I have a confession to make. I have a mad crush on my neighbor. Whenever I see him sprinting in my direction, my heart swells and I can’t hold back a smile. His eyes are as blue as a cloudless day, and his gleaming coat…Oh—did I neglect to mention something? My neighbor, Benzo, is a full breed Siberian Husky rescue and has easily become my shadow. Benzo happily gallops in search of me the second he’s sent outdoors, follows me around the yard, and obediently sits at my feet while I’m reading or doing research for my next novel.

This mad crush, led me to write about Benzo in my latest release, Read to Death at the Lakeside Library. Yes, that’s my beloved on the cover. And I begged my editor to keep his name so that I could memorialize him for a lifetime. Was that a little over the top for me to ask? Probably. But I digress.

Anyhow, my adoration for my neighbor’s dog made me think of a few other cozy mysteries that have furry sidekicks intricately woven into the plot. Here is just a sample of them, as it’s certainly not uncommon for cozy authors to share their love of pets. However, in these six novels, the furry characters take center stage!

THE CAT IN THE STACKS MYSTERIES by Miranda James

Charlie Harris is an upbeat librarian in Athena, Mississippi, who rescued a cat named Diesel who walks via leash. Diesel, originally a Maine coon cat, helps Charlie navigate clues in this popular series. With titles such as: PAWS FOR CONCERN, SIX CATS A SLAYIN’, and THE PAWFUL TRUTH, it’s easy to recognize Diesel is the main attraction. James’s latest book, HISS ME DEADLY, was recently released in June. It’s clear Charlie needs Diesel’s sleuthing skills in this newest installment of the New York Times bestselling Cat in the Stacks Mysteries.

THE PAWS AND CLAWS MYSTERIES by Krista Davis

Holly Miller stumbles into adopting a scruffy but delightful dog and then lands at the Sugar Maple Inn in Wagtail, Virginia, where pets are more than welcomed guests. Holly’s Jack Russel Terrier, Trixie, and the Inns infamous cat, Twinkletoes, join in to solve a host of murders. With titles such as: MURDER SHE BARKED, MURDER MOST HOWL, and THE DOG WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, it’s easy to see who’s doing the hunt for clues in this series. The latest book, THE DOG ACROSS THE LAKE, releases in January of 2024, and I can hardly wait for it to hit my Amazon cart. 

THE BOOKMOBILE CAT MYSTERIES by Laurie Cass

Minnie Hamilton, A bookmobile librarian, with help from her rescue cat, Eddie, fights crime in the resort town of Chilson, Michigan. This loveable tabby cat followed Minne home one day, snuck into her bookmobile as a stowaway, and became her furry co-pilot in this fun loveable series. With titles such as: LENDING A PAW, TAILING A TABBY, and CAT WITH A CLUE, this cool cat is the one to watch. A TROUBLING TAIL, A Bookmobile CAT Mystery # 11 just released the first of August, so you have plenty of books to paw along with Eddie.

SECOND CHANCE CAT MYSTERY by Sofie Ryan

Sarah Grayson of North Harbor, Maine, runs a shop carrying refurbished items along with her rescue cat, Elvis. The big black cat with the scar on his nose was named Elvis when after a trip to the local bar where the rock and roller’s famous songs had been playing, the cat hopped into Sarah’s truck. Elvis quickly became her shops mascot, a customer favorite, and a sleuthing sidekick. With titles such as: THE WHOLE CAT AND CABOODLE, A WHISKER OF TROUBLE, and NO ESCAPE CLAWS, this series will have you meowing for more. FUR LOVE OR MONEY, the 11th Second Chance Cat Mystery is due to release in February of 2024. 

A CHET AND BURNIE MYSTERY by Spencer Quinn

In this popular series the canine, Chet, is the detective and Bernie— his human police officer owner. Together they fight crime somewhere in the southwest. Chet and Bernie solve a host of mysteries together as private detectives including, DOG ON IT, TO FETCH A THIEF, THE DOG WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, and more. Number #14 in this popular series, UP ON THE WOOF TOP, is a holiday addition due to release Oct 2023. You’re gonna wanna sit up and stay with this series, as it’s a howl! It’s an especially fun read due to the excerpts from Chet. I mean, who wouldn’t want to read a book via the dog’s perspective?

A DOG CLUB MYSTERY by VM Burns

Lilly Echosby is getting a divorce. She loses a husband and gains a rescue poodle, named Aggie, affectionately named after Agatha Christie. Moving from Lighthouse Dunes, Indiana, to find a fresh start away from her husband, the pair head to Chattanooga, Tennessee. With titles such as: THE PUPPY WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, BARK IF IT’S MURDER, and IN THE DOGHOUSE, it’s evident Aggie’s hot on the case. Lilly’s new dog is more loyal than her ex, making this another reason why we love our pooches! 

Hopefully this teaser list will have you growling for more cozy mysteries with a furry sidekick. After all, who is more loyal than our woolly companions? By the way, I need to get moving. Benzo is looking at me with those puppy dog eyes begging for a treat. And you guessed it— I’m more than happy to oblige.

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