Cynthia Baxter, Hare Today, Dead Tomorrow

Hare Today, Dead Tomorrow

Cynthia Baxter

Bantam, May 2006, $6.99, 387 pp.

ISBN 0553588435

Veterinarian Dr. Jessica Popper has a mobile practice using her van as her office, in which she travels to her patients. She has so far also solved three homicide investigations. The last one got her poisoned and she had to stay in the hospital for forty-eight hours after getting her stomach pumped. When she gets out of the hospital all she wants to do is go home to bed, but a call from her best friend and fellow vet Suzanne Fox has her going to her pal's house instead.

Suzanne tells Jessica that she is a suspect in the stabbing death of the fianc e of her ex-husband because she was seen coming out of her home shortly before the body was discovered. A neighbor gave a description of Suzanne to the police. To make matters worse, Suzanne lied to the police, claiming she was never in the woman's house. The police know she lied to them, and certain other evidence makes Suzanne the prime suspect, forcing Jessica to start her own investigation to find the killer so she can clear her friend who she believes is innocent.

The latest "Reigning Cats and Dogs Mystery" is a very entertaining who done it. Cynthia Baxter has a knack for creating eccentric and dysfunctional characters who add humor, even when they become prime suspects. The heroine is very easy to like, as she not only stands by her friend but does all she can, even risks her own life, to prevent Suzanne from being arrested. Fans will appreciate the delightful amateur sleuth HARE TODAY, DEAD TOMORROW.