Off the Chain by Janice Thompson is the first book in the Gone to the Dogs series. I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. There's no murder in this storyline. Instead there's a burglary at the Lone Star Vet Clinic. I found the characters to be very likable and well-developed. The idea of a pet rescue attracted me to this book. It was entertaining seeing things fall in line for Marigold to begin her pet rescue dream. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Cozies are my favorite genre and the premise of the vet tech wanting to start up a rescue sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, I found the writing to be juvenile. The characters were too dim witted to be likable- don’t get me wrong, I love cozies that make me laugh with quirky, fun characters but this just wasn’t it for me.

Off the Chain by Janice Thompson is one of those beachy dog mysteries I've come to expect in today's writing world. That may be a bit harsh, but her voice is very similar to other authors I enjoy: Dorothy St. James and Jackie Layton, for example, may do it better.

Having said that, I did enjoy this book. I would recommend it. The author knows her stuff about the veterinary world and the mystery was interesting. There are adorable dogs and the author drives home the need to care for, not only your pets, but your neighbors' as in donating to shelters and so on. The message is great and there is humor. I also liked the Texas feel.

I just might recommend those other two authors first--just keeping it real. Otherwise, these reviews wouldn't be honest.

I received this book free as part of the Celebrate Lit tour but was not required to give a positive review. The ideas and opinions are my own.

This was a cute and fun cozy mystery full of hilarious moments, endearing characters, adorable doggies, and a good mystery.

I loved the opening of the book. I was literally laughing out loud. Mari and Cassidy were quite the pair! We're first introduced to the friends as they're trying to rescue a dog from a drainage pipe. What followed was an entertaining comedy of errors and misunderstandings. They were both instantly likable. I loved Mari's passion for dog rescue and was really hoping her plans for her own rescue would come together successfully. Parker was a great guy. So helpful and always there when anybody needed anything. And I LOVED Grandma Peach! She was a hoot!

This was a lighter mystery, which I enjoyed. There was no murder to solve, but there was a burglary at the vet clinic that caused quite a bit of damage. There were plenty of suspects, and while I had my suspicions about the guilty party pretty early on, I was never a hundred percent sure.

There were some really sweet moments throughout the book, and I found myself smiling more often than not. This was such a feel-good story and I'm excited that it's the start of a new series. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one!

I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

This was a fun filled mystery for dog lovers! This story begins with Mari (short for Marigold) and her sidekick Cassidy who are rescuing a terrified pup from a drainage pipe when their car is stolen and they are intercepted by a kind, but suspicious police officer. On the way home from that escapade, they discover the veterinary clinic where they work has been burgled (not robbed). Can Mari figure out who did that? She tries but runs into a few scrapes on the way so she and Cassidy need to call on the other vet. tech at the clinic, Parker, for help. Parker to the rescue!
This was a Christian mystery with kindness and patience at the heart of every interaction and the grace that exudes some of those interactions became beautifully fruitful.

Off the Chain
By Janice Thompson
Series: Book 1- Gone to the Dogs series
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Rated: 2
Obtain: Borrow if you must
Back of the Book: “The Town of Brenham, Texas, Has Gone to the Dogs!
Curl up with your pup and sink into a delightful small-town mystery as riddles and rescues stack up in book one of a new cozy mystery series.
Marigold Evans’ first attempt at rescuing an abandoned pooch lands her in a drainage pipe in Brenham Texas. . .and almost in jail, until Parker Jenson comes to her rescue. Then a bad day only gets worse as the Lone Star Vet Clinic, where they both work, is vandalized and the list of suspects starts to climb. With the help of her fellow employees, Marigold sets out to simultaneously solve the crime, rehab the rescued dog, and help more dogs in crisis. But why would anyone continue to work against all their good efforts?
Impressions: I did not finish this book, in fact I could not get past the second chapter. Cozy mysteries can be fun but this was witless and nonsensical. The girls were empty minded and the cop was too. I couldn’t get past their unintelligent dialogue and called it a pass.
Quotes: None
I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here. For more book reviews go to: https://simplyannehere.wordpress.com

If you have been looking for a delightful cozy mystery, look no further. Janice Thompson pens a fun little story that will not only keep you entertained, you will find yourself falling in love with the fun little furry character included throughout the book.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it makes for a perfect read on a hot summer day.

Thank you NetGalley, Janice Thompson and Barbour Publishing for Off the Chain. This is my personal review.
Off the Chain is the first book in the series Gone to the Dogs.
I wanted to curl up and enjoy the book so much with me being a cozy mystery series lover, but this book did not hold me into the story.
Too much was happening that for me did not connect to make a smooth and enticing mystery. I did not connect with anyone in the book. I read it but just could not see myself wanting to continue reading and more books in the series.

There is a lot going on in this story. Mari is a vet tech with the dream of running a pet rescue. Her first rescue ended her up in the back of a police car and things went downhill from there.

This is a delightful story, sometimes heartwarming and sometimes humorous. There is a great cast of compassionate characters with a couple bad apples thrown in to round it out. I look forward to reading more about Mari's pet rescue efforts in the future. Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

** “Just have faith, Mari. A teensy-tiny seed of faith the size of a mustard seed. God will take care of the rest.” **

Janice Thompson delivers a delightfully fun and sweet book with “Off the Chain,” the first novel in the “Gone to the Dogs Mysteries” series.

Vet technician Mari has a dream to start a Second Chance Ranch for lost dogs. But when she attempts to conduct her first rescue — a dog in a drainage pipe — trouble finds her and the veterinary office where she works.

With the help of her coworkers, especially fellow vet tech Parker, can she find enough faith to chase after her dream?

