Collared by L.A. Kornetsky

Collared by L.A. Kornetsky ISBN-13: 9781451671643 Trade Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Galley Books Released: November 13, 2012

Source: Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Ginny Mallard and her shar-pei, Georgie, need to dig up another client for her private concierge business. Ginny enjoys bantering with Teddy Tonica, the bartender at a nearby bar, and her dog is oddly fond of his bar cat, Mistress Penny. While at the bar, she overhears a drinker tell his business woes to the bartender.

Ginny interrupts and lands a job tracking down some important business papers that have gone missing—along with the customer’s uncle. Ginny can use her research skills to track him down, but she quickly realizes that she needs a partner with people skills—like Tonica—if she's going to succeed.

This is one dangerous case that’s about to go to the dogs – unless man, woman, cat, and canine can work together as one very unconventional crime-solving team.


My Review:
Collared is a mystery novel. The mystery was to find a missing man and to discover exactly why he decided to hide (along with some important business papers) from his nephew. They weren't investigating a murder, which was a refreshing change. It wasn't really a puzzle-mystery but following along as they uncovered the trail and decided what to do with what they learned. The suspense was from potential danger to them and the missing man.

The characters were engaging, and Ginny and Teddy both acted in realistic ways to the situation. I liked that they were more concerned about what harm their actions might cause people than in finishing the job to get the money or to prevent a bad reputation for Ginny's business. They also realized when they were in over their heads and when they needed to hand the situation over to professionals.

The dog and cat had "speaking" (to each other) parts in the story, but their concerns and actions were like real cats and dogs. A nice level of detail about the setting, jobs, etc., was woven into the story.

There was no sex. There was a fair amount of explicit bad language. If you don't mind that level of bad language, then I'd recommend this engaging mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.