-
Desperate Housedogs
- Narrated by: Frances Fuller
- Series: Pampered Pets, Book 1
- Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Audible Premium Plus
$14.95 a month
Buy for $19.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Get Fluffy
- A Pampered Pets Mystery, Book 2
- By: Sparkle Abbey
- Narrated by: Amanda Terman
- Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Disgraced Texas beauty queen, Melinda (Mel) Langston, owns Laguna Beach's Bow Wow Boutique. Mona Michaels, Mel's most despised client, owns a star dog, Fluffy, who's worth millions. When Mona is found whacked in the head with Fluffy's Daytime Emmy, everyone wants Fluffy, but someone won't stop at murder to get the pooch. Secrets. Blackmail. Mel tackles the case like a dog with a bone. But can she dig up the truth before the killer buries her?
-
-
Very enjoyable listen!
- By Matthew on 04-03-13
By: Sparkle Abbey
-
Dog Willing: A Golden Retriever Mystery
- Golden Retriever Mysteries, Book 12
- By: Neil S. Plakcy
- Narrated by: Kelly Libatique
- Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When his neighbor is accused of murder, reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan and his golden retriever, Rochester, are asked to sniff out clues to prove her innocence. Who could have killed bookstore owner Darlene Nowak? One of the food trucks venders she angered when they parked in front of her store? Someone from the writer’s critique group she sponsored? Did a self-published author she refused to promote write her into a real murder mystery? Steve knows that cooks and creative folks are very sensitive about criticism - but could one of them be angry enough to kill?
-
-
Nice timely theme
- By Carolyn on 12-19-20
By: Neil S. Plakcy
-
Fifty Shades of Greyhound
- A Pampered Pets Mystery, Book 5
- By: Sparkle Abbey
- Narrated by: Evelyn Marcail
- Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Caro Lamont, Laguna Beach's favorite pet therapist, is thrilled to support the elite fundraising gala for Greys Matter, a SoCal greyhound rescue group. All the guests in the couture-attired crowd are clad in varying shades of grey, the champagne and donations are flowing, and there are 50 gorgeous greyhounds in attendance. But before the evening ends, a stranger in their midst is dead. Caro sets out to help the rescue group find the identity of the mystery guest but soon finds herself in the doghouse with homicide detective, Judd Malone - oh, and federal agent, John Milner.
-
-
So Much Drama
- By Lindsey Soliday on 10-28-19
By: Sparkle Abbey
-
Yip/Tuck
- By: Sparkle Abbey
- Narrated by: Karen Commins
- Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of Laguna Beach's best-known plastic surgeons may need a new leash on life. Unless he's just taking a very long nap on the bench outside Melinda Langston's Bow Wow Boutique... Dr. O'Doggle continued to give us the silent treatment. Fluffy eyed him intently. I studied him too. Tova Randall wasn't my BFF, to say the least, but I didn't wish her boyfriend any bad luck. My neighbor, Darby, relaxed her grip on Fluffy's leash. The big Afghan lunged toward Dr. O and knocked him over.
-
-
What a story
- By Lisarami on 10-17-20
By: Sparkle Abbey
-
A Litter of Golden Mysteries
- 8 Golden Retriever Mysteries + Flash Fiction
- By: Neil S. Plakcy
- Narrated by: Kelly Libatique
- Length: 4 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Stop by for some comfortable visits to Stewart's Crossing, where reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan and his crime-sniffing golden retriever Rochester are nose to the ground in this collection of mystery short stories that take place between novels. In the first of these stories, Steve is learning to love the big, goofy golden he has inherited on the death of his neighbor, and Rochester shows him how to open his heart and his home to his sweetheart Lili.
By: Neil S. Plakcy
-
Kitty Kitty Bang Bang
- By: Sparkle Abbey
- Narrated by: Karen Commins
- Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Caro Lamont, pet therapist, and her cousin Melinda Langston, owner of The Bow Wow Boutique, pamper the kitties and pooches of Laguna Beach's elites. Unfortunately, their human clients keep turning up dead.
-
-
Fun, Southern Comfort Cozy
- By asassyvic on 10-24-14
By: Sparkle Abbey
-
Get Fluffy
- A Pampered Pets Mystery, Book 2
- By: Sparkle Abbey
- Narrated by: Amanda Terman
- Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Disgraced Texas beauty queen, Melinda (Mel) Langston, owns Laguna Beach's Bow Wow Boutique. Mona Michaels, Mel's most despised client, owns a star dog, Fluffy, who's worth millions. When Mona is found whacked in the head with Fluffy's Daytime Emmy, everyone wants Fluffy, but someone won't stop at murder to get the pooch. Secrets. Blackmail. Mel tackles the case like a dog with a bone. But can she dig up the truth before the killer buries her?
-
-
Very enjoyable listen!
- By Matthew on 04-03-13
By: Sparkle Abbey
-
Dog Willing: A Golden Retriever Mystery
- Golden Retriever Mysteries, Book 12
- By: Neil S. Plakcy
- Narrated by: Kelly Libatique
- Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When his neighbor is accused of murder, reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan and his golden retriever, Rochester, are asked to sniff out clues to prove her innocence. Who could have killed bookstore owner Darlene Nowak? One of the food trucks venders she angered when they parked in front of her store? Someone from the writer’s critique group she sponsored? Did a self-published author she refused to promote write her into a real murder mystery? Steve knows that cooks and creative folks are very sensitive about criticism - but could one of them be angry enough to kill?
-
-
Nice timely theme
- By Carolyn on 12-19-20
By: Neil S. Plakcy
-
Fifty Shades of Greyhound
- A Pampered Pets Mystery, Book 5
- By: Sparkle Abbey
- Narrated by: Evelyn Marcail
- Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Caro Lamont, Laguna Beach's favorite pet therapist, is thrilled to support the elite fundraising gala for Greys Matter, a SoCal greyhound rescue group. All the guests in the couture-attired crowd are clad in varying shades of grey, the champagne and donations are flowing, and there are 50 gorgeous greyhounds in attendance. But before the evening ends, a stranger in their midst is dead. Caro sets out to help the rescue group find the identity of the mystery guest but soon finds herself in the doghouse with homicide detective, Judd Malone - oh, and federal agent, John Milner.
-
-
So Much Drama
- By Lindsey Soliday on 10-28-19
By: Sparkle Abbey
-
Yip/Tuck
- By: Sparkle Abbey
- Narrated by: Karen Commins
- Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of Laguna Beach's best-known plastic surgeons may need a new leash on life. Unless he's just taking a very long nap on the bench outside Melinda Langston's Bow Wow Boutique... Dr. O'Doggle continued to give us the silent treatment. Fluffy eyed him intently. I studied him too. Tova Randall wasn't my BFF, to say the least, but I didn't wish her boyfriend any bad luck. My neighbor, Darby, relaxed her grip on Fluffy's leash. The big Afghan lunged toward Dr. O and knocked him over.
-
-
What a story
- By Lisarami on 10-17-20
By: Sparkle Abbey
-
A Litter of Golden Mysteries
- 8 Golden Retriever Mysteries + Flash Fiction
- By: Neil S. Plakcy
- Narrated by: Kelly Libatique
- Length: 4 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Stop by for some comfortable visits to Stewart's Crossing, where reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan and his crime-sniffing golden retriever Rochester are nose to the ground in this collection of mystery short stories that take place between novels. In the first of these stories, Steve is learning to love the big, goofy golden he has inherited on the death of his neighbor, and Rochester shows him how to open his heart and his home to his sweetheart Lili.
By: Neil S. Plakcy
-
Kitty Kitty Bang Bang
- By: Sparkle Abbey
- Narrated by: Karen Commins
- Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Caro Lamont, pet therapist, and her cousin Melinda Langston, owner of The Bow Wow Boutique, pamper the kitties and pooches of Laguna Beach's elites. Unfortunately, their human clients keep turning up dead.
-
-
Fun, Southern Comfort Cozy
- By asassyvic on 10-24-14
By: Sparkle Abbey
-
Howloween Murder
- Melanie Travis Mystery Novella Series
- By: Laurien Berenson
- Narrated by: Angie Hickman
- Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the town of Greenwich, Connecticut, counts down to a spooky celebration on October 31st, a horrifying murder leaves Melanie Travis pawing for clues in a hair-raising game of trick-or-treat.
By: Laurien Berenson
-
Silent Bite
- An Andy Carpenter Mystery
- By: David Rosenfelt
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lawyer Andy Carpenter can finally take a breath; he's back on dry land after a family Caribbean cruise forced on him by his wife, Laurie, to get into the Christmas spirit. Of course the family's first stop is to the Tara Foundation, the dog rescue organization that has always been Andy's true passion. But when Andy arrives, his partner, Willie Miller, needs his help. Willie's old cellmate, Glenn Anson, has been arrested for murder. Andy doesn't necessarily believe in Glenn, but Willie does. And Andy believes in Willie, which is why Andy decides to take the case.
-
-
Worth listening for Grover Gardner's narration
- By Terry on 11-09-20
By: David Rosenfelt
-
Cottage on Gooseberry Bay: Gooseberry Christmas
- By: Kathi Daley
- Narrated by: Angel Clark
- Length: 4 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ainsley decides to set aside her search for answers to her past and enjoy her first Gooseberry Christmas by volunteering along with the rest of the gang for the Christmas festival on the boardwalk. Normally Ainsley didn’t bother much with Christmas and all its trappings, but this year she is excited to join in as most of the locals are prone to do. Of course it does put a bit of a damper on the festivities when a body is found in the tree lot where the gang had offered to help out.
By: Kathi Daley
-
Dog Eat Dog
- By: David Rosenfelt
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, work to free a man who risked it all to help a dog in need. Dog Eat Dog, the 22nd installment in the Andy Carpenter series, features the charming cast of characters - old and new - that David Rosenfelt is known for and the dogs that accompany them.
By: David Rosenfelt
-
Who Let the Dog Out?
- By: David Rosenfelt
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lawyer Andy Carpenter is surprised when Willie Millier, Andy's partner at their dog rescue operation, the Tara Foundation, calls to say the alarm has gone off at the foundation building. There has clearly been a break-in, and a dog has been stolen.
-
-
Entertaining and Funny
- By Dog lover1 on 08-01-15
By: David Rosenfelt
-
Muzzled
- An Andy Carpenter Mystery, Book 21
- By: David Rosenfelt
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Andy Carpenter is a lawyer who would rather not practice law. He'd rather spend his time working with the Tara Foundation, his dog rescue organization, and being with his family and his two dogs, Tara and Sebastian. But when a friend asks him for a favor that involves both dogs and his lawyerly expertise, he can't say no. Andy's friend Beth has found a stray that seems to have belonged to a murder victim - in fact, the man and two of his colleagues died in an explosion a few weeks ago.
-
-
Fun Legal Series...
- By shelley on 09-18-20
By: David Rosenfelt
-
The Great Witches Baking Show
- A Culinary Cozy Mystery
- By: Nancy Warren
- Narrated by: Hollis McCarthy
- Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Poppy Wilkinson is thrilled to be chosen as a contestant on The Great British Baking Contest. As an American with English roots, winning the crown as Britain’s Best Baker would open doors she’s dreamed of. In more ways than one. Appearing on the reality show is her chance to get into Broomewode Hall and uncover the secrets of her past. But strange things are happening on the show’s set: Accusations of sabotage, a black cat that shadows Poppy, suspiciously unsociable residents at Broomewode Hall - and the judges can be real witches.
-
-
Baking Show+Murder=Perfectly Baked Plot
- By Micky Cox on 02-15-20
By: Nancy Warren
-
Dog's Green Earth: A Golden Retriever Mystery
- Golden Retriever Mysteries, Book 10
- By: Neil S. Plakcy
- Narrated by: Kelly Libatique
- Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A murder in Steve Levitan’s gated community is bad enough - but when someone puts out rat poison that innocent dogs could consume, he’s fired up to track down the villain and make his world safe for people and their canine companions. When his golden retriever Rochester discovers a body during one of their nightly walks, reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan must look to his neighbors for suspects. Could a killer be lurking along the oak-lined streets? It’s up to Steve and Rochester to dig up the clues to bring a murderer to justice, and protect the place they call home.
