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A Dixie Hemingway Mystery #5
Raining Cat Sitters and Dogs
Curiosity is always a killer for former police officer Dixie Hemingway. Even a trip to pick up her parrot at the veterinarian’s office is bound to turn up something…curious…and the teenager Dixie meets in the waiting room is no exception. “Jaz,” as she calls herself, is inconsolable after her stepfather ran over a rabbit with his car. Really? Dixie’s animal-like instinct tells her that something’s not quite right about this Jaz—and she’s going to make it her purrsonal business to find out more. Even if that means going on a wild-goose chase, from the pampered luxury of Siesta Key’s exclusive resorts to the gang wars being fought in the back alleys, to ferret out the truth. And not get caught with her tail between her legs in the process…
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 19, 2010
26 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Blaize Clement
30 books255 followersMy passion is people. I think people are absolutely magnificent. Not the power-hungry heads of governments or churches or corporations who justify all kinds of horror if it suits their goals, but the rest of us. In spite of the awful things some human beings do in order to control other human beings, most people are peacefully going about their own business, and I applaud that. Families are the backbone of any civilization, and parenting is the most important job in the world.
That same passion and respect for people makes me a strong supporter of the right of any two adults who wish to combine their lives and property to do so without anybody judging them or erecting laws to make their lives more difficult. It seems to me that people who go around condemning how or who somebody else loves would better mind their own business and spend that time showing love to their own spouses or lovers.
As a polio survivor, I’m zealous about ADA laws being implemented and intelligently observed. I try to keep a sense of humor about architectural barriers, but curb cuts and gentle ramps aren’t so difficult to install, and they make life a lot easier for many people. And does anybody know the purpose of those metal bars attached to the walls in handicap-accessible bathrooms? I used to think they might be there in case somebody in a wheelchair decided to rinse out her panty hose, but that can’t be it.
My favorite story of all time is Rudyard Kipling’s The Elephant’s Child. When my two sons were little, I would beg them to let me read that story to them, and sometimes they would indulge me. When my five grandchildren were small, I made a tape of myself reading it so they could listen to it when I wasn’t there. They indulged me too. I still get a little bubble of delight at the 'satiable Elephant's Child saying to all his dear families, “I am going to the great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever-trees, to find out what the Crocodile has for dinner.”
My favorite scene in all literature is from another Rudyard Kipling story, The Jungle Book, where the wolf pack has met to look over the new cubs so they would know their own from an enemy, and Father Wolf pushes Mowgli into the center.
Come to think of it, I suppose those beloved stories about the intelligence and nobility of animals, coupled with my passion for families and children has inevitably led to writing the Dixie Hemingway Mystery series. The relationship between people and pets is one of the highest examples of unconditional love, and Dixie Hemingway is a professional pet sitter who values her family and the pets she takes care of above all else.
Okay, we’re almost finished with this pseudo-bio.
I think the best writing being done today gets the least amount of respect. Good writing isn’t determined by the subject matter, but by how well the writer keeps the reader fascinated and anxious. With few exceptions, that means good mysteries, horror, and sci-fi. I’m proud to be a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime.
My favorite quote is from the 14th century Sufi poet, Hafiz: “Sweetheart, O Sweetheart, you are God in drag!”
Okay, that’s my bio. Now you know the “real me.” I hope we meet someday and that you’ll tell me about the real you.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/blaize...
That same passion and respect for people makes me a strong supporter of the right of any two adults who wish to combine their lives and property to do so without anybody judging them or erecting laws to make their lives more difficult. It seems to me that people who go around condemning how or who somebody else loves would better mind their own business and spend that time showing love to their own spouses or lovers.
As a polio survivor, I’m zealous about ADA laws being implemented and intelligently observed. I try to keep a sense of humor about architectural barriers, but curb cuts and gentle ramps aren’t so difficult to install, and they make life a lot easier for many people. And does anybody know the purpose of those metal bars attached to the walls in handicap-accessible bathrooms? I used to think they might be there in case somebody in a wheelchair decided to rinse out her panty hose, but that can’t be it.
