Customer Reviews

Rottweiler Rescue: a Dianne Brennan mystery for dog lovers

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Plot/Storyline: 4 3/4 Stars

The reader is plunged into the story from the first chapter. This is not a "can't put it down" type mystery, but it is definitely one where the reader will want to continue reading to find out who the killer is.

While the novel was firmly entrenched in the "cozy mystery" genre, there was not a lot of boring filler. There was a lot of information about dog breeding and rescue organizations. However, it was so skillfully interwoven into the story, that I almost didn't realize how much information I was learning. Also, the author did a great job of not overstepping the line between giving information necessary for the plot and just proseletyzing on a favorite topic.

The mystery was interesting and definitely well-planned. My only issue with it was Dianne's epiphany regarding one of her dog's knowledge. It just didn't really make sense. That's really all I can say without giving anything away. That one thing didn't spoil anything at all and could easily have just been left out.

There was a romantic interest in the novel. However, it was downplayed considerably. I felt there could have been a little more play given to that thread.

Character Development: 4 3/4 Stars

Dianne was an interesting character, if a bit shallow. By that, I mean that I didn't really learn much about her outside of her interactions with dogs. Her actions and interactions were realistic, though, so she was definitely a good fit for this novel.

One thing I really enjoyed about this novel was that the dogs were "real". They weren't circus dogs and didn't do amazing tricks. They weren't genius dogs that astound humans with their intelligence. They were completely believable animals.

Writing Style: 5 Stars

The sentence structuring was terrific. Unlike a lot of cozy mysteries, this author did not drift into the `romance novel' tone. The descriptions were very good, also. The dialogue was a little formal at times, but still within realistic parameters.

Editing/Formatting: 5 Stars

Both were of professional quality.

Rating: PG for Violence and Descriptions of Animal Cruelty

Mysteries with animals as characters range from the "supernatural" where the animals solve the mystery to the mundane where the animals are used solely to attract readers. Rottweiler Rescue falls somewhere in the middle with the dogs serving as important plot points but not taking over the story. O'Connell has written a solid cozy with interesting characters and an intriguing mystery. A debut novel (as far as I can tell) I hope this isn't the last we'll see of the author or the character. Highly recommended.

I have just finished Rottweiler Rescue and enjoyed it very much. The plot, pacing and characters all held my interest and I hope to see more in the series.

I am a dog-lover, and I think anyone who loves dogs, especially rottweilers, will enjoy this mystery. The dogs play an integral role in the story in a realistic manner.

My advice would be to check this book out, you won't be disappointed!

The author of this well-written and paced cozy obviously knows dogs, and respects them enough to treat them realistically. Her rescued rotties, while central to the plot, do not read minds, talk, or narrate the story.

I had given up reading rescue animal stories because they so often fall into either terminal cuteness or shrill preachiness. This book did neither; but presented a solid mystery wrapped around a feisty narrator and her dogs in a believable rescue environment.

Very well done!

You will, of course, given Ellen O'Connell's background, learn a great deal about Rottweilers, dog rescue operations, dog shows, and dog people in general. But, each of the canine elements are so nicely woven into this mystery, that the learning process is a joy, not a burden.

I read the book aloud to my wife, and we both enjoyed the story very much. There were a number of suspects, law enforcement and Dianne Brennan follow two separate and feasible tracks in a race to the killer, the story moves quickly and in a logical progression, and most of the characters have elements of good and bad in their personalities, sometimes in quite interesting blends as Dianne learns more and more about them and their complex relationships with other dog lovers.

There are tantalizing hints about a serious love interest in Dianne's life, and serious questions about how she can balance the demands of crime solving and her paying jobs. Some reviewers have argued there should have been more of each of these elements in the story, but for me O'Connell added just enough substance to tantalize me and to put myself on the list to be informed when the next Dianne Brennan mystery appears (it's already in the works).

A couple of passages give a fair sample of the strength of the writing here:

"As I oriented myself, fear returned at such strength the metallic taste filled my mouth. Myron Feltzer, or someone else, whoever had run me off the road, was out there in the darkness, and the Toyota's headlights were twin beacons telling him where his wounded prey was. I turned off the lights."

***

"Deputy Carraher said "I expected you to pitch a fit and want to stay with her."

"I'm so filthy I shouldn't be in an operating room, and if I pass out, I don't want them stopping to fuss over me."

"Ah, that sounds like the Rottweiler lady we all know and dread dealing with", she said"

***

My own opinion of Rottweilers has been dominated by negative images, "The Omen" and the CDC report a few years ago that, after pit bulls, Rottwielers were involved in the most human fatalities caused by dogs. More recently, Rottweilers have been portrayed in a much more favorable light, for example, in "Lethal Weapon 3" and "Entourage". It's clear where "Rottweiler Rescue" fits in that pantheon.

I've read several "Best Mystery" collections from the past several years, and both my wife and I found this novel much superior to any of the over 50 stories in those collections. We both enjoyed this well written story immensely -- It is one of the handful of excellent indie books that I've found.

(Incidentally, we read the Kindle version, and the table of contents was excellent.)

Robert C. Ross 2010

This is a good, solid cozy mystery. Heroine Diane Brennan is a strong woman who never intended to get involved in a murder. She didn't intend to end up keeping rescue Rottweiler Robo, either. Robo is a challenge, due to having been abused by a former owner. Diane already has a rescue Rottie and doesn't need a problem dog. But then Robo can't go to his new home because the owner has been murdered. She's stuck with him until she finds him a home, but figures that's not such a bad thing because he's big and powerful and by now she needs protection. The killer has begun stalking Diane because he thinks she can identify him. The police aren't much help, so Diane--sure the police are on the wrong track--does a little investigating of her own to try to stop the killer before she becomes the next victim.

The straightforward plot, well-drawn characters, and the wonderful dogs make for a very enjoyable read. You can't go wrong with Rottweiler Rescue.

This is a well-written, good crime mystery. The main character, Diane, rescues rottweilers, obviously, and stumbles upon a murder. The killer then begins to come after her. Although the dogs play a role, they are "real" dogs, not with any special powers. The people and the dogs are well-developed characters. The plot is believable as an amateur sleuth and was an entertaining read. I'd read more by this author.

Tried a sample of this book last night and promptly downloaded the entire book on my Kindle. Lo and behold, I'm done with it today. Really good read, and I agree with many others that one of the book's strengths is that the dogs are real, not superdogs. Although I now own my second rescue dog--and both have come with baggage not far from Robo's, which the first shed completely before he died of cancer and the second is close to shedding fully after only a year with me--I don't think you have to be a rescue fan to appreciate these books. The ending was sweet, and that, followed by the poem about rescues, had me in tears. Rescues are well worth their weight in gold, and this book brought that point home well while still being a good mystery. Bravo!

P.S. I don't typically write glowing reviews. I felt compelled after reading this gem.

I loved this cozy mystery! The characters, setting, writing - all fabulous.

Please Ms. O'Connell write more of this series. Drop all of your other projects and work on this one. :-)

What a great book. I had a hard time putting this one down. I fell in love with the canine characters, especially Robo, and I would love to read another story about these dogs.

Great read, anyone who loves dogs will love this one.