Murder at the Puppy Fest

May 15, 2017
In Berenson’s intriguing 20th Melanie Travis mystery (after 2016’s Live and Let Growl), the Stamford, Conn., dog lover and breeder of standard poodles is looking forward to helping out at Puppy Fest, a dog rescue benefit sponsored by philanthropist Leo Brody. But when Melanie goes to visit Leo at his Greenwich office, she finds him lying dead on the floor with his latest paramour leaning over him. Leo, who suffered from a severe peanut allergy, died of anaphylactic shock after eating cookies containing ground-up peanuts delivered to his office. The authorities declare Leo’s death an accident, but one of his daughters, Libby Rothko, suspects murder and asks Melanie to find out who may have wanted Leo dead. Melanie soon discovers that Leo’s nine entitled children by three wives all had reasons of their own to hasten his demise. Berenson’s appealing picture of the dog-show world more than compensates for the straightforward investigation and the too-convenient solution. Cozy fans who love dogs are in for a treat. Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency.

April 15, 2017
It's mutts vs. purebreds as Melanie Travis (Live and Let Growl, 2016, etc.) investigates the death of a dog-loving philanthropist.Poor Melanie just can't win. When she adopts a terrier mix left by the side of the highway by his abusive owner, her Aunt Peg is scandalized. A renowned dog show judge, Margaret Turnbull can't see why her niece would want to mingle a mongrel with intelligent dogs like Melanie's five award-winning standard poodles. But it's those same five champions that make Leo Brody's daughter Jane look down her nose at Melanie during Puppy Fest, an annual bash Leo throws in his posh Greenwich, Connecticut, home for the benefit of the Puppy Posse Foundation, his pet charity. Jane thinks purebred dogs are the reason so many of the Posse's rescue pets need rescuing. While Jane sends Melanie on vital Puppy Fest errands--like getting bottled water for the puppies, who couldn't possibly drink tap water--Brody is lying lifeless on the floor on his study, done in by a plate of peanut-laden cookies. Since everyone in the household knew about his peanut allergy, there are suspects aplenty, but the police somehow conclude that his death was accidental. Jane's half sister, Libby, disagrees, and she drafts Melanie to find out who killed her father. The more she gets to know the dysfunctional Brodys, the more the veteran amateur sleuth likes her dogs. Still, like a hound chasing rabbits, Melanie can't call off the hunt until she finds out who popped the peanuts in Mr. Brody's pastries. Whatever you think of the mystery, the heroine's interviews of the nine Brody kids, each crazier than the next, are worth the price of admission.

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June 1, 2017
When Melanie volunteers at a fundraiser called Puppy Fest, she finds the dead body of Leo Brody, the wealthy head of the event. The man died in his own mansion during the event after eating cookies with peanuts. Libby, one of his nine children, asks Melanie to find out if someone murdered him or if it was an accident. In between helping her family, attending dog shows, and training her new rescue dog, Melanie discerns that almost all family members had reasons to dislike the famous philanthropist. When Melanie's Aunt Peg steps in to flush out the killer, Peg becomes a victim of a damaging fire. The backstory detailing the conflicts between those involved in purebred dog shows and those supporting the adoption of rescue animals provides a fascinating frame for a well-constructed mystery hinging on jealousy and money. Fans of the long-running series will be intrigued by changes in Melanie's family situation. Berenson continues to keep her pet-centric series fresh and enjoyable.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)