Sire and Damn

A Dog Lover's Mystery #20

by Susan Conant

Mistress of the dog lover's mystery, Susan Conant is a seven-time winner of the Dog Writers Association of America's coveted Maxwell Award. She has chronicled the adventures of dog writer and dog trainer Holly Winter and her Alaskan malamutes since 1990. When Sire and Damn opens, it's a hot August in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Holly's unexpectedly pregnant friend Rita is about to marry the pretentious Quinn Youngman. As Rita's and Quinn's variously and hilariously eccentric, hostile, duplicitous, kleptomaniacal, and pistol-packing relatives gather for the wedding, deceit is ubiquitous. Fibbing, cheating, and pilfering are one thing. Killing is another! Even a burglar deserves to live, doesn't he? But how can Holly tell truth from lies when no one's word is good? No human word, that is. Dogs don't lie, especially Holly's own bold and fearless Rowdy and psychiatric service dog Izzy, the most charming Labrador retriever ever to bound out of the pages of fiction and leap into the hearts of readers everywhere.An intriguing mystery and a novel of family relationships, Sire and Damn is above all else a dog story told with authenticity and wit. Dog lovers, come, sit, stay!

Genres: Mystery, Dogs, Animals

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2015

About the author

Librarian 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.

Reviews

[Georgie Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love dogs and mysteries!!

I came upon this author when reading a review if another's book. I'm glad I followed the advice to check out MS. Conant and her books.
Cleverly written, entertaining, fully developed characters provide a delightful read by Ms Conant. I enjoy learning about new locales, crafts, activities, and careers as I move through a good mystery. When a writer provides information in a subtle manner, I am drawn to such a talented craftsperson.
The mystery was well written. I felt certain that I knew who done it, but had my confidence shaken more than once as the story progressed. I love that in a mystery.
I would recommend this series to anyone who loves dogs as it is an education in itself. The dogs are wonderful characters as well as the various relationships they have with each owner. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book! Coming from a background in dog sports handling, I completely related with Holly's dog obsession. The author is obviously a talented wordsmith as well as adept at crafting a page turning plot. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Ilona E. Jurek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

This is a wonderful and exceptional example of Susan Conant's work. If you enjoyed any of her other novels, you will really enjoy this one. I am sad there's not another one available to read in this series.

[Lindsay InAustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's sad that these two most recent Holly Winter dog mysteries seem to be self published because I really enjoy them. They're heads and shoulders above so many of the themes cozies, both in characters and plot. And this one was no exception. No, the dogs don't talk (thank goodness! I can't stand talking animal mysteries, even if they just talk among themselves). But they are characters and beloved ones at that. If you love a good mystery, dogs, the Boston area or all of the above, give these books a try. I'm just hoping there are more coming!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as previous Conant books but still an enjoyable read - for people who do not dislike dogs. Some might find the protagonist's constant identification with dogs overwhelming.

Rita is pregnant and about to marry Quinn. For someone as straight laced as she, her relatives are rather unorthodox.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've come back to this series after a break, and while it was good to catch up with Holly, Steve, Rita and the dogs this particular book seemed to have too many complicated relationships to keep track of.

[Kathy]

A great cozy

I love this series by Susan Conant and have from book one . if you're like me and love a great cozy with characters you will love and a story that keeps you turning the page then this is a must read.

[Debi Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most recent of the series (as of this writing in late April 2018). I am hoping she writes more, but, in the meantime, this was as great as the rest in the series!

[Diedre Fenn McHugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book!

Susan Conant does it again. Another wonderful book in the world of Holly Winter and her dogs. I love these stories.

[RLBorton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too busy

I didn't realize written in first person. I. Usu ally avoid those because charaters seem to wander around too much in their heads confusionly loosng too much story line

[Rosanne Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I love her books and her love of dogs. I didn't know "who done it" until the very end. Well done!

[Janet Adkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read all of the Holly Winter mysteries and always enjoy them. I enjoyed this one although I didn't find it as compelling as most of the earlier books.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't even know this book was coming out, but the minute I saw it I bought it. The Holly Winter series really touches something in me.

I'm not sure what that something is because this series is not well plotted and the characters are more charming than complex.

Actually, I do know what it is... it's the dogs! It's the joy in briefly inhabiting a (fictional) mind that is as dog obsessed as I am.

This plot is, well, as logical as the average criminals mind. In some ways that makes sense, but in the end I was left wondering what on earth really happened.

**** PLOT SPOILERS ****

The "murder mystery" part of the plot goes like this (presented in chronological order, not the order presented in the book.)

Husband and wife are struggling and get a dog. In the course of the inevitable separation, husband gives dog to a cousin. Cousin falls madly in love with the dog. Time passes and the wife figures out the cousin has the dog. She convinces her cousins to help her by stealing the dog back. During the attempt to steal the dog, a visiting elderly relative sees the burglar and hits him on the head, killing him. The second cousin finds the first cousin and disposes of the body to (presumably) prevent anyone finding out about the burglary attempt. He then hatches his own plan to ransom the dog, cutting the wife out of the picture. The plan works but a final confrontation between the remaining cousin and the wife end with her death and him in a fatal car accident.

It still doesn't make a lot of sense in the end even though I've read it.

**** CHARACTER SPOILERS ****

Ignoring the "murder mystery" part, most of the action revolves around Rita and Quinn's marriage, their unexpected pregnancy, and their mentally unstable relatives (as well as a few nice ones.)

I'm not sure why the author gave the highly deserving Rita such as flacid mate, but I'm sure we haven't seen the end of this relationship. Still, I would have very much enjoyed her having a better partner. Maybe there is hope with the baby.

I liked that Steve was around and available during this book (lately he's been gone a lot for the stories.) I'm not sure why the OmniThrive situation and the argument about it was there (or why it wasn't resolved); while most of their relationship is dog-centric, this was an unresolved issue that still bothers me a little.

**** CONCLUSION & NOTES ****

I do hope Conant continues to write this series, though it would be enjoyable to get more frequent installments.

Notable firsts: Rita gets a 1st person point of view chapter. Rowdy gets one too, but it's not the first time for him.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sorry to finish this book because I waited almost four years for her to continue the series from Brute Strength. Enjoyed them all and wish there were more.

Mistress of the dog lover's mystery, Susan Conant is a seven-time winner of the Dog Writers Association of America's coveted Maxwell Award. She has chronicled the adventures of dog writer and dog trainer Holly Winter and her Alaskan malamutes since 1990. When Sire and Damn opens, it's a hot August in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Holly's unexpectedly pregnant friend Rita is about to marry the pretentious Quinn Youngman. As Rita's and Quinn's variously and hilariously eccentric, hostile, duplicitous, kleptomaniacal, and pistol-packing relatives gather for the wedding, deceit is ubiquitous. Fibbing, cheating, and pilfering are one thing. Killing is another! Even a burglar deserves to live, doesn't he? But how can Holly tell truth from lies when no one's word is good? No human word, that is. Dogs don't lie, especially Holly's own bold and fearless Rowdy and psychiatric service dog Izzy, the most charming Labrador retriever ever to bound out of the pages of fiction and leap into the hearts of readers everywhere.An intriguing mystery and a novel of family relationships, Sire and Damn is above all else a dog story told with authenticity and wit. Dog lovers, come, sit, stay!

[Linda Brue · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been quite a while since the last Holly Winter (Dog Lover's Series) book came out. This one came out in 2015, and I'm only getting to it now because of a constant backlog of library books! This time the "crime" seems not to be a crime, at least to me. But it doesn't matter, because this book is really about families. The old saying about not being able to pick your relatives is true, and shown here in all its glory. In particular, upstairs neighbor Rita's relatives. The occasion is Rita's marriage to Quinn, and all of her immediate relatives have gathered in Cambridge. Some crazy relatives may indeed put the "fun" in dysfunctional, but not this group. Somehow, in between all the drama and tension, Holly must manage to get Rita and Quinn to the altar, find lost dogs, keep all the relatives from killing each other, and unravel the mystery of who killed the burglar.

[Sheila Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled when my dog-loving friend told me that Susan Conant had written a new "Dog Lover's Mystery," the 20th in a delightful series. If you love dogs, enjoy a good, well-plotted mystery, and like to laugh, this book (and the whole series) is for you. The humor in these mysteries lies in narrator Holly Winter's extremely dog-centric worldview. This is the best, and funniest, series of dog mysteries ever!

[Jane Krovetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, great book!

This book keeps you interested. We meet Rita's family and they are an interesting bunch! I think I know now why Rita chose her career. Ms Conant's characters are richly developed and she spins a great tale. Added to the canine characters is a wonderful therapy dog, Izzy, who is in the mist of the adventure.

[Gail B Nickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very good story from Susan Conant

Rita is getting married with enough family to populate War and Peace. Those of us who recognize the recurring characters are very pleased to find out what happens when Rita finds out she's pregnant!

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read - liked revisiting these characters.

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is a paen to the love of dogs. Incidentally the main character Holly Winter solved murder mysteries. Easy fast reading fun

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, solid cozy mystery by Susan Conant. The plot wasn't entirely predictable which made it even more enjoyable. For dog lovers, it's worth reading.

[Skyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best of the excellent Dog Lover's Mystery series, although I advise starting with an earlier one as what I especially enjoy is the character development from one book to the next.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like dogs, cozy mysteries, and Susan Conant mysteries, this is a fun vacation read.

[Anne-Kathrine]

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