My favorite story of all time is Rudyard Kipling’s The Elephant’s Child. When my two sons were little, I would beg them to let me read that story to them, and sometimes they would indulge me. When my five grandchildren were small, I made a tape of myself reading it so they could listen to it when I wasn’t there. They indulged me too. I still get a little bubble of delight at the 'satiable Elephant's Child saying to all his dear families, “I am going to the great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever-trees, to find out what the Crocodile has for dinner.”
My favorite scene in all literature is from another Rudyard Kipling story, The Jungle Book, where the wolf pack has met to look over the new cubs so they would know their own from an enemy, and Father Wolf pushes Mowgli into the center.
Come to think of it, I suppose those beloved stories about the intelligence and nobility of animals, coupled with my passion for families and children has inevitably led to writing the Dixie Hemingway Mystery series. The relationship between people and pets is one of the highest examples of unconditional love, and Dixie Hemingway is a professional pet sitter who values her family and the pets she takes care of above all else.
Okay, we’re almost finished with this pseudo-bio.
I think the best writing being done today gets the least amount of respect. Good writing isn’t determined by the subject matter, but by how well the writer keeps the reader fascinated and anxious. With few exceptions, that means good mysteries, horror, and sci-fi. I’m proud to be a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime.
My favorite quote is from the 14th century Sufi poet, Hafiz: “Sweetheart, O Sweetheart, you are God in drag!”
Okay, that’s my bio. Now you know the “real me.” I hope we meet someday and that you’ll tell me about the real you.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/blaize...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
January 27, 2010
For what it is, a cosy featuring a pet sitter set in the Keys, it's good. Interesting characters (e.g. gay brother and his partner, paraplegic greyhound owner, old woman who makes great chocolate bread) and enough about the setting that you want to live there.
February 6, 2012
Another fast read, but this time the subject takes on some heavier social issues. Ms. Clement does tend to become repetitious about her chores with the animals (how many times do we need to hear about Billy Elliot's need to run fast, or how many times she cleans the parrot's cage, etc.). Also, I'm tired of the handsome, but gay coupling of her brother and his partner...it's not even relevant to the story line in any of the five books, so why make such a point of it in each of them? Who cares if they are or aren't? Three stars for character development; some growth seen in the plot line.
February 9, 2010
Even after five of these, Dixie still delights and I think the things she finds herself tangled up in are credible and plausible. There was some movement forward in her character development, which I like to see in a series; and I just enjoy these books. They're short and entertaining. My one complaint is that early on I think the author did too much foreshadowing with some unnatural lines, "It's good that we can't see to far ahead. If we could we'd never go forward."
January 30, 2010
I like this series. A cozy-ish mystery series but not too fluffy, and I like the characters, both human and animal.
August 23, 2022
An offbeat, charming read that takes place off Florida’s coast, which is as much a character as the humans and pets are. But wait, there’s more! Murders! A kidnapping of an actual kid! Undercover cop who’s gay! This book is an original and it has enough of the details of various genres to be interesting. If you like mysteries, stories about pets, or police tales, you’ll get this author’s style.
June 4, 2017
"Raining Cat Sitters and Dogs" by Blaize Clement.
Another winner in a winning series.
Dixie Hemingway has problems on her hands and I don't mean small problems. She encounters a teenager, Jaz, with a bully of a step-father at the vet's office. Later while at one of her client's homes taking care of Big Bubba, a talkative parrot, young thugs show up demanding to know the whereabouts of Jaz. Dixie senses trouble for Jaz.
As if that isn't enough trouble for Dixie to get involved with a high school friend, Maureen, shows up at her home in the dead of night teary eyed asking for help. It seems her husband has been kidnapped and they are demanding a ransom of a million dollars.
While Dixie gets wrapped up in both these dangerous adventures Paco is gone much longer than usual. Paco is Michael's (Dixie's brother)significant other. Paco goes undercover for the FBI in some extremely dangerous cases.
The ending was more than I was expecting...much more. Blaize Clement did more than just wrap up loose ends with this Dixie Hemingway entry.
Highly recommended.
Another winner in a winning series.