-
-
4 and a half stars
- By Beatrice on 04-22-20
By: Neil S. Plakcy
-
Double Whammy
- A Davis Way Crime Caper, Book 1
- By: Gretchen Archer
- Narrated by: Amber Benson
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Davis Way thinks she's hit the jackpot when she lands a job as the fifth wheel on an elite security team at the fabulous Bellissimo Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. But once there, she runs straight into her ex-ex-husband, a rigged slot machine, her evil twin, and a trail of dead bodies. Davis learns the truth, and it does not set her free - in fact, it lands her in the pokey. Buried under a mistaken identity, her hot streak runs cold until her landlord, Bradley Cole, steps in.
-
-
Love completing the set with the same reader
- By Susan on 03-04-19
By: Gretchen Archer
-
Sit, Stay, Slay
- Dog Club Mystery Series, Book 5
- By: V. M. Burns
- Narrated by: Madison Vaughn
- Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tennessee transplant Lilly Echosby has two great loves: dogs and mysteries. So naturally she's named her poodles Aggie, after Agatha Christie, and Rex, for Rex Stout. Now that she has two dogs to manage, it makes sense to enter Aggie in an obedience competition - especially since her instructor is Lilly's gal pal, Scarlet "Dixie" Jefferson.
-
-
Sorry to see this series is over
- By Kimberley C. on 01-10-21
By: V. M. Burns
-
Killer Cupcakes
- Lexy Baker Cozy Mysteries
- By: Leighann Dobbs
- Narrated by: Hollis McCarthy
- Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Things are going great for Lexy Baker. She's finally opened her dream bakery, gotten rid of her cheating boyfriend and settled into her grandmother's house with her perky dog Sprinkles at her side. But her blissful life doesn't last long. When her ex-boyfriend is found poisoned with cupcakes from her bakery, Lexy finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation headed up by her hunky neighbor detective Jack Perillo. With the help of a gang of iPad toting, would-be detective grandmothers, Lexy decides to take it upon herself to find the real murderer.
-
-
cute
- By Tdavid on 06-14-20
By: Leighann Dobbs
-
Paw and Order
- Dog Club Mystery, Book 4
- By: V.M. Burns
- Narrated by: Madison Vaughn
- Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lilly's best pal Scarlett "Dixie" Jefferson has done it again! She's convinced eccentric poodle-loving billionaire Archibald Lowry to sponsor a grand fundraiser for the Eastern Tennessee Poodle Rescue. Tragically, it's too late to rescue Lowry, who is murdered at the event. His pet poodle is now orphaned, so Dixie begs Lilly to foster the adorable pup. Of course, she already has a poodle - her beloved Aggie, named after Agatha Christie. Fortunately, Aggie seems to like the new addition to the family, whom Lilly renames Rex, after her second favorite mystery author, Rex Stout.
-
-
Paw and Order
- By J@YD944 on 10-16-20
By: V.M. Burns
Publisher's Summary
In posh Laguna Beach, murder has gone to the dogs.
When Caro Lamont, former psychologist turned pet therapist, makes a house call to help Kevin Blackstone with his two misbehaving German shepherds, she expects frantic dogs; she expects a frantic dog owner; she even expects frantic neighbors. What she doesn't expect is that two hours later the police will find Kevin dead, his dogs impounded; and that as the last person to see Kevin alive (well, except for the killer) she is suddenly a person of interest, at least according to Homicide Detective Judd Malone.
Detective Judd Malone scanned my living room, his baby blues taking in my overstuffed couch, easy chairs and crowded bookshelves. My cats, Thelma and Louise, perched in the window sill, replete with tuna. Each opened an eye and then, unimpressed, went back to their beauty sleep. Dogbert climbed from his doggie bed, trotted over for a sniff, but then also dismissed Malone and went back to his nap.
"Can I get you something to drink?" I asked.
Some hospitality is automatic. Even when you have an unannounced guest. Even a guest who might arrest you. He shook his head and continued his scan.
"Well, then. What can I help you with, Detective?"
"I understand you visited Kevin Blackstone today?"
"Yes, I did. I'm the behavioral counselor for his German shepherds. What about Kevin?" I had a really bad feeling about this.
Malone arched a brow. "Kevin Blackstone is dead."
Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of two mystery authors (Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter). They are friends and neighbors as well as co-writers of the Pampered Pets Mystery Series. The pen name was created by combining the names of their rescue pets - Sparkle (Mary Lee's cat) and Abbey (Anita's dog). They reside in central Iowa, but if they could write anywhere, you would find them on the beach with their laptops and depending on the time of day either an iced tea or a margarita. Visit the authors at www.SparkleAbbey.com.
Critic Reviews
More from the same
What listeners say about Desperate Housedogs
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kindle Customer
- 07-16-12
Pretty Good
I was hoping for more humor in this story. There were a couple of funny moments, but not laugh out loud. The story was very good. I learned more about dogs behavior than I wanted to know, however it made for an interesting story.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jan
- 03-12-16
Perfect fun read!
Purchased on the cheap as Whispersync courtesy of ereadernewstoday.
Silly, fun cozy mystery about folks waaay above my pay grade living in Laguna Beach, California! Start with a snoopy divorced Texas heiress who has a zany family, and is on her second career in psychology--this time for PETS! Add in a murdered client, a dishy police detective, and a crazy cast of very many, and you have the perfect read for a day when you are trying to leave the pity party for a fun place.
The story is twisty, the narrator captures the snark, and the Texas drawl is clear enough for non-Texans to comprehend. Fran Fuller doesn't fall all over herself trying to emulate all the male voices, yet the listener has no trouble keeping track.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bijou Johnson
- 04-25-18
Too much accent spoils the story
The extremely sing-song accent of the book performer is so abrasive, I can't attend to the plot. And for the record, I've lived in southeast Texas for years, and I've never heard an accent like that. And we have a lot of accents: all ethnicities ( and urban and country versions for each.) Also, Texas beauties do not refer to themselves as "Southern". They are "Texan" and proud of it. Just for the record.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 01-31-18
Narrator destroyed what might have been a good sto
The narrator destroyed what might have been a good story. The Texas accent and her interpretation of the main character's personality ruined it for me. I really tried but I just couldn't finish.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Victoria J. Mejia-Gewe
- 01-21-18
A Cute Light Mystery with Dogs
In Desperate Housedogs by Sparkle Abbey, Caro Lamont serves as a dog psychologist, especially amid the elite in Laguna Beach, so she gets called to visit the home of Kevin Blackstone, owner of German shepherds Zeus and Tommy Boy, who have been going wild barking but refusing to go outside for two days. After working with the dogs for a little while, Caro stops to visit her closest friend, Diana Knight, a grandmother figure former celebrity who has turned into a passionate animal advocate. The two have been planning the "Fur Ball" to raise money for rescue animals at the local shelter where both are very active volunteers. Soon after arriving home from these visits, Caro gets a visit from Detective Judd Malone, who informs Caro that Kevin Blackstone has died under suspicious visits. Caro begins to snoop, getting involved in ever riskier and even illegal behaviors as she digs up more clues. But then Diana gets arrested, raising the stakes even higher, especially as Diana refuses to allow anyone to bail her out. Instead she uses her incarceration as a platform to get interviews with anyone possible in order to promote her fundraising for the animal shelter. Thus, Caro determines to investigate further to find the truth.
This book, a fairly light cozy mystery, has enjoyable details, but I didn't find it especially memorable. I liked the details of the dog psychologist and all the information about different breeds of dogs. Some of the dogs such as Zeus and Tommy Boy show real character, though others show less. The mystery plot did have some interesting details, but I did feel that the conclusion arose with a bit of a surprise. Though the murderer was a regular character, the solution came without any hints to it in advance. One of the best parts to the book is the character of Diana, who really shines and creates a lot of fun moments in her activism.
Frances Fuller performs the audiobook narration of this book. She does an adequate job, and I found her voice pleasant enough, with a gentle Southern accent, which I suspect is lighter than the typical accent from Texas, where Caro comes from. But I also noticed her mispronouncing several words, which became bothersome at times.
Desperate Housedogs is a fun book, especially for lovers of dogs. It shows real promise for future books. But at this point, I give the book three stars.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Beatrice
- 01-07-18
dull
This is too light and fluffy for me. There is too much attention on name brands and the lead character is not very bright.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- betty
- 08-24-12
Dumb!!!!
Even though this was a lower priced book, it sounded like it would be funny. The wanna be southern voice is terrible. The story is so dumb, it is a turnoff from the very beginning. I would not recommend this book.
1 person found this helpful