Book 100, 2019

Nothing to Fear But Ferrets by Linda O. Johnston

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I brought my work book home with me on the weekend, since there were only a few short chapters left, and I finished reading it last night. The book was Nothing to Fear But Ferrets by Linda O Johnston. It's part of her "Pet-Sitter" mystery series, featuring former-lawyer-turned-pet-sitter Kendra Ballentyne. I've read another book in this series, but it's not one I follow closely enough to worry about what order I read them in.

After clearing her own name of murder, Kendra is working towards getting her suspended law license back. In the meantime, she continues to earn money by pet-sitting and renting out her beautiful house, while she lives in the small apartment over the garage. When Kendra discovers a dead body in her house, surrounded by ferrets, she gets drawn into another murder investigation. Her tenant, reality TV star Charlotte, begs Kendra to prove her innocence, while Charlotte's live-in hunk, Yul, only wants his ferrets to be exonerated. Kendra had sworn not to get involved in another murder mystery, but when it's this close to home, how can she stay out of it?

In the meantime, Kendra's relationship with PI Jeff Hubbard is strained when Jeff's ex-wife (whom Kendra had no prior knowledge of) shows up, asking for help dealing with a stalker. Kendra throws herself into her work as a pet-sitter, her investigation into the murder, and her studies to get her law license back. She knows she's getting close to a murderer when she receives a threatening phone call, but Kendra isn't backing down; she's determined to get to the truth.

I'm not that enamored of this series. Kendra is far too attached to her dog, King Charles Cavalier spaniel Lexie, to the point that it gets tedious. She's constantly taking the dog with her, which includes pushing her away when she tries to clamber onto her lap while Kendra is driving. Can you say 'accident waiting to happen, with a furry airbag'? I thought Kendra behaved like a twelve year-old when Jeff's ex showed up. If you want to end it with him, do it in a dignified, mature fashion. Also, I got annoyed reading about Kendra's thoughts on one of her neighbors. She's fat, we get it. There's no need to expound on it in such a rude and condescending manner. I am guessing the author has hang-ups about overweight people. It's obvious, from reading the author blurb at the back of the book, that the author is equally fixated on her own King Charles Cavalier spaniel named...you guessed it, Lexie.

Favorite line: Cynically, I'd concluded that most people should have been born with more than two index fingers, to give them more digits to point accusingly at others.

Not really fond of this series, nor the main character. I won't seek out other books in the series to read; I think I chose this one because the title amused me. Giving this one an average score.