Thompson fills “Off the Chain” with moments of laughter, tears and pure joy. She creates a world filled with great characters, especially the quirky Mari and compassionate Parker. Emphasizing faith, she also includes several great themes like God gives us the desires of our heart; being a rescuer for others; God is our rescuer (“He can go to the low places to drag us out, we can do the same for His creatures”); dealing with grief; and God works out circumstances for us.

Told with an almost Mitford-like tone, readers of small town stories, cozy mysteries and animal stories will love “Off the Chain,” which is due out July 1. The second installment, “Dog Days of Summer” by Kathleen Y’Barbo, is set to release in October.

Five stars out of five.

Barbour Fiction provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

OFF THE ChAIN by JANICE THOMPSON is a lovely “doggie” story and such a fun read, with great characters - both human and animal - a mysterious crime, several persons of interest who could have committed said crime, aome sweet romance and a clear Christian message.
Marigold Evans, vet tech at Lone Star Veterinary Clinic in Branham Texas, hopes one day to start Second Chance Ranch where the animals she rescues can be looked after until they are adopted. She has two best friends, Cassidy who is the receptionist at the vet clinic and co-conspirator in her first rather dramatic dog rescue, and Parker, who is also a vet tech and who is extremely kind and protective of his friends. Parker is a rescuer of people whilst Mari is a rescuer of animals. Mari’s Grandma Peach is quite a character with her interesting food philosophy and growing love life. Then there is also Mari’s crush on her boss Dr Tyler Durham…….
I highly recommend Off the Chain as a most enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

A book after my own heart, delightful, and full of good banter. Our main character is a girl who wants nothing more than to spend her life rescuing animals, and our first meeting is in the sewer, or drainage ditch. Mari, or Marigold, is still missing her recently deceased mom, but we meet more of her family and her Grandmother, the pie baker!

We have a mystery, with damage to the Lone Star Vet Clinic, there are a variety of characters and my suspicions went from one to the other, but was surprised when the answers start to fall.

Assumptions, yes, we all do that, and your going to find yourself doing just that, and maybe changing your mind!

Will Mari see what is in front of her eyes? Besides, the delightful pooch she rescued?

Such an enjoyable read!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.

An utter delight for a new series! Great story line with rich characters! A sheer delight to read. Curl up with your furry pet, something good to drink and settle in for a good time. Great start! Thanks #netgalley and #BarbourPublishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

I really enjoyed this first book in the Gone to the Dogs series. It flowed well and all the characters were likeable and well developed. Marigold Evans’ first attempt at rescuing an abandoned pooch lands her in a drainage pipe in Brenham Texas. . .and almost in jail, until Parker Jenson comes to her rescue. I was a bit surprised by the amount of God talk throughout but it wasn't to much. Overall I am looking forward to more adventures with Marigold in the future.
#OfftheChain #NetGalley

I loved Off the Chain and look forward to futures books in this series. Parts of the story are laugh out loud funny such as Mari and Cassidy's almost arrest while trying to rescue her first dog. Mari is determined to start Second Chance Ranch to save dogs who are often overlooked. The problem is she doesn’t have a ranch, money to buy one or foster homes in the meantime. Parts are very stressful as when the vet office is broken into. With lots of suspects will the mystery ever be solved? There is also a bit of unexpected romance within the story line. Throughout the story Mari focuses on God, and how he has never let down, knowing he will come through in unexpected ways and put people in her path to guide her. The book moves along at an excellent pace and kept me glued to reading from beginning to end. The characters already feel like friends and I am anxious to read what will happen next for them. This book will make a wonderful gift for any Christian dog lovers in your life. I highly recommend it and give it 5 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this first book in Barbour Publishing's Gone to the Dogs series. Marigold Evans is a delightful character whose heart for furry four-legged creatures endears her to the reader. As she works as a vet tech, she dreams of owning her own dog rescue. Right after she saves her first pup, she and her coworkers find the vet clinic broken into and vandalized. As they try to find the culprit, Marigold discovers who has her back and who is out to stop her. If you enjoy a fun read with delightful characters, you'll want to read Off the Chain. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Absolutely loved this book. I love cozy mysteries and I love dogs,so this book was perfect for me. I want to thank Janice Thompson and her Publishers for sending me an ARC copy of this book. I definitely recommend this book to anyone.

I’ve long been a fan of Janice Thompson’s books (her _Weddings by Bella_ series, in particular, is a hoot!), and jumped af the chance to read this one. Indeed, I ended up reading it all in one afternoon!

It’s a bit different than my normal read, in a good way: cozy mystery, and about pets first and foremost (but of course with the requisite romance, which I so enjoyed). And the faith element was great too. Grandma Peach is a riot!

A great way to while away an afternoon on vacation, with multiple literal-LOL moments. So glad to see there will be a couple more books in the series!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

"Off the Chain" is theoretically a cozy mystery. Actually, it's a romance with dogs, relationship dramas, and a mystery about who broke into the vet clinic. Marigold comes across as slightly out of touch with reality (to add comedy) and one of the first jokes is that her memory is so bad that she can't even remember to take memory-improving supplements, so she'd make a horrible sleuth. She didn't turn out to be as ditzy or forgetful as she's initially portrayed, but it's just as well that she's simply a kind, caring vet tech who wants to start her own dog rescue, help her friends, and who realizes she's been swooning over the wrong guy. So who solves the mystery? Well, they think they have it solved early on, so they don't bother to actively investigate. But the dogs can smell out the truth and eventually literally uncover the proof of wrong-doing.

The characters were likable, and both love interests were really nice guys who supported Marigold's rescue efforts. One was simply more interested in her than the other. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this humorous romance.

I'm glad the MC was less scatterbrained after the first few chapters. I found her very annoying to start. However, I ended up liking the book and the characters. The murder kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for me eARC in exchange for an honest review.