Still not fully recovered from the head trauma she received in 2001's Creature Discomforts, Holly Winter, Dog Life
columnist and amateur sleuth, returns with her two Alaskan malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi, for another fun, fast-paced outing. To deal with her father's second marriage, her ex-lover's marriage and her recovery from amnesia, Holly seeks the help of a therapist in Newton, Mass., near her Cambridge home. Her "adopted" aunts, 90-year-old Sherlock Holmes expert Althea and her sister, Ceci, also live in Newton, and Ceci is determined to find another man for Holly among her dog group from the local park. When Holly takes her dogs for a walk in the park, Rowdy is attacked by a golden retriever whose aberrant behavior is not typical of the breed and whose owner, Sylvia Metzner, exhibits behavior equally as bizarre. When Sylvia is found murdered two weeks later, no one is surprised. Soon Holly innocently becomes involved in the crime investigation. While the technical dog-talk of breeds, breeders and the American Kennel Club rules and regulations can be tedious for the uninitiated, at least the dogs remain dogs, true to their natures and to their obsessive owners, Holly being no exception. In spite of her pressing personal difficulties, Holly remains an independent, witty and delightful protagonist, who maintains her cool even when faced with the most eccentric and quirky of characters. Committed fans of Conant's popular canine cozy series will be delighted. (Mar. 5)
Forecast:Conant should attract some crossover from feline mystery fans, though those who prefer talking cats are likely to remain aloof.
