Killer Cupid by Laurien Berenson

 Killer Cupid

Book Summary

Melanie Travis is taking a much-needed break from the dog show circuit for a romantic Valentine’s trip with her husband Sam, but when someone at their cozy Berkshires inn has an unexpected date with death, Melanie must slip into something sleuthier for the weekend . . .

 

Melanie is delighted at the prospect of three uninterrupted days alone with Sam (and, of course, her prize-winning Standard Poodle, Faith). They’re booked at the White Birch Inn, a picturesque New England resort nestled at the foot of a snow-covered mountain. The inn has a full slate of couples activities planned for the busy Valentine's weekend—date nights, sleigh rides, tobogganing, ice skating, and pop-up shops in the inn's ballroom —from the bubbly to the bubble bath, the resort is a perfect match for Melanie and Sam’s vacation. But the first night of festivities feature an event that isn’t on the program: murder.

 

The sheriff quickly launches an investigation, but at the inn keeper’s urging—and because she suddenly finds herself a person of interest in the case—Melanie tries to sneak a little detective work into her romantic getaway. But with the resort nearly sold out for the holiday weekend, there's no shortage of suspects, and Melanie’s secret sleuthing is already attracting the wrong kind of attention. Her Valentine’s trip is heating up faster than the chocolate fondue . . . just not in the way Melanie hoped. But if she doesn’t catch the cold-hearted killer soon, another innocent victim will get the kiss of death . . .

My Thoughts

Killer Cupid by Laurien Berenson has Melanie Travis and her husband, Sam along with Faith heading off for a relaxing, romantic trip for Valentine’s Day weekend.  Melanie’s brother, Frank and his wife, Bertie are joining them at the White Birch Inn in the Berkshires.  The couples are enjoying their mini vacay until the events coordinator ends up dead.  The local police are quick to write off the woman’s death as accidental.  Melanie has her doubts.  When the inn’s owner, Evelyn Barker asks Melanie to investigate, she is happy to oblige.  Melanie with assistance from Bertie and Faith sets out to locate the killer.

Killer Cupid   is the twenty-ninth A Melanie Travis Mystery.  It is a novella which can be read in one sitting.  I enjoyed reading Killer Cupid.  I was eager to see what mischief Melanie got into this time. We get to spend time with Melanie’s brother, Frank and his wife.  They go on the trip with Melanie and Sam along with Melanie’s beloved Standard poodle, Fern.  Fern’s age is mentioned a few times.  I hope the author is not preparing us for her departure.  I enjoyed the descriptions of the White Birch Inn and its surroundings.  It seemed like the perfect place to spend a romantic weekend.  The mystery was intriguing.  The events coordinator for the White Birch Inn is found dead by the ice-skating pond.  It appears that she died from exposure.  I had to wonder how a woman who is used to the frigid winter weather is not aware of the dangers of being outside too long.  What was Belinda Rush doing outside late at night?  Melanie is naturally curious about the case.  When the owner of the inn asks her to investigate, Melanie does not hesitate to say yes.  Melanie questions the staff and guests about the victim.  I like that Bertie joined Melanie on her sleuthing ventures.  Melanie is a bad influence.  Faith tagged along on some of the ventures.  The sweet poodle is a good judge of character.  I enjoyed the suspenseful reveal.  Aunt Peg, Davey, and Kevin provide humor, especially the rambunctious Kevin.  I like that we get to spend more time with Sam in this tale.  Killer Cupid is an entertaining cozy mystery, and I am eager for the next A Melanie Travis Mystery.  Killer Cupid is a merry mystery with a Valentine vacay, a faithful Faith, a deceased employee, sticky smores, spiked cider, and mistrustful Melanie. 

Killer Cupid is available from Amazon*.  A Furry Little Christmas is the next A Melanie Travis Mystery and it will be out on September 26, 2023.  You can follow Laurien Berenson on Amazon and you will receive an email when she has a new book coming out.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return on Tuesday with Something Old, Something New by Amy Clipston.  I hope that you have a relaxing week.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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

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.

Pup Fiction by Laurien Berenson

 Pup Fiction

Book Summary

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. Emily’s rough streak takes a frightening turn with a discovery in the nearby woods—the body of her estranged ex-husband.
 
As suspicions rush in, proving that Emily didn’t murder her biggest mistake will be about as easy as raising prize-winning show dogs. Realizing she’s the only one who can prove her friend’s innocence and keep the Graceland School from shutting down, 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!

My Thoughts

Pup Fiction by Laurien Berenson has Melanie Travis looking forward to quiet summer days while Kevin is attending Graceland Nursery School summer camp and Davey is working there as a junior camp counselor.  Melanie’s hopes are soon dashed when Davey tells her about the various incidents that are occurring at the camp.  Melanie talks to Emily Grace, owner of the school and Melanie’s friend, about the incidents where one of the campers could have easily been injured.  Emily hopes they will stop, but Melanie has her doubts.  Melanie is soon proven right when Emily Grace’s ex-husband is found dead in the woods behind the school.    Emily is at the top of the suspect list and asks Melanie for her assistance.  Melanie begins digging in Grace’s ex-husband’s past and turns up a passel of suspects.  Melanie will need to be careful or her good deed to come back to bite her. 

Pup Fiction by Laurien Berenson is the 27^th A Melanie Travis Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to this engaging cozy mystery series.  I could not wait to get my hands on Pup Fiction.  I enjoy following the harried Melanie Travis on her adventures.  Melanie Travis is a busy wife and mother with a summer free of work.  Melanie is hoping for a relaxing summer, but it does not take long to discover that will not be happening.  In addition to incidents happening at the school camp, Davey is busy trying to get the final points for Aunt Peg’s Standard Poodle, Coral whom he is handling.  He needs two “majors” to finish off Coral’s competition days.  I like the characters in this series which include Melanie’s kind husband Sam, Kevin, Davey, Faith (Melanie’s faithful companion), and the formidable Aunt Peg.  I wish I had a fifth of Aunt Peg’s energy.  The whodunit was crafty and thought out.  It was clever how the Dalmatians were interlaced into the mystery.  There are several suspects, subtle clues, and misdirection.  I had fun solving this whodunit.  I loved all the action which kept the story rapidly moving toward the conclusion.  The family sections are some of my favorites.  This is a character driven story with Melanie’s family at the heart of it.  There are great family interactions that include their dogs.  Faith is such a sweetheart while Bud is so mischievous.  You never know what is going to happen next in their home.  I enjoyed reading this entertaining cozy mystery and I cannot wait for the next tale.  Pup Fiction is a boisterous cozy mystery with adorable Dalmatians, pushy Aunt Peg, a faithful friend, a close competition, a towering topknot, camp chaos, and one prying parent. 

Pup Fiction publishes June 29 and is available from Amazon* (can pre-order now).  You can find the other A Melanie Travis Mysteries here.  You can follow Laurien Berenson here on Amazon.  Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am featuring Little Black Book by Kate Carlisle.  It is the 15th A Bibliophile Mystery.   I hope that you have a happy-go-lucky day.  Take care, be kind, 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.