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A Dog Lover's Mystery #14
The Wicked Flea
Holly Winter's malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi, are a delightful a pair of canine companions as anyone could ask for. Less faithful is her ex-lover who left her with a bitter heart and over-priced therapy sessions. Add a bout with amnesia and trepidation over her father's second marriage, and Holly is convinced that things can't get worse. Until a walk in the park pits Rowdy against a vicious golden retriever whose owner is no less so. How odd that such a gentle breed could be so nasty. Not so odd for humans. And not at all surprising when the owner is found murdered .Holly has no choice but step into the fray--for she knows better than anyone that killers are a cunning and clever breed.
289 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 5, 2002
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253 people want to read
About the author
Susan Conant
47 books147 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
(1)mysteries
Mother of author Jessica Park aka Jessica Conant-Park
The photo is of Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant, daughter and mother.
(1)mysteries
Mother of author Jessica Park aka Jessica Conant-Park
The photo is of Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant, daughter and mother.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 28, 2014
Susan Conant's series just gets better. Though, I hesitate to classify as a cozy anymore. Too much serious stuff is happening to Holly for me to think of it in those terms anymore.
Holly is just so funny. She always is thinking in terms of dogs. Even to the point of viewing human behavior through the lens of dog behavior.
This book and the previous book seem to be the best in series. Can't wait to find a copy of The Dogfather!
Holly is just so funny. She always is thinking in terms of dogs. Even to the point of viewing human behavior through the lens of dog behavior.
This book and the previous book seem to be the best in series. Can't wait to find a copy of The Dogfather!
March 22, 2023
Totally one of the best books in this series. I like the direction Holly is going in and, of course, how can you not love Rowdy and Kimi. Conant could be a little nicer about Tracker. The mystery in this one is well done....glad Conant doesn't have Holly ruminating so much.
June 30, 2016
Just didn't care much about the mystery, plus there was too much about the dogs, and not enough about the people.
The psychologist was thrown in for no particular reason, there seem to be no regular people in this universe.
The dogs characters are much more developed than the peoples. The constant harping of how Holly keeps her dogs behaving, which is impossible because malamutes are "attitude" dogs. Yet, her dogs seem to rarely behave.
I have read other books in this series, and do not remember being annoyed at the end of those books, but I am annoyed today, at the end of this one. I will not be picking up another in this series for a while.
The psychologist was thrown in for no particular reason, there seem to be no regular people in this universe.
The dogs characters are much more developed than the peoples. The constant harping of how Holly keeps her dogs behaving, which is impossible because malamutes are "attitude" dogs. Yet, her dogs seem to rarely behave.
I have read other books in this series, and do not remember being annoyed at the end of those books, but I am annoyed today, at the end of this one. I will not be picking up another in this series for a while.
January 24, 2008
This series is supposed to be the canine version of the "Cat Who..." books by Lilian Jackson Braun. They don't make it. There's WAAAAAY too much info about dog shows, raising, pedigrees, etc. It reminded me of textbooks.
After completing the book, I still have no idea what the title had to do with anything. One interesting sidenote is that one of the characters has the same last name as one of my historical society buddies: Goodenaugh. He turned out to be the killer, too. Now you don't have to read the book.
After completing the book, I still have no idea what the title had to do with anything. One interesting sidenote is that one of the characters has the same last name as one of my historical society buddies: Goodenaugh. He turned out to be the killer, too. Now you don't have to read the book.
April 12, 2015
I really didn't enjoy this book at all. I didn't find any of the characters likable and actually found most of them pretty disgusting both in description and ethically. The narrator is snobby, judgmental, and only very occasionally amusing. The characterization of the psychiatric profession was pretty disturbing too. I was disappointed by this book because I was looking forward to enjoying a new (to me) well-established series. However, I will be giving away the few books I had acquired in this series... though I don't know who would want to read them.
April 5, 2011
As usual, this was another enjoyable read. It was hard at first, because she explains how people who show their dogs don't find pet people responsible owners. Yet, it is funny because that's how I feel about people who show their cats! As a person owned by cats, I don't find it appropriate to show them and remove them from their comfort zone. But I'd guess that people who show their cats find those of us with pet cats less than desirable as well.
March 24, 2014
Susan Conant doesn't write bad books. Kimi and Rowdy are golden and a pleasure to read. The two Alaskan malamutes love the popular dog park, but Holly is nervous about so many unleashed dogs. It doesn't help when a tempermental golden retriever attacks Rowdy. Then one of the owners is found murdered in the park, Holly is on the hunt for the killer. This is mystery # 14 and the previous 13 are winners also.
