The Fashion Hound Murders

What to wear: Put on the dog. Or have a contest for the best-dressed pet and bring your well-dressed pet or a championship photo.

 What to eat: Hot dogs. Spotted Dog cupcakes (made with chocolate chips). Interspecies carob-chip snacks from the bulk bin.       

What to drink: Pink Puppies (strawberry slushies with or without alcohol). Margaritas.

The Questions

(1) In the “The Fashion Hound Murders” Alyce’s friendship with Josie literally saves the mystery shopper’s life. How important are friends in your life? Do you think friendship is overrated? Are a husband and family enough of a social network for you? Do you believe women need friends more than men do?

(2) Dr. Ted lets a woman take care of  him while he is sick, then drops her when he falls in love with another woman. The consequences are drastic. Could Dr. Ted have found a gentler way to say good-bye to an ex-lover or is it kinder to end it quickly? Was the woman right to feel used? Is Dr. Ted better dealing with animals than people, or is that his excuse?

(3) Alyce befriends Traci, the new arrival at Wood Winds. Josie dislikes Traci, but Alyce helps her overcome her feelings. What do you do when a friend adds someone you don’t like to your circle: Make excuses to avoid that person? Try to see her good side? Find another group of friends?

(4) Josie dated a man partly to please her mother. She tried to love him, but couldn’t. Jane, her mother, says Josie should have tried harder. Can you make yourself love another man? Is love the basis for a lasting relationship? Are other qualities more important, such as dependability, kindness and agreeing how to bring up (or not have) children?

(5) Josie wanted to end a relationship with a man she found dull. When he called it off first, Josie was insulted. Has this happened to you? Do you understand her feelings of chagrin?

(6) Traci treats her little dog like a baby, buying it clothes and a stroller. Alyce says this is a harmless eccentricity. Josie makes fun of it. Is turning pets into “fur kids” good or bad for the animals? Do all pet owners do this to some degree?

(7) Do you talk to your pets?  Do you believe your pets know what you are saying?

(8) Traci dresses her puppy in outfits that match hers. She says her dog enjoys dressing up. Do you dress your pets? If yes, when: for the holidays? for photos? for weddings and special events? when they need a warm coat on a cold day?
(9) Where do you get your pets: Breeders? Animal shelters? Pet stores? Classified ads?
 Do you believe shelter pets behave differently from animals raised under other circumstances? If yes, how?

(10) Friendship, loyalty and love are major themes in “The Fashion Hound Murders.” What examples can you name?

(11) For the first time since her pregnancy, Josie stands up to her mother and is pleasantly surprised by the results. Josie needs her mother as a babysitter and as her landlord. Does Josie carry “Honor your Mother” too far? Was this bad or good for Jane? For Josie? Does your mother still boss you around?

The Fashion Hound Murders: A Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper mystery
An Obsidian paperback original       $6.99
ISBN: 978-0-451-22842