Die Like a Dog — Brett Halliday

Mike Shayne goes grave robbing in a pet cemetery to solve the case of a millionaire's murder

It's 11:00 am, and Mike Shayne has just poured himself a cognac, when Henrietta Rogell strolls into his office. Normally, Shayne would extend no special favors to a wealthy client, but his checking account is nearly empty, and he's willing to straighten his tie for the sake of a millionaire -- especially when she's come about something as lucrative as murder. Miss Rogell's brother, John, died 2 days before. The coroner ruled it a heart attack, but Henrietta is convinced he was poisoned, and she will pay handsomely for Shayne to prove it.
 
His first lead is a murdered dog. Daffy, the beloved Pekinese of John Rogell's young wife, Anita, dropped dead after eating a bowl of soup laced with strychnine. Every member of the family had a reason to want Rogell out of the picture. To find the killer, Shayne will have to disturb the departed -- and dig up the canine victim.

Die Like a Dog is the 34th book in the Mike Shayne Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.