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Laurien Berenson
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Doggie Day Care Murder (A Melanie Travis Mystery) Mass Market Paperback – August 1, 2009

by Laurien Berenson (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 438 ratings
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Melanie Travis thought her sleuthing days were behind her. She has a new baby to take care of--not to mention five Standard Poodles. These days, the closest Melanie gets to detective work is scoping out the scene at the local doggie day center for her friend Alice Brickman.


As Melanie learns, it's a dog's life at the Pine Ridge Canine Care Center--and life is good. Everyone seems blissfully happy. Everyone canine, that is, as Melanie soon discovers there are some simmering resentments among the Pine Ridge staff. And when Steve Pine, the center's charming, good-looking co-owner, is found shot to death on the floor of his office, there's no shortage of suspects.


With the police at a loss for leads, it's now up to Melanie to go undercover and sniff out a killer whose secrets lie buried in a dog's paradise that's proving to be anything but. . .


"Warm and fuzzy. . .another cute tail-wagging puzzler."--Publishers Weekly


"A top-notch mystery. . .Newcomers to the series will be hooked, and returning readers will continue to enjoy Melanie's relatable nature and charm."--Romantic Times
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Previous page
  1. Book 15 of 30
    Melanie Travis Mysteries
  2. Print length
    320 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Kensington
  5. Publication date
    August 1, 2009
  6. Dimensions
    4.42 x 0.8 x 6.74 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0758216068
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0758216069
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Laurien Berenson is author of the delightful Melanie Travis canine cozy mystery series, including Jingle Bell Bark and Best in Show. She has a degree in psychology from Vassar College and has been married for almost twenty-five years. She lives in Georgia with her husband, her son, six dogs, and two Welsh ponies.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington; Reprint edition (August 1, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0758216068
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0758216069
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.01 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.42 x 0.8 x 6.74 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 438 ratings

About the author

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Laurien Berenson

Laurien Berenson

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Laurien Berenson is the award-winning author of the long running Melanie Travis canine mystery series and the new Senior Sleuths series starring Peg Turnbull and Rose Donovan as a pair of seventyish sisters-in-law who are learning to put aside old grudges and myriad differences as they work together to solve mysteries. Fun Facts: Laurien has curtseyed to Princess Grace, eaten snake in Kowloon, and ridden a horse down a New York city street. A Connecticut native, she lives with her husband on a farm in Kentucky surrounded by dogs and horses.

Thank you for your reviews!

Connect with Laurien at her website: https://www.laurienberenson.com/

Or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurienBerenson/

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
438 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kathy Pappano
5.0 out of 5 stars What a great series!
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2009
Verified Purchase
By chance, I came across this series of light-reading mysteries. I started with the first book and have read them all including this last one and I must say that I have enjoyed each one of them. I love the characters and have learned so much about poodles and dog shows. It has opened up an entirely new world for me. While I own two dachshunds and absolutely love that breed, I find after reading this series of books that I am really interested in poodles too!

If you're looking for a DaVinci Code type mystery, then this series probably isn't for you. But, if you are looking for some fun, light reading and love dogs, then this series is for you. Along with the mystery, you also get to learn so much about dog shows and poodles.

My only disappointment is that I learned this is the last of this series. Maybe Laurien Berenson will re-consider her decision and perhaps write a few more in this series. I really want to know what happens with Melanie, Sam, and all the characters and, or course, her poodles!
8 people found this helpful
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N. Wallach
4.0 out of 5 stars Why do dogs need a day care center?
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2011
Verified Purchase
Things are going well for Melanie Travis. She has finally consented to marry Sam, consequently a new baby has joined the family which now consists of her husband, Sam; Sons Davey and Kevin; and five poodles. To handle all of this, she has taken a leave of absence from her teaching position and since Sam works out of the house, she actually has time to do things like gardening. Problem is that she does not like to garden. So, when her dear friend Alice Brickman asked Melanie to check out a doggie day care operation close by, she immediately ditches her trowel and gloves and is off to investigate. Is it any surprise to readers of this series that a murder takes place in the day care and that Melanie manages to get herself involved in solving it?

