After the "Big D", Ellie Engleman is ready to radically change her life and becoming the newest Manhattan dog walker suits her perfectly, especially when she discovers she has the ability to hear what her charges are thinking. When one of Ellie's clients is murdered and his championship Bichon Frise, Buddy, turns up missing, Ellie is determined to find the dog; the police certainly don't seem to care. Too bad the hunky Detective Sam Ryder seems to think Ellie has something to do with the crime and doesn't seem to think finding the missing dog is very important. Ellie however believes that finding who has the dog will solve the mystery and she won't rest until she knows Buddy is safe.

Hounding the Pavement is an entertaining and fun filled mystery that will charm all dog lovers and delight cozy mystery readers. Ellie is a sexy, intelligent, and caring woman that will not give up on rescuing the poor missing dog, Buddy, even if pursuing the mystery may put her in danger. Sam is a good police officer but he doesn't understand about dogs, especially championship dogs, nor does he understand women and Ellie certainly puts him in a tail spin. There is great chemistry between these two but each has a load of baggage that will make developing a relationship difficult. Plus it is Sam's job to solve this murder and Ellie sticking her nose in his case is not an endearing quality for him. I loved the interaction and sparks between Ellie and Sam but I enjoyed even more the "conversations" Ellie has with her dog Rudy and the other dogs she walks. Rudy is definitely a major player in this new series and I love it!

If you enjoy quirky, fun, cozy mysteries, you will not want to miss out on the beginning of this new series by Judi McCoy so pick up your copy of Hounding the Pavement today. As a bonus, Ms. McCoy is donating all her sales of this book to Best Friends, a large no kill animal shelter. I can't wait for the second book in this series to see what Ellie and Rudy will be up to next and to see if Sam will figure out what to do about his feelings for Ellie!

Reviewed by: Stephanie B.