I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.

Overall rating : 3*
Writing skill : 3*
Plot: 4*
Pace: 3*
Characters: 2*
Twist: 2*

I normally write my NetGalley reviews the literal minute I finish reading it, but the fact I finished this on holiday a week ago has left me with a dog shaped hole in my memory, not a positive for the book!
First off there were a lot of charcters to remember, and all of them had a dog with a name to remember, it was just a lot to take on board.
I also felt the whole thing was very far fetched, theres no way a community of dog lovers all get along so much so they have a whatsapp group chat and talk daily. Just no way.
Now the story itself was intriguing, a cozy murder mystery with the main theme of dogs....sign me up. I cant say its been done before from what I've seen or read, and it was refreshing. Something just missed the mark for me, and I think it was the overwhelming cast of characters.
Others may get on better with this, I can see there's great reviews, but it just wasn't for me.

As a dog lover the idea of a group of dog owners trying to solve a murder that happened to one of their number in the dog park just grabbed my attention. There were some great character's here especially among the dogs. However there did seem to be rather too many character's to keep track of which was a little tricky and did cause the book to drag at times but overall a very enjoyable read. .I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Fabulous fun, a cosy mystery with heart. Friendships, dogs and a great cast of assorted characters made this a joy to read. I confess to a sneaking infatuation with Violet after I searched images for that breed of dog. Looking forward to the next one.

Such a good read that was filled with wonderful characters and dog characters. It’s such a good mystery.

I would highly recommend reading this book if you like a mystery and dogs.

I would like to thank Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

Lou, Irina and their various dog owning friends all walk their dogs in the local park which has a dog park within it. One day they find a body in the park and the body turns out to be a friend who lost his dog to Parvo virus a few months before. When this is followed by a series of dog poisonings, the pack take it upon themselves to dig into the death and the poisonings, often putting themselves at risk.
Funny and very entertaining I loved reading this.

This was something of a change from what I usually read but no less enjoyable ... a little unbelievable but enjoyable nonetheless and I was entertained which is the whole point is it not?

There are a lot of characters both canine and human and this was a bit overwhelming and confusing at times but the story is intriguing and whilst it was a little slow in parts, it certainly made up for it towards the end when all the pieces fell together nicely.

This is a good cozy mystery and hopefully there is more to come.

Thanks to the author, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this canine story.

"The Dog Park Detectives" by Blake Mara is a charming and entertaining mystery novel that perfectly blends light-hearted fun with intriguing suspense. Set against the delightful backdrop of a bustling dog park, the story follows a group of amateur sleuths—both human and canine—as they unravel a series of curious incidents. Mara’s writing is engaging and filled with humor, making the characters, especially the clever and loyal dogs, truly come to life. The plot is well-paced, with enough twists and turns to keep readers hooked without ever losing its playful spirit. "The Dog Park Detectives" is a delightful read for anyone who loves mysteries, dogs, and the joy of uncovering secrets with a touch of whimsy. It’s a perfect escape into a world where friendship and teamwork—across species—solve the day.

The fact that I'm not a serious dog lover is not why I ended up giving this book three stars instead of the four I thought I would give.
On the contrary, this book is very well suited for people who don't own a dog. The author shows a great insight in how the bond between human and dog works. And how a pack of dogs (or humans) work. The term 'dog mum' or 'dog dad' grates a little on me. I grew up in a household with a dog - who was wonderful and loved by all of us - but to me, a pet will never become 'a child'. For those of you who disagree: it's nothing personal - it's just how I see it.

Having said this, I really enjoyed big parts of the book and the idea is good. What hampered me in reading was that there are a LOT of humans and dogs, and although there is a list at the start of the book, it was difficult to keep the characters apart. In fact, keeping the characters apart was easier with the dogs than the humans sometimes. All human characters blended in one big group of people who spent most of their time drinking a lot and walking with the dog(s) a lot. Sometimes there was a mention of work, but this didn't give the characters more depth.
It all felt a little unbalanced too, with most of the real action in the last 20 pages of the book. I would have given an extra star if this wouldn't have been the case.

I understand this is the first in a series and I would like to read the next one to see whether the characters will be more developed and the pace more balanced.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this review copy.

If you’re in the mood for a cozy crime novel that’s as heartwarming as it is intriguing, look no further than *The Dog Park Detectives*. Set in the delightfully named Partridge Park, this charming whodunit introduces us to a group of dog owners whose canine companions lead them into a mystery that’s equal parts captivating and delightful.

When Louise and Irina’s dogs, Klaus and Hamish, unearth a dead body during their routine walk, it sets off a chain of events that will have you both laughing and guessing. The body belongs to Phil Creasey, a former member of their dog-loving circle, and the circumstances of his death are as puzzling as they are alarming. As Louise, Irina, and their four-legged friends delve into Phil’s past, they uncover a tangled web of local crime and danger, including a disturbing trend of dog poisonings and threats from local gangs.

