Ron K. (WhidbeyIslander) - , reviewed on 6/19/2012 + 689 more book reviews

Allyn writes well and each of the stories in this compilation is interesting. They all involve Dave Westbrook, and like many of these short story books it's sometimes a stretch to believe one person gets involved with so many deaths and mysteries (especially living in a small town in Michigan). They were originally published years apart, so readers didn't see that implausibility as easily.

Franken Kat - Veterinarian David Westbrook has simple tastes, despite being married to a wealthy, slightly older woman. When a man who grew up in Algoma is hired as their handyman, things become unsettled. ****

Roadkill - finding an injured dog on the side of the road David treats it and becomes involved with the owner, a reclusive man with little means. ****

Animal Rites - Murder follows a confrontation after a panel talking about Hunters Rights vs. Animal Rights. ***

Puppyland - A terminally ill woman saves a puppy born with a defect, but it may have been the cause of her death. *****

Beaches of Paraguay - An old college friend of David's seems to have changed after a personal tragedy and David tries to find out why. ***

Cedar Savage - A man found hanging in the branches of a tree leads David into a situation where he witholds information from the police and gets him into even deeper trouble. ***

Crippen, Landru, and Carlos Palomino - Dogs of a shady muckraker who are boarded with Dave more than they are at home find themselves in need of permanent boarding as Dave looks into why. ****

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