The Dog Thief (Coyote Run)

"I loved this book! However it is hard to describe exactly what the story's about since TheDog Thief defies easy pigeon holing. Is it a mystery? A romance? A story about the transformative and therapeutic powers of dogs? No easy labels here. Which is just as well since the story's central character Maddie doesn't do labels. An outsider and outcast in her small Californian town, set apart by her physical ticks, obsessive behaviour and general inability to fit in with the human population -Maddie never labels herself autistic - she just is who she is and this is how she is.

"When she stumbles over a dead body whilst taking a shortcut home she is forced out of her comfort zone and thrown into the company of the town's sheriff, her ex's brother. In order to legalise her ownership of her dog, a dog she technically stole (hence the book's title) she has to engage with her fellow humans.

"This is a terrific book. I liked it so much it's going straight on my re-read pile. For me it was the interesting characters that made the story seriously engrossing although it was the dogs that stole my heart." --Amazon UK Reviewer

"Couldn't recommend more! The Dog Thief is a brilliant read.

"Narrowing down The Dog Thief to just one genre is no easy feat, as what starts off as the perfect introduction to a crime/suspense story, quickly develops into a family drama with a touch of romance to boot. Maddie Whitney aka 'Mad Girl' is a dog rehabilitator in the small rural town of Coyote Run whose dismissive attitude towards anything which doesn't walk on four legs and barks has recently lost her the love of her life: Claire.

"After a failed attempt at trying to win back her once girlfriend, Maddie takes a short cut and stumbles upon the rotting corpse of an unidentifiable woman - an event which takes the girl who never wanted any attention straight into the limelight of the small town.

"The Dog Thief isn't just a 'whodunnit?' though, as there are a number of great action scenes scattered throughout the novel, which will honestly get your heart pumping...

"The Dog Thief has taken preconceptions of how to portray autism and crafted a genre hopping narrative, as rich and diverse as the spectrum itself." --James Sinclair, Autistic & Unapologetic

"WOW, I was absolutely enthralled with this book . I could not put it down until the end. ★★★★★" --Amazon Reviewer

"...So fresh and real, and writing so fluid and funny. I recommended to several friends and want to read more like it! ★★★★★" --Amazon Reviewer

"Pure and heartfelt. The Dog Thief is an amazing book. Well constructed, deftly written and beautiful all the way through. Poetically powerful insight into both animal and human behavior and a satisfying ending. ★★★★★" --Amazon Reviewer

How far would you go to save the amazing dog you love?

“Incredible! This book touched my heart and soul. ★★★★★" —Amazon Reviewer

Introducing the “touching, funny, and worth crying over” Coyote Run K-9 Search and Rescue mystery series from LIBRARY JOURNAL WOMEN'S SUMMER FICTION author Marta Acosta.

When autistic dog rehabilitator Maddie “Mad Girl” Whitney discovers a corpse on her neighbor’s ranch, she impulsively tries to drum up business by claiming that psychic abilities led her to the victim…with devastating consequences.

"Pure and heartfelt. The Dog Thief is an amazing book... Poetically powerful insight into both animal and human behavior and a satisfying ending. ★★★★★" —Amazon Reviewer

Maddie's forced to start a K-9 Search and Rescue team with her ex-girlfriend's twin, a hostile sheriff, or risk losing her beloved former military dog. She reluctantly begins reaching out to others…and finds friendship and kindness in the unlikeliest of places.

Meanwhile, the unknown killer is determined to stop the animal psychic from solving the mystery of his identity. Can she save her own life by saving the dog she loves?

In a fresh and heartfelt story, Marta Acosta brings to life a complex and beautifully flawed character. Readers will fall in love with this unconventional protagonist who defies labels and classification.

"Amazing! A gripping read that will have your heart racing from start to finish." —James Sinclair, Autistic & Unapologetic

I am what is commonly referred to as a crazy dog lady. I wasn't always. I was a little girl who loved my cats and was fond of our family dogs, but not in a specific way. Everything changed when my husband and I decided that our boy should have a dog. All we wanted was a mid-size rescue dog. What we got was Buddy Valentine, found on the streets of Oakland, someone's lost or runaway German Shorthaired Pointer.Buddy was "backyard bred," the rescuer said. Not a fancy-pantsy GSP, but the phrase "that dog will hunt" was meant for him. He spent his days planning escapes to chase after squirrels, cats, ducks, mice, possums. I once saw him sizing up a horse. He was repeatedly skunked, once rolled in the rotting carcass of a seal on the beach, and wouldn't return when called. He was no end of trouble.But he was utterly and completely devoted to my son. He would sit by the tub as my son splashed in his bath and slept in his bed every night. When my son was sick for a week, our hyperactive dog stayed resolutely by his side the entire time, offering comfort. On every return home, he greeted us carrying his favorite toys.When Buddy passed away, we buried him in our yard, covering his grave with beautiful stones that we had gathered from our friend's ranch. We grieved. He lives in our hearts. We've adopted other dogs over the years. Each is special. Each is loved. Each passing is mourned, but the pain of loss cannot compare to all the joy that these animals bring us.The Dog Thief is my tribute to dogs and to the bond between dogs and humans.