Bought-the-Farm Mystery Series by Ellen Riggs

Meet Ivy, soon-to-be hobby farmer, as she solves her first crime with help from a brilliant border collie in this short prequel to the Bought-the-Farm Mystery series.Rescuing this pup could bring her a whole new life… if it doesn’t kill her first. Ivy Galloway doesn’t know how desperate she is to escape the big city and her human resources job until she meets a border collie pup in need of rescue, too... moreMeet Ivy, soon-to-be hobby farmer, as she solves her first crime with help from a brilliant border collie in this short prequel to the Bought-the-Farm Mystery series.Rescuing this pup could bring her a whole new life… if it doesn’t kill her first. Ivy Galloway doesn’t know how desperate she is to escape the big city and her human resources job until she meets a border collie pup in need of rescue, too. Over the past 10 years, Ivy has had to downsize so many staff that her boss nicknamed her “the grim reaper.” Maybe it's time to leave that behind and go home to the rolling hills of bucolic Clover Grove.But first, she'll need to do whatever it takes to save the neglected pup she calls “Keats.” Enlisting her best friend Jilly Blackwood, she confronts the dog’s deadbeat owner with logic, humor and professional courtesy. When her best HR skills fall flat, conservative Ivy starts breaking the rules. The clever border collie digs in to help by unearthing a chilling clue that could put his owner away for good.Can Ivy, Jilly and Keats evade a genuine grim reaper long enough to gain a new leash on life in the country?This short prequel to the Bought-the-Farm Mystery series is a perfect page-turner for lovers of dogs, humor and spunky amateur sleuths. less

Turning a hobby farm into a quaint country inn is a piece of cake compared to solving a murder.Ivy Galloway may not know an alpaca from a llama, but nothing’s going to stop her from pursuing her dream of opening a farm-themed inn in her hometown of Clover Grove. Not after what she went through to rescue Keats, her brilliant border collie, and flee the big city... moreTurning a hobby farm into a quaint country inn is a piece of cake compared to solving a murder.Ivy Galloway may not know an alpaca from a llama, but nothing’s going to stop her from pursuing her dream of opening a farm-themed inn in her hometown of Clover Grove. Not after what she went through to rescue Keats, her brilliant border collie, and flee the big city.When Keats finds a body pushing up daisies in her rye field, however, the murder puts a blight on Ivy’s plans to welcome her first official guests in just three weeks. The police chief refuses to rush his investigation. Does he really believe she's a suspect or is he just holding a grudge over what happened in high school?To clear her name, Ivy starts digging up clues. The former HR exec is no stranger to interviewing, and Keats is a dog who loves a job. As she juggles sleuthing with getting the inn ready to launch, she almost reaches the end of her tether. With her beloved farm’s very future on the line can she solve the case before the killer comes after her next?Dogcatcher in the Rye is perfect for animal-lovers, and anyone who likes curling up with a fun, fast-paced cozy mystery. less

Sweet life on the farm turns sour when a guest mooves on to greener pastures. Permanently.Ivy was happy to put her old life at Flordale Corporation behind her, but with a recent murder tarnishing her new inn’s reputation she can’t afford to be choosy about paying guests. So when her former teammates from HR ask to hold their retreat at Runaway Farm and Inn, she throws down the welcome mat.When a guest turns up dead in the cow stall, it’s a terrible shock... moreSweet life on the farm turns sour when a guest mooves on to greener pastures. Permanently.Ivy was happy to put her old life at Flordale Corporation behind her, but with a recent murder tarnishing her new inn’s reputation she can’t afford to be choosy about paying guests. So when her former teammates from HR ask to hold their retreat at Runaway Farm and Inn, she throws down the welcome mat.When a guest turns up dead in the cow stall, it’s a terrible shock. The cows are initially on the hook for the crime, but Ivy knows her girls too well to buy that. But if the cows aren’t to blame, it means the killer is continuing to enjoy Ivy’s hospitality and everything bucolic Clover Grove has to offer.At first Ivy agrees to stay out of the investigation at the police chief’s request. When a family member becomes a suspect, however, she jumps into action with Keats, her know-it-all border collie, and Jilly, her best friend.Will they be able to find the bad apple on the Flordale HR team before the killer strikes again and Ivy is downsized… for good? less

With hens like these, who needs enemies?Ivy is finally starting to feel at home on Runaway Farm and she’s even settled the feathers of a formerly feisty neighbor with frequent gourmet food bribes. Unless the nosy neighbor has an ulterior motive, that is. She’s as sly as Ivy’s runaway sow.New guests descend on the inn and Ivy puts the mayhem of recent weeks behind her. When someone chokes on a very bad egg and dies, however, the plot chickens... moreWith hens like these, who needs enemies?Ivy is finally starting to feel at home on Runaway Farm and she’s even settled the feathers of a formerly feisty neighbor with frequent gourmet food bribes. Unless the nosy neighbor has an ulterior motive, that is. She’s as sly as Ivy’s runaway sow.New guests descend on the inn and Ivy puts the mayhem of recent weeks behind her. When someone chokes on a very bad egg and dies, however, the plot chickens. Once again, Ivy is a suspect, thanks to the generosity of her hens. But clucks are as abundant in this homesteading community as enemies.Keats, the border collie, is ready to apply his sharp nose and brain to this case of murder most fowl and Jilly always comes through in a pinch. Even the police chief is starting to soften toward Ivy. His change of heart couldn’t be better timed because the evidence could leave her without an egg to stand on. less

Are there some mysteries only a clever cat can solve?There’s a handsome new guy at Runaway Farm and Keats isn’t happy about the competition. The bossy border collie wants to be Ivy’s one-and-only partner in crime-solving. Cats are unwelcome here.When a curmudgeonly cat-sitter targets Ivy with slanderous claims, however, a curious cat may be exactly what’s needed to help sort out the truth from the lies... moreAre there some mysteries only a clever cat can solve?There’s a handsome new guy at Runaway Farm and Keats isn’t happy about the competition. The bossy border collie wants to be Ivy’s one-and-only partner in crime-solving. Cats are unwelcome here.When a curmudgeonly cat-sitter targets Ivy with slanderous claims, however, a curious cat may be exactly what’s needed to help sort out the truth from the lies. And when a Clover Grove resident gets their final cut in her family’s new salon, Ivy needs all hands—and paws—on deck to defend the Galloway name.The ginger feline won't take no for an answer anyway. Not from Ivy, not from Keats. He’s determined to join the murder investigation and it turns out there are people to see and places to go that elude even the most ambitious canine. Can the furry rivals make peace in time to save Ivy from another stinking murderer in farm country?Till the Cat Lady Sings is purrrfect for animal cozy mystery readers who love face-paced adventure, laugh-out-loud humor and characters who feel like family. less

Can a dancing alpaca waltz her way out of a murder allegation and go toe-to-toe with the real killer? Alvina, the alpaca, is the most popular rescue animal at Runaway Farm. Her passion for dancing with handsome men has created a cult-like following.When an equally popular ballroom dance instructor brings his troupe to stay in Clover Grove, it starts a craze that ends in a well-choreographed murder... moreCan a dancing alpaca waltz her way out of a murder allegation and go toe-to-toe with the real killer? Alvina, the alpaca, is the most popular rescue animal at Runaway Farm. Her passion for dancing with handsome men has created a cult-like following.When an equally popular ballroom dance instructor brings his troupe to stay in Clover Grove, it starts a craze that ends in a well-choreographed murder.The crime is just the beginning for innkeeper, hobby farmer and amateur sleuth, Ivy Galloway, and her brilliant sheepdog, Keats. As things get wild and woolly around town, her talented team tangos for their very lives. Can they figure out all the steps before the killer strikes again?Laugh out loud with the heartwarming and suspenseful Bought-the-Farm cozy mystery series for animal lovers. less