Lady Vanishes

The Shamus Award-winning author of This Dog for Hire is back with a fourth frisky adventure for dog trainer/PI Rachel Alexander and her canine sidekick, Dash. The duo have previously worked together both solving mysteries and providing therapy. Now they get the chance to demonstrate their complete skills at Harbor View, a small Greenwich Village residential treatment center for the developmentally challenged. Rachel is approached by Venus White, who asks her to look into the seemingly accidental death of one of Harbor View's owners, Harry Dietrich. The home's therapy dog, a puli named Lady, has disappeared, and Venus worries that nefarious doings are afoot. Rachel and Dash begin their respective work, but Rachel feels stymied by Venus's slow doling out of the information she needs to get results. The various residents of Harbor View, meanwhile, begin to respond to Dash's special brand of therapy--doing tricks, comforting patients, bringing them out of their silence--while Rachel works as quickly as possible to ferret out the murderer. Then Venus is badly injured in a freak accident--and Rachel suspects further foul play. Benjamin writes with great sensitivity about the plight of the residents of Harbor View, who are neglected by their families and unable to lead independent lives. Though the plot moves slowly, canine fans will relish the insights of an author who writes realistically about dogs and their relationships with people. Agent, Brandt & Brandt. (Sept.)