Book Review ~ Birds Puppies and Murder (A Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery)
“Lost puppies, endangered birds, and a murder most fowl—the Chocolate Martini Sisters are back on the case.”
👋 Welcome to my stop on the Goddess Fish Book Review Tour for Birds Puppies and Murder by Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside.
This cozy mystery set in Wyatt, Arizona proves the Chocolate Martini Sisters have a knack for stirring up trouble and solving it too. With a missing pup, endangered birds, and a murder most fowl, the sisters must juggle family bonds, small-town charm, and plenty of quirky suspects. Add in Gus, the lovable dog, and you’ve got a story with both heart and suspense—perfect for cozy fans who like humor alongside their whodunits.
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📝 Book Details
Birds, Puppies, and Murder
By Brenda Whiteside, Joyce Proell
Series: Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery Book #4
Published by Independently Published on July 2025
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 327
Source: Goddess Fish Promotions, Kindle UnlimitedLost puppies, endangered birds…
The sisters are birddogs on a murder most fowl.
The sisters are thriving like mountain sage in an Arizona autumn. Nicole’s yoga business is gaining a foothold in Wyatt. Emma’s first mystery novel is scheduled for release. But a proposed, expansive building project in the pristine area of the bird sanctuary has the community in an uproar. It’s Environmentalists versus Big Business, and the sisters are caught in the cross-fire.When one of Nic’s yoga students is found dead near the planned resort, the amateur sleuths are back on the trail of a killer. Who has the most to gain from her death—the morally challenged developer, the money-grubbing boyfriend, her jealous brother, a nasty neighbor, or a co-worker with dark secrets? And where has Skittles, the dog, gone?
While the Chocolate Martini Sisters sort through the litany of villains, they’re leaving no mystery unsolved. The stakes are escalating, throwing the sisters on divergent paths that all come together at a dangerous intersection. As they unsnarl the tangled mysteries, will they expose the murderer before the killer finds a way to silence them?
📜 Excerpt from Birds Puppies and Murder
“Gus!”
The black mutt exploded from behind the building, dissolving her tension. He raced past her, his bark excited, and did a complete three-sixty before he bounded off from where he’d been.
“What in the…” He disappeared behind the building, and she shouted his name again. When he didn’t return, she trudged after him, shoulders tight with frustration. “Feel free to wait, Auntie, while I rein him in.”
Lydia laughed and skipped after her. “Don’t worry about me. I may not move as fast as I used to, but I’m still moving.” She cackled joyously, alarming several blackbirds she recognized as grackles who jetted from a yellowed-leafed Aspen.
Emma rounded the far corner of the building, following a dirt path covered generously with fallen pine needles from nearby trees. The back half of Gus jutted from a cluster of rangy bushes, rear end wiggling.
“Gus. Get out of there.” A sharp whimper made her wince. Concerned he’d cornered a critter, she grabbed his collar, inching him backwards. When she saw what lay on the ground, her heart lurched into her throat. “Oh, no.” She couldn’t believe it. “Come away!” She tugged the excitable animal, struggling to contain him, and yanked the leash from her jacket pocket. “Lydia, stay back! You don’t want to see this.” Hand trembling, she managed to hook Gus to his leash and wrangled him from the bushes.
“What’s going on?” Lydia asked, sounding worried.
“There’s a dead body.”
📚 Where to Find Birds, Puppies, and Murder
Available on Amazon
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✨ My Thoughts on Birds, Puppies, and Murder✨
Wyatt, Arizona has never been the same since the Chocolate Martini Sisters arrived on the scene. Birds, Puppies, and Murder is a cozy mystery with heart, blending small-town charm, quirky suspects, and family bonds with just enough danger to keep the pages turning.
The sisters’ sleuthing style is equal parts clever and relatable, making them characters you want to spend time with. Their humor and determination shine through even as the tension rises, giving the story an engaging mix of lighthearted fun and genuine suspense. And of course, the endearing pup, Gus, adds warmth and plenty of memorable moments.
This is the kind of cozy mystery that leaves you smiling even as you’re trying to piece together the clues. Perfect for fans who enjoy small-town whodunits, strong female sleuths, and a dash of humor alongside the intrigue.
Review-at-a-Glance
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Birds, Puppies, and Murder is a charming cozy mystery set in Wyatt, Arizona, where the Chocolate Martini Sisters uncover secrets, solve a murder, and keep readers smiling with humor, heart, and the pup Gus. Perfect for fans of small-town whodunits, quirky sleuths, and lighthearted mysteries.
I received a copy of the book as part of this tour. This review reflects my honest, unbiased opinion.
Catch up on previous books in the series!
✍️Meet the Authors
Joyce Proell
After hearing countless stories as a mental health professional, Joyce Proell retired to create her own tales. An award-winning author, she writes historical romance and cozy mysteries—always with happily-ever-after endings. She shares her prairie home with her husband and a little dog with a big personality. When she isn’t reading or writing, Joyce enjoys swimming and finds baking almost as relaxing as a day at the spa.
🔗 Website | Facebook | X/Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub
Brenda Whiteside
Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, cozy mysteries, and romance. A born-and-bred Arizona native, she sets her fictional stories in imaginary—but always recognizable—Arizona locations. Brenda and her husband live in Central Arizona with their rescue dog, Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.
🔗 Website | Facebook | X/Twitter | Blog | Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub
✨ Closing Notes
Thank you for stopping by to check out my review of Birds, Puppies, and Murder by Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside. A big thank you to the authors and Goddess Fish Promotions for including me on this tour and for providing the book for review consideration.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with humor, heart, and a touch of danger, be sure to add this one to your TBR—and don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon/BN gift card!
Until next time, happy reading! 💕📚🐾
🎁 Giveaway!
Enter below for your chance to win a $20 Amazon/BN gift card—courtesy of the authors.
October 1: The Avid Reader
October 8: Iron Canuck Reviews & More
October 15: Sandra's Book Club
October 15: Country Mamas With Kids
October 22: travel the ages
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I liked the excerpt.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review so thoroughly. Joyce and I appreciate it.
You are most welcome. Be sure to check out this week’s Friday Finds. You are featured there too!
Thank you so much for hosting and reviewing today.