Gaits of Heaven (©2006)

by Susan Conant

Poor Dolfo. It wasn't the golden Aussie huskapoo's fault that he wasn't housebroken. Blame it on his owners, Ted and Eumie [You Me], a New Age couple who couldn't bring themselves to restrain a don's free spirit with collars, leashes, or obedience training. Leave that to Holly Winter, who's been enlisted to do it for them. Now, she's just one of a pack of psychiatrists, psychologists, pharmacologists, and alternative healers who medicate the dysfunctional pair, soothe their trouble children, and placate their bitter ex-spouses.

Unfortunately, Eumie's "trauma history" gets the best of her when she succumbs to an accidental overdose of mixed meds. Her daughter, Caprice, a human stray who knows the dirty little secrets of both sides of the family, is convinced it was murder. So is Holly. But who hated — or feared — Eumie enough to have her put down? It's up to Holly to find a killer, sort out the motives and mysteries of the shady brood, and get back to giving Dolfo the attention he deserves...

Previous entries in this series are: A New Leash on Death, Dead and Doggone, A Bite of Death, Paws Before Dying, Gone to the Dogs, Bloodlines, Ruffly Speaking, Black Ribbon, Stud Rites, Animal Appetite, The Barker Street Regulars, Evil Breeding, Creature Discomforts, The Wicked Flea, The Dogfather, and Bride and Groom.