Lauren Vancouver runs
the private pet rescue facility, HotRescues, located in San
Fernando Valley, California. Dante DeFrancisco, the owner
of Lauren’s facility and the parent company, HotPets,
starts a campaign of ads for a new line of Bling collars.
The jeweled pet accessories become a hot item and result in
a run on adoptions of teacup-sized dogs, which pleases her
to no end. When she learns that several puppy mills were shut
down in Janus County, Missouri, she is aware that, if those
small dogs aren’t rescued, they are in danger of being
killed. She appeals to Dante, who helps arrange for the dogs
to be flown to California and, ultimately, placed in Lauren’s
facility for adoption. When the dogs arrive, they’re
accompanied by rescue worker Teresa Kantrim. She wanted to
open her own rescue facility and resents the dogs being shipped
to L.A. She makes her anger well-known through caustic comments
and warnings about knowing the truth. When Teresa is later
found murdered, Lauren tries to discover who killed her, but
the list of possible suspects keeps growing.
I love the character of Lauren, a charming and caring person
who actively tries to rescue and find good, loving homes for
the dogs she finds. Unfortunately, her steadfast curiosity
often places her in danger. Lauren’s rescue efforts
are intricately mingled with a fascinating murder. Although
I figured out why Teresa was murdered fairly early, suspects
were plentiful and discovering who killed her kept me on the
edge of my seat until the last pages.
In short, Ms. Johnston has done it again – written a
charming whodunit centering on the pet rescue business and
a ruthless murder. Ms. Johnston’s novels just keep getting
better and better.
Reviews
to other titles in this series
The
More the Terrier #2
Hounds
Abound #3
Ooodles
of Poodles #4
Teacup Turbulence #5
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