"Another fabulous mystery from this author!"

Finally, dog writer Holly Winters has captured her personal Best in Show and is getting married to her longtime beloved veterinarian. Avid fans will cheer at this turn of events after the tense occurrences of the last few books and eagerly rejoin their old friends of the dog show and dog lover's circuit. New readers will have no problem becoming immediately immersed in the world of doggy details and mysterious happenings woven through the matrimonial tale/tail (punning is unavoidable). However, new readers beware: as in all of Conant's books, this one will encourage your primal desires to own not merely one dog, not merely multiple dogs of various types, but multiple dogs of her beloved Malamute variety.

As for the story, it's normal Conant fabulousness. Holly attempts to focus on her upcoming nuptials but keeps getting distracted by sightings of her fiancé's beautiful ex-wife, signings for her new book, 101 Ways to Cook Liver, extraneous wedding minutiae and, of course, multiple murders of people she knows. As the victims bear more and more similarity to Holly, her friends and family warn her to increase her vigilance despite the constant feeling of protection given by the company of huge, wonderful malamutes. Holly's stress increases as more women are murdered in places of relative safety, her father threatens to barrel moose-like over the wedding proceedings, an annoying woman hounds her for a cover blurb, and she attempts to keep her ceremony from alluding to the complete works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Everyone who loves Susan Conant should read this book. Everyone who loves a good, warm mystery with more descriptions of great dogs than you can shake a stick at, and the characters who idolize them, should read this book. In fact, everyone should buy Conant's complete works, start with the first book and read the entire series!

Reviewed by Vicky Gilpin
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted January 15, 2004

Summary

The award-winning author of the Dogfather is back in business...Dog trainer Holly Winter and her veterinarian are about to join hands. Unfortunately a new string of murders has caught Holly's attention-and she can't help but take it personally when she notices a pattern emerging: female dog lovers seem to be the victims of choice. Now, the killer has promised a next victim and Holly fears it'll be her. How can she stop him from killing again? If she wants to make it to her wedding day, she'd better get a clue.