Dog Thriller

One steamy South Carolina morning, Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott discovers a client’s dead body. Police quickly decide she’s the prime suspect. Horrified, she knows she’ll have to turn detective if she’s going to convince them they’re barking up the wrong tree.

Old bones land Detective Peter Dourson up a creek without a paddle. Human remains surface on the banks of Cincinnati’s Mill Creek, sparking a media circus. It’s a case Detective Peter Dourson shouldn’t have, with attention he doesn’t want - even before his former fiancée arrives to fan the flames.

The first story collection from prize-winning author Fabio Morábito available in English, Mothers and Dogs features fifteen tales that show the emotional extremes in seemingly trivial details and quotidian situations: two brothers worry more about a dog locked in an apartment who hasn’t been fed than they do about their dying mother; when the lights go out on a racetrack, a man’s evening jog turns into a savage battle between runners; a daughter learns to draft business letters as an homage to her mother.

Quigley is a jolly, shaggy dog living in the remote mountain village of Sparrowdale, Colorado. Life for the mop-haired Komondor and Gavin, his beloved human companion, is nothing short of perfect. But one evening, during Quigley and Gavin’s playful stroll around the neighborhood, a spontaneous plague strikes Sparrowdale’s population. Its impact on the small mountain town is apocalyptic. Helpless, Quigley witnesses Gavin’s sudden transformation from a loving, dutiful friend into a growling, blood-thirsty beast, single-minded in his pursuit of human flesh.

The body of folk icon Annie Temple is discovered just before a concert at the chic recording studio and retreat of Twin Springs, and police suspect a young singer-songwriter, Tessa McElroy, of the murder. It seems that Annie recorded a commercial using Tessa's signature song without her permission. But Alice has concerns about the business practices of the recording studio - and owner Ray Gimble's strange obsession with killing an engaging stray dog.

Montezuma County Sheriff's detective, Jude Devine doesn't face too many challenges based in remote Paradox Valley, where most of the crime involves hiker assaults, campsite thefts, and cattle rustling. However, when the body of local teenager shows up with a stake through her heart, Jude finds herself leading an investigation no one wants to touch.

London, 1889. For Ira Adler, former rent-boy and present plaything of crime lord Cain Goddard, stealing back the statue from Goddard's blackmailer should have been a doddle. But inside the statue is evidence that could put Goddard away for a long time under the sodomy laws, and everyone's after it, including Ira's bitter ex, Dr. Timothy Lazarus.

Peter McKrall is at a crossroads - out of work, fighting a klepto habit, and trying to figure out his next move. Life takes an unexpected turn when a search for his niece's stuffed dog leads him to something else entirely: a bullet-riddled corpse. Talking to reporters lands Peter on the local news, which turns out to be a dangerous spotlight. And now Darla, the troubled daughter of the victim, is reaching out to him - but can she be trusted? When a second murder takes place and evidence is planted in his trash, the cops dredge up Peter's painful history.

Melody Marshall has been asked to prepare sweet treats and delights for the Port Warren Beauty Pagent. Only, not everyone is impressed with the idea. As always, Melody takes her cute French Bulldog, Smudge, along to the pageant. It isn’t long before they find a woman crying. Smudge offers cuddles and support while Melody discovers that one of the organizers, Ronald Atkins, is having a fling with many of the contestants. It looks like he is leaving them heartbroken. Melody is not impressed, as the man is old enough to be their father.

When a new bakery opens up, Melody starts to lose business. People are flocking to the new healthy treats across the road. It gets so bad that Melody even loses her temper and now she is in trouble. When the owner of the new bakery is found dead, and Melody is covered in his blood, it looks like she may have snapped. Now she is in jail and has no way of proving her innocence. Luckily, Smudge and Melody’s boyfriend, Sheriff Alvin, are on the case. Can they hunt down the truth when all the evidence points to Melody?

