Book Review: Nose For Trouble

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Nose For Trouble     Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
Doranna Durgin
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Cozy   Dogs   Amateur Sleuth   Veterinarian
Five Star, Dec 2005, $25.95

The fire burned down his Ohio clinic, but also seared his lungs as veterinarian Dr. Dale Kinsall tried to rescue his patients. Accompanied by his beagle Sully, he relocated to the dry Arizona desert just outside Flagstaff because of his asthmatic condition. At the Foothills Veterinary Clinic he meets an odd staff.

Also at the clinic he learns about a recent nearby homicide, but thinks that is far less a murder count from where he used to live. After nearly dehydrating, only to be rescued by Pine County Clinic DVM Dr. Laura Nakai, Dale and Sully find a corpse near their home. The victim John Heflinger apparently drowned in an arid drought infested backyard. The Midwest transplant informs the cops, but tries to ignore the incident until he realizes that he, his canine, and the eccentric crew at the Foothills Veterinary Clinic are at risk from a determined killer.

NOSE FOR TROUBLE is a lighthearted funny amateur sleuth tale starring a caring individual who seems to land in one doo-doo droppings after another in spite of his knowing to watch where he steps. The eccentric support cast, mostly those working at the clinic, Laura, and Sully, finds themselves in amusing predicaments that will have the audience laughing out loud. Still this is clearly Dale’s tale as he tries to start anew, but trouble seems to be his magnet.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner