Paws Before Dying

A Dog Lover's Mystery #4

by Susan Conant

children animal book

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Dogs, Cozy, Animals, Fiction

197 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Librarian 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.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A kindergarten teacher seemingly dies from being struck by lightning, but Holly Winter suspects otherwise. Now she has a 16 year old kid as a sidekick, along with her dogs.

[rob santore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siberian Husky

I am so confused. I know I'm not a genius BUT I'm also not a neuter!! I am always drawn to this author because of her subject matter (I have raised and shown in both Obedience and Breed,The Siberian Husky for 40 years). That. being said, I am always unsatisfied because her plots are soooo! convoluted as she unfolds the murders. I usually have no idea how she even arrives at her conclusions,etc. So much,blah,blah,blah,mostly making no sense and this one was no exception. As she tries to unfold the murder she goes off on 20 other issues or remarks or Obedience moves which in my mind just don't relate. I guess I'm going to give up,even though I love the dogs,and move on.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved that the 'main' dogs in the story were Alaskan Malamutes. They are one of my favorite breeds of dogs. I didn't love the fact that for a murder mystery, most of the focus was about dogs & dog shows. I also found it annoying it took 1/4 the book before the murder occurred. If this author has other books, I'll pass on them.

[Jessica Sanford · Rating 1 out of 5]

ugh. I love dogs. I did not love this book. if you LOVE showing dogs, then you may enjoy this book. But I could not get into it. I don't recommend.

[Cathie Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know why I keep reading this series. This is the last one. I love learning about the dogs, but her shoving her social opinions down my throat is disturbing. If it was just a comment or two here and there, but when the entire book is about it, well, I've had enough. I don't recommend reading any of her books due to the social pressures she puts on everyone of her characters.

[Regan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first third of the book was pretty boring -- I suppose if I were interested in showing dogs it would have drew me in more. The last third, when the reason one character was murdered was well done.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book in series but not the best. Still a solid read and enjoyable if you like the characters.

[Mare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable visit with Holly, Rowdy, Kimi, and all.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a bunch of Conant's books in the last few months and this was one of the better ones. As an early book in the Holly Winter series, 'Paws Before Dying' features some characters who show up again later in the series, but the inclusion of Winter's 16 year-old cousin, who is a grown woman in later books, here is a sign Conant is taking a bit of literary license here, as Winter's 2 Alaskan Malamutes are among those recurring characters, but they don't seem to age as quickly as regular dogs do as the books go on.
In this book, Winter is focused on obedience training her dogs, particularly her female, Kimi, who proves a good match to be handled by Winter's young cousin, Leah. As mentioned, Leah is a regular character in the later books in the series, but this appears to be her debut, as her parents dumped her off with Holly for the summer so they could travel Europe and Leah could study for her SATs and hopefully become enamored with nearby Harvard. Like a typical teenager, Leah is more into fashion and boys than dogs, until she discovers that tagging along to Holly's training classes and handling Kimi brings her into close contact with other young handlers.
Meanwhile, Rose, one of Holly's acquaintances from class, is found dead in the park where the classes are held. Because Rose was training her poodle in a tennis court surrounded by chain link fence during a thunderstorm, and was found by the gate, it is initially assumed that she was either struck by lightening or the fence was when she was touching it. However, there are elements that don't add up to Holly, who suspects murder, and she finds plenty of people who would have motive to do it. From the dog world, there is the owner of another poodle, whose biggest competition was the team of Rose and her poodle, as well as a show judge who Rose lodged a complaint against regarding illegal activity she felt he was a part of. Suspects outside of the dog world include some of Rose's neighbors, such as a family whose son had Rose for a teacher about whom she filed a suspected child abuse report plus an apparent white supremacist family who doesn't much care for Jewish people, though Rose herself was not Jewish, just married to a man who was. Her in-laws also are possible suspects, as Rose's husband was shunned by his family when the couple married, but is suddenly welcomed back openly following Rose's death.
Holly is determined to get to the bottom of who or what killed Rose, while still keeping an eye on Leah and making sure her dogs get the attention they deserve. What bugs me about Conant's books is probably an issue with other novels on the short side, that too much is coincidental in the plot. A couple examples: The youngest son of the white supremacists happens to take his dog to the training class and catches Leah's eye. Holly meets the family who Rose reported for suspected child abuse while investigating a story for her dog magazine, even though Rose was a veteran teacher and had probably taught kindergarten to hundreds of local kids. I suppose this sort of overlap is needed to keep the book concise and moving, it just gets a little obvious after reading a few similar books.
All told though, Conant had me guessing until the end and I didn't see where she was going with the case until the final chapters. Not a book I necessarily need to read again, but enjoyable nonetheless.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did lightning kill Rose Engleman? Or was the top obedience handler struck down by an act of vengeance? Rivalry? Jealousy? Hatred? Greed? Bigotry? Assisted by malamutes Rowdy and Kimi—and by her visiting teenage cousin, Leah—Holly Winter tracks down the truth about Rose's anything-but-natural death.Mistress of the Dog Lover's Mystery—and seven-time winner of the Dog Writers Association of America's coveted Maxwell Award—Susan Conant has chronicled the adventures of dog writer and dog trainer Holly Winter and her Alaskan malamutes since 1990. Originally published in 1991, PAWS BEFORE DYING is the fourth book in this beloved series.Praise for Susan Conant’s dog lover’s “Conant infuses her writing with a healthy dose of humor about Holly's Fido-loving friends and other Cambridge cliques; the target of her considerable wit clearly emerges as human nature.” Publishers Weekly on Gone to the Dogs“Come. Sit. Stay.” Kirkus Reviews on Gone to the Dogs“Even those not partial to canines will want to bark with pleasure at a good animal mystery in which the animals aren't portrayed as humans with fur.” Publishers Weekly on Creature Discomforts“The author keeps readers entertained between major breakthroughs in the story by relating all sorts of pointers about dogs in general, and more specifically Holly's own malamutes, who play a role in solving the crime. Holly comes across as self-assured, independent, and knowledgeable, and all of the other characters are precisely drawn through subtle details and expertly manipulated facts.” School Library Journal on Animal Appetite“A wonderful romp for canine lovers and others.” Library Journal on Ruffly Speaking“Sheer bliss awaits the dedicated dog-lover.” Kirkus Reviews on The Wicked Flea“There’s not a cat-writer around wi

