MURDER IN THE FIRST PEDIGREEEveryone thought that dog show judge James Hunnewell was dead—after all, the aging and ailing man had been out of the dog show circuit for years.But he turns up, alive and ready to judge, at the Alaskan Malamute National Specialty Show. So does Dog’s Life columnist Holly Winter, who wouldn’t miss the chance to enter her own malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi. From the moment she arrives, it’s apparent that petty jealousies, rampant gossip, and back-stabbing politics are part of the dog show game. And when Hunnewell is bludgeoned to death, Holly soon learns that everyone was dying to be rid of him. His judging would have been a fiasco. Was he killed to save the show? Could there be a connection between Hunnewell’s murder and the violent death of a woman who once owned the legendary stud dog known as Northpole’s Comet? Just how ferocious is the competition for Best of Breed? It’s up to Holly to find out wTho murdered the judge—before the dog fancy breeds a new generation of deadly deeds.-+ STUD RITES +-“HOLLY’S SLANT ON LIFE, HUMOROUS, SOMETIMES ACERBIC, PROVIDES FOOD FOR THOUGHT”—The Drood Review of Mystery“A FRISKY LOOK AT MAYHEM.”—Publishers Weekly

“The dog lovers’ answer to Lilian Jackson Braun’s The Cat Who series.”—Rocky Mountain News“Both dog and mystery lovers know a champion when they see one.”—Carolyn G. HartNew England’s #1 dog trainer Holly Winter is set to marry veterinarian Steve Delaney (a Best of Breed himself). But the wedding plans have been spoiled by murder. And Holly’s taking it personally. So far all of the victims have been female dog lovers, and there are a few too many connections to Holly. As the mysterious killer promises a next victim, Holly fears that she fits the profile all too well. Now, till death do us part isn’t just a vow—it’s a warning. To save her life, Holly had better get a clue...“Tastier than liver treats. [Bride and Groom] undoubtedly will teach readers something new about their canine companions.”—Booklistwww.penguin.com

MURDER STRIKESWhen Rose Engleman is found dead after a thunderstorm, lightning is blamed. But soon Holly Winter starts to think it wasn’t an act of God that killed the elderly woman. Was it an act of vengeance? Jealousy? Hatred? Greed? Accompanied by her malamutes Rowdy and Kimi—and her visiting sixteen-year-old cousin Leah—Holly tracks down the truth, and discovers that a retired kindergarten teacher can have a surprising number of enemies...A DOG LOVER’S MYSTERYHolly Winter’s life is going to the dogs, but that’s just fine with her. She’s a feisty, thirtysomething dog-lover, born in Maine and settled near Boston, and her expertise in the breeding, training, and caring for man’s (and woman’s) best friend is just one of her inbred talents—she’s also a grand champion at tracking down criminals... the two-legged kind.Praise for Susan Conant’s DEAD AND DOGGONE: “I’d award it Top Dog honors!”—Nancy Pickard, author of Bum Steer$5.50 U.S.$6.99 CAN

“Both dog and mystery lovers know a champion when they see one.” —Carolyn G. Hart   Holly Winter’s malamutes, Rowdy and Kimi, are as delightful a pair of canine companions as anyone could ask for. Less faithful is her ex-lover who left her with a bitter heart and over-priced therapy sessions. Add a bout with amnesia and trepidation over her father’s second marriage, and Holly is convinced that things can’t get worse. Until a walk in the park pits Rowdy against a vicious golden retriever whose owner is no less so. How odd that such a gentle breed could be so nasty. Not so odd for humans. And not at all surprising when the owner is found murdered. Holly has no choice but step into the fray—for she knows better than anyone that killers are a cunning and clever breed.   “Fun, fast-paced...an independent, witty, and delightful protagonist... faced with the most eccentric and quirky of characters. Fans of Conant's popular canine cozy series will be delighted.” —Publishers Weekly   “Conant’s readers—with ears up and alert eyes—eagerly await her next.” —-Kirkus Reviews   Don’t miss Susan Conant’s next mystery, The Dogfather, now available in hardcover from Berkley Prime Crime. www.penguinputnam.com $6.99 U.S. $9.99 CAN

Holly Winter’s a Dog’s Life columnist on the wrong ■ side of thirty, a canine-loving detective sniffing out I crime on the streets of Cambridge. Holly is a dog’s I best friend—and murder’s worst enemy.... jfl They might be less famous than guide dogs for the blind, but hearing dogs are no less invaluable to their owners. Holly Winter discovers this well-kept secret when she interviews Stephanie Benson, a hearing-impaired priest, and her canine companion, Ruffly. A hardworking, reliable mixed-breed, Ruffly lends an ear with ringing telephones, doorbells, smoke alarms, and the other everyday sounds on which Stephanie’s livelihood—and life—depend. Ruffly and the rector have just moved into the house of Holly’s recently deceased friend, Morris Lamb, whose life-loving and dog-adoring ways left no clue to his sudden and untimely death. Then Ruffly begins tuning in to something more than mere mortals can hear. And when Holly follows the dog’s lead, she picks up the unmistakable sound...of murder. “CONANT MIGHT BE THE DOG LOVERS’ ANSWER TO LILIAN JACKSON BRAUN’S THE CAT WHO SERIES.” Ml—Rocky Mountain News “TOSS MS. CONANT A BISCUIT. IF THERE’S A CLASS CALLED ‘DOG MYSTERIES,’ SHE’S GOT A BEST OF BREED.” —Rendezvous

“The dog lovers’ answer to Lilian Jackson Braun’s The Cat Who series.”—Rocky Mountain NewsIt’s an offer dog handler Holly Winter can’t refuse: train wiseguy Enzio Guarini’s new Elkhound puppy, Frey. But can she ignore the fact that Guarini’s killed so many people even the FBI’s lost count? Hardly. One day into training and Guarini’s right-hand man is shot dead. The official story is a heart attack. Holly knows better. Between jump-starting a romance on the side and teaching a Mob pup to fetch, she’s found herself in the middle of a vendetta with a family well-trained in murder. And it’s going to take more than an understanding of the animal instinct to get away without getting bitten.“A hilarious parody of The Godfather... extremely funny.”—Midwest Book Review“Conant s readers—with ears up and alert eyes— eagerly await her next.”—Kirkus Reviewswww.penguin.comISBN 0-425-19459-01 9 4 5 9>$6.99 U.S.$9.99 CAN