Panthers Play for Keeps

February 17, 2014
At the start of Simon’s engaging fourth mystery featuring animal behaviorist Pru Marlowe (after 2013’s Parrots Prove Deadly), Pru and Spot, a service dog she’s training for a wealthy man who is going blind, discover the badly mauled body of a young woman while walking in the woods outside the Berkshire town of Beauville. To all appearances, a large animal, most likely a wild cat, killed the woman, yet no cats like this have been seen in the area in years. Det. Jim Creighton, the man in Pru’s life who has recently become uncomfortably chummy with the attractive therapist sponsoring Spot, is inclined to think the woman was murdered. Pru, whose psychic powers allow her to understand animals’ thoughts, receives conflicting and confusing suggestions from Spot, as well as from her tabby, Wallis. In the end, Pru’s sleuthing instincts guide her to a satisfying resolution of the crime.

March 1, 2014
The ability to talk to animals is often a curse rather than a blessing. Massachusetts animal behaviorist Pru Marlowe is bombarded by chatter from every passing bird and beast, and her romance with Detective Jim Creighton is tricky. Though he realizes she has a special gift with animals, she hasn't told him they communicate with her lest he think she's crazy. Pru is currently training Spot as a guide dog for wealthy Richard Haigen and his trophy wife, Dierdre; Haigen is slowly losing his sight and not handling it well. Spot is being fostered by Dr. Laurel Kroft, an attractive therapist who, unbeknownst to Pru, has been dating Jim. A walk in the woods with Spot leads to the discovery of the badly mutilated body of the Haigen's maid, Mariela, who it appears may have been killed by a panther--even though experts say there aren't any left in the Berkshires. Although the taciturn Spot is talking to Pru, what little he has to say confuses her. She's getting plenty of advice from her bossy cat, Willis, and Growler, a Bichon she walks for a nasty gossip. When Laurel is found murdered, Jim casts a suspicious eye Pru's way, knowing she had some issues with the secretive therapist. A gangster who loves cats warns Pru to stay out of the murder cases, but Pru is never one to heed advice from humans. She continues to ferret around, putting both herself and Spot in danger from a determined killer. The fourth in Simon's series (Parrots Prove Deadly, 2013, etc.) is not a bad mystery, but the constant animal chatter and Pru's often unbelievable behavior may appeal to only the staunchest animal lovers.

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June 2, 2014
The 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race provides the backdrop for Kaehler’s entertaining third Kate Reilly mystery (after 2013’s Braking Points). Kate’s beau, Stuart Telerday, should have been on hand, but just as the day is getting started, cops turn up announcing that he was badly injured in a hit-and-run. Kate soon receives a set of mysterious text messages suggesting that the supposed accident was, in fact, attempted murder. Complicating matters emotionally—and perhaps giving Kate a motive for hurting her boyfriend—is the kiss that Stuart admits he shared with another woman the night before. If that isn’t enough to handle, one of Kate’s teammates is killed on the track. Snappy dialogue, a smart and affable heroine (who calls to mind auto racer Danica Patrick), and pacing reminiscent of 24 combine to make this entry as exciting as a spin around the speedway. Agent, Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency.