Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Jun 19, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Patricia Guiver, 76, who wrote a popular series of mystery novels about an Orange County, Calif., "pet detective" and a newspaper column about pets, has died.
Guiver died in Huntington Beach, Calif., Tuesday of complications from heart surgery.
Born in Surrey, England on Feb. 25, 1930, Giver began her writing career on London's Fleet Street and later became a correspondent for British magazines. Her love of animals led her later on to write amusing stories that focused on animal welfare.
Guiver created the character Delilah Doolitte, a British widow living in a Southern California beach town, who tracks down stray pets. Giver's first book, "Delilah Doolittle and the Purloined Pooch" was published in 1997 by Berkley Publishing Group.
Guiver described her writing as "kind of Miss Marple meets Surf City," the Los Angeles Times reported.
Guiver also participated in community activities that benefited animal welfare. She founded the Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and co-founded the Animal Assistance League of Orange County.
She was divorced, and is survived by her son Chris Guiver, who recommended donations be made to the Sierra Club or Surfrider Foundation.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
