Party Pooper by Alice Kanaka

A high society getaway turns deadly in Party Pooper (Mavis and Hornwhistle Cozy Mysteries) by Alice Kanaka, propelling the familiar heroine and her sleuthing pooch into a glamorous web of gambling, intrigue, betrayal, and murder. When Lizzy Hornwhistle arrives at her friend Kirkland’s desert paradise, she anticipates a weekend rubbing shoulders with his wealthy and eccentric clients, but they all become suspects when a notorious axe-grinder is killed. With the cleverly helpful Mavis in tow, Lizzy begins a murky investigation of millionaires to uncover a serial killer before they crush her curiosity forever. Snappy prose, a trail of twisted clues, and an addictive storytelling pace make this another high-quality escape from Kanaka and her detective duo. Though the presence of the dog detective may seem like this mystery is lighter fare, Kanaka is fully adept at building suspense, for a tale that is at once comforting and gripping.