Gnarly's Back! Award-Winning Author, Lauren Carr, Presents Best in Murder - A Mac Faraday Mystery Book 15!

“Does Gnarly ever really get over anything?” “He doesn’t get over things.” Mac glanced back at the dog staring at them. “He gets even.”

"I guess it should not be surprising that I didn’t know Robin Spencer had passed. I must confess I don’t read mysteries. I prefer real literature. Important books, you understand.”

Julian Blackwood’s face turned beet red with fury as he watched all hope of yet another grand prize slip through his fingers. It was plain for all to see that there was no hope of any ribbons or trophies based on this fiasco.

Mac muttered under his breath, “I’m sending Gnarly in here next time. He works cheaper.”

“This is a witch hunt,” he said. “You’re threatened by me. You’ve been threatened by me since the day they put you in that chair. I’ve given twenty-three years to this department—” “And you spent the last of them leaking confidential information and trying to engineer my removal,” David cut in, voice level. “The evidence doesn’t care about your years.”

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The celebration lunch had barely gotten underway when chaos erupted in the lobby. Diners’ heads swiveled toward the glass doors as a cacophony of barking, snarling, and frantic cursing suddenly filled the air. Wondering if the commotion involved their own dogs, several guests half-rose from their tables. Archie’s emerald eyes widened. “That sounds like Gnarly.” 

“Of course it’s Gnarly,” Mac said, already balling up his napkin and tossing it onto the table. The entire group stood and hurried out of the dining room. They found Jeff Ingles in the lobby, covering his face with both hands in utter despair. When he spotted Mac, he pointed a trembling finger toward the grand staircase. “That—” Jeff sputtered, “—dog!” Mac suspected he wanted to use another word to describe Gnarly but opted not to use it in front of the hotel’s guests—the majority of whom were dog owners. The barking grew louder as the source returned down the main staircase. It also grew from a monotone bark to quadra-sound as three dogs joined the chorus and parade. With Gnarly in the lead, a Chow and a Siberian husky ran down the stairs. The Pomeranian who had sounded the alarm brought up the rear. At the bottom of the staircase, Gnarly made a sharp turn to the right and through the business wing of the hotel. The other dogs followed. No one had the nerve or ability to stop them. 

“Pippin!” Mac recognized the voice of the dog owners they had met two nights before. Donna and Brandon, who owned Fergus, the Irish Wolfhound, and Pippin, the Pomeranian. “How did she get out of our room?” Donna asked. “Housekeeping must have accidentally let her out when cleaning,” Brandon said. “But we put up the sign to not clean the room.” 

“Do you see what Gnarly’s doing, Mac?” Jeff shouted. “He is forming a gang!” “I think they’re called a dog pack,” Hector said. “Whatever they’re called, we need to round them up,” Mac said. Leaving Hope at the table with Kourtney and Amelia Rose, Mac, Dusty, David, and Hector ran through the business wing of the hotel. Hector called members of his security team to cut off the growing dog pack at the end of the corridor. Archie, Donna, Brandon, and a growing number of curious guests followed. They burst through the swinging doors into the storage area just in time to see a man frantically pushing a laundry cart toward a white van backed up to the loading dock. The dog pack was closing in fast. 

“Hit the gas!” the man yelled, diving into the back of the van with the cart. The driver floored it. The van peeled away with its rear doors flapping open. Gnarly didn’t hesitate. He launched himself from the edge of the loading dock and sailed gracefully into the back of the fleeing van. The Siberian Husky was right behind him. The van swerved wildly. Screams erupted from inside as the driver’s door flew open and he tumbled out with the Husky latched onto his arm. The van finally came to a halt when it slammed into the side of a Spencer Inn mini-bus. Not wanting to be left out, Pippin and the Chow leaped off the dock and raced over to join the fray in the back of the van.

“We are so going to be sued,” Jeff moaned, his brow drenched in sweat. “I don’t think so,” Mac said, following David, Dusty, and Hector toward the wrecked van. “Why would that man be stealing our linen cart?” “Even if he was stealing it, Gnarly didn’t have to use physical force to stop him.” “I don’t understand what has gotten into Pippin,” Donna apologized to everyone who would listen. Mac arrived at the back of the van in time to see Hector and Dusty examining the man in the back and the driver. Both were covered with multiple dog bites. David and Mac climbed into the back where Gnarly and Pippin were sniffing the overturned linen cart. Whatever had started the chaos had definitely to do with the linen cart the culprits were trying to steal. David pulled back a sheet to reveal a dog head with wiry gray hair wearing a jeweled collar. “Fergus!” Brandon shouted the moment he saw his dog. The big Irish Wolfhound lay unmoving on the ground, and for one terrible second Brandon’s face drained of color. 

Then shock snapped into pure, protective rage. “What did you do to my dog?” he roared, already charging toward the man who had tried to smuggle Fergus out of the hotel. “That’s my dog! He’s part of our family!” Mac stepped in and caught him around the chest, holding him back as Brandon strained against his arms, trying to reach both the dog napper and the still form of the wolfhound. It was only when Mac was certain that Brandon was not going to assault the dognappers that he released him to go to Fergus. 

He wrapped his arms around the great dog. Relief crossed his face when he felt his chest move. “He’s breathing,” he told his wife. Donna uttered a sigh of relief. With the two men subdued and demanding medical attention and lawyers, Dusty turned his attention to the Irish Wolfhound. He checked his breathing and examined his eyes. “He’s been drugged,” he told Brandon. “We’ll get him to a vet. He’ll be fine.” “We have veterinarians here with the convention,” Hector took out his radio to put in a call. “I’ll get one of them here ASAP.” 

Jeff pointed at the driver. “He was the delivery person who brought in the gift basket for a guest. I thought Gnarly was trying to steal it.” He jerked his chin at his accomplice. “And I saw you get on the elevator with our bellhop when he took the basket upstairs to the room.” “The oldest trick in the book,” Hector said. “He followed the gift basket that he sent to his target. Once he found out what room Fergus’s owners were staying in, he convinced housekeeping that it was his room and she let him in. That was when Pippin escaped.” “And went to get Gnarly to help.” Archie gave the German shepherd a congratulatory pat on the head. “And the other two?” Mac tossed his head at the Chow and Siberian Husky, whose owners were trying to round them up. “Back up,” Hector said with a laugh.

 “Why try to steal Fergus?” Brandon asked while stroking his unconscious dog’s head. “We’re not rich. Fergus doesn’t exactly have a stellar bloodline.” Mac fingered the rhinestone collar still strapped around the huge dog’s neck. “What’s this collar made out of?” Brandon shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. Rhinestone? My wife picked it up from Amazon online. She thought it would make Fergus look classy.” Mac glanced over his shoulder at Archie. “Could someone mistake this collar for platinum and diamonds?” “Maybe,” Archie said with a shrug of her shoulders. 

