Kirkus
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A mysterious manuscript tells the story of a vendetta leading to a perplexing crime culminating in unexplained deaths. Detective Conner Chantree sheepishly brings his superior officer a pieced-together bundle of papers he claims may indicate that a murder was committed in a case that was recently closed. Nearly the rest of the novel offers the contents of this manuscript, which purports to tell the tale of a feud between the Lamberts and the Gaveys, two families in the village of Swaffham Tilney, England. The narrative reveals that the two families are already enemies due to bad blood over a house as well as accusations of bullying between the two teenage daughters, but it leans sympathetic to the Lambert side as it describes how things get really nasty when daughter Tess Gavey reports to the police that she has been bitten by Champ Lambert, the other family’s Welsh terrier. Mother Sally Lambert will do anything to save her Champy, especially as she still mourns the unfortunate death of their first dog, Furbert, after he ate a peach pit. So she teams up with Corinne Sullivan, a wealthy eccentric who previously caused great friction in Swaffham Tilney due to the Agatha Christie Book Club War. Together with Sally’s eager kids, her reluctant husband, and the loyal Champy, the women set out to prove him innocent—or else go on the lam. There is a great deal of charm here; Sally in particular, and the way she relates to her children both furry and otherwise, is the epitome of a fierce maternal love that grounds the more ridiculous moments of the story. While Parts 2 and 3, which comment somewhat self-consciously on the rest of the novel, feel like a satirical bridge just a little too far, Hannah has surely written a true original—not an easy feat. “Quirky” might be a generous—or possibly reductive—description, but readers who love this book willlove it. An absolutely absurdist romp for dog-loving mystery fans. Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Library Journal
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Hannah, who writes both traditional mysteries ("The New Hercule Poirot" series) and contemporary psychological thrillers (The Opposite of Murder), offers her own version of Christie's The Rose and the Yew Tree—a crime novel mixed with social commentary. The unreliably narrated story centers on quarreling neighbors, a dog, and the unraveling consequences of panic. Sally Lambert unexpectedly receives a visit from the police, who tell her that her dog Champ has been accused of biting her neighbor, Tess Gavey. Sally is sure that Tess is lying and that the neighbor wants Champ dead; ever since the Lamberts and the Gaveys both arrived in their small town, the Gaveys have seemed to hate the Lamberts. Despite her husband's efforts to bring reason to the situation, a panicked Sally decides to take Champ and the rest of her family and go on the lam. Amped up by social media and Sally's mental conflict, the situation soon gets out of control. VERDICT The popular Hannah takes a different direction that's quirky, very twisty, and sometimes overly complicated. Buy to meet demand.—Lynnanne Pearson

Publishers Weekly
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In this daring metafictional mystery, poet and novelist Hannah (The Last Death of the Year) introduces readers to the Lambert family, residents of the tiny English town of Swaffham Tilney. Sally and Mark are enjoying a quiet afternoon with their children, Ree and Toby, and their much-loved Welsh Terrier, Champ, when a policeman arrives at their door. The local constabulary is investigating a complaint that Champ bit a neighbor’s daughter, stoking Sally’s fears that the pup could be euthanized. After the officer departs, Sally realizes the only way to protect the family is for the family to go on the lam. Much of the action is told through a manuscript of unknown origin that’s left near the garage of detective Connor Chantree, and recounts the Lamberts’ lively adventure on the run. The manuscript’s version of events—which involves the aid of a dog-loving billionaire and the eventual deaths of three human victims—leaves readers to piece together who might have written the book and what their agenda might be. Head-spinning as the setup sounds, Hannah pulls it off with ease. It’s a witty and entertaining ride. Agent: Kimberly Witherspoon, InkWell Management. (Jan.)