In Julie Titterington's The Dog Ladies, Ryan is an introverted young man who decides to attend a murder mystery party at Westview Residences, trying to put himself out there. However, he gains more than he bargained for. For starters, Ryan meets the boisterous Gloria and the prim and proper Priya, two interesting old ladies who share his love for dogs. But things take a turn for the worse when the janitor, Tommy Delgado, dies during the party. While the police seem to rule out foul play, believing this to be a standard case of overdosing, not everyone is convinced. The unlikely trio of Ryan, Gloria, and Priya task themselves with solving the mystery while taking care of Tommy's dog.

Watching sweet old ladies and an awkward IT guy try to corner a vicious murderer is as entertaining as it sounds. I also love how the dogs have well-established personalities and even get some point-of-view sections throughout the story. Besides the sleuthing and comedy, Julie Titterington excels at creating compelling characters with strengths, weaknesses, relatable struggles, and interesting dynamics. The author uses the mystery to explore each protagonist and their growing bonds, emphasizing how none of them could solve the case without the others. Their vastly different life experiences, personalities, thinking styles, skills, and pools of knowledge sometimes clash in amusing ways. Yet this diversity helps them discover clues, sidestep dead ends in the investigation, develop clever strategies, and grow as people. Dog lovers, cozy mystery fans, and anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with engaging group dynamics should give The Dog Ladies a try.

The Dog Ladies by Julie Titterington is an excellent, cozy murder mystery. Ryan Hsia, IT clerk at the local sheriff's office, finds himself talking to two elderly ladies during a Murder Mystery party organized by the manager of their apartment building in Verdin Springs, California. The three of them witness the death of the handyman for the complex. Convinced that it was murder, the three women decide to investigate; using their unique skill sets, they set out to prove that the handyman's death was murder. In their search, they uncover secrets that have been hidden for more than twenty years. When the police won't help, the trio plans a sting operation to catch the killer. Will they be able to stand up to a murderer and survive? Where does a '90s video game fit into the equation? This unlikely trio bands together as 'The Dog Ladies' and forms a friendship none of them anticipated.

Julie Titterington delivers a cozy mystery filled with humor, action, and suspense. The characters all have issues that they are navigating, and come across as authentic and grounded. The central theme is the friendship and loyalty bond between humans and their animals. As animals need a pack, people also need a pack to belong to; people who love you and will help you bear your troubles. In their unique ways, Ryan, Gloria, and Priya help each other out of their lonely lives and give them somewhere to belong. The plot is creative and will appeal to all ages. Dog lovers will also enjoy the lovely furry friends, which include two sausage dogs, one pug, a black lab puppy, and a manipulative cat. A must-read for anyone who believes that friendship—and a few good dogs—can solve just about anything.