The Fright of the Iguana

by: Linda O. Johnston

Published by: Berkley Prime Crime

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann

This is the fifth in this cute and cozy series–a Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery

Kendra Ballantyne, attorney and pet-sitter, must deal with a series of pet nappings–and a murder! Two of her charges, the pets of high-powered Hollywood producers, are kidnapped. While Kendra does call in the police and the media, she is able to help the owner get them back by paying an exorbitant ransom.

Then Nya, a colleague, is found bludgeoned to death! Other members of Kendra’s professional association, the PSCSC (Pet-Sitters Club of Southern California) have experienced client pet nappings, and Nya was investigating, apparently, when she was killed in the home of one of Tracy Owen’s clients.

Tracy is the active and dedicated president of the club. Tracy and Nya’s boyfriend, Jerry Jefferton, are the main suspects. While trying to solve both the kidnappings and the murder, find the missing pets, and solve a particularly difficult pet custody case, Kendra must also try and decide what to do about the two handsome and attentive men in her life, PI Jeff Hubbard and veterinarian Tom Venson.

Her favorite pet-sitting employee, Rachel, is accused of theft while taking her dog to a local nursing home, and also comes to Kendra for help. Worries that her beloved dog Lexie might be targeted, makes this work especially hard for Kendra.

The characters, both human and animal, are well-drawn, and the details of the pet law cases and the pet sitting business are interesting. This is a series I will keep on reading!

NOTE: Lexie does exist—the dog of author Linda Johnson! She is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Armchair Interviews says: A cute story for a fun read.

Author’s Web site: http://www.LindaOJohnston.com