Every neighborhood has that house.
The one with boarded-up windows, an overgrown yard, and a front porch that looks like it might collapse if you sneeze too hard.
Nobody lives there. At least, that’s what everyone says.
Some claim a family disappeared without a trace. Others swear they’ve seen lights flickering in the upstairs windows.
And, of course, there’s always someone who knows someone who went inside and was never quite the same afterward.
You know the house I’m talking about.
So this week’s question is:
Would You Enter the Abandoned House?
Now imagine you’re standing outside it with your friends on a chilly October night.
One of them pulls out a crisp $100 bill.
“I dare you to go inside. Five minutes. That’s all.”
You laugh. Because obviously, you’re not stupid.
Then someone mentions that the house might hold the answer to a mystery you’ve been trying to solve.
Suddenly, five minutes doesn’t sound so bad.
So, what would YOU do?
🚪 A. Take the $100. Five minutes is nothing. Right?
🏃 B. Absolutely not. You’ve read enough thrillers to know how this ends.
🔦 C. Forget the money. If there are answers inside, you’re going in.
👀 D. Convince your friend to go first. That’s what friends are for.
Hit reply with A, B, C, or D. I want to know who’s surviving this YA thriller and who’s becoming the cautionary tale in chapter one.
Personally, I think the smartest character is the one who stays on the sidewalk. But where’s the fun in reading about that?
📚 What I’m Reading: Best in Murder by Lauren Carr
What’s the book about?
The trouble begins at the Mid-Atlantic Classic Kennel Club Invitational—Best in Show, held at the Spencer Inn. A priceless platinum-and-diamond collar disappears, turning an elegant event into the setting for a high-profile theft. Then two women connected to the show are murdered, and the investigation takes a much darker turn. Suddenly, far more is at stake than an expensive accessory or a coveted ribbon.
Mac Faraday and his German Shepherd, Gnarly, enter a world filled with valuable dogs, fiercely competitive owners, and egos that could probably use their own obedience classes. A missing Irish Wolfhound adds another layer to the mystery, while friction between Spencer PD and the county sheriff’s office complicates matters further.
My Rating: ⭐4.8/5
Best in Murder surprised me in the best way. Mac’s wit, Gnarly and Storm’s involvement, and the dog-show setting made this my favorite installment so far. It gave me an investigation I had fun following and a cast I genuinely liked. If you enjoy your mysteries with humor, memorable sleuths, and plenty of canine mischief, this one belongs on your reading list. Just don’t expect the dogs to observe resort etiquette.
🐾 Want the full scoop?
Read my complete review and get the book, Canine Chaos and a Mystery Worth Sniffing Out, for more of my thoughts on Best in Murder.
Until next time, stay curious, trust your instincts, and maybe don’t follow strange noises into abandoned houses.
Happy reading!
Kim
P.S. Be honest. Would you enter that house for $100? Or would it take the possibility of uncovering a secret to get you through the door?