Monday, December 6, 2010

Raining Cat Sitters and Dogs -Blaize Clement

Raining Cat Sitters and Dogs
Blaize Clement
Minotaur, Dec 28 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312369583

In Siesta Key, Florida, former police officer turned pet sitter Dixie Hemingway goes to the vet to pick up Big Bubba, a fan of TV police dramas who shouts at the screen. While in the reception area Dixie meets hysterical teenager Jaz who brought in an injured wild rabbit. A man with her claiming to be her stepfather says he accidently hit the rabbit with his car.

Dixie’s gut screams at her that something is not right with this pair. Soon afterward three punks assault Dixie demandong she tell them where Jaz is. Dixie consults with her boyfriend homicide detective Jean-Pierre Guidry, who says the trio is the prime suspects in the murder of an elderly man. The pair now fears for Jaz’s life and begin a search for the girl before the street thugs find her.

The fifth Dixie Hemingway pet sitter mystery (see Even Cat Sitters Gets the Blues and Cat Sitter on a Hot Tin Roof) is a wonderful tale as Dixie knows Jaz is not her responsibility but once a cop always a cop. The story line engages the audience from the moment Big Bubba the African parrot gives Dixie and others a mouth full. Combining humor with a serious missing person’s search, Blaize Clement provides a strong tale.

Harriet Klausner

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