Customer Reviews

A Bloodhound to Die for

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

VIRGINIA LANIER, MY NEIGHBOR AND FRIEND, DIED ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2003. THANKS TO ALL HER FANS FROM ME; SHE WAS SO GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR BUYING HER BOOKS. THUNDERING APPLAUSE FOR A FINE SASSY WOMAN AND SELF-MADE WRITER! JANICE DAUGHARTY

Having read all the previous books in this series, I was anxious to read this final book. I enjoyed it immensely and was glad that many of the loose ends were tied up. This final novel was somewhat different than the earlier five. Perhaps it was because Ms. Lanier was aware of her failing health and finished the series for fear that she wouldn't be around to give us further adventures of these colorful characters. I am heartbroken that we will hear no more from this talented writer. I highly recommend this book and all the others in the Bloodhound series.

I just completed A Bloodhound To Die For. I had told myself that when this book arrived, I would "pace" myself, and savor each word, as I have been told that this is Ms. Virginia's last book, but once I started on page one, I didn't put it down until I had finished it! As usual, Ms. Virginia does not disappoint with this book. I had tears running down my face at the end - partly from the story, and partly because this could very well be the last of the series. My hope is that Ms. Virginia will change her mind, and give us just one more! I have felt like Jo Beth is a member of the family since the first book, and I hate to see it end! Virginia Lanier is the BEST!!!!!

JoBeth's bloodhound training and breeding business is profitable and busy these days and she is finally free of her abusive ex, but her personal life gets confusing when an inmate of the state prison decides that he is in love with her and is escaping to marry her! It would make a little more sense if she had ever met the man before she visits the prison, but he's fallen in love with her press releases. When she rebuffs him, he threatens Bobby Lee, her favorite hound. Add to this a confusing personal life for both herself and her friends and a murder suicide at the local high school and JoBeth's bloodhounds have alot to sort out.

I have always loved this series and have waited a long time for this one. Since it is the last, I almost hated to get it. I read it in one sitting and it is as good as the others. I guess I'll just have to start from the beginning again.

I don't think this book is quite as tough as the others in the series, but it is still an excellent read. It is more of a character development story than the normal action-filled books, not that it doesn't have plenty of action in it. I think Ms Lanier was trying to tie up Jo Beth and Company as much as possible for her faithful readers - like me! - so we leave satisfied with the closure. I am sorry to hear she has died, because I really wanted to meet the author and talk to her since I live in the area the story is set in - she has these people pegged, I can promise you! The way she so lovingly describes the bloodhounds makes me want to go buy one, but Ms Lanier also makes sure to emphasize that these dogs require a lot of work on the owner's part, so people don't just run out and buy them like they do whenever a Dalmation movie comes out... You need to educate yourself about whatever breed you are dealing with is what Jo Beth preaches.

I don't understand the dissenters here who didn't enjoy this book. In many ways, it was the best of the series. Jo Beth Sidden finally grows up and becomes a complete, but vulnerable person. The entire series is highly recommended to mystery and bloodhound lovers. It's a shame it has to end. I have eight bloodhounds, and they're ALL to die for!

Jo Beth Sidden lives in Georgia on the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp. She breeds and trains bloodhounds and occasionally contracts with the county to use her dogs for search and rescue. In this outing, Jo Beth tracks a mentally altered 84-year-old woman who has wandered into the swamp. Meantime, Jimmy Joe Lane has escaped from prison again and has convinced himself that he and Jo Beth are meant for each other. His views on courting Jo Beth are bizarre, to put it mildly. This is a very good and comfortable read, as are all of Lanier's stories. I was saddened to hear of Virginia Lanier's passing. I am going to miss her stories. It's a joy to read about the southern lifestyle...the etiquette and traditions. But the true stars of these books are the heroic and loveable bloodhounds. A must read for all dog lovers.

TAKE A BOW, VIRGINIA. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS WITH THIS WRAP-UP BOOK. YOUR NEIGHBOR AND FRIEND, JANICE DAUGHARTY

JoBeth's bloodhound training and breeding business is profitable and busy these days and she is finally free of her abusive ex, but her personal life gets confusing when an inmate of the state prison decides that he is in love with her and is escaping to marry her! It would make a little more sense if she had ever met the man before she visits the prison, but he's fallen in love with her press releases. When she rebuffs him, he threatens Bobby Lee, her favorite hound. Add to this a confusing personal life for both herself and her friends and a murder suicide at the local high school and JoBeth's bloodhounds have alot to sort out.

I have always loved this series and have waited a long time for this one. Since it is the last, I almost hated to get it. I read it in one sitting and it is as good as the others. I guess I'll just have to start from the beginning again.

I first found one of the novels by Virginia Lanier in the local library. After reading them all (6) I had to have copies of my own. For people who love books about dogs, sassy women and southern auras, Lanier is the one to read.