While investigating the death of his mentor, Dr. Stephenson uncovers a plot against the animals he has sworn to protect.Hollywood starlet Aubrey Fairbanks and her entourage of activists descend on the picturesque upstate New York village of Jefferson to protest animal testing at the cosmetic company that is Jefferson’s lifeblood. Kent Stephenson is the town’s veterinarian and a lifelong resident. He is licking his wounds after a vicious divorce that took away his daughter and hiding from the world in his profession surrounded by animals that love unconditionally. But his brother, the police chief, has other plans for Kent and recruits him to defend their town. What seems to be a simple matter of negotiation soon escalates to arson, then murder. More strangers arrive in town and Kent’s animal patients begin disappearing. Kent and Aubrey’s relationship turns from blood enemies to respect and commitment as they risk their lives to protect Jefferson, find the murderers, and crush a cult that thrives on all that animal lovers despise. Martorana produces a compelling story starring an engaging hero...descriptions are strong. Both sides of the animal rights controversy are well-presented. A vet with investigative chops and his loyal coonhound make an appealing duo in this original story. -- Kirkus Reviews "I became totally involved in Frank Martorana's mystery, Taking on Lucinda . Feeling at times that their town is maybe a little too quiet, they are ready to take on the challenge of animal rights activists who have come to protest at the town'slargest employer, a cosmetics testing lab. Dr.Stephenson and his police chief brother combine forces with some surprising players to seek out the true evil invading their small town. As a veterinarian, Frank Martorana brings vivid images and incredible background knowledge to this well paced mystery." . . . Barbara Linsley, WILLA Literary Award winning author In Martorana's promising debut and series launch, veterinarian Kent Stephenson, who lives in Jefferson, N.Y., is shocked to learn that Aaron Whitmore, the upstate village's former police chief, has been found dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. Kent can't believe that Aaron committed suicide. Shortly before he died, Aaron, who became a journalist after leaving the force, told his mother he was working on a story that he feared would hurt her. Meanwhile, Kent joins forces with his brother, Merrill, who succeeded Aaron as police chief, to solve an arson case after a fire guts the research wing of Copithorn, a local company that tests cosmetics on animals. Copithorn was the recent target of a group of animal rights protesters headed by sexy celebrity Aubrey Fairbanks ("Testosterone gushed like toilets flushing, pouring into the bloodstream of every man in the place, when Audrey stepped into Kolbie's Tavern"). The memorable characters and plotting will appeal to Paul Doiron fans.-- Publisher's Weekly (BookLife) "In Taking On Lucinda by Frank Martorana, the author has created a superb suspense novel. Each character had an important role to play in the plot and were all believable and excellently created. The dialogue was authentic to the characters and it brought them to life. I especially loved the relationship between Kent and Aubrey, and how it developed through the story. May-May was a fantastic villain. There were many twists and turns throughout the plot, and the build up towards the ending was gripping and exciting. The plot moved forward constantly and the conflicts were perfectly spread out. There were scenes of violence towards animals, but they were totally needed for the plot. I would love to read more from this author; the way he can set a scene and build tension is superb. Highly recommended to anyone who loves a suspense thriller or whodunit novel."-- Readers' Favorite While investigating the death of his mentor, Dr. Stephenson uncovers a plot against the animals he has sworn to protect. Hollywood starlet Aubrey Fairbanks and her entourage of activists descend on the picturesque upstate New York village of Jefferson to protest animal testing at the cosmetic company that is Jefferson's lifeblood. Kent Stephenson is the town's veterinarian and a lifelong resident. He is licking his wounds after a vicious divorce that took away his daughter and hiding from the world in his profession surrounded by animals that love unconditionally. But his brother, the police chief, has other plans for Kent and recruits him to defend their town. What seems to be a simple matter of negotiation soon escalates to arson, then murder. More strangers arrive in town and Kent's animal patients begin disappearing. Kent and Aubrey's relationship turns from blood enemies to respect and commitment as they risk their lives to protect Jefferson, find the murderers, and crush a cult that thrives on all that animal lovers despise. Frank Martorana grew up working with animals on several farms around Schenectady, N