When Bunnies Go Bad (Pru Marlowe Pet Noir) by Clea Simon

Winter is hard in Beauville, where the melting snow can reveal much more than last season's dead leaves. So when a wealthy, obnoxious tourist and his ski bunny girlfriend surface in Pru Marlowe's little Berkshire town, she knows she should stay out of their way. The bad-girl animal psychic has to focus on more immediate concerns, including a wild rabbit named Henry, supposedly tamed and illegally living with an eighty-four-year-old lady in her home. Henry, who seems to be acting out and hiding, avoids responding to Pru. Yet when Pru discovers the tourist murdered and his girlfriend's high-maintenance spaniel falls to her care, she gets dragged into a complicated case of crime and punishment that involves some new friends, an old nemesis, and her own shadowed past. A recent museum art heist draws the feds into the investigation along with a courtly gentleman radiating menace, who represents secretive business interests in New York and shows a surprising awareness of Pru. Her on-again, off-again romance with police Detective Creighton doesn't stop him from warning her to steer clear of the inquiry. The spaniel, however, lures her in. Pru lives in a world where only her crotchety tabby Wallis knows the whole truth about her past, her flight from Manhattan, and her unique gift that surfaced abruptly one day. Fearing the worst, Pru now comes dangerously close to being exposed. With everything in motion, Pru, Wallis, and everyone they hold dear will be lucky to escape...by a hare. Editorial Reviews Review Pru Marlowe is an great character. I love this series and I am always excited to know when a new one is coming out. I have read book five and now six and I am eager to go back to the beginning of the series. The character of Pru is fun and love seeing what she is going to get into next! She has a unique gift of being able to hear animals speak. Ironically her business keeps her busy with her gift as well as gets her in trouble. She ends up finding a dead guy and is getting all kinds of messages from her cat Wallis and a dog named Pudge who happens to be the dead guy's girlfriends. And along the way she gets an interesting client by the name of Henry who is an Eastern Cottontail wild rabbit. What a job! But of course all the clues are not so simple to figure out from her four legged friends. Although she can hear animals speak it is different, they give her feelings instead of full sentences like you and I would communicate. YIKES! This is where the fun begins. She has a lot going on right now and her boyfriend Detective Creighton is telling her to back off! She can't because she is in the middle of it whether she likes it or not because of her new client and her dog, Pudgy. Will Pru be able to get out of this one or will this be her last dog walk??? This is a great cozy series and recommend it to all who love a challenging who done it. (NetGalley) Bunnies abound in this new entry in the Pru Marlowe Pet Noir series. ThereÂ's the wild bunny being kept illegally by an elderly woman who calls on Pru because sheÂ's heard of PruÂ's skill as an animal behaviorist; thereÂ's the bunny in the painting stolen in a recent art heist; and then thereÂ's that fixture of the resort slopes, the ski bunny.~~~The latter is Cheryl, the arm-candy girlfriend of an obnoxious businessman type named Teddy Rhinecrest. Pru encounters the couple while out with her sometime boyfriend and full time police detective Jim Creighton. What should have been a nice dinner is spoiled when Rhinecrest picks a fight with his girlfriend Cheryl, the aforementioned ski bunny. Creighton steps in to calm things down, but it wonÂ't come as any surprise to readers when Teddy turns up dead.~~~For once, Pru doesnÂ't have a personal stake in the investigation. She really doesnÂ't want to be involved, but then Cheryl calls Pru for help with her King Charles Spaniel. Pru goes to help the dog and finds things are more complicated than she expected. . . not to mention the appearance of an old acquaintance who brings both old world charm and menace.~~~IÂ've enjoyed this series from the start. For the uninitiated, Pru is more than a behaviorist. SheÂ's an animal psychic, able to pick up bits of information from a variety of animals. The communication is disjointed, bits and pieces of things that Pru struggles to understand. It can also be very distracting because she canÂ't turn it off.~~~One of the things I like the most about the series is the way that the characters continue to evolve. At the beginning, Pru was all but shattered by this sudden gift of inter-species communication. She was so convinced that she was mad that she checked herself into a mental health clinic. She lives in fear that someone else will find out about her ability. Add this to her history of unhappy and unfortunate personal relationships and Pru is one defensive and prickly lady, given to consuming large amounts of alcohol to deaden the pain and fear. Her one confidant is Wallis, her opinionated tabby cat who functions as advisor and commentator, whether Pru wants to hear it or not. (No pun intended.)~~~However, over the course of the series Pru has begun to open up just a little. She is learning to question some of her own assumptions and to figure out that maybe, just maybe, she doesnÂ't have to face everything alone. SheÂ's also getting better at trying to decipher the messages she gets from the various creatures.