Wolf at the Door (Annie O'Hara & Claudius Mysteries) [Paperback]

Ann Campbell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Annie O'Hara & Claudius Mysteries | Publication Date: May 1, 2000

This brand new mystery series introduces reluctant pet-owner Annie O'Hara and her ill-tempered canine Claudius. Fate has thrown them together, but before they can adjust to one another, a mutilated dead body is discovered--and Claudius is the number one suspect...

"The most original and funny book I've read in a long time."--Tamar Myers

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Signet (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451200217
• ISBN-13: 978-0451200211
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,877,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great debut!, August 27, 2000

By 

Mystery Maven (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Wolf at the Door (Annie O'Hara & Claudius Mysteries) (Paperback)

WOLF AT THE DOOR marks the debut of Annie O'Hara and her partwolf, part canine companion, Claudius. Annie is always coming to someone's aid. First she adopts (temporarily) Claudius, who belongs to Annie's soon-to-be-ex sister-in-law, who abandoned both her husband and her dog without a backward look. Then Annie agrees to drive to Roswell, New Mexico, during her vacation so she can nurse her aunt after she undergoes surgery. Annie does all this cheerfully enough, although she does have some qualms about providing a home for Claudius who has proven to be headstrong, demanding and aloof.

Once in Roswell, Annie is overwhelmed by the UFO mania. In fact, her aunt and uncle belong to a UFO cult/church, along with most of their neighbors. While walking Claudius, Annie stumbles upon the murdered body of their pastor, and his death is soon followed by that of a sex-crazed neighbor who tried to blackmail the killer. As the local police zero in on Annie's uncle as the prime suspect, Annie investigates the case, along with a local reporter she's considering dating.

I wasn't able to correctly guess the identity of the killer, but I felt the author kept the one vital clue to the killer unfairly hidden, as it was a visual clue never described in words. The reader never has all she needs to know to solve the case; hopefully in future books the author will play fairly. After all, the mark of a good/great mystery author is to provide all the necessary info while distracting the reader from the vital clue.

All in all, I very much liked WOLF AT THE DOOR, as there were lots of fun, quirky characters who really came to life under the author's pen. Annie's relationship with Claudius (a true alpha dog) is a delight! This is a great summer read, and I look forward to future books in this series.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This dog mystery is hilarious, April 29, 2000

By 

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

This review is from: Wolf at the Door (Annie O'Hara & Claudius Mysteries) (Paperback)

Annie O'Hara prefers to never have a serious relationship with a man ever again. The Lee, New Hampshire resident rents rooms to boarders in the Old Thurston Inn where she also lives. She also owns an antique shop that she runs out of the Inn. Annie does not want to be responsible for anyone but her self. However, when her sister-in-law dumps Annie's brother and abandons their dog, she welcomes the canine, Claudius, into her home. The half Husky-half German Shepherd dislikes Annie as much as she dislikes him.

The odd couple travels to Roswell, New Mexico together to assist Annie's aunt after her relative recently underwent bunion surgery. As the New England duo walk around town, Claudius suddenly goes wild near a dumpster. Annie looks inside to find the corpse of an assistant pastor of the nearby church. Suspicion falls on Annie's uncle. Annie and her uncle soon find another body in the desert that further substantiates the police's belief that her uncle is the killer. An irate Annie begins her own inquiries to prove his innocence even as she does not yet realize the danger she is in from a cold-blooded murderer.

The new crime fighting team of Annie O'Hara and Claudius is a hysterical surreal experience that canine lovers and amateur sleuth fans will adore. The relationship between the hero and the heroine runs the gamut from disdain to trust, which leads to jocular moments that ease a serious story line. UFOlogists are also going to enjoy the satirical scenes that Ann Campbell augments her plot with. WOLF AT THE DOOR is a charming mystery starring amusing charcaters who deserve future appearances.

Harriet Klausner

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really funny, Really different Mystery, June 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Wolf at the Door (Annie O'Hara & Claudius Mysteries) (Paperback)

Annie and Claudius have to learn to get along with one another while in the wilds of New Mexico. He's loyal to another, and she doesn't quite know how to handle this very smart dog. Three murders and mayhem happen all around them and they are the aliens in Roswell. I've read a lot of dog mysteries, and this is one of the best and funniest! I'm looking forward to another book by Ann Campbell.