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Golden Retriever Mystery #9
Dog Knows
Peggy was a great friend to Steve when they were teens – Can he help her now as she faces the death penalty?
As teens, semi-reformed hacker Steve Levitan admired his friend Peggy because of the way she fought back from a difficult childhood to travel to France and aspire to a college degree and a career as a lawyer. When he discovers she’s been addicted to drugs, danced at a strip club, and married a biker, he’s surprised. How could the girl he knew grow up to be the woman the media are calling “The Black Widow of Birch Valley?”
Can he and his clue-sniffing golden retriever Rochester dig up the details that might acquit Peggy, while avoiding the slippery slope of hacking that could cause him to lose everything he cares for? Trust Rochester to keep Steve on the straight and narrow, and bring the real killer to justice.
As teens, semi-reformed hacker Steve Levitan admired his friend Peggy because of the way she fought back from a difficult childhood to travel to France and aspire to a college degree and a career as a lawyer. When he discovers she’s been addicted to drugs, danced at a strip club, and married a biker, he’s surprised. How could the girl he knew grow up to be the woman the media are calling “The Black Widow of Birch Valley?”
Can he and his clue-sniffing golden retriever Rochester dig up the details that might acquit Peggy, while avoiding the slippery slope of hacking that could cause him to lose everything he cares for? Trust Rochester to keep Steve on the straight and narrow, and bring the real killer to justice.
Audiobook
Published October 24, 2022
378 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Neil S. Plakcy
238 books649 followersI have been a voracious reader all my life, mostly in mystery, romance, and science fiction/fantasy, though a college degree in English did push a lot of literary works into my list of favorites.
Quick note: sign up for my newsletter at plakcy.substack.com to get free prologues, epilogues and short stories.
I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment with A Separate Peace by John Knowles. I didn't know I was gay then, but I knew I was longing for an emotional connection with a best friend. That desire shows up across my writing, from romance to mystery to adventure. I am lucky to have found my special person, and I want to inspire readers to make those connections, to one person or a found family.
It took getting an MFA in creative writing to kick-start my career. That's where I honed my technical skills and began to understand what kind of storyteller I am.
I remember reading Freddie the Detective about a very smart pig inspired by Sherlock Holmes. I’ve always believed that dogs make the best detectives. They notice what humans miss — a faint scent, a subtle shift in body language, the hidden treat in your pocket. That belief inspired my Golden Retriever Mysteries, where Rochester helps his human, Steve Levitan, nose out the truth.
My passion is telling stories where community, loyalty, and sometimes love solve problems just as much as clues do. Whether it’s a cozy mystery in Bucks County, a thriller on the streets of Miami, or a romance unfolding under the Mediterranean sun, I want readers to feel the heartbeat of the place and the people.
I write because stories helped me feel less alone growing up, and now I want to give readers that same feeling: a companion, a puzzle, and maybe a laugh.
When I’m not writing, I’m probably walking one of my own goldens, teaching writing, or daydreaming about my next story.
Since then I've written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and enjoyed the support of readers.
Every place I’ve lived has made its way into my fiction: the rolling hills of Bucks County, the neon heat of Miami, the beaches of Hawaii, the cobbled streets of Europe. I love exploring how communities work — from a café where dogs guide healing, to a fraternity house in South Beach, to a police unit in Honolulu.
My goal is simple: to write stories that feel grounded in real people and real places, but with enough twists, romance, or danger to keep you turning pages late into the night.
I hope you'll visit my website, where you can sign up for my occasional newsletter, and also follow my author page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy.
Quick note: sign up for my newsletter at plakcy.substack.com to get free prologues, epilogues and short stories.
I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment with A Separate Peace by John Knowles. I didn't know I was gay then, but I knew I was longing for an emotional connection with a best friend. That desire shows up across my writing, from romance to mystery to adventure. I am lucky to have found my special person, and I want to inspire readers to make those connections, to one person or a found family.
It took getting an MFA in creative writing to kick-start my career. That's where I honed my technical skills and began to understand what kind of storyteller I am.
I remember reading Freddie the Detective about a very smart pig inspired by Sherlock Holmes. I’ve always believed that dogs make the best detectives. They notice what humans miss — a faint scent, a subtle shift in body language, the hidden treat in your pocket. That belief inspired my Golden Retriever Mysteries, where Rochester helps his human, Steve Levitan, nose out the truth.
My passion is telling stories where community, loyalty, and sometimes love solve problems just as much as clues do. Whether it’s a cozy mystery in Bucks County, a thriller on the streets of Miami, or a romance unfolding under the Mediterranean sun, I want readers to feel the heartbeat of the place and the people.
