Right from the Gecko (Reigning Cats & Dogs Mysteries)

Right from the Gecko (Reigning Cats & Dogs Mysteries)
Average customer rating:

EXCELLANT BOOK

Adventure in Hawaii

strong amateur sleuth

Pawsome!

Right from the Gecko (Reigning Cats & Dogs Mysteries)
Cynthia Baxter
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Women Sleuths | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0553588443
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Book Description

Surf’s up . . . and so are the stakes when veterinarian and amateur sleuth Jessica Popper escapes to the land of hula, hibiscus, and geckos for a professional conference. The last time she and boyfriend Nick Burby touched down on the island of Hawaii, Nick caused a volcanic eruption when he unexpectedly popped The Question to commitment-phobic Jess. But this trip proves just as dangerous when Jess befriends an ambitious young reporter whose body later washes up on the sand . . . and someone thinks Jess holds the clue to the killer’s motive.

There’s no end of suspects among the exotic flora and fauna, from the victim’s journalistic rivals and a mystery boyfriend to an eccentric beachcomber and a governor’s aide with ties to a controversial biotech firm bringing progress to paradise. One of them is a killer with the chameleon-like ability to stay hidden—and if Jessica doesn’t uncover hula-dunnit in time, she’ll be saying aloha . . . permanently.

Customer Reviews:

EXCELLANT BOOK.......2007-09-19

If you like Janet Evanovich, you'll enjoy the Cynthia Baxter series... If you enjoy Cynthia Baxter, you'll enjoy Janet Evanovich TOO!!!!

Adventure in Hawaii.......2007-06-09

I found it difficult to believe that a) the lead character would take off to pursue the murder of someone she has only just met and b) that after spending what it would cost to go to Hawaii for a professional conference, she would essentially blow it all off to chase the killer. An interesting use of recombinant DNA makes an appearance.

strong amateur sleuth .......2007-04-05

Eighteen months have passed since Brookside University School of Law student Nick Burby proposed to commitment phobic veterinarian Jessica Popper and she said no though they still seeing one another exclusively. However, they are now returning to the scene of the crime, make that proposal, as they leave Long Island for Maui for her to attend the American Veterinary Medical Association's annual conference and for them to share some romantic interludes.

However their retreat is disturbed when the corpse of reporter Marnie Burton washes on the beach near Jessie. Having met the journalist the day before and as always curious when it comes to bodies, Jessica looks close at the deceased while someone observes her doing so and worries that the Long Islander might have found a clue especially when the vet begins making inquiries that lead her to a biotech firm.

Though the latest Jessica Popper whodunit is not reigning cats and dogs, fans of a strong amateur sleuth tale will enjoy the heroine's return to Hawaii in which her biggest fear is that Nick will ask the "Question" even when someone wants to end her inquiry. The cast is solid even with just one supporting feline as so many two legged beasts make prime suspects. Though some purists might object to the lack of the four-legged secondary characters, Cynthia Baxter provides a strong mystery RIGHT FROM THE GECKO.

Harriet Klausner

Pawsome!.......2007-03-30

When mobile veterinarian and amateur sleuth, Jessica Popper, learns that the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) plans to hold their yearly conference in beautiful Maui, she finds herself feeling a mix of unusual emotions. Sure, she'd love to break free of the blistery Long Island winter she's been suffering through and spend ten gorgeous days traipsing along the warm, sunny beaches of Maui; but she's also dreading the occasion, as she'll be returning to the scene of the crime where she and her current law student and ex-private eye boyfriend, Nick Burby, asked her to marry him. That vacation ended in her running as fast as possible away from her live-in lover, and straight back onto a plane to New York. This time, however, Jess is hoping to experience a slightly different ending to her rest and relaxation. However, on her very first day in Maui, Jess meets an ambitious young reporter named Marnie Burton, who will do anything to land a story. Jess is instantly drawn to the bubbly youngster who seems to have a nose for news. So when she learns about her death the next morning, Jess immediately feels like she should do a little sleuthing of her own to figure out exactly why the intrepid reporter lost her life. Contacting local police, Jess quickly realizes that, just like the detectives on Long Island, local officers are just as unhappy about a snoopy vet sticking her nose into unwanted territories. But Jess doesn't let that intimidate her. Renting a car, she begins skipping various lectures that the conference happens to be offering, instead opting to navigate the rural roads of Maui, searching for clues to help lead her in the right direction. As she makes her way from Marnie's office at the Maui Dispatch to her messy apartment, and even traipsing into forbidden territory by making small talk with Marnie's secret lover, however, she soon realizes that suspects are stacking up left and right. Not only was Marnie a thorn in many people's side, a lot of people found her downright nosy, and wanted nothing more than to see the pixie-esque girl mind her own business. When Jess stumbles upon some of Marnie's files, filled with interviews and information regarding some of the big stories she was working on before she was murdered, she puts two and two together, and comes to believe that someone was scared of Marnie's investigative reporting, and killed her in an attempt to shut her up. The only problem is that Jess has no hard proof to support her theories. Luckily, Nick is along for the ride, and agrees to put his ex-P.I. skills to work to help Jess investigate the murder. Unfortunately, with the amount of time that Jess is devoting to fingering the killer, she hasn't had a minute to soak up the sun, and relax - which is what she'd planned to do on her trip to paradise. As if that weren't bad enough, she and Nick haven't spent more than a few mornings together alone, and now that Jess' beloved neighbor and landlord, Betty, along with her live-in beau have unexpectedly arrived, Jess is having difficulty coming to terms with how she's supposed to fit work, friends, romance, relaxation, and investigating into a vacation that is beginning to look shorter and shorter by the moment. But now that she's at the top of the killers list, she knows that it's imminent that she sniff the murderer out, before she's forced to say aloha...forever.

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this book for almost a year. And, upon completion, I can honestly say that it was certainly worth the wait. Jessica Popper is back and she's better than ever! From page one, Cynthia Baxter draws you in with her lyrical imagery, and her addicting characters. Her descriptions of Maui - from the beaches to the views, right down to the food, and the personalities of the locals - are so vibrant and illustrative that you instantly feel as if you are on the beach with Jess and Nick, sipping mai tais and soaking up the sun. Jessica is, as always, her inquisitive self. While her canine companions - Lou and Max - along with the always-prevalent Reigning Cats & Dogs mobile veterinary unit are missing from this particular installment, Baxter more than makes up for it by introducing a new kitty into the novel named Moose, and by setting Jessica into various different wacky predicaments that instantly make the reader concerned for her safety. Die-hard fans will absolutely adore the fact that Nick Burby is more prevalent within this particular installment, and enjoy the lovey-dovey moments that take place between both Jess and him throughout the tale, but will also find it interesting to get a little more insight into Nick's character and personality, which instantly makes him more likable. Another plus is the fact that, yes, both Betty and Winston make appearances within RIGHT FROM THE GECKO. And, though their roles in this series addition may be minor, the fact that they are there certainly adds another dimension to the story. Baxter's introduction of Marnie into the novel is truly spectacular. And, while the character is only featured within the first couple of chapters, it's fabulous to get an inside look at the life of an investigative journalist - a perky, hard-hitting, adorable one at that! RIGHT FROM THE GECKO leads you on a wild goose chase through the caves and scenic routes of Hawaii, while giving you an insiders look into the cutthroat world of investigative journalism, alongside an irresistible character who leaves you begging for more. Pawsome!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Lead a Horse to Murder: A Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery (Reigning Cats & Dogs Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

Very entertaining!
Jessica Popper Returns for Another Round of 'Cat and Mouse'
fabulous veterinarian amateur sleuth

Lead a Horse to Murder: A Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery (Reigning Cats & Dogs Mysteries)
Cynthia Baxter
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Series | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0553586432
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Book Description

When it comes to sleuthing, she's not horsing around...

When full-time vet and part-time sleuth Jessica Popper is asked to treat a billionaire's ailing horse, she gets a deadly glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and felonious….

Murder gallops after Jessie when an emergency call sends the traveling vet to a posh Long Island estate with her one-eyed Dalmatian, Lou, and her tailless Westie, Max. A prized Arabian steed needs minor medical care–but it’s the rider who grabs Jess’s attention. The handsome young horseman exudes plenty of animal magnetism as he canters across the field…and then takes an inexplicable, fatal fall.

The dead man was one of the finest polo players in the world, but it was no accident that killed him. The culprit was poison. And as Jess soon discovers, a number of people had the means, motive, and opportunity for foul play, from the hostile barn manager to the businessman’s disgruntled wife. But Jess will have to temper her feline instinct with good old-fashioned horse sense if she’s going to stop a killer from leading a certain sleuth to her death.

“Five paws up for Cynthia Baxter’s Reigning Cats & Dogs series!”—Carolyn Hart

Customer Reviews:

Very entertaining!.......2005-09-26

Being a dog lover, and ex-vet tech, I really enjoy the Reigning Cats & Dogs series and hope there will be more to come! The characters are entertaining and it's fun to try to figure out who the killer is - and this time it was a little surprising. Have fun reading this latest book.

Jessica Popper Returns for Another Round of 'Cat and Mouse'.......2005-08-13

Dr. Jessica Popper, DVM, is out on a house call treating Andrew MacKinnon's ailing horse in a posh area of Long Island, when she becomes witness to the fall of Eduardo Garcia, a handsome young polo player, who seems to be one with the stallion he is riding, until he just keels over...dead. With a bare minimum of sleuthing, Jessie quickly learns that Eduardo was one of the finest polo players in the world, being offered million dollar contracts left and right, so it's no wonder that the police categorize his death as murder, instead of an accident. The culprit? Poison. Now, with the persistence of an ace reporter known as Forrester Sloan on her tail, and an inquisitive mind of her own, Jessica must dive head-first into the sea of rich New Yorker's, many of whom have motive, means, and opportunity for wanting the young star dead, to figure out just who was angry enough to do the evil deed, while protecting herself from becoming the next victim.

It's hard to find a book series that gets better with each release, but Cynthia Baxter has managed to pen just that. Jessica Popper and her crew of wild canines, crazy cats, talking birds, and a staring Jackson's chameleon, have returned with two new housemates - one of the four-legged variety, and one of the human persuasion. With a menagerie of suspects - any of whom could be the killer - as well as a marvelous array of facts about the history of polo, and Long Island's upper-class communities, LEAD A HORSE TO MURDER is given an extra dimension that will leave readers begging for more.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

fabulous veterinarian amateur sleuth .......2005-06-01

On Long Island's Gold Coast, veterinarian Dr. Jessica Popper goes to Heatherfield Estates to tend to an injured polo horse Braveheart. Though the barn manager, Johnny Ray is nasty, Jessica checks the leg and concludes the steed suffers from inflammation. Jessica explains this to owner Andrew Mac Mackinnon when they hear a scream. They look outside to see a rider on the ground near a horse. Everyone races outside to find polo star Eduardo Garcia from Argentina dead.

Though she goes about her business tending to ailing animals, Jessica has concerns over the death of one of the "Argies" as he was too good a horseman to fall like that especially since she saw how Eduardo and his horse seemed like one creature. She begins to make inquiries not realizing that a vet can get into deep trouble when they play sleuth.

Jessica is a terrific lead character and fans will appreciate the descriptions of her work with animals, for instance helping King the dog with bloat or getting her two canines to heel (this reviewer is envious as my two dogs get me to heel). However, on the other hand, readers will question her lack of horse sense by getting involved in the homicide though the aesthetic seamless perfection of steed and rider she witnessed before Eduardo fell motivates her. Still LEAD A HORSE TO MURDER is a fabulous veterinarian amateur sleuth tale that the sub-genre audience will immensely enjoy while seeking out Cynthia Baxter's delightful previous works (see PUTTING ON THE DOG and DEAD CANARIES CAN'T SING) as this is a pure gold mystery.

Harriet Klausner

Dead Canaries Don't Sing: A Reigning Cats and Dogs Mystery (Reigning Cats & Dogs Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

Interesting Premise...
An annoying main character who only works as an anti-heroine
An Uncertain Start to the Series
Great Veterinarian Amateur Sleuth
Flawed but an enjoyable read nevertheless

Dead Canaries Don't Sing: A Reigning Cats and Dogs Mystery (Reigning Cats & Dogs Mysteries)
Cynthia Baxter
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0553586416
Release Date: 2004-02-03

Book Description

As a veterinarian, she’s more experienced with paw prints than fingerprints. But thanks to her dogged persistence and her knack for landing on her feet, Jessie’s got murder on a very short leash.

