As anyone who has read my reviews regularly surely knows by now, I'm a sucker for a book with a dog. Even more so if that dog happens to be a corgi. Yet, I hesitated to request this book for review. It wasn't that I thought it wouldn't be good, it's reviews are top notch, but it's "darker" than my usual mystery choice, cozies. Heck, I don't recall if it was a blurb or part of one of the reviews I scanned but it even clearly says this one isn't for those who prefer their mysteries light and cozy. Yet, having lived a decade plus with a corgi mix, I began to notice that my Daisy seemed to share many of Percival Hoover's traits. Intelligent, judgemental, sees all and knows all, stubborn and grumpy but yet with a sense of humor and quirky sense of right and wrong, with me the one usually not living up to her high expectations. She also came from a shadowy background that I never fully knew or, for that matter, maybe didn't want to know. So, here I am. Having read this amazingly book and writing a review.

Yes, much to my surprise, I was fully into the book from the beginning. I'll note that had I not read the blurbs and a handful of reviews, the prologue would have lured me in without me realizing that the main character is a dog. An amazing dog, true, but a dog. You're only stopped short when you become aware you've read the word "paw" and not "hand", How did Percival become not just a talking dog but a detective. Beats me. It is what it is, bottom line, and no real explanation is given. If you're like me, it won't matter, however. You'll find yourself invested in the story and description of Percival's home with specific to his needs accommodations, including clothing that sounds quite Holmes-like. You'll also discover that although we don't learn much this go-round, there is something in his past that seems to send him spiraling. I found it interesting to see how he manages his demons. Then, as you'll discover, he knows one of the orphan victims although it isn't clear why or how. "His Chloe", he remembers.

While contending with his own demons, Percival seeks justice for the two victims that the police seem determined to label as accidental deaths. Percival is a firm believer in the idea that people seem to feel putting a name to something somehow makes it less of a problem, hence his reaction to the label. Don't get me wrong, there is humor here, too, with the focus on Percival's rather dry wit, so you may find yourself laughing one moment and feeling heartbroken the next. 'The focus is as much on the way social institutions operate, more for the ease of operation that humanity, as the actual crime. Gotta protect one's reputation, you know. Stiff upper lip and all that. An interesting aspect of the investigation is seeing it from Percival's perspective where he sees even the smells his canine nose picks up as colors. Again, all this is simply the way it is and you come to accept it easily. It's not a gimmick. It's simply an investigative tool he uses.

The town of Bellwick itself could be considered a character, too, with it's quirky and lovable and not-so-lovable characters who simply accept Percival as he is. It contributes to the overall mood of the story. The pace is steady and it's likely you'll wind up finding Percival Hoover one of the most complex sleuths you've read as the suspense builds. I'm being deliberately vague, sorry, but you'll understand why I'm so reluctant to share much as you read. Thanks to the author and #NetGalley for making this book available to me. I definitely won't hesitate to pick up the follow-up as I've grown fond of Percival and want to know more. I somehow think my Daisy would approve of his grumpy humor. Grin.

I absolutely loved this book and I loved Percival so much I would absolutely love to meet a talking Corgi and even better he’s a detective. I loved how we got to know how Percival lives his life. I also loved how he was there for the kids in the home and how he wanted to do everything he could to find out who had been involved with the kids dying. I also loved how Percival had people who were there for him so that if he needed help all he had to do was phone them or go visit them and he got the help. I was also happy that the chief of police had his back and supported him. I throughly enjoyed this book from start to finish and I look forward to reading more about Percival and his detecting.

I would throughly recommend reading this book if love a good mystery with a really good story but also quirky characters and that also includes the main man.

I would like to thank Independently Published and NetGalley for this Advanced Readers Copy.