A Melanie Travis Mystery Series

A mom goes undercover to locate a purloined poodle—and a killer—in this series debut with “a solution that packs a surprising amount of surprise” (Kirkus Reviews). The apparent heart attack that killed kennel owner Max Turnbull has left seven pups in mourning, and his wife Peg suspecting foul play. But the only evidence is their missing prize pooch—a pedigreed poodle named Beau. Enter Melanie Travis. With her young son happily ensconced in day camp, the thirty-something teacher and single mother is talked into investigating her uncle’s death—unofficially, of course. Posing as a poodle breeder in search of the perfect stud, Melanie hounds Connecticut’s elite canine competitions, and finds an ally in fellow breeder Sam Driver. But her affection cools when she's put on the scent of Sam’s questionable past…and hot on the trail of a poodle-hating neighbor and one elusive murderer who isn't ready to come to heel. For, as Melanie soon discovers, in a championship dog-eat-dog world, the instinct for survival, and winning, can prove fatal.   “Naturally flowing prose, extended suspense, and an infectiously upbeat single mother as protagonist make this a special treat.”—Library Journal   “A bonanza for ardent dog fanciers and for others, a likable heroine in a smoothly paced romantic mystery.”—Publishers Weekly

Competition at an elite Connecticut kennel club has a sharp and deadly bite in this “masterful” mystery (The Plain Dealer). As if raising her son Davey, training her rambunctious Poodle 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 to put the bite on a dogged killer. “A story as controlled as a well-behaved dog on a lead.”—Publishers Weekly   “Don’t make me sit up and beg. Read this book today.”—Dorothy Cannell

A dog handler’s death unleashes a mystery: “Laurien Berenson just keeps getting better and better.”—Harlan Coben When Melanie Travis’s education in breed-handling at Connecticut’s classiest obedience school is cut short by sudden death, she smells a murder. So, with her rambunctious poodle puppy, five-year-old son, and sexy fellow breeder Sam Driver in tow, she hits the championship circuit. In this dog-eat-dog world where winning is everything, Melanie discovers that more than one suspect had a bone to pick with the victim, including a kennel owner whose secret recipe for dog biscuits isn’t the only thing she’s guarding. Between laps around the show ring, Melanie learns some tricks of her own. But will she learn fast enough to collar an unleashed killer who’s begging for the dogged detective to play dead?   “With this new case, Berenson throws dog lovers a treat they will relish.”—Pubishers Weekly   “Should appeal to dog lovers, but the smooth, unruffled prose and likable characters will attract others as well.”—Library Journal

Did pawing at too many women get a dog handler shot dead? A twist-filled mystery that “will charm dog fanciers and cozy fans.”—Publishers Weekly   The dog days of summer have just begun, and Melanie Travis is looking forward to savoring them. And where better to enjoy herself than at her Aunt Peg’s Fourth of July barbecue? It sounds ideal, until an uninvited guest proves that even the laziest dog day of the year can suddenly turn vicious. Melanie knew someone should have kept Barry Turk on a short leash. The star poodle handler and ladykiller had a habit of chicanery that bred contempt in the dog show circuit, particularly among its female members. But when Barry is shot dead in his own driveway, even Melanie is stunned at how unsporting the competition can get. Soon Melanie is investigating a litter of suspects, which includes Barry’s ruthless young assistant, her hot-tempered boyfriend, a Blue Ribbon judge with a grudge, and even Barry’s last lover, Alicia. Now, as Melanie digs for clues deep under Connecticut’s well-groomed surface, she finds herself sniffing around in the killer’s own backyard, and counts herself lucky to have the animal instincts to keep herself alive.   “A good choice for dog aficionados.”—Library Journal