Dixie Hemingway has problems on her hands and I don't mean small problems. She encounters a teenager, Jaz, with a bully of a step-father at the vet's office. Later while at one of her client's homes taking care of Big Bubba, a talkative parrot, young thugs show up demanding to know the whereabouts of Jaz. Dixie senses trouble for Jaz.
As if that isn't enough trouble for Dixie to get involved with a high school friend, Maureen, shows up at her home in the dead of night teary eyed asking for help. It seems her husband has been kidnapped and they are demanding a ransom of a million dollars.
While Dixie gets wrapped up in both these dangerous adventures Paco is gone much longer than usual. Paco is Michael's (Dixie's brother)significant other. Paco goes undercover for the FBI in some extremely dangerous cases.
The ending was more than I was expecting...much more. Blaize Clement did more than just wrap up loose ends with this Dixie Hemingway entry.
Highly recommended.
September 3, 2013
I love this series. There is something so refreshing about Dixie and the way she tells it how it is, instead of skirting around the truth. In this book Dixie is pulled into a world of gangs and drug trafficking when she meets a young girl named Jaz. She knows something is off and won't rest until she figures out what is going on with Jaz and how to help her. This mixed with helping out an old friend, can only lead to Dixie finding herself in the midst of madness and mayhem!
I gave this 4 stars, it was a quick read and an enjoyable read.
I gave this 4 stars, it was a quick read and an enjoyable read.
June 9, 2014
Dixie - a professional pet-sitter, and ex-cop - manages to get mixed up in a South American drug cartel, and a gang shooting in LA - all without ever leaving the Florida keys.
Like many books of this type, everyone around her tells her to stop meddling, but of course, she doesn't. She saves a child, but almost messes up a major bust, and somehow, nobody seems to mind.
I really like Dixie and her family and friends, but I find the mystery elements of this series a little too far out there.
Still, it's a fun, easy read, with a few serious ideas tossed in.
Like many books of this type, everyone around her tells her to stop meddling, but of course, she doesn't. She saves a child, but almost messes up a major bust, and somehow, nobody seems to mind.
I really like Dixie and her family and friends, but I find the mystery elements of this series a little too far out there.
Still, it's a fun, easy read, with a few serious ideas tossed in.
June 30, 2014
#5 in the Dixie Hemingway series. Dixie, a former Sheriff's deputy, now works on a wealthy Florida Key as a pet sitter. A very enjoyable series, especially for lovers of cozies and/or animals.
Dixie Hemingway takes an instant liking to Jaz a girl she first meets at the vet with a nervous man claiming to be Jaz's stepfather. Later, three young thugs looking for Jaz confront Dixie at the home of one of Dixie's clients. Lt. Jean-Pierre Guidry, suspects the three are connected to the knifing murder of a local elderly man, and the chase is on to find the thugs before they get to Jaz.
Dixie Hemingway takes an instant liking to Jaz a girl she first meets at the vet with a nervous man claiming to be Jaz's stepfather. Later, three young thugs looking for Jaz confront Dixie at the home of one of Dixie's clients. Lt. Jean-Pierre Guidry, suspects the three are connected to the knifing murder of a local elderly man, and the chase is on to find the thugs before they get to Jaz.
April 26, 2010
I was extremely disappointed in this outing. Just...blah...Very weak. Maybe this series as bottomed out.
February 20, 2016
I really like this series so far. I figured out I skipped book 4 before this one after I started so now I have to go back and read it :)
October 20, 2016
I love this series, it is always an exciting, emotional, complex mystery.
November 26, 2016
I am incredibly ecstatic about the ending of this book!!
December 13, 2022
Registered on Bookcrossing - https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...
I am really enjoying this cozy mystery series! ❤
I am really enjoying this cozy mystery series! ❤
July 26, 2020
At the vet's office to pick up a client's parrot, Dixie encounters Jaz, an anxious teen who's in tears because her stepfather ran over a rabbit. Dixie can't help but feel something is off about the pair. Later, while taking care of the parrot at its owner's home, three young toughs accost Dixie and demand to know where Jaz is. Now Dixie's curiosity is roused, but that's not the only drama going on in her life. Her brother's boyfriend, Paco, has disappeared on an undercover assignment, leaving Michael melancholy and fearful for Paco's safety. On top of that, a childhood friend of Dixie's comes to her, asking for help. Maureen's husband, Victor, has been abducted, and she claims the kidnappers are demanding one million dollars in ransom. Dixie finds herself unwittingly drawn into Maureen's chaos, while trying to find Jaz, who has also disappeared. But, if there's one thing Dixie is good at, it's following clues and finding answers.
Enjoyable, engrossing story. Dixie is a compelling character. Life has beaten her down, leaving her cautious and guarded. She retains her big heart and her compassion for others, however, which is why she keeps getting involved in situations that don't really involve her. I admire her tenacity and her dry wit. The book featured a well-crafted plot that included Dixie's day-to-day routine, along with her sleuthing. Some things I figured out, others caught me by surprise. Very good book, four stars.
Enjoyable, engrossing story. Dixie is a compelling character. Life has beaten her down, leaving her cautious and guarded. She retains her big heart and her compassion for others, however, which is why she keeps getting involved in situations that don't really involve her. I admire her tenacity and her dry wit. The book featured a well-crafted plot that included Dixie's day-to-day routine, along with her sleuthing. Some things I figured out, others caught me by surprise. Very good book, four stars.
June 15, 2018
First time I have read this series and author, but when I saw it on the shelf at the library, I figured it would be an enjoyable pet mystery, similar to those by Susan Conant and Laurien Berenson, and Clement didn't disappoint. It's not a super-deep read, not that I expect these types of books to be, so it was perfect for reading on a lazy early summer afternoon. The only bit of a letdown was that the pets don't play a huge role in the mysteries at hand, despite the lounging kitty on the cover, but that didn't make the mysteries any less intriguing. Although it was the 5th book in the series, I don't feel that Clement included many spoilers from the previous 4 (she does visit an old friend who I believe figured into the plot of an earlier book, but there was just a passing reference to that), and she did a good job of giving enough background on her protagonist, Dixie Hemmingway to make me feel familiar and comfortable with her right away.
The tropical Florida setting doesn't hurt things either, and her descriptions make me long for the beach and beauty found within the pages. I look forward to reading other books in the series, probably starting with the early ones just to be sure I don't end up running into any spoilers in later books, to see what other trouble a detective turned pet-sitter can run into.
The tropical Florida setting doesn't hurt things either, and her descriptions make me long for the beach and beauty found within the pages. I look forward to reading other books in the series, probably starting with the early ones just to be sure I don't end up running into any spoilers in later books, to see what other trouble a detective turned pet-sitter can run into.
August 5, 2021
3.75 stars
When pet sitter Dixie is at the vet’s to pick up one of the pets she is caring for (parrot Big Bubba), a girl and her stepfather come in. There’s something odd about the two of them, but Dixie’s friend, Hetty, offers the girl, Jaz, a job helping take care of the service dog Hetty is training. Not long after, three young thugs enter Big Bubba’s home while Dixie is there, looking for Jaz! A bit later, still, Dixie’s high school friend comes by, desperate for help, as her rich husband has been kidnapped and is asking for a $1 million ransom payment.
This is the 5th in the series, and it’s not entirely implausible Dixie’s friend would come to her, as she used to be a cop. I am still really enjoying this series, and in this one, I liked the additional info provided about parrots (even though they didn’t have much to do with the storyline). I also felt like this one was a bit different from the usual murder storylines in cozy mysteries.
When pet sitter Dixie is at the vet’s to pick up one of the pets she is caring for (parrot Big Bubba), a girl and her stepfather come in. There’s something odd about the two of them, but Dixie’s friend, Hetty, offers the girl, Jaz, a job helping take care of the service dog Hetty is training. Not long after, three young thugs enter Big Bubba’s home while Dixie is there, looking for Jaz! A bit later, still, Dixie’s high school friend comes by, desperate for help, as her rich husband has been kidnapped and is asking for a $1 million ransom payment.
This is the 5th in the series, and it’s not entirely implausible Dixie’s friend would come to her, as she used to be a cop. I am still really enjoying this series, and in this one, I liked the additional info provided about parrots (even though they didn’t have much to do with the storyline). I also felt like this one was a bit different from the usual murder storylines in cozy mysteries.
