Step Back In Time For Murder

Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman Banner

Virtual Book Tour September 18 – October 13, 2023  

As a child, the public library was a magical venue where I wandered freely, my attention captured by books and stories about different cultures, people, places, and historical times. That probably explains my passion for fiction and non-fiction alike, and for exploring unfamiliar worlds found by reading across genres. Along the way, I discovered new-to-me authors; Katharine Schellman is one of those authors whose historical fiction has earned its place in my own personal library.

In Murder at Midnight, Schellman presents an intriguing puzzle set within the context of 1815-1816, the latter years of the Regency period. As the story opens, the constraints of gender, age, marital status, and social position in a highly stratified society become evident. As a widow, protagonist Lily Adler is less confined by her age and gender, which allows her the freedom to behave in ways other women of a similar or younger age cannot. This contrast is well demonstrated when Lily offers to lend her support to a family she’s close to, and to independently investigate rumors that pose a serious threat to the family’s youngest, unmarried daughter, and to the social standing of the family itself.

As the evening continues, though, Lily finds her independence challenged by an offer of marriage from someone she considers a dear friend. Unprepared to even consider a proposal, she’s reluctant to give an answer and requests time to consider the offer. Her request proves providential as the story unfolds.

As a researcher, I appreciate the historical authenticity and accuracy evident in her work. One such authentic element was the unusual weather that caused a Christmastide ball to lead to murder and mystery. If you’re unfamiliar with the weather of that time period, consider this excerpt from the author’s notes:

In April 1815, the volcano Mount Tambora, located in what is today known as Indonesia, erupted. It was a massive event, the largest eruption the world had experienced in at least 1,300 year. Scientists believe it led to a volcanic winter that lowered global temperatures in 1816….

It was known as The Year Without a Summer. And if you’re a writer who needs an uncommon December snowfall in the middle of England that’s severe enough to  strand a houseful of people for several days, that makes 1816 a convenient time to set a book. 

Fans of Agatha Christie, in particular, are sure to recognize the impact of a heavy snowfall and icy conditions that unexpectedly make travel impossible and isolates guests in a country home. Accepting accommodations and attire offered by their hostess, the guests scatter to their assigned rooms as the snow continues to fall. During the night, the sound of tree limbs snapping beneath their burden of snow and ice masks the sound of a gunshot. The gruesome discovery of a dead man in the snow spurs Lily who, along with her magistrate brother-in-law and two dear friends—including the one who proposed—to accept her hostesses’ pleas to solve the murder.

Assumptions based on conversational excerpts and confusing clues steer our amateur sleuth and others along a series of investigative paths, leading the reader through a plot full of unexpected twists and turns.  The result is a  compelling story that will keep you engaged until the end! 

Synopsis:

Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman

Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Ashley Weaver, when a body is found shot to death after an unexpected snowstorm, Lily Adler quickly realizes that some people will stop at nothing to bury their secrets.

Regency widow Lily Adler is looking forward to a quiet Christmastide away from the schemes and secrets she witnessed daily in London. Not only will she be visiting the family of her late husband; she will be reunited with Captain Jack Hartley, her friend and confidante, finally returned after a long voyage at sea.

But secrets aren’t only found in London. Jack’s younger sister, Amelia, is the center of neighborhood scandal and gossip. She refuses to tell anyone what really happened, even when an unexpected snowstorm strands the neighborhood families together after a Christmas ball. Stuck until the snow stops, the Adlers, Hartleys, and their neighbors settle in for the night, only to be awakened in the morning by the scream of a maid who has just discovered a dead body.

The victim was the well-to-do son of a local gentleman–the same man whose name has become so scandalously linked to Amelia’s.

With the snow still falling and no way to come or go, it’s clear that someone in the house was responsible for the young man’s death. When suspicion instantly falls on Jack’s sister, he and Lily must unmask the true culprit before Amelia is convicted of a crime she didn’t commit.

