What do you think?
Rate this book
Three Oaks #1
Dog in the Dark
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B07QM5XY51
Ex-army Captain John Cunningham, a Falklands war veteran, is making the transition back into civilian life.
After investing in a property in the Lowlands, Three Oaks Farm, Cunningham starts kennels for breeding and training gun dogs. The farm is in the middle of dog-breeding country. Neighbour Joe Little raises Labradors; Laura Daiches and Olive Cory, who live next to each other, also raise spaniels, but strictly for show - and never fail to express contempt for Cunningham's working dogs.
But the dog breeding world proves to be a ruthlessly competitive business, where enemies are easily made. Especially when a rival breeder is murdered, and Cunningham is framed for the crime...
Ex-army Captain John Cunningham, a Falklands war veteran, is making the transition back into civilian life.
After investing in a property in the Lowlands, Three Oaks Farm, Cunningham starts kennels for breeding and training gun dogs. The farm is in the middle of dog-breeding country. Neighbour Joe Little raises Labradors; Laura Daiches and Olive Cory, who live next to each other, also raise spaniels, but strictly for show - and never fail to express contempt for Cunningham's working dogs.
But the dog breeding world proves to be a ruthlessly competitive business, where enemies are easily made. Especially when a rival breeder is murdered, and Cunningham is framed for the crime...
196 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1989
503 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Hammond
100 books19 followersGerald Hammond, (Gerald Arthur Douglas Hammond) son of Frederick Arthur Lucas (a physician) and Maria Birnie (a nursing sister) Hammond; married Gilda Isobel Watt (a nurse), August 20, 1952; children: Peter, David, Steven. Education: Aberdeen School of Architecture, Dip. Arch., 1952. He served in the British Army, 1944-45. Although born in Bournemouth, Hampshire, England, he worked in and retired to the country he most loved, Scotland.
He also writes under the names of Arthur Douglas and Dalby Holden. He was an architect for thirty years before retiring to write novels full-time in 1982. He has written over 50 novels since the late 1960s.
His novels center around guns, shooting, hunting, fishing, and dog training.
He also writes under the names of Arthur Douglas and Dalby Holden. He was an architect for thirty years before retiring to write novels full-time in 1982. He has written over 50 novels since the late 1960s.
His novels center around guns, shooting, hunting, fishing, and dog training.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
October 23, 2022
Wonderful characters
Review of Kindle edition
Publisher: Endeavour Media
Idioma: English
ASIN: B07QM5XY51
196 pages
There is a good mystery here but just as with his Keith Calder series, Hammond entertains with characters, places, and, particularly in the Three Oaks series, dogs. Generally speaking, people, time and place are equally as important as the mystery in Hammond's books. And of course there are DOGS - working dogs, show dogs and dog lore
This first volume in the Three Oaks series is available through Kindle Unlimited.
Review of Kindle edition
Publisher: Endeavour Media
Idioma: English
ASIN: B07QM5XY51
196 pages
There is a good mystery here but just as with his Keith Calder series, Hammond entertains with characters, places, and, particularly in the Three Oaks series, dogs. Generally speaking, people, time and place are equally as important as the mystery in Hammond's books. And of course there are DOGS - working dogs, show dogs and dog lore
This first volume in the Three Oaks series is available through Kindle Unlimited.
August 16, 2020
Interesting mystery
While the book was essentially a mystery, it did teach me a lot about running a kennel and about dog training. With a neat premise and simple language, the author gets through the story in a simple way as the mystery unfolds amidst the happenings of the MC’s mysterious ailment and how he deals with it, in the aftermath. The characters especially were a beautiful plus point in the story.
Overall, enjoyable read
While the book was essentially a mystery, it did teach me a lot about running a kennel and about dog training. With a neat premise and simple language, the author gets through the story in a simple way as the mystery unfolds amidst the happenings of the MC’s mysterious ailment and how he deals with it, in the aftermath. The characters especially were a beautiful plus point in the story.
Overall, enjoyable read
September 17, 2015
This is the first book by Scottish writer Gerald Hammond that I've read, and it won't be my last. Dog in the Dark is characterized by a well-plotted mystery, three fleshed-out primary characters that readers grow to know and like, and a simple, straightforward prose style that's like slipping into your favorite pair of flannel pajamas on a cold winter night.
John Cunningham isn't your usual main character. He's hounded by a mysterious ailment that strikes suddenly and repeatedly, leaving him weak and in bed. He's smart and observant, and when he isn't solving the mystery, he's sharing lots of lore on dog training and breeding.
