Henry Kitts was simply doing dog-breeder John Cunningham a favour. So how did he manage to end up knee-deep in the murder investigation of a wealthy Scottish landowner?
At John Cunningham’s request Henry Kitts, the husband of John’s business partner Isobel, agrees to take a spaniel named Spin to his new owner, Sir Peter Hay, to help him settle in. Sir Peter is an old friend, so Henry looks forward to a pleasant week’s stay at his host’s stately home in Newton Lauder.
However, Henry has only been at the country estate a few days when Sir Peter collapses and dies while out training the new spaniel. It is well known that the laird has suffered heart attacks in the past. But this time, the circumstances of his death suggest something far more sinister...
Gerald Hammond worked as an architect for thirty years, before taking early retirement in 1982. He lives in Scotland, with his wife, and has three sons and four granddaughters. He spends his time shooting, fishing and writing.
Gerald 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.
This entry in the series switches seamlessly from John Cunningham's point of view to that of his good friend, neighbour and Three Oaks regular, Henry Kitts. The mystery is compelling, both emotionally and plotwise, and there are the usual wonderful descriptions of the Scottish countryside and multiple dogs. Excellent.
This book is narrated by Henry Kitts rather than John Cunningham and it concerns the death of Sir Peter Hay, so we meet the Calders and Enterkins. It is typical Gerald Hammond, well written with his light touch and believable characters, both human and canine.