Book 11, 2025

Paws in the Action by Max Parrott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


View all my reviews

Shortly before bedtime last night I finished Paws in the Action, which is the first book in author Max Parrott's "Pet Psychic" cozy mystery series. The main character is Jasmine Moore, along with her dog, Luffy. Jasmine can "hear" Luffy speak to her, and he understands her speech as well.

Jasmine is plodding through life, contemplating getting out of her small town of Blackwood Cove and going to college. Nothing exciting happens in town until the day a body is found floating in the cove. The dead man is "Crazy" Jack, a colorful local who butted heads with almost everyone in town. However, he was known to be a strong swimmer, and for that reason Jasmine can't accept that he died of accidental drowning. Part of her theory comes from the psychic visions she's been having that relate to Jack's death. The town's chief of police deputizes her on a lark, giving her permission to investigate what he's convinced actually was an accidental drowning. Chief Lustbader is forced to reconsider, however, when Jasmine's sleuthing turns up some clues. It seems that Blackwood Cove is harboring some secrets.

The story was cute and lively. It was a departure from the usual cozy mysteries in that Jasmine was so young--only 19. She had a good head on her shoulders, though. Characters were portrayed well, including Luffy, and it was interesting to follow along and learn things with Jasmine and Luffy. The ending seemed a tad rushed, but overall the story was enjoyable.

Favorite lines:
♦ There was nothing more magical than a room jammed floor to ceiling with dog-eared treasures, cracked spines, and yellowed pages.
♦ Dreams didn't have endings.
♦ "Even I know how flimsy that sounds, and I'm a dog."
♦ "You need to be proud of yourself and what you've done. Leave it to the rest of humanity to downplay your achievements. Because they always will."

Fun story, cute angle with the talking dog--four stars.

( Trope Test )