Book Review: The Case of the Hound Who Didn’t Stay
The Case of the Hound Who Didn’t Stay. Georgann Prochaska. Outskirts Press, July 8, 2016, Hardcover, Trade Paperback, and Kindle, 243 pages.
Reviewed by Michelle M. Burwell.
Alice Tricklebank is a citizen sleuth who has begun to train her young bloodhound, Audrey, to follow scent trails. While Audrey is not part of any official taskforce, officials have recognized her talent and have begun to send work to Alice and her dog. One day, an elderly man from a nearby town disappears, and his distraught niece, who was supposed to be watching him, calls Alice. It’s not until Audrey finds the man digging in an open field, appearing confused and perhaps suffering from dementia, that the real confounding mystery begins. It is there that the bloodhound lies down and gives the signal for death. And Alice, though hesitant to get involved in any official investigation, finds herself in the middle of a series of serious crimes.
While Alice is levelheaded and introspective, her best friend and co-sleuth, Lena, is adventurous, entertaining, and mischievous. While Alice tackles the footwork with Audrey, Lena helps with the research and acts as a sounding board for Alice’s working theories. Together, the two are an endearingly unlikely—and unstoppable—team, up against a wide variety of characters and suspects. The case is packed with challenges. During their pursuit for the truth, the women must navigate the delicate relationship between detectives working to solve the crimes in their official capacity, witnesses that struggle to articulate what they know or saw, town gossip, and misinformation.
The Case of the Hound Who Didn’t Stay is a fast-paced adventure that keeps the reader continuously guessing. Prochaska has artfully crafted several unique storylines that pull the reader along in constant pursuit of the truth. From a demented old man who is behaving oddly to a middle age woman who tends to wander and is unfairly bullied by the small community, Prochaska weaves a story that is believable, compelling, and yet simultaneously fortuitous. It is clear that Prochaska has a knack for writing mysteries, as she keeps the reader guessing right up until the end.
I would highly recommend The Case of the Hound Who Didn’t Stay to anyone who likes a good mystery. But even if a mystery novel is not typically your first choice, this book may be a good place to start. Prochaska’s writing is on par with her storytelling: clear, concise, and without too much explaining, allowing readers to draw their own assumptions and theories along the way. This book is also for readers who cherish their pets as companions.
The Case of the Hound Who Didn’t Stay is the second in Prochaska’s Snoopypuss Series. The Case of the Girl Who Didn’t Smile is the first in the series and was named as one of the ten finalists for the 2015 Lascaux Prize.