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Luke and Bandit #4
A Taste of Mystery
When a beautiful detective rolls into town with superior sleuthing skills, Luke and Bandit might just be out of a job.
A charming baker-detective moves to Crystal Falls and wins over the town with her pastries, crime solving skills, and cuddly cat. But when a string of burglaries confound the police, Luke and Bandit must scramble to out-sleuth the new investigator before she takes over as the town detective.
The burglaries take a deadly turn, and Luke’s telepathic link with his dog Bandit is more vital than ever to sniff out the criminal. The suspect list grows as Luke works from the outside to solve the murder mystery before the killer strikes again.
Can Luke and Bandit catch the killer and beat the baker or will their detective agency end up out of dough?
A charming baker-detective moves to Crystal Falls and wins over the town with her pastries, crime solving skills, and cuddly cat. But when a string of burglaries confound the police, Luke and Bandit must scramble to out-sleuth the new investigator before she takes over as the town detective.
The burglaries take a deadly turn, and Luke’s telepathic link with his dog Bandit is more vital than ever to sniff out the criminal. The suspect list grows as Luke works from the outside to solve the murder mystery before the killer strikes again.
Can Luke and Bandit catch the killer and beat the baker or will their detective agency end up out of dough?
274 pages, Paperback
Published March 26, 2024
About the author
Paul Regnier
21 books65 followersPaul Regnier is a speculative fiction author. He believes one of the closest things to magic on this earth is imagination. His favorite type of story is filled with adventure, humor, and heartfelt moments between characters. He likes to dream up worlds of fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, and the supernatural. Sometimes they end up in a book.
Paul is the writer of Bard Tidings, the Luke and Bandit cozy mystery series, the Paranormia series, and the Space Drifters series.
Paul lives in Treasure Valley, Idaho, with his wife and two children.
Paul is the writer of Bard Tidings, the Luke and Bandit cozy mystery series, the Paranormia series, and the Space Drifters series.
Paul lives in Treasure Valley, Idaho, with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 28, 2024
I read this as a stand-alone, even though I know the book is the fourth in a series. In that light, I wasn’t confused by who characters were or what they were referring to.
I liked how the ending was tied in with an obscure idea in the beginning (I won’t say more than that for fear of giving spoilers ;) )
I honestly was guessing all the way to the end on who-done-it!
One side note: I’d like to see the character’s growth as the series progresses. He seems unhappy with some of his journalism work even though others think he does it well. I’m curious to know if he comes to a point where he doesn’t look down on some of the other characters as much.
If you want an easy, quick read with well-written streamlined prose, I’d recommend this.
A couple of my favourite quotes:
“I’d always hoped to get back to it and actually learn, but never had enough motivation to do it. It was like a broken promise I’d made to myself.”
- I felt this. I have a bunch of promises I’ve broken to myself.
“…her broad smile was straight out of a toothpaste commercial. I half expected one of her teeth to momentarily glitter and emit a high-pitched ding.”
- This made me chuckle, also painted a vivid image in my mind.
I liked how the ending was tied in with an obscure idea in the beginning (I won’t say more than that for fear of giving spoilers ;) )
I honestly was guessing all the way to the end on who-done-it!
One side note: I’d like to see the character’s growth as the series progresses. He seems unhappy with some of his journalism work even though others think he does it well. I’m curious to know if he comes to a point where he doesn’t look down on some of the other characters as much.
If you want an easy, quick read with well-written streamlined prose, I’d recommend this.
A couple of my favourite quotes:
“I’d always hoped to get back to it and actually learn, but never had enough motivation to do it. It was like a broken promise I’d made to myself.”
- I felt this. I have a bunch of promises I’ve broken to myself.
“…her broad smile was straight out of a toothpaste commercial. I half expected one of her teeth to momentarily glitter and emit a high-pitched ding.”
