Black Ribbon (Dog Lover's Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Susan Conant (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Not even the most dogged canine fancier is likely to stay the course of Conant's latest dog-world mystery, a disappointing follow-up to her well-received Ruffly Speaking. Here Holly Winter, Dog's Life columnist, heads to the Maine woods with Rowdy, her Alaskan malamute, for fun and games at Waggin' Tail, a week-long camp for the doggie set. The food and activities schedule are disappointing; most disconcerting is the presence of a dog sympathy card and pamphlets advertising pet cemeteries. Another problem is Eva, the thoroughly obnoxious owner of an untrained Labrador. Readers who quickly recognize Eva as the tale's victim will also expect her murder to be resolved and will rightfully object when Conant has the killer observe, while destroying evidence of guilt, "I hope you understand." The author's knowledge of the dog fancy and all things malamute would have been better kept on a tighter lead. As Holly herself warns the reader, "I could go on and on, and, if I'm not stopped, will probably do so at extreme length and in minute detail." Fair warning.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Pets occasionally take center ring in mysteries, but Conant's (Ruffly Speaking, LJ 3/1/94) dogs take the cake! Holly Winter, journalist for Dog's Life magazine and dog trainer par excellence, journeys on assignment-with dog Rowdy-to a luxury canine camp in Maine. Here she treats readers (or subjects them, depending on one's point of view) to descriptions and explanations of every conceivable aspect of obedience training, judging, doggy treats, American Kennel Club rules, training items, and on and on. Not until late in the plot does the "accidental" death of an obnoxious dog owner distract "campers" from their true love. For series fans.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Crimeline (November 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553298755
• ISBN-13: 978-0553298758
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,237,701 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 8 in The Dog Lover's Mystery Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dog-Gone Good Doggy Who-Done-Tt!, July 22, 1997

By A Customer

Finally, Holly winter and her Alaskan Malamute Rowdy examine the dog sport of agility while caught up in a mystery of Great Dane proportions. Members of the dog fancy will enjoy this story has will dog mystery lovers. Susan Conant writes with her hand on the pulse of whats going on in the dog world. She proves that it can really be doggy eat doggy. A fetching good mystery!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars She's no Agatha Christie, November 5, 2001

By	Louann Miller (TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After seeking out and buying the entire Holly Winter series, this one -- my first hardcover purchase -- was the one that put me off the series for several years. Agatha Christie originally became famous by breaking one of the cardinal rules of the whodunnit (whoever is the murderer, it's NOT the narrator). In this book Conant breaks a different but even more important rule of the genre, which makes the entire novel pointless. I have not been so unhappy with a novel in this genre since Robert Goldsborough's faux 'Nero Wolfe' novel where the killer commits suicide halfway through the book, and the book continues on anyway. Later volumes in the Holly series recover some of the old magic, but this one is almost a total loss.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep on writing Ms. Conant!, July 17, 2000

By A Customer

i really enjoyed this book and have read it many times. Ms. Conant is really doing well on her writing. this has to be my #1 favorite Conant book along with her 1st, A new leash on death. it is well written and has a good topic. the part where Rowdy saved Holly was 1 of my favorite parts.i dont see why anyone wouldn't like it.