Saturday, January 24, 2026

Book Review: DOODLED TO DEATH - A Dog Lover's Cozy Mystery (Barkview Mysteries Book 4) by C.B. Wilson

ABOUT THE BOOK 

In Barkview, the dog-friendliest city in America, TV producer Cat Wright faces her worst nightmare—becoming the temporary guardian to a mischievous Golden Doodle. A confirmed cat person, Cat reluctantly takes in the victim's dog while investigating two intertwined mysteries: anonymous accusations against an aviation pioneer from the 1920s and the suspicious drowning of her sister's professor boyfriend. 

As earthquakes rattle the coastal town, Cat discovers the charismatic canine might be her best ally in uncovering century-old family rivalries, hidden speakeasies, and the legend of a missing diamond. With treasure hunters closing in and her sister as the prime murder suspect, Cat must solve both puzzles before another death occurs. 

Through underground tunnels, beachside dives, and encounters with eccentric locals, Cat's reluctant partnership with her four-legged companion teaches her unexpected lessons about loyalty, intuition, and opening her heart—even as she races to catch a killer hiding in plain sight. 

A cozy mystery where historical intrigue meets canine charm, "Doodled to Death" chronicles one cat person's surprising journey into the world of dogs, detection, and devotion. Fans of animal cozies will love the mix of humor and intricate plotting—and they’ll go nuts for G-Paw. 

REVIEW 

All the books in the Barkview Mysteries are fun reads and this was no exception. This one has two mysteries - one involving Skye and a treasure from years past, and one the current murder. Cat - a cat person- and her current dog, G-paw, make a great team as Cat sets out to prove her sister's innocence. There's a bit of historical context, a bit of humor, and many twists, turns, and secret doors. The book is well-written and held my interest. Fans of cozy mysteries and dog lovers will enjoy this one.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Award-Winning Mystery Author CB Wilson Blends Puzzles, Pups, and Precious Gems Diamonds & Dogs. An award-winning author CB Wilson launched her writing journey after finishing a Nancy Drew mystery where she rewrote the ending. A lifelong animal advocate, she created the beloved Barkview Mysteries, blending her love of puzzles and pups. 

Her newest series, Gem Hunters, sparkles with adventure and authentic detail, inspired by her Gemology degree from the Gemological Institute of America. CB believes the best stories—like the best chocolate—should be savored slowly.




Thursday, January 22, 2026

Spotlight: HER LAST BEST FRIEND (Shadow Lake Ranch Murders Book 1) by Nellie H. Steele



Her Last Best Friend (Shadow Lake Ranch Murders)
Psychological Thriller 1st in Series
Setting – Shadow Lake Ranch, a working ranch in Montana Publisher ‏ : ‎ A Novel Idea Publishing, LLC 
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 23, 2025 
Print length ‏ : ‎ 316 pages 

About the Book:

A friendship. A betrayal. A body. Welcome to Shadow Lake Ranch…where friendships come to die. 

Quiet Lindsey isn’t sure about spending twelve weeks at Shadow Lake Ranch. Her best friend, Mel, swears the luxury retreat will be the perfect escape—horseback riding, yoga, emotional bonding. A killer summer. 

But from the moment they arrive, something feels off. Lindsey can’t shake the dread curling in her stomach. And when she meets Travis—the charming cowboy who seems to only have eyes for her—things get even more complicated. 

Especially when it seems Mel has set her sights on him, too. 


As the lines between truth and paranoia blur, Lindsey begins to question everything—her friendship, her relationship, even her own mind. 

And when Mel turns up dead, Lindsey becomes the prime suspect.

Was she the jealous best friend who finally snapped? Or is someone else hiding a much darker secret? 

At Shadow Lake Ranch, nothing is what it seems. 

And there’s only one truth: You can’t trust anyone. 

Her Last Best Friend is a twisty psychological thriller perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover’s Verity, Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, and Ruth Ware’s The It Girl. 

AMAZON

About the Author

Nellie H. Steele is a storyteller who doesn’t just write books—she writes the stories her characters tell her. With distinct voices and minds of their own, her characters often take over, guiding her through tales of romance, mystery, adventure, and suspense. 

A lifelong bookworm, Nellie vividly recalls sitting on the concrete floor of her childhood library, eagerly devouring Nancy Drew books and dreaming of solving mysteries of her own. Now an award-winning author, she spends her days crafting immersive worlds and unforgettable characters that feel like old friends. Her house is a zoo—literally—thanks to her rescue animals who seem perfectly happy napping while she writes. 

Nellie’s writing process often involves background TV she never actually watches because she’s too wrapped up in her characters’ antics. When she’s not spinning stories, she works as a professor of statistics, where students who know her as an author are often surprised to find she really does teach math. 

If you love twisty mysteries, soap-opera-style romance, and thrilling adventures, dive into Nellie’s books today and discover worlds you won’t want to leave. Connect with Nellie:

Website ~ FacebookInstagramGoodreadsYouTube

GIVEAWAY:   

https://kingsumo.com/g/1rjel23/her-last-best-friend-shadow-lake-ranch-murders-by-nellie-h-steele