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A Dog Lover's Mystery #15
The Dogfather
Holly Winter's got a hot new gig: dog trainer to the Mob. Big Boss Enzio Guarini has recruited her to train his new pup. But when Guarini's right-hand man is shot dead, Holly's caught between a violent vendetta and a family well-trained in murder.
from the back cover:
It's an offer dog handler Holly Winter can't refuse: train wiseguy Enzio Guarini's new Elkhound puppy, Frey. But can she ignore the fact that Guarini's killed so many people even the FBI's lost count? Hardly. One day into training and Guarini's right-hand man is shot dead. The official story is a heart attack. Holly knows better. Between jump-starting a romance on the side and teaching a Mob pup to fetch, she's found herself in the middle of a vendetta with a family well-trained in murder. And it's going to take more than an understanding of the animal instinct to get away without getting bitten.
from the back cover:
It's an offer dog handler Holly Winter can't refuse: train wiseguy Enzio Guarini's new Elkhound puppy, Frey. But can she ignore the fact that Guarini's killed so many people even the FBI's lost count? Hardly. One day into training and Guarini's right-hand man is shot dead. The official story is a heart attack. Holly knows better. Between jump-starting a romance on the side and teaching a Mob pup to fetch, she's found herself in the middle of a vendetta with a family well-trained in murder. And it's going to take more than an understanding of the animal instinct to get away without getting bitten.
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 4, 2003
2 people are currently reading
256 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 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 25, 2015
I love this series! I love the dogs! But, on top of that, Susan Conant is just fun to read. In this particular book, she has gotten past the angst of the prior book where
This story was a great send up of The Godfather, but not only that, it had a character named Blackie who was an informant for the FBI. (Hmmm.... that sounds familiar.)
She also gives a great sense of place and people when she describes Boston and its environs and most especially Cambridge and its denizens. (Love the statement she makes about how Baptist fundamentalists would have an easier time getting converts in Beirut, than Mormons would in Cambridge!)
This story was a great send up of The Godfather, but not only that, it had a character named Blackie who was an informant for the FBI. (Hmmm.... that sounds familiar.)
She also gives a great sense of place and people when she describes Boston and its environs and most especially Cambridge and its denizens. (Love the statement she makes about how Baptist fundamentalists would have an easier time getting converts in Beirut, than Mormons would in Cambridge!)
May 15, 2012
I have had it with judgmental, selfish and morally confused Holly. She justifies working for a mobster who she knows kills people because he loves dogs and she needs the money. This is the same woman who would't accept a gift of a new car she desperately needed from another man because she hadn't earned the money to buy it herself. She hates anyone overweight with a passion and I'm so tired of her instant value judgements. I can't stand Holly, I think the writing is mediocre and the plot ridiculous. And I think her insistence that she's a great trainer and that she loves her dogs more than anything is bullshit. They spend most of their time in cages. I think crate training is great but by the time dogs are the age of hers they should be able to hang around the house when she's not there not in a tiny kennel. If she can't train them to not be destructive then she shouldn't be training dogs at all.
December 1, 2022
This is definitely not a book I would have selected. Truth be told, my mom gave it to me and I gave it a try yesterday. It was a fairly quick read and I was mildly interested. Some of me was hoping it overall would have been better for me. I wasn't a fan of the main character; not that she was a bad person but I just didn't want to follow her and hear her thoughts.
February 1, 2025
its meh, wouldn't recommend it or re read it. the main character is strongly dislike able. Honestly, the story repeats so many thing and talks about so many things that don't matter. maybe it would be different if i read the books before this one, but i don't think so.
the writing style is good, and i like her way of describing things. but i feel like this book should have honestly been half the size. its more about details of her life and past and less about the mobsters dog and the trouble she gets into.
the writing style is good, and i like her way of describing things. but i feel like this book should have honestly been half the size. its more about details of her life and past and less about the mobsters dog and the trouble she gets into.
August 7, 2020
One of Susan Conant's best in this series. A well done story, written with Conant's usual intelligence and wit, laced with good dog training tips and philosophies. The setting provides insight into life in the Cambridge, MA area. This is a very enjoyable read that holds up and entertains 16 years after publication.
April 20, 2023
Kinda more of the same -- Holly goes to another dog show and we have an hour by hour rehashing of what happened at the show and in other books. There is some humor with how she depicts Mafia actions. We don't get to the sleuthing aspect until almost page 200 of a 259 page book.
September 17, 2025
Not much for plot development until near the end. I did enjoy how they caught the killer, or shall I say killed the killer. Quick and easy read if you are not looking for anything too deep. Always love books that contain dogs and dog training ideas.
November 24, 2017
Quick read a bit far "fetch" ed.
April 26, 2018
I love Susan Conant's books! I'm in the process of "catching up". Great mystery, wonderful characters & just the right amount of humor.
May 26, 2021
Closer to 3 1/2 stars
A quick read that is enjoyable, but nothing exceptional. If you like dogs & light mysteries, you would enjoy this series.
A quick read that is enjoyable, but nothing exceptional. If you like dogs & light mysteries, you would enjoy this series.
September 6, 2025
Fun easy read
August 23, 2010
The Dogfather is subtitled, “A Dog Lover’s Mystery,” and indeed it is. Emphasis more on “dog lovers” than mystery, at least in the case of The Dogfather.
This story was fun to read, as are all of her books. Conant writes with humor and special insight into the life of a dog owner. In The Dogfather, protagonist Holly Winter has received an offer she can’t refuse: help a Mafia boss train his new Elkhound puppy.
