Customer Reviews

Hounding the Pavement (Dog Walker, Book 1)

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

On the cover of this book (that caught my eye as a dog lover!) I noticed that the author is donating her royalties to charity (best friends- which benefits dogs). AWESOME- and I bought it on spot with just a glance at the back cover.

I was surprised and delighted by the recently divorced Ellie (size 16 and not apologizing!) who finds herself connecting with dogs on a whole new level- they can talk! What I liked about this book is that the dogs choose whether or not they 'talk' to Ellie. They don't have to, and she can't hear just any dog. Mostly it seems the dogs that chat with her are her dog walking clients.

She's new to dog walking and one day she walks into her client's home to find him dead and the dog gone. She gets in and works to help find the missing dog (and the killer). Now, I thought the actual mystery part was rather weak. I picked out the potential suspects and weird activity really quick - some of which I thought Ellie should have picked up quicker I thought. I wished that aspect was stronger, but I adored everything else about this book.

This is definitely a mystery first, bit of romance second novel and from the ending it's clear that she will have to keep working on that 'happily ever after' in future books of this series. Ellie is a character I truly loved, and a strong cast of characters including some truly fabulous dogs will have me coming back for more!

What a cute and fun mystery by Judi McCoy! "Hounding the Pavement" is the first book of (hopefully) a continuing series about a woman who can 'hear' dogs she has a close connection with. It's a feel-good, non-gory, non-frightening mystery with a healthy dose of sexual appeal.

After ditching her jerk of a hubby, Ellie is ready for a new life and one of the first things she does is head for the pound to find a new dog to love. Imagine her amazement when she encounters a Yorkie-poodle mix that has the soul of her pre-marriage, beloved dog! Once she's over the shock, Ellie decides life can't get much better, especially since her brand-new dog-walking business is taking off. Then while stopping to pick up one of her 'clients', she discovers the dead body of the owner...and no 'client' to be found. After a bit of harassment by New York's finest for finding the body, Ellie quickly realizes they care less than nothing about her missing Champion 'client'. So she argues to an agreement with the grouchy, yet handsome, detective on the case. Now as she hunts down clues, she keeps running into the gorgeous detective, and she has it on good authority (her dog's senses) that Mr. Hotbody has the hots for her. What's a girl to do?

Humorous dialogue, a fun mystery, a handsome detective, and talking dogs. Really now, need I say more?

Enjoyed this light hearted mystery & learned a bit about the dog walking
profession. Thought the human-dog communications were hilarious. Looking forward to the next book.

This was a very nice little story. What's not to like about telepathic communication with our best buddies. But the reason I'm writing this review is for people like me, who despise 1st person narratives. Most of these little mysteries are written in 1st person, and I could just cry every time I start the book and see "I". Not a reason not to read it, but a reason to enjoy it much less. With this book, you get other people's viewpoints, and it's just SO much better.

I especially liked the humor and how each dog spoke in a different voice to Ellie. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC (advance reading copy) of the next book in the series, Heir of the Dog, and found it to be laugh out loud funny! I laughed even more reading the second book and can't wait for it to come out Oct 6, 2009.

Judi McCoy is brilliant. I loved how the dogs talked to Ellie. The conversations were funny and believable. I plan on buying the next book, and so should YOU.

I have to admit I don't understand the vehemence of the 1-star ratings, but to each his own...that's why we have so many books to read! I enjoyed this light mystery, in large part because I love dogs and would LOVE to know what they're thinking! I read the "teaser" for book 2 and October can't get here soon enough!

Extra kudos to Ms. McCoy for donating her profits to Best Friends, a very deserving animal sanctuary in Utah!!!

What fun!! A light hearted romp with mystery, comedy,romance and always a spirit of confidence. Ellie is naive but not stupid. Don't we wish we could be more like her? She is "owned" by her little YorkiePoo, Rudy, and they are live a life that has few if any dull moments. Who knew dog walking could be such an adventure. She discovers the owner of one her Clients murdered and is off and running, always listening to Rudy as he helps her solve the murder. We lovers of our 4 legged companions always talk to them and swear that they talk to us... and Rudy truly does. This is a great not to missed read. Not heavy or deep as those 1 star readers wanted... who needs that. Life needs more lightness and humor and Rudy and Ellie brought sunshine into my life today. Can hardly wait for the next book!!! And Ms McCoy's actions are where her heart is...her royalties all donated to Best Friends in Kanab, Utah. A great example for the rest of us.

This book rocks the house! I love the interaction between the heroine Ellie (the dogwalker in the the title of the series) and her own little dog Rudy, as well as all her 'clients' - other little dogs. It turns out that Ellie can hear their thoughts and their little doggie personalities are very creatively brought out by the author. Anyone who has a dog and loves it will feel a definite connection and will find the premise of the book entirely believable. The plot is pretty cool too, and you are set up for the rest of the series - Ellie and her little dog friends will always be unintentionally involved in a dastardly crime and Ellie's ability to communicate with the dogs will help her solve the mystery in some innocent way. There is a love interest in the book between Ellie and the at-first suspicious homicide detective too that will appeal to the romantic in you. Very enjoyable, worthwhile book, cannot wait for the next in the series to be released!

This book exemplifies Canine Channelling at its finest! Loved reading this page turner about Ellie, the dog walker, who can communicate telepathically with her beloved Yorki-poo, Rudy, and all the rest of her "Paws in Motion" crew. It's funny, touching, spiritually uplifting, and indicates the author possesses an intimate knowledge of dog behavior and emotions. Looking forward to the next creation by Judi McCoy, scheduled to be released this fall, entitled: "Heir of the Dog". Let's hope she expands the members of her dog walking clan to include a Boston Terrier, one of my favorite small breeds. Furthermore, she is donating the proceeds to a most worthwhile charity, Best Friends Animal Society, located in Kanab, Utah. Hurray for her humanitarian philosophy. I concur wholeheartedly.
Arlene Millman, author of:
Boomerang - A Miracle Trilogy (The Tale of a Remarkable Boston Terrier)