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Jack Field is playing catch with Tipper, a Welsh Pembroke corgi, at a party on Zita Earl's island. Tipper brings back a blood-stained yacht cap instead of the tennis ball. When Jack investigates, he finds the body of Gordon Beeson, helicopter pilot for Ian Maxwell, the local eccentric billionaire inventor who happens to be partners with Jonas Cutter, who is Jamie's father. Jamie is Jack's fiancee. Of course, Jack didn't kill Gordon, who turns out not be be Gordon but Hugh Gardner, who testified against some drug dealers in California and is/was in the Witness Protection Program. While Jack is trying to figure out who killed Hugh/Gordon, a local artist is killed and again, Jack is on the scene way too close to the actual time of the murder. Is Sherry Maughn's death connected to Hugh? Was she selling forged art, and if so, to whom? Why are the two huge Maori boys, goons for Miguel Ortiz (the drug czar Hugh Gardner testified against), searching her house,? And what is the connection between Ortiz and Maxwell, if there is one? I enjoyed reading TO COLLAR A KILLER. Kelley's characters lead interesting lives, even when those lives stray into the arena of the incredibly implausible. The romance between Jack and Jamie doesn't always go swimmingly, but it is believable and fun to observe. Jack has the kinds of friends one needs if one gets involved in cases which bring in the FBI, several local constabulatory agencies, and the like; these are the friends who will help one bury the bodies, if that is required. I don't know enough about dogs and dog training to give any kind of informed opinion on how Jack trains dogs; the references supplied at the back of the book will help anyone who wants to know more. I did find the training information interesting; Kelley presents it so that it makes sense to the average reader. The plot is definitely out there in the wild and crazy field, although I suppose it isn't totally impossible. I am reminded in some ways of Rex Stout's The Doorbell Rang at the denouement, as well as certain episodes of the original Mission: Impossible television show. Jack's friends come through, that's for sure. If you like books with dogs, books about Maine, books with lots of twists and turns, books with a little romance -- Lee Charles Kelley delivers. This is the third in a series. Track down A NOSE FOR MURDER and MURDER UNLEASHED if you like this one.
Reviewed by P. J. Coldren, July 2005
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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