Shelby James has a soft-spot for the underdog. Sick dogs, homeless cats, hurt birds, she goes to bat for them all as a veterinary nurse. So it's no surprise that Miranda Wall and her menagerie of needy animals appeal to her. But there's more to Miranda than meets the eye: a silent daughter named Jessie, and a stalking husband, among other disasters. When Shelby she takes a closer look into Miranda's life, her search takes her into the sinister world of mental illness, child abuse, and domestic violence. Set against the harsh beauty of the Saskatchewan prairie, Targets of Affection explores the link between animal abuse and child abuse.
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About the Author
R. G. Willems is an award-winning freelance writer and essayist. Targets of Affection, her first full-length work of fiction, is the first in a series of mysteries set in the world of veterinary medicine. Willems grew up in Saskatoon and now lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Debut,
This review is from: Targets of Affection: A Shelby James Mystery (Paperback)
Set in the growing Saskatoon suburb of Poplar Bluff, Targets of Affection, RG Willems' debut novel and the first in a new mystery series, takes the reader into the heart of a local pet clinic, introducing Shelby James, a veterinary technician whose love for animals shines through on just about every page. I was instantly drawn to her character, finding her to be intelligent and caring. I suppose it helped that she and I share a couple of things in common besides our love for animals. We both do not like to cook and as a result our husband's have become the chef; and we both live in fixer-up houses (however, I don't have a purple door), although we lack handyman skills to do much about it.
With an opening scene that makes one's heart rate go up, the novel gets off to a good start. Miranda Walls and her young daughter, Jessie, bring in an injured dog that requires immediate medical attention. He was the victim of a hit and run accident. Despite the fact that he's a stray, Miranda volunteers to pay for his treatment and care. Her generous nature and caring heart make it impossible for Shelby not to instantly take a liking to the woman and her child, Jessie. Shelby soon discovers that Miranda and Jessie recently fled from an abusive relationship with Jessie's father, and it increases her protectiveness for the mother and daughter. She feels drawn to Jessie, a sickly child who Shelby finds she can identify with, having had a difficult childhood herself. In the wake of several near tragedies and learning more about Miranda and Jessie's life, Shelby uncovers more than she bargained for. Shelby's husband Jake, a university professor, offers insight into the psychological aspects of the situation with Miranda and Jessie. Despite a subtle unrest in their marriage, Jake's support and love for his wife is unwavering. Although of the non-human variety, Shelby also has the support of her dog, Spin, a loyal companion who often accompanies her to work. Shelby's love for him runs deep. The author delves into the tie between animal and child abuse like few other fiction writers. It isn't uncommon for those who abuse and kill animals to eventually escalate to harming humans, especially children. Animals and children are two of the most vulnerable targets in our society. RG Willems takes on these disturbing topics with sensitivity but does not shy away from the harsh reality. Her knowledge and use of medical terminology and procedures without sounding too technical puts the reader directly into the book. Although the mystery takes its time to reveal itself, the characters and anecdotes surrounding the main story are just as poignant and entertaining. RG Willems has created a cast of characters, both human and animal, that readers, especially animal lovers, will be drawn to.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Engaging Debut Mystery,
By Cindy Chow (Kaneohe, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Targets of Affection: A Shelby James Mystery (Paperback)
In her debut mystery, RG Willems takes readers into the world of veterinary medicine as she introduces Shelby James, a veterinary technician in Poplar Bluff, British Columbia. When a woman brings to the clinic a dog injured by a hit and run accident Shelby finds herself drawn into the life of Miranda Wall, a single mother who has more than her share of troubles. However, as Miranda returns again and again to the clinic Shelby begins to develop suspicions that all is not right in Miranda's world. While feeling guilty for these doubts, Shelby's own world starts to crumble when the health of one of those she loves most begins to fail.
This is a fascinating mystery that introduces readers to the technical and emotional practice of veterinarians in a way seldom seen in fiction. From cancer treatments for pets to owners too cheap to save man's best friend, Willem reveals how pet medicine is as fascinating as that for humans, full of abuses and those dedicated to preventing them. Willems never neglects the story for the technical details though, and she has created characters that will have readers eagerly awaiting the next Shelby James mystery.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good story--mystery aside,
By
This review is from: Targets of Affection: A Shelby James Mystery (Paperback)
If you've ever loved a dog, you will love TARGETS OF AFFECTION. Mind you, two paragraphs into the story, I thought I'd throw up. The protagonist works at a veterinary clinic, so there is blood galore--a bit heady if you're not used to it--but tolerable. Shelby James, the veterinary technician, is eminently likeable. With the exception of her in-laws (who are a bit too predictable), the characters are complex and interesting. And when everyone behaves in character, it can be downright endearing--even the unfriendly staff vet!
Fully one third of the significant characters in the story are pets. Which is fun. My only complaint is that, in the beginning, I thought I had to remember all of the patients (animals) as characters in the story. It didn't take long before there were dozens of animals! Why I thought this is a mystery, perhaps an affliction of being a pet owner? TARGETS OF AFFECTION is a plausible mystery, the kind of adventure which might happen to an ordinary person. One quarter of the way through the book, there was no sense of menace. If you've ever asked yourself "How would I ever get involved in a mystery?" you will like the pacing of this story. The threads of the mystery began immediately, but I was not fully involved with the mystery until past page 100. Contrary to many mystery/suspense stories, the plot of TARGETS OF AFFECTION is straightforward; the reader is not deceived with red herrings. There is a nice sense of self-doubt in Shelby's deductions about mysterious events in the veterinary clinic; in a normal world, we would not believe it either. There is momentum, we worry about the players, and the conclusion is satisfying. And if you've ever loved a dog, you will love TARGETS OF AFFECTION. Theresa de Valence, Mystery Fiction reviewer
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