Pumpkin Spice Puppy (A Melanie Travis Canine Mystery, 30), by Laurien Berenson

 

Publication August 20, 2024

I always feel a bit like I'm visiting ol' friends when I stop by to catch up with Melanie's hectic life. New readers, never fear, however. Berenson does an excellent job of filling us in on who is who and their connections early on. Even Terry and Crawford make an appearance, long time readers, albeit a brief one. The focus here is on Melanie's quest to find out who killed pet shop owner Gregory Willet and, in the process, save her school from any unnecessary bad publicity due to him being one of the businesses taking part in the prestigious Howard Academy's Thanks For Giving fundraiser. I won't detail that but will note that lots of pumpkin spice is involved. And, hey, we even get a recipe for pumpkin spice cookies at the end, so it's definitely a win-win.

I also won't detail the plot, that's what blurbs are for, but will just say Melanie's reputation for solving mysteries precedes her, as usual. Unfortunately, she's also the one to find the body, so she has a personal stake in the mystery, too. Long time readers will be delighted to know there are lots of dog related sections with Faith usually along for the ride. And, yes, no surprises where Aunt Peg is involved. For those new to the story, you'll quickly grow to know and like the main characters, from the always busy but caring and persevering Melanie (and you'll get a quick backstory on her failed first marriage) to Alice, a friend and helpful neighbor who steps in when Melanie needs help with her children's school schedule, and, the indomitable Aunt Peg. I also liked how the author gave us a sense of who those children were, with Davey once again being the responsible big brother but also trying to please Aunt Peg as her go-to dog show handler, and Kevin and his wild-child of a dog Bud. Sam, as always, is the always calm, cool headed husband whose relationship with Aunt Peg seems to have escaped the stress that Melanie so often feels around her. You may even come away feeling like you know Detective Young a bit better. It's fun to see Melanie's interactions with him and I was definitely glad to see Melanie escape the TSTL (too stupid to live) label. You'll see what I mean when you read it.

Bottom line, while I'm always astonished at how upfront Melanie is with her questioning and isn't really challenged on it, though that perhaps tells us a bit about Melanie's personality, too, when you think about it. She's someone people trust and I admire how seriously she takes her job including the use of Faith to help cross and chasm between the students and herself. We should all be lucky enough to have a Faith in our lives. As for the mystery, the clues are all there, of course, whether we as readers can sort them out before Melanie or not. Okay, true, she's not the world's best snowball fighter, not one you'd choose for your team willingly, but her intentions are always good and she has the perseverance to follow the path of clues no matter where it might lead. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonPress - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me a sneak peek into what's going on in Melanie's world. It's always a pleasure to be surrounded by those beautiful dogs, that's for sure.

A Furry Little Christmas, by Laurien Berenson

 

Publication Sept.26, 2023

I love Christmas books anytime, especially Christmas books with a big helping of dogs. This dog mystery offers up two novellas from Laurien Berenson, one of my go-to authors, so it was a win-win-win for me.

The stories are set a year apart, focusing on the weeks leading up to Christmas. In the first, "Wagging Through the Snow", Melanie's brother Frank, routinely a thorn in her side but loved, buys unseen a Christmas tree farm. As if that isn't bad enough, especially since he didn't do it with his partner's knowledge, a dead body is found in the trees. What leads them into the deeper part of the tree farm? A strange whimpering sound. Bet you can guess what they find. Who was the dead man and why was he there? Will Melanie be able to find time between herding kids and dogs and shopping and decorating her own home to investigate? Will it get her in trouble? 

The second story, "Here Comes Santa Paws", takes place a year later. In this case, three very young Australian Shepherds are dumped in an oversized stocking hung at the end of Aunt Peg's driveway. Melanie is visiting to cuddle puppies when Claire, her ex-husband's current wife, calls, pleading for help. Seems she has stumbled over a body. Who is it? Why are there no real records of the victim's past? Why is the gatehouse she's living in in such poor repair?

Who... oh, enough teasers. Both stories are short, easy reads with strong characters and, yes, lots of dogs. I've increasingly become a fan of character driven books and the characters here are fully fleshed out, even the dogs, and you'll chuckle as you observe the often chaotic scenes at Melanie's home, not to mention her not so adept efforts to evade the strength of will that seems to radiate from Aunt Peg. In my mind, although Melanie is doing the legwork and is the one ultimately in danger, Aunt Peg simply dominates the tale. Needless to say, I'm fully enjoying the new series where Aunt Peg and her sister-in-law Rose are the sleuths, not Melanie, so it was fun to watch the action. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for inviting me along to cuddle with the puppies and watch Melanie and Aunt Peg in action. This series is one of my favorites!

Peg and Rose Stir Up Trouble (Senior Sleuths #),, by Laurien Berenson

 

Publication July 25, 2023

This has quickly become a favorite series. Peg and Rose are gradually finding common ground after decades of, at best, indifference. At worst? Dislike is a polite way of describing it. Oh, don't get me wrong. They are still finding their way as family. Peg is direct, opinionated, and loves her standard poodles. Rose, a former nun, is more easy going and easily likable but doesn't even like dogs....or didn't. There are signs that might be changing, not to mention Rose has come to adore the kitten Peg gave her in the last book. 

So, Peg is thawing. Then Rose tries to help. Happy in her marriage to a former priest and running a shelter for women in need, Rose signs Peg us for a mature dating service. Peg didn't throttle her, giving Rose hope that Peg might find the same loving relationship she currently has and that Peg had with her late husband, Rose's brother. Her intentions are good. Amazingly enough, after a few miserable dates/meetings, Peg finds a man who interests her. Nolan seems wonderful. But, is he? Before Peg really gets to really know him, however, Nolan is killed in an accident. Or, was it an accident? Turns out Mr. Wonderful may not have been as wonderful as he appeared on the surface. 

You know the ol' saying about when something seems too good to be true?  Seems Nolan has left a string of disgruntled women behind. Why are they disgruntled? Well, you're just going to have to read the book to find that out.  Can Peg and Rose join forces once again without wanting to strangle each other? There is no shortage of suspects, unfortunately, so bet you spend as much time guessing as I did.

And, you'll enjoy every moment of it. Even niece Melanie Travis (main character of the series this one springs from) pops in, asking for Peg's assistance. The characters are nicely fleshed out and the side-stories let us see another side of not just Peg and Rose but the shelter assistant/maid/cook, Maura, and Peter, Rose's husband. Rose's confidence as a senior sleuth may be growing but she has her hands in several other things. It's been fascinating to watch the shelter story evolve and grow at the same time Rose and Peg are growing as family. It all comes together as a standalone.

Bottom line, if you like a wonderfully written, interesting mystery with people you might know -- even when at times rolling your eyes at their behavior -- give this one a read. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for letting me visit Peg and Rose again, not to mention spend some time with Marmalade the cat and all those gorgeous poodles.

Howloween Murder (Melanie Travis #26), by Laurien Berenson

An old post on Facebook from this day two years ago. I hadn't started this blog yet but do try to fill in some spaces in my mind about what I've read prior to it and thought. 

From a Facebook Post, 2020: So, what are you reading this weekend? I just finished Laurien Berenson's "Howloween Murder", part of the Melanie Travis canine mystery series. Didn't quite seem up to her usual standards but a quick, mildly interesting read. Just picked up "And Then There Were Crumbs" by Eve Calder off the shelf at Freds while there to pick up part of my meds. A new series but has cookies and a cute dog on the cover so, well why not? Ha Also have two audios checked out from the library by Tonya Kappes that I'll probably start one of this evening. Audio books do make great "staring out the window at nothing" accompaniment.

 

Killer Cupid, by Laurien Berenson

 

Publication Dec. 27, 2022

Hearing sirens on a romantic getaway can't be a good sign.

By sheer serendipity, I heard sirens in the distance here at home just as Sam and Melanie hear them at the White Birch Inn. I was already so into the story at that point that I actually shivered at the sound, thinking I'd somehow magically created it. In any case, that's the power of this series and this book. You are immediately drawn in and care about the characters, especially when there are sirens. So much for Melanie's Valentine's Day vacation, huh? You just know she'd be drawn into the investigation.

It was great fun to spend some time with Melanie and Sam, who usually isn't as visible in the series, not to mention brother, Frank, and her SIL, Bertie. All are likable and people you'd surely enjoy hanging out with, especially if lucky enough to be able to do so at a winter wonderland style fairy tale resort. I was glad to see that Mel didn't let the murder totally distract her and loved the ambiance of the hayride and such, even if Sam made a note not to ask Frank to partner him in any future athletic contests after one archery tournament. It did rather give me pause as Mel made frequent references to her beloved dog Fern's advancing age. While I fully understand that unlike most, this series allows its cast to age, I hope it isn't preparing us for a sad goodbye to sweet, faithful Fern. The dogs are always an important aspect of this series, let's face it, and that is what drew many readers.

As for the murder, like most, it's complicated. Initially, it's thought the victim simply died of exposure to the bitter cold. But, why would someone from upstate New York, where bitter cold is a given, not be aware of the dangers of prolonged exposure to frigid temperatures. Why was Belinda outside anyway? Why is Cliff so nasty to Melanie? Even Fern growls at him. Why is Melanie getting involved anyway? Will her not too oblique questioning get her in trouble? She seems to immediately put Harley in a defensive mode on the hayride. How does Jill prove helpful? Or, is she really helping? Who....oh, more than enough teasers. It's a fun, quick read with interesting characters in what appears to be a fairy tale setting....with snow.... and Faith is there for us dog lovers. Who did it? Not telling. As I said. It's complicated. Read the book. You won't regret it and if this is your first meeting with Melanie, you'll probably be rushing to read earlier stories. This series is that good. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for allowing me to tag along on Mel's Valentine's holiday. Always fun to see regulars in a new setting.