Before long, Holly finds herself in the middle of a family vendetta between two rival mob bosses. Mixed in with the likable owner of the puppy are parodies of mob stereotypes, and a potential romance with an old boyfriend.
Holly’s own dogs of choice are Alaskan malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi. Since I’m a dog person, the scenes with the pups keep me chuckling. It took a while for the mystery portion of the book to kick in, but with the humor in Conant’s writing it almost didn’t matter.
I’ve read several of Conant’s dog lover’s mysteries, and enjoyed them all. The books are intended for the general market, and as such contain a sprinkling of salty language. If that’s not an issue for you, by all means read The Dogfather, or any other Susan Conant books you come across. You’ll enjoy them.
This story was fun to read, as are all of her books. Conant writes with humor and special insight into the life of a dog owner. In The Dogfather, protagonist Holly Winter has received an offer she can’t refuse: help a Mafia boss train his new Elkhound puppy.
Before long, Holly finds herself in the middle of a family vendetta between two rival mob bosses. Mixed in with the likable owner of the puppy are parodies of mob stereotypes, and a potential romance with an old boyfriend.
Holly’s own dogs of choice are Alaskan malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi. Since I’m a dog person, the scenes with the pups keep me chuckling. It took a while for the mystery portion of the book to kick in, but with the humor in Conant’s writing it almost didn’t matter.
I’ve read several of Conant’s dog lover’s mysteries, and enjoyed them all. The books are intended for the general market, and as such contain a sprinkling of salty language. If that’s not an issue for you, by all means read The Dogfather, or any other Susan Conant books you come across. You’ll enjoy them.
February 22, 2024
A good read :-)
Holly Winter's got a hot new gig: dog trainer to the Mob. Big Boss Enzio Guarini has recruited her to train his new pup. But when Guarini's right-hand man is shot dead, Holly's caught between a violent vendetta and a family well-trained in murder.
It's an offer dog handler Holly Winter can't refuse: train wiseguy Enzio Guarini's new Elkhound puppy, Frey. But can she ignore the fact that Guarini's killed so many people even the FBI's lost count? Hardly. One day into training and Guarini's right-hand man is shot dead. The official story is a heart attack. Holly knows better. Between jump-starting a romance on the side and teaching a Mob pup to fetch, she's found herself in the middle of a vendetta with a family well-trained in murder. And it's going to take more than an understanding of the animal instinct to get away without getting bitten.
Holly Winter's got a hot new gig: dog trainer to the Mob. Big Boss Enzio Guarini has recruited her to train his new pup. But when Guarini's right-hand man is shot dead, Holly's caught between a violent vendetta and a family well-trained in murder.
It's an offer dog handler Holly Winter can't refuse: train wiseguy Enzio Guarini's new Elkhound puppy, Frey. But can she ignore the fact that Guarini's killed so many people even the FBI's lost count? Hardly. One day into training and Guarini's right-hand man is shot dead. The official story is a heart attack. Holly knows better. Between jump-starting a romance on the side and teaching a Mob pup to fetch, she's found herself in the middle of a vendetta with a family well-trained in murder. And it's going to take more than an understanding of the animal instinct to get away without getting bitten.
February 28, 2008
Susan Conant's doglover's books are great!!! The main character, Holly Winter, has two alaskan malamutes and always seems to run into a mystery. The books revolve around the dog world - obedience, training, breeding. If you weren't a dog lover before, you will be after reading her books.
This particular book is where Holly is asked to train a puppy of a gangster. It's really funny and also really helpful in terms of training tips.
This particular book is where Holly is asked to train a puppy of a gangster. It's really funny and also really helpful in terms of training tips.
March 18, 2008
I particularly enjoyed this mob-themed edition.
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.
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.
February 26, 2009
Another in the Holly Winter mystery series. Dog lover, trainer, writer, Holly finds herself involved with a mafia godfather who is also a dog lover. As she helps train his dog, she encounters murder, car bombings, and attempted murder. Those events serve as the background to Holly's dog activities and ravings about her Malamutes for too much dog stuff and not enough mystery.
January 29, 2014
Just the silliest book! I read it because I am interested in organised crime and thought this might be a different take on it. Well, it was that, but I think it's strictly one for people as obsessed with dogs as the author. I consider myself a dog-lover, but not at that level. Funny in places, but overall, just rather silly.
March 4, 2011
This was an enjoyable mystery. The addition of dog training information was interesting to me and Holly's love life was pepped up to possible relationship. This was a great improvement over the last Susan Conant mystery I read.
January 22, 2009
Umm, I got this on loan from an 11-year-old I babysit.
June 13, 2009
This has got to be one of her best--I literally couldn't put it down; humorous & sinister; a very good read.
January 25, 2010
Again, not a challenging or intellectual read, but being a dog lover, this book was fun. She also has a quirky sense of humor that is enjoyable.
March 9, 2011
Me thinks this was the best yet! I like some of these last few when she takes a subject, such as Sherlock or the Godfather, and she turns it into the storyline in full. Love it!
February 4, 2023
A new puppy. Need I say more?
April 19, 2013
Love her work and her story.
August 13, 2016
This was very good. A little slow at times, but kinda twisty and entertaining. I will def read her other books!
March 23, 2014
As always the light mysteries of unabashed dog-lover (specifically Malamutes) Conant, are entertaining and simple to read.
May 8, 2016
love it
November 30, 2015
These books are light and enjoyable, the best of the "dog mystery" series that I've run across.
March 31, 2011
fast-paced, engaging, credible even with mobsters
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews