By: Linda O. Johnston
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: February 2013
ISBN: 978-0425259962
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: February 2013
Lauren Vancouver's primary passion in life was to "find new families for homeless pets." She was the director of HotRescues and their benefactor, Dante DeFrancisco had called to ask her to do him a favor. Dante and Niall Cransley were co-producers of a film just getting underway. "Sheba's Story" would be a story about a rescued dog and would need supervisory assistance to make sure no animals would be harmed during production. Dante wanted her to step in during his absence to make sure all went well on the set. Lauren was more than happy to oblige, but if she had a Ouija board at HotRescues she just may have declined the offer.
Dr. Carlie Stellan, a veterinarian and good friend of Lauren's, was on board for the production. Not one to waste a golden opportunity, she would be doing a bit of filming for her own reality show, "Pet Fitness." Handlers, trainers, and people like Grant Jefferly, a "Certified Animal Safety Representative" were on the set when Lauren arrived. She would be taking a few pictures for Dante so he could see what was going on during the filming. Undoubtedly, the maudlin tale would be a runaway hit, would encourage pet adoption, and sell lots Kleenex. The entire experience would be a lot of fun and everyone was looking forward to working on the set.
Instead of being oodles of fun, tempers quickly began to flare. Director Hans Marford was clueless when it came to dogs and cars. Carlie began to lecture him, ending with the not-so-gracious demand, "No more endangering the animals, you freak." It wouldn't be problematic because someone kindly offed the director for her later that night by running over him. Detective Lou Maddinger had a few questions to ask, but so did Lauren. A mysterious dog who "might not have been an ordinary stray" was found and someone was sending not-so-subtle hints that Lauren should back off the investigation. It was only when someone "pulled the leash tighter " ... around her neck that she knew they meant business!
Lauren Vancouver was more than willing to find out whodunit to the director who was endangering dogs. Of course she was determined to make sure "no animals were harmed" during the production of "Sheba's Story," and was glad to step up to the plate to protect Carlie, the prime suspect. There's a hint of a future romantic clash between Matt Kingson, the man she's having a "sort-of-relationship" with and Grant. Lauren's "de riguer files on murder" kept growing as her suspect list grew ever larger. This light and sometimes humorous cozy mystery is one that certainly brings attention to what goes on behind the scenes when animals star in movies. The show must go on, and if you like Lauren Vancouver, you'll definitely enjoy her as she tracks down yet another murderer!
Quill say: Oodles of Poodles is oodles of fun and an entertaining read!
