Purebred Dead: A cozy dog mystery

By Kathleen Delaney

This lively cozy, set in smalltown California, is the first in a brand-new dog mystery series
Pillar of the community, Mary McGill has a finger in every pie, a place on every committee. She’s the one the townsfolk can count on when they need help. Everything Mary organizes runs smoothly – apart, that is, from the town’s traditional Christmas pageant. For the festivities are rudely interrupted by the discovery of a blood-stained corpse lying in the manger. Cowering beside the body is a small black-and-white puppy.

Two local children report seeing a shadowy figure fleeing from the scene – but there are no clues as to the murderer’s identity. If Mary could only find out what the puppy was doing there, she would be one step closer to finding the killer. As someone who knows nothing about dogs, purebred or otherwise, Mary had better learn – and fast – before she and the children become the next victims.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Severn House Digital
• Release date: Aug 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781780106540

Kathleen Delaney

Kathleen Delaney, a retired real estate broker, has authored three other Ellen McKenzie mystery novels, using her real estate experience to guide Ellen through the complexities of her transactions. The scenes in the bakery kitchen required extra research. (Bakery people, as it turns out, are not only willing to share their knowledge but also their Cherry Danish.) Besides her novels, Kathleen has contributed to several anthologies, won a national award for short fiction, and published several articles. The mystery novels are set on the Central Coast of California, where Kathleen lived and worked for over twenty years and where she raised her five children, along with Arabian and Half Arabian horses, assorted dogs, cats and, reluctantly, a goat. During that period Kathleen also learned about the Central California wine business—knowledge put to good use in other books. She now lives in a century-old house in South Carolina, enjoying her two dogs, eight grandchildren, writing, experimenting with southern cooking, and, of course, reading.

Reviews for Purebred Dead

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Purebred Dead: A Canine Mystery by Kathleen Delaney is the first book in A Mary McGill Mystery series. Mary McGill is a retired home economics teacher living in Santa Louisa, California. She spends her time helping with various fund raisers around town (a lot of them). Mary is the chair of the Victorian Christmas Extravaganza which is taking place that night. She is on the steps of the library when Dalia comes running up to her. Someone was lying in the manager and would not get up. Mary finds Dr. Cliff Matthews dead in the manger. Cliff is a retired vet (lost his license due to drinking). Dalia and her brother, Ronaldo also found a puppy near the body. Why would a puppy be there?Don Dunham, Santa Louisa’s Chief of Police (and Mary’s nephew) quickly arrives at the scene. The kids are quickly escorted from the scene. Mary decides to investigate the crime. She starts asking questions around town and finds out that the puppy is an important clue to the case. Mary follows her leads (from her questions) while doing her charity work to find the killer. Will Mary be able to keep herself and the children safe until the person responsible is apprehended?Purebred Dead was a cute and fun cozy mystery. The mystery was not super complicated nor was it very simple (though I did solve it). The writer has a nice conversational style that makes the book a delight to read. I give Purebred Dead 4 out of 5 stars. I do not know how Mary has time for all her charity work (just reading about it was exhausting). The characters are pleasing in the novel and I liked the descriptions of the various animals. If you relish reading cozy mysteries, give Purebred Dead a try.I received a complimentary copy of Purebred Dead from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.