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Bone of Contention

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About The Book

Louise and the Pack are back in another pawfully intriguing mystery . . .

When Yaz and her dog Herc find a dead man on a bench along the canal with chicken bones lying around him, she immediately calls Louise – and the police.

The case is odd: a chicken bone has been forcibly rammed down the victim’s throat, and the last person to see him was their friend – and Pack-mate – Claire. When the police take Claire into custody, the Pack mobilize, determined to find the real killer.

The trail leads them to the new Cluckin’ Good Chicken shop, who not only have a gang that loiter outside, smoking weed and harassing passers-by, but have also managed to create issues with local businesses. When Louise talks to her friend and local property developer, Annabel, she is warned off. Then when she finds Annabel beaten and barely conscious in Partridge Park, the Pack wonder if the harassment has escalated to assault . . . and potentially murder.

As their investigation into the chicken shop’s ownership leads to links with shell corporations, and even possibly the local council, Louise finds herself in danger.

Can the Pack sniff out the killer and get to the bones of the mystery?


Praise for The Dog Park Detectives:

‘More good dogs than I've ever seen in a single book! Oh, and a grisly, puzzling murder to solve, with lots of twists and red herrings. But really, I'm here for the pooches, and you should be too’ Antony Johnston

'Howling good fun, with a plot twisty enough to get any dogged armchair detective barking up the wrong tree. I loved it – just don't tell my cats!' Fiona Leitch

‘Adored The Dog Park Detectives! Brilliantly written, with quirky characters, dogs and a dash of murder, I ripped through this in two sittings. Perfect cosy crime’ Lisa Hall

‘A pacy and entertaining murder mystery that’s a must-read for all dog-loving crime fans. Go the Dog Park Detectives!’ A. K. Turner

About The Author

Blake Mara

Blake Mara is a pseudonym of Mara Timon, author of Second World War thrillers City of Spies and Resistance. A native New Yorker who moved to the UK about twenty years ago, when Covid hit, she went cliché and got a pandemic puppy – a miniature dachshund with a massive personality. This opened her eyes to the canine-loving community that blossomed around the local dog park, and who became the inspiration for the Dog Park Detectives. But while her dog park pack have tackled some local crimes, they haven’t found a dead body in the park . . . yet. For more information, follow her on Twitter (@TheBlakeMara), Facebook (BlakeMaraAuthor), Instagram (@Mara.Timon) or on her website, blakemara.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (April 24, 2025)
  • Length: 400 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781398524279

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