Panthers Play For Keeps
By Clea Simon
ISBN: 9780590588703
2014 from Poisoned Pen Press
Believe it or don’t, author Clea Simon makes a good case for animal—human communication in the English language. Or, probably in whatever receiver’s language this fine noir mystery translates to. The author, with care and talent, takes the reader to a place where we can easily believe Pru Marlowe has talents and abilities well beyond those of most ordinary humans. She is a dog-walker and a trainer for dogs slated to be companion dogs to humans with limited capabilities. These animals become pets, as many will know, but they are trained to a level of caring for their owners such that their humans are able to function in a complicated society. These animals, like guide dogs, with their ultimate owners, are psychically bonded and learn to communicate. Trainers, like Pru Marlowe, likewise develop communication channels with the animals and sometimes are faced with complicated crimes as in this excellent novel. Even with a large number of characters, the plot line is moved along at a ressonable pace with style and logic from brutal mysterious murder to a logical and thoughtful conclusion. The novel is written with style, thought, and care for the animal and human characters that is every bit as logical and emotional as that between human couples. Dogs and Cats have equivalent strong roles and undoubtedly are happy with the conclusion of the novel.
