This Doggie Day Spa mystery is set in Virginia, where
we
meet Cara Rogers, a veterinarian who has left her
Washington practice along with her romantic partner. I was
keen to find out what breeding a Maltipoo has. However,
while we meet such a dog in the first few pages, our
attention is immediately diverted by Cara's discovering her
great-aunt dead in the shallow swimming pool.
MALTIPOOS ARE MURDER enlists our sympathy right away. Cara
had been coming to the expert dog care centre to take over
as manager, having lost her licence when her accountant
embezzled her firm's money. Her great-aunt Marian loved
animals and got on well with people. She didn't have heart
trouble. Obviously the death was a tragic accident... or
was it? Her wallet is missing from her bag.
Cara has a lot to get used to, like calling the
clients 'pet parents' but not knowing the staff or clients
means that she is free to suspect everyone of ill-intent.
The centre is well organised, with double doors to stop
canine escape artists, grooming rooms and exercise areas.
The lady running the local pet rescue centre brashly hopes
Marian left them something in her will. Cara doesn't know
it, but as the benefactor she has become the major police
suspect for a possible killing. After all, she's short of
money, and has a dodgy financial history. Maybe it's the
rebound effect, but Cara's also finding herself attracted
to the good-looking police detective. Still, the city girl
intends to get away from this small town as soon as she
regains her licence.
I had a great time reading this story, which has just
enough suspects to seem believable and looks at various
aspects of responsible pet ownership. Dog lovers will be
thrilled to have another new series and MALTIPOOS ARE
MURDER will also be enjoyed by those readers who like any
kind of cosy, small-town mystery. Jacqui Lane is the nom de
plume for writing partners Lane Stone and Jacqueline
Corocoran who have each written individually. Their
pleasant, breezy style denotes excellent teamwork and this
will be a series to watch.
Can a murder investigation keep these opposites from
attracting?
Cara Rogers wants a fresh start after a slew of bad luck in
Washington DC. Moving to Virginia to help her aunt run La
Maison de Chien, a doggie spa, is just the peace of mind she
needs. No
stress. Just her aunt, the dogs, and wide-open country.
But when she finds Aunt Marian floating in the doggie
swimming pool, the rest she so desperately needs flies out
the window. The only witness to the death is Rex, an apricot
maltipoo, and while he may not be able to talk, he’s
communicating the only way he knows how—one paw at a time.
And Rex’s clues lead to murder.
Can Cara keep the doggie spa afloat, convince Middleburg
homicide detective Cole Sampson that Aunt Marian’s death was
no accident, and keep Rex from the killer’s clutches before
they all
end up as dead as dogs?
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