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BARK M FOR MURDER is one of those books that comes in very handy for a number of reasons. First of all, it's a great book for reading a writer you've heard about but not read yet, someone you might want to check out but aren't sure you're quite ready to plunk down cash for a novel. Each of the four writers in BARK M FOR MURDER has a proven track record as a mystery writer, and the work in this collection is (at least for the three writers I've already read) a good example of both the quality and tone of their writing. Lanier and Kelley both write about their series characters. Lanier's Jo Beth Siddon is a gutsy business owner in the Deep South; she runs bloodhounds for search and rescue missions. Kelley's Jack Field is a dog trainer who has a side job assisting his girlfriend (the medical examiner) with some of her cases. Each story gives the reader an introduction to the series, a feeling for the main characters, as well as a nicely plotted story. Jance writes two series, one about JP Beaumont and one about Sheriff Joanna Brady. Her story THE CASE OF THE LONDON CABBIE has nothing to do with either series. It's set in Seattle, and features a grandmotherly woman with some minor experience in crime solving. While her golden retrievers don't play a major role in the story, they are major characters in Maddy Watkins life. Don't let the Mrs Doubtfire exterior fool you -- Maddy Watkins is no simpering idjit. West's story is set in the south, and one of the supporting characters is a retired rescue German Shepherd named Duke. Duke helps an accident victim keep herself from becoming a homicide victim, and takes her back to his owner. AJ, the almost drowned rat, has temporary amnesia and isn't sure if Jake is a good guy or a bad guy. By the end of this story, everyone knows who's who and what's what. BARK M FOR MURDER is also a good book for those times when you don't want to be involved in something that's going to take up lots of your time, suck you in and then divert you from what you should be doing. The longest story is just over a hundred pages, so it's easy to read one while waiting for the doctor (start it in the waiting room, finish it sitting on that lovely table while wearing a large paper napkin?) or sitting in the stands while the kids are playing soccer and your kid is mostly on the bench this time around. BARK M FOR MURDER is a good book for giving as a gift. It's yet another way to get your dog-loving friends to read mysteries, or to read an author you like but can't convince your friend to try. All in all, I think it's a winner of a book.
Reviewed by P. J. Coldren, May 2006
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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