Right from the Gecko

Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery #5

by Cynthia Baxter

Surf’s up . . . and so are the stakes when veterinarian and amateur sleuth Jessica Popper escapes to the land of hula, hibiscus, and geckos for a professional conference. The last time she and boyfriend Nick Burby touched down on the island of Hawaii, Nick caused a volcanic eruption when he unexpectedly popped The Question to commitment-phobic Jess. But this trip proves just as dangerous when Jess befriends an ambitious young reporter whose body later washes up on the sand . . . and someone thinks Jess holds the clue to the killer’s motive.There’s no end of suspects among the exotic flora and fauna, from the victim’s journalistic rivals and a mystery boyfriend to an eccentric beachcomber and a governor’s aide with ties to a controversial biotech firm bringing progress to paradise. One of them is a killer with the chameleon-like ability to stay hidden—and if Jessica doesn’t uncover hula-dunnit in time, she’ll be saying aloha . . . permanently.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Animals, Cozy, Fiction

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

(from author's website)

Dear Reader,

Thanks for taking the time to check out my web site! I love the fact that the Internet makes it so easy to "talk" to readers (and to hear from them, too - my email address is below).

My favorite thing to do is read - and my second favorite is to write. Since 2003, I've been writing The Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery Series, which features veterinarian Jessica Popper. The books also include the antics of Jessie's menagerie: her rambunctious Westie, Max; his shy sidekick, Lou the Dalmatian; aging pussycat Catherine the Great; newcomer Tinkerbell, a tiger kitten with the personality of a diva; mouthy Prometheus, a Blue and Gold Macaw with attitude; and last but not least, the silent yet seemingly wise chameleon Leilani. The newest book in the series is CROSSING THE LION.

I also launched a second mystery series, The Murder Packs a Suitcase Mystery Series, which will run concurrently with Reigning Cats & Dogs. The first book, also titled MURDER PACKS A SUITCASE, introduces Mallory Marlowe. Recently widowed at the age of 45, Mallory is still struggling to find her old self when she falls into a new job as a travel writer. In addition to researching exciting destinations, she happens upon the occasional murder - and she can't help getting involved in finding out whodunnit. The first book is set in Orlando, where she goes to discover whether or not the "old Florida," with alligator farms and pink plastic flamingoes and seashell jewelry, still exists despite the proliferation of glitzy theme parks. The second book in the series, TOO RICH AND TOO DEAD, is set in glamorous Aspen, where Mallory is trying to find out if even a non-skier can have a fun vacation.

Working on two different mystery series has been an interesting challenge. I've tried to make the two series different - but at the same time to include the same elements in the new series that readers of the original series seemed to enjoy. That means a likeable heroine, a compelling mystery with some quirky suspects and a few surprises, a touch of romance, and lots of humor. I'm really looking forward to seeing how readers respond to my new character and her adventures!

I always enjoy hearing from readers, so please don't hesitate to write and say hello. In the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy my books!

Best wishes, Cynthia Baxter

Contact Cynthia: Cynthiab1@optonline.net

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessica Popper is a vet visiting Maui for a veterinary convention, along with her boyfriend Nick. While at the hotel, there is also a press conference with the conference. Imagine Jess's dismay when it looks like an aide to the governor actually knocks over a young reporter. Jeff befriends the reporter, who ends up being murdered the next day! Jess goes to the police, who don't pay any attention to her. Jess decides to investigate herself.

The book grew on me as I read it. I got pretty irritated initially at some of the childish behavior between Nick and Jess (a few years back Nick proposed to Jess in Hawaii, which led to a break-up for a while - a definite NO to that proposal). He doesn't want her to investigate, and of course, she is bound and determined to. The book went from a 2 star to a 2.5 star to the final 3 star that I'm giving it. I figured a little of the mystery out (but not a lot), and thought part of the ending was a big stretch. And a couple of scenes in the book I thought really, oh come-on now. But still, I liked it, although not sure that I will continue any more in the series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this on our library shelf and the title made me laugh! I got into it and it is set on Maui (my love affair with Maui never ceases). It was a fun little mystery with a red herring which actually stumped me (hooray!) and a nice twist with an earring where I stopped and mentally told the author, "Good one!" I liked the subplots that kept my interest. A fun, fast read.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am very disappointed with this latest novel from Cynthia Baxter. What I loved about the first book was the descriptions of her animals, her veterinary practice, and her patients. There are no veterinary patients in this book and almost no animals. The ones there are clearly an afterthought: oh, I need to include an animal because people are expecting it! Even the mystery isn't related to animals or veterinarians. She's at a veterinary conference and the mystery has to do with stuff on the island.

Aside from that, though, the mystery is trite and predictable, the characters ones we've seen thousands of times before, including in her own novels (several times she'd say that so and so wasn't here but blah blah was just like him and that person was). As usual the police are not only reticent but incompetent and rude. (What police detective wouldn't be interested in talking to the last person to see the murder victim alive? What police force wouldn't comb a person's apartment for clues when they didn't know the identity of the person they suspected?)

But the very worst is her awful boyfriend. He's such a jerk and yet she's always putting the blame on herself. Then suddenly he turns around and is mister perfect nice guy. It's totally out of character and absurd.

I've been more and more irritated with each entry into the series so I think I'm done. I doubt I'll read the next book.

[Jacob Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Right from the Gecko" by Cynthia Baxter is a delightful mystery novel featuring a gecko named Elvis who helps his owner, veterinarian Jessica Popper, solve a puzzling case involving animal deaths at a local zoo. With a clever plot, engaging characters, and a charming gecko narrator, this book is a great read for mystery fans and animal lovers alike. Baxter's writing style is witty and engaging, making it a page-turner from start to finish.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fun, a light mystery taking place on Maui. It kept you guessing for a while. A few very obvious plot points. And again with a hapless and hostile policeman - what is the deal with this author? Much better than her book Hare Today Dead Tomorrow. Still, it’s not a keeper either. And I was appalled at the pushy boyfriend trying to do something she didn’t want to do.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is getting better as it goes on. Jessica Popper and her boyfriend travel to Hawaii for a conference. Jessica makes friends with a reporter who later is found dead. Jessica has to find out who did it.

[Glenda I · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read any of the other books in the series but it didn't affect my enjoyment of the story. It is a good mystery (even if I believe she didn't have to investigate at all) and I loved the description of the island.

[Victoria Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series by Cynthia Baxter. Really like the characters.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like eating junk food. Not great but fun to read something light like this once in a while.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very long.. a little too played out..

[Ewa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this series, this one is a little bit slower and definetely it is missing animals - although one cat is still a great addition

[Susan Moxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A trip to Maui turns into a murder mystery that changes their life forever.

[Regan]

I think this is the best one in the series so far. I loved the change to Hawaii.

[Marty]

Veterinarian Jessica Popper and her boy friend are in Maui. Jessica is officially attending a Veterinarian Conference, but there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy the splendors of Hawaii and reconsider her relationship with Nick. …. Or at least that is what they had thought. They had barely settled in when their best friends popped up at the same hotel with plans of enjoying things together. If that didn’t change plans enough, a young reporter that Jessica befriended washes up on the beach – with her throat cut. Of course, Jessica decides to help solve the murder. – This book is much more of a regular murder mystery than the previous books because there few animals involved. A good mystery though.

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 1 out of 5]

While there are other entries in the series--each of which I actually own--I'm officially done. I quit. The "Reigning Cats and Dogs" series began with tremendous potential and quickly jumped its own shark. I've vented elsewhere on the problem characters and actions in this series (esp. Jess Popper's boyfriend, the ever-pushy, thin skinned Nick Burby), on their idiocy (e.g., you're facing death at the bottom of Hawaii's equivalent of the Grand Canyon without benefit of water, food, or shelter, so you--once again--pressure your commitment-phobic girlfriend about the status of your relationship). Admittedly, while mysteries aren't the equivalent of Great Literature, mystery readers deserve well-written stories, with consistency, aren't totally lame (oooh, the faux pharmaceutical company has developed a hybrid that looks like hibiscus but has all the properties of cocaine) and, most egregious, books that don't rush a 300+-page mystery to an inanely abrupt end (termination vs. conclusion) as though the author has just discovered she only has a few sheets of paper left. What a bummer. Enough already.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is by far the worst installment of the "Reigning Cats and Dogs Mystery Series." I am officially DONE with this series. There are more books, but giving the downslide the series seems to be on and given that I think this is rock bottom, I can't imagine the ridiculous scenarios Baxter could possibly come up with next. This time we join Jessica and Nick in Hawaii for a veterinary conference. The last time Jessica and Nick were in Hawaii, he proposed and she said no. This time, they become a crime fighting duo as they take up the investigation of a murdered young reporter Jessica encountered by accident the day the reporter was murdered. They are left for dead in a volcanic crater (no food, water, shelter...) and live to tell the tale and the only thing Nick cares to do is pressure Jessica into agreeing to marry him if they survive.... you get the idea of the heights of ridiculousness that this novel reaches. Enough is enough. These are the pinnacle of stupid. Waste of time. I'd give negative stars were they available.

[Krystal]

I don't think I should read this series "all in a row", as I'm really burned out on her style of writing, particularly the dialogue (with characters and even inner dialogue). I'm easily annoyed at her writing quirks because I've just been going through the books. I'm ready to call it quits, as the latest story is so far fetched to me, becoming so involved after having just met the murder victim. The back and forth between Jess and Nick is particularly grating on my nerves. In one chapter they have the same fight they have every book (in every other chapter or so) and in the next chapter they've made up and promised not to be like that anymore, Jess will spend more time with Nick, Nick will be more supportive and understanding, only to have the same fight, with the same things said in the tail end of the next chapter!!!! Make up your freaking mind.


I kept trying and couldn't finish this book. I have maybe 50 pages to go, but I don't feel up to even skimming to the end.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read any of the other books in this series so I am starting in the middle once again. That being said I found this book a delightful little mystery. This book stood on its own quite well without having to read the prior books to understand what is happening in this one. I loved the twists and turns the author added in. There was no way you could guess the murderer until the very end. Despite Jessie questioning suspects and following all the clues, you can't determine the end without that all important clue (which is saved for the very end). This kept me guessing which is one of the things I love about a good mystery. I will be adding the rest of the series to my TBR list.

[Daniele]

I was really looking forward to this story being set in Hawaii (one of my favorite places), but I found that I did not really care about the murder victim, the suspects, or the ourtcome. I missed the animals and the veterinary aspect of the books. Dr Popper was almost unbearably annoying for the first half of the book. And, though it got better, this is not going to become a book that I read again and again, let alone a favorite. I hope this is not an indication of the direction the series is taking.

[Noël · Rating 3 out of 5]

set on maui and kauai, read while on kauai. while on vacation, i like to read books that are set in that same location. this started about 7 years ago while i was on vacation in mexico and serendipitously found that the book i had brought along was actually set in the small town i was staying in. it was great to add that extra layer of enmeshment in my surroundings, so i've tried to do this on vacations since then.

[BethAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I'm getting tired of the series. Maybe this is just a bumpy rough patch and the next will get me back. But I felt like Right From The Gecko was a totally different series. One of the things I love about Reigning Cats & Dogs is the vet stuff. That's why I started reading. So a story with almost no vet talk and one I obligatory animal clumsily stuffed in there like a prop just wasn't the same.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Cynthia Baxter's books- good fun writing makes you want to keep reading along, and there are lots of clues along the way to hold the readers interest. In this book I really liked the Hawaii setting (although I missed the main characters pets back home), all the little tidbits I learned about Hawaii and the way the plot unfolded. It was a lot of fun and a great read!

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a good little mystery novel; I can imagine it would be a great read by the pool in Waikiki. However, the main character seems to jump from one book's mystery right into the next, which is a little tiresome. Her curiosity which was once fun and quirky, becomes irksome and I end up wishing she'd just mind her own business and stop being so inattentive to the needs of those in her life.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't understand why some people are criticizing her plot in this one. The author took the heroine out of her element. That was the whole point of the book. That being said, I didn't like it as much as the first ones. I do like the fact that she's developing the relationships between the characters though. This is what has kept me going in this series.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one --- Nick and Jess finally get it together and work on the mystery w/o one of them getting his shorts ina knot over her sleuthing. It was the 3rd one I have read and I like it the best.

[Camille · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was an okay book overall. Most of the book I felt was dragged on longer than it actually should of. Really interesting characters, and the plot was okay, Im finding out that I dont really like mysterys

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this one (and a few others from her series) up at a thrift store. This one was good, but not great. It was slow in many places for me. The titles of the books in this series are quite creative ;-) and probably what keep me reading them.. in between the other books on my list ;-)

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author is fun and for an animal lover it is a great detective novel. Can't wait to find others by this author.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy comfortable read. Love that the setting is in Hawaii.