My life these days revolves around my Golden Retriever, Harlow, and unpacking boxes. Our agility practice has temporarily been put on the back burner as we settle into our new home along the California coast in the town of Pier Point. I hadn’t even gotten as far as hanging up my clothes when a 180-pound Saint Berdoodle named Noodle wandered into my house along with the moving men. With a too-busy-to-train-him owner, I’ve started looking after the big dog and teaching him some basic obedience.

The insurance settlement from my husband’s death means I don’t need to find a job. Which is lucky because I’m pretty sure I’d have a hard time convincing anyone to take me on as an employee. I’m a former cop and private investigator but my old colleagues think I had something to do with my husband’s murder back in Massachusetts—even though the real killer’s awaiting trial. Needless to say, I won’t be looking for a job in law enforcement anytime soon. But, when my neighbor, Seville, saw how well I did with Noodle’s training, she quickly spread the word that I’m a dog trainer. She even made me business cards. So now my official title is: Molly Madison, Dog Wrangler.

One of my first clients is Ava, an eight-year-old math prodigy, and her dog, Butterscotch. I don’t know what it says about me, but she’s the first real friend I’ve made in my new hometown. She’s a super-smart whiz kid, but severely lacks social skills so, while I’m showing Ava how to train her dog, I’m also teaching her how to interact with people.

Most days start with me and Harlow collecting Noodle from his home and heading to the beach. The nice long walk makes us all happy. After that, while Harlow and Noodle snooze, I finally get my first cup of coffee for the day. Bliss. Then it’s off to Ava’s house to work with her and Butterscotch, followed by more unpacking and some gardening.

If it wasn’t for the body part the dogs and I found on the beach—and the suspicion directed at me by the local detectives—living here in Pier Point would be pretty idyllic.

A Deadly Bone to Pick, A Molly Madison Mystery #1
Genre: Cozy
Release: February 2022
Purchase Link

When Molly Madison, dog-wrangler extraordinaire, stumbles upon a murder in her new hometown, she must track down a killer to save the day.

Ex-police officer and former P.I. Molly Madison is starting over. After the death of her husband, she and her golden retriever, Harlow, move cross-country to California. But as charming and peaceful as the beachside town seems, she soon learns its tranquil tides hold dark secrets.

On her first day in the new house, a large, slobbering Saint Berdoodle wanders in. Molly winds up taking on the responsibility of training Noodle since his owner is too busy to do the job. On one of their daily beachside walks, Noodle digs up a severed hand. Once Molly alerts the police and they run a background check on her, an incident from her past makes her an immediate suspect—after all, Noodle’s testimony to clear her name won’t hold much water in court.

To prove her innocence, Molly must rely on instincts keener than a canine’s to sniff out the real killer. But when Molly’s life is put in danger, will her two very loyal pups be able to rescue her?

Meet the author
After losing their home during a California wildfire, Peggy and her husband moved to the beach community of Los Osos along the central coast. When not at her desk or out walking, you can usually find her in the garden.

Peggy is a member of Sisters in Crime National and Sisters in Crime Los Angeles and is represented by Melissa Jeglinski of The Knight Agency. A Deadly Bone To Pick is her first cozy mystery.

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