Lead a Horse to Murder

Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery #3

by Cynthia Baxter

When it comes to sleuthing, she's not horsing around...

When full-time vet and part-time sleuth Jessica Popper is asked to treat a billionaire's ailing horse, she gets a deadly glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and felonious….

Murder gallops after Jessie when an emergency call sends the traveling vet to a posh Long Island estate with her one-eyed Dalmatian, Lou, and her tailless Westie, Max. A prized Arabian steed needs minor medical care–but it’s the rider who grabs Jess’s attention. The handsome young horseman exudes plenty of animal magnetism as he canters across the field…and then takes an inexplicable, fatal fall.

The dead man was one of the finest polo players in the world, but it was no accident that killed him. The culprit was poison. And as Jess soon discovers, a number of people had the means, motive, and opportunity for foul play, from the hostile barn manager to the businessman’s disgruntled wife. But Jess will have to temper her feline instinct with good old-fashioned horse sense if she’s going to stop a killer from leading a certain sleuth to her death.

“Five paws up for Cynthia Baxter’s Reigning Cats & Dogs series!”—Carolyn Hart

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

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

(from author's website)

Dear Reader,

Thanks for taking the time to check out my web site! I love the fact that the Internet makes it so easy to "talk" to readers (and to hear from them, too - my email address is below).

My favorite thing to do is read - and my second favorite is to write. Since 2003, I've been writing The Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery Series, which features veterinarian Jessica Popper. The books also include the antics of Jessie's menagerie: her rambunctious Westie, Max; his shy sidekick, Lou the Dalmatian; aging pussycat Catherine the Great; newcomer Tinkerbell, a tiger kitten with the personality of a diva; mouthy Prometheus, a Blue and Gold Macaw with attitude; and last but not least, the silent yet seemingly wise chameleon Leilani. The newest book in the series is CROSSING THE LION.

I also launched a second mystery series, The Murder Packs a Suitcase Mystery Series, which will run concurrently with Reigning Cats & Dogs. The first book, also titled MURDER PACKS A SUITCASE, introduces Mallory Marlowe. Recently widowed at the age of 45, Mallory is still struggling to find her old self when she falls into a new job as a travel writer. In addition to researching exciting destinations, she happens upon the occasional murder - and she can't help getting involved in finding out whodunnit. The first book is set in Orlando, where she goes to discover whether or not the "old Florida," with alligator farms and pink plastic flamingoes and seashell jewelry, still exists despite the proliferation of glitzy theme parks. The second book in the series, TOO RICH AND TOO DEAD, is set in glamorous Aspen, where Mallory is trying to find out if even a non-skier can have a fun vacation.

Working on two different mystery series has been an interesting challenge. I've tried to make the two series different - but at the same time to include the same elements in the new series that readers of the original series seemed to enjoy. That means a likeable heroine, a compelling mystery with some quirky suspects and a few surprises, a touch of romance, and lots of humor. I'm really looking forward to seeing how readers respond to my new character and her adventures!

I always enjoy hearing from readers, so please don't hesitate to write and say hello. In the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy my books!

Best wishes, Cynthia Baxter

Contact Cynthia: Cynthiab1@optonline.net

Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read but not one of my favorites ........ probably won't read any more of this series for a while ....

Moving on .... more books to read, more mysteries to solve ....

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long Island is a noted center for the game of Polo, a game for the rich and famous. Jessica Popper, veterinarian, has been called in to check on one of the polo ponies. While at the farm, she is able to watch a polo match and see the current star of the polo world in action. She was also able to see him fall from his horse and die. Jessica is sure that the handsome young man was murdered. Jessica learns a lot about polo and poisons as she tries to find out what happened to Edwardo.

[DaShannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a cozy series based on anything you can think of and this series- Reigning Cats and Dogs is centered around veterinarian turned sleuth Jessica Popper. She and her trusty sidekicks- Lou the Dalmation and Max the Westie find themselves back in trouble in this third installment that takes them to Long Island's polo estates. When a talented billionaire falls to his death turns into a poisoning Jess sets out to get to the bottom of it all.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - Good

[Jennifer Daun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy the descriptions that Cynthia Baxter uses for the Long Island scenery! Along with a mix of LI history! Enjoying The Who done it of it all!

[Catsalive · Rating 2 out of 5]

http://bookcrossing.com/journal/13220...

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third installment of the series. A few inaccuracies regarding horses, but overall a great read.

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun addition to this series. I didn't see the ending coming.

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still set on Long Island, Jessica Popper is still a vet, she expands her loveable crew of animal companions by one, she's still dating Nick Burby who remains utterly overbearing and insensitive given their past history. While I like Jessie, her pets (esp. the dogs), her ability to get accidentally involved in sleuthing, and the opportunity the story affords to learn about polo (the sport of kings or the king of sports?), I am really sick of Nick. It's time to dump him and move on already--esp. after he not only moves in on her while his apt. is being painted, then moves in on her when he's given the heave-ho from his illegal apartment, then this brainchild imposes his self-absorbed study group from law school on Jess and her (I repeat, her) tiny house, he then arrives in her hospital room to demand that she give up something that she clearly (1) adores and (2) has an aptitude for. Maybe I'm crazy, but people who truly love each other don't make them give up the things that are their character-defining attributes and--in the supremest irony of all--most likely the very traits for which they were found attractive in the first place. I'll hang in there with the series--really because I'm sort of intrigued by the impending catastrophre with Jess' college room mate that will be the subject of the next entry in the series. If the Nick situation doesn't improve, however, I'm done. Life's too short and there are too many good books to read. (I learned that from my Book-a-holic friend Eva, who recently quit on a book partyway through because it just wasn't working. Way to go, Eva!)

[Krystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though the books in this series are decidedly better than my first impression (meaning halfway through the first book), they still lack that "umph" factor that draws me into the story and makes me forget all else. I don't believe the gift of dialogue is Baxter's forte, and therein lies one of my problems. I have to overcome the obstacle of "twitchy talking" its my own reference for conversations and inner dialogue that doesn't flow (seriously, coined it spur of the moment genius-like, and it totally fits, trust me or this run on sentence will keep running on).
The characters are fine. A vet who loves her "menagerie" and she always refers to them as this when entering her home, being greeted by her "menagerie" and it's an insignificant quirk, but one I find annoying. Sometimes she could just say her animals, or her furry friends, something different.
But I'm sliding down the slippery slope of random thoughts.
Pulling myself up short, I will explain that each book involves a mystery where whats her butt (the main character, name alludes me right now) finds herself smack dab in the middle of. Its not just any mystery though. Its always murder. She employs the use of her occupation, traveling Vet, to help her solve the murder mysteries, cause that's plausible.
The books are an okay escape from reality, and its nice to have a guaranteed read at night that isn't complete crap, so I wouldn't say the series is a waste of time.

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another day, another mystery! This one was an unexpected find over the weekend. Given I only get every second weekend off, we usually try and do something special every few weeks. This time we went to Dubbo and visited one of my favorite book stores. We also ate Oporto, since it's the only store in the central west. Yum!

Basically this series follows Vet Jessie Popper as she uncovers mysteries while looking after animals. This time it's mainly horses, but a few cats and dogs make an appearance too. There is a little unease in her romantic life; although I haven't read the previous books it looks like Nick might have a little competition with Forrester on the scene! Of course there is a murder to solve as well.

I did find it a little unlikely that Jessie would be invited to so many parties etc being given by the owners and the staff, but I let that slide in favor of the story, which is believable. Still, it would be nice to see how the other half lives lol.

A fun series, I'll have to read the rest now! Five stars.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lead a Horse to Murder is the third installment of the "Reighning Cats and Dogs Mystery Series." I'm a sucker for these books, but this one, while light and interesting, is a tad annoying. I started to wonder about half way through if Baxter were contractually obligated to write another book because this one seemed thrown together. The dialogue was stilted and the story read more like the history of polo at times. The never-ending parade of stupidity that constitutes Jessica's actions is a bit like watching a train wreck. At the beginning of the book you know she's going to get invovled with a murder and it will somehow end up putting her in danger and her boyfriend will get mad at her. At this point I think I'm reading them just because I love westies.....

[Angela Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting mystery

It is a touch vapid and another touch unrealistic, but the storyline dragged me in.

The story follows the heroine through several twists and turns. Hints are far and few between, you won't be likely to guess the ending before you read it.

This time, the veterinary and animal references are more believable. The author is starting to learn that fans expect accuracy.

Overall, it is a good mystery for killing time provided you don't expect earth shaking revelations. This is a vacation mystery, nothing scary, nothing spooky, a little silly, a tad amateurish. It isa decent read for light mystery reading that won't have you leaving the lights on before bed.

[Daniele]

I've read this series out of order and have found them to be particularly uneven. I liked this one quite a bit. The characters are reletively well drawn, there are not so many suspects that it becomes rediculous, Nick and Jessie's relationship is way on the back burner (and thus not annoying), and there is some actual vet references and veterinary medicine ties in with the murder plot. I also found the poio theme interesting.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another easy reading mystery in this series. They aren't great, but they are good enough that I keep reading the series. Dr Popper gets annoying at times because she decides at some point that everyone is one the possible list of suspects sometimes without much reason. Her boyfriend Nick should also just give up and find someone that appreciates him.

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cozy mystery series which is based on a veterinarian and she stumbles on her mysteries by having a vet-mobile to visit her patients which also gives her the chance to find all kinds of murders that she can solve. This series involves animals, but not the talking type. I enjoyed these WHEN I just wanted very light reading….

[Sara Bartlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun, not a great author but a fun author and the plot was interesting and well developed. I enjoyed the book as a great escape...if you want to lay back and forget about everything and focus on a fun book, this is it.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The third book I've read in the series and I wasn't thrilled by it. I know that they're just fun easy-read mysteries, but I still wanted more. The cast a characters were too stereotypical and not likable. It was still a nice light book, but don't expect too much.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting that I read this one at bedtime while I listened in the car to "Whisker of Evil" by Rita Mae Brown. Ms. Brown's book was about horse breeding, and this one was about Polo. I'm filled with horse sense!

[Diane Wachter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia Baxter, Reigning Cats and Dogs Series, Bk 3, PB-B @ 2005, 8/29/05. While on a housecall to tend to a polo pony, a world-famous polo player falls dead off his horse. A terrible tragedy--or murder? Very good.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another good read from the Jessica Popper DMV cozy series. A good read with revenge, suspense and lots of intrigue for this cozy mystery.

[Robert Van Tuyl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good solid story of a Vet whose hobby is murder.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book and I love this series.

[Tiina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick read, and I liked the animals in the story. But the human characters were not that credible. That's why the book only got an ok and not a like.

[Janet Armentani]

Very cool. I liked the polo-pony theme a lot. She is driving me nuts with the "renaming" of Long Island places, but I think I'll get over it

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great book by Baxter. Her books are fresh, easy and pleasant to read. A must for all pet lovers\mystery lovers.

[Susan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story and characters. Good lesson in the history of polo given and a glimpse of the incredibly wealthy. I liked the stories sad twist.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know so very little about horses and even less about polo but this story opened my eyes to a world cat lovers like myself are not in tune with.

[Sissi Mise]

I love cynthia baxter books. A nice easy read.

[Rita Kiernan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this thoroughly and picked up two more?