Gerald Hammond's writing isn't flashy, and it's not going to make you sit back and murmur, "Wow!" It's not the kind of writing that wins tons of awards. But sometimes quiet is the best. Sometimes quiet slips a lot more past you. When I finished reading Dog in the Dark, I sat back and thought to myself, "Now, I really liked that! I want more."
John Cunningham isn't your usual main character. He's hounded by a mysterious ailment that strikes suddenly and repeatedly, leaving him weak and in bed. He's smart and observant, and when he isn't solving the mystery, he's sharing lots of lore on dog training and breeding.
Gerald Hammond's writing isn't flashy, and it's not going to make you sit back and murmur, "Wow!" It's not the kind of writing that wins tons of awards. But sometimes quiet is the best. Sometimes quiet slips a lot more past you. When I finished reading Dog in the Dark, I sat back and thought to myself, "Now, I really liked that! I want more."
December 26, 2022
I looked at reviews from others out there and several seem to be better summaries of the good and of things that are peeves of some people. I will write about what I liked in the book.
The writer is Scottish and setting is in the UK and the book was published in 1989 so it has a nice ‘different’ feel to me. Some attitudes or references of women probably are not PC by today’s standards. There is a dash of adultery in the book and the way the husband reacted I thought had a 1970’s feel to it. The main character in the book breeds and trains hunting dogs, and hunting can be a trigger for some people nowadays. I liked the specifics of the mystery but agree with others the ending felt a bit rushed. Now that I have those details out of the way, I can talk about aspects of the book that I would like to talk about.
In the author’s note before the book starts, G.H. writes ‘My own fancy is for Labradors, but Labs are too predictable for such a story as this.’ So he turns it over to spaniels. Then in the book, there is some fun sparring between a Lab breeder and the main character of the book, John Cunningham, a Falklands war veteran, who chooses to open a breeding and training kennel for Springer Spaniels. (I seriously thought of getting a Springer but glad my wife steered me to a cockapoo.) I have enjoyed sparring over the merits of other hunting breeds in other books, most recently between setters and pointers, and the argument often is good fun to me. Here is a couple of excerpts from this book:
Joe showed me his neat kennels and his complement of Labradors, and I met Mr and Mrs Fettle, the elderly couple who looked after the daily management. Joe seemed to have plenty of time to spare. ‘But,’ he said with a sideways glance, ‘you can fully train a Labrador while a spaniel’s still scratching itself.’ He was waiting for me to point out that the Labrador, being a retriever and therefore expected to do no more than wait beside his master until there was quarry to be fetched, had little to learn beyond what a puppy did naturally, while a spaniel had to hunt without chasing, distinguish wounded game from that which was sitting tight and resist the constant temptation to chase. There was even a vestige of truth in what he said. Because of their eagerness and sheer joie de vivre, spaniels can be hard work.
And in another passage, there is:
Joe said. ‘He could certainly do the training if you could look after the rest. It’s my experience that you can teach a puppy the rudiments of retrieving without getting out of your armchair.’
‘Training a spaniel to quest without chasing takes a little more application,’ Mrs Kitts said severely. ‘You’re a lazy devil, Joe. I think that that’s why you stick to Labradors.’
Joe laughed and nearly choked on his food. ‘Anybody who chooses to work with spaniels,’ he said, wiping his eyes, ‘would make love standing up in a hammock, just to make life difficult.’
And another from someone who has had to much to drink:
For a moment his voice stilled the hubbub in the room. Dogs can arouse grander passions then love. ‘A retriever’s s’posed to retrieve what’s shot yes? ‘Sall right for you. Spaniels only have to rampage around the bushes, scaring out anything that’s stupid enough to pay attention to them. They can’t retrieve worth a damn anyway.’
The idea of having a kennel on a good sized property is appealing so it is fun to feel a part of that. I don’t like the thought of leaving dogs alone in kennels though and I know it would be a ton of work as this excerpt refers to:
‘There’s no such word as “finish” in the vocabulary of a working kennel,’ I said. ‘By then, it’ll be feeding time. It’s always feeding time or cleaning-out time or walking time.’
‘Or singing them to sleep time?’
‘Now you’re getting it.’ I said.
