*I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author and Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources blog tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Blurb: When materials engineer Zoey Butler lands her dream job at Future State Energy, she believes her research in renewable energy will make headlines. Unfortunately for her, she’s right. Zoey is working on her latest experiment when FBI Special Agent Alexis Thompson and her K-9 partner, Waffle, raid Future State and arrest the head of the development for fraud. Zoey helps the FBI find answers in the aftermath, but she soon finds herself jobless and unemployable. Desperate and out of options, she reaches out to Alexis, the one person who knows Zoey was duped like everyone else.
Liam Graham is an FBI special agent and instructor at Riverbend K-9 Academy. When Alexis brings in a new recruit with an unusual background, Liam pairs her up with Tasha, a dog in need of a handler to stay in their competitive program. Zoey is thrilled to put her past behind her and give the mischievous rescue dog her own second chance. However, shortly after she arrives, the FBI realizes the Future State case is far from closed. And Zoey may be the key to solving it.
Zoey offers to go back to Future State to help the FBI end things once and for all. Only this time, she’ll have Liam and Tasha for backup. But, the problems at Future State are more explosive than any of them suspect.
This story has a bit of everything cosy – some cosy mystery, some cosy romance, and lots of lovely, furry friends!
Zoey, the main character, has been cleared by the FBI investigation into her old employer but is finding the mark it left on her CV less easy to deal with. So, cutting straight to the root of the problem, she asks the FBI for a job to tide her over. But she gets more than just a CV polish when she finds some new friends, including training K9s Tank and Tasha, and their rather yummy trainer, Liam. Can she work her way back out of the doghouse, or will she find that her new opportunities offer her a new ‘leash’ of life?
This is a well-written story, with a great balance of investigation and flirtation, and lots of information about dog training, energy-related engineering, project management and spreadsheets along the way. I was particularly pleased by Zoey’s enthusiasm for spreadsheets, and that it wasn’t squashed or dismissed as ‘boring’ by the other characters – I love a good spreadsheet too and they are SO useful!
There is no murder mystery here – the mystery revolves around corporate espionage and sabotage instead, which makes a refreshing change – but plenty of intrigue and still some danger too. Plus if that wasn’t enough to keep you turning the pages, there are the endearing two- and four-legged co-workers at Riverbend K9 facility, ready to lure you with their friendly, flexible work ethos and a cuddly cow.
This is a very easy and enjoyable read all round, perfect for fans of cosy mystery, clean romance and animal companions. I can’t wait to get back to Riverbend in the next book and meet some more cute canines!
‘”Is this some kind of test?” Zoey pinched the bridge of her nose. “I didn’t do it, you know. I was working in the part of the business meant to look legitimate, and no one bothered to tell me that the company was breaking the law. Had they, I would have run fast and far away from them. What’s a girl got to do to shake that? I’ve cooperated with the FBI—” Liam raised his index finger and she waved it away. “—I’m not finished—moved halfway across the country, and have offered to scoop as much dog poop as it takes to repair the totally undeserved hit to my reputation.”
– K.T. Lee, A Nose for Mischief
Tank nudged his nose into her hand, and she looked down. Obviously he could tell she was agitated. And she had every right to be.
Out of the corner of her eye, Zoey saw a puff of a dog about half Tank’s size coming towards them at a dead sprint. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the dog was whooping with glee and smiling as it scampered down the hallway. She crouched down to greet the dog on instinct, and the dog ran straight into her. She fell over laughing, and the dog wiggled, waving its fluffy tail in the air and sneaking a lick on her nose.
Liam looked over the fluffball at Zoey. He picked up the loose end of the newcomer’s leash. The dog sat perfectly, as if she hadn’t just bolted down the hallway at warp speed. “Sorry, Zoey. Bribe was a figure of speech. This is Tasha. Tasha, this is my new buddy, Zoey.”
K.T. Lee is a writer, mom, and engineer who grew up on a steady diet of books from a wide variety of genres. She’s the author of multiple books, including those in the Riverbend K-9 Series and The Calculated Series.
Find out more and get the latest updates (and a free prequel novella!) at https://ktleeauthor.com/ or follow K.T. on the social media sites below: https://www.instagram.com/ktleeauthor/ https://twitter.com/KTLeeWrites https://www.facebook.com/ktleewrites
A Nose for Mischief is available on Amazon right now.
Don’t forget to stop by the other blogs on this tour (see the poster below for details) for more great content and reviews!
Bookshine And Readbows 