Reviews: The Dogwalkers' Detective Agency (3)

Honestly what’s not to like, unless of course you don’t like dogs! The first in a new cozy crime series and I foresee a runaway success. The main protagonist is Charlie Boardman and his staffy, Ruby, who manage to do what all dogs and their owners seem to do in fiction and that is find a dead body when out on their walk. A well written book with a satisfying plot and a wonderful group of characters.

Briefly, the body that Charlie and Ruby discovered was that of a local pub landlord. Together with a group of fellow dog walkers and their dogs Charlie decides to investigate the murder. Rather less expectantly, the police seem to be willing to cooperate and share information with this group of amateurs sleuths. Everything is going well until firstly Charlie receives an anonymous threatening note, then a second body is washed up on the beach.

A lovely easy read with a very good mystery element and a well hidden killer. Some great humour, particularly from Charlie’s friend Tess, whose own dogs, Rough and Tumble, were with Charlie when the first body was discovered. This is a charming but clever read which will be especially enjoyed by dog owners and lovers but even if that’s not you give it a go. Very entertaining.

The Dogwalkers Detective Agency by Michael Hogan is a cosy murder mystery and the author’s debut novel—and what a fun debut it is!
It definitely falls into the cosy crime category, but with short, snappy chapters that give the story an extra bit of tension. I actually found that made it quite a page-turner. This was such an easy read with a fantastic group of characters—honestly, I’d happily sit and have coffee with them all. They were caring, funny, and so believable.
The book had a witty edge too, and there were plenty of moments that made me chuckle. As detectives, the group was a little haphazard, but that’s exactly what I loved about them. They felt real and endearing, like friends muddling through rather than professionals with all the answers.
Now, I’ll admit, I’m not entirely sure the police would really share quite so much with a bunch of amateurs, but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment at all. For me, this book had a surprising feel-good factor despite being a crime novel, and that’s a rare balance to strike.
The conversations between the group flowed so naturally that I could almost hear them chatting away. I especially loved the scenes where they sat around over coffee, dissecting the clues, with a pack of dogs curled up at their feet—it felt so warm and authentic.
I really enjoyed The Dogwalkers Detective Agency. It’s cosy, witty, and full of heart, with a group of characters I can’t wait to meet again in future books. If you enjoy crime novels with a lighter, feel-good touch (and you’re a dog lover like me), then this is definitely one to add to your reading list. Now, I think I’ll follow the book’s lead and head to my favourite coffee shop—with my own pooch in tow, of course!

This was a lovely read - the title gives you all the clues you need when Charlie and his staffy Ruby stumble upon a body in the woods. A good story, well told.