Murder's Take: The First Adventure of Sam and Sam

Dr. Patricia Peterson, a promising young archeology professor at Berkeley, has made an astounding disovery--an unspoiled tomb in the Valley of the Kings. She and her academic partner, Dr. Roberta Burns, are just tidying up the details of the dig with Egypt's Department of Antiquities when Pat must fly home to Palo Alto, California for her sister's wedding. On the eve of her return to Egypt,a violent stormy night, Roberta lands on the doorstep of Pat's brother's home, demanding Pat's half to the combination for the locked gate to the tomb. Pat refuses. A struggle ensues, complicated by the loyal intervention of Pat's sheepdog, Sam, leaving Pat dying, Sam injured, and Roberta without the combination. Sam-dog, the welcome guest of Pat's brother and family, and the unwelcome pest of the family cat, Samantha, must not only recover from his wounds and accept the death of his master, but overcome his hatred and mistrust for Samantha the cat. Sam-cat, too, must swallow her distaste for the canine species, become Sam-dog's partner, and communicate Roberta's treachery to her human family before Roberta returns, putting what is left of her family in danger.

Ellen M. Morrison has written more than 35 books, articles, reports, and book chapters, mostly in the area of her professional work in health policy research. This is her first novel, inspired by her daughter's art work, her love for animals, and her delight in a good mystery.