Have you heard of the proverbial dog-and-pony show? That’s my life.
Unfortunately the pony only passed through briefly. The dogs? They’re a permanent fixture. The first thing I do every morning when I get out of bed is run downstairs and let the dogs outside. Not that they’re complaining. They’re Standard Poodles (all six of them) so they’re incredibly polite. But they’ve been inside all night so, you know…
Then I make coffee. Or if I’m lucky my husband, Sam, has already beaten me to the coffee maker. My sons Davey and Kevin are twelve and almost-three. (When you’re Kev’s age, every little bit counts.) I spend the next half hour making sure that Davey gets ready to go to school and that he doesn’t miss the bus. If he has his homework, his gym clothes, and his lunch with him, that’s a plus. Kev? Mostly I try to keep him from tipping over the dogs’ water bowl, a feat which he finds vastly entertaining. Not only that but he’s apt to tempt Tar (our only dumb Poodle) to splash around in the resulting mess with him.
Once I get things off and running for the day, I’m pretty much guaranteed to hear from my Aunt Peg. Margaret Turnbull is a force of nature. There’s just no other way to describe her. She’s been breeding Standard Poodles since before I was born and she knows everything there is to know about both her chosen breed and about dogs in general. Before Aunt Peg and I had bonded over a missing stud dog, the only pet I’d ever owned was a frog. Like the pony, it was a short relationship.
But now, thanks to Aunt Peg’s unrelenting (some might say heavy handed) guidance, I too am a Poodle breeder and dog show exhibitor. And I’ll tell you something I never realized before I got involved in that world. There’s a lot of potential for mayhem and misdeeds at dog shows. It’s not just about pretty puppies and frou frou hair do’s. When it comes to the judging—that ultimate decision of whose dog is better than all the others—those people are intensely serious. Oh they’ll tell you they’re having fun—and some of them actually are. But others, well, they’re there to win at any cost.
Which is how I ended up solving mysteries.
Believe me, it wasn’t the way I thought my life was going to turn out. When all this began, I was a single mother and a special education teacher in the Stamford, CT public school system. Davey and I led a calm and orderly existence. And then Aunt Peg got involved. As I’ve since discovered, that’s always an adventure.
Did I mention that Aunt Peg is a magnet for trouble? Well, she is. Although to tell the truth, she’s just as likely to be stirring up trouble as attracting it. Mostly I just try to stay out of the line of fire. But I suppose I must have inherited a smidge of Aunt Peg’s trouble-gene because somehow that never seems to work.
So now I have an expanded family, a new job, and a house filled with six Standard Poodles. Looking back, I don’t know how I ever thought my life was complete without canine companionship. Or Aunt Peg’s meddling. Or puzzles to solve that keep me guessing until the very end. It’s a messy, crazy, mosh pit of a life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
You can read more about Melanie in Death of a Dog Whisperer, the 17th book in the “Melanie Travis” mystery series, published by Kensington. The first book in the series is A Pedigree to Die For.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on August 29 for the chance to win a copy of DEATH OF A DOG WHISPERER. Two (2) lucky winners will be chosen at random. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Meet the author
Laurien Berenson is the author of twenty-nine novels that have sold more than two million copies worldwide. Her cozy mystery series revolves around the world of dog shows, a milieu she knows well as her family has been involved in the sport of dogs for three generations. There are currently seventeen Melanie Travis canine mysteries, the latest of which, DEATH OF A DOG WHISPERER, came out in August.
Berenson is a four time winner of the Maxwell Award for Fiction from the Dog Writers Assoc. of America and a winner of the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She is also an Agatha and Macavity nominee. Her work has appeared in The New York Times as well as numerous magazines. She is a graduate of Vassar College, and she and her husband live on a farm in Kentucky, surrounded by horses and dogs.
Her website is www.laurienberenson.com and she loves making friends on Facebook.
Hard to believe this is the 17th. Love this series and looking foreword to the new one.
I’m not playing catch-up with this series, but this book sounds interesting. 🙂
I have enjoyed the Melanie Travis novels all the way back to Book One: A Pedigree to Die For. In fact, I met Laurien Berenson a long time ago at a Southern publisher’s event. I am to reading #15 now. Being a standard poodle owner, her books are close to my heart. Mary Sanchez ____________________________________
a new-to-me series…….how did I miss this one????
thank you for the giveaway…….
