Deadly Ties

Waterside Kennels Mystery, Book 1

By: Susan Holmes

Narrated by: Robin Rowan

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Come to a place haunted by legends...where the search for treasure just might lead to murder.

Come to the hills of the Ozarks and meet Maggie Porter and her dogs - a champion Labrador Retriever, an aging Cocker Spaniel, and a Beagle retired from federal service. Maggie has returned home to reopen the family dog kennel business, where she's plagued by problems from the start. Serious trouble arises when a gossip-loving employee turns up dead holding an heirloom locket belonging to Maggie's mother.

More trouble arrives in the shape of anonymous threats and mysterious break-ins. And when a security crisis puts everything she loves at risk, Maggie realizes somebody doesn't want Waterside back in business.

As the region sizzles in record heat, a "Treasure of the Ozarks" campaign disrupts her quest for answers even as it breathes new life into old tales and brings out tourists and treasure hunters alike. With her loyal dogs at her side, Maggie must dig for the truth behind the violence. Along the way, she learns that everyone has something to hide - and some secrets are worth killing for.

Deadly Ties: a tale of family, friendship, and betrayal in a mountain community where ties run deep and grudges can linger for a lifetime.

©2013 Susan Holmes (P)2014 Susan Holmes

Great story

Would you consider the audio edition of Deadly Ties to be better than the print version?

I haven't read it in print, but audio always brings life to books.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Despite knowing the book will have a happy ending, I wanted to know who was causing trouble and how the characters would escape the situations they were in.

Which character – as performed by Robin Rowan – was your favorite?

Claire

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Resolution of mother's disappearance.

Any additional comments?

Surprised that Sam was not involved in the rescue party. That will probably occur in a future book. I look forward to the next one in this series.

Mindless Story - Poor Narration

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I get angry when I spend time and money on an audiobook which falls this flat. The story is one of those light, easy to follow books which I like now and again (especially after listening to a heavy drama) but the narrator made this one tedious and boring. With virtually no inflection or spark in her voice, she took away most of the redeeming qualities in the plot. At times I couldn't tell which character was speaking and they all seemed so dull with her lack luster and slow moving voice droning on and on. Don't waste your money and time on this like I did.

Any additional comments?

After listening to this book and then reading the positive comments I am 100% convinced they are bogus. There is just no way this audiobook could receive such glowing comments. Someone is lying and it isn't me!

Good introduction

Any additional comments?

This book is well written and the characters are both likable and believable. I'd rather the narrator was a little less breathy in some of her reading but on the whole it was very enjoyable.

Pretty Good Start

This was a good start to a new series. The characters and setting were interesting. The plot was entertaining. However, I felt that the end was drawn out too much and should have been shorter. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and will give the second book a chance.

I Look Forward to this Series

Where does Deadly Ties rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranked up with the rest of the mysteries I like, and I enjoyed the story line.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I didn't get on the edge of my seat until the last half of the book.

What about Robin Rowan’s performance did you like?

I didn't like the narrator at all, and almost quit listening the first two chapters. She did get better, but I hope the next book in the series has a different narrator. I continued to listen because I liked the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I would not listen to this book in one sitting basically because of the narrator. Also, there were a lot of characters in this story, and they could have been pared down.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed learning about the kennel and dog training part of this story.

A fun, dog-related "cozy" mystery

Maggie Porter has come home to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, reopening her grandfather's Waterside Kennels. She's been gone from the town since she was five, when her mother left the family and her father moved to Florida, taking her and her grandmother--her mother Margaret's mother. Now her grandmother is gone, Maggie has inherited the property, and it's time to start living her own dreams rather than trying to keep her father happy.

Maggie has found many people happy to welcome her back, and Waterside's pet boarding business is off to a strong start. The local veterinarian, Angus Sheppard, has enough confidence in her that he closes his clinic and his own kennel for remodeling, sending the boarding business her way. She's hired a groomer, and has hired part-time staff, some of whom worked for her grandfather in his last few years. There are old family friends eager to lend a hand when needed.

But then the anonymous letters put together from words and letters cut out from newspapers and magazines start to arrive. Also heavy-breather phone calls. Doreen, the receptionist she employed for a few weeks who then quit without notice turns up dead--with a locket that had belonged to Maggie's mother. There are break-ins, and once the boarding dogs are let loose on the property. What's going on?

There are many secrets in Eureka Springs, some connected to Maggie's mother, and some of those secrets might be worth killing for.

I like Maggie and her friends and neighbors--including her own three dogs, Sweet Pea, Sam, and Mr. B. There are times I want to take the sheriff and shake him, shouting "Don't you know you're in a mystery novel and nothing is innocent?" but of course he doesn't. He is nevertheless a solid, serious, good guy, who is is never dismissive, and won't let Maggie be dismissive when there's evidence of danger. There's a lovely little bit of misdirection involving one of the lines of threat to Maggie, and I can't say more because that would be a spoiler. It's beautifully handled, though. The certifiably cute kid is very cute, but has real-kid limits of stamina and good behavior. Very sweet without causing sugar shock. This is an excellent "cozy" mystery, and I look forward to reading more from Holmes.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author.