John Cunningham, veteran gun-dog trainer, stumbles into a dog-switching scheme that ends up in blackmail and, eventually, murder.
Mim, one of the litter of pups born at Three Oaks Kennels, is a throwback to Clunie, a champion with a strong and difficult temperament. John's kennel-maid Daffy tries to train the highly strung pup for gunwork, but when the task proves impossible, John agrees to sell Mim to local farmer and businessman Quentin Cove.
So imagine John's surprise when a year later the supposedly gun-shy Mim begins winning at field trials. Perhaps, as Daffy believes, John wrote Mim off too soon? Or is there a more sinister reason for the bitch's sudden success? And what is it that Cove's farm manager, Dougal Webb, has learned about Three Oaks Kennels--information so damning he believes he can try a spot of blackmail? That is until he suddenly disappears...
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Filled with a satisfying blend of Scottish slang and dialects, as well as a wealth of dog-training and breeding information, this is another enjoyable tale from the ever-reliable Hammond (Bloodlines; Sting in the Tail; etc.). Dog breeder John Cunningham--and his family and staff at Three Oaks Kennels--face a crime that, if unsolved, could threaten their livelihood and their lives. When Dougal Webb, a young farm manager who was courting one of Cunningham's kennel maids, goes missing, he leaves behind evidence of some shady dealings. Since Webb had tried to blackmail Cunningham shortly before his disappearance, the breeder's entire household comes under suspicion. Meanwhile, another of Cunningham's kennel-maids is almost hit by a car, and an unidentified corpse turns up in the woods. Before the situation is set aright, the Cunninghams and the local police inspector must pick their way through a tangle of blackmail, chicanery, murder, fraud and old grievances that enmeshes the fates of characters high and low. Though the novel begins slowly, Cunningham provides an intelligent prism through which a parade of colorful, often villainous characters are refracted. From pompous landowner Sir Ian Bewlay of Marksmuir to ambitious political aspirant Timothy "Sanctimonious" Pratt, to the hardworking housemaid Mrs. Dundee, Hammond's characters ring true as brass, and his wry, subtle humor harmonizes all the doings nicely. (Dec.) FYI: Hammond also writes mysteries featuring Scottish gunsmith Keith Calder.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Hammond's latest is a cracking good mystery that will appeal to dog lovers and outdoors persons. Retired Scottish army officer John Cunningham runs a successful business, breeding and training gun dogs with the help of his wife, Beth, and two young assistants, Daffy and Hannah. To John's chagrin, Hannah isn't focused on her work at the moment. She's too busy being dazzled by handsome Dougal Webb, an area newcomer who's employed as manager of a nearby farm. When Dougal's badly charred body is found at a local logging site, it's clear he's been murdered. Despite the local CID's warnings to John and Beth to leave the investigation to the professionals, the Cunninghams can't help but get involved. As they sift through the evidence, they find a web of blackmail, intrigue, greed, and murder. Hammond's low-key, macho-with-a-twist mysteries have been delighting fans for years, and this one won't change the pattern. Emily Melton
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