March 31, 2015
Discovered this author and book at a yard sale...what a treat! An author who writes books about a character who writes books about dogs...say that three times! The descriptions of the dogs in the dog park are just hilarious, and having had many breeds throughout the years, are accurate. I am going to look for more by this author, as The Wicked Flea was a pleasure to read.
September 2, 2012
A fun little romp for the dog-obsessed. The plot is well-done and ties together nicely. Enjoyed the multiple formats Conant uses -- emails and psychiatrists notes included. Read this quickly and truly enjoyed it. . . . like a little mini-vacation :-)
October 6, 2015
I had lost track of this mystery series and am now re reading a few to refresh my memory for the newer installments. Conant's dog mysteries are informative, witty, and insightful about dog and human nature. Thanks to my bad memory, I was able to enjoy this one as if I had not read it before.
May 19, 2008
Started it at noon, finished it this evening.
November 30, 2015
These books are perfect for a rainy afternoon, preferably one with a dog at your feet.
March 31, 2011
fast-paced, fun
August 2, 2011
This is the first book I read in this series and I have read quite a few since. Even though I don't like dogs, this series is both informative and funny.
January 3, 2024
Holly Winter breeds and shows prize Alaskan Malamutes. It is her life. Her life also used to involve Steve the vet, but then Steve was stolen by Anita, somehow, while Anita is a rabid dog hater. This all happened after Holly fell while walking and suffered a head injury so bad she experienced amnesia and couldn't even remember her own beloved dogs, Kimi and Rowdy. So, in an effort to get her life back on track, she starts seeing a psychiatrist and tells her elderly friend that she might be interested in seeing other men, and thus ends up at a park that is not actually a dog park but is used like a dog park for a lot of people with a lot of different dog types, including Sylvia, who's dog Zsa Zsa, a malformed golden retriever who is never on a leash, attacks other dogs, and barely listens. The park is also stalked by an exhibitionist who flashes joggers and runs to the woods to hide. Sylvia is later discovered dead in the woods by Holly Winter while walking with her dogs and her friends, and thus begins a whole new can of worms as Holly looks at things through dog-colored lenses.
This... was a book. It was a book written by a dog lover, possibly even someone obsessed with dogs, primarily show dogs. There is a lot of dog terminology thrown around and explained that is rather distracting even if I was interested in figuring out what some of the things meant, and the plot just rambles all over the place in a nonsensical fashion without much focus on anything, let alone the mystery. None of the characters really seem to have much shown personality, just told and explained. However, the writing - when it is actually about the story - is good and quite clever in places, even making me laugh out loud in a few spots. It was just funny enough to keep me reading even when I wasn't all that interested. The ending is really bizarre and confusing and does not make a whole lot of sense, but is certainly not the worst I've read in a cozy mystery. Also, what was with the random chapter inserts that were only emails about random stuff? I skipped most of them and missed nothing.
As a dog book, it's great! As a mystery, it falls flat.
This... was a book. It was a book written by a dog lover, possibly even someone obsessed with dogs, primarily show dogs. There is a lot of dog terminology thrown around and explained that is rather distracting even if I was interested in figuring out what some of the things meant, and the plot just rambles all over the place in a nonsensical fashion without much focus on anything, let alone the mystery. None of the characters really seem to have much shown personality, just told and explained. However, the writing - when it is actually about the story - is good and quite clever in places, even making me laugh out loud in a few spots. It was just funny enough to keep me reading even when I wasn't all that interested. The ending is really bizarre and confusing and does not make a whole lot of sense, but is certainly not the worst I've read in a cozy mystery. Also, what was with the random chapter inserts that were only emails about random stuff? I skipped most of them and missed nothing.
As a dog book, it's great! As a mystery, it falls flat.
May 7, 2025
It is the first book of this series I have read and I don't feel that I need to read the rest of the series. It was a very cute story that took a while to set the scene and then before you know it the case is suddenly solved. Lots in it about dogs of many breeds. Just a cute story all in all.
January 16, 2022
Did not care for this book at all.Disappointed.
March 24, 2022
I don’t show dogs so that was a bit confusing but well explained (a bit over explained in my opinion) but I liked the mystery and the characters. Not sure if I’ll read more though.
