Another pawfectly lovely mystery!

This is the third of Y’Barbo’s books in this series I have read. Each one provides a different adventure with a different meme er of the veterinary clinic’s point of view. This time it’s the office manager.

Filled with heart, hope and faith, the story has us chasing our tails to uncover who is painting a white “z” on the dogs in town.

Enjoyable and fats paced, this was a great weekend read.

I've enjoyed this series from the beginning! It was a fun little cozy mystery that I couldn't put down!
Lots of excellent twists and turns that were well done. Some I never saw coming. Those are my favorite things about a book. It makes it that much more exciting, in my opinion.
Cassie had a lot going on, and I found myself rooting for her ever since she got caught in the middle.
I found myself loving Jason the game warden.

There's another mystery for the staff of the Lone Star Vet Clinic in Brenham, Texas and this may be the strangest one yet. Who is painting the letter Z on the dogs around Brenham and what is the reason? Cassidy Carter's work at the clinic and her passion for rescuing dogs prompt her to start her own investigation but she soon finds some opposition from a local game warden. Jason Cameron definitely has his own ideas about finding the answers and he doesn't give much credit to Cassidy's amateur sleuthing skills!

Dogs, romance, and intrigue make this a perfect choice for anyone wanting a fun and entertaining cozy mystery. It's a perfect addition to the Gone to the Dogs series and the good news is that there are more books ahead!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Dog lovers of the reading world, come take a look at this fourth book in the Gone to the Dogs cozy series. I heartily recommend The Bark of Zorro by Kathleen Y’Barbo and its three predecessors! While Bark can read alone, it will give a few spoilers if the books are read out of sequence.

I was thrilled to be returning to the little town of Brenham, Texas, and the Lone Star Vet Clinic, plus the Second Chance Dog Rescue that keeps several of the clinic’s workers busy in their off-hours.

This time we are treated to Cassidy Carter’s story. She is the office manager for the vet clinic, as well as one of Mari’s volunteers at the dog rescue. The mayhem, hilarity, and whispers of romance start when Cassidy is called upon to rescue a dog by herself, in the dark, from an area that she grew up dreading.

Jason is the by-the-book new game warden, with a few secrets. He may have movie star looks, but he seems to have less-than-stellar regard for Cassidy and her ways, where a rescue justifies the means. As the two appear to become an item, can their romance survive their individual philosophies and commitments?

I loved that I was guessing about the perpetrator all throughout the book. Y’Barbo creates some unique and quirky characters that are memorable, even though they aren’t the main characters.

I had fun imagining with Cassidy and Nora what their new place would develop into. By now, I almost feel like I would like to try to draw a map of Brenham, as Y’Barbo and her series co-writer have made it seem so fun and appealing.

Y’Barbo throws some curve balls you won’t see coming which help muddle the mystery. There are a few loose ends in my mind, but they may be answered in the (yay)! remaining two books of the series.

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

Featured on the Cozy Corner on Fresh Fiction in February 2023, It's a Dog's Day

Kathleen Y’Barbo, along with her Gone to the Dogs Mysteries that she co-writes with author, Janice Thompson was new to me, but the title and the cover grabbed me, the blurb did the trick to pull me in—and I earned the reward of a great mystery. The two authors take turns writing every other mystery, (this one is Kathleen’s second) and it read very easily as a stand-alone novel—that is a key ingredient for me since I read so much, following a story-line throughout a series can be a bit tough, but not with this series!
Cassidy Carter is a vet office manager and goes out on a call on a dark and stormy night to rescue a dog. (I was waiting for the boogie man to appear, and he didn’t disappoint—or did he?) She locates and rescues a dog with a Z painted on its fur and then learns of another very similar case with the letter Z on another dog—and the mystery takes form. Why in the world would someone do that?
For me a love interest adds another dimension to the story-line, and what better way than to throw in Texas game warden Justin Cameron who’s being followed around by reality television cameras? Loved it! Dating without a camera present is impossible in today’s world so it fit perfectly. It also added a few red herrings into the mix which gives every story more layers, but trust me, you won’t guess the who, or the why these animals are ‘tagged’ until our creative author decides to reveal it.
I have to say, it was refreshing to read a clean, intriguing mystery with no blood to be seen. That is a challenge in today’s mysteries and Ms. Y’Barbo has earned a blue ribbon for her excellence.

