For Duck's Sake by Donna Andrews

Caerphilly is preparing for a large summer dog parade, the Mutt March, in the hopes of seeing nearly 400 dogs adopted. The preparations are taking place at Meg's farm, which has turned into an even bigger animal sanctuary than it normally is. Dozens of volunteers are helping with the dog cataloguing, bathing, grooming, costume and float making, as well as temperament testing. Meg decides that she and Spike, her own little ball of canine fury, need a respite. They head next door to her brother Rob's, where they are digging a duck pond. The project isn't very far along when a pile of bones is unearthed. Enter the police chief and an archeologist from the local college. 

Meg's dad, part doctor, part coroner, part mystery buff, is quickly on the scene. When foul play is discovered, Meg's grandfather is on hand and helpfully offers the use of his DNA testing at the zoo he runs. The body turns out to be related to the Pruitts, the family that used to run Caerphilly like a criminal enterprise until they were rounded up and run off, in part with Meg's help. Since Meg is not in charge of the Mutt March, she is happy to help with some research on who may have disappeared around the time of the body's burial. Things take a turn when Iris Raferty disappears. She is the former owner of Rob's property and still lives on site. Prowlers making nightly visits to both Rob and Meg's properties, as well as online rumors of a dog-fighting ring looking to snatch some dogs from the Mutt March, put everyone on high alert. Can the police and Meg identify the body and discover who murdered them? Probably not before Meg finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer once again!

Caerphilly is my happy place, and Donna Andrews has created a refuge I can easily disappear into for a few hours. Andrews has created another clever mystery which will have you guessing all the way to the end. It's the journey, not the destination, that is such a joy. To see a community filled with wonderful, skilled, and interesting characters all pull together in pursuit of worthy goals is refreshing and comforting. The addition of some more backstory about the Pruitts and how things used to be adds to the enjoyment of how Caerphilly has changed. This book will delight mystery fans and animal lovers alike.

The new Superman movie has highlighted that kindness is something to be treasured, not feared. For Duck's Sake is a reminder that bad times don't last forever, there are always good people to be found, and kindness is punk rock. I'll be reading and rereading these books as long as Donna Andrews keeps writing them.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.