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 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!
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 25th 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.
Kris
The Avid Reader
*This
post contains affiliate links.
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