The Bark of Zorro is book 4 in the Gone to the Dogs series. This one is written by Kathleen Y’Barbo. The series is written by multiple authors and each book is another employee of the Lone Star Vet Clinic’s story. This is office manager Cassidy’s story.

While on a rescue alone on Valentine’s Day she finds a stray dog with a Z painted on their fur. Puzzled she mentions it to the team at Lone Star Vet Clinic and to Game Warden Justin Cameron. It’s another mystery to solve!

Justin and Cassidy start investigating and start dating. I loved seeing Cassidy grow throughout the book. She has a huge heart and is well liked. I also loved all the Scooby Doo references since I loved that show growing up. (Scooby was my favorite character)

I love this cast of characters. I have loved getting to know them and seeing them in each book. The book is well written and you’re pulled in immediately to the story.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

The Bark of Zorro is a fun, cozy whodunnit story with a central focus on dog rescue! (Can’t go wrong with that!)

Cassidy works at a vet office and volunteers at a dog rescue, which shows her heart. I liked her from the beginning and rooted for her to solve the “Z” case. I love that the mystery isn’t predictable, and the romance was light and sweet.

It took me a bit to warm up to Jason, as he was a bit grumpy, yet I had an underlying hope that he and Cassidy could work together…and more.

If you enjoy lighthearted, clean, and fun stories with tender elements of faith and romance, this is a great choice. And if you’re a dog lover, that’s an extra plus!

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

This is a sweet cozy mystery. No violence, just an easy and delightful mystery to solve. There is a little romance included between Jason, the game warden and Cassidy. It's a bit testy. Cassidy says Jason is black and white and she is a rainbow. What a great comparison. I have to admit, Jason was a bit controlling for me. Kudos for Cassidy showing at least some patience with him.

There is some humor too. I laughed at the beauty shop scene. And since it is about dogs with mysterious symbols painted on them, it is a fun novel for dog lovers. The mystery is solved pretty quickly near the end with information added at that point so we didn't get a chance to figure it out ourselves. Nonetheless, a delightful and fun cozy mystery.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

The Bark of Zorro was a sweet read. As a Texan, this book is very relatable. As a Christian, I was proud to have a book that had a clean romantic relationship, but also mention God in the positive light He deserves.
My only real criticism would be the dialog. It left me wishing there was more into the conversations.

Having enjoyed Gone to the Dogs books #2 and #3, I was eager to read the next book in the series. I have yet to read the first book, but I’ll get there someday hopefully soon. The story centers around a vet clinic and those who work there as well as a dog rescue where many of them volunteer their efforts, it’s almost like an extension of their job. The team gets along well and they’ve become very busy as their clientele has grown recently.

There’s a new rescue that was captured in the darkness of Valentine’s Day thunderstorm by the pet clinic office manager, Cassidy. The dog she was able to rescue had a mysterious white “Z” painted on it. She takes the dog home, cleans up the muddy pup, and names him Spot. This rescue takes a life of it’s own when Cassidy finds herself in the middle of a reality show with the new and quite handsome game warden.

This game warden happens to be the younger brother of one of the veterinarians recently hired at the pet clinic, one Cassidy has had a crush on since she met him, but she just wasn’t fond of his main topic of discussion, golf! He quickly becomes overprotective of Cassidy and makes sure she gets home safely after late nights at work. Their first date is at an Italian restaurant where the couple makes pasta from scratch with he instruction of their chef. What an experience that must have been!

A few more reports of dogs on the loose with “Z” painted on them are on the rise after an article about Spot is published. Cassidy and her dog rescue friends are on the case while the game warden is trying to solve it without their interference. There’s a list of suspects that are related to these various dogs and neighboring areas and unusual events.Will they be able to figure out who’s behind all this?

This is a series that I’ve enjoyed so far and I’m impressed with all that happens in these stories. It’s creative and unexpected. And I give this story 5 out of 5 tiaras because of how engaged I got as a reader. This was a book I had a hard time putting down! Special thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for access to this work. Bravo!

Fun and full of adventure

There is lots of adventure as Cassidy who works for a Veterinary Clinic finds a dog on a dark, rainy night out in nowhere. Game Warden Justin questions her about breaking into a locked fenced area to find the dog and she thinks she may be arrested. Cassidy finds that the dog has been painted with the letter “Z” and the search is on to find out who is doing this, especially after other dogs are found in the same condition.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Her writing reminds me of one of my other favorite authors, Christy Barritt. You will find adventure, suspense and romance along the way.

I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing and Net Galley and was under no obligation to post a review.

I don't know how to include links, but I sent the review to Amazon.com and Christianbook.com

If you are a dog lover and have not yet picked up one of the Gone to the Dogs mysteries, you are missing out. In The Bark of Zorro by Kathleen Y’Barbo, dogs are turning up with painted letters on them, and the gang at the Lone Star Veterinary Clinic are on the case.

This book features Cassidy who is the office manager and Mari’s best friend (if you are new to the series, Mari’s story is book one). I loved the dynamic between Cassidy and Jason (and especially their introduction). You’ve got the no-nonsense rule-follower Jason and the independent, sometimes rule-breaker Cassidy. I also appreciated that Cassidy’s love interest wasn’t the person I thought it was going to be based on hints in the previous books. Although, there is a connection there.

My one complaint about this book was the mystery. There were plenty of suspects but not a single crumb pointing to the person actually behind the incidents. This made the reveal more frustrating than satisfying (at least for me. I like to at least be on the right trail.).

Other than that one little blip, I think this was my favorite of the series so far. There are two more women at the clinic to get their stories, and I look forward to both.

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.

The Bark Of Zorro
Gone To The Dogs, Book #4
Kathleen Y’Barbo
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Who Is Spray Painting the Dogs in Brenham, Texas?

Cozy up with your favorite pooch and unwind with a small-town mystery in book 4 of the Gone to the Dogs series.

Strange happenings are afoot in Brenham, Texas, as dogs start showing up at the Lone Star Veterinary Clinic with a Z spray painted on them. The cops blame pranksters, while pet owners are blaming each other. Receptionist Cassidy Carter uses her social media expertise to try to get the culprit caught on camera, but Texas game warden, Jason Cameron, thinks online media attention is the last thing this case needs. It’s bad enough he’s currently being followed around by reality TV cameras. When Cassidy’s post goes viral, more dogs are found painted and her new home gets marked with a big Z too. How could her good intentions have backfired so badly?

Gone to the Dogs series:
Off the Chain by Janice Thompson
Dog Days of Summer by Kathleen Y’Barbo
Barking up the Wrong Tree by Janice Thompson
The Bark of Zorro by Kathleen Y’Barbo
Every Dog Has His Day by Janice Thompson
New Leash on Life by Kathleen Y’Barbo (Amazon)

Review:

Dogs in Brenham, Texas, are being targeted by having a “Z” painted on them. The folks at Lone Star Veterinary Clinic plan to figure out who is doing it and why. Join them as they try to solve the mystery while keeping the clinic up and running. And spend some time with all the animals.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and the description pulled me into the story from the very beginning and took me on a fantastic journey. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery of who was painting the dogs was a good one and it took awhile to figure it out.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well plotted mystery. The animals are a plus.

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

This was another sweet addition to this cute cozy mystery series that so far hasn't had any murder, but it's always a good mystery. I'm enjoying how the characters have had turns being the main character and first person narrator of the story. This time it was Cassidy Carter, the vet clinic's receptionist and Mari Evans's best friend.

It was a good, twisty mystery as well as super sweet when Cassidy found a nice guy as well as an awesome new home. There was a good side mystery about the building Cassidy and her friend Nora were buying, but that was resolved nicely too. I'm eager to see Cassidy and Jason enjoy a nice relationship. Now she's got someone to go to Mari's wedding with!

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

I enjoyed the book, even though I hadn't read the first four of the cozy mystery series, Gone to The Dogs.

