A Nose for Murder [Mass Market Paperback]

Lee Charles Kelley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 2003

Meet Jack Field: Dog's Best Friend Ex-cop Jack Field abandoned New York to run a canine kennel in the rustic Maine woods. But murder and mayhem still seem to hound him wherever he goes ...

Jack's a dog trainer and a behavioral specialist -- not to mention the "main squeeze" of smart and sexy, part-time medical examiner, Jamie Cutter. That's why he's standing in a secluded cabin by alike on an icy December evening, with Allison DeMarco lying dead on her kitchen floor, and her high-strung Airedale, Ginger, going ape in the corner. You can't teach an old dog -- or cop -- new tricks, so this homicide has Jack hooked ... especially since poor Ginger seems to be the only witness! In a world of misbehaving mutts and pesky purebreeds, a killer may be waiting to make Jack, Jamie, and their puppy-pals roll over and play dead.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is not only a great mystery novel, it should also be sold in every pet store in America." -- Kevin Behan, author of Natural Dog Training

"This is the most perfect book...the mystery is beautifully written, fast-paced and engrossing. What could be better?" -- Delia Ephron, author, screenwriter and producer

About the Author

A Nose For Murder is the first novel published by Lee Charles Kelley, a playwright, lyricist, screenwriter, and dog trainer who grew up in Los Angeles and now lives in Manhattan with a dog named Fred.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Avon (February 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060524936
• ISBN-13: 978-0060524937
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #902,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a songwriter, a dog trainer, and a mystery novelist. I live in New York City with a Dalmatian named Fred. My novels are best described as a combination murder mystery, romantic comedy, and dog training manual. The titles include A NOSE FOR MURDER, MURDER UNLEASHED, TO COLLAR A KILLER, and 'TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, which was a Featured Alternate Selection for The Mystery Guild. DOG WORLD MAGAZINE said of me, "Both Lee Charles Kelley and his fictional detective are dog trainers, and it's obvious they know their stuff."

My short story, "The French Poodle Connection" is featured in the dog mystery anthology, BARK M FOR MURDER, along with stories by fan favorite Virginia Lanier, prize-winning novelist Chassie West, and New York Times bestselling author, J.A. Jance. My next novel, titled DOGGED PURSUIT, will be out in July of 2006.

I'm a member of ASCAP. I wrote the book and lyrics for the musical comedy IT'S ONLY MONEY, with partner David Forrest. I've written the theme songs for two independent motion pictures that you've probably never heard of. Other tunes have been praised by Carly Simon, Charles Strouse, Ric Derringer, Tierney Sutton, and others.

The dog training techniques I use are based on NATURAL DOG TRAINING by Kevin Behan. They're unique in that they don't rely on dominance or food rewards but utilize the dog's prey drive to stimulate obedience and solve behavioral problems naturally.

I'm in my mid-50s. Fred died peacefully in his sleep of congestive heart failure on June 28th, 2007. He was 15 years old.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Addition to My Library, March 17, 2005

By 

Mackie "mackie3745" (Lancaster, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Nose for Murder (Mass Market Paperback)

I read a lot of books, and as a result I'm forced to try new authors. Many are disappointing, but Lee Charles Kelley is a wonderful find. The characters are vibrant, the dog facts enlightening, and the mysteries entertaining. I can't get enough of this delightful series.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Up All Night, September 15, 2003

By 

Gail Niederhoffer (NY, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Nose for Murder (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is not only suspenseful, there are times it's downright hilarious. It's also well-written. The author is a great storyteller and has a unique style, with an almost poetic attention to detail. Plus, it's written in a breezy, easy to read manner. In fact, I read the whole thing in one sitting! If you're like me, you'll want to sit down with this book very early in the evening so you don't lose too much sleep. Oh, and another thing -- there's a romantic angle to the story that is utterly charming and true to life. And there are dog training tips and unique ideas about canine behavior artfully woven into the story. I for one hope there will be many more books to come from Lee Charles Kelley.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Nose for smart writing, April 11, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: A Nose for Murder (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a fun read. I really got a feel for the location (Camden, Maine) and all the while following the mystery I learned quite a bit about dog-training. Very likable (not in a saccharine way) lead character. I look forward to reading the next book.