"Who knew pet sitting was so deadly!"

This is the first book in a new series. Kendra Ballantyne cannot practice law. She was accused of providing a strategy memo to opposing counsel's client. The client then killed the CEO of the corporation she was suing. Kendra insists that she in innocent, but she was forced to resign from her law firm and her law license was suspended for three months. She had to file for bankruptcy. Luckily she was able to hold onto the old family home. Not that she can afford to live in it. She is living in the cottage in back. She's rented out the house.

Her friend Darryl Nestler who runs Doggy Indulgence Day Resort talks her into dog sitting for Jeff Hubbard's Akita. She accepts because she is allowed to live in his house while he's gone. That way she won't have to see her mansion being lived in by others. Slowly she accepts additional pet sitting jobs, not always of dogs. She is able to juggle the many schedules and still have time with her dogs as well. Doesn't hurt that Jeff is sexy and easy on the eyes when he is in town. All is going well until she finds one of her clients murdered in his home when she arrives to take care of his dog.

Unfortunately the detective believes Kendra is guilty of the murder. Before she can prove that she didn't do that, she walks in on another dead client, also murdered.

Jeff, a private detective and security expert, gives her advice on proving her innocence. When he is in town, he tries to help her. Kendra is determined to find the killer, but will she survive?

This is a fun, quick cozy to read. I loved it. Kendra is a great character. She takes on pet sitting with gusto and yet some fear. She is open to new experiences. Once she starts investigating, she finds she has a knack for it, along with a little help from Jeff.

I can't wait for the next book. I highly recommend this book!

Reviewed by Dawn Dowdle
Posted March 31, 2005

Summary

Canned from her L.A. law firm, Kendra Ballantyne is now a freelance pet-sitter. When her clients start getting knocked off one by one, Kendra fears she's being set up. Aided by sexy detective Jeff Hubbard, she's got to find out why, and fast. This killer's animal instincts are downright dangerous.