May 22, 2020
Another great Dixie Hemingway story. I really enjoyed this one. Dixie picks up her client's parrot from the vet, and in true Dixie fashion, somehow falls into a dangerous web of gangsters, teenagers, and old friends whose motives may not be pure. Only Dixie could get so entangled while simultaneously trying to leave things to the authorities. She notices too much, but in this case, it might just save lives. Paco has a case that causes him to be away longer than usual, a troubled teen named Jaz flits in and out of her friend's house, Dixie's old friend shows up with an incredible favor to ask in the middle of the night, and rumors of gang violence and drug smuggling abound. This one kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next. Can't wait for the next book in the series!
March 19, 2019
Dixie Hemingway stops at the vet's office to pick up an African Grey Parrot she is caring for. While there she meets a young girl named Jaz and a man who claims to be Jaz's stepfather. Then while she is feeding the parrot at his home, three young men show up looking for Jaz. Their threatening behavior causes Dixie to call the police and report those boys. One of them left behind fingerprints which allow the police to identify the three as the likely murderers of an elderly man in the area. Dixie's friend from high school, Maureen, begs Dixie to help her deliver the ransom money for her husband who has been kidnapped. Paco is away on an undercover job for much of this book and both Michael and Dixie are concerned about him. A well constructed plot!
June 29, 2021
Dixie is busy taking care of her pet sitting business when at the vet's office she has a chance encounter with a young girl and her stepfather. Later while taking care of "Big Bubba" a Congo African Grey parrot three young punks come barging into Big Bubba's house and want to know where Jaz was (this was the girl at the vet's). Dixie was able to bluff her way out of that situation and this starts off many odd things happening while she was trying to find out more about the girl.
January 30, 2020
Paco makes a startling appearance at the end of this book, at just the right moment! It was the highlight of the book as everything came together. Jaz is a delight and I hope we see more of her and boy, it looks like Dixie is coming out of her shell. A great continuation of the series, though I think I am gaining weight just by reading about the food Dixie's brother cooks.
February 6, 2023
I'm really enjoying this series. Dixie is great, lots of doubts but carries on; cares a great deal for her circle of family and friends. In her internal dialogue she will state why doing something is a really bad idea, but then do it anyway. We can't all control what our feet or mouth do. Her growth from book to book is great to see (read). Very good descriptions of her area of Florida.
March 18, 2017
I really enjoy the Dixie Hemingway mystery series: Strong woman with a history that influences her daily life; love and knowledge of animals; Florida weather; love between brother and sister; interesting peripheral characters; and smart humor. Thanks, Blaize Clement, for being so good at character development! I wish I knew Dixie!
Don't want to dive into a spoiler, but there is a first in this particular book regarding a couple of the main characters, and that deepens the story line overall.
Before I completed reading this book (and when a book -- such as this one! -- is particularly good and engrossing, I practically speed read it), I took out from the library the next book in this series.
Excellent story, excellent characters. One of my current favorite mystery series!
Don't want to dive into a spoiler, but there is a first in this particular book regarding a couple of the main characters, and that deepens the story line overall.
Before I completed reading this book (and when a book -- such as this one! -- is particularly good and engrossing, I practically speed read it), I took out from the library the next book in this series.
Excellent story, excellent characters. One of my current favorite mystery series!
December 28, 2017
The fifth installment in one of my favorite series, the former detective turned pet sitter always seems to find others in trouble. A high school friend and a young woman she met at the vets office pull her in this time.
October 18, 2022
Love this series
I have loved all those he books in this series so far. My only complaint is the bad language in book 2. I live in Sarasota and love the references to familiar places.
I have loved all those he books in this series so far. My only complaint is the bad language in book 2. I live in Sarasota and love the references to familiar places.
October 5, 2017
Eine gute story mit mehreren Ebenen, aber das Ende kann mir dann etwas zu plötzlich.
May 30, 2018
Still enjoying this series! I like how the different mysteries end up being connected. Looking forward to the next one!
January 27, 2019
Love Dixie Hemingway mysteries.
March 20, 2019
The digital version I read consistently spelled duffel bag as duff el. It was a bit jarring, but not the fault of the writing. I love this series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews