Review - Death In Show

I am an animal lover so I had been interested in this series since I stumbled across it.  I jumped at the chance to read and review the latest entry in the series when the book was sent to me.  Besides, I am one of the people who actually watches the dog shows on television and routes for my favorite so the subject and setting immediatly appealed to me.

Author: Judi McCoy


Copyright: June 2010 (Signet); 317 pgs

Series: #3 in The Dog Walker Mysteries

Sensuality: sexual references of a Chic Lit variety

Mystery sub-genre: Cozy

Main Character:  Professional dog walker Ellie Engleman

Setting: Current day New York

Obtained book through: Publisher for an honest review
 
Ellie can hear dogs thoughts and her ability has made her a popular dog walker.  One of Ellie's dog walking clients invites her to be a guest at the dog show and witness her dog in competition.  Lulu, the snooty prize-winning Havanese is competing at the Mid-Atlantic Canine Challenge with hopes riding on her to go all the way to Westminster.  But during the very first competition Lulu's handler drops dead before a stadium of witnesses.  Ellie's elderly client pleads with Ellie to fill in as handler for Lulu despite her longtime fears of being on display in front of people.  Ellie's boyfriend, Detective Sam Ryder, becomes demanding about Ellie not getting involved in the suspicious death and sparks fly.  Ellie naturally ends up conducting her own investigation while she is showing Lulu and continues after the awards are presented and finds out just how serious the competition is.
 
The book is hefty for a cozy with 317 pages but managed to keep moving along.  The plot was crafted well enough to be interesting and the murder "weapon" was a nice twist on an old theme.  This book proves that a cozy does not have to be set in a small town.  The high rise clients and their pets that Ellie walks create a community background for the cozy.  This author also injects a bit of her chick lit publishing background into the story with the running theme of "when will Ellie and Sam sleep together again?" which I felt got old.  Apart from that, we see their relationship go through spats and even a meeting of the parents.
 
Ellie makes a likeable main character, although not best friend material for me.  She is spunky and bright, but a few times came across as dense - even her dog Rudy told her so!  She is totally a dog person and at one point shares how she feels dogs are better than cats.  I am a cat lover, but I didn't take offense.  She just hasn't been introduced to the correct felines.  Ellie's main motivations are a sense of loyalty to her clients and their pets.  

Ellie opened her mouth, then swallowed a gasp of air.  "Me?"  Oh, no.  I couldn't.  I don't know a thing about the job.  I'm inept, a klutz.  I'd trip over my own feet."
 
Flora patted Ellie's hand, then held tight to her fingers.  "Nonsense.  You observed everything that went on before and during the competition.  I could tell from your comments you understand exactly what's entailed in becoming a professional handler.  You already walk Lulu and she loves you."
 
"I wouldn't go that far," Lulu gruffed.
 
"But - but - the judges don't know me.  I'd have no credibility," she said, hoping to squelch the ridiculous notion.  "I'd only hinder Lulu's chances of winning."
 
"Hold on!  Let's think this through," yipped the Havanese.

I enjoyed the elderly Flora and her prima donna dog Lulu.  But the character of boyfriend Sam didn't particularly win me over.  There are a few scenes from Sam's point of view to show he isn't just being demanding of Ellie but actually is concerned about her safety.  But even with those scenes I wasn't convinced I liked him.  I am in good company though, Ellie's dog Rudy doesn't like him either.  Perhaps it is just that I have grown very tired of the conflict in stories being over the sleuth poking around in the first place.  
 
The killer was rather easy to identify and for the most part the how is fairly easy too - but with a creative twist.  This is a solid cozy for fans of that particular sub-genre, but I suspect it may not be able to cross over to the amateur sleuth fan due to the talking-to-dogs factor.  If you are a dog lover or ever watch the dog shows on TV, you will find the details in this book interesting.





 

For the complete video of the 2010 Westminster finale - Best of show, click here. 

 

 

Review - Murder In Paradise

Thursday I provided a teaser about this and I finished on the plane flying home today.  I am happy to be home and glad to finish the book so I can share it with you.  I was quiet surprised while waiting for my connecting flight that the gentleman reading right across from me at the gate handed me his book when he was finished.  Reading people are the BEST! 

