Due to the library no longer having books 4, 5, and 6 it's on to book 7. So something happened between her and Jeff. No biggie, Kendra moves on. However, the whirlwind romance between her and Dante is ridiculous. Also, the complete trust in both Dante and his buddy with the mysterious security background is ridiculous. Why on earth would she suddenly throw over any trust in jeff's company? She uses Jeff's employee and good friend Athelea as a security consult, but totally ignores one of the judges strange behavior and doesn't even bother to try and investigate. Lots of holes in this one. ( )

so good that once i started i could not put it down until i was at the end! ( )

Never say Sty is a fun little title. So are the others in this Kendra Ballentyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery series by Linda O. Johnston—Sit, Stay, Slay; Fine-Feathered Death; Nothing to Fear but Ferrets, to name but a few. And the book has a very fun cover—sweet little puppy jumping through a hoop, except that on closer observation that puppy’s a piglet.

This isn’t the first book in the series, but the author does a good job of telling just enough to make the background make sense. Kendra works for law firm Yurick & Associates in her everyday life, but enjoys a second career as a pet-sitter, combining clever animal psychology with excellent people skills to earn an extra penny or two and keep the wolf from the several people’s doors. She’s also embarking on a third career promoting a new TV reality show where animals train and perform, and get voted off by audience and judges of course.

The show is financed by intriguing millionaire Dante DeFrancisco, who apparently likes Kendra for more than just her animal skills. And it’s judged by the usual trio of suspects, one of whom seems set to make a few too many enemies.

The combination of human and animal mysteries makes for a fun read and keeps the pages turning, even if Kendra does seem to fall too easily under the spell of Dante’s charms. The author’s timing, pushing each mystery a little way forwards then spinning back to another, is excellent, and whatever I thought I’d guessed as I read, there was always more to seek.

A very well-constructed tale, with pot-bellied pigs (yes, and dogs); I certainly enjoyed this and I’ll be looking out for more. ( )