“Are you saying that collar isn’t real?” the dognapper who had been in the back of the van asked. “It’s real cubic zirconia,” Donna said. “I bought it on Prime Day on Amazon for forty dollars. Thirty-five percent off.” The driver’s eyes bulged. “We went through all this for a forty dollar dog collar!” He lunged for his partner in crime, only for David to hold him back. “I want a lawyer!” “I knew this was going to happen.” Jeff mopped his brow with his soggy handkerchief. “The Spencer Inn has completely gone to the dogs.” 

~~~~~~

These dogs, all being champions, meant they were highly trained and were on leashes—released from the confines of the carriers after long trips. There were large dogs on leashes. Tiny dogs in bags. When a dog would try to move near another canine to make friends, their owners or handlers would jerk on their leash to pull them back to attention.

Among them all, there was one lone non-champion—a German shepherd sitting up tall in a leather wing-backed chair with a sign designating it as reserved for Spencer’s mayor, under the portrait of Robin Spencer, stroking Diablo, a fictional German Shepherd who had starred in her novels. Gnarly regarded the wall-to-wall dogs and owners with a puzzled expression on his face. Possibly he was wondering if he was to shepherd these dogs or not.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/

King Charles—the giant, moody Irish wolfhound

Runaway or dognapped?

No, I haven't attended a dog show, but I have attended one cat show, where a cousin by marriage was one of the judges... I've included the video of the dog show, simply to get you into an understanding of what happens if you've never attended one... The lineup might interest you as you can see the variety of dogs that are representing their individual breeds... In theory, they are the best of the best... with the ultimate Best of the Show...

All he wanted was to be loved. But they didn’t see that. All they saw was an investment.”

Me, I prefer Gnarly for my best of the best... He has been with fans of the Mac Faraday Mystery Series from the very beginning... In my mind, he can't be beaten... In fact, Gnarly has been elected Mayor--now that's what I call finding the right candidate to vote for!

 My Baby Has Four Paws

Best in Murder is one of the best of Carr's best! If that is possible... Let's just say that no matter which of her books you come across, you can be sure, as a mystery fan, you will never be disappointed... Carr has combined family into this ongoing series so that no matter how interesting the mystery, there is also a wonderful underlying connection of family love predominantly controlling the narrative. From the very first book, that family increases in size until we have an entire empire you might say of families continuously fighting criminals and overpowering them into submission... At this time in our nation, I found it a comforting assurance that good will indeed overcome any attempts to harm...

“Sometimes the dogs know best.”

There are many subplots in this book, so be prepared. Lots of characters, so fortunately Carr is one of the few writers who lists her characters in advance with a short intro of each--both ongoing and new characters for this book only... You may need it for this book especially... I did...

His hands shook. “I didn’t kill her!” Eddy’s eyes darted wildly into the gathering dark. “They did!” “Who?” Mac asked, calmly flanking left. “The government! Agents from the Pentagon! ...and they found out. It must’ve been some kind of weapon. Didn’t you see the news? Lydia Voss was on Mountain News 7 talking about it—said it was some top-secret government thing.

Just to illustrate, Mac Faraday's half brother has been appointed acting chief for another county, so there will be two different police units and staff, each with individuals who have personal agendas...

His chest was pressed tight against her back; she could feel his heart hammering through her shirt, fast and irregular. The knife was not a threat. It was already there—cold, flat steel kissing the soft skin of her throat hard enough that she felt the edge bite.

The Dog show is scheduled to be at the resort owned by Mac Faraday, which he received in an inheritance from his biological mother who he'd never known until she had died... He also inherited Gnarly and his mother's assistant who became Mac's wife... I found it quite interesting that a dog show would actually take place at a resort; I don't know why except, as a facilities analyst, I couldn't figure out how all that would occur could actually be accommodated there.  And, in fact, you will discover from the manager of the resort that he felt even more concerned than me...as he found himself being physically attacked in one way or another... Drama at this location added a perspective that was made for a disaster--and it indeed happened, to the delight of readers...

David sat back in the chair. The relief was still there, quiet and solid beneath his ribs. He had made the right call under pressure. Someone else had turned it into a killing. And now the investigation would start from the truth instead of a lie.

Then you have the rich animal owners who are seeking awards for the newsworthiness of owning such a valuable animal... Versus the actual internal feelings of the dogs--one in particular--who is not in the least interested in being a show dog... He runs away often and the last place he hid proves to be just what he wanted to have--somebody who would love him just for himself and not because of his long line of well-bred animals...

Please, God, she prayed without realizing she was doing it. I’ll do anything. Just send someone. Please. She burst out of the tree line onto the narrow mountain road just as the sun cleared the ridge. A black-and-gold Spencer Police cruiser sat angled across the lane. “Help!” she screamed. Her legs gave out, and she dropped to her knees on the asphalt. “Help me!”

And, of course, murder is involved...other criminals are connected in one way or another which leads to more death.... As is the case with Carr's books, however, there is little discussion of the deaths, rather the clues needed to find whodunit... Carr's ability to merge criminal acts as a lesser role while spotlighting the methods by which cases are solved is unique in a way I'm not quite able to put in words... I just know it is clever, unique--with a spotlight always on the good guys as the center of attention as they perform their important roles as law officers...

“You’re not going back,” he said again, quieter this time but with absolute finality. “Gnarly’s going to stay with you. We’re going to keep you safe. And you’re going to help us finish this.” Gopher stared at him, searching his face for any sign that the promise might break. When she didn’t find one, something in her shoulders finally loosened. Her hand rested on the big dog’s head like an anchor.

Carr brings in AI, a headliner at this time, as an important prototype for animals is being tested... While at the same time, she hones in on the rich people who look to dogs, not as family members, but merely additions to their own award winning abilities of owning "high-priced" dogs which brings headlines for owners, including awards which they can use to support their importance and ability to "own" the best...

The truth was already moving. He only had to outlast the lie.

In other words, a book written, perhaps, based upon today's life in the United States and in the headlines as negative influences on our lives... Could it be that writers are all writing about what is happening as they learn that their "creations" are being scraped into AI for the benefit of Tech billionaires, without any recognition or compensation to the actual writers who have "produced" what is now being stolen and used? I'm still trying to understand how that is justified as legal... While we are forced to ensure our work includes documentation of whether we use copyrighted material... "Do as I say, not as I do..." type of thinking?

Vance slid the card across the desk with two fingers. “Joe thought I ought to know I have a snake problem in your building.” David looked at the card, then back up. “I know...He's not working alone...

“Joe also said we can stop spending county resources chasing that prototype collar of his. Claimed it’s no longer a concern.” David’s eyebrows rose. “That technology is worth millions. Did he say why it’s suddenly not a concern?” “He did not. And I didn’t press him. I’ve known enough men like Joe Denton to understand they only explain themselves when it suits them.” Vance tapped the business card lightly. “This, however, is different. Soliciting a commissioner to help remove a sitting acting sheriff is grounds for termination. I can make that happen before the end of the week if you want it.” David was quiet for a moment. Outside the tall window, the courthouse lawn was green and peaceful, the kind of view that made people forget how much quiet work went into keeping a county steady. “I want him,” David said finally. “But I want him clean. If we move too early, he takes half a dozen others with him into the dark, and we never prove how deep the rot goes.

No blood. No fibers consistent with a struggle or a body being transported. No biological material of any kind in the cargo area.” Mac raised an eyebrow. “Clark Kirby confessed to carrying Natalie Hagman—with a fractured skull and bleeding—in the back of this van. And the lab found nothing?”  “Not a drop,” Dusty confirmed, turning a page. “They went over every inch.” Mac opened the driver’s door and leaned in, examining the console and the GPS unit. Various user profiles popped up for music stations under different names: classic rock, hip hop, a couple of news stations—one conservative, one liberal—and even a religious talk station.

I found it very interesting that the book included a review of one of the men who was killed had been listening to the above material... So I took advantage of that to explore what that was all about, for my own thoughts about the book as written. So, readers may choose to participate in this additional subplot, or bypass... All in all, though, I was fascinated by this book for many reasons and thoroughly enjoyed Carr's latest, which seemed to spotlight all that is going on in today's world... Seriously, many writers are creating villains with similar characteristics of present politicians... 

But that was all in addition to the ongoing family drama that routinely is pulled in to fighting crime via the Mac Faraday Mystery Series... I love the entire series... This one is even more fun! It takes a look at the connection with animals in our daily lives, especially for children or those who have been damaged by humans in some way... Kudos to the author for all that she gives to us in every single one of her books! If you haven't read Carr,  this is a perfect one to start with, given the number of animals involved...

As always, for Lauren, I'll always highly recommend!

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