Howl Once for Murder by Krista Lockheart

About the Book

Not every dog can howl . . . or solve a murder.

Adelaide and Truman—Belle Chasse’s funniest and smartest Basset Hound—are practically inseparable. And when a murder mystery comes barking at their doorstep, they band together to fight for the town they love.

After opening Baked Books with her human bestie, Georgia, Adelaide is delighted when a world-famous author agrees to sign books at their bookstore and bakery’s anniversary event. Truman’s so excited he wears a tuxedo for the occasion!

But Oscar Paris’s life as a bestselling author isn’t exactly everything Adelaide fantasized about in her wildest dreams . . .

especially when he turns up dead at his own wedding, which is regrettably Baked Books' first big catering gig!

In this funny, charming, and exciting mystery with a sweet romance, “till death do us part” comes much too soon for Belle Chasse’s famous resident.

But with Adelaide and Truman—along with a wildly attractive police detective—on the case, this band of quirky characters, charming animal shenanigans, and puzzles to solve will leave you howling with laughter.

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Excerpt

However, when she turned back around, Truman had disappeared again, his tendency to whine giving away his location down the hallway. She found him hunting down another scent as his nose stayed glued to the floor while he walked up and down the hallway.

“Please tell me there’s not another dead body here,” Adelaide said quietly as she followed him. “Please let it be something silly, like another hedgehog or a squirrel.”

As she followed Truman, the hallway got dark, and Adelaide felt around for a light switch. This was not exactly the best time to be surprised by a deranged murderer, so she pulled out her cell phone to light the way. But the darkness had given Truman a head start, and she ran quickly to catch up with him as the hallway curved around in a semi-circle.

Adelaide finally found him stopped in front of an unassuming door at the end of the hallway. He sniffed wildly at the door and scratched to get inside. But as he did, Adelaide thought she heard someone far behind the door yelling.

“Truman, stop! There’s somebody in there. They might be in trouble!” Adelaide exclaimed. She knocked on the door. “Hello? Are you okay?” No response came. “Hello?” she yelled this time. “Is somebody in there?”

“Hello?” a shaky voice called from beyond the door. “Can you help me?” It sounded like a woman’s voice, but Adelaide couldn’t recognize who it came from.

Adelaide tried the doorknob, but it was locked. And as she tried to turn it over and over, Truman started scratching wildly at the door again.

“Stop that!” Adelaide yelled. “I’m going to run and get help.” She ran as fast as she could back down the hallway, her heart racing, and her breath laboring. The way back felt much longer, and she stopped suddenly, wondering if she’d gotten lost along the way.

Then she saw one of the crime scene investigators walk out into the hallway, and she took off again down the hallway, waving her hands.

“Help! I need Detective Norwood! Someone is in trouble down the hallway!” Adelaide yelled.

First, Georgia stepped into the hallway. “Adelaide? What’s going on?” Then Trent came right behind her. “What’s going on, Miss Pascal? Is everything okay?”

Adelaide tried to catch her breath as she explained the situation to the detective, then she headed back down the hallway to show him the way. When she returned, Truman was lying on the floor and backed away from the door once Trent approached the door.

“Good boy! Let’s stand back while Detective Norwood helps her,” Adelaide said as she bent down to pet Truman.

“This is Detective Trent Norwood,” he announced. “Are you able to unlock this door?” “No! Help! I’m stuck in here! Please help me!” the woman yelled back.

“Are you alone inside the room?” he asked. “I don’t know! I’m locked inside the closet!” the woman yelled. Trent called into his handheld radio for backup and waited for another male officer to come assist him. He turned to the officer.

“I want you to draw your weapon just in case. There is a woman stuck behind a closet in this room, but we don’t know if anybody else is inside. Stay on me; I’m going to break this door down.” Georgia stood beside Adelaide as they watched Trent back up and approach the door. “Who do you think is in there?”

“I don’t know,” Adelaide replied. “Truman found her!” With one kick to the door, the wood cracked, but it did not allow the detective inside. . .

 

About the Author

Critically acclaimed and award-winning author Krista Lockheart writes irresistible cozy mysteries filled with humor and buzzworthy characters and plots. Her favorite activity is interacting with her readers from all over the world, and she enjoys their feedback and comments on her social media platforms. She loves good food, good conversation, and good books! Cooking is a passion, and she especially enjoys making pasta with vegetables. Chocolate, avocado, and seafood are her favorite foods to celebrate with.

Krista comes from an artistic background, and her art workshops sell out within a few hours of signup. Her work has earned cultural council grants and has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and on TV and on the radio. In the past few months, her memoir, travel travels, and short stories were published four times in the Writer & Readers’ Magazine, and her travel tale about her expedition to Peru was the editorial feature in DRIFT Travel magazine.

She contributed a short story to a Halloween anthology and her debut novel was #1 in 12 categories on Amazon during its initial release (including in the Free Kindle Store and in New release categories). It also earned ten book awards and was recommended by US Review of Books, and the Chick-Lit Cafe, as well as featured in the Midwest Book Review.

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