by Julie Obermiller

Canines in Cozies

. “The secret of the fountain of youth is found in the saliva of dogs, but it must be applied three times a day,” Susan Conant.

Unlike some cat lovers, I don't dislike dogs. How could you dislike a creature that shows such unwavering loyalty and affection? While my own queen cat suits my lifestyle, I am well aware of the role dogs play in many important areas. There aren't many (any?) seeing-eye cats or drug-sniffing felines with the FBI, so there is something to be said for man's best friend. Besides, they're so dog-gone cute and cuddly! After waxing enthusiastic about feline mysteries, I promised a peek at mysteries that feature canine companions and there is a big selection for fans. If you haven't yet discovered these writers, start at the beginning of each series and work your way forward as you're invited to share the special relationship between owners of pets and their four legged children.

If Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum (Lilian Jackson Braun's “Cat Who…” books) are the best known mystery felines, then Rowdy and Kimi take the crown in the canine companion category. Although Holly Winter's Alaskan Malamutes don't seem to have the acute cerebral crime-solving abilities of the cats, they are certainly larger than life sidekicks during Holly's adventures. Author Susan Conant has sent Dog's Life columnist Holly out for her 16 th adventure and lovers of the world of dog shows and prime pets will appreciate the background. Bride and Groom; A Dog-Lovers Mystery is the latest chapter in the series that began with A New Leash on Death in 1990.

Conant has developed a huge following, especially among dog show aficionados. Check out illustrated tee shirts with two Conant dog quotes at food4pets.com. “The secret of the fountain of youth is found in the saliva of dogs, but it must be applied three times a day,” and “I am a female dog person…and only a bitch when the situation warrants it,” have been embraced by fans. Conant's books are packed full of information about dog shows and everything-you-always-wanted-to-know about malamutes, so non-dog people might find it slow going, but Holly and the boys are endearing characters. As a plain mutt fancier, I found myself flipping past the complicated dog show requirements and procedures to get to the characters and mystery. Holly is getting married to her long-suffering beau at last, but is this the beginning of the end?

Interestingly enough, Conant's latest book is Scratch the Surface; a Cat Lover's Mystery! The author introduces Felicity Pride, writer of cat mysteries, who knows nothing about cats! Softly poking fun at the cozy mystery genre, she dumps a body and a cat (with a sibling) at Felicity's feet, forcing the pompous writer to adopt the kitties and learn about her subjects first-hand. This book is not stuffed with technical jargon and is an easy and amusing read that offers a light-hearted look into writing fiction. Dog lovers will no doubt wonder “Does this mean the end of Kimi and Rowdy?” Stay tuned.

Faith, the Standard poodle, is part of the family that keeps teacher Melanie Travis busy while mysteries fall into her lap. The series by Laurien Berenson started with A Pedigree to Die For and the 11 th in the series was Jingle Bell Bark in August 2004. When the school bus driver of Melanie's 8 year old son is killed, it embroils Melanie, her kennel-owning wacky aunt and the whole cast. Rave reviews from loyal fans show Berenson has a satisfied following eagerly awaiting the next installment.

It seems to be raining success for Cynthia Baxter, author of the Reigning Cats and Dogs Mysteries . The latest, out in May 2005, is Lead a Horse to Murder and veterinarian Jessica Popper is thrust into yet another murder to solve. Her companions Max, a tailless Westie, and Lou, a one-eyed Dalmatian, provide lots of comic relief and loyal support for their owner. Horse follows 2004's Dead Canaries Don't Sing and Putting on the Dog. Already announced for an April 2006 release is Hare Today, Dead Tomorrow; A Reigning Cats and Dogs Mystery. Fans will be happy for the next installment of Baxter's mystery series.

What kind of a dog would Delilah Dolittle have? British ex-patriate Delilah Little, pet detective, is now firmly ensconced on the California shore in America but just as firmly holding her British heritage close to heart. Beastly Bloodline; a Delilah Dolittle Pet Detective Mystery in August 2003 was the fifth in a series by Patricia Guiver that started with Purloined Pooch . The series features Delilah, her Doberman named Watson and a Jack Russell named Trixie. Cozy lovers will love the unlikely trio and the surrounding cast of characters. Let's hope there are more to come.

Carol Lea Benjamin 's latest was Fall Guy; a Rachel Alexander and Dash Mystery , out in September, 2004 and Without a Word is coming out in September, 2005. Rachel, the heroine, is a dog trainer turned Greenwich Village PI, first introduced in 1997's This Dog For Hire . The latest has Rachel searching for a mother who vanished five years earlier, while Dash tends to the sad, mute daughter now accused of murdering a doctor after a disfiguring surgery. Dashiell is a loving, tender pet therapy dog; also a pit bull. Dash will certainly give you another view of the dogs that get such bad press as killers. Readers will enjoy the warm characters and plausible mysteries. No overload of dog facts here, just a wonderful working partnership between woman and dog. Benjamin puts her wealth of dog knowledge packed into the several books on dog training and tricks she has published.

A promising series was launched by Mike Silvestri in November, 2004. Bark of the Tree; A Lazy Dog Mystery strays from the cozy ranks with its elements of political intrigue. Computer geek Mike Daniels and his lazy sheepdog named Abby stumble into a quick paced sinister mystery. Reader reviews were good and no doubt Silvestri is hard at work on number two.

The die-hard dog lover and short story fan might do well to hunt up a copy of 15 Canine Crimes Committed by a Kennel of Top Writers released in 1998. From the jacket: “Here is a captivating collection of never-before-published stories with bark--and an occasional bite--as some of the most illustrious names in contemporary crime fiction pay homage to our loyal friends.” Writers include Deborah Adams, Laurien Berenson, Melissa Cleary, Amanda Cross, Brendan DuBois, Jonnie Jacobs, Dean James, Jeffrey Marks, Taylor McCafferty,  Anne Perry, Lillian M. Roberts, S. J. Rozan, Polly Whitney, Valerie Wolzien and Steven Womack.

~*~

There is a niche in the mystery genre for everyone's fancy. In the cozy genre I adore, there are so many sub-categories to explore and more are bursting forth on the scene every day. I've recently read a lot of mysteries with a gardening theme (not on purpose; my gardening skills stop at the pot of chives for baked potatoes on my windowsill). The most important element is the mystery. For a cozy, the focus is on the cast of characters and their interactions; a slice of everyday, ordinary life. Strip away all the encyclopedic facts that lend background, a good mystery must survive in bare bones.

I'll read anything. I admit it. I cannot- not read. That said, I will read almost any book in my hand through to the end, and will no doubt enjoy some elements of even the most boring tome. I will patiently flip through extraneous pages of descriptive sludge or useless (to me) info to keep the thread of a mystery. I love a book that lets me sail through every word as it unfolds, unencumbered by too much information. If I want to do research, I'll read a textbook or search the web. So many authors these days think they must be specialists in some field and pages are filled with minutiae that bogs down the story.

Booklovers live life around the world, in every culture, in every period in history vicariously. We absorb a wealth of knowledge from the word paintings of great authors, sowing factual tidbits that let our imaginations bloom. For cozy readers, it is a study of life and human nature.

I'm hoping that Cozy Corner readers will share their favorite genre categories with me; I'm always looking for a new cast of familiar characters to adopt! Let me know if there is a topic you would like me to explore, or make suggestions of your own to our thousands of readers. You can reach me at juliechatterbox@msn.com .

Our prayers are with all those whose lives and homes were washed away in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Astrodome emergency relief workers have asked for books and reading glasses for the tens of thousands stranded there! We all know the blessed escape a book can bring! Please help if you can. Julie

KATRINA AFFECTED ALL LIVING THINGS

AN APPEAL TO ANIMAL LOVERS! The recent hurricane in the Gulf States has been devastating for many family pets and animals. Information and a pet-find registry can be found at Nola.com (from New Orleans ). Please consider donations to the ASPCA or other agencies to help. Obviously, rescuers have to give their attention first to human needs, but many of those who lost everything will be grieving for their beloved pets as well. The Humane Society of U.S. says they are helping set up an emergency facility at the Coliseum in Baton Rouge . Also, they're supposedly helping to transport animals that were with the evacuees at the Astrodome in Houston to a temporary shelter. Contact HSUS at 1-888-259-5431, 1-800-486-2631, 1-202-452-1100. Email HSUS at disaster@hsus.org Petsmart Charities is also supposed to be helping with medical supplies & food supplies. Assistance will be needed for some time, so help now and put these loyal pets on your Christmas list!