Elaine Last

Dangerous Drugs and Dexterous Dogs Elaine Last

A late-night visitor tells Suzanne that something seems to be wrong with a research program she is involved with. He's right. The CEO of a Southern California biopharmaceutical company disappears at sea under suspicious circumstances. Shortly afterwards, the Chief Scientific Officer from a competing company is brutally murdered. Both of the victims, and many of the suspects, were engaged in canine agility training. With Roger busy elsewhere, this case falls to Suzanne, who takes over the investigation and the responsibilities of the missing CEO. Fortunately, she has Romeo, a German shorthaired pointer, to establish her credibility in agility trials, and Roger's staff of detectives to do the legwork in a major criminal investigation. The first half of the title comes from Suzanne going undercover to become the new CEO of a Southern California biotechnology company researching possible cancer cures to lead an investigation of the disappearance of the former CEO. The second half refers to German shorthaired pointer Romeo's continuing career as an agility dog, as most of the suspects are training dogs for agility trials. This book is a suspenseful whodunit set against the backdrop of the thriving biotechnology industry in Southern California's Orange County. It will appeal to mystery fans and dog lovers. The novel, available in e-book and paperback formats, can be read as a standalone mystery or a series entry.