A dog handler disappears in this “entertaining mystery” by the Agatha and Macavity Award finalist (Publishers Weekly). With her former fiancé off finding himself, Melanie Travis figures the only ring she’ll be seeing in the near future is one where she’s showing her prized poodles. But love is still in the air for her brother Frank, who is about to tie the knot with his sweetheart, Bertie Kennedy. With scant knowledge of tulle, favors, or cocktail hors d’oeuvres, Melanie happily leaves the nuptial arrangements to Sara Bentley, a fellow dog handler moonlighting as a wedding coordinator. But when Sara suddenly vanishes, a panicked Bertie gives Melanie a choice: either pinch-hit for Sara—or find out where she is. Opting for the latter, Melanie begins sniffing around into Sara's past—and unearths big trouble when Sara’s cottage burns to the ground and a woman’s body is found in the rubble. There are plenty of people with grudges against Sara—from a disgruntled dog groomer to a competitor whose dog was poisoned a decade ago to an embittered ex-boyfriend. Even Sara’s own family seems oddly unconcerned about her disappearance…but are the blue-blooded Bentleys cold-blooded enough to kill one of their own? “Totally satisfying.”—I Love A Mystery   “Beware! Pick up Once Bitten and it will sink its fangs into your imagination. You’ll read straight through to the end.”—Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown

There’s a corpse on campus in this mystery from an Agatha Award finalist who’s “a rare breed of writer” (The Plain Dealer).   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.   “Fans of Miranda James’ Cat in the Stacks series may also enjoy Berenson.”—Booklist  “If you like dogs, you’ll love Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis mysteries!”—Joanne Fluke, New York Times-bestselling author of the Hannah Swensen series

A canine competition in New York turns criminal: “Enjoyable…plenty of twists and turns… a tight suspenseful package.”—Publishers Weekly   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. When she receives a 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 sent her name in. At the reception in New York where they meet the other finalists, Melanie immediately senses that this pack is a bone’s throw away from a major dogfight. And when Larry Kim, one of the finalists, dies in a suspicious fall, something smells rotten. With the final decision for a winner drawing near and the competition getting downright ferocious, Melanie and Faith will have to stay alert—because Melanie’s digging may well unearth a barking-mad killer who’ll do anything to win. “If you like dogs, you’ll love Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis mysteries!”—Joanne Fluke, New York Times-bestselling author of the Hannah Swensen series

A mystery from the Agatha Award finalist: “Melanie’s poodles are as lovable and real as the story’s human characters.”—Publishers Weekly   In an effort to escape tail-chasing males—namely her ex-husband and her current boyfriend—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 of 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…   “A rare breed of writer.”—The Plain Dealer

Someone’s dishing the dirt on the dog-show world, until she’s muzzled for good: “[A] winning cozy…the ending is a surprise.”—Publishers Weekly Summer means two things to Melanie Travis: a break from her teaching duties at Connecticut’s elite Howard Academy and a chance to plan the perfect wedding to her fiancé, Sam. She certainly doesn’t need the unwelcome arrival of a dinner invitation “peace offering” from Sam’s ex-wife, Sheila Vaughn. To make matters worse, Sheila announces her temporary stay in town is now permanent: she’s accepted a job as co-publisher of Woof!, a new gossip rag for the dog show world. But before the first issue is out, a hotter story breaks when Sheila is strangled with a leather dog leash.   As far as Melanie’s concerned, the woman should have been on a leash long ago. And it seems she isn’t alone in her dislike of Sheila. Some of Woof!’s salacious stories threatened to expose the dirty paws of quite a few important exhibitors, and someone on Sheila’s staff may have found her high-handed attitude worth silencing. It will take the instincts of a bloodhound to sniff out a killer who’s bent on putting an end to Melanie’s amateur sleuthing…    “For pet fans who thrive on dog-show lore, Berenson’s brand is always best in show.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Fresh, lively writing, a tough mystery, light humor, and insight into the peculiarities of human and canine behavior.”—Booklist 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, spurned mistress, and ambitious second-in-command. But she’s about to learn that being a watchdog can be dangerous—especially when every clue leads her one step closer to a murderer desperate enough to kill again…   “Berenson’s writing is as warm and fuzzy as the dogs.”—Publishers Weekly

“A pleasant mystery and a loving tribute to poodles. Fetching in every way.”—Booklist Melanie Travis thought her sleuthing days were behind her. She has a new baby to take care of—not to mention five Standard Poodles. These days, the closest Melanie gets to detective work is scoping out the scene at the local doggie day care center for her friend Alice Brickman.   As Melanie learns, it’s a dog’s life at the Pine Ridge Canine Care Center—and life is good. Everyone seems blissfully happy. Everyone canine, that is. As Melanie soon discovers, there are some simmering resentments among the Pine Ridge staff. And when Steve Pine, the center’s charming, good-looking co-owner, is found shot to death on the floor of his office, there’s no shortage of suspects. With the police at a loss for leads, it’s now up to Melanie to go undercover and sniff out a killer whose secrets lie buried in a dog’s paradise that’s proving to be anything but…    From an Agatha and Macavity Award finalist, this is “another cute tail-wagging puzzler” (Publishers Weekly).   “Delightful…Four paws for this one.”—Carolyn Hart, New York Times-bestselling author of the Death on Demand series   “If you like dogs, you’ll love Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis mysteries!”—Joanne Fluke, New York Times-bestselling author of the Hannah Swensen series

With her trusty poodle at her side, a sleuth tries to bring a killer to heel in this mystery by the Agatha Award finalist. Melanie Travis has added a husband and three more dogs to her already cramped home. At least she’s getting a welcome respite from the stress of house-hunting by taking her dog Faith for advanced training at The South Avenue Obedience Club.   There are enough sexual and political undercurrents in the group to power a small generator, but Melanie is enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring Faith to the program at the Winston Pumpernill Nursing Home. Club member Paul Lennox initiated the outings to please his Great Aunt Mary, and since many of the other residents are also dog lovers, the trips are now a treasured tradition. Melanie and Faith are warmly welcomed at the home, but their very first visit ends in tragedy when Aunt Mary is found suffocated in her bed. There’s no shortage of suspects—from the wealthy victim’s ne’er-do-well son to the staff to the club members themselves. All Melanie has to do is follow the trail—and watch her back…   “Engaging…The author depicts the nursing home residents with a wise and knowing chuckle.”—Publishers Weekly

A prominent dog-show judge falls victim to a hot-tub homicide in a mystery “absorbing enough to delight even cat lovers” (Publishers Weekly).    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, the very pregnant Melanie embraces the chance to simply unwind. But when renowned judge Charles Evans delivers a keynote address that irritates many of the attendees, the symposium’s agenda takes a deadly turn. For later that evening, Charles is found floating facedown in the outdoor hot tub. With few clues to go on, the police are baffled. But Melanie decides to take matters into her own hands, suspecting that a cold-blooded murderer may lurk among her fellow dog lovers...   “[An] always charming and clever series.”—Earlene Fowler, Agatha Award-winning author of the Benni Harper Mysteries

A sleuth rescues two orphaned Golden Retrievers—and tries to solve their master’s murder—in this “delightful” mystery from the Agatha Award finalist (Publishers Weekly). This year, all Melanie wants for Christmas is a dull moment. Between her teaching job, and showing her Standard Poodle puppy, there just aren’t enough hours in the day. But when her son 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 making a list of suspects and checking it twice. 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… “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

A holiday murder mystery from the Agatha Award finalist: “Series fans will enjoy spending time with these appealing folks and their dogs.”—Publishers Weekly   With a demanding teaching job and five poodles scampering around the house, Melanie Travis barely has energy for the upcoming Christmas rush. But she unwraps an unexpected challenge when her brother and ex-husband 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 a small miracle or two before the neglected place is in shape for December.   But the business venture goes cold when the group discovers a purebred Maltese whimpering in the snow-covered grove—right beside a dead body. Pete, a squatter who camped out on the land, apparently met his end after a fallen fir tree branch fell on his head. But as Melanie and Aunt Peg investigate Pete’s complicated history, it’s clear his death was no accident. Now, Melanie must run through a flurry of likely suspects and muzzle a dogged murderer in time—or she’ll be next on someone’s deadly list.   “Well-drawn characters contribute to the appeal here, along with the warm, sometimes humorous scenes of family life.”—Booklist   “Another terrific mystery from Laurien Berenson.”—Suspense Magazine   “[A] sweet series.”—Publishers Weekly

A “wonderful” murder mystery that’s “even better if you read it with a dog on your lap” (Suspense Magazine). 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. The question of why becomes imperative once Andrew is killed by a seemingly intentional hit-and-run and the police are sniffing around for suspects. 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 hit her deadline… “A wonderful reason to celebrate—Melanie Travis is back on the job in this always charming and clever series.”—Earlene Fowler, Agatha Award-winning author of the Benni Harper Mysteries   “Will have dog lovers’ tails wagging…[a] smart mystery.”—Booklist   “Berenson, who has a nose for balancing fun and fright, devises another story that will appeal to dog aficionados and cozy lovers alike.”—Kirkus Reviews

A mystery from the Agatha Award finalist: “[An] appealing picture of the dog-show world… Cozy fans who love dogs are in for a treat.”—Publishers Weekly Busy mom and pedigree Standard Poodle owner, Melanie Travis doesn’t mind helping out at Puppy Fest, an annual fundraiser to benefit a local dog rescue. 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 father’s severe nut allergy went into overdrive after he accidentally consumed a contaminated cookie. However, Libby, one of Leo’s children and a friend of Melanie’s Aunt Peg, believes someone deliberately put him down for good…   From a four-time winner of the Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America, this witty novel is an entertaining read for fans of canines and cozy mysteries.   “It’s mutts vs. purebreds as Melanie Travis investigates the death of a dog-loving philanthropist…Worth the price of admission.”—Kirkus Reviews   “If you like dogs, you’ll love Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis mysteries!”—Joanne Fluke, New York Times-bestselling author of the Hannah Swensen series

A howling good mystery by the Agatha Award finalist: “Fans will roll over with joy.”—Publishers Weekly It’s summer in Connecticut, and Melanie Travis’s life has become an endless string of dog shows, soccer camp, and the antics of her energetic toddler. She hardly has time to pay much attention to her Aunt Peg's new protégé, Nick Walden, a self-proclaimed “dog whisperer” with an uncanny gift for decoding dog-speak. The well-heeled dog owners of Fairfield County are lapping up his alleged talents, anxious to discover exactly what their pampered pets are thinking—that is until the pooches start spilling their secrets. When Nick is found dead, his sister enlists Melanie to track down the killer. Now, as she juggles the demands of marriage and motherhood—not to mention her six beloved Poodles—Melanie can scarcely even begin to nose through the growing list of suspects. But just when she thinks she's barking up the wrong tree, she'll find herself face to face with a purebred murderer…   “Melanie’s engaging narration, with its slightly sarcastic flair, makes her utterly relatable.”—Publishers Weekly “Berenson cleverly weaves in interesting details about different breeds and showmanship.”—Booklist

A road trip to a Kentucky dog show leads to a race to find a killer, in this mystery by an Agatha Award finalist: “A likable heroine.”—Publishers Weekly For a dog lover like Melanie Travis, 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 and Aunt Peg, who’s accepted a weeklong 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 expo center, however, provokes mixed reactions from exhibitors she hasn’t seen in years, including some outright animosity. The following day Melanie learns that Miss Ellie has suffered a fatal accident while exercising her dogs. Aunt Peg, however, suspects foul play. Wishing to avoid any scandal, Miss Ellie’s pedigreed family prefers to let sleeping dogs lie, but as Melanie begins to sniff around, she discovers Miss Ellie had many secrets, both in the dog show world and amongst her Kentucky kin… “If you like dogs, you’ll love Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis mysteries!” —Joanne Fluke, New York Times bestselling author   “Fans of Miranda James’ Cat in the Stacks series may also enjoy Berenson.”—Booklist

In this “enjoyable” holiday mystery by an Agatha Award finalist, a sleuth looks into a posh private school, a prize show dog, and a slain Santa (Publishers Weekly).   There’s nothing lovelier than Christmas in Connecticut, but Melanie Travis can scarcely find a moment to enjoy the festivities. With her youngest son approaching toddlerhood, she’s decided to return to her old job at Howard Academy, a posh private school attended by the children of Greenwich’s well-heeled gentry. Balancing work, motherhood, and the hectic dog show circuit takes some fancy footwork, especially when the headmaster taps her to be the chairman of the school’s Christmas Bazaar. The Christmas Bazaar is Howard Academy’s biggest and most important fundraiser, so Melanie feels the pressure to make it a huge success. But everything goes awry when a prize show dog goes missing and Santa turns up dead. The dog’s owner is one of the school’s most perfectly pedigreed alums, and she enlists Melanie to help find the purloined pooch. But just as Melanie starts pawing at the truth, she digs up a sleighful of sinister secrets that leaves everyone feeling less than merry… “Cozy mystery fans and dog lovers will lap this one up.”—Library Journal “Laurien Berenson is a rare breed of writer.”—The Plain Dealer

Thanks to Aunt Peg and her enthusiastic dog show pals, Melanie’s aptly named Bite Club reading group has book lovers all over town burying their noses in thrilling murder mysteries. But another pet project surfaces when Melanie reluctantly agrees to train a Bulldog puppy for elusive member Evan Major. Between the unusual bruise on his face and a bizarre run-in with an unknown dog show attendee, introverted Evan’s penchant for trouble sends him to an early grave—while landing Melanie in the hot seat for homicide . . .   To prove her innocence, Melanie digs into the victim’s shady past and uncovers a juicy scandal that cost Evan his marriage and, possibly, his life. Melanie realizes that booking the real culprit will require gathering her suspects together at the next Bite Club meeting. What she doesn't know is Aunt Peg has been hiding some explosive secrets of her own—secrets that, once unleashed, could pit Melanie against an unpredictable killer bent on bringing this story to an abrupt end . . .   “If you like dogs, you’ll love Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis mysteries!” —Joanne Fluke, New York Times bestselling author  

A dog leash becomes a lethal weapon in this mystery from the Agatha Award finalist, “a rare breed of writer” (The Plain Dealer).   With the excitement of the spring dog show season sweeping Connecticut, prize-winning Poodle owner Melanie Travis is determined to help her son finally lead his Standard Poodle toward a championship title. But the competition is fierce.   Aunt Peg even skips the judging panel to exhibit a pup of her own, standing out from the pack with a handmade leash from elite artist Jasmine Crane. Jasmine’s handiwork is to die for—but Aunt Peg didn’t expect to find her strangled to death by one of her dazzling custom creations…   When Aunt Peg’s longtime dog sitter, a renter on Jasmine’s property, vanishes that same day, Melanie suspects a dangerous connection. Her hunch only grows as she discovers sketchy secrets about the late artist. Juggling a teaching job, the show ring, and a daunting suspect list, Melanie finds herself entangled in a mindboggling murder mystery—and hot on the trail of a desperate killer.   “For pet fans who thrive on dog-show lore, Berenson’s brand is always best in show.”—Kirkus Reviews   “Entertaining…[a] sweet series.”—Publishers Weekly “A book everyone should collar.”—The Oklahoman

As the town of Greenwich, Connecticut, counts down to a spooky celebration on October 31st, a horrifying murder leaves Melanie Travis pawing for clues in a hair-raising game of trick-or-treat . . . With just a few days left before Halloween, everyone at Howard Academy is anticipating the guaranteed sugar high they’ll experience from gorging on Harriet Bloom’s famous marshmallow puffs. The school’s annual costume party revolves around the headmaster’s assistant and her seemingly supernatural batches of gooey goodies. So, it's a shock when Harriet’s elderly neighbor is suddenly found dead with the beloved dessert in his hand.   Melanie knows her tenured colleague would never intentionally serve cyanide-laced puffs to a defenseless old man. But as explosive neighborhood gossip reveals a potential culprit, it also brings her closer to sealing her own doom. Because on an evening ruled by masked revelers, Halloween might just be the perfect opportunity for a cold-hearted killer to get away with murder once again—this time sending a nosy, unsuspecting sleuth to an early grave!  

