Bride and Groom (Dog Lover's Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Susan Conant (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dog Lover's Mysteries | Publication Date: February 3, 2004

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Conant's Dog Lover's series is aptly named; those who are not crazy for canines may not fully enjoy stories that use such phrases as "on the other paw." For the unabashed fido fancier, however, these tales are tastier than liver treats. Writer Holly Winter, author of a regular column in Dog's Life magazine and a new book called 101 Ways to Cook Liver, is a protagonist who puts her pets above anything and everyone else--even her veterinarian fiance, Steve Delaney. Luckily, Steve is almost as nuts about dogs as she is and has three of his own. Before they can become a five-dog family, however, Holly must figure out why several women, all with some connection to her, have been violently murdered in the greater Boston area. With much support from her two Alaskan malamutes, Holly investigates the crimes and tries to keep herself out of harm's way. Though a tail-wagger more than a page-turner, the story undoubtedly will teach readers something new about their canine companions. Jenny McLarin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Both dog and mystery lovers know a champion when they see one. (Carolyn G. Hart) A mystery that will appeal to dog lovers and readers who like a fantastic who-done-it. (Midwest Book Review) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover; 1 edition (February 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425194124
• ISBN-13: 978-0425194126
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,749,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts. The best friends of my childhood were pointers named Stuffy and Nonny. I had imaginary companions as well: a cat named Thirsty Melirsty Medrinkable, a family of dogs, and parents called Mommy and Daddy Suh. Thirsty and the dog family slowly faded away. The Suhs, however, perished suddenly; they ate fish guts and died. My career as a mystery writer thus began in early childhood: I invented animals, and I killed off fictional human beings.

Now, many decades later, I live just outside Boston. My husband is a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Cambridge. Our daughter, Jessica, who is also my coauthor, lives in New Hampshire with her husband and their young son. My husband and I have an Alaskan malamute, Django (pronounced 'Jango') and two Chartreux cats, Kansas City (K.C.) and Shadow Celeste. The malamutes in my Holly Winter books are composites, but the cats in Scratch the Surface, Edith and Brigitte, are portraits of my own Chartreux.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'd award it Best of Breed!, March 11, 2004

By 

Dr Cathy Goodwin (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bride and Groom (Dog Lover's Mysteries) (Hardcover)

As an avid fan of Susan Conant, I found this book to be one of the best -- if not *the* best -- of the Holly Winter series. Of course, I'm biased. You may not feel the same way if you're new to the Conant series. And of course, you may not feel the same way if you're not a dog-lover.

Holly finally is ready to marry her true love, veterinarian Steve Delaney. They'll join not only their lives but also their dogs. Holly reconciles herself to the wedding rituals when she realizes she'll be holding the place of honor as Best of Show. Of course, the dogs will be in the wedding party, which limits their choice of locations. And she's signing copies of her new cookbook for dogs, featuring her favorite liver treats.

As Holly whirls through the preparations, a serial killer seems to be targeting women who have some connection to dogs. Holly doesn't get involved but inadvertently puts together pieces that point to a killer surprisingly close to home.

Experienced mystery readers will recognize the red herring dangled before them. They'll realize this person can't be the murderer, but I have to admit I wondered how the author could come up with another plausible killer. About eighty pages before the end of the book, she drops clues with a thud, and most readers will guess the real villain's identity. And they'll admire the way Conant pulls it off, dropping hints to add motive and plausibility.

I was never tempted to peek at the end. I waited for the author to solve the crime at her own pace and enjoyed every moment along the way.

Long-time readers will love the last scene. Right after capturing the killer, Holly and Steve hold their rehearsal and dinner. Next day, they're joined in a wedding ceremony that will leave dog fanatics misty-eyed. If you've never had a dog, you may think it's over the top, but it's what I would want for myself. And let's thank the author for sparing us the recipes.

The only omission is Holly's new cat, Tracker, described as ugly and unloveable. Cats may be independent, but I've seen cats warm up to affectionate, patient owners. Leaving the poor cat alone all day won't improve its disposition! Author Conant's bio includes reference to two cats, so she should know! Hopefully Tracker will get more attention in the next volume.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous Mystery, February 25, 2004

By 

Kathleen M. Majcher (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bride and Groom (Dog Lover's Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Had Jane Austen met and married P.G. Wodehouse the product of their union would have been Susan Conant. Bride & Groom is her best effort so far (and all are gems)- subtle, humorous and sophisticated. The characters are endearing for their huanity and she doesn't make it simple to guess the "villain" (who doen't necessarily fit the traditional role of villain). All in all, a delicious read. If I were still teaching English I would use it as a perfect example of excellence in modern mystery writing.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful romantic mystery, February 3, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bride and Groom (Dog Lover's Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Now that Cambridge, Massachusetts veterinarian Steve Delaney's divorce is final, he is able to marry the woman he really loves Holly Winters. She is a dog trainer; a columnist for Dog's Life and the author of her first book 101 WAYS TO COOK LIVER. Her friend, veterinarian and fellow author Mac McLoud is sharing book signings with her. Between getting ready for the wedding and doing her best to promote her book, Holly doesn't have a moment to breath.

When the first murder occurs, Holly doesn't think anything of that because the victim is a doctor from out of town that she never met. The second victim of the Cambridge killer is known in dog circles for her canine tarot cards. By the time the third killing occurs, Holly is becoming concerned because the victim was a woman who Holly once interviewed. As more murders occur, Holly realizes she knows each of the victims and it becomes obvious that the culprit is someone amongst her dog-loving friends. Holly starts investigating so that she can discover who the killer is and put an end to the crimes so she can enjoy her wedding.

Between Steve and Holly, they have five pedigreed dogs and a ferocious cat. The animals steal the show with their antics and lessen the tension when it threatens to overwhelm the reader. Each victim is female, bludgeoned to death and is then given an injection of medicine that most vets use in their practice. BRIDE AND GROOM is a romantic mystery that will appeal to dog lovers and readers who like a fantastic who-done-it.

Harriet Klausner