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Canine Capers: The Case of the Mendacious Medicine Man

by April Smith

165 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-1056; ISBN 1-4120-0686-4; US$18.00, C$21.00, EUR15.00, £10.50

In a hospital, people die all the time. But this time, the death was not natural. Insurance biller Pamela Falke now encounters murder first-hand, and there are so many suspects her head is spinning. Together with her friend Haley Ann Letheridge, her brother-in-law, her two devious cats, and three rambunctious Siberian huskies, Pam embarks on a dangerous attempt to unmask a murderer.

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about the book      about the author      sample excerpts or Table of Contents      catalogue info

About the Book This time it's Pam's turn to deal with murder in the workplace while Haley is on summer break from teaching. As an insurance biller at Central Valley Hospital, Pam is busy dealing with irritable patients and untrustworthy coworkers. Little does she suspect that murder has been attempted - more than once. Of course, in a hospital, life and death issues are dealt with every day, but the public relations office is certainly not happy about the untimely death of one of the hospital's employees, especially as it appears someone in the hospital was involved. The third in the Canine Capers series, The Case of the Mendacious Medicine Man has a plot twist that may catch some readers by surprise. Beset by a host of suspects all with good motives to kill, Pam and Haley must find out who actually succeeded in eliminating someone. This time Robert Lawson not only helps Haley keep her huskies happy, but he lends a hand in solving the murder. Meanwhile, Haley is planning to set up Pam with her brother's boss. For anyone who loves animals and murder mysteries, this book offers all the cute whiskers and plot turnings desired.

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About the Author April Smith is a long-time Agatha Christie fan. She has a master's degree in English literature and lives in California with her three Siberian huskies.

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Sample Excerpts

Deeto was eagerly pulling on the end of her leash. As the youngest doggie, she had to wait to be taken last; she always gave vent to her feelings on the subject by thoroughly exercising her vocal cords. Now, however, all that was forgotten as she tugged purposefully. The genes of her sled dog ancestors manifested themselves in the seriousness with which she pulled her mommy down the street.

Suddenly Adara's black SUV swung down the street at top speed. Haley watched helplessly as Adara mowed down a tortoiseshell cat that had been sunning itself near the sidewalk. With a swoop and a sudden lurch, Adara parked in her driveway and nonchalantly disembarked. She did not so much as glance at the injured cat as she headed for her house.

"Hey!" Haley yelled at her. "You just ran over a cat! You have to call a vet!" Adara's narrow eyes shifted briefly to the prone furry figure on the street. "That's not my cat," she stated coolly, then went into her house.

Furiously, Haley returned a protesting Deeto to the house. Deeto wanted to investigate the fallen cat before continuing her walk, but her mommy had other ideas.

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The girls were impervious to criticism. They romped relentlessly as they continued to cause a ruckus, until they tired out and flopped down on the kitchen floor to loll about, basking in the aroma of a pork roast that Haley was cooking for dinner. Lured by appetizing smells, Letto joined them. His stomach rumbled loudly so that Haley, who was washing cauliflower before she steamed it, laughed.

"Are you a hungry baby, Letto?" she asked. Her male dog wagged his tail in assent, even though his dish still had food in it and the auto feeder sat ignored. "You'll have to wait quite a while before there are scraps for you," Haley told him.

The black-and-white husky fixed his clear, jewel-like eyes one blue, one blue and brown on her, as if to say he had no intention of waiting for scraps. He expected the lion's share. After all, his mommy had been praising him, and praise required substantial rewards in the form of pot roast.

While the pot roast cooked, Haley sat down to read a book about Marie Antoinette. The dogs, disappointed that the savory smelling meat was not yet forthcoming, conferred together on how to pass the time.

"I bite you," Deeto offered, parting her pinkish gray lips to show perfectly formed teeth.

"If so, I will bite you back," Letto threatened, flashing his own teeth.

This exchange was unbearable for Boop. Before Deeto came, Boop had been the one to play with Letto, and now she considered Deeto her own little serf to order around and dominate. Anything else was an affront. Boop, with her compact but powerful body, was going to enforce the rules, and the rules were that she was Queen and everyone else must bow to her.

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Catalogue Information

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