Praise for Murder at Midnight:

“Delightful . . . Historical mystery fans will devour this holiday treat.”
~ Publishers Weekly

“A plummy period whodunit with a colorful collection of suspects.”
~ Kirkus Reviews

Book Details:

Genre: Historical mystery
Published by: Crooked Lane Books
Publication Date: September 2023
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 9781639104321 (ISBN10: 1639104321)
Series: A Lily Adler Mystery, 4
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Penguin Random House

Read an excerpt:

Lily sat bolt upright. Where had the sound come from? It hadn’t been loud . . . another part of the house? For a moment, in the pressing silence, she wondered if she had drifted back to sleep without realizing it and imagined the whole thing.

But a moment later, the sounds of a commotion rose just outside her window. Lily dashed to the window, throwing it open with some effort and peering out into the swirl of snow and early- morning light.

The guest room she had been given was one of the smaller ones—the better to quickly heat rooms that hadn’t been prepared in advance—and as was typical for such rooms, it lacked a pretty view. Hers looked over what she realized after a moment must be the poultry yard. Darkly clad figures who she could guess were servants stumbled through the thick layer of snow that had fallen, trying to reach the two people in the middle of the yard.

One Lily could see from her vantage only as a still, upright figure, hand outstretched and pointing toward the second person, who lay sprawled on the ground. The one on the ground was half covered by the ice and snow, unmoving.

Lily grabbed the dressing gown from the chair, pulled on her shoes, and ran from the room. In the hallway, a few guests were poking their heads out of their doors, hair tousled and faces creased with sleep, inquiring grumpily if anyone had heard an odd noise.

Lily didn’t stop to consider propriety or worry about what anyone else might think before she yelled “Jack!” as loudly as she could. She didn’t know which room he had been given, but a moment later, a door past the stairs was flung open and the navy captain’s head appeared.

“What is it?” he demanded. He was already dressed and wearing his driving coat over his clothing. That was odd at such an early hour, but Lily didn’t have time to be surprised.

“Downstairs.” In spite of the months they had spent apart, Lily knew she could depend on him to understand and act quickly. “Something happened. We have to help.”

And in spite of those months apart, he didn’t stop to ask questions. More guests were emerging, summoned by Lily’s shout, and questions were beginning to fly back and forth as she dashed down the stairs, Jack on her heels.

They didn’t need to wonder where to go; on the floor below, Mrs. Grantham was following a stately-looking woman who might have been the housekeeper or another upper servant. Their pace was just barely too dignified to be a run, but they couldn’t hide their worry as they disappeared down the steps to the kitchen. Lily and Jack hurried after them.

The servants’ staircase was narrow and cold. At the bottom, servants clustered in the kitchen, talking in shrill, anxious voices as the cook tried to keep some order. The underservants glanced uneasily at Lily and Jack as they came into the kitchen, but no one seemed to know what to do or say. The door to the yard had been left wide open, and the wind blew in gusts of snow and icy morning light. Outside, more servants were gathered, though they parted like a wave as the housekeeper led Mrs. Grantham out to see what had happened.

As Lily and Jack tried to follow, they were stopped by the frail but determined body of the butler, who interposed himself between them and the open door. “Madam, sir, perhaps you would care to return to your rooms? Breakfast will be ready shortly.”

Jack drew himself up, clearly prepared to use his rank to push his way past the aging servant. Before he could say anything, though, and before Lily could think how to reply, Mrs. Grantham turned sharply.

“What is . . .” She trailed off, eyeing Lily and Jack with trepidation. She looked ready to send them on their way with some commonplace assurance. But half a dozen emotions chased their way across her face in that moment, and she instead asked, “Mrs. Adler, how many of the rumors about you are true?”

“That depends on the rumors,” Lily replied calmly, though her heart was pounding. Behind Mrs. Grantham, she could see the limbs of the eerie, still figure sticking out of the snowbank. “Though if you refer only to the ones that are most relevant at this moment . . .” She turned her gaze pointedly toward the body in the snow. “There is indeed some truth to them.”

Mrs. Grantham hesitated, then seemed to make up her mind in a rush. She stepped aside, pulling the confused housekeeper with her. There were boots for the servants lined up next to the door, crusted with mud from repeated use. Lily pulled off her delicate evening slippers, slid her bare feet into the pair that looked closest to her size, and followed as she and Jack were ushered into the yard, their eyes fixed on what awaited them there.

