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Belle Palmer #3
Bush Poodles Are Murder
In the third Belle Palmer mystery, Belle takes her friend and employee on a snowshoe trek. Miriam MacDonald brings her spoiled mini-poodle, a gift from investment broker boyfriend, who promises huge returns on her life savings. Later that week, Miriam discovers Elphinstone bludgeoned to death in his condo. Although Miriam's fingerprints alone are found on the Inuit sculpture murder weapon, the collapse of Elphinstone's empire has ruined hundreds of people and made him many dangerous enemies. Miriam is eventually charged with second-degree murder and then, as Belle struggles to pull the pieces of a very complicated puzzle together, Miriam rushes off to North Bay to be with her ailing daughter, and Belle inherits the obnoxious poodle.. Meanwhile, a stalker now has Belle watching her back in the Northern Ontario bush she calls home. Will she find the killer before a bullet finds her?
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
280 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2003
3 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Lou Allin
23 books8 followersLou sings two anthems, born in Toronto, Canada, but raised in Ohio. Her father followed the film business to Cleveland in 1948. His profession explains her passion for classic films and debt to Ted Turner.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 21, 2019
Belle Palmer returns in Book 3 of the series named after her. The story begins in late December, finishing right before Spring Breakup. Palmer along with the rest of Northern Ontario is suffering from the post 9/11 Recession. Housing markets usually are slow in the winter, but this time things look very bleak for Belle. Despite the financial crunch, her associate and friend, Miriam is basking in the heat of a new love. Sadly, Mel, is a ponzi scheming predator, who preys on vulnerable women. In Mel's thrall, Miriam refuses to believe his chicanery. Even finding his corpse, and being indicted does not stop her infatuation. It is up to Belle to step in and investigate.
As before, descriptions of Greater Sudbury and the Northern Ontario contribute to the realism of the novel. The narration is filled with the details of bush life from that period. The characters are believable. A reader might feel they could fly to Sudbury and navigate the city easily. Written eighteen years ago, the novel is not dated. The suspenseful ending demands a late night read to the finish.
Highly recommended
As before, descriptions of Greater Sudbury and the Northern Ontario contribute to the realism of the novel. The narration is filled with the details of bush life from that period. The characters are believable. A reader might feel they could fly to Sudbury and navigate the city easily. Written eighteen years ago, the novel is not dated. The suspenseful ending demands a late night read to the finish.
Highly recommended
February 14, 2022
This book may deserve a higher rating but it’s MY rating. The things I didn’t like: (Be aware that these are totally arbitrary and often unfair) -All cover drawings show a chocolate poodle, but the dog in the story is apricot (the chocolate poodle is why I bought the book); -The poodle has little importance in the story -It’s basically a cozy mystery, a genre that I don’t like.
Now the good things! -It’s very well written: good grammar, no syntax errors, character consistency
-It’s very Canadian, without being exclusive. Lots of references to Canadian stuff like Tim Hortons, Sorel boots, butter tarts, etc.
-The sense of place is brilliantly written. Sudbury’s history and present are casually dropped in, the nearby towns and people and places are a definite part , without making those things so insular that the story only appeals to locals.
-It’s actually a very good mystery.
Now the good things! -It’s very well written: good grammar, no syntax errors, character consistency
-It’s very Canadian, without being exclusive. Lots of references to Canadian stuff like Tim Hortons, Sorel boots, butter tarts, etc.
-The sense of place is brilliantly written. Sudbury’s history and present are casually dropped in, the nearby towns and people and places are a definite part , without making those things so insular that the story only appeals to locals.
-It’s actually a very good mystery.
August 25, 2018
Don't plan on reading any others by this author. It was okay, but I couldn't follow it. Maybe it was because it was set in Canada, but other books set in non-US sites aren't usually as confusing for me. Trying another Canada-setting one shortly.
August 17, 2020
Sometimes difficult to follow logic.
Miriam's story is full of holes. She is arrested and Belle bails her out only to have her disappear.
Belle takes off right before a storm and is caught in the wildness by the murder suspect.
Not much rang true.
I own a copy.
Miriam's story is full of holes. She is arrested and Belle bails her out only to have her disappear.
Belle takes off right before a storm and is caught in the wildness by the murder suspect.
Not much rang true.
I own a copy.
June 24, 2017
Stopped reading on page 54 I just couldn't get into it. Her writing didn't allow me to "picture" scenes and places. Although a lot of other people seem to like it.
August 7, 2016
I generally enjoy this series but a few things bothered me about this book:
-Belle spends a lot of time complaining and making snarky comments (activities I find she does too often in the series overall - so far)
-Belle throws everything in the garbage. Sudbury does have a recycling program (I checked) and even offers a good deal on composters to residents.
-Belle gripes all the time about money concerns but then neglects her business and eats out most of the time, indulging in fancy food and wine the rare times she eats at home
-Belle uses OCD to describe legitimate concern over her septic system. NO, legitimate checking on something is different than OCD, as sadness is different than depression, as not wishing to go out sometimes is different than social anxiety, and being startled by a loud noise is different than PTSD. To equate normal behaviours with genuine mental health concerns and disorders is insulting to those struggling with these disorders in that it dismisses and trivializes these very real health concerns.
-Ravens have black beaks not yellow ones.
Aside from all of that, the book was a decent read. I will likely read others of the series if they are available at my library, but admit that if Belle continues to be so terribly negative, it is doubtful that I will try too many more.
-Belle spends a lot of time complaining and making snarky comments (activities I find she does too often in the series overall - so far)
-Belle throws everything in the garbage. Sudbury does have a recycling program (I checked) and even offers a good deal on composters to residents.
-Belle gripes all the time about money concerns but then neglects her business and eats out most of the time, indulging in fancy food and wine the rare times she eats at home
-Belle uses OCD to describe legitimate concern over her septic system. NO, legitimate checking on something is different than OCD, as sadness is different than depression, as not wishing to go out sometimes is different than social anxiety, and being startled by a loud noise is different than PTSD. To equate normal behaviours with genuine mental health concerns and disorders is insulting to those struggling with these disorders in that it dismisses and trivializes these very real health concerns.
-Ravens have black beaks not yellow ones.
Aside from all of that, the book was a decent read. I will likely read others of the series if they are available at my library, but admit that if Belle continues to be so terribly negative, it is doubtful that I will try too many more.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews