Laurien Berenson

"As Melanie attempts to deck the halls in a house overrun by pampered Poodles, her event planner friend, Claire, is busy playing Santa-beard and belly not included-for the wealthiest clientele on Connecticuts Gold Coast. A personal shopper gig in the affluent town of New Canaan seems like business as usual. Except Claires stylish stint comes at a higher price than she bargains for when she stumbles over her newest customers dead body on the job. Named...

Melanie Travis is gifted at raising prize-winning Standard Poodles, not standing in as the Easter Bunny. But when March in Connecticut brings daffodils and dead bodies, she'll need to hop into action-and fast . . . Aunt Rose already has a strike against her for not being too fond of dogs-or Aunt Peg. But Melanie still agrees to organize Easter festivities at Gallagher House, the new women's shelter opened by the stern former nun, even if it...

"While usually protective, Melanie feels comfortable sending her sons to the Graceland School's summer camp for two reasons: The institution is well-regarded and proprietor Emily Grace is a trusted friend. But Emily has been acting strange since three rambunctious Dalmatian puppies suddenly appeared on her doorstep. The unusual arrival marks the first of several mysterious happenings at camp, each more intense than the last. Emily's rough streak takes...

A dog leash becomes a lethal weapon in this mystery from the Agatha Award finalist, "a rare breed of writer" (The Plain Dealer).

With the excitement of the spring dog show season sweeping Connecticut, prize-winning Poodle owner Melanie Travis is determined to help her son finally lead his Standard Poodle toward a championship title. But the competition is fierce.

Aunt Peg even skips the judging panel to exhibit...

A road trip to a Kentucky dog show leads to a race to find a killer, in this mystery by an Agatha Award finalist: "A likable heroine."—Publishers Weekly
For a dog lover like Melanie Travis, the opportunity to attend the Kentuckiana Dog Show Cluster is not to be missed. Fortunately, the timing coincides with her spring break from teaching, so she heads for central Kentucky with her sister-in-law and Aunt Peg, who's accepted...

"Rose Donovan looks for the good in everyone. With her sister-in-law, Peg, that sometimes requires a lot of searching ... But after forty years of bickering, they're attempting to start over, partnering up to join the local bridge club. Peg and Rose barely have a chance to celebrate their first win before one of the club's most accomplished players is killed in his home. As the newest members, the sisters-in-law ... decide to start some digging of...

"If you like dogs, you'll love Laurien Berenson's Melanie Travis mysteries!" --Joanne Fluke, New York Times bestselling author

Between her boisterous sons and a house full of Poodles, there's never a dull moment for Melanie Travis. But no matter how hectic life gets, she can always pick up the scent of a howling good mystery--and she'll stop at nothing to dig up the truth. . .

It's summer in Connecticut, and Melanie's life has...

It's autumn in Connecticut and there's a chill in the air, the fall leaves are a riot of color, and pumpkin spice is the flavor of the season. Melanie Travis is perennially busy, of course—but when the owner of a local pet supply shop is found murdered, sleuthing tops her To Do list . . .
Between taking care of her family and assorted Standard Poodles, Melanie is also working as a special needs tutor for Howard Academy, a private...

Summer means two things to Melanie Travis: a break from her teaching duties at Connecticut's elite Howard Academy and a chance to plan the perfect wedding to her fiancé, Sam. She certainly doesn't need the unwelcome arrival of a dinner invitation "peace offering" from Sam's ex-wife, Sheila Vaughn. And dinner proves to be only the beginning of her problems. Sheila's new man turns out to be Brian Endicott, an old buddy-turned-enemy of Sam's. To make...

Despite Melanie's domestic demands, a toddler and a house full of Standard Poodles, helping Edward March pen his life story is an opportunity she can't pass up. Of course Edward turns out to be a growley old man who wants his book, "Puppy Love," to consist mainly of his amorous encounters with women from the dog show community. It's juicy gossip, but not dangerous until Andrew, Edward's son, pays Melanie an angry visit to stop her from working on...