Eleven Huskies, Philipp Schott's twisty, thoughtful third mystery featuring veterinarian Peter Bannerman, follows the amateur sleuth (and Peter's dog, Pippin) on a case in the Canadian wilderness that quickly becomes more complicated than it initially seems.
Days before a planned canoeing trip, Peter is called to a wilderness lodge in northern Manitoba to examine a team of huskies showing symptoms of poisoning. John Reynolds, who owns the dogs and the lodge, appears distressed, so Peter isn't sure whether to suspect John himself or someone else who may have it out for him. The same day, three people are killed when someone shoots down a small plane over a nearby lake. Though his primary professional concern is the dogs, Peter can't help but wonder if the cases are related. He returns to the lodge with his wife, Laura, for the canoeing trip, and their interactions with lodge staff and fellow guests send Peter's brain spinning to find a solution to the case.
Schott (The Accidental Veterinarian; Six Ostriches) has created an engaging protagonist in Peter, who is autistic and has worked to counterbalance his own literal thinking and blend in socially. Peter's talented sniffer dog, Pippin, proves a great help when a wildfire spreads through the area near the lodge, and Laura and her brother, Kevin, an officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, also assist in solving the case. Animal lovers and mystery fans will enjoy Schott's narrative, which meanders through its stunning backcountry setting at just the right pace. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams