel has a satisfying ending with loose ends tied up. I highly recommend it!

Great little mystery, lots of dogs (some named after mystery writers such as Aggie (Agatha Christy). If you're a dog lover like I am, you'll love this cozy story. There is a group that belongs to a dog club and they are in serious competition. The problem is something is wrong with how things are scored or judged. One woman comes for the competition and it turns out that she is a long time enemy / competitor of another woman there with her dog. One of the two women is murdered, so of course the other is the main suspect; however, those investigating know in their heart of hearts that the main suspect just can't be the killer...or is she? And if that was enough, that wasn't the only murder.

This was a fun, quick read and the mystery was good as well. I recommend if you like cozy mysteries, read this one.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for a free e-ARC in exchange for my opinion.
#SitStaySlay #NetGalley

This is the 5th and final book in the Dog Club Mystery series. I am sad to hear that it is ending as I have enjoyed every one of these books. I loved getting to know Lilly Ann and Dixie and all their family, friends, and dogs. In this story, the members of Dixie's obedience class are competing in a local dog show. Even though their dogs have all competed well, other dogs were awarded that did not deserve the win. It turns out that Naomi, the judge, has an issue with Dixie. Of course, when she ends up dead, Dixie is definitely a suspect. As the case is investigated, it seems that there are so many people who had issues with the victim that the suspect pool is huge. There are a lot of red herrings and clues to follow along the way. Lilly, Dixie, their families, Red (Lilly’s Tennessee Bureau of Investigation boyfriend), and all the Dixie Pack members rally together to locate and trap the murderer. With this being the last book, I thought V.M. Burns did a great job tying up loose ends and giving us a satisfactory ending for all the characters in this story. I can't say enough about the animal characters in these books. They are as important as the humans and are usually integral to the solving of the mystery

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.

Settling into her life in Chattanooga, Lilly is thriving in her job, community, and relationship. Everything would be great if people would stop being murdered and her friends would stop being suspects.

I have heard that this may be the last book in the series. Valerie wrapped it up nicely but I really want this series to go on forever. I adore the cast of characters and plots of every book.

If you have not read this series, I highly recommend it. It is quick and entertaining and easy to binge.

I have both the digital copy awarded By Netgalley in return for an honest review and the audio version of this book.

Oh my, had forgotten what a great series this is. Think this one's the best, yet. Full of who done it, friends, poodles and other pups, a a hint of romance. Read it, you'll love it!!!

Lilly Echosby is starting over in Chattanooga, Tennessee with her two Poodles, Aggie (named for Agatha Christie) and Rex for Rex Stout. She’s built a network of good friends in her local dog club and is even getting ready to buy the house she’s been renting.

Then her best friend Dixie is accused of murdering a judge at their local dog show. While Dixie had lots of reasons to dislike the victim and even got into an altercation with her, she didn’t commit the crime. Lilly and the club members spring into action to help clear Dixie.

Sit, Stay, Slay is the fifth in a series and it read very well as a stand-alone. The characters are interesting, multi-faceted and they interact easily and like real friends do. There are some cool canine companions, too. The mystery was developed well with twists and turns and the plot builds smoothly. The story moved along at a good pace and kept me coming back.

This book is the fifth book in the series. I choose to read this book because I've enjoyed the author's other books. I haven't read the other books, so I can't say whether they need to be read before this book. I did enjoy the flow of the book, and enjoyed the pace of it. I especially loved the friendship aspect of the story, as well as the theme of family and community. It also has a touch of romance for us romance fans. It was an enjoyable read.

Sit, Stay, Slay, the fifth book in the Dog Club Mystery series is an absolute delight! Author V. M Burns manages to capture the cadence of Southern living, the warmth of friends and family, and the endearing cuteness of a variety of dogs, all the while treating us to a fun and engaging mystery.

Lilly Ann Echosby and the other her members of her dog obedience class participating in a mock competition find themselves the victims of a particularly harsh judge with a grudge against their instructor (and Lilly’s best friend), Dixie. Shortly thereafter, the competition judge is murdered, and Dixie is the prime suspect. Lilly, Red, and the crew are on a mission to clear her name.

