Chesapeake Crimes: Fur, Feathers, and Felonies

Chesapeake Crimes

by Director of Therapy Research Donna Andrews (editor), Barb Goffman (Contributor), Marcia Talley (Editor)

Thirteen members of the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime spin tales crime around the theme of animals. A pet groomer. A pet crow. A dog named Rasputin. Exploding cattle. Even an octopus figures in a mystery. Contributors Chris Grabenstein (Introduction), Shari Randall, Carla Coupe, KM Rockwood, Alan Orloff, Eleanor Cawood Jones, Robin Templeton, Barb Goffman, Marianne Wilski Strong, Linda Lombardi, Josh Pachter, Joanna Campbell Slan, Cathy Wiley, and Karen Cantwell.

Genres: Mystery

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2018

Reviews

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This latest collection of short stories from the members of Sisters in Crime Chesapeake Chapter features 13 tales, or is it tails, involving animals. Yes, there are lots of dogs and cats featured, including a murdered crazy cat lady, a story about a dog getting into trouble with his human, and a movie stars famous dog. But we get some unusual animals, too, including an octopus and exploding cows.

As with any collection, there were a couple of stories that weren’t to my taste. But I would then find I loved the next one. And when each story takes less than 30 minutes to read, you aren’t committed to something you don’t like for very long. For short stories, the characters were well drawn, and each story featured at least one twist with longer ones features a few more surprises. While a couple stories trend a little darker, there are some light, very fun stories in the collection as well. Truly, there is something here everyone will enjoy.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each story in this collection features an animal as an important part of the story. Some of my favorite stories were "As the Crow Flies" by Carla Coupe, "Rasputin" by KM Rockwood (which is told by the POV of a dog), "Hunter's Moon" by Robin Templeton, and "Til Murder Do Us Part by Barb Goffman. My absolute favorites were: "The Octoupus Game" by Linda Lombardi, with great visual descriptions of an octopus who unscrews jars and plays with Mr. Potato Head, and "The Supreme Art of War" by Josh Pachter

[John Bohnert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting collection of short stories involving animals.
I read the paperback edition with the same cover as the kindle edition.

[Mystic Miraflores · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected all of the stories to take place in the Mid-Atlantic area, but many didn't. I live in Northern Virginia outside of Washington DC and my family has often vacationed in Ocean City, Maryland and the Delaware beaches. We also used to live in the Baltimore suburbs. I expected the stories to take place in familiar areas. So I was disappointed that some of the stories took place in California and England. The stories that I DID like were: "Bark Simpson and the Scent of Death"; "Hunter's Moon"; "Till Murder Do Us Part"; "The Supreme Art of War"; and "Killer".

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of short stories of various quality. The first story didn't even really have an ending. Others were so-so and a couple were good. It reminds me of what my grandfather said about sermons: It's much harder to give a 10 minute sermon than an hour one. I'm thinking mystery stories are the same way- it's much easier to write a book than a short story. Not everyone can do both like Conan Doyle could.

[Pam Winkler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, this collection was ok. I wanted it to read it because it had Donna Andrews. But it turns out she was just an editor and didn't contribute any stories. If you're feeling like mysteries, this one's a good shot.
Pet by Shari Randall was ok? It didn't do much for me.
As the Crow Flies by Carla Coupe was good.
Rasputin by KM Rockwood didn't do much for me, I didn't really like it.
Bark Simpson and the Scent of Death by Alan Orloff was ok.
A Snowball's Chance by Eleanor Cawood Jones was interesting.
Hunter's Moon by Robin Templeton was ok.
Till Murder Do Us Part by Barb Goffman was pretty good.
Your Cheatin' Heart by Marianne Wilski Strong was good.
The Octopus Game by Linda Lombardi was interesting.
The Supreme Art of War by Josh Pachter was amusing.
Killer by Joanna Campbell Slan was ok?
Curiosity Killed the Cat Lady by Cathy Wiley was ok
Sunset Beauregard by Karen Cantwell was pretty good.

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable short stories read. All of them have an animal involved in the story. My favorite was 'The Shadow Knows', which featured a crow named Remus. Although not the detective, Remus points out the clues to the heroine for her to solve. Great fun. Recommended.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun collection of animal-themed mysteries! There's an octopus, white rabbit, dogs, cats, and exploding cows. Add it to your summer beach or pool bag.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous collection os short stories.

[Barb Foerst]

unfortunately Donna Andrews is only the editor. Was hoping for a short story from her.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chesapeake Crimes: Fur, Feathers, and Felonies
Outstanding collection! I always begin with authors I know and love, and then read on to discover new favorites, all written with inspiration, clarity, and wit. Too many specifics might spoil the surprises, but I was amused and impressed by a puzzle-solving crow and dogs providing the definitive answer to "who's a good boy?" Eight cats in one apartment is unwholesome, but Barb Goffman's description of exploding cows — yuk! no matter what I ever face, I'll know it's not the worst that could happen. Justice mostly prevails, and Robin Templeton's Marla gives advice we could all do well to heed, to always “be a good . . . scout.”
** Personal asides . . . fresh from a fabric workshop at the art museum, I looked up serge, a wool twill fabric.
”No Feathers or Fur" was my original title for my "Bill's Iguana" story.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, but not terribly memorable collection of stories featuring animals playing key roles in a mystery. I was disappointed that Donna Andrews didn’t have an entry, but it was an easy read.