A Melanie Travis Mystery Series by Laurien Berenson
A Melanie Travis Mystery #1
A Pedigree to Die For
Laurien Berenson
Melanie' Travis's life is going to the dogs. With school out for the summer, a stint as a camp counselor falling through, and her sometime boyfriend dumping her for a Las Vegas chorus girl, the thirty-something Connecticut teacher and single mother figures that things can't get any worse. She figures wrong... Everyone knew that Melanie's Uncle Max had a weak heart. When Aunt Peg finds him dead on the cold floor of their championship kennel, surrounded by eleven whining, prize-winning Standard poodles, she isn't shocked...and doesn't panic. But Melanie is surprised when, three days after the funeral, Peg shows up seeking her help. One of her prize pooches is missing -- and it's beginning to look like Max's sudden demise is more a matter of... murder. With her four-year-old son Davey happily ensconced in day camp, Melanie manages to maneuver herself into Connecticut's elite canine circles. Posing as a poodle breeder in search of the perfect stud, she mingles with sophisticated exhibitors and professional handlers...and soon starts feeling a little out of her clas. Until she meets Sam Driver. Although the irresistibly attractive breeder is soon wooing her with seductive candle lit dinners, Melanie resolves to be wary. Then the killer strikes again, and Melanie realizes that she has been barking up the wrong tree. As events -- mysterious and romantic -- culminate in the celebrated Westminster Dog Show, she suddenly finds herself on a long leash of intrigue and greed...hot on the scent of a chilling secret to die for. "A dependable author for fans of pooch-oriented mysteries."—Library Journal "A thoroughly enjoyable story. Berenson provides entertaining reading."—I Love a Mystery "Charming."—Publishers Weekly
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A Melanie Travis Mystery #5
Watchdog
Laurien Berenson
It's autumn in Connecticut. Melanie Travis has just started a new job, and with the added excitement of showing her Standard Poodle, Faith, in the fall shows, the last thing she wants is to become embroiled in yet another of her brother Frank's moneymaking schemes. His current brainstorm--remaking an old store in stylish suburban Fairfield County into a trendy coffee bar--already has the neighbors snarling. Worse, wealthy Marcus Rattigan, who's bankrolling the project, is found murdered on the premises, and the police think Frank did it. "Fresh, lively writing, a tough mystery, light humor, and insight into the peculiarities of human and canine behavior."--BooklistAlways the family watchdog, and faced with Frank's imminent arrest, Melanie has no choice but to take on the investigation. Drawing on her connections in the dog world, Melanie is soon successfully unmuzzling the dead man's nearest and dearest, including a bitter ex-wife, a spurned mistress, and an ambitious second in command. But Melanie is about to learn that being a watchdog can sometimes be dangerous--especially when every clue she uncovers leads her one step closer to a murderer who is desperate enough to kill again. . .From Publishers WeeklyStandard Poodle owner and special education teacher Melanie Travis becomes her brother's watchdog in her fourth outing (following Hair of the Dog, 1997). The latest entrepreneurial pipe dream of brother Frank involves a partnership with local developer Marcus Rattigan to convert an old general store into a trendy coffee shop in Stamford, Conn. After Rattigan is killed by a falling skylight at the site and Frank becomes the most likely suspect, Melanie, urged on by her garrulous Aunt Peg, again tries her hand at detecting. She learns of Rattigan's acrimonious divorce, his spurned lover and the concerned citizens who are fighting the opening of a coffee shop in their family oriented neighborhood. Melanie thinks all are more likely suspects than her brother and pursues their involvement with Rattigan. Meanwhile, she shows her poodle, Faith, in the animal's first season in the adult class and learns from Aunt Peg of Rattigan's previous involvement in the dog world. Together with Aunt Peg and the student, Melanie sorts out the suspects and identifies the culprit. Throughout the proceedings, readers are given a backstage look at the world of American Kennel Club-sanctioned dog shows. As is her wont, Berenson's writing is as warm and fuzzy as the dogs, a tact that should satisfy fans but is unlikely to extend her readership beyond them. Author tour. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library JournalYA-Mel Travis knows she has a lot to be thankful for: a new job she really enjoys; her six-year-old son; her potential champion poodle; and her brother, whom she loves. However, Frank always seems to be in some sort of crisis over one of his money-making schemes, and this time it's worse than usual. Now he is also the primary suspect in the murder of Marcus Rattigan, the financial backer for his latest project. After Frank begs her for help, Mel puts her sleuthing talent to work and puts the bite on the distempered murderer. The characters are aptly described and complete with idiosyncrasies. Kate, Mel's teenaged student, comes across strongly with limited but important appearances in the story. Indeed, the solution of the murder has more to do with what she has done or found out than all of Mel's hours of snooping. Connecticut's beautiful autumn environment complements the settings of professional dog shows, private schools, and quiet neighborhoods. This gentle murder mystery, more the solving of a puzzle than a clearing away of blood, will likely appeal to teens who like Susan Conant's mysteries (Doubleday), which also feature dogs.Pam Johnson, Fairfax County Public Library, VACopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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A Melanie Travis Mystery #9
Hot Dog
Laurien Berenson
In an effort to escape tail-chasing males--namely her ex-husband Bob and boyfriend Sam--Melanie Travis opts to track down the elusive owner of an adorable Dachshund puppy that's about to be put on the block at a charity auction. She, her son Davey, and her prizewinning poodles are more than willing to take little Dox in as a boarder. But the more Melanie discovers about the pup's background, the messier the case gets.It seems the wiener dog is part of a divorced couple's emotional tug-o-war. As if tiptoeing through the minefield of a broken marriage isn't nerve-wracking enough, there's also Melanie's new stalker--or stalkers--to deal with. The obvious pair is pesky local television reporter Jill Prescott and her cameraman, Rich, who figure that Melanie's nose for trouble will lead them to the next Big Story.They're annoying, but what's truly frightening is the presence of someone stealthier--and far more sinister. Someone who's gotten into her house at night; someone who's stolen her wallet, and let her dogs loose in the neighborhood. Someone who's dognapped Dox.With the doggy abduction and her son's safety on her mind, Melanie's determination grows. Because as things grow more desperate--and dangerous--it's beginning to look like her life may be the next thing up for auction...
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A Melanie Travis Mystery #10
Best in Show
Laurien Berenson
Murder's on the ticket when intrepid poodle breeder Melanie Travis travels to Maryland for a world-famous dog show where the competition isn't the only thing that's cutthroat. . . There are dog shows. And then there's The Poodle Club of America National Specialty Dog Show. For poodle purists, it's the pinnacle of the season, drawing competitors and spectators from all over the world. Once in Maryland, Melanie is put to work selling raffle tickets by the co-chairs of the raffle committee, Betty Jean and Edith Jean Boone. Sixty-ish steel magnolias from the South, the reclusive sisters make few appearances. But this year, they have a silver Toy puppy that has already caused quite a buzz on the show circuit. While the poodles remain well behaved, it's their owners and handlers who start acting up. And when Betty Jean is found dead at the host hotel, murder takes center stage. But this is the PCA--and the show must go on. As Edith Jean staunchly resumes her duties, Melanie starts searching for clues, and comes up with a compelling cast of suspects whose actions prove that in the dog-eat-dog world of showing, a life can be as easily lost as a blue ribbon. And that unlike cats, dogs--and their owners--have only one to risk. . .
