Notes from Ellie · Issue No. 2 · April 1, 2026

Meet the Dogs

Every good mystery needs a sidekick. Ours just happen to have four paws, wet noses, and very strong opinions about snacks.

Hello Again, Dear Reader

Thank you for coming back for our second issue! Last month we introduced the women behind the name. This month, we’re handing the spotlight to the real stars of the show, the dogs who sniff out clues, steal scenes, and occasionally narrate a chapter or two.

Cocoa: the chocolate Lab with a nose for trouble

When we first sat down to dream up Maple Ridge, we knew Tess would need a companion. Not a sidekick who simply tags along, but one with a heart big enough to fill a bookshop. Each of us has loved a dog like Cocoa at some point in our lives: the one who greets you like you’ve been gone for years when it’s been ten minutes, who knows exactly which cupboard holds the treats, and who somehow understands when you’ve had a hard day.

So Cocoa became all of those dogs at once. Cocoa begins the series grieving Henry, the town baker, and finds a new home (and a new purpose) with Tess. Every so often, Cocoa takes over the narration to give readers a dog’s-eye view of the case. Those chapters may be our favorite to write.

A few Labrador quirks we love:

• They’re not from Labrador. The breed’s ancestors came from neighboring Newfoundland, where they helped fishermen haul in nets.
• Built-in swim gear. Labs have webbed toes, a water-resistant double coat, and a thick “otter tail” that works like a rudder.
• A “soft mouth.” Labs were bred to carry things gently without damaging them. Handy for a dog who keeps bringing Tess clues.
• Always hungry? Blame science. Researchers found that roughly one in four Labs carry a gene change linked to a bigger appetite. It explains why Cocoa never stops thinking about the bakery next door.

Echo: a retired K9 with a new beat

In Canine Confidential, Lucy Hart moves to Cedar Hollow for some peace and quiet and brings along Echo, her retired K9 partner. Echo is a German Shepherd who served with honor, but these days he’s a little hard of hearing and has been known to fetch the wrong clue. He takes his new life running the general store very seriously, and like Cocoa, he gets a few chapters of his own.

We loved the idea of a working dog learning how to retire. After all, a good detective never really stops sniffing around.

A few German Shepherd quirks we love:

• Floppy-eared babies. German Shepherd puppies are born with soft, floppy ears that usually stand up somewhere between four and seven months old.
• A young breed. The German Shepherd was developed in Germany in the late 1800s, and the first one was officially registered in 1899.
• Trailblazers. Buddy, one of the very first guide dogs in America, was a German Shepherd.
• Big talkers. Shepherds are famous for grumbles, groans, and “woo-woos.” If you live with one, you know the conversation never really ends.

Cocoa and Echo both found their way to new homes and new people. Some of the best dogs in real life do too.

Find your own Cocoa (or Echo)

If these two have you dreaming of a furry companion of your own, we hope you’ll consider adopting. And if you already share your home with a pet, here’s a little reading we feel strongly about:

• PetfinderSearch adoptable dogs, cats, and other pets from thousands of shelters and rescue groups near you.
• Why Spay or Neuter Your Pet (ASPCA)How spaying and neutering helps reduce pet homelessness, lowers certain health risks, and can curb roaming and other unwanted behaviors.

On our shelf this season

P.S. The Deadly Tapestry introduces a new four-legged friend, and this time it’s a curious cat. We have a feeling the dogs won’t be thrilled.

Until next month, give your pets an extra treat from us.
With love,
Ellie (all of us)