"This is the 15th book in the Mac Faraday series by mystery writer Lauren Carr, and in my opinion, the best so far. Her years of experience writing over 30 mystery titles have honed her skills to a high level. The plot is extremely complicated, but flows smoothly. The characters come alive, I can see them in my head as I read. While the story is full of danger and police sleuthing, it keeps from going too dark with a welcome touch of humor tucked in here and there - often the result of the shenanigans of Gnarly, an enormous, extremely intelligent German Shepherd who is also the mayor of the town, and a band of local kids.
"The setting for Best in Murder is a prestigious dog show being held at luxurious Spencer Inn owned by Mac Faraday. Pedigreed dogs, rich owners, cutthroat competition, enormous egos, several murders, a stolen diamond dog collar, a missing Irish Wolfhound show dog, a disgruntled cop, and a criminally inclined biker with a vicious poodle all come together in this tale. As each new element dropped in my lap, I was pulled in further until it was impossible to put the book down. I consumed it.
"While all of these books stand alone as a complete story, if you haven't read any of this series before, I suggest you start at the beginning. I have read them all."
--Review by Marilyn R. Wilson, author and book reviewer
***** - 5-Star! on Goodreads!
"I read a lot of books and I have to admit I have not read a book that I have enjoyed quite as much as this one in a long time. It definitely gets a five star review and I only wish I could give it more stars, I loved it that much.
"Word of warning don't read it with other people in the room because explaining why you are laughing so much doesn't do it justice and to be honest neither will this review. My mum got red up of asking now what's happened, so I think she might read the book to or at the very least wait for the audio book version. Yep, I will DEFINITELY be getting that.
"I had laughing, chuckling, tears and maybe I might even have cheered, I was that caught up in the story. There was so much going on that it will be hard to explain why it was SO GOOD, without giving anything away. So, I will say I loved the characters and would find it hard pressed to choice which one was my favourite or even which situation I liked most.
"The story starts with an introduction to the characters, there are that many of them but they are so well developed and individual that even if you are new to the series you don't really need it. Of course the animals were just as delightful as the characters. I would love it if this was made into a movie.
"As for the cases, yes I said there was a lot going on, there were really well worked and the story never slowed down. They solved one and on to the next problem or situation. I can't wait for the next book.
"A morning jog leads mayor Gnarly to a badly beaten woman, who claims her Baby has been stolen before failing into coma and then he finds a second body. At the same time a high tec businessman reports his show dog wearing a priceless collar has gone missing. Mac and Gnarly find themselves heading to the Spencer Inn to attend a dog show and question suspects. At the same time his half brother David has been asked to step up and be acting sheriff for the next town over. Before he can do more than sit in his squeaky desk chair he is dealing with a house fire, murder and a leak in his department. Are the cases connected? and can the brothers get to the bottom of the problem before the Spencer Inn is destroyed by biker gangs or dogs? Or before David loses his new job.
There is so much more going on and I said my review wouldn't do it justice, so I will just finish with do yourself a favour and read it yourself. "
--5-Star Review on Goodreads by Julie Howard
" I liked this book a lot. It is a rare author who can blend hilarious scenes with serious drama, smoothly and cleanly, but this author has done it and done it well. ..." - 5-Star review by Marianne on Goodreads
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