Author: Alanna Knight

Copyright: October, 2009 (Allison & Busby); 374 pgs

Series: #14 in The Inspector Faro Mysteries

Sensuality: Some mild references

Mystery sub-genre: British Police Procedural

Main Character: Inspector Jeremy Faro

Setting: 1860 Kent countryside

Obtained book through: LibraryThing
 
 
 
The novel is comprised almost entirely from a flashback of Inspector Faro of one of the darkest moments of his career - the chase of the notorious Macheath, a murderer and cunning jewel thief.  He has been sent, seemingly as punishment from a petty superior, alone to chase Macheath.  Upon arriving in town Faro finds an old school chum is living with several famous artists at the Red House and insists that Faro be a guest.  His old school chum, Erland, confides that he is ecstatic with his upcoming wedding and Faro simply must stay and attend. 
 
When Faro is introduced to Erland's fiance, he recognises her instantly as the woman who got away with poisoning a lover a few years prior.  This aspect of the story embellishes on a historical account of Madeleine Smith who had received a "Not Proven" verdict in a highly publicized trial of that time (referred to as Victorian Scotland's trial of the century) .  Speculation of her guilt or innocence still surrounds her today and the trial was considered very risque for that time.  When Faro learns that a wealthy acquaintance has recently proposed to Lena (aka Madeleine) the situation is far too similar to the motive for the last lover's death and Faro is undecided while he watches a drama unfold around his chum Erland.
 
Close on the heals of Faro arriving in town, a manor house has a minor break-in that Faro believes was actually Macheath gathering some supplies while he is on the run.  But the maid at the manor house goes missing and the local towns people are unconcerned since she had a "loose" reputation.  Is Macheath still around or has he long since moved on?  How does the missing maid figure in?  What about the pot-shot at Faro one morning? 

Changing the subject he said quickly, "You get along very well with Lena."
 
She nodded.  "I do indeed.   She is my best friend.  From the moment she arrived with Erland.  I would do anything for her.  She is a wonderful person, so kind and understanding with everyone."
 
They were no longer alone in the garden.  A lot of unseen activity nearby indicated the gardeners were approaching.
 
A group of hooded figures came into view.  Sacking over their heads and shoulders, protection from the weather and doubtless the falling apples they gathered, transformed them into medieval figures from an ancient pastoral tapestry, a picture of harmony in keeping with their surroundings as they toured the gardens with their wheelbarrows.

There are some interesting characters in the story, the seemingly moody loner in a cabin adjoining the manor house's property, or the local constable who is the epitome of small town police with nothing more than an occasional drunk for experience, to the colorful and eclectic assortment of people at Red House.  Faro himself comes across as fallible and young, with a few missteps here and there, but a decent bloke trying to determine the best course in confusing circumstances.  The characters are all well done - except perhaps Macheath who you only know by reputation for the most part.
 

The setting of Red House is also a case of incorporating some more specific history into the story - Red House truly does exist and was an artist's bohemian getaway with William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites in residence.  It provides a great setting, lending some gothic touches to the tale as well as some authenticity.  It makes the tale of Inspector Faro seem a bit more real.

 
The writing style is modern but reminiscent of Victorian times with an emphasis on a running narrative and less on action scenes. This is a difficult point - some love this style and others hate it. It takes me awhile to get into the story but once I have adapted to it I can enjoy it. That was the case here as well - it took awhile for me to be enveloped in the story. This writing style can easily feel slow, and it certainly did feel slow.

 
It isn't until the last few chapters that things really start cooking, as though the various ingredients had simmered long enough and everything was coming to a boil at once.  There was a surprise element that really doesn't surface until late even though slightly hinted at earlier on - but I felt a little blindsided by that development.  Was it literary cheating - you will have to read it to decide for yourself.  As historical police procedurals go, I enjoyed it and will probably read another in the Faro series - but to be honest, it wasn't in my favorites list either.
 
If you enjoy Victorian mysteries this may be just what you are looking for, but if you crave more modern or spicy tales this may not sustain you.