In Cornwall, even the quietest threads can lead to murder—and the town dog always knows where to look. When a scruffy stray with a habit of finding trouble leads her cousin straight to a dead body, loom shop owner Penelope Penrose knows life in the quiet town of Cornwall is about to get complicated. Known as the town dog, Jory has a knack for turning up where he shouldn’t. So when a young barista is found murdered, and Penelope’s cousin becomes the prime suspect, Penelope can’t help but start asking questions the police would rather she didn’t. As whispers of a long-hidden diamond resurface, Penelope discovers Cornwall’s charming streets hide dangerous secrets—and someone is willing to kill to keep them buried. With time running out, she must untangle the truth and protect the people she loves, guided by a dog who always seems to know when something isn’t right. Dead at First Bark is a cozy mystery filled with small-town charm, an amateur sleuth, and a canine companion with an uncanny nose for trouble.