Kathy Manos Penn

Head to the Cotswolds this Christmas in Kathy Manos Penn’s cozy mystery, Whiskers, Wreaths, and Murder. The Christmas season is in full swing in the English countryside, despite the recent death of the Earl. His heir, an American with unpopular ideas for the manor house and estate, is killed in a suspicious car accident. Leta, a recent transplant from Atlanta, is on the case with other members of the Little Old Ladies (LOL) Detective Agency. I found this cozy mystery charming. With a wonderful eye to detail and the addition of cute cats and dogs (who Leta can communicate with, and prove to be invaluable to solving the crime), this book was the perfect addition to my Christmas reading. I found the characters entertaining and the mystery intriguing. And it was a quick read, perfect for the busy holidays. This book is the 3rd in the series, but I didn’t feel lost at any time. I look forward to more fun reading with the 10-book Christie and Dickens Mystery series.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)… (altro)

Lord Banjo the Royal Pooch is a fictionalized autobiography told by Banjo Penn – a golden retriever, Great Pyrenees, Australian shepherd mix – through his human mother, Kathy Manos Penn. When Banjo gets a DNA test back and learns about his Great Pyrenees ancestry, and learns that the Great Pyrenees were declared to be the Royal Dogs of France by King Louis XIV, Banjo decides to self-style himself as Lord Banjo, the royal ruler of the Penn household. Lord Banjo recounts how he interacts with the Royal Mum and Dad, Royal Groomer, Royal Critter Sitters, Royal Physician, and Puddin’ – the cat that also lives with Banjo. Lord Banjo must deal with being placed on a diet (according to Lord Banjo, he’s being starved without any consultation of the Royal Pooch!), and visiting the Royal Critter Sitters when Mum and Dad go on vacation without him.

Lord Banjo the Royal Pooch is a fun and entertaining book sure to appeal to children. The format of four chapters in a short book, blended with wonderful illustrations by Raw Spoon, makes this a great book for children just starting to read on their own. Banjo Penn (through Royal Mum, Kathy Manos Penn) creates a witty and humorous narrative that allowed me to get a peek into the royal life of Lord Banjo. He is very descriptive and doesn’t shy away from recounting not only the important events (trips to the Royal Critter Sitters, or being placed on that horrible diet), but he also tells how the simple pleasures of talking walks, or finding a cool spot to lie down are important to him. Lord Banjo also likes to blend history and facts into his narrative as well (naturally, as he is clearly proud of his Great Pyrenees heritage) and this was done in an informative and entertaining way. As a dog lover, I found this book a joy to read. I would recommend it for anybody who loves tales of dogs, especially for children just starting to read on their own.

Reviewed for Readers' Favorites… (altro)