The sun is barely up and the day is already going to the dogs. Literally. As Dr. Jessica Popper embarks on a house call to a local horse farm, her one-eyed Dalmatian, Lou, and her tailless Westie, Max, stumble upon something unexpected: a corpse half buried in the woods. As Max happily digs up the dead canary planted near the body, Jessie realizes that this corpse was clearly about to sing. But about what? Or whom?Enlisting the aid of her on-again, off-again lover, PI Nick Burby, Jess applies the stubbornness of a bloodhound and the agile moves of a cat to identify a menagerie of suspects…including one who wants her off the case badly enough to kill again.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting Premise..........2006-07-01

In the 1st book in the Reigning Cats and Dogs Mystery series, we meet mobile veterinarian, Jessica Popper. Jessica runs her own vet service on wheels, and is out making one of her many house calls of the day when her dogs dig up a dead body at a horse farm. Near the body, a dead canary is found buried as well, and Jessica immediately feels she must investigate how she happened on this man's body. Being overly inquisitive, she starts an exhaustive search into the PR mogul's death, and quickly learns that the police don't seem to have much interest in the case. The victim has many enemies, even though he was a widely lauded Long Island businessman, and Jessica must tap into the help offered by a private investigator. This PI is none other than her ex-boyfriend, Nick Burby, who unsuccessfully tries to keep her off the case. And when Jessica is followed, and receives threats, everyone but Jess is convinced that she needs to leave the sleuthing to the professionals.

I gave this series a try even though some of the other reviews on Amazon were not very complimentary. I enjoyed the book, even though I feel that the book was a bit too long. I noticed that all of the books in the series are of similar lengths, even though I felt this one could have been at least 50 pages less than it was. I agree with previous reviewers that I was able to figure out the mystery pretty quickly, but I really enjoyed the character of Dr. Popper (what a funny name), the animals, and her tumultuous relationship with Nick. I definitely will try future books in this series, as I feel the strength of the characters is what make this book interesting. You may want to try this series if you love animals and are looking for a fresh, new cozy series.

The next book in the series is called "Putting on the Dog". Enjoy!

An annoying main character who only works as an anti-heroine.......2005-12-28

Dr. Jessica Popper follows all the paperback mystery character stereotypes with none of the charm.
1. She has the easily confused name - Dr. Popper not Dr. Pepper. (See Lacey Smithsonian.)
2. She has an on again-off again relationship with a sexy crime experienced man. (See Janet Evanovich's Joe Morelli and Ranger.) I felt far more empathy with Nick than I did Jessica! She's such a drama queen, run Nick, RUN!
3. She's all confused about life, but somehow can get the most damning details out of people.
All this would be fine, if she wasn't so *irritating*. She's shrill and childish with her ex -- far more so than any woman over 17 should be.
She has the capacity for compassion of a wading pool and her snoopy habits are grating, not amusing.
And while the veterinary details are fun, any moron can tell you that a dog who humps your leg is establishing dominance, not his sexual attraction for you.
All in all, skip this series. There are too many other books out there for the animal loving mystery lover!

An Uncertain Start to the Series.......2005-02-24

I like amateur sleuths and regional mysteries; throw in the fact that the hero is a vet with a menagerie of animals seemed like a perfect match. Then again, while Jessica Popper may be good with animals, she's definitely not a people person. And I don't mean that in a good way. Instead of eccentricities that would make her an entertaining character, Jessica packs so much emotional baggage she needs to see a shrink. I have no clue what her ex-boyfriend sees in her neurotic behavior; then again, I have no clue what Jessica sees in him, either.

The mystery elements to the story are fairly good, but the author is heavy-handed about doling out clues. Jessica is a lousy detective; she gathers good information that enables the reader to solve the crime long before she figures it out for herself. There's just the inevitable wait for Jessica to fall into the arms of the murderer and finally realize her mistake. The whole damsel in distress angle. How dull.

All this said, I yet may decide to read the second book in the series. I like amateur sleuths and regional mysteries...

Great Veterinarian Amateur Sleuth.......2004-12-16

Veterinarian, Dr. Jessica Popper heads off to a house call to a local horse farm. She ends up going a back way to the farm and has trouble with her van on the dirt road. Her two dogs take off into the woods and are soon barking. When she goes to investigate, she finds they have discovered a half buried corpse. Max, her Westie, digs up a dead canary which had been planted near the body.

Jessica feels compelled to discover who killed Tommee Frack, a PR mogul. She enlists the aid of her on-again off-again boyfriend Nick Burby, P.I.

At Tommee Frack's funeral, she ends up befriending his ex-wife. This opens the door for her to talk about Tommee. Jessica being a veterinarian opens the door with many other people in Tommee's life. She is able to find out quite a bit about his personal and business life by talking to these people.

To complicate Jessica's personal life, she begins dating a policeman. Where does her heart lie? She is very confused and this complicates her investigation as well.

Jessica's neighbor and good friend Betty is threatened. Jessica is concerned she is being followed, but can never get any information on the vehicle to have it traced. She doesn't let any of this stop her in her quest for the truth. Will she be able to discover that truth without anyone else being hurt or killed, herself included?

I really enjoyed this book. Jessica is a terrific character and so likeable. I like the premise of her being a traveling veterinarian. The author did a great job of weaving this into the story and making her connections with people be more believable. I would love to have Jessica treat our dog!

I hope there will be many books in this series. I highly recommend it!

Flawed but an enjoyable read nevertheless.......2004-09-27

This is one of those books that you understand as you're reading it that it's really not very good in some respects but you keep on reading it anyway because it's not so bad, either, and entertaining. But -- the characters are stereotyped, the detective-heroine is not so much spunky as reckless to the point of stupidity (refusing to take seriously the numerous signs that she's making a murderer very unhappy with her), there are some technical errors in the veterinary part (which really are extraneous to the plot anyway), and it's all so improbable.

But -- Baxter is a skillful enough writer that it's a pleasant read -- great for an airplane -- escape reading. The plotting is fairly good, but the series of interviews detective method is improbable and the main character has virtually no reason to get involved in finding the killer. When citizens get involved in murder investigations, I think it works best when there is a plausible reason why (like brother has been falsely accused, that sort of thing).

The plot involves Dr. Jessie Popper, mobile veterinarian (she has a traveling vet clinic), who discovers a body on her way to make a house call on a horse. There's a dead canary beside the body. For reasons that never are clear, Jessie decides to solve the murder and proceeds to do so by presenting herself (using various lies) to anyone she can find who knew the deceased. Her ex-boyfriend is a private investigator, although all he does is try to protect her. There's a fair amount of romance and a couple of very amusing scenes involving the men in Jessie's life.

There's also a lot that should have been edited out, like all the stuff about her landlord neighbor, which never quite works, and the vet visits, which have nothing to do with the plot. Given the way she uses her vet status to lie her way into interviews, Dr. Popper should be worried about losing her license.

I think Baxter has some good writing skills, but this mystery is clearly a first. I hope she will improve over time.

Reigning Cats And Dogs: A Rhymes With Orange Tribute to Those Who Shed

Average customer rating:

Excellent Gift
Perhaps a Tad Too Many Cats...
Life with Cats and Dogs Captured!
Reigning Cats and Dogs: A Rhymes With Orange Tribute..

Reigning Cats And Dogs: A Rhymes With Orange Tribute to Those Who Shed
Hilary B. Price , and Hillary Price
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0740733060

Book Description

Dog and cat owners alike will love this humorous little book. On page after page, they will see their own experiences with shedding loved ones brought to life in Hilary Price's captivating and clever cartoons.Reigning Cats and Dogs is a collection of the most popular dog and cat strips from Price's wonderfully funny syndicated comic, Rhymes with Orange. These fan favorites offer an insider's view of pet ownership-from the tumbleweeds of hair they deposit in every corner to their ability to take up so much room on the bed that you end up with your head on the nightstand.Readers also get a dog and cat's-eye view of the world-where canines cram for the obedience school final and felines explain their compulsion to sit on your newspaper. Plus there are plenty of quips on the lengths we people will go to satisfy our most beloved family members.Reigning Cats and Dogs is guaranteed to leave pet owners-and everyone else who treasures the best in contemporary cartooning-howling for more.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Gift.......2006-12-25

After reading the one I bought for a friend, I bought four more! Three for friends who allow their homes to be ruled by monarchs with 4 legs, and one for my dog!

Perhaps a Tad Too Many Cats..........2004-04-14

Just kidding. Cats are fine. I had a cat once. He was great. (Thought he was a dog, you know.) Anyway, this little book is full of witty -- and true! -- observations about our most common animal companions. Price's humor is so accurate, it's scary. She really captures the personalities of cats and dogs. Buy this book and learn what guide dogs do on their down time and what greeting cards would be like if cats wrote them. This book also makes a great gift for fellow dog (and cat) lovers.

Life with Cats and Dogs Captured!.......2004-01-02

I can't wait to share this book, a gift, with my friends, but I'm afraid I might never get it back. My strategy is to get another copy to circulate ...

Reigning Cats and Dogs: A Rhymes With Orange Tribute.........2003-11-05

This is a MUST HAVE for anyone who loves cats and dogs! Hillary Price is unsurpassed in her depictions of the thoughts and actions of our four-legged friends. Her ability to express her witty observations can lift even the most dour of spirits. I received this book as a birthday present and have read it daily since. If you enjoy laughing aloud and the love of a sweet pet, this book is for you.

Reigning Cats & Dogs : Good Nutrition Healthy Happy Animals

Average customer rating:

Just finished reading this book
This Diet Makes SO Much Sense!
Uncomplicated Fresh Food Diet for Dogs & Cats
Informative, easy to read and easy to follow recipes

Reigning Cats & Dogs : Good Nutrition Healthy Happy Animals
Pat McKay
Manufacturer: Pat McKay
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0963239414

Customer Reviews:

Just finished reading this book.......2007-05-26

This book is very informative and insightful. Very easy read. It was recommended to me at my local natural pet food store "My Pet Naturally" here in Los Angeles and I quickly read through it. I shuddered when I recognized all of the symptoms of the yeast infections that our family dog suffered through for years until she was finally put down last year. We went through all sorts of expensive prescription dog foods, corizone shots, steroids, antibiotics, the works! After hundreds of dollars in vet bills nothing ever made that animal more comfortable and she died just miserable. After reading this book I'm certain that if we had put her on the Pat McKay diet she would have lived a much healthier and comfortable life. I now see the same things happening in my cats. Overweight, constantly hungry, lethargic. I'm starting them on this diet immediately.

This Diet Makes SO Much Sense!.......2002-03-14

Being a nutrition consultant (for humans) I found this book extremely informative. This raw meat & veggie diet is the only thing that seems to have helped my puppy's digestive problems. After trying EVERY top quality commercial dog food on the market, I gave this diet a try. His health improved tremendously. He stopped itching, his coat turned shiny and his digestive problems ended. The nutrition information provided really makes sense when you stop to think about it. Though it can be more expensive initially, I believe it will pay off in the long run -- a healthier and happier dog! Not to mention fewer visits to the vet. Thank you Pat McKay for this wonderful book that I really did "stumble" upon in a natural food store.

Uncomplicated Fresh Food Diet for Dogs & Cats.......1999-05-10

This is a simple nutrition program based on raw meat and pureed raw veggies. It's not a bad introduction to raw food diets for dogs and cats, but I would definitely recommend further reading on the subject matter. Contains a good section on the different vegetables one can feed as well as info on nutritional supplements, purified water, fasting, detoxification, and natural flea control. McKay does sell her own line of nutritional supplements which she recommends in the book.

Informative, easy to read and easy to follow recipes.......1999-03-06

This is my faorite book out there on animal nutrition. Pat tells us why our pets need wholesome, raw foods. The book is large type, simple to read and includes a simple raw food diet, easily prepared. As a "health food store for pets" owner..I highly recommend this to all interested in a more natural, healthier way of life for their companion animals.

Who's Kitten Who? (Reigning Cats & Dogs Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

humorously entertaining amateur sleuth

Who's Kitten Who? (Reigning Cats & Dogs Mysteries)
Cynthia Baxter
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Candy Cane Murder
Murder By the Slice: A Fresh-Baked Mystery (Fresh Baked Mysteries)

ASIN: 0553590340
Release Date: 2007-09-25

Book Description

When it comes to murder this sleuth isn't pussyfootin' around...

Veterinarian and amateur sleuth Jessica Popper takes center stage in the cast of an up-and-coming Long Island playwright’s last production—and the fur flies as Jess finds the theater world littered with clues to Simon Wainwright’s murder. Was the killer the actress who’s a real glamour-puss? Or her rival for Simon’s affections, a disheveled costume designer who looks like something the cat dragged in? Or how about the fat-cat Broadway producers?

Jessie’s no scaredy-cat when she’s on the prowl, but she loses her cool when her future in-laws and their monstrous Maltese descend on the tiny cottage she shares with fiancé Nick Burby, Lou the one-eyed Dalmatian, rambunctious Westie Max, and the rest of her menagerie. Between coping with the “Invasion of the Burbarians” and playing cat and mouse with a killer, Jess could use nine lives herself. But curiosity killed the cat—will that be Jessie’s fate by the time the curtain falls?

Customer Reviews:

humorously entertaining amateur sleuth .......2007-10-05

Veterinarian Jessica Popper has a unique practice on Long Island in which she doesn't have an office but a clinic on wheels so she can care for her patients where it's convenient for them on their turf. She can use less stress in her personal life because she just got engaged to Nick and is afraid it won't last. When his parents come to visit, she and her future mother in law clash so Nick feels they need some time apart.

Luckily, Jessica has something to keep her mind occupied; a speaking part in a community theatre that is scheduled to go to Broadway. The writer and star of the show Simon Wainwright is found murdered in a trunk, his head bashed in. Jessica's best friend and leading lady who cared for Simon asks her to find the killer which is not easy because she is dealing with thespians who know how to fake their emotions. However, the killer is watching Jessica, warning her off and if she doesn't listen, she will be the next victim.

WHO'S KITTEN WHO? is a humorously entertaining amateur sleuth mystery especially the scenes with the heroine and her feline mother-in-law. This tale contains a finely developed mystery because there are many suspects with motives who want the victim dead. There is enough action to keep readers absorbed in the storyline but it is the characters who make this who-done-it an interesting tale as the various personalities more often squabble than work together.

Harriet Klausner

Lead A Horse To Murder: A Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery

Average customer rating:

Lead A Horse To Murder: A Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery
Cynthia Baxter
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000NW9NXU

Putting On The Dog: A Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery

Average customer rating:

Sorry I bought the entire series
Fire the Editor!
Doggone Fun Summer Reading
Annoying
Don't bother checking your shoes--it's the book that stinks...

Putting On The Dog: A Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery
Cynthia Baxter
Manufacturer: Wheeler Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Dead Canaries Don't Sing: A Reigning Cats and Dogs Mystery (Reigning Cats & Dogs Mysteries)
Lead a Horse to Murder: A Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery (Reigning Cats & Dogs Mysteries)
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Sit, Stay, Slay (Kendra Ballantyne, Petsitter Mysteries)

ASIN: 1587248603

Book Description

Standing in for a fellow vet at a charity dog show has Jessica Popper hitting the road with her faithful one-eyed Dalmatian, Lou, and her tailless Westie, Max, for the palatial summer estates of Long Island's fabled East End. When she arrives, the posh seaside community is crawling with stars eager to take best in show for their beloved pooches. But it's murder most tacky when a celebrity photographer is felled by a giant ice sculpture.

Customer Reviews:

Sorry I bought the entire series.......2007-09-18

I enjoyed the first in this series 'Dead Canaries don't Sing', so bought the rest of the series anticipating several good reads. But the second was so poorly written, I gave all of the books to Goodwill.
In the first book, Jessica gets involved in a murder where the body is discovered on her clients land. She at least knew the people who owned the land and it took place in her neighborhood. In the second, she gets involved in a murder of a photographer at a party she is attending. That is my problem with this book. She has absolutely no ties to anything involved with this murder except being at the same party, but she is showing up at homes where she knows none of the people, sneaking on to property, tracking down people she does not know to ask questions, and the entire time, treating her so-called boyfriend like crap. She lies to him, misses dates, and there are references to her fear of committment, but that is never explained. About half way through, I had had enough of Jessica running all over the place being a pest and making very little sense doing it.
Maybe if the author would have kept Jessica close to home and developed her character and ties to her community better, I would have found her more likeable. And what the heck is the deal with the committment thing?

Fire the Editor!.......2007-05-11

I was driven to distraction by all of the punctuation errors and repetitive phrasing ("Of course" seems to be featured several times on every page). Was Ms. Baxter's editor asleep?

As was noted in an earlier review, we're supposed to believe that within a day of the murder Dr. Popper, a stranger to the Bromptons, is being welcomed into the homes (and secrets) of the rich and famous? Uh huh.

For someone who was supposed to be spending a week manning a dog show booth, Dr. Popper seemed to leave most of the work to her 12-year-old assistant, Emily. Then again, this is the same character prone to leaving her canines in the van on hot summer days. I wasn't comforted by the fact that windows were cracked and water was available - within 10 minutes, those would have been some hot dogs. Gee, maybe that will be the title of an upcoming book, with Dr. Popper being investigated by the SPCA.

Too many unbelievable plot points made this a painful read. Two stars 'cuz I like doggies.

Doggone Fun Summer Reading.......2006-08-12

This paperback addition to the Baxter Reigning Cats & Dogs series takes a peak into the world of the rich, famous & beautiful of Long Island, NY . Readers follow traveling vet, Jessica Popper, DVM, to solve the "murder-by-ice-sculpture" of a hated papparazi where, as in true form, there is more below the surface to be illuminated by her investigation. Jessie & her two rescue dogs move among the north shore's beautiful people treating their pets' maladys & uncovering clues to the famous, local photographer's death that police have tagged a mere accident. A charity dog show serves as the backdrop for a story filled with twists of deceit, romance & suspense. What it lacks in actual dog show authenticity it makes up for in charm. Definitely a good summer read.

Annoying.......2006-06-13

I liked Cynthia Baxter's first book because the characters were interesting and different from most of the "cozy" characters. This book, however, just annoyed me. There's absolutely no growth in the characters...Jessica is still non-commital and nosy, Nick still hangs on waiting for her to grow up. The idea that someone is just "interested in murders" is ridiculous. Jessica has absolutely no connection to the murdered man and only the most tenuous of relationships with the dog allegedly responsible for the accident that caused his death.

And then there's the setting. Ms. Baxter is supposedly a native of Long Island. Yet she repeatedly says the Norfolk police are in charge of crimes in the "East End." That would be Suffolk county, not Norfolk county. And why make up the "Bromptons?" Just call it the "Hamptons" and be done with it. Spend a weekend out there researching the street names and the types of restaurants, shops, etc and then make it real. You don't need to use people's names to make something realistic.

Plus, people who guard their privacy don't let total strangers hang around them and ask prying questions, even if that person is a vet. People who love their animals as much as the characters in this book have a great deal of loyalty to the vet who cares for them. They certainly aren't apt to just open right up to a new one. Just because someone likes animals, doesn't make them automatically trust someone else who likes animals.

Don't bother checking your shoes--it's the book that stinks..........2005-10-12

Dr. Popper, chipper veterinarian turned sleuth, has been coerced by an associate into giving advice at an ASPCA fundraising event in the Bromptons, Long Island's paradise for wealthy whatnots. When she stops to ask directions to the event she gets splashed with mud by a handsome actor in a sportscar, only to find that she is staying at his guesthouse during the event (whoddathunk?). Meeting cute, the two find themselves semi-attracted. This becomes problematic since Jessica's b.friend is supposed to join her for her stay. At the opening night of the fundraiser, a much despised papparazzo is killed by a giant ice sculpture. Jessica takes the matter into her own hands and what ensues is a week's worth of dull sleuthing antics. Accompanied by her two pooches Max and Lou, Jessica meets actors, famous locals, and is soon hobnobbing in a very casual fashion. Meanwhile she must fend off the advances of Shawn Elliot, the actor whose house she's staying at, and trying to placate her easily irritated and mostly whiny boyfriend Nick.

God, what an awful book. I would have set this book down if I weren't so compulsive--I kept wondering how the heck Cynthia Baxter was going to make her plot believable. Bad move. Putting on the Dog isn't funny or entertaining enough to warrant 368 pages. It's most clever points are in the punny title and synopsis on the back cover. Several editing errors only made the going more painful. Jessica Popper, DVM, is a supposed dog expert, yet early in the book makes a comment about Schipperkes being the basis for the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood. Uh, like, Dr. Popper, Schipperkes are all black, about a foot high and very cute/fuzzy. OK, I give on the ears. Wolves and Schipperkes both have pointy ears. Four legs, too. This was followed by a comment about a white Abyssinian basking in the sun. Really? Abyssinians are sandy brown with almost mountain cat markings. And they breed true to type. So, I'm being a twit pointing these mistakes out, but I can't help but think that if you are going to write a book about an expert, then you ought to know the expert's subject or find someone who does and will edit accordingly. And don't even get me started on Jessica's love interests... Nick is whiny, deluded, and boring, yet the Jessica and the author both keep commenting on what a great guy he is. Too bad no one bothers writing something that illustrates this. Shawn Elliot's actions are attentive, kind, and thoughtful, albeit a tiny bit shallow, yet Jessica keeps acting as though he's a major moral threat. And I know this is just supposed to be a cute book yadayada, but is it really believable that the first movie actor she meets falls in love with her? How about his personal assistant or something?

If your thing happens to be animal-mysteries, and you are somewhat logical, then I say skip this one or wait until Ms. Baxter gets a better editor and research assistant.

Average customer rating:

Reigning Cats & Dogs
Lisa; Hatch, Denison Hoffman
Manufacturer: Prentice-Hall Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NQ1B54

Average customer rating:

Reigning cats & dogs
Mary Eleanor Browning
Manufacturer: Prentice-Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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