Thursday Thoughts: PICT Blog Tour Book Review: A Killer Retreat

 

Today I'm participating in the Partners in Crime blog tour of A Killer Retreat by Tracy Weber . . .

Series:  A Downward Dog Mystery (Book 2)
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Published by: Midnight Ink
Publication Date: Jan 8, 2015  

Number of Pages:  319

ISBN:  978-0738742090

Purchase Links:  
Amazon
Barnes & Noble 
Goodreads 

Synopsis . . . When Kate Davidson gets an offer to teach yoga classes to wedding guests at the Elysian Springs resort, she jumps at the opportunity, even though it means being forced to endure the wedding ceremony of the center's two caretakers. Avoiding the M-word turns out to be the least of Kate's problems when a wedding guest is found floating face-down in the resort's hot tub, shortly after a loud, public (and somewhat embarrassing) fight with Kate.

The police pick Kate as their number-one suspect, so she's forced to team up with boyfriend Michael, best friend Rene, and German shepherd sidekick Bella to find the real killer.  They'll have to solve the murder before the police arrest Kate, or her next gig may last a lifetime--behind bars.

My Review . . . This second installment of the Downward Dog series takes Kate away from her Seattle yoga studio for a 10-day working vacation at Elysian Springs, an eco-friendly resort on beautiful Orcas Island.  Accompanying Kate on this adventure are Bella the German shepherd, who is now a permanent resident of her household,  Kate's boyfriend Michael, best friend Rene, and Rene's husband Sam.

Kate's experience is anything but Zen-like as she interacts with spa staff and the group of wedding guests, and it isn't long before Kate publicly loses her patience with Monica, the bride-to-be's obnoxious stepmother.  Although almost everyone on the island has reason to despise Monica and do her harm, Kate becomes the prime murder suspect when Monica's lifeless body is found floating in a hot tub. 

Adding to Kate's stress level is Rene's odd behavior, which is causing rifts in their friendship and in Rene's marriage, along with the accelerated pace of Kate's romance with Michael.  As she works to clear her name and unmask the real killer, Kate struggles to resolve other issues that threaten her inner serenity.  Can she uncover what is causing Rene's distress and negatively affecting her marriage?  And, will "serial dumper" Kate find a way to keep her relationship with Michael on an even keel?

Secrets and hidden agendas unravel in this well-crafted tale filled with memorable characters, unexpected plot twists, and a satisfying conclusion.  Weber has delivered an appealing series with a bright future.

Disclaimer . . . I was given a copy of A Killer Retreat in exchange for an honest review.

Click here to read my review of Murder Strikes a Pose, the first book in the Downward Dog series.


About the Author . . . Tracy Weber is the author of the award-winning Downward Dog Mysteries series featuring yoga teacher Kate and her feisty German shepherd, Bella.  She is a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, Dog Writers Association of America, and Sisters in Crime.  

Tracy and her husband live in Seattle with their challenging yet amazing German shepherd Tasha.  She loves sharing her passion for yoga and animals in any form possible.  When she’s not writing, Tracy spends her time teaching yoga, walking Tasha, and sipping Blackthorn cider at her favorite ale house.

Visit Tracy at: Website, Twitter, Facebook

 

Thursday Thoughts: PICT Blog Tour Book Review: A Killer Retreat was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  This post cannot be republished without attribution.