Hi, there, Porkchop, here. Now don’t think I’m talking about a chop from the meat department at the local Shop and Save. I’m the svelte, lovable reddish-brown dachshund, my momma, Samantha Davies, loves with all her heart and who has saved her life on more than one occasion. Sam and I’ve been through a lot together, starting with her marriage to George, I never really liked the fellow. I couldn’t help myself, when he came near Sam a growl would rumble up my throat. I have to admit I’m a pretty good judge of character because Sam and I came to find out that when George was supposedly doing late-night body pickups for the funeral parlor he co-owns with Samantha, he was doing the bump fuzzies with one very live body, the funeral parlor’s secretary.

You might ask why the name, Porkchop. It all goes back to Sam’s childhood. She loved the cartoon show, Doug Funny. Doug had a pup named Porkchop, hence I’m named after him. I’ve gotten Sam out of a pickle or two or three. In fact, that’s how she met the other man in her life, Hank Johnson, at a murder scene where Sam was a prime suspect. Hank is the lead detective with the Wings Falls Police Force. He’s a good guy, especially since he’s brought his fur baby, Nina, a miniature bulldog, into my life. Nina is my girlfriend. I love her to pieces. Since that first meeting with Hank I’ve had to help Sam escape from a few more murders. Much to Sam’s chagrin, she’s been dubbed by her grade school nemesis, one of Hank’s fellow officers, a “murder magnet.”

When not solving murders, I go with Samantha on Tuesday mornings so she can hook at The Ewe and Me. No, not that kind of hooking. She rug hooks with her Southern Belle cousin, Candie, and the Loopy Ladies. I’ve become such a favorite there, that Ralph Foster, who co-owns The Ewe along with his wife, Lucy, has dubbed me the official, shop dog and has a special jar of treats on the checkout counter just for me.

When I’m not helping to keep Sam safe from murderers, I curl up on the sofa in her den while she writes a children’s book series, Porkchop, the Wonder Dog. Yep, I’m the star of her books. The best part is when we get to go to book signings and the kids shower me with their love me. They give me tons of pets and hugs.

Sending you all doggie kisses and lots of love, Porkchop.

MUSKETS, MUTTS AND MURDER
Series: A Samantha Davies Mystery, Book 8
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: March 2026
Format: Print, Digital
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Spring has finally sprung in Wings Fall, New York and Samantha Davies-Johnson along with her fellow rug hookers, the Loopy Ladies, are participating in an annual reenactment at a local pre- Revolutionary War fort, Fort Henry, as camp followers. The Loopy Ladies instead of rug hooking are doing their patriot duty and are knitting hats for veterans. A number of their significant others are among the reenactors and will be recreating the battle between the French and the British.

Sam’s newish husband, Hank, who is the lead detective on the Wings Falls Police and her Southern Belle cousin, Candie Parker-Hogan’s husband, Mark, the Mayor of Wings Falls, are newly minted reenactor soldiers participating in the event. All seems to be going well until Orville Garber and Wesley Munro get into a heated argument as to who should fill the recently vacated commander of their unit, a prized position. Wesley feels it should go to him since he is descended from the original commander of the fort. Sam has her hopes on Orville getting the honor as he was her much-loved high school math teacher.

As the day progresses, a mock battle is held. After all the musket smoke clears, a French reenactor is found dead on the battlefield. Only gunpowder charges were to be used at these events. Who used a real musket ball and why? Unfortunately for Orville, the musket ball is traced back to him by the three slashes he etches into his musket balls identify it as his. Samantha can’t believe the kind and patient man who helped her all those years ago to pass math would do such a thing.

To add to Samantha’s stress, her beloved dachshund, Porkchop, is behaving in a very unwelcoming manner towards his girlfriend, Nina, Hank’s miniature bulldog. Can Sam figure out what has caused Porkchop’s change of affection towards his BFF before any fur flies and at the same time prove Orville innocent before the real murderer targets her?

About the author
Syrl, a retired teacher, lives in upstate New York with her husband and two lively dachshunds. She writes the Samantha Davies Mystery series, featuring Samantha Davies and her loveable dachshund, Porkchop. When not writing she is busy hooking, rug hooking that is, and enjoying her family.