A KILLER RETREAT is Book two in the Downward Dog cozy mystery series by Tracy Weber. Although I haven't read the previous book in this series, I was still able to follow and enjoy the mystery. A KILLER RETREAT will appeal to dog lovers because German Shepherd Bella is a central character. Kate is a passionate dog owner and it's interesting learning about Bella's unusual medical condition.
I think yoga instructor and sleuth Kate is a flawed, and therefore very realistic, character. Likewise, the relationship she has with her boyfriend Michael is not perfect and more true to life representing the ups and downs all couples have. The drama brought to the story because of their relationship struggles, as well as the subplot involving Kate's friends, make an interesting diversion from the mystery without distracting too much from it. I think A KILLER RETREAT is a better story because Kate has such a great support system of loved ones.
Β As with most cozy mysteries, A KILLER RETREAT has a lot of light and humorous moments to balance out the death and danger. Having the main character under suspicion and trying to prove her innocence adds an extra feeling of intensity to A KILLER RETREAT. Tracy Weber does a good job of making the reader feel Kate's sense of anxiety and desperation. I love how the villains in A KILLER RETREAT are complex characters rather than cookie-cutter predictable ones. The clues scattered throughout the book kept me guessing right up until the very ending.
A KILLER RETREAT is a cozy mystery with textured characters and some good story-telling. There are a lot of twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. I look forward to to reading the next Downward Dog mystery to see how things work out for Kate and Michael.
When Kate Davidson gets an offer to teach yoga classes to
wedding guests at the Elysian Springs resort, she jumps
at
the opportunity, even though it means being forced to
endure
the wedding ceremony of the center's two caretakers.
Avoiding the M-word turns out to be the least of Kate's
problems when a wedding guest is found floating face-down
in
the resort's hot tub, shortly after a loud, public (and
somewhat embarrassing) fight with Kate. The police pick
Kate
as their number-one suspect, so she's forced to team up
with
boyfriend Michael, best friend Rene, and German shepherd
sidekick Bella to find the real killer. But they'll have
to
solve the murder before the police arrest Kate, or her
next
gig may last a lifetime--behind bars.
EXCERPT
This excerpt begins shortly after yoga teacher Kate
Davidson finds a body in the spa at an Orcas Island
resort.
The deputy separated the five of us, presumably to keep
us from synching our stories. After allowing me to change
into some dry clothes, he sequestered me in the centerβs
library and told me that βSergeant Billβ would take my
statement shortly. By βshortly,β he must have meant a few
days after Hades turned icy. I paced the small room for
well over an hour, reliving the morning and thumbing
through magazines I didnβt have the attention span to
read.
I should have practiced pranayama or done a few yoga
poses to calm myself, but I couldnβt seem to sit down.
All I could do was pace like a caged tiger, back and
forth, forth and back, thudding my tennis shoes against
the wooden floor in a dull, rhythmic cadence. Hopefully
being a trapped animal wasnβt my metaphorical future.
I froze.
The police couldnβt think I killed Monica, could they?
I had to admit, from an outsiderβs perspective, it didnβt
look good. I didnβt like Monica, that was no secret. My
fingerprints were all over her belongings, not to mention
the murder weapon. Iβd even been found yanking on
Monicaβs water-soaked body.
Oh, crap.
Back to pacing. Back and forth, forth and back.
Ninety panicking, fretting, foot-pounding minutes later,
the deputy knocked at the door. βSergeant Billβs ready to
talk to you now.β
He led me to Emmyβs office, which βSergeant Billβ had
commandeered for a makeshift interview room. Sweat
covered my palms and dripped down the back of my neck. I
felt like a paranoid teen on her way to the principalβs
office. I hadnβt done anything wrong, but I was convinced
Iβd be sent to detention, nonetheless.
βHave a seat Miss, um β¦β The man sitting behind Emmyβs
desk looked down at his notes.
βDavidson. Kate Davidson.β I hesitated, much too nervous
to sit. βIβd rather stand, thank you.β
His eyes met mine. βI said, have a seat, Miss Davidson.β
It wasnβt a request.
I sat.
While the sergeant reviewed his notes, I drummed my
fingers on the desktop and took stock of my future
inquisitor. He was short, no more than five-foot-six, and
his pants were held up by a belt approximately two sizes
smaller than his doughy middle. His receding hairline
accented a large, creased forehead.
Nervousness made me goofyβlike a dental patient who had
inhaled too much nitrous. I couldnβt suppress a giggle. I
was about to be grilled by the sergeant from Gomer Pyle.
He laid down his notebook and scowled across the desk.
βSomething funny I should know about? Personally, I donβt
think murderβs a laughing matter.β
I immediately sobered. βNo, of course not.β
βGlad to hear it.β He leaned back and smiled disarmingly.
βThis should only take a few minutes.β
He pretty much stuck with the basics at first. He told me
his name: βSergeant Bill Molloy, but you can call me
Sergeant Bill.β He asked me where I lived, why I was on
the island, what Iβd done that morning, and how Iβd
happened to come across Monicaβs body. His lilting,
almost melodic voice lulled me into a false sense of
security.
I conned myself into believing that Sergeant Bill was
just a good old boy, looking for the truth. Dad said I
should never lie to the cops, so I answered his questions
honestly. But I didnβt volunteer any information. My
recent altercations with Monica had nothing to do with
her murder. Why confuse the issue?
Sergeant Bill took copious notes, nodding and smiling
encouragingly. After fifteen rambling minutes, I
completed my spiel.
βWell,β he said, closing his notebook and laying down his
pen. βI think weβre about done here.β
βYou mean I can go?β It couldnβt possibly be this easy. I
never got away with anything.
He shrugged. βI donβt see why not.β
Relief washed over me like water in a warm shower. For
once, luck and the universe were on my side. I stood up,
eased to the door, and rested my hand on the doorknob.
Only two more steps and Iβd be free. My mind chattered,
nervously narrating each action in a silent monologue.
OK, Kate, youβre almost there. Stay calm and donβt blow
it. I took a deep breath. Turn the knob to the right. The
latch clicked and released. Open the door. The hinges
squeaked open; a cool breeze caressed my cheeks. As I
glanced through the doorway, the empty hall beckoned meβ
coaxed me toward freedom.
Step one foot forward, andβ
βYou know, thereβs only one thing I donβt get about your
story.β
The melodic lilt in Sergeant Billβs voice had completely
evaporated.
Tension spread from my toes to my scalp. I tried to
suppressβor at least camouflageβa mounting sense of
panic. I took a deep breath and turned to face him.
Sergeant Bill leaned forward, elbows on the desk, fingers
laced together. He didnβt look at all friendly.
I forced my lips into a smile and tried to look innocent.
βWhatβs that?β
βWhy is it that six different witnesses say you
threatened to strangle the victim this morning?β
Sergeant Bill wasnβt smiling anymore. Then again, neither
was I. We stared at each other in silence.
βWhy donβt you close that door and sit on back down.β
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