Rating: 3.25⭐️
How To Tell If Your K-9 Is A Demon by Trista Ricketts is the first book by the author and it’s a cute little story. If you like the cover, then you have a great idea of what the story is about.
The author wrote a note telling the reader what prompted her writing this book, and I remember that meme. It was a good one.
The story about a K-9 officer who inadvertently adopts a demon made dog as part of his punishment is pretty cute. However, the writing doesn’t really live up to the potential of the theme.
The demon dog doesn’t really act like a rescue dog but like a demon in a dog’s body, carrying out duties and activities a rescue animal wouldn’t be able to perform. And the K-9 Officer, Chuck, isn’t bothered by the fact she’s got a paranormal being instead of a rescue dog.
This happens almost immediately into the story. Would have been more interesting had the dog and Chuck had time to develop a relationship and working partnership. But no, immediately into a bond and recognition process. And there’s a pug who watches daily tv with them who appears to be something else.
There’s a mystery about Chuck’s dad, a police officer who died while on duty, and Malachi who has been charged by his own hellish command with corrupting Chuck’s soul. Which is never believable. A golden retriever is more believable in this role than Malachi.
It all works out in the end. Cute and happily funny.
The reader will be able to know what will happen from page 1. It’s cute but predictable. If this is something you enjoy, then grab it up.
Cover Art: White Rose Publishing Service
Trista Ricketts notes:
“In 2025, I was lurking in a social media forum for lovers of Fantasy and Romance books. Someone posted a picture of a female police officer kneeling next to her K-9, a solid black dog who was “smiling” for his photo. The caption read, “Imagine you’re running from the police, and you hear ‘Fetch me his soul’, then you turn and see this.” The person who posted it commented they would love to read that book. A lot of other people chimed in saying the same. I commented and said, “I’ll write it!” Now I wish I had saved that post so I could thank that person for the prompt because otherwise, Malachi might have been adopted by someone else.”
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Blurb
She went to adopt a K-9 partner.
She did not mean to adopt a demon.
Officer Kelly “Chuck” Charles thought choosing her new K-9 would be straightforward.
Obedient. Loyal. Not possessed by ancient evil.
She was wrong.
Her new K-9 partner growls in dead languages, smirks like he’s plotting world domination, and reacts to holy water like it personally insulted his ancestors.
Because Malachi isn’t just a dog.
He’s a centuries-old demon trapped in a canine body — morally black, dangerously clever, and very annoyed about it.
The problem?
Chuck doesn’t know any of that yet.
She’s just a cop trying to survive long shifts, bad coffee, and a partner who may or may not be judging her soul.
She definitely doesn’t know she’s part angel.
And she absolutely isn’t prepared for the supernatural chaos headed straight for her life.
When a well-meaning witch gives Malachi his body back, everything goes from “weird dog behavior” to full-blown celestial disaster.
Redeem him.
Banish him.
Or fall for the demon who was never meant to have a heart.
How To Tell If Your K-9 Is A Demon is a laugh-out-loud paranormal romantic comedy packed with:
- Accidental demon adoption
- Snarky banter and slow-burn tension
- A morally black demon with opinions
- A strong female cop who didn’t sign up for destiny
- Celestial Hijinks
If you love paranormal rom-coms with heart, humor, and just enough hellfire — this book will have you laughing, swooning, and side-eyeing every dog you meet.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 