I really enjoyed Cassidy Carter, who is the main character. She was fun, entertaining, and smart single woman. She works for a Lone Star Veterinary Clinic, as a office staff, and also as a volunteer at Second Chance Ranch Dog Rescue. On Feb 14th, Valentine's Day or as Cassidy keeps reminding us, National Singles Awareness Day, she is called out in a rain storm on a rescue. This is her 1st night rescue alone and driving the rescue van. Her choice to go out in a rain storm on a rescue starts a bunch of events into motion that snowball quickly. It all starts with the dog rescue and the letter Z.

I was a bit sad that the mystery was not one that we could have solved, because you get some of the clues but not all. However, it was still enjoyable and not boring. It was a clean, cozy mystery and this would appeal to those that desire a fun, lighthearted, cozy mystery with a bit of romance. The book was a little long, but I was hoping for more of the whodunit aspect when I started the book. However, if you want light and relaxing it was perfect for that and will leave you thoroughly happy with this mystery.

When you are looking for a light book, I would highly recommend this book. This was my first but won't be my last of the series. I look forward to back tracking and reading the first three and any future books in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

5 stars, Who did it?

THE BARK OF ZORRO
by Kathleen Y'Barbo

This cute mystery centers around a secretary in a veterinary clinic and her boyfriend, a game warden.

Someone has taken to spray painting on local dogs. They try to get to the bottom of the mystery. This series is stand-alone and can be read in any particular order or all together.

Highly recommend. #romance #mystery #inspirational #cozymystery

#GoneToTheDogsSeries
Book1: Off the Chain
Book2: Dog Days of Summer
Book3: Barking up the Wrong Tree
Book4: The Bark of Zorro

I thankfully received a complimentary copy of #TheBarkOfZorro from #BarbourFiction. I was under no obligation to post a review.

Another cute cozy mystery in this series set in Brenham, Texas and centered around dog rescues.

In The Bark of Zorro, veterinary office manager and dog rescue volunteer Cassidy goes out on a rescue in the dark and rain. She makes the rescue and then discovers there is a large "Z" painted on the side of the dog. Unraveling the mystery was a twisted road. Along the way, Cassidy meets Jason, a Texas Game Warden, who also wants to solve the case.

Loved the Scooby Doo mystery references and the area/historical details the author added in to the novel. Small town Brenham is home to Blue Bell Ice Cream, a beloved favorite in Texas.

I look forward to the next in the series.

Z Marks the Spot!

Cassidy is alone on a very dark, stormy night in a deserted area looking for a stray dog. She is a volunteer at the local dog rescue, along with the office manager of a veterinary clinic.

Flashes of lightning reveal the dog who is scared and wet. Cassidy scoops the dog up, gets in her van, and takes off before a creepy figure in black catches up to her.
While cleaning Spot, as Cassidy names her, she discovers that someone put a lot of white paint on the animal. Cassidy is so incensed by it that she vows to find the one behind it. Finding Spot also causes Cassidy to meet Justin, the handsome game warden, who comes to investigate her.

Justin is a no-nonsense lawman who tells her he will cite her if she attempts to drive since her license just expired. He also asks her out! Despite them having a great date, things start falling apart when more painted dogs start showing up. Cassidy wants to investigate and Justin thinks only the authorities should be involved. Will this cause their new relationship to fall apart? Red herrings and clues abound.

Humor and a serious mystery combine to make a fun, clean tale. Lots of twists and suspects will keep you trying to guess who is behind it all. This story stands alone despite being part of a series, and includes the character's faith. You will enjoy this five-star book. It is recommended to fans of mysteries, contemporary stories, and fun!

Thank you, Barbour Publishing and NetGalley, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “The Bark of Zorro,” 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.

What a wonderful addition to the Gone to the Dogs mystery series. It's well written and holds your attention from the first page until the last. It has just enough suspense, drama, and twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. This is a great read that you don't want to miss.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

(very easily) 4 stars, personally.

