"In his follow up to CANIS, his (Armstrong's) first mystery featuring Dr. Duncan MacDonell, politics, smuggling, and veterinary medicine all meet in a political conspiracy that involves death of a political candidate by what appears to be a rabid cat. ...Mac is an instantly likable character, with flaws and brilliance, happily working alongside a wife who is as much of a whiz with a pistol as she is in the kitchen. Set in Houston, Texas, MacDonell shows the reader what life is like in Texas, from the politics to the cooking. In Texas time, politics is gaining political correctness as MacDonell fights for justice against some rich and vindictive opponents. This is a intense and suspense-laden read."
---Shelley Glodowski,
for Midwest Book Review
"With his debut novel, Canis, Dr. Armstrong proved you can teach an old dog new tricks. Now, with Index of Suspicion, he shows us that there is life after retiring from public service -- no, make that nine lives! Armstrong is to predators what Tom Clancy is to the military, writing with a technical accuracy that satisfies the expert reader while inviting the rest of us into a secret world. Where other writers are satisfied retreading old stories, Armstrong has created a unique and refreshing genre: the animal control thriller."
---Brendan Keefe,
Night Beat Reporter
NBC - Channel 2 - Houston
"I met and quickly warmed up to Dr. Duncan MacDonell in CANIS. Now he returns
in a story about rabid cats. A politician is attacked by a cat and although
tests on the animal are negative, the governor still dies of rabies. Was it
an unfortunate accident or was the governor murdered? City politics and
budget problems continue to plague MacDonell. To complicate matters further,
the FBI suspects foul play by MacDonell or someone on his staff. INDEX OF
SUSPICION is a well-written, intriguing mystery. The characters are
believable and dialogue sizzles. But you get more than just an entertaining
read. As in CANIS, Bob Armstrong's expertise shines through. He continues
to educate his readers, this time on rabies and how it can be contracted (you
don't have to be bitten by a rabid animal), as well as life in the trenches
at an Animal Control Center. This was an excellent follow-up in a great
series."
---Sandy Tooley, Vice Pres., Midwest Chapt.
Mystery Writers of America
Author, The Sam Casey Mysteries
and The Chase Dagger Series.
"...The descriptive writing is excellent - the characters are vivid...and the scenes drawn of animal abuse and neglect immediately reflect memories of investigations and situations that can only come from real experience..."
---Dr. Sara Savage,
Department of Environmental Health
Harvard University, School of Public Health
"...INDEX OF SUSPICION, despite its tame title, has a lot going for it.
Characters, particularly feisty, no-nonsense Duncan MacDonell and his equally
feisty wife, are very well drawn, believable, and original; the
veterinarian's perspective and his position as a vital cog in the machinery
of a city's government make for an interesting point of view. Dialogue, which
incorporates many different segments of society -- from the very rich to the
very poor -- and various ethnic groups, is crisp and rings true on the ear.
The evocative Texas landscape and the unique metropolitan Houston melting pot
are used to good advantage. The prose, which lags only when dealing with
technical issues (which are necessary for understanding and presented with an
insider's knowledge) is straightforward, lively, and compellingly readable.
The well-paced story is intriguing, timely, and satisfying -- an excellent
effort on all counts.
I have not yet read CANIS, the first novel in the series, but if INDEX OF SUSPICION is indicative of what Bob Armstrong is capable of, future entries
should be stronger still as the author hits his stride, grows ever more
confident, and exercises complete control of his considerable abilities. I
look forward to the next exciting adventures of Dr. Duncan "Mac" MacDonell."
---Jack Ewing
Author of the mysteries
FREAK-OUT and KISSING ASPHALT
"...INDEX OF SUSPICION offers a complex and compelling story that grabs you and holds you until the very end. Duncan MacDonell and his wife, Jeannie, are richly drawn and believable. They are definitely characters you want to visit again. This is a top-notch novel, full of intrigue, yet underscored with a human element that makes the overall presentation near perfection.
INDEX OF SUSPICION, the second book in the Duncan MacDonell series, rates the highest recommendation I can give. Expect to hear more from its talented author, Robert Armstrong."
---Nancy Mehl,
Reviewer for MyShelf.com
To see the complete review
go to MyShelf.com, February 2002
"...Robert Armstrong has written a very powerful novel in INDEX OF
SUSPICION. One that only a person with a strong knowledge in the
veterinary sciences could possibly write with such accuracy. With this
wonderful knowledge he has spun a terrifying mystery that keeps you
wondering, and guessing, until the end. The characters are vivid, and
the scenes, although at times very disturbing, are very real.
You come away from INDEX OF A SUSPICION with the feeling that this could
really happen. And very thankful that there are people, such as Dr.
Duncan MacDonell, out there to protect us.
INDEX OF SUSPICION may be a work of fiction, but is the idea?
I wonder,
and I very highly recommend that you read it and make up your own mind.
You will not be sorry, INDEX OF SUSPICION is wonderful, and makes you
think. Robert Armstrong has penned a winner, and well worth the read.
One that you will not want to miss."
---Sue Hartigan,
ALLABOUTMURDER on the web
"...Technically speaking, Armstrong is an excellent writer. My only criticism (admittedly picayune) is that he eliminate the prologue approach in his books. They don’t add any clarity; I find them to be distracting. Armstrong built a strong and complex plot that kept me reading straight through. His subject matter is different (and welcomingly so) from that of most mystery books. It’s refreshing to find a protagonist who is 60 years old and not in the best of shape. It’s also unique to see his wife, Jeannie, contributing so much to solving the crime without being irritatingly intrusive." Recommended.
---Maddy Van Hertbruggen,
Crime Fiction Reviewer for:
About - The Human Internet
and Ed's Internet Book Reviews