I also enjoyed the scuffling in the book over the topic of working dogs and show dogs with the attitude of the main character (and probably the author) reflected in this part:
'As I told the Sergeant, I never sold my pups to non-shooting homes. It would have been like selling a favourite daughter into a harem. A dog is happiest doing what it is bred for, and very few breeds were intended to be pets.'
In the book there is talk about guns and adaptors forced on them because of the strict gun laws in the UK. I learned there is a rifled adaptor tube you can put into a shotgun to fire two-two rifle cartridges or blanks out of it.
As far as the mystery goes, I almost never figure them out on my own. This one seemed plausible when things are explained to me in the end. I would be interested if the ‘true’ mystery book fans are able to figure it out before told in the end. I know that some of those ‘true’ mystery book fans would find too much space is taken up in this book about kennels and training, but as I am a ‘mystery + dog’ book fan, I loved all those type of details.
I would really like to read more in this series, but my first goal is to eventually read book 1 of all the ‘mystery + dog’ series. So far, I have only read book 1 of about 12 of the 44 ‘mystery + dog’ book series I have identified. In my quest to find the ‘best’ dog books, I am still on the hunt for the best ‘mystery + dog’ books and would love to hear from others on their vote in this category.
To finish up this review I would say I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
The writer is Scottish and setting is in the UK and the book was published in 1989 so it has a nice ‘different’ feel to me. Some attitudes or references of women probably are not PC by today’s standards. There is a dash of adultery in the book and the way the husband reacted I thought had a 1970’s feel to it. The main character in the book breeds and trains hunting dogs, and hunting can be a trigger for some people nowadays. I liked the specifics of the mystery but agree with others the ending felt a bit rushed. Now that I have those details out of the way, I can talk about aspects of the book that I would like to talk about.
In the author’s note before the book starts, G.H. writes ‘My own fancy is for Labradors, but Labs are too predictable for such a story as this.’ So he turns it over to spaniels. Then in the book, there is some fun sparring between a Lab breeder and the main character of the book, John Cunningham, a Falklands war veteran, who chooses to open a breeding and training kennel for Springer Spaniels. (I seriously thought of getting a Springer but glad my wife steered me to a cockapoo.) I have enjoyed sparring over the merits of other hunting breeds in other books, most recently between setters and pointers, and the argument often is good fun to me. Here is a couple of excerpts from this book:
Joe showed me his neat kennels and his complement of Labradors, and I met Mr and Mrs Fettle, the elderly couple who looked after the daily management. Joe seemed to have plenty of time to spare. ‘But,’ he said with a sideways glance, ‘you can fully train a Labrador while a spaniel’s still scratching itself.’ He was waiting for me to point out that the Labrador, being a retriever and therefore expected to do no more than wait beside his master until there was quarry to be fetched, had little to learn beyond what a puppy did naturally, while a spaniel had to hunt without chasing, distinguish wounded game from that which was sitting tight and resist the constant temptation to chase. There was even a vestige of truth in what he said. Because of their eagerness and sheer joie de vivre, spaniels can be hard work.
And in another passage, there is:
Joe said. ‘He could certainly do the training if you could look after the rest. It’s my experience that you can teach a puppy the rudiments of retrieving without getting out of your armchair.’
‘Training a spaniel to quest without chasing takes a little more application,’ Mrs Kitts said severely. ‘You’re a lazy devil, Joe. I think that that’s why you stick to Labradors.’
Joe laughed and nearly choked on his food. ‘Anybody who chooses to work with spaniels,’ he said, wiping his eyes, ‘would make love standing up in a hammock, just to make life difficult.’
And another from someone who has had to much to drink:
For a moment his voice stilled the hubbub in the room. Dogs can arouse grander passions then love. ‘A retriever’s s’posed to retrieve what’s shot yes? ‘Sall right for you. Spaniels only have to rampage around the bushes, scaring out anything that’s stupid enough to pay attention to them. They can’t retrieve worth a damn anyway.’
The idea of having a kennel on a good sized property is appealing so it is fun to feel a part of that. I don’t like the thought of leaving dogs alone in kennels though and I know it would be a ton of work as this excerpt refers to:
‘There’s no such word as “finish” in the vocabulary of a working kennel,’ I said. ‘By then, it’ll be feeding time. It’s always feeding time or cleaning-out time or walking time.’
‘Or singing them to sleep time?’
‘Now you’re getting it.’ I said.
I also enjoyed the scuffling in the book over the topic of working dogs and show dogs with the attitude of the main character (and probably the author) reflected in this part:
'As I told the Sergeant, I never sold my pups to non-shooting homes. It would have been like selling a favourite daughter into a harem. A dog is happiest doing what it is bred for, and very few breeds were intended to be pets.'
In the book there is talk about guns and adaptors forced on them because of the strict gun laws in the UK. I learned there is a rifled adaptor tube you can put into a shotgun to fire two-two rifle cartridges or blanks out of it.
As far as the mystery goes, I almost never figure them out on my own. This one seemed plausible when things are explained to me in the end. I would be interested if the ‘true’ mystery book fans are able to figure it out before told in the end. I know that some of those ‘true’ mystery book fans would find too much space is taken up in this book about kennels and training, but as I am a ‘mystery + dog’ book fan, I loved all those type of details.
I would really like to read more in this series, but my first goal is to eventually read book 1 of all the ‘mystery + dog’ series. So far, I have only read book 1 of about 12 of the 44 ‘mystery + dog’ book series I have identified. In my quest to find the ‘best’ dog books, I am still on the hunt for the best ‘mystery + dog’ books and would love to hear from others on their vote in this category.
To finish up this review I would say I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
December 2, 2022
Ex-Armed Forces John Cunningham sets up a springer spaniel dog breeding and training kennels in Fife, Scotland. Read how John gets on starting his new business, what problems he solves including the murder of another dog breeder nearby.
Although I am not a fan of spaniels as a dog breed, I did enjoy reading Dog in the Dark. I think all dog owners will love this book for what it is. I feel that Dog in the Dark is a cosy mystery and not a cutting edge crime/thriller. This book was written in 1989 but do not let that put you off as it does not appear dated.
I enjoyed the main focus of this book which concerns dog breeding and training. A full explanation of the differences between show-bench and working gundog spaniels was explored and I found it very informative, making me believe that John was doing the right things for the breed’s future.
I liked the pace of this book and found it a comfortable and entertaining read. There was also a little romance along the way! The murder was a good sub-plot with all the finger pointing to find the whodunnit?
There was great sadness however towards the end of this book which overshadowed the murder. The tale of Ben, a springer spaniel with health problems, brought tears to my eyes.
I think Dog in the Dark is a GOOD 4 star read that is an adult and intelligent cosy mystery that should appeal to all dog owners, regardless of which breed their pet belongs to.
Although I am not a fan of spaniels as a dog breed, I did enjoy reading Dog in the Dark. I think all dog owners will love this book for what it is. I feel that Dog in the Dark is a cosy mystery and not a cutting edge crime/thriller. This book was written in 1989 but do not let that put you off as it does not appear dated.
I enjoyed the main focus of this book which concerns dog breeding and training. A full explanation of the differences between show-bench and working gundog spaniels was explored and I found it very informative, making me believe that John was doing the right things for the breed’s future.
I liked the pace of this book and found it a comfortable and entertaining read. There was also a little romance along the way! The murder was a good sub-plot with all the finger pointing to find the whodunnit?
There was great sadness however towards the end of this book which overshadowed the murder. The tale of Ben, a springer spaniel with health problems, brought tears to my eyes.
I think Dog in the Dark is a GOOD 4 star read that is an adult and intelligent cosy mystery that should appeal to all dog owners, regardless of which breed their pet belongs to.
Want to read
August 11, 2020Lume Books (Endeavour)
October 12, 2020
Well thought out
This was a very carefully planned and well thought out story. I did find the whole book very slow paced though. Great I suppose if you want a slow steady build to suspense and a lot of hunting dogs talk and hunting dog training and guns talk.
This was a very carefully planned and well thought out story. I did find the whole book very slow paced though. Great I suppose if you want a slow steady build to suspense and a lot of hunting dogs talk and hunting dog training and guns talk.
Read
September 1, 2020I first read this series twenty years ago, but I realized that I'd never read the first one. I enjoyed this one as much now as I did all the others (there are 13 in all) so many years ago.