I write because stories helped me feel less alone growing up, and now I want to give readers that same feeling: a companion, a puzzle, and maybe a laugh.
When I’m not writing, I’m probably walking one of my own goldens, teaching writing, or daydreaming about my next story.
Since then I've written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and enjoyed the support of readers.
Every place I’ve lived has made its way into my fiction: the rolling hills of Bucks County, the neon heat of Miami, the beaches of Hawaii, the cobbled streets of Europe. I love exploring how communities work — from a café where dogs guide healing, to a fraternity house in South Beach, to a police unit in Honolulu.
My goal is simple: to write stories that feel grounded in real people and real places, but with enough twists, romance, or danger to keep you turning pages late into the night.
I hope you'll visit my website, where you can sign up for my occasional newsletter, and also follow my author page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 25, 2019
Steve Levitan and his golden retriever experiment with motorcycles in the ninth book in the Golden Retriever series. Lily is worried about her Mother who lives in, Florida. Their affair is processing along nicely. The news media is full of information an out the black widow of Birch Valley. Steve has mixed feeling when his lawyer friend called him to ask for his help in Margaret/Peggy's defense. He went to high school with her and he remembers her as kind and helpful especially when he needed but her defense might involve hacking. He decided to help. He is learning about ways he can legally hack. Will he do any hacking? I highly recommend this book and series.
November 10, 2019
Like the two volumes previous to this one the story seemed to be more focused on what happened in previous novels giving the reader more than just a summary of prior plots. The plot in this one better than the one in Volume 7 and 8 but still not as well written and developed as in the earlier volumes. I see there is a 10th in this series and don't think I will be reading that or any future mysteries in this series.
October 15, 2020
Friends and Enemies
I chose four stars as rating because I liked the well written story line. The books hold interest but don't leave one wondering about what happens next. There is a lot of introspection between the clues of the mystery. I enjoyed the book but was disappointed that they started having a lot of off color words. The basic story line and mystery were good but it tends to wander off.
I chose four stars as rating because I liked the well written story line. The books hold interest but don't leave one wondering about what happens next. There is a lot of introspection between the clues of the mystery. I enjoyed the book but was disappointed that they started having a lot of off color words. The basic story line and mystery were good but it tends to wander off.
February 19, 2024
I've read a few in this series, but there is a lot of background repetition so it is starting to seem like I'm reading the same book over & over again.
December 13, 2024
Maybe I wasn't giving this one my full attention as I listened to the audiobook, but it felt a little light on plot, short in length. Definitely shy on Rochester-involvement. Re: the cover image, there is no mention of him getting doggles for Rochester. I could've sworn when he rented the motorcycle it said he got a helmet for Rochester, but then when he went riding with him, he said he didn't have one. (I know, too many "he's" in that sentence, bad grammar, but I think you can figure it out.) Another biker thing: the one time Lily road on the back with him she wore a DRESS?! Not only is it going to blow around, but I thought bikers always wore something on their legs to protect from road burn in case they go down?
There seem to be fewer errors as the series goes along, but there are still some. Some writing, some reading.
• "...eyes were rimmed with black mascara". Eyes get rimmed with eye liner. Mascara goes on the eye lashes. (Obviously a writing error. Even if the mascara was running, it would only run DOWN, & "rimmed" means something that's all the way around. I suppose theoretically it's possible for someone to use their make-up in the wrong place--using their mascara as eye liner--but I don't think that's what this sentence was trying to say.)
• "...seeing the curls come WANTINGLY loose"
WANTONLY. WAHN-tun-ly. No G. No "ing" sound.
• "...us HONING in on your vacation"
HORNING.
Not sure if those previous 2 are writing or reading errors. But this one is definitely a reading error:
• "...imPOtently"
IM-po-tent-ly
There seem to be fewer errors as the series goes along, but there are still some. Some writing, some reading.
• "...eyes were rimmed with black mascara". Eyes get rimmed with eye liner. Mascara goes on the eye lashes. (Obviously a writing error. Even if the mascara was running, it would only run DOWN, & "rimmed" means something that's all the way around. I suppose theoretically it's possible for someone to use their make-up in the wrong place--using their mascara as eye liner--but I don't think that's what this sentence was trying to say.)
• "...seeing the curls come WANTINGLY loose"
WANTONLY. WAHN-tun-ly. No G. No "ing" sound.
• "...us HONING in on your vacation"
HORNING.