As usual in reading these mystery "cozies" there are two primary things that I look for: First, does the mystery and the way it was solved make sense? Or, is there some overly convoluted and complicated plotting necessary to hide the truth from the reader? When solved, does the resolution make sense based on the information that was provided to the reader through the eyes of the `detective' etc.? Secondly, there are main characters and minor characters in each of these series. Does the story progress their lives in a way that makes sense and do we even care?

Along both dimensions, this book is a winner. The mystery itself appears confounding, but as Melanie gets involved and starts asking questions and following leads, the information she is provided makes sense and what she picks up on as unspoken clues also makes sense. I was very satisfied with myself when I picked up on a few clues that appeared to be almost meaningless story elements and thought to myself that they need to be investigated and found out later that they were the main clues to solving the crime. I even managed to solve the crime myself just before Melanie did. And when the solution was fully laid out in front of us, the readers, I noted that there were no hidden tricks; specialized knowledge; or things that were not discussed in the book. Very much appreciated.

The main and minor characters all make appearances here and the soap opera quality of the book in following this collection of characters makes sense. There are dog shows that the family attends to. Aunt Peg is there in her inimitable style and she definitely has her opinions and ideas that MUST be followed. Melanie's brother and his wife and daughter are there; Melanie's ex-husband is there; as are other minor characters. As usual, the dog show world is depicted as really a very small community where everyone knows everyone else and their business and that provides some number of clues to the murder mystery solution. But that was OK and not unexpected.

The writing is very breezy and light. This is the perfect kind of book to take on vacation when you do not want to overly think too much. Even with the text being spread out over 300 pages, it does not take too long and can be put aside at any point to attend to other matters. There is humor in many situations and a real-life quality to what is being described that you believe the situation. Overall, a very nice read and therefore recommended with four stars.
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Stacie Bug
5.0 out of 5 stars Amidst for poodle lovers!
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2015
Verified Purchase
Melanie tries to help out her best friend by checking out the new doggie day care center in town, unfortunately for her, during her tour she stumbles across the dead body of one of the owners. Melanie has been adjusting to life with her new husband, new baby and melded pack of poodles. Given her knowledge of dogs she is asked to vet the new doggie day care. Having never heard of such a place she is surprised to find the dogs all happy and healthy. The same can't be said for the owner.
I love this series. I also completely love poodles so I might be a bit biased. Melanie and her pack are great. The books are well written with interesting storylines and characters. The books can be read by anyone and do not contain gory scenes. The supporting characters are hilarious and I look forward to the next book.
One person found this helpful
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Jazziegirl
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the second book of the series that I ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2015
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This is the second book of the series that I have read. It follows the same theme -- Melanie and her husband have two children and five Standard Poodles. Melanie is asked by a friend to check out a doggie day care business. The friend is going back to work and needs a dog sitter for her Golden Retriever. When they go they stumble on a murder of one of the owners. Melanie goes to work to solve the crime. The story also involves dog shows. This is a quick read.
One person found this helpful
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Nan
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun and easy
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2023
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The Melanie Travis series will never be mistaken for great literature, and the books aren't challenging mysteries. But Sometimes I want to read a lighthearted, enjoyable book With characters I care about. This one fills the bill, just like all the others.
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Jill
5.0 out of 5 stars poodles and greed
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2014
Verified Purchase
If it's Laurien Berenson and a big black poodle, it's going to be fun, a brain teaser, and a great book to take to a horse show. I sold a horse to a dog breeder, he rewrote their life, and I got entranced with big black poodles. It's a fair trade and we read mrs. Bereson's books and happily go to horse shows, and sometimes dog shows, together.At least the language is interchangeable, and the pickles Melanie Travis gets into are all too comical, and we watch some of the other competitors act with greed.
2 people found this helpful
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