- This made me chuckle, also painted a vivid image in my mind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2024
The Crystal Clear Detective Agency is a little lacking in clients of late. Almost as bad as Luke is lacking in good story opportunities. His boss has him writing pet bios! A rash of burglaries around Crystal Falls gets Luke, Kenny, and Luke's mom hopeful that maybe the police will bring them in, but they find out the new baker in town is also a private detective and they hired her instead! Thankfully, the chief is desperate enough to get this crime spree solved he'll allow a second private detective agency in to help too. Now it feels like a competition to see who can get a break in the case first.
Another fun time with Luke, Bandit, (and Kenny, Luke's mom, and Brooke too). I figured out who done it before Luke and Bandit, but it was still an entertaining mystery. Regnier shines with witty dialogue and quirky characters, though. The mystery is just the icing on the cake.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: Nothing beyond a kiss
Violence: One person dies of a heart attack off page.
Ethnic diversity: Most characters are white.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: There's some clash between a new wealthy family in the neighborhood and the locals. Some crazy driving/car chases.
Another fun time with Luke, Bandit, (and Kenny, Luke's mom, and Brooke too). I figured out who done it before Luke and Bandit, but it was still an entertaining mystery. Regnier shines with witty dialogue and quirky characters, though. The mystery is just the icing on the cake.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: Nothing beyond a kiss
Violence: One person dies of a heart attack off page.
Ethnic diversity: Most characters are white.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: There's some clash between a new wealthy family in the neighborhood and the locals. Some crazy driving/car chases.
March 28, 2024
A Taste of Mystery is the fourth installment in the hilarious Luke and Bandit cozy mystery series. While it stands up well on its own, I would still read them in order as the series has a satisfying amount of continuity that you rarely find in episodic fiction.
I have to say that so far this mystery has the most insane twist that I didn't see coming. Not insane in a bad way. It was super refreshing to be taken by surprise like this. I am usually the kind of reader who can see the twists coming from page two. I loved that, even though I was sure of the who, I had no idea how they had done it.
If you like hallmark mysteries with a talking dog, but still enjoy shocking revelations then this is the cozy mystery novel you've been waiting for.
*Thanks to the author for providing me with an early review copy of this book. All opinions above are my own honest evaluation of the provided work.*
I have to say that so far this mystery has the most insane twist that I didn't see coming. Not insane in a bad way. It was super refreshing to be taken by surprise like this. I am usually the kind of reader who can see the twists coming from page two. I loved that, even though I was sure of the who, I had no idea how they had done it.
If you like hallmark mysteries with a talking dog, but still enjoy shocking revelations then this is the cozy mystery novel you've been waiting for.
*Thanks to the author for providing me with an early review copy of this book. All opinions above are my own honest evaluation of the provided work.*
March 28, 2024
You need to read the Luke and Bandit series by Paul Regnier. I just finished the 4th book, A Taste of Mystery, and it's so good, just like the previous three. Great characters who are quite diverse, a cool dog, an intriguing mystery and just a touch of whimsy. So well written you will want to keep turning the pages from the time you start until the end.
March 28, 2024
Yay for another Luke and Bandit mystery! This one may have a bit more of a twist in the mystery... Also, I'm starting to wonder when Luke is going to slip and let someone know about his communication with Bandit!?! Love the friendships and the dynamics in these stories.
Thanks to the author for an advance e-copy! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Thanks to the author for an advance e-copy! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
March 27, 2024
Funny, quirky, feel-good read! I’ve missed Luke and Bandit, so this was a must-read for me, and I absolutely loved it!
~I received an early copy of this book from the author and was not required to leave a positive review.~~
~I received an early copy of this book from the author and was not required to leave a positive review.~~
March 27, 2024
Bandit Is Back
Bandit Is absolutely wonderful in this story. I loved the mystery. It kept me guessing until the end. You'll enjoy it.
Bandit Is absolutely wonderful in this story. I loved the mystery. It kept me guessing until the end. You'll enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews