Title: The Nose Rules: A Spunky Murder Mystery
Author: Holly L. Lewitas
Publisher: Holly L. Lewitas
ISBN: 978-1734406702
Genre: Mystery fiction
Pages:  390
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert

Read Book Review

They‘re cute and furry, their antics are heartwarming and heroic and moreover, they are not afraid to bare their teeth when necessary; they are the sleuthing animal characters that star in The Nose Rules: A Spunky Murder Mystery by author Holly L. Lewitas. This work being the fourth addition to her Spunky Murder Mystery Series, the story continues with a narrative that delivers with a refreshing, cozy and absorbing read. Imaginatively combining charismatic, heroic animal characters, thrills, and puzzling mysteries while also bringing focus to the complexities of human nature and the beneficence of human/animal relationships.

Initially, adventure and thrills abound, when at the story’s outset, the mystery of a case lacking evident clues brings police detectives Frank Talyor and detective Tony Martinez to the home of Dr. Hannah Richards, a professional psychologist and psychological consultant for the Clearwater, Wisconsin police department. However, it is not particularly the services of Dr. Hannah that the officers require, it is that of one of her family of crime-solving pets, Spunky, a particularly, feisty and intelligent terrier, that has the skill set of sniffing out clues and pointing out evidence in seemingly difficult cases. Moreover, artfully, the storyline does not only follow the adventures concerning one puzzling case, throughout the story Author Holly L. Lewitas, includes a well-structured variety of complex and intriguing scenarios with each somehow incorporating a life lesson at times incited either on an animal or human level.

Consequently accordingly, aside from the case that already brewing, the narrative brings into focus the human element as Dr. Hannah Richards works through her personal issues and with a patient through her online-based psychology practice, adding to the mosaic of enthralling scenarios, as she attempts to help a disheartened woman solve her life-borne problems, while also learning a life lesson for herself in the process. Ultimately, as the story progresses, readers are treated to a wonderfully entertaining and touching story, the true heart of the which is the intelligence, machinations, insight, and healing power of the animals, especially when it comes to the endearing scenes of the extraordinarily special, calming and seemingly psychic bond called “the zone” which occurs during physical contact between animal and human during petting, especially between Dr. Hannah and her pets.

Altogether, The Nose Rules turned out to be as undeniably entertaining as the preceding books in this cozy mystery series. I enjoyed this book as well as the others, Author Lewitas wields a great talent as a writer as she demonstrates her talents continually, with this wholly literate and affecting book. Told from Spunky the Terrier’s perspective made the read especially fascinating, the narrative was not only action- packed, and at times heart-wrenching, but also replete with humorous insights and truisms concerning animal (as well as human) behavior. As a matter of fact, author, Holly L. Lewitas thoughtfully included a list of Spunky’s Rules, a collection of wise tidbits about life, garnered by Spunky wisely present, throughout the story in each book. Overall a great cozy read, I do heartily recommend this book as well as the others in the series.