I love this series. I've been reading it since it first appeared and though I'm sure I've missed the occasional installment, I'm always delighted to return to Estes Park for a visit with Fred/Winifred and Watson. I enjoyed that we get lots of grumpy corgi Watson this go-round. The regulars are there, too, of course, and Katie's upcoming wedding is the pseudo-focus of the book although, let's face it, there's always a murder mystery to solve that takes center stage. The last thing either Katie or Fred expected, however, was a murder during their outing to Denver for a bachelorette party. Fred, who seems to have the luck of stumbling over bodies frequently, walks in just in time to see a possible suspect standing over the murdered body. Seems simple, right? Nope. And finding out the details and whodunit is half the fun. The other half is getting to watch the beyond grumpy Watson pouting and shunning Fred, his unforgiving personality leading Fred to think he may never come out of his hidey hole in time to go home. And, that's just the tip of the iceberg.
When I began to think of why this series has appealed to me so much, the first reason is, of course, rather obvious. I, too, own a corgi mix and although she's not even remotely as grumpy as Watson, like him she has a strong personality and when she's displeased with me, I know it. Second, the humans, of course, are well-fleshed out and quite individual, from the town gossips to the usually bubbly Katie and usually grumpy police chief, Susan. Let's just say, Susan isn't at all pleased when Fred somehow manages to get involved in a murder out of town that finds its way back to Susan's attention. I'll leave it for readers to discover the role of Lassie here but, well, Susan is not pleased with Lassie. The friend-enemy status of Fred and Susan continues, with Susan alternately willing to listen to Fred's takes on the investigation and Susan's exasperation with Fred's meddling flowing over. It makes for some fun, if intense scenes, though I note that Fred has gotten better at refraining from the snappy retorts bound to anger Susan even more. That said, I like Susan and am pretty sure you will, too, as you'll like all the regulars. So, it's a toss up between my corgi fixation and the intriguing, well-rounded characters that somehow feel like old friends that kept me coming back.
As for the murder, well, although few seem to mourn the victim's passing, there are some surprising moments there as well. One of the amusing aspects of this book is that Fred is somehow surprised to discover that the suspects she visits to question have been expecting her. Talk about your reputation being widely known. That doesn't stop her, of course, although Watson's shunning of her at the moment means he doesn't have her back as usual. Will he decide to forgive Fred her transgressions in time to be helpful? Seriously, I know I keep coming back to the grumpy Watson but it was such fun to "see". That said, will Fred survive Susan's wrath? Lassie? What does a pink Cadillac have to do with anything? How many business places will Fred be unwelcome at before this is all over? Which of those involved in the victim's wedding plans killed her or, wait, who was that red-head? And, oh, just read the book. It's a fun read and, hey, there's always a recipe or two to make your mouth water.
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