Spotlight: Three Dogs, Two Murders, and a Cat by Rodney Strong
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Nicolette Briggs Mystery Book 1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Nicolette Briggs doesn’t do humans.
As Wellington’s premier, and possibly only, animal detective, Nicolette mostly investigates missing pets and cases of animal cruelty. So when her latest client asks her to investigate a case of a poisoned cat, it seems right up her alley. Until a body shows up, then another, and suddenly despite her resolve to not get involved, Nicolette is right in the middle two murder investigations. Or is it just one killer?
When someone breaks into her house and one of her dogs is injured, Nicolette’s reluctance turns to determination to not only solve this thing before the police, but show up her stubborn police detective brother in the process.
Along the way she has to navigate a daughter about to turn 15, a dwindling bank account, and a dysfunctional family that seems determined to fix her. Not to mention a killer who’s turned their sights her way.
No wonder she doesn’t do humans.
Three Dogs, Two Murders, and a Cat is the first book in the clean, cozy mystery series. Gilmore Girls meets Nancy Drew, with a touch of dysfunctional families, a touch of humour, and a touch of caring.
Excerpt
‘I don’t do humans.’
Nicolette waited for the inevitable questions, what do you mean you don’t do humans, who hurt you, you shouldn’t be afraid to let people in. It was ridiculous because Nicolette wasn’t afraid of anything – for herself.
‘Fair enough,’ the woman responded.
Nicolette couldn’t conceal her surprise. Perhaps this old lady was different from everyone else who looked at her in confusion when she made that statement, before deciding there was something wrong with her. Like she was a broken watch. But Nicolette wasn’t broken, she just told time differently.
Nicolette looked down at the tabby cat lying on the charcoal-coloured carpet. Now, cats she did, and dogs, and occasionally farm animals (although there wasn’t much need for that in downtown Wellington city).
She caught the woman watching her and returned the stare, which was rewarded with a grin. Alice Atkinson certainly seemed different than most elderly ladies Nicolette met.
‘I can’t imagine there are many others in your line of work,’ Alice said.
Nicolette tensed for a second, then forced herself to relax. ‘I’m the only one that I’m aware of.’
‘Good,’ replied Alice. ‘Being unique is important.’
‘Wish it paid the bills more,’ Nicolette muttered, bending to scratch the cat behind the ear, immediately earning her a faint purr. She gauged the tabby to be about eight years old, lean but with an air of domestication. She was way too relaxed to be feral.
‘She’s not mine,’ Alice said from her position on the couch. ‘Silvermoon has a no pet policy, but that doesn’t stop half the residents feeding her.’
Nicolette straightened up to look out the window of the second-floor apartment. Residents of the Silvermoon Retirement Village were walking and chatting, enjoying the sun, while others sat in the middle of a small rose garden opposite the apartment building. Past the fence line there were glimpses of the Wellington harbour lying below the suburb of Wadestown. It was like something out of a promotional video. She wouldn’t have been surprised to find that they were all paid actors.
Nicolette eased herself onto the floor and leaned against the wall. ‘When did you first notice she wasn’t well?’
Thin, small and wrinkled, Alice was easily the oldest person Nicolette had ever met, but she was no one’s vision of a friendly grandmother.
Her eyes were steely as she replied, ‘Four days ago. She was all floppy. Vanessa insisted she be taken to a vet.’
‘Vanessa?’ Nicolette asked.
‘She’s my… employee, I suppose you could say.’
‘What was the vet’s diagnosis?’
‘That Maddy had been poisoned. They kept her for a few days because… well.’
‘They weren’t sure she’d survive,’ Nicolette finished.
‘But this morning they said she was doing better so Vanessa brought her home and now I’m playing nurse maid.’
The cat eyed Nicolette without lifting her head from the carpet. Her breathing was shallow but regular. Nicolette had completed a year of veterinary training before an incident involving a professor had forced her to leave. In a way it had been the best thing that might have happened to her. She was bright enough to be a vet, but her temper and lack of tact would have made her a public relations nightmare for any veterinary clinic.
‘Why did you call me?’
‘It was my friend Freda’s suggestion. You did some work for her granddaughter and came highly recommended.’
Nicolette looked up at the tone in Alice’s words. ‘But you don’t see any merit in me being here.’
Alice held her gaze. ‘I didn’t. A detective who specialises in animal cases seems highly improbable.’
Nicolette shrugged. She’d heard it before. ‘You didn’t?’
Alice nodded and leaned forward in her chair. ‘That’s right. Because I do do humans. In fact, there have been several times when my life depended on my ability to read people. And I have a good feeling about you Nicolette Briggs.’
‘A good feeling,’ Nicolette repeated.
‘Alright then, more specifically, you’ve barely looked around since you entered. Your focus has been on Maddy. Your tone with me is brusque at best, but when you’re talking to the cat your voice is soft, even if your words aren’t. And when I said she’d been poisoned, you clenched your right hand, like you wanted to hit someone.’
Nicolette looked down and was surprised to find her hand was still curled in a fist. She forced her fingers to relax.
‘Alright, my turn,’ said Nicolette. ‘You’re tough, but some of that bluster is to hide that you care about this cat. You say she isn’t yours, yet you agreed to look after her, despite telling me that half the residents feed her. Presumably, anyone could have done this, but here you are. That tells me that you’re used to getting your own way. You probably paid the vet bill as well.’
‘What if I told you I don’t care for her at all. I just don’t like seeing animals abused.’
‘I would point out that we’re on the second floor.’
Alice cocked her head to the side with a curious expression.
Nicolette pointed to the front door of the apartment. ‘No cat flap.’
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About the Author
Rodney Strong quit a 9-5 job in 2016 to finally pursue his life long dream of becoming a writer (he still has the very first play he wrote at age 6). He lives in Porirua, New Zealand, with his wife, two children, and two cats. When he's not writing he attempts to stay away from chocolate, runs (sometimes), reads, and enjoys spending time with his young children (who contribute a lot to the running and craving for chocolate).
He always has a couple of projects on the go, but for now is focusing on his series of cozy mysteries.
One of his cats likes to help with the process by sitting on the laptop, while the other likes nesting on his shoulders (which was cute when he was a kitten, but now the cat is 11 years old, is less so).
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