Kensington
Featuring: Lauren Savidge; Daphne Templeton; Gabriel Graham
384 pages ISBN: 1496707427 EAN: 9781496707420 Kindle: B071SK3VF9 Mass Market Paperback / e-Book Add to Wish List
Third in the Lucky
Paws Petsitting Mystery series is a
fun tale of a Winterfest in the town of Sylvan Creek.
PAWPRINTS & PREDICAMENTS are about to ensue. The setting is
between mountains, woods, and a lake. The weather looks set
to snow and doggie knitwear is selling fast. Daphne
Templeton runs a pet sitting business, and has a basset
hound named Socrates. She and her friends are out for fun, but
the news that Stylish Life TV network is filming events
doesn't meet with approval.
The producer Lauren Savidge and crew have been upsetting
people in town somewhat, and the local newshound is always
keen to report on fractious situations. Between simmering
tensions and the issue of jumping into the icy lake for
charity, Daphne finds herself on edge. The cold, murky
water hides a secret, and someone shrieks for help. Before
you can say hot rum punch, the town police detective,
Jonathan Black, an ex-SEAL, is investigating a probable
murder.
To add another string to her bow, Daphne is planning to
open a wholesome bakery store... sometime. She's working up
to it, testing recipes. Meanwhile she traipses around town
caring for pets, of all shapes and sizes. She fits in a
call to reporter Gabriel Graham, who claims he was a top
investigative journalist in Philly before buying the local
paper. Daphne is wondering what the story is there, I was
too, especially when he challenges Daphne to match wits
with him on resolving the murder issue. He's just rescued a
stray St. Bernard dog, but turns out he has no interest in
keeping such a big dog and palms him off on guess who.
I'm puzzled as to why Daphne took a doctorate in
philosophy, unused except to let her drop Greek musings
into conversations. How does this help the author Bethany
Blake establish her character as an amateur sleuth? The
degrees must have cost her a fortune, as well as the best
earning years of a young person's life, so how does she
intend to make the money back? Walking dogs? Maybe the
rationale was explained in the previous two books.
Admittedly Daphne's mother seems to be well enough off,
working as a real estate agent and dabbling in property.
The style of the book is also jarring; over seventy very
short chapters, which usually end on a dramatic note; words
like hurtling, disaster, scream, full speed; but the next
chapter just starts with something bland. I have to say I
got tired of the arrangement quickly. The story does
definitely take a turn to drama, so hang in there. A few
recipes are at the end of PAWPRINTS & PREDICAMENTS -- treats
for the furry friends. Enjoy.
The Tail Waggin’ Winterfest is the highlight of the season
in the famously pet-friendly Pocono Mountains town of Sylvan
Creek. But despite attractions like an ice sculpture
display, a dogsled race, and gourmet hot chocolate, Daphne
Templeton finds herself annoyed by TV producer Lauren
Savidge, who’s filming the festivities. She’s critical,
controlling, and as chilly as the January air. Daphne would
like to tell her to go jump in a lake—and as a matter of
fact, that’s exactly what they’re both going to do . . .
It’s the first-ever polar bear plunge in Lake Wallapawakee,
and Daphne and Lauren are among the eighty or so people who
charge into the frigid water to raise funds for animals in
need. Daphne makes it back to shore—with the help of a
mysterious St. Bernard—but Lauren is dragged out stone cold
dead. Now, with her trusty basset hound Socrates at her
side, Daphne intends to assist Detective Jonathan Black in
his investigation—whether he wants her to or not . . .
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