[Sandra Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I've read all 4 books of this series, I can honestly say I learned quite a bit about showing dogs, training dogs, and even some interesting facts about certain breeds of dogs, especially the Alaskan Malamute, that I had not known about before. I also enjoyed 4 fairly decent murder mysteries, although that was not REALLY what these books seemed to be about. To me they were more like the medium used by the author to state her thoughts, opinions, and ideas about how dogs are bred, trained, sold, whatever. And it was very obvious that she has very strong opinions and ideas. Most of which I rather agreed with. The mystery in each book always seemed more of an afterthought than the main focus of the story. I guess I didn't have to read all the way through every one of them, since they were not really all that great. But once I start something, I tend to stick with it. :)

[Deborah D.]

Holly Winter - she was born to a couple who were so compulsive about their breeding kennel of golden retrievers they raised Holly with a lot of the same methods as raising and socializing a puppy.

She rebelled and is doing obedience trials with Malamutes - not your most compliant dog breed!
And she seems to have this ability to become embroiled in a mystery.

A little slow paced...but it made a number of good points about abuse & neglect (human & animal...but not graphically!), training methodology and stereotyping based on geography...presumed ethnicity or religion...and so on.

I won't be actively seeking the other two books out...but if like this one it lands in my lap from a friend...

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#4 in the Dog Lover's series. Holly Winter Is a Cambridge, MA based columnist for dog based magazines. Her avocation in obedience training her notoriously difficult malamutes.

Dog Lover's series - Holly Winter looks into the death of dog trainer Rose Englemann. Rose is originally thought to have been killed by lightning but Holly believes it could have been a training collar that disrupted her pacemaker. Holly's cousin Leah visits for the summer and becomes the primary trainer of malamute bitch Kimi.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleased when a friend informed me of Conant's dog/detective series. Growing up with a grandmother who devoured every "The Cat Who..." story, which never interested me, I have long wanted dog-themed books of same.

The author does not disappoint. The books are witty, informational, and quick-reads, without being too predictable.

[Virginia · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and read it all in one day. Although Holly can get a little carried away in her interactions with her dogs, I still find her an interesting character. I liked the addition of Holly's cousin Leah in the story. I hope she comes back in future books.

[Daelith]

By chapter 4 I was tired of all the obedience training talk and no one had died yet. Stopped after 20 pages,

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, this is my favorite. Holly Winter's niece comes to stay for the summer. They have a lot in common. I hope she returns in future books.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read, but for most of the book I was trying to figure out if they really believed the murdered woman was murdered. Other than that, I really did enjoy it.

[Carol Krout · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book....a bit confusing at times....but enjoyed it.

[Helene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't like this one as much as previous books. Although the introduction of Leah was amusing, unfortunately real doggy people are exactly like that.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holly's 16 year old cousin visits for the summer and trains Kimi. Rescue dogs. Holly meets boy from "dysfunctional" family.
Good.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Either the book was better, or I am getting used to her judging everyone and everything through the eyes of a dog. The addition of her cousin spending the summer probably helped the story along.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Huh. But good dog stuff.

[Susan Moxley]

If you love mysteries and dogs. Then this is a book for you.