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A Dog Lover's Mystery #18
All Shots
Holly Winter the malamute trainer knows she's not the only Holly Winter living in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but it would be so much nicer if Holly number two weren't a dog-hating academic... and if a third woman calling herself Holly Winter didn't happen to be dead. Holly number one can attest to this unfortunate fact, having discovered the gunned-down body while searching for a missing Siberian husky.
Another missing dog-this time a blue malamute- is somehow tied into this tangled web. With her husband Steve away on a camping trip and her other human housemates otherwise occupied, Holly and her prize-winning pups will have to bring the case to heel on their own-before a killer sniffs them out.
Another missing dog-this time a blue malamute- is somehow tied into this tangled web. With her husband Steve away on a camping trip and her other human housemates otherwise occupied, Holly and her prize-winning pups will have to bring the case to heel on their own-before a killer sniffs them out.
244 pages, Hardcover
First published November 6, 2007
6 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Susan Conant
44 books148 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 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 2, 2011
I love dogs and mysteries but not this one. I found this book because it was trapped between two shelves at my library. I have a husky coming to live with me too which is the main plot point initially-a runaway husky results in a dead body. So I thought it was serendipity that we found each other. But it was not meant to be. First I'd read from this author and it will be the last. I could only make it to page 101 before irritation with the plot and the pretentious airs put on by the principal protagonist drove me to end this painful reading experience. Lots of lecturing and gratuitous and irrelevant info on dog shows,etc.. And my husky has been home three days and already escaped three times. Serves me right, I guess. Oh, and the runaway husky is no husky, it's a malamute.
July 21, 2009
Great story if you are a dog lover this one is for you. Chapter 6 was so funny, but oh so true. Holly is searching for a lost dog, and is talking to a teacher who is in a hurry. Her urgency is; "Our preschool is a media-free zone, and one of the toddlers keeps showing up in a Thomas the Tank Engine T-shirt." I couldn't help but LOL I could just see this little toddler insisting that he wear his favorite shirt to his Mom, and not understanding why it was not allowed.
April 13, 2021
Everyone knows you most likely have someone who looks like you or could even have the same name, but three Holly Winter's in the same town that is to much. So the first Holly loves dogs and finds the second Holly murdered and the third Holly is an uptight know it all who blames everything on the first Holly.
July 8, 2022
This book was a solid mystery for animal lovers, though the dogs honestly got less spotlight than our main character, Holly Winter. Finding out it is the eighteenth book in the series helped. This book is more Cat Who than Mrs. Murphy if you're familiar with those. I've read it twice. A good read for a break from reality. Might just be me but it was a quick read too.
July 27, 2025
Good book. A lot of detail that I didn't find all that interesting. The ending was very good. Characters were okay. They weren't very interesting, but likeable. Some parts were very confusing. It all comes together in the end. Recommend.
April 28, 2018
Definitely a "Champion"!
June 3, 2020
Dogs, Boston and a mystery. What more could I want?
March 24, 2021
Holly Winter/mistaken identity/malamutes
August 5, 2021
Summer reading 2021 Morse Institute Natick and Goodnow library Sudbury
July 26, 2022
I love all the Susan Conan’s dog/Alaskan malamute light dog mysteries!
July 18, 2023
An okay read. It was a book club read so I stuck with it. Conant, as usual, goes off on these rambles that add word count, but doesn't add to the story.
April 19, 2025
Picked this one up at some point from the library book sale. It wasn't bad. I know nothing about dogs and it came across as just a little judgemental. A decent if simple mystery though.
May 8, 2011
I haven't the vaguest idea where this one came from... it must have been a pass-me-down because I am not a dog person and would not have given a "Dog Lover's Mystery" the time of day. And I didn't choose to read this on purpose. I needed something to take with me to a doctor's appointment and I just swiped my hand through a shelf. I didn't even look to see what I had until I pulled it from my tote. And my heart sank. Dogs. Why'd it have to be dogs? But I was stuck in the doctor's waiting room, so I opened it.