February 22, 2024
Holly Winter's malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi, are a delightful a pair of canine companions as anyone could ask for. Less faithful is her ex-lover who left her with a bitter heart and over-priced therapy sessions. Add a bout with amnesia and trepidation over her father's second marriage, and Holly is convinced that things can't get worse. Until a walk in the park pits Rowdy against a vicious golden retriever whose owner is no less so. How odd that such a gentle breed could be so nasty. Not so odd for humans. And not at all surprising when the owner is found murdered .Holly has no choice but step into the fray--for she knows better than anyone that killers are a cunning and clever breed.
Holly Winter's Alaskan malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi, are as sweetly rambunctious as ever, and her cookbook-in-progress - tentatively titled A Hundred and One Ways to Cook Liver - is really coming along. But everything else is a mess. A recent concussion has robbed her of much-needed sleep - and a failed relationship has left her with a bitter, broken heart. And her incredibly overpriced therapy sessions with the improbably named Dr. Vee Foote aren't helping one tiny bit.
It's not long before her friend Ceci stumbles on a seemingly perfect solution - and takes Holly to a park that's literally running over with gorgeous dogs. But the sight of so many leash-less canines makes Holly uneasy - especially after an aggressive golden retriever attacks her beloved Rowdy. And when one of the owners is found murdered, Holly has no choice but to step into the fray - for she knows better than anyone that killers are a cunning, clever breed.
Holly Winter's Alaskan malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi, are as sweetly rambunctious as ever, and her cookbook-in-progress - tentatively titled A Hundred and One Ways to Cook Liver - is really coming along. But everything else is a mess. A recent concussion has robbed her of much-needed sleep - and a failed relationship has left her with a bitter, broken heart. And her incredibly overpriced therapy sessions with the improbably named Dr. Vee Foote aren't helping one tiny bit.
It's not long before her friend Ceci stumbles on a seemingly perfect solution - and takes Holly to a park that's literally running over with gorgeous dogs. But the sight of so many leash-less canines makes Holly uneasy - especially after an aggressive golden retriever attacks her beloved Rowdy. And when one of the owners is found murdered, Holly has no choice but to step into the fray - for she knows better than anyone that killers are a cunning, clever breed.
July 29, 2020
It's fine.
I grew up with dogs - my mother has purebreds for showing and herding. An aunt is a professional handler and judge. Her daughters have worked as groomers and handlers. You could say I'm familiar with the world the author tries to convey via the obsession of her main character. It just reads as douchey and unlikeable.
I read it to the end since I'd started it, but the mystery wasn't gripping. Didn't even feel like the real focus. A bit willy nilly.
Really it felt like it was trying for the 'niche focus here' cutesy murder trope (which I love) but missed the mark and veered into irritating and over the top.
This book is... try hard.
I will not read this book again, and will in fact avoid this book series in the future. If a friend was reading it and gave it a good review, I'd probably be dubious. Might pick something else by the same author up - with some serious side-eye and I'd get it from the library. Could be a fluke.
I grew up with dogs - my mother has purebreds for showing and herding. An aunt is a professional handler and judge. Her daughters have worked as groomers and handlers. You could say I'm familiar with the world the author tries to convey via the obsession of her main character. It just reads as douchey and unlikeable.
I read it to the end since I'd started it, but the mystery wasn't gripping. Didn't even feel like the real focus. A bit willy nilly.
Really it felt like it was trying for the 'niche focus here' cutesy murder trope (which I love) but missed the mark and veered into irritating and over the top.
This book is... try hard.
I will not read this book again, and will in fact avoid this book series in the future. If a friend was reading it and gave it a good review, I'd probably be dubious. Might pick something else by the same author up - with some serious side-eye and I'd get it from the library. Could be a fluke.
September 18, 2016
read for a project in library school
This leisurely paced novel follows series character dog-writer, dog-lover Holly Winter through her daily life following a head injury. On one of her journeys to a dog park a dead body is discovered. Through a layered and character-centred story we travel with Holly to find the real murderer. With more description than dialogue we are shown a dog-lovers world with a sprinkle of mystery interspersed.
This leisurely paced novel follows series character dog-writer, dog-lover Holly Winter through her daily life following a head injury. On one of her journeys to a dog park a dead body is discovered. Through a layered and character-centred story we travel with Holly to find the real murderer. With more description than dialogue we are shown a dog-lovers world with a sprinkle of mystery interspersed.
June 21, 2007
re-read 2007
June 23, 2012
The "usual" convolted mystery elements, but lots of dog stuff.
January 13, 2016
I enjoy the plot, could have done with a little less about show dogs, and breeders, but otherwise a good read. I will probably read others from this series.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews