The Last Goodbye by J.A. Jance

Ali Reynolds is finally getting married to her longtime love B. Simpson. They wanted a simple Christmas Eve wedding, but nothing is ever simple with Ali. Even as a motley crew of her friends—Leland Brooks, Sister Anselm, and others—descend on Vegas, the bride-to-be finds herself juggling last-minute wedding plans and a mystery in the form of a stray miniature dachshund. Ali’s grandson rescues the little dog, but Ali’s not in the market for a new pet right before her honeymoon, and leaves no stone unturned in hunting for the dog’s owner. But what she finds is more than just a shaggy dog story…Bella’s elderly owner has vanished, and her son seems to be behind it. So it’s Ali and B. to the rescue—and still making it to the church on time!

Series: Ali Reynolds #9.5  Publisher: Pocket Star | Genre:  Contemporary Mystery | Source: Publisher | Rating: 3.5 Cups

Challenges Read For:  - Blogger Shame

 

When I was prepping my review of The A List (Ali Reynolds #14), I stumbled upon this review from 2014 sitting unpublished in my drafts. I don’t really recall much of this book, in fact, when I was reading The A List I thought this series and author were new-to-me. As I read through the review, I vaguely remembered a few minor details—about the characters not the plot—but that’s about it. Although, oddly enough, I do remember cover but who could forget that cute little dog? So, I’m not sure if I just struggle to recall a book I read 5 years ago or if this one just didn’t have staying power.

On with my original review from 5 years ago….

Ali Reynolds believes that a Vegas wedding will be quick and simple with no fuss. But when her husband-to-be brings home a miniature dachshund that someone tossed out of a car, Ali finds herself as bride and sleuth as she tries to track down the dog’s owner and spend her honeymoon with her new husband.

A Last Goodbye was such a sweet and moving cozy little mystery.

While I was new to the Ali Reynolds series, I found that I was able to jump into this novella and get an amazing sense of the characters.

Ali wants a quick and simple Christmas Eve wedding. Things quickly change when her grandson rescues a dog and her husband-to-be, B., brings it back to the hotel. Even though Ali insists that the dog must go, she’s quickly embroiled in the hunt to find its owner and is slowly growing attached to Bella.

 

The way the hunt for Bella’s owner unfolded and the outcome was very touching and it made me stop and think about what happens to pets when their elderly owner is no longer able to care for them.

Overall, dog lovers will enjoy this quick and touching novella.

Ali Reynolds Mystery Series

Edge of Evil

Web of Evil

Hand of Evil

Cruel Intent

Trial by Fire

Fatal Error

Left for Dead

Deadly Stakes

Moving Target

The Last Goodbye (novella)

Cold Betrayal

No Honor Among Thieves

Clawback

Random Acts

Man Overboard

Duel to the Death

The A List