Monkey See, Monkey Die [Paperback]

US"A very entertaining series with a menagerie of colorful human and animal characters."—Mystery Lovers Bookshop News

"Five paws up for Cynthia Baxter's Reigning Cats & Dogs series!"—Carolyn HartCynthia Baxter is a native of Long Island, New York. She is the author of the Reigning Cats & Dogs mystery series, featuring vet-turned-sleuth Jessie Popper, and the Murder Packs a Suitcase mystery series, featuring travel writer Mallory Marlowe. Baxter currently resides on the North Shore, where she is at work on her next mysteries in both series.Chapter One


"Whenever you observe an animal closely, you
feel as if a human being sitting inside were making fun of you."
–Elias Canetti,The Human Province


Jessie? I'm sorry for calling so early. I know I probably woke you. But I don't have your cell phone number, only your home number. And I wanted to make sure I got hold of you before you left for the day."

What a lot of words to be hit with at–what time was it? I forced my eyes open long enough to look at the alarm clock next to my bed.

Five-thirty. In themorning.

"I'm sorry, who is this?" I asked groggily.

Whoever had dragged me out of my sleep at this ridiculous hour certainly sounded as if she knew who I was. The problem was, I had no idea whoshewas. And given the fact that only seconds before I had been lost in a wonderful dream that starred both Brad PittandGeorge Clooney, I wasn't exactly in the mood to play guessing games.

"Erin Walsh," the called replied breathlessly. "Remember me? From vet school?"

It took me a few seconds to connect the name with my years at Cornell University's veterinary college. More than a decade had passed since I'd been a student there. But slowly, through the thick wad of tissue paper still wrapped around my brain, I managed tls2