Not sure if those previous 2 are writing or reading errors. But this one is definitely a reading error:
• "...imPOtently"
IM-po-tent-ly
December 19, 2018
I have read all of the Golden Retriever Mysteries. I love Steve Levitan and Rochester. The author keeps the characters repeating in each book and sometimes a new character is added. I enjoy all the characters. In this book, Rochester again in his dog way helps to solve the crime! A childhood friend of Steve’s is accused of murder. He remembers the gal being very kind to him growing up so he feels he should repay that kindness. The police believes his friend is guilty and initially she didn’t want Steve’s help. It was interesting to discover the reason for the murder. Steve had to use some of his hacking way. He still has that inner demon of wanting to hack! Can’t wait for book #10. Steve and Lili talk about visiting her Mom in Miami and eventually moving there despite the great jobs they already have.Possibly the next book will take place in Miami.
March 20, 2022
free ebook
i had read the first of the series and really liked it
he is trying to get into the email of a friend he knew in high school when she was arrested for tampering with her 3rd husbands motorcycle breaks and he was her 3rd husband who died. he was not supposed to do illegal things on the web as he had been arrested and put in prison when he did that to stop the credit cards his first wife was racking up. he got his dog when his neighbor died and he cracked the case (the dog helps as much as he can). he is now living with his girlfriend and working at college.
he looked into his friends case and found out her sister murdered her husband. they had been doing a scam from her college to get the funds from grants.
the sister was arrested and her friend got a job in the law firm who took her case
i like this series!
i had read the first of the series and really liked it
he is trying to get into the email of a friend he knew in high school when she was arrested for tampering with her 3rd husbands motorcycle breaks and he was her 3rd husband who died. he was not supposed to do illegal things on the web as he had been arrested and put in prison when he did that to stop the credit cards his first wife was racking up. he got his dog when his neighbor died and he cracked the case (the dog helps as much as he can). he is now living with his girlfriend and working at college.
he looked into his friends case and found out her sister murdered her husband. they had been doing a scam from her college to get the funds from grants.
the sister was arrested and her friend got a job in the law firm who took her case
i like this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2019
•audiobook•
I’ve listened to most of the Golden Retrievers Mysteries. And I still have a few left to listen.
But this was jumped to the top because it was shorter than the others. Being shorter did not take away from the sleuthing. It seems like a lot of the recapping from Steve’s life was shortened and I enjoyed that. But Steve mulled over Peggy’s problems a couple times too many.
I still love Rochester. I love the relationship growing between Steve and Lilly. Love scenes are fade to black and mild language, for emphasis not gratuitous or overused.
The books are so entertaining yet deep.
Strongly recommended for mystery lovers.
I’ve listened to most of the Golden Retrievers Mysteries. And I still have a few left to listen.
But this was jumped to the top because it was shorter than the others. Being shorter did not take away from the sleuthing. It seems like a lot of the recapping from Steve’s life was shortened and I enjoyed that. But Steve mulled over Peggy’s problems a couple times too many.
I still love Rochester. I love the relationship growing between Steve and Lilly. Love scenes are fade to black and mild language, for emphasis not gratuitous or overused.
The books are so entertaining yet deep.
Strongly recommended for mystery lovers.
July 23, 2021
Steve and Rochester have another mystery to solve! Enjoyable read but not quite the mystery of the first in the series. Steve manages to put the pieces together for his lawyer and Peggy, a woman he knew in high school, and do all of it legally.
Too much needless swearing for my taste and, in my opinion, it is unwarranted and just makes the characters seem pathetic. I can see it if everyone is "rough around the edges" but that isn't the case here.
Too much needless swearing for my taste and, in my opinion, it is unwarranted and just makes the characters seem pathetic. I can see it if everyone is "rough around the edges" but that isn't the case here.
July 26, 2023
Enjoyable read
Better than #8 for sure. To me anyway. Good story angles that held my interest.
When an old HS acquaintance needs help, Steve enlists to take it on. He stays barely this side of legal in finding the info to keep his former classmate out of prison for murder, and find the real culprit before his planned vacation with Lili, his partner if life..can he do it without hacking and b4 his HS friend is railroaded?
Better than #8 for sure. To me anyway. Good story angles that held my interest.
When an old HS acquaintance needs help, Steve enlists to take it on. He stays barely this side of legal in finding the info to keep his former classmate out of prison for murder, and find the real culprit before his planned vacation with Lili, his partner if life..can he do it without hacking and b4 his HS friend is railroaded?
