Available:*
Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... Stillwater Public Library | MYSTERY BER | Searching... Unknown |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
The ninth installment of Berenson's clever mystery series finds prize-winning poodle owner Melanie Travis on the trail of a missing dachshund while trying to figure out who is stalking her.
Author Notes
Laurien Berenson is author of the delightful Melanie Travis canine cozy mystery series, including Jingle Bell Bark and Best in Show . She has a degree in psychology from Vassar College and has been married for almost twenty-five years. She lives in Georgia with her husband, her son, six dogs, and two Welsh ponies.
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
In the ninth installment of this beloved cozy series featuring teacher, prize-winning poodle owner and amateur sleuth Melanie Travis (Once Bitten, etc.), a young journalist hopes Melanie's penchant for stumbling over dead bodies will lead her to a career-making story. But as Melanie tells the woman, at this point her life is pretty dull dull, that is, if you discount her tangled personal life. Melanie's ex-fianc, who left for six months to find himself, has just returned; her ex-husband has a new 20-something girlfriend and has moved into town to reconnect with his seven-year-old son; and she's involved in a divorced couple's battle over a Dachshund puppy, Dox. When strange things begin to happen her wallet goes missing, she returns home one night to find all the lights on, an unidentified caller phones at all hours of the night, someone steals Dox Melanie begins to believe the next murder investigation might be her own. As in previous books, Berenson's insights and knowledge of the world of show dogs are a must for anyone who wants to know what it takes to get to the Westminster Dog Show. Melanie's poodles are as lovable and real as the story's human characters, while committed fans will enjoy following the progress of Melanie's relationships, some of which she actually resolves. A catchy title, an alluring dust jacket and the author's solid reputation should attract new readers as well. (Sept. 3) FYI: An Agatha and Macavity nominee, Berenson is the four-time winner of the Maxwell Award for Fiction, given by the Dog Writers Association of America. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
In the world of Standard Poodle breeding, competition for Best of Opposite Sex is keen. Not among the dogs, of course-it's a foregone conclusion that Margaret Turnbull's Cedar Crest Kennels will trot off with the lion's share of awards at any event within a hundred miles of Norwalk, Connecticut. But Peg's niece, novice breeder Melanie Travis (Once Bitten, 2001, etc.), has a much harder time judging among human males. Her onetime beau, gorgeous Sam Driver, wants to make amends for his six-month rupture of their relationship with a two-carat emerald-cut diamond. And Melanie's ex-husband Bob has a novel peace offering of his own: a Shetland pony named Willow. Ostensibly a gift for their son Davey, Willow actually boards at Long Ridge Pony Farm, whose owner, Pam Donnelly, seems to have more than a passing interest in Bob. The gift brings renewed contact between Melanie and Bob-contact that intensifies when a boarder dog, a dachshund named Dox caught in the middle of a custody dispute between yuppies George and Marian Firth, is stolen from Melanie's home, prompting her to ship Davey off to his father's until things settle down, which of course they don't. Melanie goes right on being stalked-by TV reporter Jill Prescott, who thinks Melanie will lead her to a juicy story; by Phil Dutton, a late entry in the contest for Melanie's affections; by a mysterious enemy who invades her home; and, most urgently, by her unresolved feelings for Sam. Like a poodle with a puppy cut, Berenson's ninth is all fluff.
Library Journal Review
This new addition to the series (Once Bitten) surrounds heroine Melanie with an attention-starved ex-husband and ex-fianc, two media stalkers, and a dachshund puppy that's become the focus of someone else's marital battle. In addition, she must contend with house break-ins, a dog-napping, and worse. Sure to be in demand. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