A man dressed in borrowed clothes, his skin white with cold, his hair thick with clumps of ice and snow. He could have fallen, hit his head, been caught in the storm and frozen. He could still be alive, in need of help. He could have had an innocent reason for being out in the storm.

He could have. But this close, Lily could see the snow that had been kicked aside and trampled by half a dozen feet in the servants’ frantic attempts to clear it away. The icy powder was too thick on the ground for her to see the mud of the yard. But it was still stained with red and brown from where the man’s life had leaked away in the night.

The once-snowy linen of his shirt was stained the same color, jagged and torn from the bullet that had ended his life. The gun that had fired it had been unearthed beside him, as snow-logged as his own body. The man’s frozen eyes and mouth were wide open, as though he had not believed until the last moment that whoever had faced him in that yard could be capable of the shot that had ended his life.

***

Excerpt from Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman. Copyright 2023 by Katharine Schellman. Reproduced with permission from Katharine Schellman. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Katharine Schellman

Katharine Schellman is a former actor and one-time political consultant. These days, she writes the Lily Adler Mysteries and the Nightingale Mysteries. Her books, which reviewers have praised as “worthy of Agatha Christie or Rex Stout” (Library Journal, starred review), have received multiple accolades, including being named a Library Journal Best Crime Fiction of 2022, a Suspense Magazine Best Book of 2020, and a New York Times editor’s pick in June 2022. Katharine lives and writes in the mountains of Virginia in the company of her husband, children, and the many houseplants she keeps accidentally murdering.

Catch Up With Katharine Schellman:
www.KatharineSchellman.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @KatharineSchellman
Instagram – @katharinewrites
Facebook – @katharineschellman

 

 

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“Good Dog” Training Time

Question: What’s the best training method for you and your dog?

Answer: The one that works!

I’ve lost track of the number of training books, videos, and how-to seminars I studied while writing the Waterside Kennels mystery series and this blog. In addition to ensuring authentic details are added to the plots, I found many of those resources personally helpful when Sasha joined our household after having been rescued from a bad situation. I relied on those resources to find a “just right” training program that would build her confidence and help overcome her fear of men and extreme aversion to noise.

It didn’t take long to realize that typical training methods were not always the best choice for her. While Sasha quickly mastered the commands taught in beginner and intermediate obedience classes, the clicker training method was an ordeal for her. Since our local training facility uses clickers as the foundation for all their classes, I chose not to pursue additional training there. Instead, I adopted a DIY approach that focuses on improving everyday behavior through positive reinforcement and situational awareness. Along the way, I discovered a few simple commands that work for us: “take it,” “leave it,” “drop it,” and “watch me.”

Those commands make an appearance in Dangerous Deeds (currently in the editing pipeline) where my protagonist Maggie Porter includes them as part of her “Good Dog” training sessions. They’re also used elsewhere in the book–including one memorable scene where Maggie’s dog Sweet Pea finds an injured kitten beneath the dock.  Unlike training classes with a structured curriculum, Maggie’s “Good Dog” sessions are customized to address specific behaviors. (As both a writer and a dog owner, I personally like the flexibility this sort of training format offers.)

If you’d like to learn more about these commands to use with your own dog, here’s a list of helpful articles to get you started:

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/learning-the-leave-it-command/ (includes “take it” command too)

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/teaching-your-dog-to-drop-it/  (great for trick training as well)

And my personal favorite I use whenever Sasha and I are walking and she’s triggered by other dogs approaching: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/watch-me-command-grab-dogs-attention/

Prefer watching videos? Drop by YouTube and search for any or all of these commands. And remember: learning new commands can be hard work for both you and your dog. Be patient, and include some fun activities along the way. The results will be worth it!

Celebrate National Dog Day 2023!

In celebration of National Dog Day, I’m sharing an article that highlights two of my passions: dogs and writing. The American Kennel Club (AKC) staff has compiled an inspiring list of quotes and images focused on dogs. Enjoy!