What I love about this book are the characters – both human and canine. Lilly is not only an amateur sleuth, but she is an accomplished CPA. It is nice to see her at work, and her boss, Linda Kay, is a great secondary character. Lilly’s son and daughter have both come for a visit, and I really enjoy the family dynamic. Lilly’s relationship with Red, too, seems to be developing nicely. Dixie, with all her Southern charm and sass is always a hoot. That she was named a suspect really intensifies the story. Not to be left out are the dogs. Lilly’s dogs, Aggie and Rex, are charming, and I thoroughly appreciate learning about the world of dog shows. As for the mystery itself, the endless twists and turns and intersecting suspects kept me guessing until almost the end. And what an ending it is! The breathtaking finale has Lilly facing – and conquering – one of her biggest fears.

Sit, Stay, Slay is a fun, entertaining, and suspenseful mystery featuring relatable characters and loveable pups. And at just over 200 pages, it is the perfect read for a relaxing afternoon. Can’t wait to read more of this wonderful series.

Note: I received an ARC of Sit, Stay, Slay from NetGalley and Kensington Books. The above is my honest review.

Sit, Stay, Slay by V.M. Burns is a fantastic cozy mystery. I love the dogs in the story. The characters are well rounded and the mystery is well done.

Reading this book was bittersweet to me, because I know it's the last book of this series, which makes me really sad, but I thought the author did an incredible job of creating nice endings for all my favorite characters. I would absolutely love it if the series could be revisited down the road a few years. I won't give anything away, but my statement will make more sense after you've read it too!

The showdown was like the mother of all showdowns! Lilly faced one of her worst fears and came through like a champ! I was so proud of her, I wanted to hug her myself! And those awesome, sweet dogs...well I just can't say enough good things about her and Dixie's dogs, but they're all heroes. That's something else you'll see when you read the book. Every good thing I could have wanted in a last in series was there!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Sit, Stay, Slay
By V.M. Burns
Lyrical
December 2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

Although she is a relative newcomer to the Dog Show world, recent retiree Lilly Echosby is enthusiastically dipping her toe into the complicated field of professional dog competitions. It’s why she’s heart-broken when her entire dog club fails to qualify for what was to a mock trial for her and her toy poodle Aggie (named after Agatha Christie, of course). Lilly’s best friend and obedience dog trainer Scarlet “Dixie” Jefferson is infuriated, especially knowing that their disqualification at the Eastern Tennessee Dog Club’s building was very personal. Guest judge Naomi Keller has been a rival of Dixie since they were in high school, battling over cheerleading titles, boyfriends, dog shows, and even husbands. As protective as Dixie is of her reputation and her students, that pales in comparison to the love she has for her canine companions. So when Naomi attempts to sabotage the trial and maliciously steps on Dixie’s champion poodle Chyna’s paw, it’s an instinctive reaction for Dixie to punch out Naomi and threaten to strangle her if a dog is ever harmed again.

Unfortunately, when Naomi is found strangled to death political pressure has the police chief circling down on Dixie as the primary suspect. That’s even taking into account Naomi’s disagreeable personality, which means there is a plethora of alternative suspects. A stepdaughter who led the syrup-throwing protest at the dog show, furious wives, and a now-aware-that-he-was-betrayed husband all had more than enough motives for wanting Naomi dead. While her boyfriend Tennessee Bureau of Investigation officer Dennis “Red” Olson would prefer that his girlfriend not get herself involved in yet another murder, Lilly’s expansive knowledge for and love of mysteries means that it will be impossible to resist solving a puzzle that would also prove her best friend’s innocence. As her two adult children arrive for a visit, Lilly finds that together with her dog club members they have an arsenal of law enforcement, former military, and attorney resources at their disposal to prove the innocence of their dog trainer and pack leader.

