ON THE SCENT by Angela Campbell

ON THE SCENT  by Angela Campbell
(U.S. link: On the Scent )
Advanced Reading Copy
To Be Released: July 25, 2013, Harper Impulse

When Hannah Dawson signed on as Ellie Parham's nurse years ago, she had no idea she would be left the unexpected owner of Ellie's rescue pets; Abbot, the cat, and Costello, the dog. But it didn't stop there, Ellie had also left a $10 million dollar fortune in trust for the animals, to be managed by Hannah!! Even though Ellie had passed away 9 months ago, this information had recently become public by accident and now it seems that someone has declared open season on Abbot and Costello. 

Zach Collins couldn't be more surprised to walk into the waiting room of his private investigation firm and find a beautiful woman, with a cat in a carrier, trying desperately to detach her dog from his leg, where he had attached himself, furiously humping. When she finally rescues him from the amorous canine, she introduces herself and explains she needs his help. Hannah claims she remembers him from his stint on the TV-show 'The Psychic Detective' and hopes he can communicate with her animals to find out who is after them. 

Zach takes the case, but does so reluctantly, he has his reasons.  He tries to keep as much distance between himself and the client as possible, but when his partner is called away for an emergency he lands in the middle of the case with both feet. It becomes clear fairly quickly that Hannah was quite correct in her assumption that someone is trying to get to her pets, and Zach has to put himself squarely in the 'line of fire' to keep everyone safe.

The longer Hannah and Zach are in each others company, the more difficult it becomes to keep their attraction under control, but Zach is determined not to cross that line with a client. Aside from that, there are things that both of them have been keeping to themselves, and sooner or later the truth is bound to come out. 

*****

The super funny first book in a new trilogy by Angela Campbell!

I loved the concept of the book. Zach, the reluctant psychic Dr. Doolittle, in discussions with the cantankerous and sarcastic Abbot the cat or Costello, the dog, whose little pea-brain really doesn't contain more than his next bodily function or food, are hilarious.

The way the humour is blended with a real mystery, some paranormal aspects and a pretty hot romance, is very smartly done. Ms. Campbell never quite goes over the top in either the paranormal or the humorous aspects to make the mystery or the romance less credible, which I find an accomplishment. 

There are some interesting side characters that I can see morphing into a series and that may allow for some more 'fleshing out' of the main characters in this particular book. It was a light read, not particularly demanding or emotionally taxing, but pure fun. Great job!

A light-hearted, humorous, sexy, mystery romp!!

**ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Harper Impulse in return for an honest review.**