Melody Marshall is worried about her friend and assistant Leslie. The young woman seems to have fallen in love with, Jamison Shepherd, a big shot direct, who is new in town. To Melody and Smudge, he seems arrogant, and there are some worrying rumors that follow him around. Leslie doesn’t care. She is in love and so pleased that she has scored the role of leading lady in his play. Only things don’t go to plan. Leslie is thrown out of the role, and the new leading lady turns up dead.

When Olive Harrington is found dead, local Baker and her loyal French Bulldog Smudge, end up looking after the woman’s cat. Smudge is not impressed, and Melody knows she must solve the crime soon or have more trouble at home. All the clues point to Olive’s relative and a dispute over not only the lamp but her fortune. Will Melody and Smudge sniff out the clues and find the truth? What will happen to Taffy, the poor misunderstood cat?

Five deranged CIA killers, all of them dependent on their meds and deep in the woods of Maine, are forced to break out of the asylum when someone murders their psychiatrist and frames them for the deed. Crazy and traumatized by their experiences in the CIA, they operate under somewhat skewed perceptions of reality. Their training, however, has prepared them to survive in an unfriendly world, even if that world is the Boston-to-Washington corridor as they chase down the real killer.

On the reservation, Emmett Parker finds an intricate web of familial and tribal duties - and what could become a massive class action suit. Indian plaintiffs are suing the BIA for oil well funds they never received. Drawn into the controversy, Emmett is accused of murder by an investigator of his own blood, and now, the man who used to be the law is running from it.

In the dark recesses of a hangar, hidden deep in the Mojave desert, an experimental hypersonic aircraft sits in the shadows. A secret to all but a handful of men, the XS-81 has a very specific task, ready to protect the United State’s military secrets from a new wave of Soviet satellites.

For 16 years, Ben Shepard loyally served the Long Beach Police Department. Then he took a bullet to the head, and his life was shattered. No one expects much of anything from him anymore - except his father, an old man receding into a fog of his own. And except maybe his tenant, Grace, who's been a warm and friendly constant in his and his father's bleak lives. Until the day she vanishes. After an official investigation stalls, Ben moves forward on his own. But stepping into Grace's past - and all she was hiding - is a dangerous move for a man who can't trust his memories from one day to the next.

Francine Leeson was Murdered at her own retirement party. Super Sleuth Melody and her clue sniffing French Bulldog, Smudge had already left, but there are plenty of suspects — Francine was not well-liked. Francine Leeson had owned the local craft shop forever. No one thought she would ever retire, but a new love with the ex-sheriff has her wanting to travel. Tara, her daughter, arranged a surprise retirement party, but she didn’t get the reaction she hoped for. As always, Francine was rude. Belittling Tara and her business partner as well as Melody and Smudge.

Who would murder a Bridal Shop Owner? Will a body amongst the silks and satins stop the wedding, or will French Bulldog Smudge sniff out the clues and solve this dastardly crime? The town’s top baker, Melody, is about to marry the town’s handsome Sherrif, Alvin. Smudge, the cheeky Frenchie will be accompanying them as they tie the knot. Only now the wedding is on hold. Melody’s dress is ready, but disaster strikes when the proprietor of Wedding Sweets is found dead amongst her dresses.

A trip to Las Vegas has Sheriff Alvin feeling antsy, while Melody and French Bulldog, Smudge, are looking forward to seeing their friend finally married. After two murders had postponed the wedding, surely nothing could go wrong this time. Alvin is not a big fan of busy towns and noisy casinos, a losing streak at the tables does not make him feel better. A disturbance in the middle of the night has Smudge making a new friend, and the possibility of some police work perks Alvin right up.

The network news crew flying out from Los Angeles to cover a forest fire in Idaho believe themselves entitled to danger pay. The blaze has completely destroyed a rural religious community and all its inhabitants and is still raging - but that's not the reason they feel at risk. The danger comes from their on-screen reporter - beautiful, sexy, and malignantly ambitious Vicki Garcia.