I’ve enjoyed reading about Melanie’s adventures for many years, and look forward to reading this latest.
I love mysteries with dogs!
I love dogs, so mysteries with dogs are always good
I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Wow, I can’t believe that so many people have commented already. Thanks so much for your interest in the book!
I started this series this summer and am enjoying it. Poodles are my favorite dogs.
I have read all of the Melanie Travis books, except this last one. they are a great read. Laurien is such a talented author.
Love the cover and title – 17 books, that’s a great series! Had an apricot toy poodle, living on love for 16 years. They are such wonderful dogs.
Thanks, Dru…congrats Laurien…17th, in the series…Wow, or should I say Woof! 🙂
I enjoy this series
I need to get into this series. Thanks for the offer.
Hello Melanie! I have missed your adventures and look forward to sharing in your new ones – from dog show shenanigans – to life with a 3 year old and middle schooler – to what lovely pastries your Aunt Peg has brought by to tempt you. Can’t wait to read book 17!
WOOF back at you, Patricia! Enjoy.
One of my favorite series. Laurien is the best accurately describing the ‘dog’ world!
I love this series. I’ve read all of them and I’ll be off to but this one if I don’t get lucky enough to win it. thanks for the chance.
This is such a great series. The main character is brave and competent and puts her energy into the mystery rather than into some super-plucky pose. After all, solving mysteries can only take up so much time when you work full time, have kids and have to groom Poodles.
I’m a real dog fan so I would love to have the opportunity to win this book. I’ve never read this writer so it would be nice to add another name to my list.
wow wouldnt have known there was a new Melanie Travis book if I didnt get the email this morning. Love this series!! Super writing and who can resist a good dog story.
Sounds like a great series.
This sounds really fun Dru, thanks for the chance to win a copy. I love all dogs, especially the Bassett on the cover of this book. Have a great day!
You guys are great! Thank you so much! You are all making my day.
You had me at “Aunt Peg. Margaret…” My mom’s nickname was Peggy as a teen. I miss her a lot.
I’ve read the first couple so I have a lot of catching up to do. Can’t wait. My 89 year old mom has read them all and loved them.
This is a new series for me and I’m curious. If there are 6 standard poodles , who is the dog on the cover? That’s not a poodle. You’ve got me curious. I’d love to win so I can find out. thank you
Karen H, Melanie Travis has Standard Poodles and they figure prominently in all the books. But each book also features other breeds. The Basset is a dog who belongs to one of the Dog Whisperer’s clients. (Or maybe I should have just let you think it was a mystery why that do was there?)
Melanie keep trimming those top knots and tails while Laurien spins the adventurous tales! Love those spoos! <3
This book sounds really good but so far, I have only read one or two at most in the series, so jumping up to book 17 might not work out too well. No time to read all the ones in between right now, but for someone who has been following this series this book sounds great.
I love dog stories. Didn’t realize until we had Pep the Pug that our lives were not complete without our canine companion.
This is a new to me series and it sounds fun, thanks for bringing it to my attention, and the chance to win.
I only have 2 dogs and our house is chaos—I can just image a house with six. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I find my dog and doing different kinds of puzzles (jigsaw, crosswords) bring much needed relief from stress. I especially enjoy having my dog next to me while I work so I can pet her when trying to solve something.
I have read all the books, have two dogs, and try to get to all the local dog shows. Keep the books coming–I really enjoy reading them.
I love the Melanie Travis series and can’t wait to read this one.
I love the Melanie Travis series and can’t wait to read this one!
Best of luck to everyone who commented. My fingers are crossed for all of you that you win a book!
I have had only two dogs in my life. Wish I had one now.
I don’t know how I missed this series – I need to look for it at the book store.
Dogs and murder is an interesting combination.
Great interview! I would love to read the latest book, even though I have more of an affinity for cats than dogs. The pup on the cover and the interview pique my curiosity. Thanks for the chance to win!!
WOW! #17! One the first cozy mystery series I read. Can’t believe I’ve stuck with it– I’m a cat lady now although I had Schnauzers for years! Will look forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
This is one of my favorite series. I look forward to reading this one.
This is a wonderful series which stays true to the dog world it immerses the reader in. I am utterly charmed by the poodles and their owners.
Thanks Laurien for interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.
I really enjoy cozies with dogs in them and this author never disappoints. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com