What makes *The Dog Park Detectives* stand out is its inventive narrative structure. The story unfolds through chapters narrated by various characters, both human and canine, giving readers a multi-faceted view of the investigation. Adding a modern touch, WhatsApp conversations between the characters provide a humorous and relatable glimpse into their collaborative sleuthing.

The cast of characters is as endearing as it is eclectic. From the determined Louise and Irina to the tough guy Gav—whose dog Violet is as sweet as her name suggests—the human and canine personalities alike shine through. The dogs themselves are not just pets but integral parts of the mystery, each bringing their own quirks and charm to the table.

The plot is meticulously crafted, skillfully intertwining the various threads of the mystery to keep readers on their toes. It’s a story that balances suspense with humor, offering plenty of twists and turns without ever losing its cozy, feel-good vibe.

In summary, *The Dog Park Detectives* is a delightful read for anyone who enjoys a well-spun mystery with a side of canine charm. It’s perfect for curling up with your own furry friend and losing yourself in a world where the bond between dogs and their owners proves to be both heartwarming and indispensable.

A cozy murder mystery, with several red herrings thrown in, the story was interesting, though at times a little slow. My only major complaint was the amount of unnecessary characters, which then made it hard to keep track of the story and remember who was who

A great book. And I’m not saying that as I am a lover of cozy crime and a dog owner. I’m saying it simply because it is a good book and very well written. Would recommend.

A cosy crime mystery that starts with two dog walkers finding a dead body in a local park. Lovers of dogs and gentle crime thrillers will enjoy it but I got confused with the multiple characters.

A must-read for dog-owning fans of The Thursday
Murder Club.

Loved: descriptions of dog ownership that rang true, escapades of the canine characters, trying to guess whodunnit

Not as great: there were lots of characters which meant not as much character development as in TTMC, the ending and reveal felt very rushed as it all happened in the final 10% of the book

Oh I love love loved this novel. As a big dog person and cosy murder mystery lover, I couldn't wait to read this and it didn't disappoint. It was a fun read and I think i read this in a few sittings. There were quite a few characters and it took me some time to remember them all at the beginning. However, i soon fell in love with the characters and enjoyed playing detective with them. I guessed who the suspect was (and was super pleased with myself!) I think alot of people will enjoy this read as its a cosy mystery without the grim and gore. An ideal gift for any dog lover. Thank you for the chance to read this before publication.

I loved this cosy mystery which was a combination of both dogs and murder. It was well plotted and had a satisfactory ending that wrapped the story up so well and a small hint that we will meet these characters again.

I absolutely loved this. If you love dogs and cosy mysteries, this is for you! A local East London park is the central location where the majority of activity happens - meeting for coffees, walking the dogs, getting to know the neighbours, finding dead bodies...

When a body is identified as one of their own, Phil Creasey, who left the dog park group after the death of his Cockapoo, Alfie, the rest of them close ranks and follows the lead of Louise, she of the Doxie with moxie, Klaus, and band together to figure out who killed Phil and why.

Louise draws the group into her investigation, using their various skills, dogs and resources to find out what happened. Even Gav, the neighbour with the past in certain East London circles, gets involved and keeps his ear to the underground to collect information to help. There is a second thread about someone poisoning dogs, which is of obvious concern and something they would like stopped.

The book introduces a fairly large cast and their associated dogs at the beginning and is laid out in a WhatsApp messaging type way with discussions amongst the group, and from various POVs of the group. It's a bit of a struggle to get them straight in your head at first, but ultimately it's very well done. The plotting is terrific, the dialogue natural and well-paced and there is a wide variety of characters to draw you in.

Really pleased that this is the start of a new series. It's one I'll definitely be adding to my 'must read' pile.

Don't mess with the local dog walking community!! This is a really fun and easy read in the cosy crime genre, which centres around the goings on between owners and dogs in the local community and how they come together when they discover something gruesome in the local park!

And it feels more personal to them as the victim found used to be on of their dog walking community, so the Whatsapp group they share is spurred into action in helping to track down the perpetrator, doing more it seems than the local police who don't have the insights into the area that they do!

there's a great mix of characters, both human and canine, and it was just a really nice read for all fans of cosy crime, and dogs!!

As a dog adopter I was thrilled to have an early opportunity to read this book.

I was initially daunted by the long list of characters (many of them with 4 legs), but I quickly learned who was who.

An enjoyable murder mystery and I’m pleased to see that this will be the start of a series.

A group of locals who all walk their dogs in the same park form an unlikely band of detectives when one of them discovers a dead body one morning. In this cozy murder mystery, the plot moves fast and the dogs are as much central characters as the humans. An easy and pretty fun read, this is perfect for anybody looking for something chilled with just a little bit of bite.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

A brilliant cosy mystery book. These have always been my favourite genres to read and this one didn’t disappoint