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A Melanie Travis Mystery #11
Jingle Bell Bark
Laurien Berenson
It's Christmas again, and Melanie Travis barely has time to pencil in some holiday festivities. Especially once she finds herself making a list of murder suspects--and checking it twice. . . This year, all Melanie wants for Christmas is a dull moment. Between her son Davey, her teaching job, and showing her Standard Poodle puppy, Eve, there just aren't enough hours in the day. But when Davey's usual bus driver, Henry Pruitt, disappears and is replaced by a surly, pierced, twentysomething, Melanie is concerned. The elderly, amiable Henry was a friend to all in the neighborhood, so she decides to check on him...only to find that he died two days earlier, under suspicious circumstances. As if that weren't bad enough, Henry's two Golden Retrievers are now bereft of both master and home. Melanie can't just abandon them, so she brings them to her Aunt Peg, the most stubborn woman on the planet, who's now determined to find out the truth about Henry's death, no matter what it takes. Soon, the indomitable Aunt Peg has Melanie leashed to another murder investigation. And unless she sniffs out this Scrooge of a killer fast, a lump of coal in her stocking may not be the worst thing Melanie gets this Christmas. . . "Delightful. . .As ever, the author provides a captivating behind-the-scenes look at the world of show dogs." --"Publishers Weekly" "Melanie Travis is a terrific character."--"Romantic Times"
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A Melanie Travis Mystery #13
Chow Down
Laurien Berenson
If Melanie Travis was planning on a quiet family summer with her Standard Poodle Faith, son Davey, and new husband Sam, her plans are about to turn upside down. An unexpected competition, a trip to New York, and--oh yes, a murder--later, Melanie finds herself in a choke collar of deceit and corruption.When she receives the letter from the Champions Dog Food Company informing her that Faith has been selected as a finalist in the "All Dogs Are Champions" contest, Melanie is mystified--until she discovers it was Davey who entered Faith in the contest.At the reception where they meet the other finalists, Melanie immediately picks up the scent that this pack is a bone's throw away from a major dog fight. And when Larry Kim, one of the finalists, dies in a suspicious fall, something smells rotten to Melanie. With the final decision for a winner drawing near and the competition getting downright ferocious, Melanie and Faith will have to watch their backs--because Melanie's digging may well unearth a barking-mad killer who'll do anything to win.From Publishers WeeklyIn Berenson's enjoyable 13th dog-themed cozy (after 2005's Raining Cats and Dogs), Melanie Travis's standard poodle, Faith, is a finalist in a contest sponsored by Champions Dog Food company, which is in search of the next "spokesdog" for a new dog food. Though Melanie and her new husband, Sam, have no modeling ambitions for Faith—her nine-year-old son, Davey, entered the pooch without her knowing—the other finalists' competitive owners are lured by the promise of a $100,000 contract. What begins as a matter of grooming and carriage becomes the stuff of life and death when Larry Kim, the handler of a Yorkshire terrier, plunges to his death down a stairwell. Once again, Melanie, a Greenwich, Conn., teacher, sets about carefully piecing together the clues to solve the crime. Berenson creatively combines a multitude of red herrings with plenty of twists and turns for a tight suspenseful package. (Sept.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review"Enjoyable... Plenty of twists and turns for a tight suspenseful package." - Publishers Weekly."
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A Melanie Travis Mystery #14
Hounded to Death
Laurien Berenson
Melanie Travis thought her visit to a rustic Pocono Mountains resort would offer some well-earned relaxation even though it meant leaving her family and her beloved Poodle Faith behind. That was before she discovered the corpse in the inn's secluded hot tub. Now, she's sniffing out the trail of a killer as frightened guests and the police howl for swift justice.As the dog days of summer turn to the playful nip of autumn's chill, Melanie Travis is ready for a little relaxation. Her Aunt Peg has the perfect solution--a five day symposium for dog show judges in Pennsylvania's idyllic Pocono Mountains. While Peg and Melanie's sister-in-law Bertie welcome the opportunity to socialize with the dog world's elite, pregnant Melanie embraces the chance to simply unwind. Aunt Peg also plans a little face time with her new online beau Richard Donner, but the rendezvous isn't smooth because Richard never travels without his mother, the redoubtable Florence Donner, who keeps a Chihuahua in her purse and her son on a very short leash.When renowned judge, Charles Evans, delivers a keynote address that irritates many of the attendees, the symposium's agenda takes a deadly turn. Later that evening, the judge is found floating face-down in the outdoor hot tub.With few clues to go on, the police are baffled. Melanie decides to take matters into her own hands, suspecting that a cold-blooded murderer may lurk among her fellow dog lovers. Now the guests' tongues are wagging anf Melanie must find someone whose bark is actually far worse than their bite.
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A Melanie Travis Mystery #16
Gone With the Woof
Laurien Berenson
When Melanie’s Aunt Peg volunteers her to help one of dogdom’s elder statesmen write his memoirs, Melanie has no idea what she’s getting into. Edward March turns out to be a crotchety, manipulating philanderer and when his adult son Andrew is killed in a hit-and-run crash, March quickly becomes the prime suspect.Drawn into the investigation, Melanie uncovers family discord, secret hoarding, and two generations of disgruntled ex-lovers. Melanie—busy with her own child who’s about to enter the terrible twos, not to mention a new puppy for Davey—must follow a convoluted trail of clues, but before she can act on what she uncovers, the killer prepares to strike again and this time she’s is the target…
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