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A Pet Rescue Mystery #3
Linda O. Johnston
Berkley
April 3, 2012 / ISBN 978-0425247051
Mystery / Cozy
Amazon
Reviewed
by Linda Morelli
Lauren Vancouver is the director of a no-kill animal shelter, Hot
Rescues. She's also an amateur sleuth who has proved herself innocent
of murder by finding the real killer. When Lauren's mentor, who
has become an animal hoarder, is charged with murder, Lauren helps
prove her innocence. It's clear that Lauren has a knack for solving
crimes. She only wishes she could save more dogs and cats from being
euthanized.
Lauren is thrilled when newly divorced Bella Frankovick starts a
unique shelter that fills a much needed gap - one which cares for
pets that are older or have physical injuries. Bella wants the pets
in her care to live their lives in comfort, whether or not they
find new homes. Bella's ex, Miles, is a cosmetic surgeon who is
contesting their monetary divorce settlement and confronts her,
making it clear he believes Bella is wasting "his" money.
When a fearful Bella calls, Lauren and her L.A. Animal Shelter boyfriend
Matt rush to Bella's place, only to find Miles car parked in front
of Bella's shelter, and a knife in Miles' chest. Naturally, Bella
is the prime suspect.
Lauren is a compassionate, intelligent and caring protagonist who
believes animals shouldn't be euthanized. The settings and secondary
characters are well-developed, and the plot is exceptional in that
it focuses on a sensitive problem: the importance of trying to find
homes and caring owners for pets that are considered too old or
have disabilities that might make them otherwise unadoptable. Combine
that with a masterfully wrought whodunit, along with excellent dialogue,
and Ms. Johnston has created a fast-paced mystery, one of the best
I've read this year. Though this is the third release in the series,
Hounds Abound is a delightful, heartwarming read and a must for
all pet lovers.
Reviews
to other titles in this series
The
More the Terrier #2
Hounds
Abound #3
Ooodles
of Poodles #4
Teacup Turbulence #5
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