I'm not sure after this one that, were I living in this quaint town of Merryville, MN, I'd be having any events at Izzy's Trendy Tails Boutique. 2 books, 2 events at her shop, 2 dead bodies. The Moose lodge might not be as pretty, but I'd betting it's got better survival statistics.

What I didn't like about the book: Ghandi the guinea pig survives the winter! He's back! Oh, wait, he's gone again! Apparently he's going to be running through the series, in one shop door and out another. This is not really something to complain about, but I was looking for Ghandi's HEA and instead he's pulling a Born Free.

There's a thread running through the book concerning an endangered species of burrowing owl - I don't honestly know if these owls exist or not and the book isn't here for me to get the name and look them up but it doesn't matter; what I didn't like was the ultimate attitude about building a major development in the habitat of a critically endangered species: "We'll just move them". And apparently that's what was going to happen, since that's the last word on the matter. That left me vaguely pissed off at the end of the book.

I really liked the rest of it though; well written with well-developed, intelligent characters and a very well-plotted mystery. I didn't feel like the author telegraphed anything with her clues; I "got-it" just before Izzy did. I'd have preferred that Izzy didn't go around deposing the other characters as if she were entitled, but I did appreciate her full-disclosure attitude towards the police.

Speaking of police, there's a love triangle, sort of. Between Izzy, Sean and Jack, the police detective. I HATE love triangles, but this one is - so far - the least offensive I've endured for quite a while. There was no established relationship the author is trying to screw with here. Izzy is single and Sean and Jack are both putting their hat in the ring. I'm not sure I like Sean, but I am totally on board with Jack - for a cozy mystery, it had an excellent date scene between him and Izzy chock full o' romantic tension. It would be a nice twist against a cliche if Izzy didn't end up with her childhood friend.

A solid start and I'm looking forward to book 3. ( )

Groomed For Murder is the second book in the A Pet Boutique Mystery series.

Izzy and Rena are busily getting Trendy Tails decorated for a couple of weddings. Puppy nuptials are being planned for Pearl, a beagle, and Romeo, a greyhound. But first comes the wedding of Ingrid and Harvey. Ingrid is Izzy's mentor and landlady, her and Harvey are snowbirds and have returned to Merryville to have their wedding with their friends. Just as Ingrid is about to say "I do", Daniel Colona comes falling down the back staircase. Colona, who had been renting the second floor apartment, is dead from a gun shot. Then Aunt Dolly appears at the top of stairs holding the gun that apparently killed Daniel.

Izzy knows that Aunt Dolly couldn't have shot Daniel, so with her friends and family she begins her own investigation so that Aunt Dolly's name can be cleared and the wedding can once again proceed.

Daniel Colona is a bit of mystery man. About all they know about him is that he is a writer and is there to quietly write. As Izzy begins to look into what he is writing about, she soon learns that he is an investigative reporter and seems to have an interest in the construction that is going on with Hal Olson's construction site.
Also there are a couple of people who claim to know nothing of Daniel, but still, have had contact with him. Izzy will have her hands getting to solving the murder and being able to tie it up with a nice bow.

All the main characters are back from the first book. Rena, ever ready to help he business partner, might have romance in the future. And Izzy is torn between trying to renew an old flame with Sean and Jack the policeman. Once again Richard Greene is going to attempt to get Trendy Tails shut down. But will the feminine wiles of Aunt Dolly be able to solve the store?

Another fun story about life in Merryville, MN. Recipe included.

Will be watching for book #3. ( )