Howl Deadly

Table of Contents

 

 

“An incredible writer who creates believable, intelligent characters.
Double Dog Dare
has a fun-filled, suspenseful story line that contains intrigue, mystery, murder, lots and lots of animals, and humor. Ms. Johnston’s wit, pacing, and dialogue make this cozy entry into the Pet-Sitter series a surefire winner.”

“[A] fast and fun read.”

 

 

 

“Wonderful . . . I always enjoy the pet-sitting antics in this series. The author has done a great job of making the reader care about the animals. Plus their personalities really shine through. The Southern California [setting] is enjoyable as well.”

 

 

 

“A humorous, cleverly constructed murder mystery . . . Intelligent . . . with an eccentric cast that infuses the plot with a sense of jocularity and pets that readers would love to adopt.”

“Kendra is such a fun . . . likable character. [There’s] plenty of humor along with a well-plotted cozy mystery.”

“A wonderful new addition to the ranks of amateur detectives . . . The well-timed humor . . . sets it above the current crowded crop of cozy mystery series. Johnston’s ability to blend pet love, mystery, and romance into one well-wrapped package makes this a summer treat for mystery and pet lovers alike.”

“Exciting . . . Johnston is a creative storyteller who not only writes a fascinating mystery but also creates a deep character study.”

“A fast-paced who-done-it . . . Kendra is a fun character, and her supporting friends and assorted critters make an enjoyable read.”

“You’ll laugh out loud! Don’t read it when you have to be quiet!”

 

 

“Linda O. Johnston has a definite talent for infusing humor in just the right places . . . Pet lovers and amateur-sleuth fans will find this series deserving of an award as well as a place on the bestseller lists.”

 

 

“Very funny and exciting . . . Worthy of an award nomination . . . The romance in this novel adds spice to a very clever crime thriller.”

“A brilliantly entertaining new puppy caper, a doggie-filled who-done-it . . . Johnston’s novel is a real pedigree!”

—
Dorothy Cannell

“Pet-sitter sleuth Kendra Ballantyne is up to her snake-draped neck in peril in Linda O. Johnston’s hilarious debut mystery
Sit, Stay, Slay.
Witty, wry, and highly entertaining.”

—
Carolyn Hart

SIT, STAY, SLAY
NOTHING TO FEAR BUT FERRETS
FINE-FEATHERED DEATH
MEOW IS FOR MURDER
THE FRIGHT OF THE IGUANA
DOUBLE DOG DARE
NEVER SAY STY
HOWL DEADLY

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Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

 

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

 

HOWL DEADLY

 

A Berkley Prime Crime Book / published by arrangement with the author

 

PRINTING HISTORY

Berkley Prime Crime mass-market edition / December 2009

Copyright © 2009 by Linda O. Johnston.

 

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

 

eISBN : 978-1-101-15184-6

 

BERKLEY® PRIME CRIME
Berkley Prime Crime Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
BERKLEY® PRIME CRIME and the PRIME CRIME logo are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA)
Inc.

 

 

 

This book is dedicated to canines of all kinds—wild, tame, and in-between. To wolves in particular, those amazing animals who were both ancestors of our dogs today and are living evidence of how canines can survive—sometimes with protection—in the wild.

 

This dedication of course includes Cavalier King Charles spaniels—especially both Kendra’s and Linda’s Lexies, as well as Linda’s little Mystie.

 

This book is also dedicated to all those who care about and protect the wildlife of the world, both roaming free and saved in sanctuaries. To the local Los Angeles area sanctuaries, including Wildlife WayStation and the Shambala Preserve. To the Los Angeles Zoo and the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association.

 

And no dedication would be complete without a mention of Linda’s husband, Fred. Linda already had her first Cavalier, Panda, when she met Fred. Fred had to learn to get along with Panda to win over Linda—not always an easy task. Since then, Fred has patiently helped Linda care for a whole pack of Cavaliers, usually two at a time. And we all absolutely appreciate him for it!

 

 

“STILL INCREDIBLY ADORABLE,” I crooned.

“I’ll say,” said Dante DeFrancisco, right in my ear. When I glanced away from the sweet mama wolf and three nearly newborn pups in the glass-contained enclosure I’d been observing, I saw he was staring at me, not the latest arrivals at HotWildlife. Which made me shiver with a sensation I couldn’t quite identify—a combo of lust and anticipation and just plain old pleasure that this gorgeous, sexy, and, yes, super rich guy was hot for me, too.

I smiled and slowly turned away. I was absolutely enjoying everything about this long weekend away from the bustle of L.A., at the fringe of the nearby San Bernardino Mountains.

Visiting this amazing wild animal sanctuary, founded and funded by—who else? Dante.

I’m Kendra Ballantyne, L.A. attorney and proud pet-sitter, owner of Critter TLC, LLC. Not that I take care of wild creatures, but I’m an absolute animal aficionado, so I felt entirely in my element here at HotWildlife.

Right now, we were in the critical care infirmary, a long, low structure with attractive architectural details outside, state-of-the-art housing and veterinary facilities inside. The mother wolf was in a compact, glassed-in habitat where she could roam at will without straying far from her offspring. It was the babies’ dinnertime, and mama was lying contentedly on her side in an area covered with clean wood chips, nursing them.

“So how’s our adorable little family?” asked a voice from the nearest doorway to the observation area just outside the habitat.

“Just fine,” I responded to HotWildlife’s director and caregiver-in-chief, Megan Zurich.

I’d looked up the place online last week and learned that Megan was in her early forties, with substantial experience at zoos and other wild animal parks that gave her an excellent background for being here and in control. Her hair was long and blond, and pulled back with a barrette at the nape of her neck—most likely because she didn’t want her charges to be able to dig their claws into her tresses and tug them out. The golden lion’s-mane shade probably wasn’t natural but was streaked becomingly.

And, no, I wasn’t trying to be catty, despite the fact that the sanctuary was home not only to these wolves but also to lots of felines: several lions, tigers, servals, mountain lions, and even ligers—crosses between lions and tigers. Other mammals, too, such as coyotes. A great cross section of wild animals needing a safe haven where they could thrive. Mostly ones brought up in other sanctuaries or even as illegal pets, who hadn’t the skills or, sometimes, weren’t healthy enough to be released into the wild.

A few of them were in the infirmary. I heard occasional growls from an injured and aging coyote a few enclosures down, and some skittering from nearby raccoons.

“Can I come in?” One of the place’s volunteers squeezed around Megan’s shoulder, a guy named Anthony Pfalzer. He appeared to be of high school age, with a football player’s physique. Sweet, that someone so youthfully macho seemed to care so much about animals.

“Okay,” Megan said, moving out of the way, “but let’s all stay back so we don’t bother the nursing mother. She can see us through the glass as easily as we can see her.”

“Can we name her?” inquired another volunteer, who sidled in behind Anthony. “And the pups, too?” Her name was Krissy Kollings. To me, she looked like a Krissy: all cute and busty and wavy haired.