Show Me the Bunny by Laurien Berenson

 Show Me the Bunny

Book Summary

Melanie Travis is gifted at raising prize-winning Standard Poodles, not standing in as the Easter Bunny. But when March in Connecticut brings daffodils and dead bodies, she’ll need to hop into action—and fast . . .
 
Aunt Rose already has a strike against her for not being too fond of dogs—or Aunt Peg. But Melanie still agrees to organize Easter festivities at Gallagher House, the new women’s shelter opened by the stern former nun, even if it takes all the jellybeans in Greenwich to sweeten the arrangement. No sooner does Melanie arrive to dye multicolor eggs and stuff baskets, than she learns devasting news about Beatrice Gallagher, the respected benefactor of the estate. Beatrice has fallen to her death, and the circumstances are shocking . . .  
 
No one can say why or how charitable Beatrice got pushed into an early grave. Yet for a supposedly warm and generous philanthropist, rumors have her pinned as an overbearing manipulator who used money to control the unfortunate few trapped in her inner circle. Facing an uncertain future as danger lurks around Gallagher House, Melanie and Aunt Rose must tolerate each other’s company long enough to discover the truth about Beatrice’s true nature and identify a vengeful killer—before another person’s idyllic spring break becomes a serious nightmare . . .

My Thoughts

Show Me the Bunny by Laurien Berenson has Melanie Travis steamrolled by her Aunt Rose into giving up her spring break to organize an Easter egg hunt for the children at the Gallagher House.  Aunt Rose and her husband, Peter run Gallagher House which is a home for abused woman.  They named the house after their patroness Beatrice Gallagher.  Melanie is at Gallagher House the next day waiting to meet Beatrice.  Instead of Beatrice, Detective Sturgill arrives.  Beatrice was found dead in her home that morning from a fall.  Detective Sturgill shares few details with Melanie, but she can tell that he believes the death was under suspicious circumstances.  It appears that Rose is at the top of the suspect list thanks to the victim’s callous son.  He gives Rose and Peter a month to move out of Gallagher House.  Melanie needs to hop to it and learn all she can about the victim.  She needs to keep degging for the wrong doer before Rose becomes the next fatality.  Can Melanie get on the killer’s trail and lure him out before the Easter egg hunt? 

Show Me the Bunny by Laurien Berenson is the 28^th A Melanie Travis Canine Mystery.  While it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading this entire series.  It will allow you to get to know the people and their canines.  I love visiting Melanie and her family.  I am guaranteed to have a good time when I open one of Laurien Berenson’s books.  The characters are realistic and developed.  Melanie has a caring, patient husband and two great kids.  Little Kevin is a precocious six-year-old.  Melanie has had Aunt Peg to run roughshod over her for years and now Aunt Rose has moved nearby.  It was so kind of Aunt Peg to volunteer Melanie to help with the Easter celebration at Gallagher House (instead of letting her have a relaxing spring break).  The mystery was fun to follow.  I admit that I was able to solve the whodunit early in the book, but I was not sure as to the why until later on.  I enjoyed the investigation and Melanie’s interactions with Detective Sturgill.  I laughed often while reading Show Me the Bunny.  I just love the dogs and I enjoyed meeting the newest addition, Plum.  You can count on Bud to create chaos as well as Kevin.  I just love the interactions between Melanie and her favorite Standard Poodle, Faith.  I am eager to read Peg and Rose Solve a Murder.  Show Me the Bunny is an eggcelent tale with the rigid Aunt Rose, playful poodles, erecting a tree house, colorful egg creations, a fatal fall, a disobliging detective, and a curious Kevin.

Show Me the Bunny is out today and available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Melanie Travis Canine Mysteries here.  Aunt Rose and Aunt Peg are to have their own book.  Peg and Rose Solve a Murder publishes August 30, and it can be pre-ordered now.  Follow Laurien Berenson on Amazon to receive updates on her latest book releases.  

Here are a few of the other books that came out today:  Up to No Gouda by Linda Reilly, Murder at the Scottish Social by Traci Hall, Magdelena's Choice by Molly Jebber, Easter Bonnet Murder by Leslie Meier, The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis, and Hot and Sour Suspects by Vivien Chien.  On Amazon Prime is Hotel Transylvania Transformania.  This is usually not my type of movie, but I loved the commercial.  My mother and I are going to watch it (I even convinced her).  It is free for members of Amazon Prime.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis.  I hope you have a cheerful day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Howloween Murder by Laurien Berenson

Book Summary

Howloween Murder by Laurien Berenson has Melanie Travis helping plan the Howard Academy annual Halloween party with the school’s newest teacher, Cheryl.  Everyone is looking forward to Harriet Boom’s delicious marshmallow puffs.  Melanie is walking by the front office and notices Harriet looking upset.  Harriet had just received a call from her sister, Bernadette about two police officers at the house.  It seems that their neighbor, Ralph Pender died from cyanide poisoning after eating one of Harriet’s treats.  Harriet asks that Melanie to help prove her innocence and, in exchange, she will take over her share of organizing the Halloween party.  With a little prodding from Aunt Peg, Melanie agrees.  Collecting the puffs back from the neighbors will give her the perfect opportunity to ask questions.  It is just such a shame that all those tasty morsels will go to waste.  Can Melanie prove Harriet’s innocence, or will it be ding dong for our plucky sleuth?

