Kallie E. Benjamin

Sniffing Out Murder by Kallie E. Benjamin is the debut of A Bailey the Bloodhound Mysteries. I had trouble getting through Sniffing Out Murder. Pris is an insecure woman. She cares a great deal about what other people think about her. When Pris is embarrassed, she blushes (which happens frequently). Anger has Pris’s face and neck flushing red (again, it is a frequent occurrence). Pris is also clumsy. I wish the description of Pris had been more complete. I am guessing that she is fair skinned based on the obvious blushing (we know her sweet aunt is dark skinned). I do not understand why Pris has had hair trouble all her life. I would have expected her aunt to have filled Pris in or take her to a beauty shop. I like that the story features a diverse cast of characters. Unfortunately, the story is also filled with several unlikeable characters (it made a person wish for a serial killer to hit town). The mystery was simple. The killer can easily be identified (as subtle as a wrecking ball). Pris spends little time sleuthing. She does gather gossip and passes it along to the police. Bailey is good at sniffing out clues. The case is neatly wrapped up at the end. There were some aspects of the mystery that were not suitable for a cozy mystery. I found there to be way too much romance in the story. It overshadowed the mystery. I was not a fan of Pris’s dating style. I felt there was too much repetition (I got it the first time). Pris’ Bailey mystery sounded cute. However, in one part it sounds like it is aimed at middle school children (a chapter book), but some of the descriptions make it sound like a picture book. I did tire of her thinking about writing. I wanted her to just get on with it. I liked Tabby, the beautician who gives Pris a new hair style and teaches her how to care for her hair. The best part of Sniffing Out Murder is Bailey, Pris’ goofy yet lovable bloodhound. While Sniffing Out Murder was not for me, I suggest you download a sample to see if it suits you. Sniffing Out Murder is a playful tale with unruly hair, a dead woman in a maze, writing troubles, a lovable aunt, pet reading program, dating dilemma, and a lovable bloodhound.… (más)

Sniffing Our Murder is the first book in A Bailey The Bloodhound Mystery series by Kallie E Benjamin.

Priscilla(Pris) Cummings has decided, with her children’s book series Adventures of Bailey, Pet Detective based on her Bloodhound, Bailey, hit a Best Sellers list, she decides to buy a house in her hometown of Crosbyville, Indiana, has decided to quit teaching and turn to become a full-time author. Bailey is a trained therapy dog and often attends school with Pris; he frequently goes to the local library to have children read to him and demonstrate his tracking skills.

Pris is not looking forward to the last day of school as she has a parent-teacher meeting with Joe and Whitney Kelley. Whitney was the “bad girl” in high school and was Pris’s nemesis. Joe and Whitney’s niece is not doing well, and Pris will recommend repeating the grade. This does not go over well with the Kelleys, and Whitney, recently appointed school board president, says they will fight this decision. She also says she will cut funding for arts and special education, especially the use of dogs in reading programs.

Pris and Bailey head for the Blue Plate diner, which Pris’s Aunt Agatha owns. A short time later, Joe and Whitney enter, and Whitney engages Pris in an argument. During the argument, Whitney deliberately steps on Bailey’s tail, which causes him to lunge. Police Chief Martin also happens to be the diner and Whitney orders that he have the dog put down and Pris arrested for having a vicious dog.

The following morning, as Pris is walking Bailey in a local park, he breaks loose and ends up partially digging up the body of Whitney. Soon, Chelsea, Whitney’s sister, is accusing Pris of killing Whitney.

Even though Police Chief Martin isn’t making Pris nervous about being the prime suspect, she will start her own investigation into the death of Whitney. Pris will soon find several suspects.

This book is a beautiful start to a new series. The book is light-hearted and provided this reader with several chuckles. The story is well-written and plotted. The characters were well-developed and believable. The story is written, so I was with the various characters. I particularly enjoyed the time spent in The Big Tease, the local hair salon. The owner and the stylist were great characters. And Bailey was very adorable.

I can’t wait for the next book in this wonderful new series.… (más)