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A Dog Lover's Mystery #2
Dead and Doggone
A wolf roaming the streets of Cambridge, Massachusetts? For Dog's Life columnist Holly Winter, the missing wolf-dog is just one of the mysteries dogging her heels closer than even her big, beautiful malamute Rowdy does! First she discovers a pair of high-class grooming shears stuck in the body of a gossipy dog trainer. Then she picks up the scent of a scam that will chill the blood of every dog owner. But her detective work will son turn Holly into the hunted. And the hunter? The most dangerous beast of all ...
182 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1990
314 people want to read
About the author
Susan Conant
44 books148 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
(1)mysteries
Mother of author Jessica Park aka Jessica Conant-Park
The photo is of Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant, daughter and mother.
(1)mysteries
Mother of author Jessica Park aka Jessica Conant-Park
The photo is of Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant, daughter and mother.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 19, 2022
Her father's pet wolf has escaped and is roaming the streets of Cambridge. A gossipy dog trainer is murdered with an expensive set of shears, and there's some kind of scam going on.
It just never seems to accelerate the way modern cozies do.
It just never seems to accelerate the way modern cozies do.
March 2, 2018
The title, of course, has nothing to do with the story; it merely indicates that there are dogs in the thing. I'm not sure at whom MS Conant is aiming this narrative. If it is intended for people who already love and have dogs then there is probably too much information although the product placements (Eukanuba and Dyson) might act as suggestions to owners with problems. MS Conant is herself the owner of an Alaskan malamute who appears in the stories under an assumed name. The only information you don't get is how much a puppy is likely to cost. Probably one doesn't want to know and if you have to ask.... I'm a cat person, not dog, but she writes so appealingly about dogs that it's hard not to want to go and visit one of these malamutes. I would love to hear the "woo-woo" sound.
The murder is sudden and ugly and a character whom you're not likely to have found appealing. Holly is not terribly concerned about involving herself in the mystery as she is much more worried (being a dog person, not a people person) about the fact that her father's wolf/dog cross has disappeared and she has promised her father that she will find Clyde and return him home to Maine.
The streets of Cambridge are very real and while I haven't checked on Google Earth I suspect I could easily follow her directions. They are perhaps a little too real and she does tend to go over and over incidents and routings.
The one group of people she definitely wants to influence is those who do not realise that testing on live animals still goes on and if you live near a scientific institution - a university or drug facility - you should be aware that there is almost no limit on what they can do and very little recourse people who have lost pets have. This book came out in 1990 but I have a feeling that there has not been a great deal of progress made in spite of makeup and beauty products having labels saying they do not do animal testing.
There is quite a bit of over writing but this was a pleasant way to spend an evening and I loved the dogs.
The murder is sudden and ugly and a character whom you're not likely to have found appealing. Holly is not terribly concerned about involving herself in the mystery as she is much more worried (being a dog person, not a people person) about the fact that her father's wolf/dog cross has disappeared and she has promised her father that she will find Clyde and return him home to Maine.
The streets of Cambridge are very real and while I haven't checked on Google Earth I suspect I could easily follow her directions. They are perhaps a little too real and she does tend to go over and over incidents and routings.
The one group of people she definitely wants to influence is those who do not realise that testing on live animals still goes on and if you live near a scientific institution - a university or drug facility - you should be aware that there is almost no limit on what they can do and very little recourse people who have lost pets have. This book came out in 1990 but I have a feeling that there has not been a great deal of progress made in spite of makeup and beauty products having labels saying they do not do animal testing.
There is quite a bit of over writing but this was a pleasant way to spend an evening and I loved the dogs.
May 21, 2019
I rated this book high because I like the characters and find it to be well written. With that said, I had a very hard time getting through some chapters. I found it to be very disturbing. I understand these types of events actually do happen, but it is not what I want to read about in my “cozy” mysteries. I will try the next book in the series and hope the author doesn't incorporate reality so strongly.
December 11, 2018
For a light mystery read by an animal lover, this particular book by Susan Conant can be disturbing at times. I've read other books by her and truly enjoy them and I enjoyed this one. Just found parts of it disturbing.
August 27, 2018
Solid book in the series. Very likable characters and fun story.
May 12, 2019
My favorite ongoing series - though not my favorite book from the series. That said I'm glad to have it in my library and this series is always so witty and filled with insider (dog world) jokes
March 31, 2021
Another fun read. Murdered person at the dog show. Dogs gone missing. Holly Winter in the midst of it all. Good twists.
March 20, 2022
I enjoyed this one up until the end. Having two dogs die in a brutal and gratuitous way is not something I want to read in a cozy.
March 29, 2022
Another fine visit with Holly and Rowdy.
December 4, 2024
I like the series, but couldn't enjoy this book. If you read cozy mysteries to escape from stress, this book in the series is not for you. It was written right after Cambridge, MA passed a new law regulating animal testing in 1989. The book deals with animal abuse. There are multiple subplots relating to animal testing, stolen pets, and termination of unwanted pets. Many events and discussions throughout the story are either heart-wrenching or a bit graphic. And even though they get the bad guys in the end, it doesn't leave you feeling good. I understand how important the message is, but because of it this book is more disturbing than cozy. I gave 3 stars because I still like the main characters, and I can appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish. I do plan to continue reading the series.
* Note: the subsequent books are not like this one.
* Note: the subsequent books are not like this one.
October 15, 2013
This is the second in the Holly Winter mystery series: hands down my all time favorite mystery series involving dogs. (You might be surprised to know how many of these there are). It's a pleasure to revisit these first volumes. This one has dognapping as its theme (along with murder, of course). It also has some rightfully harsh words for pet stores -- not pet supply stores, but stores that sell pets. If you read enough of this series, you'll never again look at that cute little doggy in the window the same way. You may even be prompted to not buy so much as a dog biscuit from them.
Aside from that, we are treated to a visit from Holly's...well, let's just say "eccentric"... father, Buck, and his not so intrepid wolf-dog Clyde. Sweet Steve, Holly's vet and lover, lands on Holly's bad list as a result. Let's just say that Buck is not likely to be one of those father-in-laws that could be the best of friends with any man that a thinking woman would actually want to be involved in a serious relationship with.
But there is plenty of action and a nicely twisty mystery, along with words of wisdom from Holly on dog training and treatment, which a dog owner might or might not agree with--not to mention Holly's beautiful Siberian malamute in all his charming hard-headedness.
Aside from that, we are treated to a visit from Holly's...well, let's just say "eccentric"... father, Buck, and his not so intrepid wolf-dog Clyde. Sweet Steve, Holly's vet and lover, lands on Holly's bad list as a result. Let's just say that Buck is not likely to be one of those father-in-laws that could be the best of friends with any man that a thinking woman would actually want to be involved in a serious relationship with.
But there is plenty of action and a nicely twisty mystery, along with words of wisdom from Holly on dog training and treatment, which a dog owner might or might not agree with--not to mention Holly's beautiful Siberian malamute in all his charming hard-headedness.
July 26, 2008
I bought this book and several others after finishing Conant's "A New Leash on Death." As a story, I didn't like it as much as the first one, but I'll say that the author manages to weave an awful lot of information about dogs, dog care, training, dog behavior and, in this book, animals used to research. No dog lover can really, in good conscience, continue to use products which require the torture (and yes it is torture) of animals in the name of research.
As for the story, maybe I was distracted because I read it on a trip and there were lots of things to think about, but it didn't actually grip me until the final couple of chapters. In this book, a woman who participates in obedience trials is found murdered with her (very expensive) grooming shears. Also, Holly's father loses his wolf-dog, a new man and his Irish setter come into Holly's life, her newly-acquired dog Rowdy (she got him in book 1) disappears, and eventually she solves the mystery of the missing dogs and the two murders (oh yeah--the woman's husband is also found murdered a few days later).
For plot purposes, I rank this one just OK.
As for the story, maybe I was distracted because I read it on a trip and there were lots of things to think about, but it didn't actually grip me until the final couple of chapters. In this book, a woman who participates in obedience trials is found murdered with her (very expensive) grooming shears. Also, Holly's father loses his wolf-dog, a new man and his Irish setter come into Holly's life, her newly-acquired dog Rowdy (she got him in book 1) disappears, and eventually she solves the mystery of the missing dogs and the two murders (oh yeah--the woman's husband is also found murdered a few days later).
For plot purposes, I rank this one just OK.
March 15, 2015
I bought this book and several others after finishing Conant's "A New Leash on Death." As a story, I didn't like it as much as the first one, but I'll say that the author manages to weave an awful lot of information about dogs, dog care, training, dog behavior and, in this book, animals used to research. No dog lover can really, in good conscience, continue to use products which require the torture (and yes it is torture) of animals in the name of research.
As for the story, maybe I was distracted because I read it on a trip and there were lots of things to think about, but it didn't actually grip me until the final couple of chapters. In this book, a woman who participates in obedience trials is found murdered with her (very expensive) grooming shears. Also, Holly's father loses his wolf-dog, a new man and his Irish setter come into Holly's life, her newly-acquired dog Rowdy (she got him in book 1) disappears, and eventually she solves the mystery of the missing dogs and the two murders (oh yeah--the woman's husband is also found murdered a few days later).
For plot purposes, I rank this one just OK.
As for the story, maybe I was distracted because I read it on a trip and there were lots of things to think about, but it didn't actually grip me until the final couple of chapters. In this book, a woman who participates in obedience trials is found murdered with her (very expensive) grooming shears. Also, Holly's father loses his wolf-dog, a new man and his Irish setter come into Holly's life, her newly-acquired dog Rowdy (she got him in book 1) disappears, and eventually she solves the mystery of the missing dogs and the two murders (oh yeah--the woman's husband is also found murdered a few days later).
For plot purposes, I rank this one just OK.
November 1, 2012
Susan Conant has combined her love of dogs, a considerable amount of knowledge about them, and the skill to write a murder mystery, into something enjoyable, entertaining, and interesting to read. She has chosen the right subject (a murder mystery) to use as her soapbox to inform a large reading public a little of the seamier side of life for some canines. Whether being mishandled by their owners, kidnapped and sold for research, a dog's life is not always such a wonderful one. It's an interesting way of getting your information and opinions out there, but not always done in such an obvious way. Still, I have enjoyed the story while I've been learning about training, showing, and the depravity some will stoop to when using someone's beloved pet to practice "research." It may be I enjoy the story so much because I am just as appalled as Susan Conant is, and it's good to be reminded of what is going on out there in the world because it's not something I think about very much.
January 28, 2024
Okay, this was a hard book to finish. Well written and lots of enjoyable parts but animals kidnapped and used for experiments and torture is an owner's worst nightmare come true and reading about it is sick making. This is the kind of book that I am always sorry to read because it lingers with bad dreams and anxiety. I read for pleasure not to stir up negative emotions so this one is an unfavourite.
A wolf roaming the streets of Cambridge, Massachusetts? For Dog's Life columnist Holly Winter, the missing wolf-dog is just one of the mysteries dogging her heels closer than even her big, beautiful malamute Rowdy does! First she discovers a pair of high-class grooming shears stuck in the body of a gossipy dog trainer. Then she picks up the scent of a scam that will chill the blood of every dog owner. But her detective work will son turn Holly into the hunted. And the hunter? The most dangerous beast of all ...
A wolf roaming the streets of Cambridge, Massachusetts? For Dog's Life columnist Holly Winter, the missing wolf-dog is just one of the mysteries dogging her heels closer than even her big, beautiful malamute Rowdy does! First she discovers a pair of high-class grooming shears stuck in the body of a gossipy dog trainer. Then she picks up the scent of a scam that will chill the blood of every dog owner. But her detective work will son turn Holly into the hunted. And the hunter? The most dangerous beast of all ...
March 9, 2009
The plot of this book centered around a gossipy woman very few seem to like who is murdered with a pair of grooming sheers. Mixed up into it is the disappearance of her father's wolfdog, and some tension between Holly and her beau, veterinarian Steve. There were a couple plots going on at the same time, but they were tied together nicely, especially at the end. Some have complained that she seems to use her books to bring up animal welfare topics (in this one, the horrors lab animals go through, in Paws Before Dying it's shock collars) and she does sometimes get heavy on the animal welfare/training topics, but it fits the plot and I don't mind. I do wish she'd get away from the dominance based theories and maybe she eventually does as these books were written in the late 80s and early 90s.
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January 5, 2021"no more than twenty hour-long seconds after the (dog) fight started, I spotted the sprinkler. I vaulted over the hedge, got a good grip on the sprinkler, cleared the hedge again, and brought the fight to a drenched end."
"lonely? a flashy dog beats a singles bar any day and smells better too."
"rowdy, come." rowdy didn't. instead, he shook himself all over, threw me a grin, and started to tear around the ring in circles. the crowd loved it. first he just got laughter, then applause. the judge and the stewards loved it. I tried to catch rowdy, and if he'd been on a leash, i'd probably have succeeded. as it was, he got a running start, sailed out of the ring, steamrollered his way through a bunch of people, and leapt into the next ring, where Dorothy was judging pointers. bless Dorothy, she swept in, caught rowdys collar, and brought him to a swift halt.
"lonely? a flashy dog beats a singles bar any day and smells better too."
"rowdy, come." rowdy didn't. instead, he shook himself all over, threw me a grin, and started to tear around the ring in circles. the crowd loved it. first he just got laughter, then applause. the judge and the stewards loved it. I tried to catch rowdy, and if he'd been on a leash, i'd probably have succeeded. as it was, he got a running start, sailed out of the ring, steamrollered his way through a bunch of people, and leapt into the next ring, where Dorothy was judging pointers. bless Dorothy, she swept in, caught rowdys collar, and brought him to a swift halt.
January 17, 2013
#2 in the Dog Lover's series. Holly Winter is a Cambridge, MA based free lance writer for dog magazines. Add back a star to the review if you don't object to being preached to. I've subtracted a star from 2 of the 8 series entries I've read to date.
Dog Lover's series - Holly Winter searches for her father's missing wolf hybrid. Along the way, she encounters a woman stabbed to death at a dog show and rails against animal testing for consumer products and the theft of dogs to obtain subjects. Unevenly interesting and preachy.
Dog Lover's series - Holly Winter searches for her father's missing wolf hybrid. Along the way, she encounters a woman stabbed to death at a dog show and rails against animal testing for consumer products and the theft of dogs to obtain subjects. Unevenly interesting and preachy.
April 7, 2009
Second in the series about Holly Winter, this book opens in the middle of a dog show where a woman is found murdered. The story continues with an interesting mixture of new characters and a good mystery.
In addition to the usual dog training facts, this book also addresses the ethical issue of animal testing. It's really sad to read about what goes on in these testing facilities and I think it was handled well by the author.
In addition to the usual dog training facts, this book also addresses the ethical issue of animal testing. It's really sad to read about what goes on in these testing facilities and I think it was handled well by the author.
August 1, 2014
The 2nd in the Holly Winters series. Again, the plot and the mystery weren't too bad. But I find it very hard to deal with the main characters superior feelings about showing dogs and being a "dog person." You feel talked down to in the book. And really, liking a person just because their car looks like their dog? Come on! Also, much filler and repeating everything whenever someone mistakes her Malamute for a Husky.
October 7, 2015
This book was a tough read for me. It was good and I just wanted to smoosh Rowdy's little face he sounded so cute and sweet. I loved the way that dog was described. What was difficult for me was some of the content. I don't want to give any spoilers, but some things happened that were disturbing to read about. It is just the realities of the world we live in, but it still made me feel really sad and like I should do something. Maybe I should become an activist.
November 18, 2013
So this wasn't the best mystery I have ever read. In fact, the mystery portion of this seemed almost non existent. But there was a lot of information about dogs, and the evils of animal research. Since I like dogs, this was ok with me. The book was a pleasant read, but I can't say that it was really exciting.
October 24, 2008
Starts with a ho-hum murder at a dog show, then gets heavy as the main character delves into the world of animal experimentation. As she finds out more, and her father's dog is disappeared, how far will she go to stop vivisection and save animals? Find out!
September 11, 2010
It was a really busy month, which means it's time for.....animal themed murder mysteries! I liked this at the time, but entering these reviews in 2010, I do not remember one iota of any of the plot. Good brainless reading.
April 3, 2008
Good. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 9, 2008
I am just blowing through each of these books so fast- and enjoying every one of them!
August 28, 2009
Very Good; continuing character: Holly Winter (first in series); dog trainer solves multiple murder mystery as well as tracking down people stealing dogs for research.
January 27, 2010
This is a fun read while traveling. The writer is totally involved in the world of dogs - training, showing and obedience.
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October 22, 2010I read this whole series ( A Dog Lover's Mystery ) chronologically. These are great stories!
December 28, 2013
A cozy mystery based on Holly Winter… who is a magazine writer who gets involved in mysteries and has her malamutes with her…. always interesting but again light reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews