THE KARMA OF KING HARALD and KING HARALD'S HEIST by Rchard Audry

       The Karma of King Harald/King Harald’s Heist by Richard Audry The Karma of King Harald Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Conger Road Press (November 30, 2012) ISBN-13: 978-0985019624 ASIN: B00A55F62C   Synopsis When springtime arrives in picturesque New Bergen, so do the tourists and antiquers. This year, though, there are some unwelcome visitors. Extortion. Arson. And murder. After his business tanks and his wife leaves him for a Pilates coach, Andy Skyberg flees the big city for the peace and quiet of his hometown. All he wants is a decent job, a steady girlfriend, a plasma screen TV with a hundred-plus channels, and one loyal dog. But fate has something else in store for Andy, when his big mutt King Harald starts sniffing out crime. It’s clear that someone has it in for the town’s New Age retailer, Trudi Bock. And it’s also clear that Trudi wants to rekindle the steamy romance she and Andy enjoyed back in college. Andy has to fend her off, while placating his fiery girlfriend, Deputy Sheriff Cass Conlin. Meanwhile, Harald keeps digging up more mayhem. And it falls to Andy to channel his inner sleuth and make sense of it all. Throw into this mix one legendary (but lost) ebelskiver recipe…a gimlet-eyed church lady…a van full of federal agents…a crusty socialist…a beloved iguana…and an overabundance of rosemaling… And you have all the makings for The Karma of King Harald. King Harald’s Heist (King Harald Mysteries Book 2) Series: King Harald Mysteries Paperback: 306 pages Publisher: Conger Road Press (May 3, 2015) ISBN-13: 978-0985019655 ASIN: B00X002DBG Synopsis Join King Harald and Andy Skyberg on their second adventure! As the leaves begin to change color in New Bergen, Andy Skyberg wants to turn his full attention to his sister’s new café and art gallery—and to the beautiful Finnish architect who is managing the project. But the good-natured, go-to guy can’t seem to catch a moment’s peace. His next-door neighbors—two elderly sisters—want him to fend off a pushy historian who thinks they had a scandalous past. His parents enlist him to entertain a narcissistic, boring couple they would like to ditch. And his ever-scheming Aunt Bev tricks Andy into seeking an improbable new gig that could land him in the hot seat. Even Andy’s big ol’ mutt King Harald has a kennel full of trouble in store for him, beginning with a pilfered thousand-dollar bill and a naughty garden gnome. Before long, New Bergen’s favorite crime-sniffing pooch finds even more deep doo-doo to toss his boss into. Havoc and hilarity ensue, as Andy and his happy hound get to the bottom of King Harald’s Heist.   About The Author – Richard Audry is the pen name of D. R. Martin. As Richard Audry, he is the author of the King Harald Canine Cozy mystery series and the Mary MacDougall historical mystery series. Under his own name he has written the Johnny Graphic middle-grade ghost adventure series, the Marta Hjelm mystery, Smoking Ruin, and two books of literary commentary: Travis McGee & Me; and Four Science Fiction Masters.   http://drmartinbooks.com/ Purchase Links The Karma of King Harald – Amazon  B&N  Kobo King Harald’s Heist – Amazon   B&N  Kobo Review: THE KARMA OF KING HARALD [King Harald Mysteries #1] I'll read anything containing dogs, fiction or non-fiction [and cats, and wildlife]. Particularly impressive in Richard Audry's King Harald Series is his valuation of Harald, the oversize mixed breed with a mind (and nose) of his own. Harald is no cartoon cutout, no two-dimensional standby, no figurehead canine. Harald is a character in his own right, who rates his own special scenes of which he is the undeniable star. Additionally, Harald is characterized from inside out; he's canine, yes--but he is also a character in the narrative and a participant in the story line. I also enjoyed the author's delineation of small-town life, with its foibles and generosities, grudges and blessings. The characters are vivid and realistic. The one surprise for me is that I found some aspects a little edgy for a cozy: there are some instances of offstage animal cruelty and terrorizing acts. However, this did not detract from my enjoyment, and I found this a re-reader. Review: KING HARALD' S HEIST by Richard Audry I love this series, both because I'm crazy fond of the adorable protagonist, that "big mutt" HARALD, but also due to the author's noted talent in uncovering character. In addition to the ongoing series characters, in each book the author introduces new background characters who of course come trailing their own engrossing plots and mysteries. This time, mischievous and always curious Harald uncovers hidden large-denomination cash; and one of the cafe's best customers accuses her recently-ex of stealing and selling a valuable historical letter belonging to her family.  Harald is a winner, and so is the series that bears his name.