Product Description

Jo Beth Siddon is a bloodhound trainer with a special talent for harrowing search-and-rescue missions, and a bad habit for mouthing off to deputies who refuse to take orders from a woman.She has seen her share of trouble: moonshiners poking guns at her head, crooked cops, and an abusive ex-husband with a terrible temper. Then she's suspected of murder and finds herself treading a quagmire as thick and treacherous as the Okefenokee Swamp. If she can't prove her innocence, she might lose not only the thriving business she loves, but the freedom and independence she's fought for all her life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #626028 in Books
• Published on: 1996-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 544 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Lanier's anecdotal debut, melding good-old-boy humor and action-packed adventure, tracks the personal and professional life of Georgia bloodhound trainer Jo Beth Sidden. Working the three counties bordering the Okefenokee Swamp, Jo Beth conducts harrowing searches for missing persons, among them a retarded boy, two fishermen and an elderly man. In between, the outspoken, engaging heroine deals with a mysterious inheritance from her renowned painter father and the vengeful, murderous intentions of her former husband, Bubba. She also finds time to help old friends enmeshed in crime. The latter effort backfires, however, when Bubba is beaten nearly to death and Jo Beth can't give the police an alibi for fear of incriminating herself and a friend. Indicted for attempted murder, she must prove her innocence without divulging where she was or what she was doing. Lanier gives readers a thorough, insider's look at a unique occupation and a detailed view of Southern life near the swamp.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Not a police officer per se, rural Georgia's Jo Beth Sidden, a breeder and trainer of bloodhounds, collects clues in much the same way. Despite-or because of-her efficiency and resourcefulness in tracking missing persons for the police, she appears abrasive and outspoken, qualities that mask her fear of abusive ex-husband Bubba, who began stalking her the moment he left prison. Literate, well-modulated prose, satisfyingly detailed descriptions, elements of Southern decadence, and a leisurely pace punctuated by thrilling moments of action all characterize a very appealing first novel.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Virginia Lanier lives with her husband, Hoss, on the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp in Echols County, Georgia.

Customer Reviews

Great character and unique setting
Just finished Death in Bloodhound Red after discovering it in a bag of unread books inadvertently packed away in my basement. Thank goodness I was on vacation, since I read until 3:30 in the morning and then resumed over a late breakfast. What a great read, fresh and unusual, a welcome change from the tired plots where I've guessed the outcome 20 pages into the book. I love strong female protagaonists and Jo Beth fits the bill. She's smart, feisty, caring and wary, comfortable with who she is and how she came to be that way. I enjoyed the look into the world of bloodhound training and rescue searches, gritty details and all, and I appreciated Ms. Lanier's evocation of her southern setting. I've just ordered everything else (except a puppy) in the series, thank-you Amazon, and can't wait to get them. I may have to take another week of vacation to hang out with Jo Beth!

A Classic T(ail) In The Making
As an avid reader of mysteries,an avid breeder/exhibitor of show dogs,and a southern woman,I began reading this book with the idea that I would have to overlook dogs behaving in an un-doglike manner and the usual "magnolia" approach toward writing a southern female protagonist. Was I ever surprised,charmed,and spellbound by Ms. Lanier's DEATH IN BLOODHOUND RED! Her main character,Jo Beth Sidden,is a marvelous blend of toughness and vunerability. She is quirky,independent and,at times,walks a very thin line between law and lawlessness. I,also,particularly enjoyed the collection of friends,enemies,and townspeople..each character was a three-dimensional,well thought-out personality. Her dogs and her relationship with them was very well-done and will tug sympathetic strings in any reader who loves dogs. The suspense of the plot with it's unexpected twists kept me turning pages long into the night. An engrossing read for any lover of a good mystery.

A suspenseful, atmospheric Southern mystery
I enjoyed this intricately plotted, suspenseful, atmospheric mystery very much. The people are vividly portrayed, especially our heroine, Jo Beth Sidden, a "staunch but not militant feminist" and Georgia good ol' girl. The descriptions, particularly of the perilous treks through the Okefenokee Swamp, capture the imagination and transport you directly to the Deep South. The bloodhounds come to life too: These dogs are real, not mere background props. The bloodhound lore -- history, training, how these amazing animals do their tracking, their gentle and affectionate disposition -- is fascinating. And cat fanciers will be delighted to find a feline among all the canines. There's a good chance fans of Sue Grafton, Margaret Maron, Sara Paretsky, Susan Conant, B.J. Oliphant/A.J. Orde, and Nevada Barr will like this book, which is followed by four sequels so far.