And I have to admit that I was very pleasantly surprised. Holly Winter, dog trainer and Malamute rescuer, is asked to help find a lost Siberian Husky. On the way, she stumbles upon a murder victim, whose name is, coincidentally, Holly Winter, and then comes face to face with a sour dog-hating woman whose name also... is Holly Winter. Hmmm. The body of the dead Holly Winter is found in a house next door to where the lost dog was staying... and then there's a photo of a rare blue Malamute near the body. What is the first Holly Winter going to do to find the missing dog? And what does the third Holly Winter want?
The story was more complex than I would have expected from a cozy mystery. The characters were endearing and *I can't believe I'm saying this* I even fell in love with the dogs. Coming from someone who is afraid of dogs, that's saying something! As lagniappe, the book was chock full of interesting information about dog shows, training protocol and various breeds and their characteristics, which I found fascinating.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Good for anyone who loves, trains and/or shows dogs.
And I have to admit that I was very pleasantly surprised. Holly Winter, dog trainer and Malamute rescuer, is asked to help find a lost Siberian Husky. On the way, she stumbles upon a murder victim, whose name is, coincidentally, Holly Winter, and then comes face to face with a sour dog-hating woman whose name also... is Holly Winter. Hmmm. The body of the dead Holly Winter is found in a house next door to where the lost dog was staying... and then there's a photo of a rare blue Malamute near the body. What is the first Holly Winter going to do to find the missing dog? And what does the third Holly Winter want?
The story was more complex than I would have expected from a cozy mystery. The characters were endearing and *I can't believe I'm saying this* I even fell in love with the dogs. Coming from someone who is afraid of dogs, that's saying something! As lagniappe, the book was chock full of interesting information about dog shows, training protocol and various breeds and their characteristics, which I found fascinating.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Good for anyone who loves, trains and/or shows dogs.
October 24, 2010
This was the 3rd book of Conat's I've come across recently, and I've decided her books are sort of like 'filler' in that they make for an OK read, but there isn't a ton of substance to them. Short book, open and shut plot, no loose ends nor anything to make you want to be sure to catch the next in the series.
All Shots was written from the first-person perspective of magazine columnist Holly Winter, who discovers a woman's body while searching for a lost dog. What complicates the story is that not only is the deceased also apparently named Holly Winter, so is a 3rd character in the book. Conat violates a rule in first-person writing by also enabling readers access to the 3rd Holly Winter's thoughts while still being narrated by the 1st.
The story itself isn't terrible, as Winter #1, a dog lover and rescuer searches not only for the lost dog but also a rare dog whose picture is found among the belongings of Winter #2 and may help to identify her, since it turns out documents belonging to Winters #1 and #3 were also in her posession and thus she may not be a Holly Winter after all.
In the end, I feel that Conat has a vast knowledge about dogs and dog shows, which is what appeals to me in her books, but I've come to understand that I will not be reading a literary masterpiece when I pick up a book of hers.
All Shots was written from the first-person perspective of magazine columnist Holly Winter, who discovers a woman's body while searching for a lost dog. What complicates the story is that not only is the deceased also apparently named Holly Winter, so is a 3rd character in the book. Conat violates a rule in first-person writing by also enabling readers access to the 3rd Holly Winter's thoughts while still being narrated by the 1st.
The story itself isn't terrible, as Winter #1, a dog lover and rescuer searches not only for the lost dog but also a rare dog whose picture is found among the belongings of Winter #2 and may help to identify her, since it turns out documents belonging to Winters #1 and #3 were also in her posession and thus she may not be a Holly Winter after all.
In the end, I feel that Conat has a vast knowledge about dogs and dog shows, which is what appeals to me in her books, but I've come to understand that I will not be reading a literary masterpiece when I pick up a book of hers.
January 15, 2012
A devoted malamute trainer, lover, resucer, Holly Winter finds herself looking in on a murder which leads her down a path of crazy mixed up identity theft (or not) and love of people and dog.