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Connecticut, but Melanie Travis finds surviving this December may take a real Christmas miracle when a yuletide murderer comes to town . . .   As Melanie attempts to deck the halls in a house overrun by pampered Poodles, her event planner friend, Claire, is busy playing Santa for the wealthiest clientele on Connecticut’s Gold Coast. A personal shopper gig in the affluent town of New Canaan seems like business as usual. Except Claire’s stylish stint comes at a higher price than she bargains for when she stumbles over her newest customer’s dead body. Named a prime suspect for murder, she begs for Melanie’s help, then vanishes like cookies and milk on Christmas Eve . . .   Determined to track down Claire, Melanie and her nosy Aunt Peg dash into a dizzying investigation. But with a grinchy New Canaan detective on their case and disturbing clues piling up like presents beneath the tree, the crime-solving duo must hurry to rein in a sinister Kris Kringle before they’re the next ones on someone’s deadly wish list . . .

Standard Poodle owner Melanie Travis is an excellent judge of dogs—and people. But what happens when an unnamed killer emerges at one of the fiercest all-breed competitions ever?   As Greenwich, Connecticut, slows down during a bitterly cold February, Melanie and her spunky Aunt Peg head to the city that never sleeps for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. Aunt Peg can’t wait to demonstrate her judging chops on national TV, even after being hounded by frustrating mishaps—all seemingly orchestrated by Victor Durbin, an ousted Paugussett Poodle Club member with a bone to pick. But the bright lights of the show ring grow dim when Victor is found murdered, and she’s the one topping the suspect list . . .   Driven to solve the crime on her aunt’s behalf, Melanie fetches hair-raising clues about the victim. His own business partner admits to being delighted by news of his death. As Melanie digs up more chilling evidence, she realizes that exonerating Aunt Peg means confronting a murderer who’s in it to win it . . .  

Agatha and Macavity nominee Laurien Berenson’s latest escapade in her long-running Melanie Travis Canine Mystery series finds a killer showing up in summer camp. With a new litter of Standard Poodles on the way, it’s shaping up to be a vibrant July in Greenwich, Connecticut, for Melanie Travis. Too bad there’s a killer in town who would love to drain the life out of her summer . . . While usually protective, Melanie feels comfortable sending her sons to the Graceland School’s summer camp for two reasons: the institution is well-regarded and proprietor Emily Grace is a trusted friend. But Emily has been acting strange since three rambunctious Dalmatian puppies suddenly appeared on her doorstep. The unusual arrival marks the first of several mysterious happenings at camp, each more intense than the last. It’s a rough streak that takes a frightening turn with a discovery in the nearby woods—the body of Emily’s estranged ex-husband.   Proving that Emily didn’t murder her biggest mistake will be about as easy as raising prize-winning show dogs. But Melanie dives into an investigation on the victim’s whereabouts leading up to his demise. With a few spotty clues and Aunt Peg’s growing curiosity about the Dalmatian pups’ origins, Melanie must name the culprit before good intentions come back to bite!  

A special novella that looks back on Christmas past, as a young Melanie Travis teams up with her aunt to solve a family mystery… Ever 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 Turnbulls’, Peg is not just surprised by how much Melanie has grown up. The family has spared no expense in preparing for the festivities—unusual, considering Michael blew his inheritance after years of financial troubles. Peg suspects there’s an awful secret tucked beneath her brother-in-law’s ostentatious good cheer, and she’s determined to get to the bottom of it. Once she does, someone’s ending up in the doghouse… “If you like dogs, you'll love Laurien Berenson's Melanie Travis mysteries!”—Joanne Fluke, New York Times bestselling author