Melanie Travis Mystery

A mom goes undercover to locate a purloined poodle-and a killer-in this series debut with "a solution that packs a surprising amount of surprise" (Kirkus Reviews). The apparent heart attack that killed kennel owner Max Turnbull has left seven pups in mourning, and his wife Peg suspecting foul play. But the only evidence is their missing prize pooch-a pedigreed poodle named Beau. Enter Melanie Travis. With her young son happily ensconced in day camp, the thirty-something teacher and single mother is talked into investigating her uncle's death-unofficially, of course. Posing as a poodle breeder in search of the perfect stud, Melanie hounds Connecticut's elite canine competitions, and finds an ally in fellow breeder Sam Driver. But her affection cools when she's put on the scent of Sam's questionable past . . . and hot on the trail of a poodle-hating neighbor and one elusive murderer who isn't ready to come to heel. For, as Melanie soon discovers, in a championship dog-eat-dog world, the instinct for survival, and winning, can prove fatal.

A dog handler's death unleashes a mystery: "Laurien Berenson just keeps getting better and better."-Harlan Coben When Melanie Travis's education in breed-handling at Connecticut's classiest obedience school is cut short by sudden death, she smells a murder. So, with her rambunctious poodle puppy, five-year-old son, and sexy fellow breeder Sam Driver in tow, she hits the championship circuit. In this dog-eat-dog world where winning is everything, Melanie discovers that more than one suspect had a bone to pick with the victim, including a kennel owner whose secret recipe for dog biscuits isn't the only thing she's guarding. Between laps around the show ring, Melanie learns some tricks of her own. But will she learn fast enough to collar an unleashed killer who's begging for the dogged detective to play dead?

Competition at an elite Connecticut kennel club has a sharp and deadly bite in this "masterful" mystery (The Plain Dealer). As if raising her son Davey, training her rambunctious Poodle for the show ring, and grooming fellow handler Sam Driver for romance aren't enough, Melanie Travis's entrée into the exclusive Belle Haven Kennel Club has been met with a grisly murder. Unfortunately, the only witnesses to the crime were the victim's startled pair of Beagles. And they aren't talking . . . Melanie hadn't intended to do any serious snooping, what with coping with the unexpected arrival of an ex-husband out to get joint custody of the son he's never known. In need of some serious distraction, she's off to sniff out dangerous secrets . . . only to discover that everyone at Belle Haven has something damning to hide. As the shocking truth slowly comes to light-and her own domestic drama moves center stage-Melanie finds herself eager to put the bite on a dogged killer.

Did pawing at too many women get a dog handler shot dead? A twist-filled mystery that "will charm dog fanciers and cozy fans."-Publishers Weekly The dog days of summer have just begun, and Melanie Travis is looking forward to savoring them. And where better to enjoy herself than at her Aunt Peg's Fourth of July barbecue? It sounds ideal, until an uninvited guest proves that even the laziest dog day of the year can suddenly turn vicious. Melanie knew someone should have kept Barry Turk on a short leash. The star poodle handler and ladykiller had a habit of chicanery that bred contempt in the dog show circuit, particularly among its female members. But when Barry is shot dead in his own driveway, even Melanie is stunned at how unsporting the competition can get. Soon Melanie is investigating a litter of suspects, which includes Barry's ruthless young assistant, her hot-tempered boyfriend, a Blue Ribbon judge with a grudge, and even Barry's last lover, Alicia. Now, as Melanie digs for clues deep under Connecticut's well-groomed surface, she finds herself sniffing around in the killer's own backyard, and counts herself lucky to have the animal instincts to keep herself alive.

"Fresh, lively writing, a tough mystery, light humor, and insight into the peculiarities of human and canine behavior." -Booklist 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. Always 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. 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 . . .

There's a corpse on campus in this mystery from an Agatha Award finalist who's "a rare breed of writer" (The Plain Dealer). Melanie Travis loves her teaching job at Connecticut's elite Howard Academy, where plans are underway for a Spring Pageant to honor the school's fiftieth anniversary. Immersed in the preparations, Melanie is hurrying to retrieve a painting of one of the illustrious cofounders when she comes upon a disturbing scene: Eugene Krebbs, the Academy's elderly caretaker, is arguing loudly with a girl half his size. Before Melanie can learn more than the girl's first name-Jane-she disappears. It's clear that Jane isn't a student at Howard Academy, so what is she doing there? Melanie doesn't have a chance to answer that question before more problems arise. Two days later, Krebbs is discovered stabbed to death right on the school grounds. Now Melanie is embroiled in a full-fledged homicide investigation as she tries to find out who's added murder to the school's curriculum.

It's June in Connecticut and Melanie has her hands full with her family and Poodles, but when a breeder and exhibitor of Great Danes dies under suspicious circumstances, she also has a big mystery to solve. After seeing a Great Dane at a dog show, Melanie's son Kevin has become obsessed with the breed. Aunt Peg introduces Melanie and her son to Audrey Kane, a charming older woman who breeds and shows the big dogs. Aware of Melanie's talent for sleuthing, Audrey asks for her help in finding a missing brooch. She suspects her stepsister Lara. Sam and Melanie are showing their Standard Poodle puppy, Plum, at a dog show where Lara will also be exhibiting her Great Dane. Melanie makes contact with Lara but gets no answers. When Audrey is found dead in her home, Aunt Peg enlists the help of the local Great Dane Club to foster Audrey's ten dogs, one of whom Melanie takes on. To her surprise, Lara comes to her and asks her to solve her stepsister's murder. From the president of the Great Dane Club to Audrey's dependable dog-sitter-and not ruling out Lara herself-Melanie soon has more suspects than Audrey had Great Danes. With Aunt Peg's assistance, she doggedly pursues the killer . . .