The Dogwalker’s Detective Agency Review: Cozy Mystery With Dogs, Twists, and a Very Long Road to the Finish

Read time: 4 minutes

📱📖 Read on Kindle | 📃 480 pages
⏱ Duration: 5 hours
🏷️ Publisher name: Pegasus Crime
📅 Release Date: June 2, 2026
ARC provided by Edelweiss

Book Blurb:

When Charlie Boardman and his Staffy, Ruby, stumble upon a dead body in the woods, their tight-knit dogwalking community in coastal Framstone suddenly finds itself at the center of a murder investigation. What starts as friendly speculation turns sinister as anonymous threats roll in and a second body surfaces. With gossip, danger, and the faithful companionship of dogs, The Dogwalker’s Detective Agency promises mystery, charm, and a few unexpected twists before the killer is unmasked.

Let’s talk … murder!!!

I went into this one expecting cozy mystery vibes with dogs, amateur sleuthing, and a quirky small-town investigation. And to be fair, the premise absolutely delivers on that promise. A group of dogwalkers stumbling into a murder mystery is exactly the kind of setup that cozy crime readers tend to love. Ruby the Staffy adds a fun layer to the story, and any mystery that includes dogs instantly earns a little goodwill from me.

That said, this book took the scenic route. A very scenic route. At 480 pages, the pacing felt stretched far beyond what the story really needed. I found myself repeatedly wishing the plot would tighten up and move faster. The investigation meanders, conversations linger, and while there are interesting moments along the way, the narrative often feels like it’s taking a long walk rather than chasing down a killer.

One thing that really pulled me out of the story was a moment involving Ruby. At one point the antagonist kidnaps her to make a point. Naturally, that’s a big emotional beat. But later in the story, Ruby doesn’t react to this person at all. If you know dogs, you know that memory and instinct tend to stick. That moment felt oddly disconnected from how animals actually behave.

The ending leans heavily into twists. And while unexpected reveals are always welcome in a mystery, the spacing between them made the final stretch feel even longer. By the time the last 15 percent rolled around, I genuinely found myself saying out loud, “Okay… speed up already.” Not the reaction you want when the book is supposed to be sprinting to the finish line.

Still, the core idea is solid. A cozy mystery centered around dogwalkers solving crimes in a seaside town is genuinely fun. I just wish the story had been edited down into something tighter and faster-paced.

Would I recommend it?

If you adore dog-centered cozies and have the patience for a long leash on pacing, you might still enjoy this one. The premise is charming, the world well-built. If you’re a cozy mystery reader who enjoys leisurely paced stories with a lot of small-town chatter and a canine companion at the center, this one might still appeal to you. The premise is charming and dog lovers will enjoy Ruby’s presence throughout the story. It just overstays its welcome.

5 Book Recommendations Based on This Book:

• The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths — another cheeky take on community sleuthing.
  Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
• A Quiet Life in the Country by T E Kinsey — brisker pacing, same cozy English charm.
  Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
• Dog Gone, Back Soon by Nick Trout — for more canine heart with less crime.
  Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
• An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten — A darkly funny mystery featuring an unconventional protagonist and clever twists.
  Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
• Dog On It by Spencer Quinn — A mystery narrated by a dog who helps his detective owner solve crimes.
  Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
  

Let’s discuss: Long reads or DNF zone?

When a cozy mystery stretches past the sweet spot, do you push through or call it quits? I’m genuinely curious how long you’ll chase the scent of a mystery before you lose interest.

Book Links:

Want to purchase this or any of your favorite books while supporting a local bookstore? Consider purchasing using the sites below. These sites work with independent local bookstore owners to fulfill your book orders. #Support Local

• Indiebookstores.ca
• Bookshop.org
• Follow Michael Hogan for latest on Charlie’s journey
• Check out more books from Pegasus Crime
  

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Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy