Attorney at Paw: A Chrissy the Shih Tzu Cozy Mystery by Diane Wing is a fascinating read; in turn, hilarious and heartwarming. At the time that Autumn Clarke is grieving the loss of her parents, killed in a car crash, she meets Chrissy, a Shih Tzu with extraordinary gifts. Chrissy has also experienced loss, being the sole witness to the murder of her pet parents. Autumn adopts Chrissy and together they set out to unravel clues in a murder with the help of other characters they meet along the way. This is a cozy mystery at its best, filled with twisting moments and featuring characters — both human and animal — that readers are going to root for. Will they be able to solve the murder and heal?

This tale is immersive from the get-go as readers are introduced to the themes of death and murder. The author rouses the curiosity of readers from the opening pages with the obituary announcements and a murder scene. The prose is crisp and delectable and one has the impression that this author understands the economy of words. Yes, she wastes no precious word, creating relentless drama in the narrative as she explores the relationship between Autumn and Chrissy the Shih Tzu in the midst of grief and a murder investigation. The detective is another character that arrests the attention of readers. Diane Wing’s use of anthropomorphism enriches characterization, making Chrissy a character that readers can relate to; she reads human emotions with accuracy and succeeds in building a strong connection with Autumn. Fans will adore the beautifully crafted dialogues, the strong plot points, and the realism infused into the writing. This is a mesmerizing tale from the first page, emotionally rich, and a highly sophisticated cozy mystery that will surely keep you engaged until the last captivating page.