Book Review: Three Woofs for the Dead, White and Blue
Three Woofs for the Dead, White and Blue. Laura Quinn. Independently published, Pawtisserie Mysteries Book One, Trade Paperback and E-book, 284 pages.
Reviewed by Julie S. Halpern.
Laura Quinn’s first book in her new Cozy Mysteries Series features a large, engaging cast of eccentric characters, and a scene-stealing Eurasian canine named Baron. Set in the affluent Chicago lakefront suburb of North Haven, Three Woofs delightfully skewers the foibles of North Haven’s wealthy, self-absorbed residents and their pampered pets.
Claire Noble, originally from North Haven, returns home following a successful marketing career in Manhattan. Now the owner of The Posh Pup Pawtisserie, a boutique bakery specializing in delectable, high-end treats for dogs, Claire is hoping for a quieter life.
Despite the seductive charm of her childhood home (complete with a handsome, attentive firefighter), she soon realizes that she has not stepped into a Hallmark movie. When a murder takes place at a July 4th celebration, implicating her best friend Traci, the amateur sleuth is drawn into the scenario. The victim, who is the wife of the village president, has many enemies, but there is no obvious suspect. As more residents turn up dead, Claire knows she must act quickly. With the help of her friend and attorney, Marti, Nick the firefighter, a hilarious entrepreneurial senior citizen named Agnes, and, of course, Baron, Claire is determined to clear Traci’s name.
As the intricate, well-crafted plot twists and turns, scorned lovers, angry business associates, and miffed socialites become suspects. Closely guarded family secrets, crooked land deals, and an incompetent police force eager to close the case add to Claire's frustration. Eventually, Claire and her team uncover the truth.
Ms. Quinn’s unique writing style pays loving attention to the smallest detail while never losing the necessary sense of urgency. If this were a classic cozy mystery, Claire and Nick would live happily ever after, but Ms. Quinn cleverly leaves her readers hanging as to the outcome of their relationship. Nick leaves the area to attend to a fire emergency, and Claire focuses on her business after the summer’s upheaval. Perhaps the next installment, We Woof You a Deadly Christmas, will offer some more clues.
Ms. Quinn's evident love for animals informs this lively, heartfelt, and highly personal book. She even includes her recipes for tasty Baron-approved treats. Some lucky dogs will have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season.