A fun--and funny!--cozy mystery!

I really enjoyed reading Dog Collar Knockoff by Adrienne Giordano. It wasn't my first book by the author, but it was the first book I've read in this series (though #1 is already waiting on my ereader--how soon is it until the semester's over? ;)). Lucie Rizzo is very reminiscent of Stephanie Plum, though fortunately she's much more competent at her profession than Evanovich's heroine. Like Plum, Lucie's a quirky, lovable heroine who has a knack for attracting trouble...and hunky men. Lucie spends much of the novel torn between her on again-off again (they're "off" right now) longtime boyfriend Frankie, and the new love interest she met in book one, Detective Tim O'Brien. I'm not going to say which one I was rooting for, but I will say I am very, very glad that Lucie's apparently made a choice by the book's end.

And it's the right one ;)

But I digress...

I had a lot of fun reading about all of Lucie's dogs (Oscar the perv! LOL), and seeing her interactions with her so many zany secondary characters--especially her best friend Ro and brother Joey. (Though maybe not the wheelbarrow recreation scene...no one needs to see that, even just in your mind's eye. It sure was funny, though.)

And Tim. Did I mention Tim? :)

The mystery was unique, and played out well. Lucie's a decent sleuth, even if she does rely rather heavily on her best friend's cleavage as a distraction tactic. ;) She is a tad bit quick to believe she's going to be charged with various crimes, but given her family situation it's not really surprising. Overall this was an entertaining read, and I'm looking forward to reading more of the series!

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. ( )

So much fun to read! Dog Collar Knock off is book two in the Lucie Rizzo Mysteries. This is a must read series. I love a good cozy but this series gives you a little more heat if you know what I mean.
Lucie is becoming her own person away from the "mafia princess". She has her own business that is thriving but a small glitch is on the way. Her dad is getting out of jail on good behavior. So, if she doesn't want WWII to start she needs to find a place for her business other than her mother's kitchen. Between finding a new place, breaking up again with on again off again Frankie and ending up trying to investigate a suspicious art transaction she ends up in hot water! But it's not all bad when she meets tall, dark, and HOT Detective Tim O'Brien.
I found myself laughing out loud reading. I absolutely love these characters and never know what Lucie and her best friend Ro are going to get into next. You will not be able to put this book down. Can't wait for the next adventure. ( )

I have to say that this book was delightful. I loved Lucie, her friend Ro, her brother Joey and oh my…Tim O’Brien…what a hunk! The support group Lucie has is filled with characters that are interesting and there for her no matter what. This fast paced mystery is fun, funny, serious, intelligent and thoughtful. At times I laughed and sometimes wondered and then was ultimately impressed by Lucie’s ability to evaluate her situation and do what was best for her business and for herself. I look forward to reading more of this series in the future and am glad I gave it a try. Lucie Rizzo has a LOT more going for her than Stephanie Plum and is much better at making personal and professional decisions, too, so if you have read or liked that series in the past…I would definitely encourage you to read this series as they are similar in some ways but oh so different…in a very positive way.

Thank you so much to the author for offering me this book to read and review! ( )