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A Dog Lover's Mystery #12
Evil Breeding
Dog's Life columnist Holly Winter has just landed a plum contract to write a book on Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge's legendary pre-World War II dog shows. Holly arranges to interview one of the last living participants in those fabulously opulent and exclusive shows: canine fancier B. Robert Motherway.
But there's something decidedly unsettling about the gracious old gent's imposing home with its acres of kennels. His dying wife wails piteously in an upstairs room, his servants are his sullen son and his downtrodden daughter-in-law, and his favorite German shepherd dog has an ill-bred snarl. Meanwhile, Holly's mail is laced with anonymous packages-old photographs, letters in German, and a brochure on pills for listless pooches.
Nothing makes sense until a garroted body is found in a nearby cemetery. Suddenly Holly and her Alaskan malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi, are on a seventy-year-old trail of deception, decadence, and death. And either they unearth the skeletons or join them.
From the Paperback edition.
But there's something decidedly unsettling about the gracious old gent's imposing home with its acres of kennels. His dying wife wails piteously in an upstairs room, his servants are his sullen son and his downtrodden daughter-in-law, and his favorite German shepherd dog has an ill-bred snarl. Meanwhile, Holly's mail is laced with anonymous packages-old photographs, letters in German, and a brochure on pills for listless pooches.
Nothing makes sense until a garroted body is found in a nearby cemetery. Suddenly Holly and her Alaskan malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi, are on a seventy-year-old trail of deception, decadence, and death. And either they unearth the skeletons or join them.
From the Paperback edition.
206 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 16, 1999
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233 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 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 28, 2014
I've always loved this series. But this has to be the best one yet in this series. Holly Winter, dog expert extraordinaire, is writing a book on the history of some dog shows in the Massachusetts area when she stumbles upon crime -- and murder!
This mystery isn't just your average - he deserved it cozy mystery. The plot in this one is much more involved and detailed than others. I really enjoyed it - as well as the humor Conant always adds to these books.
By the way, just what kind of person trains their dogs to sing as loud as possible whenever they hear sirens and reinforces that with a clicker? It took us years to cure our dogs of that!
This mystery isn't just your average - he deserved it cozy mystery. The plot in this one is much more involved and detailed than others. I really enjoyed it - as well as the humor Conant always adds to these books.
By the way, just what kind of person trains their dogs to sing as loud as possible whenever they hear sirens and reinforces that with a clicker? It took us years to cure our dogs of that!
January 10, 2021
I received this book through a friend-circle book swap. I was unaware it was #12 in a series, which likely explains my struggle. I know very little about dogs and even less about dog shows. So, having near zero knowledge of the culture and community shaping much of the book made it a slow read for me. The last quarter was my favorite because everything finally came together and had movement/action. Not having read the prev 11 in the series, my guess would be that if you came this far (book 12) that this is probably your preferred genre and this book would fit right in!
It is well edited and has some intriguing characters. If you like dogs and slow mystery build-ups, this would be a fine choice!
*I do appreciate the author's attempt to educate about breeds, shows, traditions, and historically significant canine moments.
It is well edited and has some intriguing characters. If you like dogs and slow mystery build-ups, this would be a fine choice!
*I do appreciate the author's attempt to educate about breeds, shows, traditions, and historically significant canine moments.
January 21, 2023
This series has been hit or miss for me. There is either a solid story or one, like this one, where there are seemingly never ending ramblings that seem to serve no purpose but to up the word count. If it weren't a book club read I would have DNF'd it. Some of the history was interesting, but the ongoing book report style of writing gets old fast.
November 23, 2017
Strangely enough, not my favorite book in the series. I didn't think the story lines melded together well. It was rather confusing at points, boring at others. I guess I needed more dog and less Nazi in the plot.
November 21, 2017
A cozy mystery involving eugenics, Nazis, an art heist and dogs. The author can get a little preachy regarding dogs and their care. This is one of her better books, with a solid mystery.
