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Gripping first of series   February 3, 2003

Yet Virginia Lanier sneaks the information in without any long boring solioquies. She always manages to get the right amount in to help you appreciate the story and does it in a way that goes with the story, like say explaining something to a new person, and then drives back to the plot before you could get bored. And she makes it fascinating. As I said earlier I was interested enough to talk to people till I found one that had been in the okenofee swamp, and I've got bloodhound research on my list of things to look into as well. As far as the south in concerned, I feel she does a good job of showing the pros and cons, the beauty and surface graciousness on the surface, and the misogeny and the racism underneath.


Gripping first of series   February 3, 2003
  6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is an incredible first book of a series, that sadly is behind a couple years. The books are; 1996-Death in Bloodhound Red, 1997-The House on Bloodhound Lane, 1998- A Brace of Bloodhounds, 1999-Blind Bloodhound Justice, 2000-Ten Little Bloodhounds. I'm not sure why we don't have books for 2001 and 2002, but after you read the first book and then run out and buy the next four that continue without dropping the pace and excitement, you'll mourn the gap in the series. Especially using the recommendations, its not that infrequent I get a new author 'can't put me down'er. However this was one of those I read through as fast as I can because of the tension and mystery, and then start right over again to read for the wealth of information and the beauty of the text.

I can't think of anything this book doesn't have. There is a strong female protaganist, and one that hard to work her way from the ground up as well (as I did) that I really appreciate. As a now breeder and trainer of bloodhounds, Jo Beth is a complex character with sometimes warring qualitis, but one that acts consistently within the defined pesonality. The tension with the maniacal ex husband catches you quickly, but the mystery picks up and holds you as you go on. Additionally I love a book that provides some other new knowlege and this book is rife with knowlege about 'The South', the Okenofree swamp, and Bloodhounds. I've checked some of what I learned here with a friend who has been in the swamp and the South and it's been checking out. As an animal lover as well, you really get to love the bloodhounds and the knowlege of scent tracking and bloodhounds in particular is wide and varied.

Yet Virginia Lanier sneaks the information in without any long boring solioquies. She always manages to get the right amount in to help you appreciate the story and does it in a way that goes with the story, like say explaining something to a new person, and then drives back to the plot before you could get bored. And she makes it fascinating. As I said earlier I was interested enough to talk to people till I found one that had been in the okenofee swamp, and I've got bloodhound research on my list of things to look into as well. As far as the south in concerned, I feel she does a good job of showing the pros and cons, the beauty and surface graciousness on the surface, and the misogeny and the racism underneath.


Something different   October 30, 2002
I don't regret buying this book and will read the rest in the series, I'm sure. One intersting thing about this book was you really don't know what the main plot is until the very end, because there are so many of them. This annoyed me at first, but then I realized it made the book more unpredictable and therefore more interesting. It also read more like someone's real life would be instead of a story that follows a predetermined formula. The main character (Jo Beth) was a little over the top sometimes, but was also funny and strong, which I like. If you are thinking about buying this book, I would definitely say go for it.


Death in Bloodhound Red   September 29, 2001
This was a exciting book from the begining. Jo Beth Comes alive before you very eyes. The setting is great and reader has a sense of being there. This sure does not seem to be a first book in a series,but it is ,and that is good. Love to see more from the author.


A treasure at the end of the trail   March 28, 2001
  4 out of 5 found this review helpful

This is the first time I have been so captivated by a book that I feel absolutely obligated to let the rest of you know how fantastic it is. This has got to be the best suspense novel I have read in a long time. The voice is so authentic I feel as if I am listening to a friend telling me her experiences. Each chapter is packed with action and intriguing discriptions of the Florida swamp country, the inhabitants (human, reptile, insect and mammal) of Jo Beth Sideen's world. I couldn't bear to miss a single sentence by skipping ahead to find out how the book ended as I often do with formula mysteries. This isn't just a novel. It is an experience not to be missed.