This series follows John Cunningham, a soldier who's been retired from the service for health reasons which are not explained right away. At odds, he stays with his brother and shows his two Springer Spaniels in field trials. Stopping right here: if bird hunting bothers you (it's not my favorite thing either), this is not the series for you. There's only a few descriptions of dogs working the fields but there are birds and rabbits involved. It's not a major focus of the book, and I really enjoyed the descriptions of training working dogs. At any rate, John meets someone who tells him about land nearby, and John meets up with Isobel, a non-practicing vet and dog pedigree expert, and at the behest of their mutual friend, they build kennels and start Three Oaks, training gun dogs, raising puppies, and competing in field trials championships. Down in the small village, near Fife, two ladies breed pet Springer's, and there are some choice arguments against beautiful but dumb kennel club show dogs and doing what they're bred for but not as beautiful working dogs. We follow John through his illness, which comes and goes and makes him weak at times. A young woman joins the staff to care for the dogs. The business does well, but one of the show dog ladies is murdered, and everyone in the village is a suspect. The details of running working dog kennels and how to train dogs are fascinating, and there's a heart tugging side story where John against his better judgment reluctantly agreed to try to board and train Ben, one if those beautiful but seemingly untrainable show dogs that must be tamed before his owners have their baby or he's out of a home. John softens and Ben has a happy, if uncertain health wise, reunion with his loving owners, now a well-trained boy. The mystery is solved satisfactorily, and readers are left wanting to pull up to the table in the cozy kitchen with the dogs, the humans, and Isobel's reams of pedigree papers. This is a warm series about the relationships between working dogs and humans.
This series follows John Cunningham, a soldier who's been retired from the service for health reasons which are not explained right away. At odds, he stays with his brother and shows his two Springer Spaniels in field trials. Stopping right here: if bird hunting bothers you (it's not my favorite thing either), this is not the series for you. There's only a few descriptions of dogs working the fields but there are birds and rabbits involved. It's not a major focus of the book, and I really enjoyed the descriptions of training working dogs. At any rate, John meets someone who tells him about land nearby, and John meets up with Isobel, a non-practicing vet and dog pedigree expert, and at the behest of their mutual friend, they build kennels and start Three Oaks, training gun dogs, raising puppies, and competing in field trials championships. Down in the small village, near Fife, two ladies breed pet Springer's, and there are some choice arguments against beautiful but dumb kennel club show dogs and doing what they're bred for but not as beautiful working dogs. We follow John through his illness, which comes and goes and makes him weak at times. A young woman joins the staff to care for the dogs. The business does well, but one of the show dog ladies is murdered, and everyone in the village is a suspect. The details of running working dog kennels and how to train dogs are fascinating, and there's a heart tugging side story where John against his better judgment reluctantly agreed to try to board and train Ben, one if those beautiful but seemingly untrainable show dogs that must be tamed before his owners have their baby or he's out of a home. John softens and Ben has a happy, if uncertain health wise, reunion with his loving owners, now a well-trained boy. The mystery is solved satisfactorily, and readers are left wanting to pull up to the table in the cozy kitchen with the dogs, the humans, and Isobel's reams of pedigree papers. This is a warm series about the relationships between working dogs and humans.
September 8, 2020
I really did not enjoy this book. There was a lot of backstory that was never explained. The friendships happened quickly and did not seem real. At one point the main character, John Cunningham, is having sex with his business partner who is married and the women's husband does not seem to mind. In fact the husband encourages it even though the John does not actually want to have sex with her. This was so gross to me, I really could not get past it. Probably the worse part was the ending where John and Beth, his kennel assistant, solve the crime. It was like they just decided this is how it happened and they managed to convince the police to see it the same way. It really seemed liked the author was done writing the book and just wanted to finish. I often give a series a second chance, I will not be doing that for this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2021
Dog in the Dark — Review (5 ***** )
I am a committed dog-lover, so I was intrigued by the title and hooked by some good reviews.
Despite having a murder, this book is a gentle, slow-moving story, full of wonderful and complex people. Dogs and hunting form a significant part of the book, but also give the context of these people in where they are, and why they’re there.
Some reviewers were crital of the emphasis on dogs and guns. You can take as little, or as much, of the kennel operations and gun-facts as you like, and still have a good story left. Add in a good selection of neighbours and townsfolk, nasty and nice, and I think we have an excellent read.
August 21, 2020
Different but kept my interest.
I read 100's of books. I think I kept reading this because I liked the fact that it was so different from most if the books I read. It had dogs in it, but not in a warm fuzzy way. It took awhile for the mystery aspect of it to happen. It had a bit of romance but not till the very end. I found the writing to be kind of cold, but I decided it was written by a man, and one from another country so expressions and style of writing was unique to me. I felt it ended rather abruptly but he did wrap up the story lines.
