A fun cozy mystery: Watchdog (A Melanie Travis Mystery Book 5) by Laurien Berenson

As a mystery novel fan, and a dog dad, the Melanie Travis Mystery series by Laurien Berenson is a perfect read. I've read the first 4 novels in the series and just finished enjoying the fifth called "Watchdog."  
     The main character, Melanie is a single mom, a teacher and shows her standard Poodle, Faith in dog shows. She's very involved in dog shows with her quirky Aunt Peg, and you really learn a lot about showing a dog in these novels. She gets involved in solving murders usually by accident. In this case, her brother was being accused of murder, so she felt obligated to help. 
    All of these books are easy to read and have very interesting plots. This one is no different. In fact, it goes deep into the world of breeding and show dogs. Well worth the read!- Rob

ABOUT THE BOOK FROM AMAZON: It's autumn in Connecticut. Melanie Travis has just started a new job, and with the added excitement of showing her Standard Poodle, Faith, in the fall shows, the last thing she wants is to become embroiled in yet another of her brother Frank's moneymaking schemes. His current brainstorm--remaking an old store in stylish suburban Fairfield County into a trendy coffee bar--already has the neighbors snarling. Worse, wealthy Marcus Rattigan, who's bankrolling the project, is found murdered on the premises, and the police think Frank did it.
    Always the family watchdog, and faced with Frank's imminent arrest, Melanie has no choice but to take on the investigation. Drawing on her connections in the dog world, Melanie is soon successfully unmuzzling the dead man's nearest and dearest, including a bitter ex-wife, a spurned mistress, and an ambitious second in command. But Melanie is about to learn that being a watchdog can sometimes be dangerous--especially when every clue she uncovers leads her one step closer to a murderer who is desperate enough to kill again. 

   "Fresh, lively writing, a tough mystery, light humor, and insight into the peculiarities of human and canine behavior."--Booklist

Enjoyable Mystery: Hush Puppy by Laurien Berenson

The sixth book in the "Melanie Travis Mystery series" was the best yet. I (Rob) have read several of them, and I really, really enjoyed "Hush Puppy." Melanie is a single mom, and poodle parent. She's a tutor and also shows her poodle in dog shows. As with the previous 5 mysteries, there are great supporting characters, including her son, her Aunt Peg, her boyfriend Sam and more. This mystery had me going until the end, trying to guess the murderer. It was really enjoyable. Five out of five starts from me! - 


ABOUT THE BOOK: Melanie Travis loves her teaching job at Connecticut's elite Howard Academy, where plans are underway for a Spring Pageant to honor the school's fiftieth anniversary. Immersed in the preparations, Melanie is hurrying to retrieve a painting of one of the illustrious co-founders when she comes upon a disturbing scene: Eugene Krebbs, the Academy's elderly caretaker is arguing loudly with a girl half his size. Before Melanie can learn more than the girl's first name--Jane--she disappears.

It's clear that Jane isn't a student at Howard Academy, so what is she doing there? Melanie doesn't have a chance to answer that question before more problems arise. Two days later, Krebbs is discovered stabbed to death right on the school grounds. Now Melanie is embroiled in a full-fledged homicide investigation as she tries to find out who's added murder to the school's curriculum. And when Melanie's trail leads her dangerously closer to the truth, she must race against time to track down a cunning killer before she becomes the next victim to be hushed. . .forever.

Another Enjoyable Melanie Travis Mystery: Jingle Bell Bark

Being the avid dog and mystery lover I (Rob) am, I recently finished my third book in the Melanie Travis mystery series called "Jingle Bell Bark" by Laurien Berenson.  I enjoy this series and the characters in the book, especially because the lead character, Melanie is a dog parent (who just gets involved in murders and helps solve them). She has great supporting characters like her Aunt Peg who has a kennel and also shows standard Poodles in competition. Melanie is a single mom with a 3rd grade son, ex-husband that comes around, a boyfriend, and others. 
   This mystery takes place around christmastime, but really has nothing to do with the holidays (that's just a background to the story). Instead it involves a mystery of why Melanie's son's bus driver doesn't show up for work one day. 
   The book is pretty fast-paced and you really want to get to the end to find out who the murderer is in the story. It has some twists in it, and a surprise ending. It was another enjoyable mystery in the series. - Rob 


BOOK SUMMARY: It's Christmas again, and Melanie Travis barely has time to pencil in some holiday festivities. Especially once she finds herself making a list of murder suspects--and checking it twice. . .

This year, all Melanie wants for Christmas is a dull moment. Between her son Davey, her teaching job, and showing her Standard Poodle puppy, Eve, there just aren't enough hours in the day. But when Davey's usual bus driver, Henry Pruitt, disappears and is replaced by a surly, pierced, twentysomething, Melanie is concerned. The elderly, amiable Henry was a friend to all in the neighborhood, so she decides to check on him. . .only to find that he died two days earlier, under suspicious circumstances.

As if that weren't bad enough, Henry's two Golden Retrievers are now bereft of both master and home. Melanie can't just abandon them, so she brings them to her Aunt Peg, the most stubborn woman on the planet, who's now determined to find out the truth about Henry's death, no matter what it takes. Soon, the indomitable Aunt Peg has Melanie leashed to another murder investigation. And unless she sniffs out this Scrooge of a killer fast, a lump of coal in her stocking may not be the worst thing Melanie gets this Christmas. .

Enjoyable Mystery (with dogs)- Hot Dog (A Melanie Travis Mystery Book 9)

I recently finished reading "Hot Dog" - A Melanie Travis Mystery (Book 9). I read another (Gone with the Woof) in the series and liked it so much I got this one. This is precedes the other, and there's a lot of character development in it. You really get to know Melanie, her ex, her son, her quirky aunts, her boyfriend and supporting characters, plus a good bit of info about what's involved with showing dogs. 

The book is easy to read, and a good mystery and story, that will keep you guessing until the end. Of course, being a Dachshund dad, I enjoying having a dachshund to read about,too- and part of the mystery involves him. If  you're looking for an enjoyable mystery that involves dogs- this is one to get   I look forward to reading more in the series. Rob

BOOK SUMMARY: In an effort to escape tail-chasing males--namely her ex-husband Bob and boyfriend Sam--Melanie Travis opts to track down the elusive owner of Dox, an adorable Dachshund who's about to be put on the block at a charity auction. But the more Melanie discovers about the pup's background, the messier the case gets. It seems Dox is part of a divorced couple's emotional tug-o-war. . .

As if tiptoeing through the minefield of a broken marriage isn't nerve-wracking enough, there's also Melanie's stalker--or stalkers--to deal with. The obvious pair is a pesky local TV crew who figure Melanie's nose for trouble will lead them to the next Big Story. But what's truly frightening is the presence of someone far more sinister. Someone who's gotten into Melanie's house at night, and stolen her wallet. Someone who's dognapped Dox. With doggy abduction and her son's safety on her mind, Melanie's determination grows. Soon, it looks like her life may be the next thing up for auction. . .

 

 

 

Book Read in Ireland: A Wonderful Dog-Lovers Mystery: Gone With the Woof (A Melanie Travis Mystery)

While on vacation, I (Rob) bought and enjoyed the paperback mystery called "Gone with the Woof" by Laurien Berenson. It's part of a series called the Melanie Travis Mysteries that involves a woman who has 5 standard poodles and works with show dogs, agility, etc. and has an aunt who does the same. The book was really enjoyable, especially to a dog dad like me who loves mysteries. The characters were all interesting and their personalities stood out. Secret relationships are uncovered throughout the book during Melanie's investigation, keeping you guessing. It's a great book and one I recommend!  - Rob

BOOK SUMMARY:
Despite a toddler and a house full of Standard Poodles, Melanie Travis can't pass up an opportunity to help legendary dog breeder Edward March pen his life story. But her enthusiasm flags when the breeder's angry son Andrew demands she stop working on the book. Why becomes imperative once Andrew is killed by a seemingly intentional hit-and-run and Melanie becomes Suspect #1. To get herself out of the dog house, Melanie sniffs out every possible clue, only to run into dead ends as fast as she's running out of time. And the longer the killer stays unleashed, the sooner she may end up in the dog house for good. 

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