Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This was ok, a few twists and turns and ofcourse I love dogs, so for me it was an enjoyable read. I can't see it being for everyone though.

I love crime novels, mysteries and thrillers, and I adore animals. This cosy mystery was therefore the perfect combination for me! The title drew me in immediately, and I enjoyed reading it even more than I expected to.
Clarice is approached by a friend whose son has gone missing. As the owner of an animal shelter, Clarice is asked to look after the dog of the missing man, Guy. As usual, Clarice can't help but look into Guy's disappearance herself - with the unexpected help of Susie, Guy's boxer dog.
I've never really read 'cosy' mysteries before, and for some reason, I had this weird fear that the genre isn't for me. But this was such an interesting read! The investigation element was great, and the plot was really clever. I didn't guess the ending and was pleasantly surprised throughout the book. Plus, the side-stories involving Clarice's animal shelter and her own pets were charming. It was perhaps a little overly cosy at times (if that makes any sense) with some arguably unnecessary elements and conversations, but I didn't lose interest so it obviously wasn't too much of an issue. 4.5 stars!

Sadly, because I enjoyed the first book in the series and was looking forward to this one, I have to say that I was disappointed by The Man Who Vanished and the Dog Who Waited. I found it to be hard to read. Too much was told, rather than shown. And I found the descriptions of the routine feeding of all the animals boring and unnecessary. The central plot was good but I think that Kate High tried to pack too much into her book. Better editing would certainly have helped.

Sorry I didn't get to read it before the time ran out. I didnt know you couldnt renew once archived. I was looking forward to reading it aswell

This the second book I read in this cosy series and I'm liking them.
I love Clarice and think she's a fleshed out and likable character. The plot is engrossing and entertaining and the characters are well developed.
The mystery is solid, slow burning and full of twists. The solution came as a surprise.
I hope to read soon another book by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was an easy read that will appeal to animal lovers. An engaging mystery that was a little predictable in places, but still an enjoyable read.

I hadn't come across Kate High before so wasn't quite sure what to expect. But, if you enjoy cosy crime this is perfect. Another thing that ticked my box was that it is set in Lincolnshire and as Lincoln is one of my favourite outings, I loved reading the descriptions of the city.

Clarice Beech is a ceramicist and she runs an animal rescue centre. She is married to a DI - Rick Beech but she does not leave the investigating to him. The case starts when her friend rings her asking her to look after her son's dog as he has gone missing and so Clarice starts her own little investigation, much to her husband's annoyance. This is not a novel that sends you hiding behind the sofa, or grimacing because of the violence. As I said before, it's a cosy, gentle read.

Clarice runs an animal sanctuary. When she is asked to look after a dog named Susie, who mysteriously has a cut on her leg; it is uncovered that the owner has disappeared.

Being married to a policeman will always have its perks; when you can ask for advice or get in on the investigation. It isn't long before Clarice is playing detective, but how much will she want to uncover?

A fast pace and engaging novel. In some ways predictable but I enjoyed it. It was an easy read and a book I'd pick up for a summer pool read.

And after reading this, I want to get a dog.


(this review will be out on my bookstagram from the 17th of May)

Spend a day reading this outside and have to say I was plentiful surprised. Wasn’t sure what to expect from the cover and description but throughly enjoyed this mystery story. I love all books with animals in them . Great characters and an easy read. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

They say never work with animals and children. But proving that, in a book, at least, it is very much OK, The Man Who Vanished and the Dog Who Waited is well populated with rescued cats, adorable dogs, newly born kittens, and three children.

When a local lawyer disappears one morning, local animal sanctuary owner, Clarice, is asked to assist with the distressed family's dog, Susie. This is a tight interconnected countryside community, and it just so happens that Clarice is also friends with the lawyer's mother, Louise. Determined to get to the bottom of the disappearance and help her friend, Clarice starts delving into the details. As things turn out, it's the animals who have the answer. Susie-the-dog may not have human language, but her behaviour speaks volumes.

This is every inch a cosy crime and it ticks along nicely. Would suit teenagers ready to delve into grown-up fiction, as well as animal-loving adults looking for a laidback read.

I really struggled with this book to begin with - it felt terribly clunky...lots of telling, instead of showing, and some odd conversations between characters that seemed purely there to outline backstory, rather than being genuine conversations! So I really wasn't getting along with the style, but I persevered and, in the end, I did find myself caught up in the story and wondering what was going on.
Clarice grew on me, fortunately, and it was an easy enough read with moments I liked a lot, but I didn't think it was great overall. One for the beach, I think.

This is a nice, easy, gentle read by an author who uses her own experience as an animal welfare volunteer to make the main character, Clarice Beech, sound really authentic.

Although dog lovers will absolutely adore the hound-related back stories, I found the spotlight on the animals distracting for the first few chapters, but from then on they became part of Clarice’s character rather than a focus in themselves. I urge other readers to persist past that point; it’s worth it. Clarice uses her understanding of pet owners’ feelings towards their animals to help her make sense of the clues in the plot.
Kate has written nice, rounded characters, although my favourite, Georgie’s, appearances are somewhat fleeting. I think I’d like her as a friend of my own: lively, fun, brash, gossipy and with no self-editing, ’Like a piece of machinery with the function button jammed.’

There were some passages which felt as though they should have been connected to the plot but which actually went nowhere and felt a little like padding. And I found the ease with which Clarice got her information - not actually being an official investigator – grated a bit; it should have needed more artifice.

But, all in all, I enjoyed the story and the denouement was quite satisfying.

An enjoyable mystery story. I love all books with animals in them & this was no exception. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book.