kornetsky doghouse
Dogs and cats, as well as horse, hamsters and other animals, often show up in mysteries either as  main character or in a supporting role.

So, in honor of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, which is October, Animal Welfare Week, which was Oct. 5 to 11, and National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week, which is Nov. 2-8, let’s give a shout out to those authors who show  animals playing a role in their plots.

L.A. Kornetsky: Her Gin and Tonic mysteries pair up dog lover Ginny Mallard and her bartender, cat-loving, friend Teddy Tonica, along with some of their pets, in this cool series.

Robert Crais: Suspect-- Maggie, a German shepherd trained by the Marines and who was shot by a sniper that also killed her human partner in Afghanistan, becomes a K9 cop to LAPD officer Scott James who was severely wounded and traumatized during a shoot-out. The two become true partners.

Clea Simon: Cats, as well as the occasional parrot, play an important role in her three eries featuring music journalist Theda Krakow, pet expert Pru Marlowe,  and grad student Dulcie Schwartz.

Jonathan Kellerman: Blanche the French bulldog plays a reoccurring role in the Alex Delaware novels.

Spencer Quinn:  Quinn’s delightful yet hardboiled, in a way, novels pair up one of the most lovable detectives, Chet, the wise and lovable canine narrator of the Chet & Bernie Mystery Series, who works alongside Bernie, a down-on-his-luck private investigator.

Laura Lippman: A greyhound, Doberman and an Italian greyhound—all rescues in some way or the other--are often the office companion of private detective Tess Monaghan.

Miranda James: Widowed librarian Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon, Diesel, solve crimes in the Cat in the Stacks series.

Dennis Lehane: The Drop, based on a short story, shows the power of a dog to break through to a person who has closed himself off from everyone.

Now it’s our readers turn to tell us their favorites.

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