Chihuahua of the Baskervilles

May 23, 2011
Set in Manitou Springs, Colo., Allbritten's debut offers eccentric characters, a lively pace, and adorable tiny dogs, but the sometimes silly humor won't be to every taste. The staff members of a dying paranormal travel magazine, Tripping, are hoping to capitalize on the story of Charlotte Baskerville, owner of a successful dog-clothing business, who's seen the ghost of her beloved late Chihuahua, Petey, and on the town's haunted restaurants, coffin races, and rich ghostly history. The Scooby-Dooâlike teamâfashion plate ace photographer Suki, skeptical writer Michael, and boss Angus, who reminds them that "as far as we're concerned, this is a real ghost"âfind themselves chasing growing evidence that someone wants to kill rich, anxious Charlotte, while trying not to lose their spook story in the realities of household drama. Dog lovers and those who like their mysteries on the light side will be charmed into overlooking the parts that don't work.

May 15, 2011

A magazine staff investigates a ghost dog's appearance in a quirky Colorado town.

Beleaguered Scotsman Angus MacGregor is sent to resuscitate Tripping magazine (about ghosts, not drugs) with a fanciful story of a ghost dog. Charlotte Baskerville, the owner and operator of the niche shop Petey's Closet, "Where the Well-Dressed Pooch Shops," has seen the clothing catalog's namesake wandering her home's grounds at night, a year after Petey's death. Charlotte's sourpuss husband Thomas insists that her story is further grounds for having the poor old dear declared incompetent, though a skeptic might suspect he's more concerned for her money than her mind. With bold photographer Suki Oota and cynical writer Michael Abernathy in tow, Angus visits the Baskerville home determined to write the story, whether or not the ghost is real. The Tripping team quickly becomes integrated into the quirky Baskerville household, from fame-hungry Russian dog trainer Ivan Blotski to Charlotte's own granddaughter and recovering alcoholic Cheri to bizarrely optimistic neighbor Bob Hume, who's obsessed with acai berries. Charlotte's living Chihuahuas, Lila and Chum, play non-speaking, emotionally supportive roles for the old girl while Angus and his mates investigate in order to assuage her concerns over Petey's message from the beyond. The mystery takes a backseat to tensions among the characters, all culminating at the town's annual coffin race festival.

Allbritten (Bound to Love Her, 2008, etc., as Esri Rose) tells a light and engaging tale with charming characters that will appeal to those outside of both mystery and canine genres.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

June 1, 2011

Reporters Angus MacGregor, Suki Oota, and Michael Abernathy are sent by a travel magazine specializing in the paranormal to the town of Manitou Springs, CO, to investigate sightings of a ghost dog. Charlotte Baskerville, the owner of designer dog clothes company Petey's Closet, reported being awakened by her deceased Chihuahua Petey's distinctive, yodeling bark. Things turn deadly when Charlotte's disreputable husband runs in front of a car while chasing Petey's "ghost." The journalists are naturally drawn into the mystery while researching the canine spirit and the town's paranormal ambiance. VERDICT Allbritten, who previously wrote two supernatural romances under the name of Esri Rose, has created likable characters, an intriguing mystery, and a quaint setting. Her series debut will appeal to cozy mystery lovers, especially those from Colorado. [Minotaur First Edition selection; regional tour; library marketing.]--Susan Hayes, Chattahoochee Valley Libs., Columbus, GA

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