February 21, 2024
This was one of the first mystery series I ever read and I loved it and reread the entire set often. I wish she would write more but she has moved on to other series.
Dog's Life columnist Holly Winter has just landed a plum contract to write a book on Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge's legendary pre-World War II dog shows. Holly arranges to interview one of the last living participants in those fabulously opulent and exclusive shows: canine fancier B. Robert Motherway.
But there's something decidedly unsettling about the gracious old gent's imposing home with its acres of kennels. His dying wife wails piteously in an upstairs room, his servants are his sullen son and his downtrodden daughter-in-law, and his favorite German shepherd dog has an ill-bred snarl. Meanwhile, Holly's mail is laced with anonymous packages-old photographs, letters in German, and a brochure on pills for listless pooches.
Nothing makes sense until a garroted body is found in a nearby cemetery. Suddenly Holly and her Alaskan malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi, are on a seventy-year-old trail of deception, decadence, and death. And either they unearth the skeletons or join them.
Dog's Life columnist Holly Winter has just landed a plum contract to write a book on Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge's legendary pre-World War II dog shows. Holly arranges to interview one of the last living participants in those fabulously opulent and exclusive shows: canine fancier B. Robert Motherway.
But there's something decidedly unsettling about the gracious old gent's imposing home with its acres of kennels. His dying wife wails piteously in an upstairs room, his servants are his sullen son and his downtrodden daughter-in-law, and his favorite German shepherd dog has an ill-bred snarl. Meanwhile, Holly's mail is laced with anonymous packages-old photographs, letters in German, and a brochure on pills for listless pooches.
Nothing makes sense until a garroted body is found in a nearby cemetery. Suddenly Holly and her Alaskan malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi, are on a seventy-year-old trail of deception, decadence, and death. And either they unearth the skeletons or join them.
September 4, 2012
I didn't even bother to read after chapter 2 i thought it was really boring. I do love dogs (and cats) but honestly I couldn't get past how dull and boring this book was. It left such an impression that I don't think I'll give Susan Conant another chance.
If you are in to the technical, dog show type of thing than this book is for you.
I didn't even stick it out to see if it gets any better.
If you are in to the technical, dog show type of thing than this book is for you.
I didn't even stick it out to see if it gets any better.
April 13, 2008
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.
The author does not disappoint. The books are witty, informational, and quick-reads, without being too predictable.
July 22, 2012
love this series of mysteries. Evil Breeding was especially fun with heroine delving into history of dogs shows. The authentic Boston setting is another reason I find this one of the best dog themed series. Though I wonder why the ending did not tie up the deceitful breeding practices of the villain’s family. I really like how she described steps in her research like a real freelance journalist.
February 28, 2018
I'm re reading this excellent series, working back through the older ones. I especially liked that in this book, Holly Winters struggles with being poor, unable to avoid the fees for dog shows and struggling with overdue bills and an unreliable car. The ongoing personal story of Holly is even more gripping to me than the mysteries.
February 16, 2009
Slow moving mystery featuring a dog owner who becomes involved with a disfunctional family while researching for a book about the leading American dog show before WWII. The story line involves murder, a major art theft several years previous to this stry, and possible connections to Nazi Germany.
April 2, 2011
This installment of the Holly Winter mysteries was tedious and dull. The author couldn't decide whether to focus on an historical dog show or Nazi Germany and she didn't do a very good job of joining the two topics.
March 31, 2011
guessed the key too soon, denoument too long
October 30, 2012
Enjoyed the dog show history portion but the wrapup of the plot was pretty lame. I do enjoy the series but this was hard to finish.
July 21, 2013
good but she was on her soap box too much of the time
January 22, 2016
If you are a lover of dog based mysteries, this book will fit the bill. I usually really enjoy Ms. Conant, but this was a slower read than usual.
July 23, 2011
Didn't like it.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews