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Three Oaks #2
Whose Dog Are You?
Dog trainer John Cunningham and his wife, together on a hunting trip, stumble upon a dead body, and a stray spaniel found nearby may be the clue they need to solve the murder
175 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1991
45 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Hammond
103 books20 followersGerald Hammond, (Gerald Arthur Douglas Hammond) son of Frederick Arthur Lucas (a physician) and Maria Birnie (a nursing sister) Hammond; married Gilda Isobel Watt (a nurse), August 20, 1952; children: Peter, David, Steven. Education: Aberdeen School of Architecture, Dip. Arch., 1952. He served in the British Army, 1944-45. Although born in Bournemouth, Hampshire, England, he worked in and retired to the country he most loved, Scotland.
He also writes under the names of Arthur Douglas and Dalby Holden. He was an architect for thirty years before retiring to write novels full-time in 1982. He has written over 50 novels since the late 1960s.
His novels center around guns, shooting, hunting, fishing, and dog training.
He also writes under the names of Arthur Douglas and Dalby Holden. He was an architect for thirty years before retiring to write novels full-time in 1982. He has written over 50 novels since the late 1960s.
His novels center around guns, shooting, hunting, fishing, and dog training.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 27, 2019
One of my favorite Gerald Hammond mysteries
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: April 17, 2019
Publisher: Endeavour Media
Language: English
ASIN: B07QTZRZ4N
167 pages
The title of this book comes from Alexander Pope, "I am his Highness’ dog at Kew; Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you?' On the Collar of a Dog which I gave to his Royal Highness."
I have a weakness for both the Three Oaks and the Keith Calder mysteries of Gerald Hammond. So much so that I can't imagine not enjoying one of them. Even so, I enjoyed this Three Oaks mystery more than any other I can remember. Wonderful characters, Scotland, sporting dogs, the shooting sports, the outdoors, people who enjoy these things and an intriguing mystery. What's not to like?
The publisher, Endeavor Media, frequently offers free books to those on their E-mail list. Periodically they have offered various Gerald Hammond books for free.
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: April 17, 2019
Publisher: Endeavour Media
Language: English
ASIN: B07QTZRZ4N
167 pages
The title of this book comes from Alexander Pope, "I am his Highness’ dog at Kew; Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you?' On the Collar of a Dog which I gave to his Royal Highness."
I have a weakness for both the Three Oaks and the Keith Calder mysteries of Gerald Hammond. So much so that I can't imagine not enjoying one of them. Even so, I enjoyed this Three Oaks mystery more than any other I can remember. Wonderful characters, Scotland, sporting dogs, the shooting sports, the outdoors, people who enjoy these things and an intriguing mystery. What's not to like?
The publisher, Endeavor Media, frequently offers free books to those on their E-mail list. Periodically they have offered various Gerald Hammond books for free.
May 9, 2023
This second book in the Three Oaks series is enjoyable, but I liked the previous book more. Although published in 1991, it still has a different time and place feeling to it as it is set in the UK. The summary gives more away than I like to talk about of the details in the book. John Cunningham and his new wife are on a wildfowling expedition, which sounds so much cooler than a duck hunt.
‘Not much of a return for getting out of bed before the crack of dawn, driving umpteen miles, staggering more miles through a howling gale in the dark and then squishing around in the freezing mud.’
‘Good for the complexion,’ I said, ‘Keep telling yourself that it’s fun, fun, fun.’
They find a dead body:
Ten yards upstream of us, the body of a man was grounded face-down at the edge of the mud. Not much more showed than a hump of shoulder and the line of a leg but there was no doubting what it was. Below the water, lank hair of indeterminate colour floated as if raised in fear and the wavelets caused his hips to rise and fall in an obscene parody of the sexual act.
A Springer Spaniel is found and is associated with the dead man which starts the line of clues and actions to carry the story along. They could identify the dog because of Isobel who works for them. “She could forget a face, an appointment or a good resolution but her memory for dogs was always phenomenal.”
The reason for the dog’s importance was a little obvious to me. I guess if I had followed that logic better maybe I would have figured out more, but I am not that good at solving mysteries. It also seemed to me that rather than leaving enough clues along the way, they had to give out a lot of info later in the book to introduce pieces to fit together. I leave it for more experienced mystery reviewers to confirm or deny the books true rating from a mystery standpoint, but from mine it made for a weaker mystery and one reason for me to rate the book slightly lower.
The book is a little rough and tumble, with a stabbing and some shooting, but I guess death is to be expected in a murder mystery. I did chuckle at a statement relating to women and Texan’s:
‘‘The gun then,’ I said. She was a woman but she was Texan. She would know about shotguns. ‘You must have given that more than a glance. You had it in your hands for most of the day.’
I also found interesting were references in the book to the expense of long-distance phone bills like this one; ‘But the proprietor’s wife was a very garrulous lady and our last phone-bill had been almost indistinguishable from the national debt.’ I remember when long distance was expensive, then when cellphone minutes were very expensive, and now have just settled into a monthly expense most of us bear.
I didn’t seem to find any great passages or quotes that would stand up well outside of the confines of the book to add to my person list of favorite quotes but I will provide a few more to get a feel for the flavor of the book.
‘They don’t shoot ground game in his neck of the woods and the last thing he wanted was a dog which would take off after a gopher or a squirrel. And he said that bum-punching quail over pointers was no more interesting than shooting clays down-the-line – the same going-away bird every time.’
The Sergeant changed his ground. ‘Would you jalouse,’ he said, ‘that your caller was after that particular dog? The wee bitch that belonged to the dead man?’
‘You read too many of those detective stories,’ said the woman who I thought wasn’t his wife.
So, in summary, love Gerald Hammond’s books, but need to give it 4 stars to distinguish it from others. I am trying to read just book 1 of all the mystery + dog series, of which I have identified 52 series so far but only read about 20, but like his books so much I skipped ahead to his book 2 and will probably read his book 3 soon as well. Love to hear others’ opinions on his books, on what mystery + dog book series are ‘the best’ and if all Texan’s, including the women, know about shotguns.
‘Not much of a return for getting out of bed before the crack of dawn, driving umpteen miles, staggering more miles through a howling gale in the dark and then squishing around in the freezing mud.’
‘Good for the complexion,’ I said, ‘Keep telling yourself that it’s fun, fun, fun.’
They find a dead body:
Ten yards upstream of us, the body of a man was grounded face-down at the edge of the mud. Not much more showed than a hump of shoulder and the line of a leg but there was no doubting what it was. Below the water, lank hair of indeterminate colour floated as if raised in fear and the wavelets caused his hips to rise and fall in an obscene parody of the sexual act.
A Springer Spaniel is found and is associated with the dead man which starts the line of clues and actions to carry the story along. They could identify the dog because of Isobel who works for them. “She could forget a face, an appointment or a good resolution but her memory for dogs was always phenomenal.”
The reason for the dog’s importance was a little obvious to me. I guess if I had followed that logic better maybe I would have figured out more, but I am not that good at solving mysteries. It also seemed to me that rather than leaving enough clues along the way, they had to give out a lot of info later in the book to introduce pieces to fit together. I leave it for more experienced mystery reviewers to confirm or deny the books true rating from a mystery standpoint, but from mine it made for a weaker mystery and one reason for me to rate the book slightly lower.
The book is a little rough and tumble, with a stabbing and some shooting, but I guess death is to be expected in a murder mystery. I did chuckle at a statement relating to women and Texan’s:
‘‘The gun then,’ I said. She was a woman but she was Texan. She would know about shotguns. ‘You must have given that more than a glance. You had it in your hands for most of the day.’
I also found interesting were references in the book to the expense of long-distance phone bills like this one; ‘But the proprietor’s wife was a very garrulous lady and our last phone-bill had been almost indistinguishable from the national debt.’ I remember when long distance was expensive, then when cellphone minutes were very expensive, and now have just settled into a monthly expense most of us bear.
I didn’t seem to find any great passages or quotes that would stand up well outside of the confines of the book to add to my person list of favorite quotes but I will provide a few more to get a feel for the flavor of the book.
‘They don’t shoot ground game in his neck of the woods and the last thing he wanted was a dog which would take off after a gopher or a squirrel. And he said that bum-punching quail over pointers was no more interesting than shooting clays down-the-line – the same going-away bird every time.’
The Sergeant changed his ground. ‘Would you jalouse,’ he said, ‘that your caller was after that particular dog? The wee bitch that belonged to the dead man?’
‘You read too many of those detective stories,’ said the woman who I thought wasn’t his wife.
So, in summary, love Gerald Hammond’s books, but need to give it 4 stars to distinguish it from others. I am trying to read just book 1 of all the mystery + dog series, of which I have identified 52 series so far but only read about 20, but like his books so much I skipped ahead to his book 2 and will probably read his book 3 soon as well. Love to hear others’ opinions on his books, on what mystery + dog book series are ‘the best’ and if all Texan’s, including the women, know about shotguns.
October 23, 2020
Apart from the fact this is the third (rather than the second) book in the series, there is nothing wrong with this terrific mystery and further encounter with the endearing characters at Three Oaks Farm. This is tightly plotted, and tense, with John Cunningham coming under suspicion for murder, after he and his wife Beth discover a body (plus a stray dog.) The story takes us from the Fife area all the way to Texas as John and Beth unravel the mystery. Thoroughly entertaining!
October 19, 2020
Just to point out that this is actually the third in the series, not the second. Doghouse, marked as the third is actually the second and takes place before Whose Dog Are You.
February 15, 2026
This should be book 3 in the series. I won't explain the setting or the characters as this series should be read sequentially from the beginning. Spoilers ahead.
John and his wife Beth are wildfowling in the river when they come across a dead body. There is no identification but after some time the police decide the body is of an American con artist named Falconer. He had been pulling a Savings and Loan scam in the US and when the authorities made it too hot for him over there he decided to come to Scotland and do the same thing.
With a Scottish banking accomplice who knew the ins and outs of the local system he had successfully pulled off a similar scam netting a lot of money but apparently his accomplice killed him. A springer spaniel (named Salmon) had also been running loose in the area for about a week and after catching her Isobel had recognized and remembered her from a hunt and this had helped ID the dead man.
Further investigation by John (and the police) revealed that Falconer had been shooting with another (unidentified local) man and that was probably who the accomplice was. The next part of the book dealt with some people trying to get or steal Salmon back. I had thought the reason was that Salmon had known where the stolen money was buried but I was wrong.
The dog was given into the custody of the police after John was attacked to get her. But eventually the dog was released and purchased by someone. This person hired a solicitor who offered John US$1000 to courier the dog to the states. John took the money and couriered the dog to Texas where he handed the dog over to Falconer's widow. This part was completely superfluous and wasn't needed at all.
Spoilers really here, don't read ahead if you don't want to know. In the US Salmon gives birth to a mixed litter of pups and it turned out that the sire was such an unusual looking dog that the pups looked like him. And that was the reason why the someone wanted Salmon because the sire belonged to the accomplice and indeed Isobel was able to identify him from his dog.
The book ends when the killer appears at Three Oaks to find where Salmon went. He had kill John and Beth because they saw his face but I don't know why he hadn't mask himself. Beth figures out that the killer was actually Falconer and the dead man was the accomplice (McConnelly). McConnelly's girlfriend shows up behind Falconer and stabs him in the back killing him in revenge for McConnelly's murder. She then locks John and Beth in a room and escapes.
I like these books for their setting and the dogs. As usual Hammond makes the murder plot too complex. It's not needed. A straightforward plot would be better.
John and his wife Beth are wildfowling in the river when they come across a dead body. There is no identification but after some time the police decide the body is of an American con artist named Falconer. He had been pulling a Savings and Loan scam in the US and when the authorities made it too hot for him over there he decided to come to Scotland and do the same thing.
With a Scottish banking accomplice who knew the ins and outs of the local system he had successfully pulled off a similar scam netting a lot of money but apparently his accomplice killed him. A springer spaniel (named Salmon) had also been running loose in the area for about a week and after catching her Isobel had recognized and remembered her from a hunt and this had helped ID the dead man.
Further investigation by John (and the police) revealed that Falconer had been shooting with another (unidentified local) man and that was probably who the accomplice was. The next part of the book dealt with some people trying to get or steal Salmon back. I had thought the reason was that Salmon had known where the stolen money was buried but I was wrong.
The dog was given into the custody of the police after John was attacked to get her. But eventually the dog was released and purchased by someone. This person hired a solicitor who offered John US$1000 to courier the dog to the states. John took the money and couriered the dog to Texas where he handed the dog over to Falconer's widow. This part was completely superfluous and wasn't needed at all.
Spoilers really here, don't read ahead if you don't want to know. In the US Salmon gives birth to a mixed litter of pups and it turned out that the sire was such an unusual looking dog that the pups looked like him. And that was the reason why the someone wanted Salmon because the sire belonged to the accomplice and indeed Isobel was able to identify him from his dog.
The book ends when the killer appears at Three Oaks to find where Salmon went. He had kill John and Beth because they saw his face but I don't know why he hadn't mask himself. Beth figures out that the killer was actually Falconer and the dead man was the accomplice (McConnelly). McConnelly's girlfriend shows up behind Falconer and stabs him in the back killing him in revenge for McConnelly's murder. She then locks John and Beth in a room and escapes.
I like these books for their setting and the dogs. As usual Hammond makes the murder plot too complex. It's not needed. A straightforward plot would be better.
September 30, 2019
Gerald Hammond does himself proud with this series!
A convoluted tale with twists and turns that will captivate you.
Well written
A convoluted tale with twists and turns that will captivate you.
Well written
August 25, 2020
Good to the very end.
Many twists and turns totally unexpected. A lot of interesting information about well trained pedigreeded spaniel dogs. Very unexpected ending.
Many twists and turns totally unexpected. A lot of interesting information about well trained pedigreeded spaniel dogs. Very unexpected ending.
September 2, 2020
Excellent Adventure
Compelling characters with interesting story. This is a great part to the series. I look forward to reading more about the gang at Three Oaks.
Compelling characters with interesting story. This is a great part to the series. I look forward to reading more about the gang at Three Oaks.
September 16, 2020
Dogs and detecting in equal measure
A wonderful story set in Scotland. A cozy mystery with a little gun dog education thrown in. But wait, there's more... It's a series.
A wonderful story set in Scotland. A cozy mystery with a little gun dog education thrown in. But wait, there's more... It's a series.
October 11, 2020
Enjoyed
This is the second book I have read in this series, enjoyed it as much as the first book. Looking forward to reading
Book three.
This is the second book I have read in this series, enjoyed it as much as the first book. Looking forward to reading
Book three.
February 13, 2022
Absolutely absurd plot. The dog training stuff continues to be interesting, though.
March 24, 2024
This series continues nicely, with Interesting characters and a suitably leisurely storyline.
April 10, 2015
This is a "cosy" Scottish mystery with an emphasis on dogs and hunting. I liked the focus on dogs but I'm not interested in hunting or guns. The main characters (John and Beth Cunningham)are likeable people who own a hunting-dog kennel. They find a dead body while out hunting and are drawn into the mystery; especially so when a dog is found wandering about without an owner and ends up staying with them. Not a bad read - and also has some humorous moments.
December 18, 2012
The "investigator" in this book is 1/3 owner of a dog showing/breeding kennel. He & his wife come upon an anonymous floating dead man and eventually--while sweating out the possibility of his own arrest for the crime--sorts out what happened. There is a dog found wandering that is the key to the case. Different.
March 4, 2012
Really enjoyed this book. Good plotting, characterization, a touch of humor. John Cunningham breeds and trains hunting dogs, which leads him into some exciting situations. No, the dogs don't talk. All the Keith Calder and John Cunningham series are great, his later books not so.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews