Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

How would you feel if your neighborhood was suddenly hit by a series of break-and-enter crimes? No one is safe. In fact, if you happen to catch the perpetrators in the act, your life may well be in danger. That’s what’s happened to Ginger’s neighborhood. A place she always thought was safe with the usual collage of colorful characters residing around her, a middle-class neighborhood of hardworking couples and families – hardly the high-end home that attracts the attention of would-be thieves. Hardly a place where one would expect violence and yes, sadly, murder. But Ginger is resilient and intuitive. An amateur sleuth, she has already gained something of a reputation for solving crimes, particularly murders. And, with her trusty partner at her side, an elderly Irish setter named Barney, Ginger, or Gin as her friends call her, is ready to protect her neighborhood.

Donna Murray’s cozy mystery novel, School of Hard Knocks (The Ginger Barnes Main Line Mysteries Book 3), will have the reader spellbound from start to finish. The plot is well developed and the characters and setting are well defined using good descriptive passages as well as effective dialogue. Barney, the dog, doesn’t play a big role in this story, but he certainly adds an element of charm. He might be getting on in years, but he’s still adorable. This is an enjoyable, comfortable read with lots of action. The many tangents and character interchanges add to the suspense and drama. You certainly can’t go wrong with a dog in the story!