~~~ThatÂ's not to say that this is a series that has to be read in order. Each is a standalone, though some characters carry over for several books.~~~The murder actually takes a bit of a back seat to some of the other mysteries in the book; while there is a resolution, it happens off camera so to speak. Thinking it over, I still found it a satisfying read as I was more interested in some of the other things that were going on. I admit I often read more for character than for plot, and this one was particularly well done in that respect. This isnÂ't to say that the mysteries got short shrift, just that as a long time reader I was more attuned to the character development.~~~This series just keeps getting better and better. (BristolLibraryBookblog) Entertaining visit to the extraordinary world of the curious Pru Marlowe, animal-sensitive and animal trainer, whose informal sideline in investigation brings her close to danger and crime. Pru's unique selling point is her ability to tune in to communications with all manner of non-human animals so that she can acquire intelligence of a most unusual nature. Set in small town America, this is a good thriller in the Pet Noir genre, and will keep you guessing. (NetGalley) Simon, the author of three other series, two of which are ongoing, brings intrigue, wit and a profound love for animals to Pru's latest adventure. And readers who enjoy a whodunit with unusual characters, animal connections and -- dare we say it? -- velveteen prose should hop to it. (RichmondTimes-Dispatch) I really like the Pru Pet Noir cozy series, especially because I just love the animals. Ms. Simon has a way of writing them that keeps them true to their species, but also adds a human element to their personalities. It makes them both endearing and highly entertaining. If you haven't read any of this series, I implore you to read the beginning. It will help with some of the past moments mentioned in the story and will keep you from finding out spoilers from the first set. Overall, another purrfect addition to an already fun series!! Two paws and a couple ears way up!! (Goodreads) Simon spins a great mystery full of humor to temper the murder. The twists and turns keep readers guessing until the final pages.~~~I love the characters she has created. The humans are great, Pru is funny, sharp witted and can be sarcastic and abrupt. Her moods and personality make her come alive on the pages. I feel the real stars of the book are the animals that interact with Pru. From the birds, squirrels and mice to the dogs, cats and the illegal pet bunnyÂ' Simon creates fabulously entertaining dialog in PruÂ's head that is shared with the reader. If you have ever wondered what your pets are thinking, you need to read this series. It will hopefully prevent anyone from naming a pet something that the animal cringes at each time he is called.~~~I highly suggest this fun cozy mystery series. When Bunnies Go Bad is the sixth book in the Pru Marlow Pet Noir series, but easily reads as a stand-alone novel if you want to read it first. (Writeknit) This is book #6 in the Pru Marlowe Pet Noir Series & so far one of my favorites. The title refers to both a wild rabbit illegally living with an elderly woman & a murdered mobster's snow-bunny girlfriend. Both Pru & her beau Detective Jim Creighton are extremely likable characters. I love Pru's ability to communicate with animals, & Creighton is becoming more important to Pru in each book. As for the murder mystery, the reader is given a despicable victim to dislike & plenty of suspects with motive. At the same time we are privy to the pet duties Pru performs daily. I especially liked her interactions with Bitsy, aka Growler. For a little dog he has quite a big attitude. I definitely enjoyed reading this book & without giving away any spoilers, the ending has me quite intrigued! (NetGalley) Clea Simon does an excellent job of mixing humor, romance, and mystery into one coherent and exciting tale. The humans are engaging and fun, but the non-human characters are even more so. That the author was able to infuse so much personality into animals that really have no voice as sometimes all Pru can get from them is a vague sense of their emotions really amazed me. IÂ've already purchased the first book in this series because I canÂ't wait to start at the beginning and discover how this all started. (LongAndShortReviews) In this latest title in the only series to combine pets with noir (or a semi-tame form of noir), animal psychic Pru deals with a sneaky rabbit and finds a few bodies strung about her quaint Berkshire hometown of Beauville. It starts with an an obnoxious tourist whom Pru observes at a restaurant with his girlfriend; later she finds his body in a condo. Maybe weirder is the fact that the girlfriend needs Pru's help with her dog, a persnickety spaniel. And let's not forget that rabbit, a wild bunny named Henry, who is living with an 84- year-old woman. Oh, and there's a mobster, too, whose presence somehow forces Pru to deal with some secrets of her own about her hasty exit from New York. Usually, Pru can sort out her various entanglements by hearing what the pets have to say, but this time neither the rabbit nor the spaniel are coming through clearly. The plot is nearly as challenging to follow as the critters, but once again Simon's wacky humor?darkish but surely not black?provides more than enough entertainment. (Booklist) Pru Marlowe, animal behaviorist with a special talent, is balancing her work, her love life, and her sleuthing while trying to keep her talent for talking to animals a secret. I have read the earlier books in this series, and they continue to be great humorous mysteries. Getting glimpses of our world through the eyes of animals is entertaining. When a very unlivable visitor is found murdered, Pru becomes involved in the investigation. Is the murderer the ski bunny girlfriend, his mob associates or someone he owed money to? With the help of her animal friends, Pru is on the trail! (Goodreads) Simon's mysteries are lighthearted with a fair amount of humor in the mix. Her animal characters are as three-dimensional as the human characters. She makes Pru's ability believable and realistic in how she interacts with the animals. She draws you in with the first paragraph and keeps you engaged to the final word. (The News-Gazette) Ronnie called Pru to The Pines so she can trap the rats that are in one of the units. They find a dead man in the unit which he shares with a ski bunny. Pru has another client who has a feral bunny, Henry, who was raised by the client's granddaughter. This begins Pru's adventure that involves treachery, art, a spaniel and an old friend who knows about Pru's physic ability. Wiiis is there with her irritable self and Crieghton is acting oddly. Pru looks for answers before physic ability becomes known. (NetGalley) A refreshing read (NetGalley) So, whatÂ's the big secret? Not telling. But readers will absolutely love this fun, witty mystery that hits on all points! (SuspenseMagazine) Pru Marlowe is back ! Fans of the series will rejoice . This fabulous series continues with a wonderful addition in When Bunnies Go Bad. For those that have not read the previous Pet Noir Pru Marlowe series this book does stand alone but I recommend reading the entire series. This is number six in the series.~~~Pru returns with a engaging fun story involving a complex murder , a bunny and a new unique group of characters as suspects. Pru Marlowe has a lot on her plate and is balancing her gift of hearing animals speak, with her love life and her uncanny ability to investigate murder. As the story progresses I found all the characters engaging and adding mysterious happenings to the story. I loved the addition of a wild bunny who wants to be a house pet who communicates with Pru in this story as well as her humorous relationship with her own cat and the addition of a dog involved with the murder victim. Pru has a gift for working with animals and its a delight to read about her love for animals. This series is always fun to read and this new addition is a great cozy mystery. It has all the elements of a good mystery. and the writing flows beautifully to the exciting conclusion. Thank you for the advance reading copy Poisoned Pen Press which does not affect my honest review given here. I highly recommend When Bunnies Go Bad for your reading enjoyment and for all animal lovers. (NetGalley) Much of the enjoyment of this fifth in the Pru Marlowe Pet Noir series stems from Pru attempting to apply her animal behaviorist skills upon humans. The results may be mixed, but they are always fun. Pru continues to be annoyed by the gossip-mongering person of Bichon Fris?Bitsy? (he prefers to be called Growler); the creepy minder of a ferret has an equally repellent cousin; and the wild animals Pru encounters prove to be the most sane and least neurotic of all. Pru fled the city and the confined spaces that seemed to amplify the voices in her head, and it is in small, economically struggling Beauville that she is learning to adjust by modeling her behavior on the non-humans she admires. PruÂ's wry voice, sharp intelligence, and empathy for animals guarantee that this elaborately plotted mystery will entertain with its good humor and compellingly quirky characters. (KingsRiverLife) Simon's uneven sixth Pru Marlowe Pet Noir (after 2015's Kittens Can Kill) finds Beauville, Mass., brimming with bunnies: Henry, the Eastern cottontail whose strange conduct is troubling his 84-year-old babysitter; Bunny in the Sun, the painting recently stolen from a famous art museum; and Cheryl Ginger, the ski bunny whose boyfriend, Teddy Rhinecrest, was murdered shortly after he publicly humiliated her at a local restaurant. Pru, an animal behaviorist (and secret animal psychic), is only concerned with Henry?or so says her boyfriend, police officer Jim Creighton?but when Cheryl's dog also becomes a client, Pru can't help getting mixed up in Teddy's murder investigation. Pru's method for communicating with BeauvilleÂ's nonhuman residents is cleverly conceived, and Simon neatly incorporates these exchanges into her tale, but the plot lacks focus, and the pace drags. Fair play mystery fans may be disappointed, but animal lovers will be delighted. (PW) With everything in motion, Pru, Wallis, and everyone they hold dear will be lucky to escape?by a hare. (TheDarkPhantomReview) Pru and Jim are out to dinner when they hear the couple next to them have an argument. The sugar daddy thinks he's mister big bucks and he orders his girlfriend around and insults her. When she talks back, they leave but they've ruined dinner for the other two. Pru decides he's just bad tempered and she'll just avoid him in the future. That doesn't even work out for a day. However, the next time she sees him he's quiet. He's also dead.~~~Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published March 1st, so you can grab a copy then.~~~Pru is still hiding her ability to communicate with animals from Jim. She doesn't want to end up in a crazy ward again or to drive him off because she's so strange. That's pretty hard to do in this adventure.~~~She finds the dead body because there is a dog barking in the room. Otherwise the body is alone. When Jim shows up at the scene he tells her to stay out of it. But the dog talks to her.~~~I enjoy the interaction between the animals and Pru. She tries to help them all and works to calm them down. Some of those same techniques work well on people, too. There is a bunny she's working with that isn't responding to her. I figured out why before Pru did. Will you?~~~The ski bunny that was hanging out with the sugar daddy didn't murder him but there's something going on. Even the Mafia seems to be involved. Pru sure gets into some interesting cases. She sees an old friend from the past in this case, too. They are both careful around each other and she knows he's deadly but he's helped her in the past. He helps her in this case, too. And she helps Jim even if he doesn't know it.~~~Taking a walk with Growler, trying to talk to Henry the rabbit, and trying to get the ski bunny to open up keeps Pru busy in this story. It was a good read. (NetGalley) Beauville, Massachusetts is having one of its worst March winters in history, and all of the residents are suffering from cabin fever. The angry outburst by an angry restaurant customer still manages to stand out though, especially when his obnoxious demands reduce his ski bunny companion to near-tears. The bigger surprise is that when a body is found, itÂ's that of the belligerent diner Teddy Rhinecrest, and the arrested culprit his meek girlfriend Cheryl Ginger.~~~Animal behaviorist and pet-sitter Pru Marlowe is skilled at interpreting animal behavior and motivations, but humans prove to be far more confusing and complicated. Perhaps her comfort with her charges derives from her unique ability not only to sense what animals are thinking and feeling, but to hear the thoughts of her own feline companion, Wallis. No one knows better than Pru how even the mildest of prey can be turned vicious when threatened, but she questions whether the skittish Cheryl was the one with the most reasons for wanting Teddy dead.~~~The unnerving reappearance of Gregor Benazi, a lethal and very dapper criminal magnate with whom Pru has a tentative d?nte, further complicates this case of a mistress done wrong. As much as he would prefer it, PruÂ's almost-boyfriend Detective Jim Creighton knows better than to order Pru to stay uninvolved. Fate and PruÂ's dedication to her non-human clients compels her into using her inexplicable and unasked for skills to untangle an increasingly tangled web of criminal activities and deception.~~~Much of the enjoyment of this fifth in the series stems from Pru attempting to apply her animal behaviorist skills upon humans. The results may be mixed, but they are always fun. Pru continues to be annoyed by the gossip-mongering person of bichon frise ?Bitsy? (he prefers to be called Growler), the creepy minder of a ferret has an equally repellent cousin, and the wild animals Pru encounters prove to be the most sane and least neurotic of all. Pru fled the city and the confined spaces that seemed to amplify the voices in her head, and it is in small, economically struggling Beauville that she is learning to adjust by modeling her behavior on the non-humans she admires. PruÂ's wry voice, sharp intelligence, and empathy for animals guarantee that this elaborately-plotted mystery will entertain with its good humor and compellingly quirky characters. (NetGalley) Winter is tough in the Berkshire town of Beauville. The weather is very cold, yet tourists flock there anyway. The death of one of those tourists livens things up. The dead man's girlfriend is a ski bunny, obviously a little bit on the side that the man didn't want his wife to know about. Pru Marlowe is an animal psychic. She doesn't articulate her thoughts to animals. But somehow they understand her and are able to send their thoughts to her. She is a dog walker as well and communes with her canines as they stroll through the nearby forested areas. She has a close relationship with her pet cat Wallis, who offers advice that Pru is often loath to take. Pru is concerned that a woman is bunny-sitting for her granddaughter. It is illegal to keep wild animals as pets. But her main concern is the death of the extremely wealthy man. Pru somehow seems to get involved with murders in Beauville and this one is no exception. A theft of valuable artwork has raised concern among the villagers. Could the murder be connected in any way with the art heist? Pru's boyfriend happens to be a member of the local gendarmerie. He, of course, begs her to let the police solve the crimes. When Bunnies Go Bad is the sixth in this series. Once the reader gets past Pru's enjoying a conversation with her canine clientele, the story flows. It is easy to look at one's own pet and wonder what they would say were they able to. Probably just as well they can't. (Mary Ann Smyth Bookloons) About the Author Clea Simon is the author of the Pru Marlowe, Dulcie Schwartz, and Theda Krakow mystery series, as well as three nonfiction books. A former journalist, she lives in Somerville, Massachusetts, with her husband Jon and their cat Musetta.