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. . . "Delightful. . .As ever, the author provides a captivating behind-the-scenes look at the world of show dogs." --"Publishers Weekly" "Melanie Travis is a terrific character."--"Romantic Times"

Frolicking with dogs is Melanie Travis's idea of heaven. So when she's invited to be a "puppy wrangler" at a benefit for a local dog rescue, the last thing she expects is to be chasing after a tricky killer...As a busy mom and pedigree Poodle owner, Melanie has little time to spare. Still, she doesn't mind helping out at Puppy Fest, an annual fundraiser to benefit Puppy Posse, a local dog rescue organization. Considering the venue—Belle Haven mansion, owned by wealthy philanthropist Leo Brody—it's shaping up to be the can't-miss charity event of the summer. Unfortunately, when Melanie's breeding background lands her in the doghouse with Jane, Leo's snappy daughter who runs the rescue, Melanie finds herself simultaneously managing Puppy Fest and the millionaire's hopelessly fractious family.But once Puppy Fest kicks off, Leo is nowhere to be found—until Melanie discovers his current mistress crouching over his dead body. According to police, the...

If Melanie Travis was planning on a quiet family summer with her Standard Poodle Faith, son Davey, and new husband Sam, her plans are about to turn upside down. An unexpected competition, a trip to New York, and--oh yes, a murder--later, Melanie finds herself in a choke collar of deceit and corruption.When she receives the letter from the Champions Dog Food Company informing her that Faith has been selected as a finalist in the "All Dogs Are Champions" contest, Melanie is mystified--until she discovers it was Davey who entered Faith in the contest.At the reception where they meet the other finalists, Melanie immediately picks up the scent that this pack is a bone's throw away from a major dog fight. And when Larry Kim, one of the finalists, dies in a suspicious fall, something smells rotten to Melanie. With the final decision for a winner drawing near and the competition getting downright ferocious, Melanie and Faith will have to watch their backs--because Melanie's digging may well unearth a barking-mad killer who'll do anything to win.From Publishers WeeklyIn Berenson's enjoyable 13th dog-themed cozy (after 2005's Raining Cats and Dogs), Melanie Travis's standard poodle, Faith, is a finalist in a contest sponsored by Champions Dog Food company, which is in search of the next "spokesdog" for a new dog food. Though Melanie and her new husband, Sam, have no modeling ambitions for Faith—her nine-year-old son, Davey, entered the pooch without her knowing—the other finalists' competitive owners are lured by the promise of a $100,000 contract. What begins as a matter of grooming and carriage becomes the stuff of life and death when Larry Kim, the handler of a Yorkshire terrier, plunges to his death down a stairwell. Once again, Melanie, a Greenwich, Conn., teacher, sets about carefully piecing together the clues to solve the crime. Berenson creatively combines a multitude of red herrings with plenty of twists and turns for a tight suspenseful package. (Sept.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review"Enjoyable... Plenty of twists and turns for a tight suspenseful package." - Publishers Weekly."

When Melanie’s Aunt Peg volunteers her to help one of dogdom’s elder statesmen write his memoirs, Melanie has no idea what she’s getting into. Edward March turns out to be a crotchety, manipulating philanderer and when his adult son Andrew is killed in a hit-and-run crash, March quickly becomes the prime suspect.Drawn into the investigation, Melanie uncovers family discord, secret hoarding, and two generations of disgruntled ex-lovers. Melanie—busy with her own child who’s about to enter the terrible twos, not to mention a new puppy for Davey—must follow a convoluted trail of clues, but before she can act on what she uncovers, the killer prepares to strike again and this time she’s is the target…

"If you like dogs, you'll love Laurien Berenson's Melanie Travis mysteries!" —Joanne Fluke, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Travis needs a little peace from her busy life this Christmas. But the usual holiday hubbub is a joy compared to the killer surprise she finds tucked underneath the tree . . . With a demanding teaching job at Connecticut's elite Howard Academy and five poodles scampering around the house, Melanie barely has energy for the upcoming Christmas rush. But she unwraps an unexpected challenge when her brother and ex-husband, elated by the recent success of their country café, make a spontaneous bid on a dilapidated pine tree farm. Although the ten-acre lot had been a popular seasonal destination while the original owner was still alive, it'll take some sprucing up—and a small miracle or two—before the neglected place is in shape for December. Unfortunately, the impromptu business...

Welcome to an elite Connecticut kennel club where shocking secrets gnaw at the best of the breed and competition has a sharp—and deadly—bite.As if raising her son Davey, training her rambunctious Poodle Faith for the show ring, and grooming fellow handler Sam Driver for romance aren't enough, Melanie Travis's entrée into the exclusive Belle Haven Kennel Club has been met with a grisly murder. Unfortunately, the only witnesses to the crime were the victim's startled pair of Beagles. And they aren't talking. . .Melanie hadn't intended to do any serious snooping, what with coping with the unexpected arrival of an ex-husband out to get joint custody of the son he's never known. In need of some serious distraction, she's off to sniff out dangerous secrets. . .only to discover that everyone at Belle Haven has something damning to hide.As the shocking truth slowly comes to light—and her own domestic drama moves center stage—Melanie finds herself eager...

"If you like dogs, you'll love Laurien Berenson's Melanie Travis mysteries!" --Joanne Fluke, New York Times bestselling authorEver wonder what Melanie and Aunt Peg were up to before solving murders? Let's step back in time, when college-aged Melanie and her indomitable Aunt Peg were little more than strangers... It's Christmas in Connecticut, and Peg Turnbull can't wait to spend her favorite holiday cozying up to husband Max and their clan of pedigree Poodles in Greenwich. But Peg's spirits drop when the family of Max's estranged brother Michael invites the pair over for Christmas dinner. Could her in-laws want to settle the long-standing feud over Nana's will? Peg isn't expecting any miracles, but it's been ages since Peg last saw her niece and nephew. Little Melanie must be out of pigtails by now... When they arrive at the Turnbull's, Peg is not just surprised by how much Melanie has grown up. The family has spared no expense in...

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 an adorable Dachshund puppy that's about to be put on the block at a charity auction. She, her son Davey, and her prizewinning poodles are more than willing to take little Dox in as a boarder. But the more Melanie discovers about the pup's background, the messier the case gets.It seems the wiener dog 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 new stalker--or stalkers--to deal with. The obvious pair is pesky local television reporter Jill Prescott and her cameraman, Rich, who figure that Melanie's nose for trouble will lead them to the next Big Story.They're annoying, but what's truly frightening is the presence of someone stealthier--and far more sinister. Someone who's gotten into her house at night; someone who's stolen her wallet, and let her dogs loose in the neighborhood. Someone who's dognapped Dox.With the doggy abduction and her son's safety on her mind, Melanie's determination grows. Because as things grow more desperate--and dangerous--it's beginning to look like her life may be the next thing up for auction...

"A well-paced and well-organized story, a surprise ending, and an ability to capture the great bond between dogs and people." –BooklistThe dog days of summer have just begun, and Melanie Travis is looking forward to savoring each lazy afternoon. And where better to enjoy herself than at her Aunt Peg's Fourth of July barbeque? It sounds ideal, until an uninvited guest proves that even the laziest dog day of the year can suddenly turn vicious. . ."Abundant with dog lore, this lighthearted adventure will charm dog fanciers and cozy fans." –-Publishers WeeklyMelanie knew someone should have kept Barry Turk on a short leash. The star Poodle handler and lady killer had a habit of chicanery that bred contempt in the dog show circuit. But when Barry is shot dead in his own driveway, even Melanie is stunned at how unsporting the competition can get. Now, as Melanie digs for clues deep under Connecticut's well-groomed surface, she finds herself sniffing around in the...

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. "Fresh, lively writing, a tough mystery, light humor, and insight into the peculiarities of human and canine behavior."--BooklistAlways 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. . .From Publishers WeeklyStandard Poodle owner and special education teacher Melanie Travis becomes her brother's watchdog in her fourth outing (following Hair of the Dog, 1997). The latest entrepreneurial pipe dream of brother Frank involves a partnership with local developer Marcus Rattigan to convert an old general store into a trendy coffee shop in Stamford, Conn. After Rattigan is killed by a falling skylight at the site and Frank becomes the most likely suspect, Melanie, urged on by her garrulous Aunt Peg, again tries her hand at detecting. She learns of Rattigan's acrimonious divorce, his spurned lover and the concerned citizens who are fighting the opening of a coffee shop in their family oriented neighborhood. Melanie thinks all are more likely suspects than her brother and pursues their involvement with Rattigan. Meanwhile, she shows her poodle, Faith, in the animal's first season in the adult class and learns from Aunt Peg of Rattigan's previous involvement in the dog world. Together with Aunt Peg and the student, Melanie sorts out the suspects and identifies the culprit. Throughout the proceedings, readers are given a backstage look at the world of American Kennel Club-sanctioned dog shows. As is her wont, Berenson's writing is as warm and fuzzy as the dogs, a tact that should satisfy fans but is unlikely to extend her readership beyond them. Author tour. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library JournalYA-Mel Travis knows she has a lot to be thankful for: a new job she really enjoys; her six-year-old son; her potential champion poodle; and her brother, whom she loves. However, Frank always seems to be in some sort of crisis over one of his money-making schemes, and this time it's worse than usual. Now he is also the primary suspect in the murder of Marcus Rattigan, the financial backer for his latest project. After Frank begs her for help, Mel puts her sleuthing talent to work and puts the bite on the distempered murderer. The characters are aptly described and complete with idiosyncrasies. Kate, Mel's teenaged student, comes across strongly with limited but important appearances in the story. Indeed, the solution of the murder has more to do with what she has done or found out than all of Mel's hours of snooping. Connecticut's beautiful autumn environment complements the settings of professional dog shows, private schools, and quiet neighborhoods. This gentle murder mystery, more the solving of a puzzle than a clearing away of blood, will likely appeal to teens who like Susan Conant's mysteries (Doubleday), which also feature dogs.Pam Johnson, Fairfax County Public Library, VACopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Melanie Travis thought her visit to a rustic Pocono Mountains resort would offer some well-earned relaxation even though it meant leaving her family and her beloved Poodle Faith behind. That was before she discovered the corpse in the inn's secluded hot tub. Now, she's sniffing out the trail of a killer as frightened guests and the police howl for swift justice.As the dog days of summer turn to the playful nip of autumn's chill, Melanie Travis is ready for a little relaxation. Her Aunt Peg has the perfect solution--a five day symposium for dog show judges in Pennsylvania's idyllic Pocono Mountains. While Peg and Melanie's sister-in-law Bertie welcome the opportunity to socialize with the dog world's elite, pregnant Melanie embraces the chance to simply unwind. Aunt Peg also plans a little face time with her new online beau Richard Donner, but the rendezvous isn't smooth because Richard never travels without his mother, the redoubtable Florence Donner, who keeps a Chihuahua in her purse and her son on a very short leash.When renowned judge, Charles Evans, delivers a keynote address that irritates many of the attendees, the symposium's agenda takes a deadly turn. Later that evening, the judge is found floating face-down in the outdoor hot tub.With few clues to go on, the police are baffled. Melanie decides to take matters into her own hands, suspecting that a cold-blooded murderer may lurk among her fellow dog lovers. Now the guests' tongues are wagging anf Melanie must find someone whose bark is actually far worse than their bite.

Melanie Travis is back - after her first run through the competitive dog show world in A Pedigree to Die For. Now, the Connecticut teacher and single mother returns to elite canine circles, this time as the owner and handler of her own pedigreed poodle and uncovers a killer lurking among the dogged handlers and their prize-winning pets. It's not easy being the underdog, but what Melanie and her five-month-old pup lack in experience, they make up in enthusiasm. Melanie signs up for a breed-handling class at Connecticut's classiest obedience school... only to have her education cut short by sudden death. Melanie - with her unerring nose for detection - smells a murder. With her rambunctious puppy, five-year-old son, and Sam Driver - the man giving her both hot fantasies and cold feet - in tow, Melanie hits the championship circuit. In this dog-eat-dog world where winning is everything, she discovers that more than one suspect had a bone to pick with the victim, including: an unctuous rival handler, an adoring but possessive husband, an envious younger sister, and a kennel owner whose secret recipe for dog biscuits isn't the only thing she's guarding.

"If you like dogs, you'll love Laurien Berenson's Melanie Travis mysteries!" —Joanne Fluke, New York Times bestselling authorWhen her Aunt Peg lands a gig as judge at a Kentucky dog show, Melanie Travis welcomes the opportunity for a road trip. Too bad a killer has planned a deadly detour . . . For a dog lover like Melanie, the opportunity to attend the Kentuckiana Dog Show Cluster is not to be missed. Fortunately, the timing coincides with her spring break from teaching, so she heads for central Kentucky with her sister-in-law Bertie and Aunt Peg, who's accepted a week-long judging assignment. Once there, Aunt Peg reconnects with an old friend, Ellie Gates Wanamaker, a former Standard Poodle exhibitor and a member of a well-heeled Kentucky family. Miss Ellie has been out of the dog show world for more than a decade, but when Melanie invites her to spectate at the Louisville Kennel Club dog show, she's eager to accompany her. Miss Ellie's presence at the...