Lauren Vancouver, protagonist of the Pet Rescue Mysteries

Hello.  My name is Lauren Vancouver. 

First, let me state that I am not thrilled about being the protagonist of the Pet Rescue Mysteries.  I would much rather spend my time saving homeless or abused pets.  Even so, if I take on any challenge, I always work hard until I meet it.  That includes solving murders.

I have been the director of HotRescues, a wonderful no-kill pet shelter, since it was founded a few years ago.  Before that, I was a veterinary technician until I heard that wealthy Dante DeFrancisco was going to fund a new pet rescue facility. 

At that time, I had recently undergone an ugly divorce.  My first marriage, to Kerry Vancouver, had been superlative, but my dear Kerry had died young from a rare form of cancer, leaving me with our two incredible children. 

Tracy and Kevin are now both in college.  I had mistakenly believed that they needed to have another man in their lives.  As a result, I had married Charles Earles, and he turned out to be a miserable louse.  I booted him from our lives as soon as I realized that he just wanted to steal what little money I had to entertain his paramours.

That was when I heard that Dante was soliciting business plan proposals in his quest for someone to run HotRescues.  Out of quite a few submissions, I provided him with the best one, and he chose me as the administrator.  It’s a job I love, and I believe I do it well.

The most important thing is that I love animals.  I will do nearly anything to save as many pets as I can.  That is one reason I get involved in the situations that are described in the Pet Rescue Mysteries.

For example, in the first book, BEAGLEMANIA, I observe a rescue of many abused animals from a puppy mill.  The situation leads to a murder, and I wind up being the cops’ primary suspect.  Of course I didn’t do it and must find the guilty person to save myself.

In the second book, THE MORE THE TERRIER, I am involved in a dilemma since my former mentor has turned into an animal hoarder, which I abhor.  But she is a confused senior citizen now, and when she is accused of murder I have to help to clear her.

I must say that, even though I don’t like being involved in the situations described in the books, nor having the stories told publicly, the author, Linda O. Johnston, does a good job of explaining things. 

She has told me that, in her opinion, in the Pet Rescue Mysteries “no kill” refers to the animals, but not people.

That works for me. 

Lauren Vancouver