Whitney Marshall had just gone through a divorce, emerging practically penniless while her husband, a budding plastic surgeon, was left with the property and the debts, and his new wife. Whitney seeks help from her cousin, Miranda, who had lived with them as a child. Miranda is operating a dog walking business and lives in the caretaker's cottage of one of her employers, Calvin Hunt. Whitney's approach is timely as Miranda is getting married and leaving for a two week honeymoon. She leaves her living quarters and the dogs in Whitney's care.

Living next door is Adam Hunter; a recent veteran of the Iraqi war who had suffered a battle injury. During his recovery, his uncle Calvin had summoned Adam to his home in Greece telling him that he was certain someone was likely to murder him.

His uncle Calvin recently died of an apparent heart attack and Adam has come to Calvin’s California home to straighten out his affairs and to further investigate the death. Adam is from the area, and prior to being called up was in the security business with his former police partner.

Immediately after Calvin's death, his home had been burglarized and the only things stolen were his computer and related paraphernalia. Adam has an accountant trying to sort out his uncle’s financial affairs, His uncle had become obsessed with a pampered dog who had "taken Westminster by storm," had caught the dog show fever, spending his time judging and attending shows. To the surprise of all, however, there does not seem to be any money in his accounts.

Whitney and Adam meet when he catches her in the house. Whitney is merely dealing with Calvin's dog, one of her new responsibilities. They continue to meet as external causes throw them together and romance blossoms.

Whitney's ex husband Ryan tries to persuade her to sign a deed over to him that he claims had not been properly taken care of in the divorce. She is stalling, waiting to see an attorney. Then, Whitney's dog is missing, kidnapped by Ryan's new wife's personal trainer; the caretaker's cottage is bombed; the knee crackers are closing in on Ryan for his gambling debts;, and most importantly, they find the man that Miranda was to marry had never heard of her, and she is ostensibly missing.

The plot seems to circle among all these people, heading nowhere until the end of the book when it picks up speed, and all is revealed. Kiss of Death will be memorable only to readers who enjoy learning arcane facts about dogs.

--Thea Davis