***

You ever wonder what your dog is thinking? What he or she wants to say? We’d all love it if our dogs could talk — some of the time, at least. (If nothing else we’d be guaranteed some good dog quotes!) In lieu of that, we have some quotes about dogs, by the humans who love them. They’re like family to us, and why not celebrate it? Here are great quotes about man’s best friend.

“Everything I know I learned from dogs.” – Nora Roberts (author, The Search)

dog quote roberts

“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.”–Orhan Pamuk (author, My Name Is Red)

dog quote pamuk

“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” – Agnes Sligh Turnbull (author, The Wedding Bargain)

dog quote by turnbull

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” – Roger Caras (photographer and writer)

dog quote 1 Roger Caras

 

Enjoy the entire article here:

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/dog-quotes/

***

Of course, like so many  of us who share our homes and lives with dogs, every day brings a reason to celebrate the love of dogs!

 

A Cotswold Crimes Mystery Review

Death Takes a Bath by Sharon Lynn Banner

August 14-25, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

The chance to unearth secrets of the past is a dream come true for American college student Maddie McGuire when she’s granted an internship at the ancient Roman Baths in England. Her visions of archeological discoveries are waylaid, though, by mysterious events, suspicious packages, and unfriendly co-workers who assign her mundane office chores far from the excavation site. Even as she longs for the chance to join the crew excavating at the ancient site, she becomes entangled in present-day challenges. While she’s eager to show off her archeological knowledge, her early progress is slowed by unfamiliar customs, inadvertent social blunders, and the unexpected vulnerability of being on her own thousands of miles away from anything or anyone familiar.

Determined to find her own way and prove her worth as an archeological intern, Maggie channels her youthful  energy and enthusiasm into succeeding in her first professional position. Her efforts are hindered, though, when trouble looms and Maggie inadvertently becomes the target of someone with deadly intentions. When a series of accidents and disappearances are followed by grisly discoveries, Maggie finds herself a suspect and must use all her skills to uncover the truth before she becomes a victim herself.

The setting and atmosphere provide a rich backdrop to the mystery and an eclectic cast of characters add to the charm of this cozy mystery. One of those characters is a longtime friend who serves as a connection, albeit virtual, between Maggie’s life in the States and her adventures abroad. It’s refreshing to watch the diverse relationships evolve as the plot unfolds, and there’s even a hint of romance to keep things interesting. 

Death Takes a Bath features a protagonist who is the youngest amateur sleuth I’ve read in a long time. Initially, Maggie has a tendency to overreact to all sorts of situations, and her habit of rushing into speech, in contrast to the reserved British norm, threatens to undermine her efforts to be seen as a serious professional. As the story unfolds, though, it’s most satisfying to watch her develop an increasingly mature outlook. Her self-confidence grows as she applies inventive solutions to save herself and others from a villain’s wicked plan.  

I look forward to seeing Maggie use her archeological skills in pursuit of new adventures!  

Praise for Death Takes a Bath:

“A whale of a read! Dip your toe into Death Takes a Bath, and you won’t come out until you’ve reached ‘the end.” A highly recommended page-turner with archaeology, intrigue, an intrepid heroine, a dishy policeman, and . . . a rabbit.” ~ Molly MacRae, Author: The Highland Bookshop Mystery Series

“An exciting page-turner! It captured my attention from the first line and kept me riveted until the final twist.” ~ Avanti Centrae, international bestselling author of Cleopatra’s Vendetta

Synopsis:

When Maddie McGuire lands an archeology internship at the Roman Baths in England, she assumes everything will go her way. But when this college sophomore discovers a severed human ear on her doorstep, she must solve its meaning before she becomes the next victim, or worse, gets deported. Her tentative friendship with young constable Edward and the beauty of the Bath Abbey are no comfort as her aristocratic coworker Simon sabotages her every move. And the danger only increases when she discovers a dead body, both ears intact.

 

Book Details:

Genre: Traditional Mystery/Cozy

Published by: Level Best Books

Publication Date:  December 6, 2022

Number of Pages: 350

ISBN: 978-1685122423 (ISBN-10: ‎1685122426)

Series: A Cotswold Crimes Mystery, Book 1

Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub | Goodreads

 

Read an excerpt:

CHAPTER 1

The First Discovery
“What’s nine-one-one in England?” I squeaked at my cell. Black dots dancing before my eyes, I stabbed at the mic icon on the phone and repeated the question. “I found one number for emergency services in Great Britain,” the soothing electronic voice informed me. “Nine-nine-nine.” My fingers trembled, and the phone smacked to the ground. As I reached to retrieve it, Roddy, the cottage’s fluffy black-and-white rabbit, hopped to inspect the object. Jaw clenched in a death grip, my vision getting cloudy, I forced myself to stand still and count slowly to five. The world stopped spinning, allowing me to reach for the phone. “Don’t eat that,” I warned Roddy in a passing imitation of my mother. I scooped him up for comfort and maneuvered my cell so I could see the screen. “Okay. Here we go.” I pushed the numbers as I said them. “Nine, nine, nine.” “What service do you require?” a voice on the other end inquired. “Ambulance, police, fire, or Coast Guard?” “Um.” Coast Guard? My brain short-circuited on the unfamiliar option. If there was one thing you never needed in the Arizona desert, it was the Coast Guard. My body swayed unsteadily as I contemplated the question. “Are you able to speak?” the voice prompted. Emergency. I needed to tell them. “Ear,” I stuttered, unable to form a sentence around the horror of the situation. “You’re here, yes. If you are unable to speak, tap twice if you are in imminent danger.” The professional but concerned voice had its intended effect of calming me. Shaking my head, I changed tactics. Instead of discussing the details of what I’d found, I asked for the police. After a complicated exchange that gave me time to form my response, a male police officer asked my emergency. Shuddering, I said, “Hi. My name is Madeline McGuire. I’m an exchange student from America, and I found an ear.” The words tumbled from my mouth. “A human ear. A freshly severed human ear.” Saying it out loud made it real. Bunny in arm, I sunk to the floor, clinging to fluffy comfort. The image of the blood-stained ear spilling out of the salt-packed box loomed in my mind, stirring the acids in my stomach. The voice of the officer broke through my thoughts. “You did the right thing to call. Do you have the address of your location?” “Ash Tree cottage on Greenway Lane, Bath, England.” “I’ll stay on the line until a constable arrives,” he told me. Teeth chattering, I nodded robotically. “Miss?” “Yeah. Okay. I’ll be fine. Fine,” I said, not sounding even a little fine. “I’ll make coffee. This seems like a coffee moment.” “I’ve found that tea is quite soothing in difficult situations,” the officer offered. Ignoring the suggestion, I treaded into the kitchen, Roddy clutched to my chest, the phone pressed to my ear. “I could have done without your discovery, Roddy,” I muttered. When I brought the rabbit in from the pouring rain, I let him roam free long enough for him to chew a hole through the cardboard of a newly delivered package. “What was that, miss?” the policeman on the line asked. “Oh, sorry. Talking to my rabbit.” “Miss?” “Nothing. I’m fine.” I hadn’t blinked in a long time. A tremor rippled through me as I set the rabbit on the kitchen floor. With a weird detachment, I noted that Roddy’s black-and-white fur matched the checkerboard tile. The pattern became mesmerizing, a safe place for my mind until I collapsed against the counter. Catching myself, I said, “Coffee. Coffee is good.” Filling the electric kettle, I flickered the “On” switch, then retrieved the French press. A mostly empty bag of stale coffee sat behind the press. Dumping the ground beans into the glass cylinder, I filled the press with hot water. It was a mundane task that I had done hundreds of times. I wondered, could I make coffee without my ear? As I pushed the plunger to infuse the water with grounds, I almost shoved the contraption onto the floor. Catching it just in time, I shakily poured myself a cup. Ignoring the scalding heat, I gulped. Caffeine coursed through my system, making me jumpy as I thought about the consequences of receiving a body part. An ear in the mail would make a little sense back in Chicago, where I was getting my archeology degree. Mobsters still controlled parts of the city, and the paper always mentioned grizzly retribution crimes. As I took another sip, I imagined finding the package while at college. The dorm would buzz with gossip, wondering what the intended recipient had done. And I would know it wasn’t meant for me. I had only been in Bath for two days. I didn’t know anyone in England, especially not well enough to offend them. Did that mean the homeowners where I had a room were being warned? My stomach curdled at the thought. I hadn’t met them yet, but I considered them friends after the year of emails we exchanged. Bad people wouldn’t own a bunny, would they? Losing control, I hunched over, retching dry heaves. I leaned my back against the pantry door and slid to the floor. Roddy hopped in my lap, comforting me. “Miss?” I yelped, causing the rabbit to bound off of me, his powerful legs digging into my jeans. I’d forgotten the phone. “Hello?” “Constable Bailey is on your street. His collar number is 16941.” “There’s a pull chain to open the latch on the gate. The box is in the mudroom. Tell him to come in.” “Mudroom?” For the first time, my dispatcher sounded unsure. *** Excerpt from Death Takes a Bath by Sharon Lynn. Copyright 2023 by Sharon Lynn. Reproduced with permission from Sharon Lynn. All rights reserved.

 

Author Bio:

Sharon Lynn

Sharon Lynn was raised in Arizona, but it was living in England as a teenager and every return trip since that inspired the setting of her Cotswold Crimes Mystery series. As a professor of theater, film, and writing she coaches and mentors aspiring artists. Her short stories can be found in anthologies from Malice Domestic and Desert Sleuths. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. Please sign up for her newsletter at http://www.sharonlwrites.com and http://www.blackbirdwriters.com.

Catch Up With Sharon Lynn:

www.sharonlwrites.com               Goodreads

BookBub – @sharonlwrites          Instagram – @sharonlwrites

Twitter – @sharonlwrites           Facebook – @SharonLWrites AllAuthor.com

 

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Note: I received a courtesy copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Saluting a Special Kind of Working Dog

Working dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds, and provide essential support for individuals and agencies alike. One particular type of working dog is the explosive detection dog. These dogs are often referred to as bomb sniffing dogs or more simply as bomb dogs, and are trained to detect a variety of explosive materials. As the threat of terrorism and other violent crimes continues to increase around the world, there’s an ongoing need for these specially trained dogs and their handlers. As a 2013 article in The Smithsonian notes, these dogs are are trained “to sniff out danger” in varied environments. Conflict zones, airports, buildings, and vehicles are among the locations where you’ll find these dogs and their handlers searching for explosive materials.

According to the AKC’s Dection Dog Task Force FAQ page, some breeds are particularly well suited to the work:

Sporting breeds are the most popular breeds used in explosive detection work. Breeds that excel at this work include Labrador Retrievers, German Shorthaired Pointers, German Wirehaired Pointers, Vizslas and Golden Retrievers. Sporting breeds have been found to be less intimidating to the public, and their keen noses and hunting ability are easily transferred to the search for explosives. German Shepherd Dogs, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds are still the preferred breeds for patrol work and dual-purpose patrol/detection dogs.

***

You might be surprised to learn that here in the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has more than a thousand trained canine teams and their handlers. That number reflects the scope of TSA’s mission and the agency’s work in the United States and with other nations around the world. Within the United States, TSA’s scope includes commercial and general aviation, mass transit systems, freight and passenger rail, highways, pipelines and ports. Around the world, TSA-trained dogs and their handlers work with international partners to strengthen global aviation security. Here’s more from TSA regarding the long and intensive training of “TSA airport dogs” and their handlers:

The dogs work in a variety of environments, including mock aircraft and airport terminals. Trainers use classical conditioning to teach the dogs to search for odors from explosive materials. After six to eight weeks of training, the dogs are paired with a handler, whom they’ll finish the course and graduate with. Roughly 90% of all canine teams graduate from the course.

***

If you’re wondering about the connection between the AKC and government agencies, consider this comment from AKC Board Member Dr. Carmen Battaglia, a longtime German Shepherd Dog fancier:

“AKC has always been a leader in purpose-bred, purebred dogs. And these purpose-bred, purebred dogs have the skills, ability, and breeding to produce the traits needed for detection dogs to successfully do their important jobs,” Battaglia said. “It is a natural role for AKC to assist in meeting this national need to protect our country.“

***