This was a find at the library I took a chance on. I have been debating a new dog in our family and thought a fun little dog mystery might help. This book offers a lot of informaiton on malamutes, at times it was a bit much it seemd to me but only because I am not deeply in love with the animal. I believe if someone had a love them this info would be right up the ally. As the story went on the information became intresting to me, lots of " I didn't know that moments" and "good to know" tid bits.
The story was fast moving and fun. In the end it did leave me with a desire of a dog to give and receive the love seen in this story. The story also makes me see I need to find the right dog for us.
The mystery was fun and fit with my love of cozy reads. I like that people are basicly kind to each other even in a murder mystery.
I wasn't sure if I would go on in the series but I now think I will at least one more...and then maybe another.
This was a find at the library I took a chance on. I have been debating a new dog in our family and thought a fun little dog mystery might help. This book offers a lot of informaiton on malamutes, at times it was a bit much it seemd to me but only because I am not deeply in love with the animal. I believe if someone had a love them this info would be right up the ally. As the story went on the information became intresting to me, lots of " I didn't know that moments" and "good to know" tid bits.
The story was fast moving and fun. In the end it did leave me with a desire of a dog to give and receive the love seen in this story. The story also makes me see I need to find the right dog for us.
The mystery was fun and fit with my love of cozy reads. I like that people are basicly kind to each other even in a murder mystery.
I wasn't sure if I would go on in the series but I now think I will at least one more...and then maybe another.
June 20, 2010
The plot in this story was not as tightly woven as in some of Conant's other books but it was still an interesting story of mistaken identity and mixed-up assumptions. Conant tried switching point of view from the dog-loving Holly Winter to the dog-hating Holly Winter; it didn't work as well as it might have but it did add an interesting twist. Conant develops some really interesting characters (like the simple-minded Mellie who walks dogs, or her difficult, larger-than-life father Buck) and her Harvard setting gives you a feel for an eccentric, flavorful city. The main character, Holly Winter, is a little over-the-top about her worldview with dogs as the focal point of life, but I really do enjoy learning about the dog world and dog training and handling. I wouldn't suggest this as your first read of Conant's books (one of my favorites is Animal Appetites), but if you like dogs and are interested in the world of dog shows, both conformation and obedience trials, you'll like this series--just don't start with this one.
March 7, 2024
A neat story with an interesting twist.
Holly Winter the malamute trainer knows she's not the only Holly Winter living in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but it would be so much nicer if Holly number two weren't a dog-hating academic... and if a third woman calling herself Holly Winter didn't happen to be dead. Holly number one can attest to this unfortunate fact, having discovered the gunned-down body while searching for a missing Siberian husky.
Another missing dog-this time a blue malamute- is somehow tied into this tangled web. With her husband Steve away on a camping trip and her other human housemates otherwise occupied, Holly and her prize-winning pups will have to bring the case to heel on their own-before a killer sniffs them out.
Holly Winter the malamute trainer knows she's not the only Holly Winter living in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but it would be so much nicer if Holly number two weren't a dog-hating academic... and if a third woman calling herself Holly Winter didn't happen to be dead. Holly number one can attest to this unfortunate fact, having discovered the gunned-down body while searching for a missing Siberian husky.
Another missing dog-this time a blue malamute- is somehow tied into this tangled web. With her husband Steve away on a camping trip and her other human housemates otherwise occupied, Holly and her prize-winning pups will have to bring the case to heel on their own-before a killer sniffs them out.
March 30, 2015
In Susan Conant's All Shots, the 18th installment of the Dog Lover's Mystery series, Holly Winter was in for wild ride. While her husband was away on vacation, it all started with a missing dog and a dead body. It was up to Holly Winter to discover that they were two other Holly Winters were in Cambridge, and one of them had her identity and stolen her mail. That's when the other Holly decided to do some investigating of her own, when it came to identity theft and dog-napping of a sort. The closer she realized she was onto something, the truth unraveled before her eyes and came closer to her own end.
October 17, 2010
I was pleased when a friend informed me of Conant's dog/detective series. Growing up with a grandmother who devoured every "The Cat Who..." story, which never interested me, I have long wanted dog-themed books of same.
The author does not disappoint. The books are witty, informational, and quick-reads, without being too predictable.
This one is my favorite so far. I was hooked from beginning to end- read it in less than 24 hours, thoroughly enjoyed it. Best yet!
The author does not disappoint. The books are witty, informational, and quick-reads, without being too predictable.
This one is my favorite so far. I was hooked from beginning to end- read it in less than 24 hours, thoroughly enjoyed it. Best yet!
April 15, 2010
I still do like Susan Conant but I don't love this new style she has taken where she write a chapter here and there from the perspective of another character. That doesn't interest me. Like her cat series - could do without the chapter's from the cat's perspective.
That said, I do love reading about the dogs and the different breeds and the intricacies of the dog world. I think she is a great writer when she is talking about dogs and still to enjoy her books.
That said, I do love reading about the dogs and the different breeds and the intricacies of the dog world. I think she is a great writer when she is talking about dogs and still to enjoy her books.
March 29, 2015
#18 in the Dog Lover's series. The series features Holly Winter, a Cambridge, MA, writer for Dog's Life magazine.
Dog Lover's series - Holly Winter, an Alaskan Malamute trainer and writer in Cambridge, MA, is searching for a missing dog when she discovers the body of a young woman. The woman is also named Holly Winter and is in the house of a traveling doctor who is known by a third Holly Winter. Coincidences, illegal drugs and dog lore. Not bad.
Dog Lover's series - Holly Winter, an Alaskan Malamute trainer and writer in Cambridge, MA, is searching for a missing dog when she discovers the body of a young woman. The woman is also named Holly Winter and is in the house of a traveling doctor who is known by a third Holly Winter. Coincidences, illegal drugs and dog lore. Not bad.
June 5, 2016
I was torn between rating this I liked it and I didn't like it. If there was a category in between I would have picked that. However I had to side with I liked it. What I liked was the original storyline. What I didn't like was the writing style, the author rambled. It was like talking to someone who was talking fast and just going and going. I also thought the character development could have been better. I won't be seeking out any other books by Susan Conant.
August 31, 2011
An interesting mystery. I liked the background info on malamutes, although at times I felt it was a little distracting from the story. It reminded me of the Mrs. Murphy mysteries, but without the talking animals. It has the same passion for animals. I don't really having anything bad to say about the story, but it didn't wow me either. It was a light read.
August 18, 2014
This book takes the notion of mistaken identity to a whole new level. There's not one, not two, but at least three Holly Winters to follow. One gets killed, but is she the real target or is it one of the other two?
If you like stories with a lot of detail about dogs along with a lively mystery, this one might be for you.
If you like stories with a lot of detail about dogs along with a lively mystery, this one might be for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2008
On the cover it says that it is the dog lovers answer to "The Cat Who . . . " books. Well, you really have to love dogs to get into this book. The lady in it is very much dog crazy. But the story is interesting but it talks too much about dogs for me to recommend it, or read more in the series.
December 27, 2023
One of the latest books in Conant's dog lover's series has too little dog in it for me. I like her books best when they open a window into the world of dog shows, both conformation and obedience trials. This book tries to focus more on a murder and identity theft.
July 3, 2011
I love Susan Conant. Honestly. Pup lit is my hidden pleasure. And Susan is the best of the best, I just can't bring myself to rate pup lit any higher than "liked it"....just like I can't rank Meg Ryan movies higher than "it was fun".
November 1, 2012
One of my favorites in this series. The plot was quite good, involving a murder victim with the same name as the main character, Holly Winter. The addition of yet another Cantabrigian with the same name results in a nice stew of events and confusion. Well done!
March 10, 2013
The first 60% of this book was quite intriguing, and I was curious how all the plot threads and the "extra" Holly Winter would come together into a coherent ending.However, even though the ending made sense, it didn't have quite the gasp and awe I was hoping for.
April 23, 2014
I love her books and this one is as good or better than the others. She uses words of multiple syllables and assumes you know a few things. While her dogs are a big part of each book they don't feel intrusive. You wouldn't have a story without them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews