Murder at the Maplewood Tea Room

A Maplewood Cozy Mystery

A Killer Creeps...But Ivy and Watson Move Quicker
Threatening notes appear on the teacups at the Tea Room’s grand reopening, and one of them leads to murder.
Ivy Sinclair, a former Chicago journalist, now writes columns for The Maplewood Bulletin. She expected quiet days and long walks with Watson, her loyal beagle. Instead, Mrs. Osgood—the town’s nosiest gossip—collapses after sipping from a poisoned cup.
Officer Roberts brushes off her concerns. Ivy turns instead to Watson’s keen nose and to her neighbor Alice, who can get anyone talking.
The vanishing notes cause panic. Soon, there are many suspects. Clara Pettigrew argued with Mrs. Osgood, and Les Buckley had a feud with her over his baked goods.
And when the newest note names her, Ivy rushes to stop the killer before they strike again.

Unable to connect with story

I do not know if its the virtual voice ruining this for me or if the story line is flat. It just becomes mind numbing background noise and im an avid audible listener and cozy tea house mysteries are my thing. Im struggling to finish it. It seems the dogs tail is a main component of the story. As a dog trainer and owner of 8 German shepherds, I felt it was excessive and why was the dog allowed in the tea house anyway???