FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Holly Winter's Alaskan malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi, are as sweetly rambunctious as ever, and her cookbook-in-progress - tentatively titled A Hundred and One Ways to Cook Liver - is really coming along. But everything else is a mess. A recent concussion has robbed her of much-needed sleep - and a failed relationship has left her with a bitter, broken heart. And her incredibly overpriced therapy sessions with the improbably named Dr. Vee Foote aren't helping one tiny bit." It's not long before her friend Ceci stumbles on a seemingly perfect solution - and takes Holly to a park that's literally running over with gorgeous dogs. But the sight of so many leash-less canines makes Holly uneasy - especially after an aggressive golden retriever attacks her beloved Rowdy. And when one of the owners is found murdered, Holly has no choice but to step into the fray - for she knows better than anyone that killers are a cunning, clever breed.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Still not fully recovered from the head trauma she received in 2001's Creature Discomforts, Holly Winter, Dog Life columnist and amateur sleuth, returns with her two Alaskan malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi, for another fun, fast-paced outing. To deal with her father's second marriage, her ex-lover's marriage and her recovery from amnesia, Holly seeks the help of a therapist in Newton, Mass., near her Cambridge home. Her "adopted" aunts, 90-year-old Sherlock Holmes expert Althea and her sister, Ceci, also live in Newton, and Ceci is determined to find another man for Holly among her dog group from the local park. When Holly takes her dogs for a walk in the park, Rowdy is attacked by a golden retriever whose aberrant behavior is not typical of the breed and whose owner, Sylvia Metzner, exhibits behavior equally as bizarre. When Sylvia is found murdered two weeks later, no one is surprised. Soon Holly innocently becomes involved in the crime investigation. While the technical dog-talk of breeds, breeders and the American Kennel Club rules and regulations can be tedious for the uninitiated, at least the dogs remain dogs, true to their natures and to their obsessive owners, Holly being no exception. In spite of her pressing personal difficulties, Holly remains an independent, witty and delightful protagonist, who maintains her cool even when faced with the most eccentric and quirky of characters. Committed fans of Conant's popular canine cozy series will be delighted. (Mar. 5) Forecast: Conant should attract some crossover from feline mystery fans, though those who prefer talking cats are likely to remain aloof. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

KLIATT - Janet Julian

This is the latest in a series of 15 mysteries featuring Holly Winter and her malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi. This time out Holly has lost Steve, who has married a dog hater who isn't fond of humans either. Holly is recovering from her head injury, the dogs are as lovable as ever, and a murder victim shows up in one of their favorite parks. The victim, Sylvia Metzner, has any number of enemies. Dog lovers hate her because of her vicious golden retriever. Her relatives hate her because she is getting tired of supporting them. The Trasks hate her because she sold them a defective dog that needs an expensive operation they cannot afford. Even Steve's new wife hates her. Holly and the dogs are around to figure it all out. The series is for dog lovers because there is a lot of detail about care, feeding, grooming, dog shows, doggie mental health, and breeding. KLIATT Codes: SA￯﾿ﾽRecommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2002, Berkley, 289p.,

Kirkus Reviews