Duplicity Dogged the Dachshund (Dixie Hemingway Mysteries, No. 2)

I did not enjoy hearing about animals being tortured. Maybe I am to empathetic, but I really don't want to read about sadists. Real life is sad enough.

This is a unique author who writes a "cozy" series with lovable animals, witticisms and observations about human nature and a really good mystery that moves along quickly. The hero is a woman that is brave, hard working and grieving, and you care about her and her family characters and her efforts to heal from tragedy. Yet it is not a serious and sad book as you read it because the pet visits are so (pardon the pun) DEAD ON. The author knows dogs and loves them and she conveys that in her details of how pets communicate. This was the second in the series- the first one was very good and this one was excellent. It is also particularly enjoyable if you are from Florida as the only other author who gets Florida so well is Elaine Viets.I laughed, I cried and I cheered. Worth the grit in places, I just pushed through that part.

Poor old Mame, an ancient Dachshund, hardly can walk, much less get into trouble. Still, when she bounds away through a thicket and begins frantic digging, she turns up trouble aplenty--a dead man. Former sheriff's deputy and now pet sitter Dixie Hemingway recognizes a client--she had just waved at his silver BMW. But Conrad is dead, so who was driving the car? Who killed Conrad, and why? This is the second of the Dixie Hemingway mysteries. Once again the former sheriff's deputy becomes involved in solving the crime. The story is strongly plotted story and the character of Dixie well-developed. She is recovering from the tragic loss of her husband and young daughter. She is realizing that she can have positive relationships without giving up cherished memories. She is growing. Blaize Clement's strong sense of place enhances the unfolding story. Sarasota is circus country, and this story involves circus people, their relationships, and their work. This material adds considerable interest without over powering the mystery. I look forward to additional books in this series. by Patricia Nordyke Pando for Story Circle Book Reviews www.storycirclebookreviewsorg reviewing books by, for, and about women

Loved the first book in this series, but, surprisingly, liked this one better. The plot was strong, with surprising twists at the end. The conclusion, however, was not from left field and so the denouement was credible. I did have to put the book down for a short while after reading the descriptions of animal cruelty, but they were not gratuitous, and supported the believablility of the character of the perpetrators. I also enjoyed the circus information and as someone who disliked clowns, finding them frightening, I am pleased to say that I will now look at and enjoy them from a much different perspective. Dixie Hemingway, the protagonist, is a welcome, believable entry in the female sleuth genre. I am looking forward to January 8th and the next book in this series!

I enjoyed the first book of this series and am blown away with how great the second book is. It's a real page turner and I couldn't but it down. Dixie Hemingway is a charming and strong character. Dixie blooms in this second book. I love the animal characters and Dixie's love for them. Human character flesh out more in this second book. I look forward to a long run with this series. Keep 'em coming Blaize!

I enjoyed Blaize Clement's writing style and her characterization of the main character. What makes this book infinitely enjoyable are the details around the Sarasota area. Having just visited, I felt part of the story due to the details. I'm not a dog lover, but related to the story all the same. I look forward to reading more about Dixie.