My Thoughts

Howloween Murder by Laurien Berenson is A Melanie Travis Mystery novella.  This was a fun tale to read.  Melanie Travis and Halloween equals a delightful murder mystery.  Melanie Travis is looking forward to Howard Academy’s annual Halloween party where everyone devours Harriet Bloom’s marshmallow puffs.  Unfortunately, there will be no sugary treats this year after one of Harriet’s neighbors dies after eating one of the fluffy delights.  It seems that someone added a little cyanide to that batch which puts Harriet at the top of the police departments suspect list.  Melanie gets an appeal for help from Aunt Peg and Harriet.  Melanie ends up visiting each of Harriet’s neighbors to ask questions while retrieving the pans of marshmallow puffs.  Howloween Murder can be read on its own for those new to the series (I highly recommend reading all the books).  I thought Howloween Murder was well-written with developed characters and a heaping helping of humor.  Melanie’s youngest son, Kevin is quite a charmer and enough energy for five kids.  He has yet to settle on a Halloween costume which means there will be rushing around at the last minute unless decisive action is taken.  Melanie meets Harriet’s neighbors and gets a variety of responses.  I enjoyed following the mystery.  I had my list of suspects and collected the clues which allowed me to make a guess at the guilty party’s identity.  I then waited to see if I was right or way off base.  I had a howling good time reading Howloween Murder.  There is a recipe for Harriet Bloom’s marshmallow puffs (minus the cyanide).  Howloween Murder is a ghostly good time with a costume conundrum, poisoned puffs, nosey neighbors, a poodle problem, and Halloween hijinks.  

Marshmallow Puffs

Howloween Murder releases  August 25 and is available from Amazon* along with the other A Melanie Travis Mysteries.  This is such a delightful cozy mystery series.  I look forward to reading each new book.  I hope everyone got the "ding dong" reference (if not, click here). Thank you for dropping by today.  Next time I am featuring Cat Me If You Can by Miranda James.  It is the 13th A Cat in the Stacks Mystery.  I hope that you have a ghoulish day (never too early to start planning your Halloween decorations).  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Game of Dog Bones by Laurien Berenson

Good Day!  I hope you have had a satisfying week.  Dog-Gone Dead by Jackie Layton is out today.  Dog-Gone Dead is the 2nd book in A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series.  Bite the Dust is the first book in that series.  Hairballs and Homicide by Ruth J. Hartman published today and it is the debut of A Kitty Beret Cafe Mystery series.  I am looking forward to reading these new cozy mysteries.

Game of Dog Bones by Laurien Berenson has Melanie Travis and her aunt, Peg Turnbull heading to New York City for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden.  Aunt Peg has been invited to judge this year which is a prestigious honor.  The day before the Westminster show, the Paugussett Poodle Club sponsored a judging seminar given by Aunt Peg.  Unfortunately, Victor Durbin decided to host the Empire Poodle Club’s first specialty at the same time and at the same venue.  Victor was ousted from the Paugussett Poodle Club and has focused his angst at Aunt Peg.  Aunt Peg’s judging and television debut goes off without a hitch.  Melanie and her family watched the end of the Westminster show at home and went happily off to bed.  Early the next morning, they get a call from Aunt Peg.  Two New York City detectives showed up on Aunt Peg’s doorstep to question her in the death of Victor Durbin.  Someone pointed Aunt Peg out as Victor’s mortal enemy.  Melanie quickly gets to work so she can clear Aunt Peg of suspicion.  The suspect list is quite lengthy since Victor was known for his unscrupulous business practices and his ill treatment of people.  Melanie needs to quickly whittle down the list so she can identify Victor’s killer.  Of course, Aunt Peg wants to be kept informed.  Can Melanie catch the crafty killer?

Game of Dog Bones by Laurien Berenson is the 25^th A Melanie Travis Mystery.  I have enjoyed following Melanie Travis as she has solved mysteries since A Pedigree to Die For.  Melanie has a happy home life with her husband, Sam and her two children, Davey and Kevin.  Their household also has five poodles and one mixed breed who wreaks more havoc than all the poodles combined.  I just love Faith, Melanie’s favorite poodle.  It is delightful the way Melanie talks to Faith and how the poodle responds.  This series contains great characters from Melanie down to little Kevin.  I like that the characters continue to develop as the series progresses. Melanie received some advice from her sister-in-law, Bertie and I hope she acts upon it.  In Melanie’s household, things are never dull which provides readers with laugh-out-louds moments.  We get to visit the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Game of Dog Bones.  I had no clue so much went into dogs shows.  All the work that goes into preparing a poodle for the ring is fascinating.  Laurien Berenson explains the judging in an easy to understand manner which I appreciate.  Laurien Berenson has a lovely writing style that makes each book a joy to read.  Her books have a smooth flow, good dialogue, relatable and well-rounded characters, and descriptive sentences that makes the reader feel they are right there in the book.  The mystery was thought it with a just the right number of suspects and misdirection.  The clues were present, but not obvious.  The way the crime was carried out was clever.  I liked the reveal which included some unexpected action.  Crawford and Terry get married on Valentine’s Day.  Terry (who is sporting purple hair) is planning the nuptials.  I was surprised that Crawford left it up to the flamboyant Terry.   I love how the book ended.  Game of Dog Bones can be read as a standalone for those new to A Melanie Travis Mystery series.  I am looking forward to reading Howloween when it comes out.  Game of Dogs Bones is an entertaining cozy mystery with precious poodles, a wonderful wedding, dog club drama, a vile victim, a clever crime, and an autocratic aunt.

Game of Dog Bones releases June 30 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon*.  You can find the other novels in A Melanie Travis Mystery series here.  The next A Melanie Travis Mystery is Howloween Murder which publishes on August 25 (I cannot wait to read it).  A Christmas Howl by Laurien Berenson is currently available through Kindle Unlimited.  I appreciate you joining me today.  Tomorrow I am featuring Return to Sender by  Tonya Kappes.  It is the 4th A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery.  I hope you have a blissful day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Murder at the Puppy Fest: A Melanie Travis Canine Mystery

It's Book Release Day!  Some great new books are now available!  A few of the titles are Enforcing the Paw by Diane Kelly (a must read), Booked 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton, Grace to the Finish by Julie Hyzy, A Ghostly Light by Juliet Blackwell, The Confusion of Languages by Siobhan Fallon, Weddings at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard, Murder at the Puppy Fest by Laurien Berenson, The House of Memory by Carolyn Haines, The Tell-Tale Torte by Maya Corrigan, A Crime of Passion Fruit by Ellie Alexander, Death of a Lobster Lover by Lee Hollis, Lowcountry Bonfire by Susan Boyer, Come Helen High Water by Susan McBride, Death of a Bachelorette by Laura Levine and If the Haunting Fits, Wear It by Rose Pressey. I hope you find some new books to add to your library.

Murder at the Puppy Fest by Laurien Berenson is the twentieth book in A Melanie Travis Canine Mystery series.  Melanie Travis is driving her oldest son, Davey home from soccer practice when they see a car toss a puppy out.  The pair stop and rescue the poor pooch who gets named Bud by the time they reach home (this little pup has a new home).  The next day Melanie is off to help Claire Travis at the Third Annual Puppy Fest sponsored by millionaire Leo Brody. The money from the benefit goes help Puppy Posse, a dog rescue foundation (a very worthy cause).  Melanie agreed to help wrangle the pups, but she did not count on finding Leo Brody on the floor in his study.  Melanie immediately calls 911, but it is too late to save Leo Brody.  The suspect list includes Leo's nine children and several of his grandchildren.  The person who killed Brody knew his routine and about his nut allergy.  Melanie had decided to not get involved in the investigation, until she speaks with Libby (thanks to Aunt Peg’s meddling).  Libby Rothko, one of Leo Brody’s daughters, is confident that her father was murdered.  Someone deliberately left him cookies spiked with nuts.  Melanie agrees when she hears that Leo’s EpiPen was gone from his desk.  Libby arranges for Melanie to talk to her siblings to help gather clues and find the culprit.  Unfortunately, this does not help to narrow down the suspect list.  Every single one of them had a motive to harm Leo.  The killer, though, does not wish to be caught.  What will the murderer due to avoid capture? 

Murder at the Puppy Fest is well-written and has a good pace which makes for an easy to read (and engaging) cozy mystery.  I thought the characters well-developed, relatable and entertaining.  The only person I am not fond of is Aunt Peg (nosy, controlling busy body).  Though, she does provide some humor.  I like Melanie, Sam and her two kids.  It is a nice change to have a married main character (instead of someone who is dating).  While Murder at the Puppy Fest is the twentieth book in the series, it can be read alone (you might find it helpful to read A Pedigree to Die For).  Readers are provided the necessary background details on Melanie and her family.  I give Murder at the Puppy Fest 4.5 out of 5 stars.  The mystery is slightly complicated, but avid cozy mystery readers should be able to resolve it before the reveal.  Other readers will be surprised when the solution is revealed.  The author provides good clues to help readers solve the whodunit.  It is interesting to get an inside look at dog shows.  I had no idea so much went into preparing the dog and the judging criteria.  I look forward to reading Wagging through the Snow when it comes out (in September).

I appreciate you visiting today and reading my review.  I will be sharing my thoughts on Enforcing the Paw by Diane Kelly next time.  May each of you have a very special day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader