Pet in Peril

If dogs and cats could read, their holiday gift for two-legged friends would be Celine’s third romp featuring L.A. pet food TV chef Kitty Karlyle (after Lights, Camera, Murder!). Kitty and her sidekick, makeup artist Fran Earhart, find only trouble when Kitty’s annoying producer, Steve Barnhard, insists on shooting an episode of her show, The Pampered Pet, at the New-Age/New-Pet weekend being held at Little Switzerland Resort and Spa, “nestled in the southern California hills somewhere.” When Kitty finds the body of wealthy creep Victor Cornwall, it’s cherchez les chiens as well as cherchez la femme. Meanwhile, Kitty’s black Lab, Fred, and rescued tuxedo cat, Barney, go from blissful runs and rubdowns to super chow, including Kitty’s popular liver and oatmeal treats. Despite too many cartoonish characters, such as stuffy pet shrink George Newhart and egomaniacal chef Henri Moutarde, Celine amuses and then scares in a tense description of Kitty’s mountainside encounter with the killer. Agent: Priya Doraswamy, Lotus Lane Literary Agency. (Dec.)