This 5th in the series continues to delight both mystery readers and canine fans with its exploration of the fascinating dog show community. The exhausting amount of training that goes into the dog trials is shown to be far more challenging for the humans than the delighted canines. Disqualifying peeing, obedience and agility training, and how a lead differs from a leash all are details as integral to the competitions as they are to the murder investigation. The real joy for readers comes simply in spending time with these characters, who are as bonded to one another as they are to their pets. The new couples forming are a delight, especially as Lilly’s daughter and son find additional reasons for visiting their mother in Chattanooga. Filling out the setting are descriptions of the amazing meals they enjoy, including a visit to the very real and tantalizing Aretha Frankenstein restaurant. Lilly’s family and new life grows throughout these novels as she celebrates the closing on her new home, continues to bond with her toy poodles Aggie and Rex, and meets Red’s intimidatingly vast family. Lilly truly has found her happy place. This is a cozy mystery in every sense of the word, leaving readers feeling full of heart and anticipating the next chance to spend time with these charming, dog-loving friends.

Sit, Stay, Slay
Dog Club Mystery, Book #5
V. M. Burns
5 Stars

Synopsis:

When her best friend Dixie is suspected of killing a dog show judge, Lilly must bring one sick puppy to heel . . .

Tennessee transplant Lilly Echosby has two great loves: dogs and mysteries. So naturally she's named her poodles Aggie, after Agatha Christie, and Rex, for Rex Stout. Now that she has two dogs to manage, it makes sense to enter Aggie in an obedience competition—especially since her instructor is Lilly's gal pal, Scarlet "Dixie" Jefferson.

But when one of the judges for the competition turns out to be Dixie's high school rival, the dog trainer gets hot under the collar. When the woman is found strangled, Dixie becomes the number one suspect. With the help of the other dog club members, Lilly must find the real killer—before the next judge Dixie tangles with throws the book at her . . . (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Lilly and Dixie are the best of friends and they will do what needs to be done when they have a mystery to solve. They have some help from other members of the dog club that they belong to. It was also great to spend more time with Lilly’s son and daughter and see what is going on in their life.

The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and in my mind’s eye, it brought the book to life. The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

The characters in this series are what makes it special. They are all so varied and quirky and fun that even when nothing is happening with the storyline, it's still fun to read about them. I loved this book. It was a good mystery and the killer was a surprise. Really fun read!

Lilly and her friends are at it again. When a judge dies during a canine competition/exhibition, Lilly's best friend Dixie is brought in by the TBI and questioned. Lilly knows Dixie is innocent so she jumps right into the investigation to save her friend and to catch a killer.

Love this series so hard. Lilly, her poodles, and all the characters feel like old friends. I love catching up with them in each book. Plus it's set in my home town - Chattanooga.

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

Another great escape from the stressors we now face, this series is perfect. I first fell for it because of Dixie's poodles and then each dog added to the series made it even better. The main character, Lilly was in dire need of a new start when we first met her and her friend, Dixie, was her port in the storm. What a wonderful pair of friends/sleuths these ladies are. In this, the 5th of the series, Dixie is the one who needs Lilly's help along with the help of Dixie's Pack. The Pack has entered a dog show as a trial run but things soon turn sour when the judge disqualifies every single one of them. Turns out she has history with Dixie from childhood and along the way she came to hate Dixie and takes it out on The Pack. After a very public set-to, Naomi turns up dead and the police are ready to arrest Dixie and declare the case closed. It doesn't end there are Lilly, her boyfriend Red, (a detective with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) and the rest of The Pack set out to clear Dixie and track down the killer before Lilly and Dixie are added to the list of corpses.
This is a series that can be read out of order. It's perfect for cozy lovers who love dogs. If you are a purest about how dogs are portrayed in mysteries, these dogs are 'real' dogs and they are wonderful. With names like Aggie (Agatha Christie), Rex (Stout) and Steve Austin (Red's dog) well, I'm hooked.
The mystery is a bit slow at the beginning but it soon picks up speed and leads to a great ending. This series has earned its spot on my 'never to be missed' TBR list.
My thanks to the publisher Lyrical Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.