August 23, 2019
Great series
I love this series. I love the characters. I love the setting. I love books that take place in colleges! What's not to love in this series? And then, in addition to all the things I have already mentioned, Rochester has completely stolen my heart. I sure hope there will be many more books in this series to come!!! 😍
I love this series. I love the characters. I love the setting. I love books that take place in colleges! What's not to love in this series? And then, in addition to all the things I have already mentioned, Rochester has completely stolen my heart. I sure hope there will be many more books in this series to come!!! 😍
September 24, 2019
Another winner
I have followed this series from the beginning and enjoyed every single book. Any book that has dogs or cats catches my attention. Love the characters and way their pets help them solve the mystery.
I have followed this series from the beginning and enjoyed every single book. Any book that has dogs or cats catches my attention. Love the characters and way their pets help them solve the mystery.
May 7, 2020
Another home run!
I love this series, and it just gets better with each book. Characters are strong, the dogs are fun, and the plots are nicely convoluted. Excellent for a lazy evening’s read!
I love this series, and it just gets better with each book. Characters are strong, the dogs are fun, and the plots are nicely convoluted. Excellent for a lazy evening’s read!
September 26, 2022
Dog Knows
Another fun, cute story highlighting Rochester, the crime fighting Golden! And of course his human, Steve. This story has Steve almost, kinda, pretending a mid-life crisis! Motorcycles & Pell Grants. What a mix!
Another fun, cute story highlighting Rochester, the crime fighting Golden! And of course his human, Steve. This story has Steve almost, kinda, pretending a mid-life crisis! Motorcycles & Pell Grants. What a mix!
December 5, 2022
A financial scandal is brought to light.
Rochester helps solving the murder for money and the resulting financial scam. Plakcy always bring a new element into his books. It is a good lesson in financial scandals besides being a great mystery.
Rochester helps solving the murder for money and the resulting financial scam. Plakcy always bring a new element into his books. It is a good lesson in financial scandals besides being a great mystery.
August 7, 2023
You will love the storyline and the believable characters that maintain your interest. Rochester, the Golden Retriever, is the character that I love the best. Waiting to see what the next adventure bring
August 28, 2023
Steve finds out about an old friend, Peggy from school is in trouble with the death of her husband. Peggy was a true friend helping Steve through difficult times in school. Rochester gets involved too helping find and catch the person who is responsible for the death of Peggy's husband.
July 2, 2025
Though no where near as good as the Chet and Bernie series, I like that these stories are not unnecessarily drawn out and don't have unnecessary violence. In this one, it was interesting to learn about Pell Grant fraud. And I like the dogs.
April 4, 2019
Good read
I Love this series. Easy read, good characters and entertaining storyline. Steve and Rochesters adventures never fail to entertain and relax me.
I Love this series. Easy read, good characters and entertaining storyline. Steve and Rochesters adventures never fail to entertain and relax me.
November 1, 2019
More fun with Rochester
Love how the author continues to make Steve and Rochester the investigators who are determined to solve the on going cases in Stewart 's Crossing.
Love how the author continues to make Steve and Rochester the investigators who are determined to solve the on going cases in Stewart 's Crossing.
Read
October 27, 2020Dog
What a great series on the Rochester. I loved the storyline and the descriptions of the area. Please write more.
What a great series on the Rochester. I loved the storyline and the descriptions of the area. Please write more.
January 14, 2021
Love this series!
July 13, 2021
Really like this series
I just downloaded the next one in the series and Mr Plakcy’s other series. I love the bond between Rochester and Steve.
I just downloaded the next one in the series and Mr Plakcy’s other series. I love the bond between Rochester and Steve.
July 21, 2021
It’s an okay cozy mystery and the storyline was interesting, but some of the language is unnecessary and no real surprises…
July 26, 2021
Super fun -- better than the news, certainly I am going to read all of them -- I like this one the best so far
Read
August 6, 2021Enjoyed the books. Always seems to get in the middle of things - at least this time he didn't almost get killed.
November 20, 2021
Another fine installment in the series. On to the next one...
March 15, 2022
Another fun Read
Steve and Lili share a good relationship. Rochester is still in the middle and continues his sleuthing ways. Going to read the next book now!
Steve and Lili share a good relationship. Rochester is still in the middle and continues his sleuthing ways. Going to read the next book now!
March 18, 2022
ebook
A college professor and his dog help investigate a friend accused of murder. He uses his computer skills to find information to prove she’s innocent.
A college professor and his dog help investigate a friend accused of murder. He uses his computer skills to find information to prove she’s innocent.
June 2, 2022
very good
What’s not to like. This story has it all… a mystery, murder and most importantly…. A Dog. What else is there to know
What’s not to like. This story has it all… a mystery, murder and most importantly…. A Dog. What else is there to know
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews