Efram Kiley had been working at HotRescues as part of a legal settlement. Efram's badly abused dog was re-homed by HotRescues after the dog was completely well and the owner could not be found. Efram sued the shelter and Dante, and a compromise was worked out that as long as Efram worked for Lauren and learned how to properly care for an animal, Dante would pay him a substantial sum in installments. In the event Efram didn't live up to his end of the agreement, the payments would stop. When a filthy and over crowded puppy mill is raided, Efram is caught trying to throw Beagle puppies down a storm drain leading to the ocean. Lauren had been called in to help where she could with the abused and sick animals. As far as she is concerned, Efram's despicable act negated the legal agreement with Dante, and Lauren advises the scum ball never to come to the shelter again.

However, Efram does come back and threatens Lauren and all of the animals at HotRescues if he does not get the money due him. A nasty scene ensues before Efram leaves. The next morning his body is found in the animal compound. Since Lauren had spent the night in her office just in case Efram did return to hurt the animals, she is the prime suspect. She just might have an ally in Captain Matt Kingston, head of the SmART team (Small Animal Rescue Team of Los Angeles Animal Services). Matt's a very imposing figure, and quite a hunk; he is also younger than Lauren, but hey! Lauren needs all the help she can get to prove her innocence.

BEAGLEMANIA is the excellent start of a new animal series by the wonderful Linda O. Johnston, who writes the fantastic Pet Sitter series. This is an excellent story about how a shelter should be run -- if it only had the finances available to them that HotRescues does. The supporting cast of characters is fully developed, and all dialogue is intelligent and interesting. A story thread about a sick woman having to give up her beloved dog because she has no income and is looking for a cheaper place to live is beautifully told and Lauren is able to help with the problem. Dante and Kendra are prominently present, which made this reviewer happy. Lauren's budding relationship with Matt is also pleasing. Beware, Ms. Johnston is a firm believer in surprise endings.

What a terrific debut of a new interesting and believable cozy series that portrays the good and bad treatment of pets. Oh, by the way, the author points out that this no- kill facility only applies to animals.

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