Here’s a new trope for everyone: “He’s no nonsense, She’s full-of-nonsense (in the best way)”, or I guess we could call it the Grumpy/Sunshine trope, but I feel like my new trope fits better. :)


About this book:

“Who Is Spray Painting the Dogs in Brenham, Texas?
Cozy up with your favorite pooch and unwind with a small-town mystery in book 4 of the Gone to the Dogs series.
Strange happenings are afoot in Brenham, Texas, as dogs start showing up at the Lone Star Veterinary Clinic with a Z spray painted on them. The cops blame pranksters, while pet owners are blaming each other. Receptionist Cassidy Carter uses her social media expertise to try to get the culprit caught on camera, but Texas game warden, Justin Cameron, thinks online media attention is the last thing this case needs. When Cassidy’s post goes viral, more dogs are found painted and the clinic gets marked with a big Z too. How could her good intentions have backfired so badly?”


Series: Book #4 in the “Gone to the Dogs Mystery” series. Can be read as stand-alones, but would be most enjoyed if read in order. Reviews of Book #1 Here!, Book #2 Here!, and Book #3 Here!


Spiritual Content- A Scripture is quoted & read; Prayers & Thanking God; Mentions of God & having a faith; Mentions of prayers, praying, & thanking God; Mentions of churches, church going, & a pastor; A mention of a blessing;
*Note: A couple mentions of aliens.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blasted’, a ‘care one flip [for something]’, a form of ‘darn’, a ‘oh my gosh’, two ‘dumb’s, two ‘ticked off’s, four ‘idiot’s, and seven ‘stupid’s; Some sarcasm & eye rolling; Being threatened; Mentions of crimes, criminals, crime scenes, breaking the law, & arrests; Mentions of jails/prisons & jailtime; Mentions of a man almost getting hit by a car; Mentions of a funeral home & bodies; Mentions of graffiti/vandalism; Mentions of pranks; Mentions of an accident involved a dog & a dog going missing (all dogs are okay); A couple mentions of a drowning; A couple mentions of the possibility of a crook or murderer (Cassidy’s imagination); A couple mentions of being threatened; A couple mentions of hunting; A mention of someone possibly being killed by a taser; A mention of someone not appearing to be a serial killer; A mention of a possible hostage situation; A mention of lies; A mention of bullies (& them rhyming “Cass” with other insulting words); A mention of someone winning the lottery;
*Note: Mentions of TV shows, movies, actors, & fictional characters (Downtown Abbey, Scooby-Doo, Zorro, & Douglas Fairbanks); Mentions of social media sites & technology (Instagram, TikTok, Zoom, FaceTime, & AirTags); Mentions of singers & songs (Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, & Miranda Lambert); A few mentions of Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts; A couple mentions of two women arguing and one blaming the Democrats for dogs getting painted and the other blaming the Republicans (they conceded it could have been the Independents and then say it could be anymore painting the dogs);A couple mentions of fast food places (McDonald’s & Chick-fil-A); A couple mentions of newspapers.


Sexual Content- Two cheek kisses, a not-detailed kiss, five barely-above-not-detailed kiss, and a border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss; Embraces, Hand holding, & Nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of dates, dating, boyfriends/girlfriends, break-ups, & exes; Mentions of crushes; Mentions of a cute/handsome/gorgeous/hunky guy; A mention of a wink; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.

-Cassidy Carter
1st person P.O.V. of Cassidy
258 pages

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars

Here’s a new trope for everyone: “He’s no nonsense, She’s full-of-nonsense (in the best way)”, or I guess we could call it the Grumpy/Sunshine trope, but I feel like my new trope fits better. That said, I wasn’t sure how this couple would work out with his over-the-top protectiveness, but I really appreciate that they had to have an actual conversation about that. It was nice to see quick communication.

This really was a fun book, though! This whole series has been so much fun and I loved finally getting to know the sunshine of the Lone Star Vet Clinic, Cassidy, better. While the mystery elements weren’t my top favorite of the series, it still kept me engaged and wondering who had done it. My only one nitpick would be that I do wish there was more faith content as this book was on the lighter side in that regard, but overall it was a really enjoyable and clean read!


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-bark-of-zorro-by-kathleen-ybarbo.html?m=0


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Barbour) for this honest review.