This lively cozy, set in smalltown California, is the first in a brand-new dog mystery series" Pillar of the community, Mary McGill has a finger in every pie, a place on every committee. She s the one the townsfolk can count on when they need help. Everything Mary organizes runs smoothly apart, that is, from the town s traditional Christmas pageant. For the festivities are rudely interrupted by the discovery of a blood-stained corpse lying in the manger. Cowering beside the body is a small black-and-white puppy. Two local children report seeing a shadowy figure fleeing from the scene but there are no clues as to the murderer s identity. If Mary could only find out what the puppy was doing there, she would be one step closer to finding the killer. As someone who knows nothing about dogs, purebred or otherwise, Mary had better learn and fast before she and the children become the next victims.
Kathleen Delaney has recently moved from CA to S Carolina to write full time. She found a wonderful old historic house with a wonderful wrap around porch, which both she and her dogs put to good use. She will be on tour during August, Sept and October, signing her latest myster, And Murder For Dessert. "
Like many other mystery aficionados, I enjoy a good cozy set in a small town where everybody seems to know everybody else, where the sleuth has some common sense and where the murderous activity turns out to be a puzzle that keeps me guessing for a while. Such is Purebred Dead and this one has the added attraction of a pet-related theme that is quite evident in real life, the very profitable world of dog breeding.
As in many mysteries of this type, character development is paramount and I have to say I found Mary to be very appealing in her normalcy. Here’s a woman we’ve all run into before, the retiree who throws herself into civic and charitable work first because she believes she should but also because she simply can’t NOT do it. Mary is actually a little annoying because she complains, very mildly, that she just can’t take on one more task and then she does anyway. That annoyance is overshadowed, though, by her intelligence and her determination to set things right as well as she can while not interfering with police efforts.
Other characters are also quite likeable, especially the children and Mary’s family, and the canine element is interesting as well as educational. I don’t think it’s farfetched that dog breeding would be at the core of the crime as this has become a sort of cottage industry with too many opportunities for abuse, fraud, greed, etc. Puppy mills abound and small towns are certainly not immune to the dark side of breeding; they may even be more likely settings since official scrutiny is probably less intense.
Killing a veterinarian, even one who is disgraced, is a bit unusual since there’s no immediately apparent motive and Mary doesn’t have any particular expertise in investigating crime nor does she know much about the dog world. What she does offer is a logical mind and concern for truth plus she knows the people in her town. It’s not surprising that the chief of police, who happens to be her nephew, recognizes that Mary might be an asset in his investigation and I really appreciated the mutual respect between Mary and Dan, not always evident in a small town cozy.
The solution itself is not especially deep but it’s a good puzzle full of potential suspects and motives. Ms. Delaney is an accomplished mystery author with multiple books to her credit and it shows in this new series, one I’ll be following with much enjoyment. Besides, how can I resist Millie? ;-)
I guessed on the days I spent reading this book because I’m sure it was longer. I kept putting it down. I liked the characters and the premise— a cozy mystery with dogs? Yes, please. Unfortunately, the mystery took forever to develop, and the detailed descriptions of Mary’s life, especially concerning meals and beverages, made for a slow read. The mystery aspect sped up the last few chapters as the pieces came together which made that part quite enjoyable. As a whole, however, I found this book a challenge to read and do not recommend it.
Mary McGill may be retired, but she's far from inactive. Known as someone who can be relied upon, she heads many a committee, including the one for the Santa Louisa Christmas pageant.
The annual pageant is disrupted when two children discover a dead body in the manger and a puppy hidden in the straw. The dead man is Cliff, a disgraced veterinarian and alcoholic. The puppy and the testimony of two young children, Dalia and Ronaldo, are the only clues to the killer's identity.
Purebred Dead moves forward at a slow but steady pace. Unlike the heroine in many cozy mysteries, Mary doesn't actively investigate. Instead, she listens and asks questions only if she has the opportunity. Her main concerns are helping to protect Dalia and Ronaldo, and completing her committee responsibilities in a timely manner. Her son-in-law, Dan, is Santa Louisa's Chief of Police. Unlike the police in many cozies, Dan gives her full insight into the police investigation.
While it is normal for the police to have difficulties finding evidence, particularly in a cozy novel, I feel this goes a bit to the extreme in Purebred Dead. For example, noone on the police force saw that the entire Christmas pageant choir was wearing long robes with hoods. When Ronaldo says the man hit him in the leg with his stick as he ran by – noone asks what kind of stick, how long, etc.. Also when the children purchase a pack of bbq skewers that is missing one (because it was stolen) from the hardware store, Mary doesn't think anything of it. The clues are laid on thick throughout, but are all overlooked by Mary and the police. The police don't question anyone, even after Mary discovers a second murder. I frequently read cozies, so I know better than to expect realism, but this goes well beyond suspending disbelief. It feels like the novel has been stretched in length by purposefully making the characters oblivious to clues. The mysteries are too easy to solve.
I like how Delaney incorporates details about dog breeding and recessive traits.
Purebred Dead is an enjoyable, if slow-paced read. It is the first in a new series.
3/5
Purebred Dead is available for preorder and will be released August 1, 2015
I received a copy of Purebred Dead from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
Purebred Dead: A Canine Mystery by Kathleen Delaney is the first book in A Mary McGill Mystery series. Mary McGill is a retired home economics teacher living in Santa Louisa, California. She spends her time helping with various fund raisers around town (a lot of them). Mary is the chair of the Victorian Christmas Extravaganza which is taking place that night. She is on the steps of the library when Dalia comes running up to her. Someone was lying in the manager and would not get up. Mary finds Dr. Cliff Matthews dead in the manger. Cliff is a retired vet (lost his license due to drinking). Dalia and her brother, Ronaldo also found a puppy near the body. Why would a puppy be there?
Don Dunham, Santa Louisa’s Chief of Police (and Mary’s nephew) quickly arrives at the scene. The kids are quickly escorted from the scene. Mary decides to investigate the crime. She starts asking questions around town and finds out that the puppy is an important clue to the case. Mary follows her leads (from her questions) while doing her charity work to find the killer. Will Mary be able to keep herself and the children safe until the person responsible is apprehended?
Purebred Dead was a cute and fun cozy mystery. The mystery was not super complicated nor was it very simple (though I did solve it). The writer has a nice conversational style that makes the book a delight to read. I give Purebred Dead 4 out of 5 stars. I do not know how Mary has time for all her charity work (just reading about it was exhausting). The characters are pleasing in the novel and I liked the descriptions of the various animals. If you relish reading cozy mysteries, give Purebred Dead a try.
I received a complimentary copy of Purebred Dead from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
Mary McGill, widow and long-time resident of Santa Louisa, a small coastal town in the California wine country, has found plenty to do since retiring from a career as a home economics teacher. She is the go-to person for heading up charitable committees and organizing almost every community fundraiser. Purebred Dead opens amid the chaos of the Christmas Extravaganza, when Mary must reroute the Posada at the last moment after two children discover the blood-soaked body of local veterinarian Cliff Matthews lying in the manger. More fascinating for the children is the tiny Cockapoo puppy they find crying near the body. Mary quickly realizes that the children saw the person who stabbed Cliff to death, but since many of the townspeople were wearing similar costumes that night, they were unable to make a positive identification. Unfortunately, the killer spotted them as well, which puts their young lives in danger. The plot thickens when, a few days later, a local pet store owner is found stabbed to death in his shop. Mary believes the murders are linked and have something to do with dogs. Along with the reader, Mary receives an education in dog breeding, and suspects abound as she learns that many of the Santa Louisa residents are connected with the industry. Her amateur sleuthing leads her and the children to a confrontation with the murderer, and only their wits can prevent them from becoming the next victims. Purebred Dead is the first in a new series by Kathleen Delaney, author of the Ellen McKenzie cozy mystery series. It is an entertaining read, and with a likable heroine and charming setting, the series promises to be a winner.
This book investigates the breeding of puppies for sale in America's small towns. Mary McGill is a twice-married home economics teacher, comfortable in her life, but discovering a brutal murder shakes up her preconceptions and starts her learning about topics she'd never considered. Such as the DNA of a well-bred pup and how designer breeds are suddenly in demand.
Everyone in town seems a potential suspect and as Mary works at the Christmas food bank and discusses the murder - the main topic of chat in this quiet town - she gets to know more about the people whose kids she teaches, and who are her neighbours, than she may have wanted to hear. The quiet realism of the small black and white pup left at the crime scene, which Mary adopts without knowing anything about it, provides a reminder of the genuine issues at stake.
The writing style is more sharp than in many cosy mysteries and there is little padding so be prepared to jump right in to the business of murder. Both those who follow canine crime and those who are new to this subgenre will enjoy the tale.
Enjoyed this first book in the Mary McGill mystery series, even though I am no fan of dog breeding. I'm an "adopt, don't shop" advocate. Picked up this book because of the dog theme, the setting (in/near California wine country), and the age of Ms. McGill! I had to chuckle when Mary was complaining about the effort it takes to get up from her knees....I know that feeling! I like the fact that it is set in a small town, however, I kind of lost track of some of the characters (who they were, their various connections) on occasion. Definitely plan to continue to read this series, and I hope that will help with the development of these various characters. A promising start!
This is a delightful new cozy series set in California small town where Mary is the town organizer. She is a great older woman who gives from her heart to help out anyone who needs it. This first book introduces Mary and her cute dog Millie. We also meet all the town people who will play important roles in the upcoming stories. I love Mary and I learned a good bit about the dog breeding business.
This book is full of cocker spaniels, poodles and cockapoos. What's not to like?
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing, characterizations, plot and the dogs.
If Kathleen has not lived with cocker spaniels, I'll eat my hat. She nailed it! From the separation anxiety, to the quick and inevitable attachment to their companion.
I loved it and have requested the next in the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed Purebred Dead: A cozy dog mystery. Retired schoolteacher Mary McGill has her hands full managing Christmas celebrations for her hometown. Finding two children who've just discovered a body in the manger--a grown man's body--is just the beginning of her adventure, one that will bring a charming canine into her life as she seeks to protect the children, who saw the murderer. Highly recommended!
This book was enjoyable to read. I guessed who the murderer was but then I usually do.
My problem is the whole mystery started and centred around the theft of the black poodle Merlot. However the book is wrapped up with no mention of him specifically being found, just a black poodle male. Mary assumes the black male is Merlot but then Glen says this in the final chapter.
"The owners of the black dog are coming to get him" - we know who the owner of Merlot is, so surely they would mention the dog by name and the owners. This leads me to think the black male poodle wasn't Merlot. So where is he?
I liked Mary, and can only hope that I am as active and involved as she is when I am in my 70's. I also liked the dogs, the small town, and the relationship of respect she has with Dan. Usually in cozies the police and the ametuer sleuth are at odds or they are fall in love. I have a good friend who is a champion dog breeder so I found all the dog stuff very interesting, although I did find the number of cocker spaniels and cockapoos in that small town was really high.
I'll admit I was dragged in by the cocker spaniel, but this just wasn't a great book. Really could've used better editing - referring to something as being from the Dickinson era for Dickens, and on multiple occasions is just one of the issues I found. The story was slow and slightly pedantic, although it picked up a bit towards the end. I'll give the next book in the series a go, but it doesn't look promising.
gave up at about page 150, its just dull and the people are not interesting. I realize now why I thought it would be good, aside from it having dogs, I thought it was from Vicky Delaney, whose books are usually quite enjoyable. My mistake. I have never read a book with lots of dogs where a) all the dogs are cocker spaniels b) the main character has never heard of a cock-a-poo or a puppy mill c) even the dogs weren't interesting. Just no.
I enjoyed this book but would not read at bedtime. Murderers were a little too intense for last night. I will definitely seek more mysteries by kathleen Delaney.
A really enjoyable read. A book featuring dogs gets me interested right away. The plot was excellent. Mary McGill makes a great heroine. I wish I had half her energy given we are about the same age! Helping solve the murders seemed natural for her.
This is a body in the manger story. During the town's Christmas pageant a body is found in the manger and a cute little puppy was found nearby. Tring to find out who the puppy belonged to leads to finding the killer.
I generally enjoy reading a cozy mystery occasionally, but not this one. It is cluttered with too many characters that are not well developed by the writer. I forced myself to finish the book. I won’t be reading any more by the author.
Thoroughly enjoying this series / author. Now if I can just find all the books in her other series. Keeps it real, believable! Mary is way busier than I am, this is supposed to be "retirement"!
This is a fun Christmas read with an unstoppable 70-something aged sleuth in a small Southern California town. Dog lovers will especially appreciate it. I liked the characters and will look for more from this author.
This was a fun cozy. Mary McGill is a retired school teacher. She’s very active in her community chairing many committees.
It’s hard to place a finger on what it was about this book didn’t quite work for me to rate it higher than 3/5 Stars. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but I just didn’t click with it like I do with some of my other cozies. I liked the characters. There were a lot of possibilities for the killer. The cocker spaniel Millie was cute. Maybe it was the dog breeding aspect of the book. For a small town, there was a lot of cocker spaniel breeding going on. Maybe it was the fact that it was the first book in the series, and the author spends a lot of time trying to get you up to speed on the back story of the town’s characters. I’m not sure.
If you’re looking for a light mystery, and you enjoy dogs, pick this one up. It was fun with lots of possibilities to keep you guessing.
A local retired vet is stabbed to death and left in the town's manger during a Christmas event. His body along with a cockapoo puppy are discovered by two children. Mary McGill, a retired teacher, organizer, is right at the heart of finding out what happened and protecting the young witnesses.
When the pet shop owner is also killed, Mary takes in his dog, a cocker spaniel named Millie. Millie doesn't show up until halfway through the book. Once she does, things get a lot more cozy and interesting to me. Before that, Mary seems a bit disconnected even though she is looking into the deaths of the vet and why he might have been killed. It gets more personal when she might lose Millie.
The reason behind the deaths seems way too unrealistic, but I guess people kill for a lot less than keeping secrets about breeding cockapoo puppies with a stolen, prize-winning poodle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A murder mystery & dogs was a combination that couldn't be resisted!
Everyone knows a ‘Mary’- someone who will help anyone & be involved in any committee that no-one else wants. Trying to solve a murder was not something she had signed up for & yet she finds herself in the middle of a search for a killer.
Although this could never be categorised as a grisly or overly complicated story, it is full of interesting characters and a good read. Maybe not quite up to five stars but worth a good solid four stars