I read 100's of books. I think I kept reading this because I liked the fact that it was so different from most if the books I read. It had dogs in it, but not in a warm fuzzy way. It took awhile for the mystery aspect of it to happen. It had a bit of romance but not till the very end. I found the writing to be kind of cold, but I decided it was written by a man, and one from another country so expressions and style of writing was unique to me. I felt it ended rather abruptly but he did wrap up the story lines.
June 9, 2020
This has the feeling of a slightly mournful and bad-tempered Dick Francis, which from me is a compliment. I was immediately drawn into the world of dog-training and eager to learn more (the reason I like Dick Francis is that I always learn something from them). In the end the plot was quite good but some of the attitudes felt more dated than the late 1980s. Still, I liked the general idea and several of the relationships, and might well go back for another one.
August 25, 2020
Terrific reading
This has everything. Romance for the recovering soldier who wasn't really a battle casualty but an unfortunate who develo o ed a debiltating disease whilst out in the East. A sometimes alcoholic veterinary trained middle aged woman and a very demure an r young looking girl who as an adept kennel maid brings the whole dog breeding 'family' together. A truly enthralling book which exceeded expectations . Highly recommended
This has everything. Romance for the recovering soldier who wasn't really a battle casualty but an unfortunate who develo o ed a debiltating disease whilst out in the East. A sometimes alcoholic veterinary trained middle aged woman and a very demure an r young looking girl who as an adept kennel maid brings the whole dog breeding 'family' together. A truly enthralling book which exceeded expectations . Highly recommended
September 8, 2020
Delightful!
I enjoyed learning about breeding and training dogs, and along the way there was a plot with murder and a bevy of suspects. The characters are developed at just the right pace, and surprises are sometimes gentle and sometimes abrupt. You will start to get to know a whole town. I look forward to more books by this writer, and I most especially am eager to get to know the people in the town better.
I enjoyed learning about breeding and training dogs, and along the way there was a plot with murder and a bevy of suspects. The characters are developed at just the right pace, and surprises are sometimes gentle and sometimes abrupt. You will start to get to know a whole town. I look forward to more books by this writer, and I most especially am eager to get to know the people in the town better.
September 25, 2020
A refreshing and very different mystery, exploring the (apparently deadly) world of dog breeding in Scotland. I thoroughly enjoyed the leisurely pace of this, with the author taking the time to develop the main and secondary characters and the set up before introducing the mystery element. Beautifully written, informative and with dashes of wry humour, this was a terrific read and I've already begun book 2 of the series.
September 26, 2020
If you are interested in either the intricacies of dog breeding or the different types of guns used for game shooting, this book might be for you. As I am not, the overload of details overshadowed the uninteresting mystery and the weird passionless romance. I was also put off by the dismissive attitude the protagonist has for companion dogs. In addition, I was surprised when grapes were suggested as a treat for an ailing dog. Grapes are very toxic to dogs and can cause severe kidney damage.
August 17, 2020
Seems to know about plotting mysteries
Some authors don't bother to read reviews-easily understood. But, please note one who knows the dangers for dogs would not have a character offering to take grapes. These could kill a dog. Other than that, this book was well plotted and interesing.
Some authors don't bother to read reviews-easily understood. But, please note one who knows the dangers for dogs would not have a character offering to take grapes. These could kill a dog. Other than that, this book was well plotted and interesing.
August 18, 2020
Hunting Dogs vs Show Dogs and neighborhood feuds, thats the essence of this book. A murder of a woman with many people as potential perpetrators and everyone trying to figure out who done it. The story is also about the training of dogs and an British Army veteran who trains hunter dogs.
This is an enjoyable book and one I would recommend - look forward to the next edition
This is an enjoyable book and one I would recommend - look forward to the next edition
September 13, 2020
Entertaining Cozy Mystery
Enjoyed this cozy mystery because it was about dogs, hunting dogs, spaniels, and breeding and training them. But this is the background of the mystery. Who killed the lady who bred spaniels for show dogs (not hunting) and why was she murdered??? Sort of a surprise ending..... Good Read!
Enjoyed this cozy mystery because it was about dogs, hunting dogs, spaniels, and breeding and training them. But this is the background of the mystery. Who killed the lady who bred spaniels for show dogs (not hunting) and why was she murdered??? Sort of a surprise ending..... Good Read!
September 23, 2020
I liked this book
This was an interesting book to read but it also seemed confusing at times. I did like most of the characters but some seemed to be a but shallow. I did enjoy the story and the mystery involved. The cylinders and adapters for the various guns was very confusing and really seemed to be unrelated to the story.
This was an interesting book to read but it also seemed confusing at times. I did like most of the characters but some seemed to be a but shallow. I did enjoy the story and the mystery involved. The cylinders and adapters for the various guns was very confusing and really seemed to be unrelated to the story.
January 15, 2021
Dog & murder mystery delight
I enjoyed this story, and felt I learned about dog showing and gun dogs. I also liked the descriptions of the location, taking me to a quaint European country town. While the murder was the thread throughout the storyline, it was refreshing that there were other parts of the story as entertaining (if not more).
I enjoyed this story, and felt I learned about dog showing and gun dogs. I also liked the descriptions of the location, taking me to a quaint European country town. While the murder was the thread throughout the storyline, it was refreshing that there were other parts of the story as entertaining (if not more).
February 10, 2021
Gone to the dogs
An enjoyable read and informative too. I learned so much about the Ins and outs of dog training and care and a little mystery thrown in for good measure.
The characters are well thought out and I found the story captured me so that I spent the evening on through the night to finish it.
If you enjoy a murder mystery that will keep you guessing, pick this one.
An enjoyable read and informative too. I learned so much about the Ins and outs of dog training and care and a little mystery thrown in for good measure.
The characters are well thought out and I found the story captured me so that I spent the evening on through the night to finish it.
If you enjoy a murder mystery that will keep you guessing, pick this one.
June 18, 2025
When John Hammond is set up with a dog training facility, because he has become an expert in the field, his neighbor, who also has dogs isn't happy. Her dogs, she feels, are so much better than the ones trained to hunt. Then she is murdered. It takes some doing, but John does discover who did it, though at first he is accused of it.
May 17, 2020
Dog in the Dark
Gerald Ha!minds books are always a measure to read. The plots and backgrounds are well researched and his descriptive prose ensures the reader can envisage the action and terrain as book reaches its climax and any pose ends are tidied up.
Gerald Ha!minds books are always a measure to read. The plots and backgrounds are well researched and his descriptive prose ensures the reader can envisage the action and terrain as book reaches its climax and any pose ends are tidied up.
August 17, 2020
Ex-army Captain John Cunningham, has joined civilian life by buying a property in the Scottish Lowlands - Three Oaks Farm, to start kennels for breeding and training working springer spaniels. Then there is a murder.
Quite a bit of the story is about the dogs and guns, a slow paced murder mystery, though it is well-written and does have likeable characters. A good start to a new series.
Quite a bit of the story is about the dogs and guns, a slow paced murder mystery, though it is well-written and does have likeable characters. A good start to a new series.
August 16, 2020
Good Start for a New Series
The plot is nicely done with pieces of a police procedural and an English country mystery. This story has an element of romance and a good understanding of hunting dogs and their training.
The plot is nicely done with pieces of a police procedural and an English country mystery. This story has an element of romance and a good understanding of hunting dogs and their training.
August 20, 2020
Surprise Ending
Competition between dog breeders can be vicious. Breeders of show dogs and breeders of gun dogs have a contentious rivalry in this Scottish town. But who would think it would lead to murder?
Competition between dog breeders can be vicious. Breeders of show dogs and breeders of gun dogs have a contentious rivalry in this Scottish town. But who would think it would lead to murder?
September 2, 2020
Good and very enjoyable read
Great characters, novel setting, a detailed plot that even if you have a wild guess, figuring it all out would be a challenge. Reminds me quite bit of Dick Francis books.
Great characters, novel setting, a detailed plot that even if you have a wild guess, figuring it all out would be a challenge. Reminds me quite bit of Dick Francis books.
September 21, 2020
For dog lovers
Loved this book. A mystery with dogs. What more could you ask for. The characters are engaging, the writing is good and no gruesome details. Plus I learned about dog training and trials. I look forward to the next in this series.
Loved this book. A mystery with dogs. What more could you ask for. The characters are engaging, the writing is good and no gruesome details. Plus I learned about dog training and trials. I look forward to the next in this series.
September 24, 2020
Dog gone it
When I first started reading this book I thought it might actually be the memoir of a dog trainer but is soon turned into a murder mystery and was fairly delightful. Plus I learned quite a bit about spaniels.
When I first started reading this book I thought it might actually be the memoir of a dog trainer but is soon turned into a murder mystery and was fairly delightful. Plus I learned quite a bit about spaniels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews