Hot Dog

Melanie Travis #9

by Laurien Berenson

In an effort to escape tail-chasing males--namely her ex-husband Bob and boyfriend Sam--Melanie Travis opts to track down the elusive owner of Dox, an adorable Dachshund who's about to be put on the block at a charity auction. But the more Melanie discovers about the pup's background, the messier the case gets. It seems Dox is part of a divorced couple's emotional tug-o-war. . .

As if tiptoeing through the minefield of a broken marriage isn't nerve-wracking enough, there's also Melanie's stalker--or stalkers--to deal with. The obvious pair is a pesky local TV crew who figure Melanie's nose for trouble will lead them to the next Big Story. But what's truly frightening is the presence of someone far more sinister. Someone who's gotten into Melanie's house at night, and stolen her wallet. Someone who's dognapped Dox. With doggy abduction and her son's safety on her mind, Melanie's determination grows. Soon, it looks like her life may be the next thing up for auction. . .

Praise For Laurien Berenson's Melanie Travis Mysteries!

"Laurien Berenson just keeps getting better and better."--Harlan Coben

"Fetching in every way."--Booklist

"Plenty of twists and turns for a tight, suspenseful package." --Publishers Weekly

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Dogs, Animals, Crime

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

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 as they work together to solve mysteries. DIE ANOTHER DANE (#31 in the Melanie Travis series) is out now.

Laurien's work has appeared numerous magazines and the New York Times. She and her husband live on a farm in Kentucky, surrounded by horses and dogs.

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this addition to the series! Not only was Sam back, but I also found myself really liking Bob in this book. Melanie seemed to have things together in this book and I liked seeing how her relationships with both men evolved. I also liked the fact that her aunt Rose made an appearance again.
The mystery itself was pretty tame compared to others, but it was definitely not lacking in action. I really liked how fast-paced this book was and how it explored more of Melanie's life. I especially liked seeing all of the characters grow, even Rose as we haven't seen her much. Davie was really cute in this book as usual, but he's definitely grown and I've really liked seeing his growth. I wish he were a bigger part of the series overall, but I was nonetheless glad to see more of him in this book.

[Julesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books just keep getting better and better! This time around, the creepy factor was at an all time high with Melanie having a stalker.

[Phyllis Barlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, but not as much as the previous books. Sam has returned and can't understand why he and Melanie can't just pick up where they left off, and Bob has decided he doesn't like Texas anymore and has bought a home close to Melanie.
As if this weren't enough, an up-and-coming reporter has decided that Melanie is her ticket to fame so has started shadowing her everywhere she goes in hopes of Melanie discovering a dead body and solving the case.
There's no dead bodies in this one, but lots of suspicious activity involving lights being left on in Melanie's house, her dogs being released and late-night hang ups on the phone.
Looking forward to the next adventure.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about Melanie, her ex and his new girlfriend. There is a puppy that gets stolen but action is pretty tame till the end. It was an easy read.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment is about a little dachshund so there is no way that I could feel anything for love of this book. Mystery, adventure and dog shows! Lots of enjoyment.

[Bradley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing much happens until close to the end of the book. Then someone random is picked to be the perp do a few bad things. There seems to be little logic in who gets picked and their motives are poorly explained. This is not the best book of the series. If it had been the first one I read, I would not read another. The other books of the series are much better.

[Roger Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not having ever shown a dog in a dog show and not having ever attended a dog show I found all the discussion of dog shows to be kind of boring and there were a lot of dogs and dog shows were the setting in this novel. Fortunately there was more too, so the time I spent reading it was not a total loss. Melanie Travis is getting spooked when she realizes that she has a stalker and does not know who it is. She is not only being stalked, but she is having petty crimes perpetrated against her. Her wallet is stolen. Someone breaks into her house and steals a valuable dog. She receives harassing phone calls. Furthermore, she does not even know what the culprit has against her. The best part of the story is the ending in which the identity of the bad guy is revealed and she finds out just how dangerous that bad guy is. The ending is also the most annoying part even if it was exciting and suspenseful. I suppose that the author did not want to do too much foreshadowing because that would give the mystery away. I suppose that it is to be expected that the reader should be surprised and the anticipation of that surprise keeps one reading. But still! -- shouldn't the culprit have acted in character? If you spend the entire novel portraying a character as fairly normal and level headed then it is kind of jarring for that character to turn out to be some kind of wacko psychokiller. Oh well, at least it made for a surprise ending.

[Emily Tunney · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute!!!!!! You never know what you’ll find in ‘My Free Little Library”!!!

[Dyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable fast read with a new twist for this series - there are NO dead bodies. Even so, there is plenty of suspense and action in this well written cozy mystery. I would suggest reading this series in order as character development and relationships between the memorable characters progress with each book. Humor is also supplied mostly by the asides of the main character, Melanie Travis. She's usually saying one thing and thinking another.

Sam, Melanie's boyfriend, is back. Melanie was planning her wedding and future life, when in a previous book he disappeared to "find himself" after his ex-wife was murdered. Melanie never heard from him; and now he's back and ready to continue their relationship. Melanie is having second thoughts and is not so eager to forgive. While Sam was away healing, Melanie was being torn apart by his absence; and now, he still has no explanations for the past six months. Her ex-husband, Bob, has divorced his 2nd wife, moved to town, and has just delivered a pony to Melanie's front door for their young son Davey. It comes complete with riding lessons from his new love interest, Pam Donnelly. Oh boy!

Ex-nun, Aunt Rose stops by. Her husband Peter (ex-priest) and she have just acquired a Dachshund puppy they have named Dox. Peter is in charge of an auction to raise money for the community center, and the puppy was donated to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Melanie and her other aunt, Peg, find it appalling that the adorable puppy will be turned over to just anyone, because it probably will be an impulse buy. Melanie ends up taking the puppy as a temporary boarder until the auction, because Aunt Rose doesn't know the 1st thing about taking care of an animal.

At a dog show, Melanie encounters a reporter named Jill Prescott and her cameraman, Rich, who are looking for her Big Story. Jill has chosen Melanie because of Melanie's predilection for getting involved in murder investigations. They begin following Melanie around hoping Melanie will get involved in something soon, and Jill will get her big break in the industry. AND it looks like that might be the case when sinister things begin happening to Melanie. She comes home one night and every light in her house has been turned on; a TV is turned on in the middle of another night; another time her house is broken into again and Dox is dognapped and her poodles, Faith and Eve, are running loose in the neighborhood; she receives harassing phone calls; and her wallet is stolen, etc.

Melanie is also talked into finding Dox's owner and discovers he is part of a divorced couple's bitter disputed property settlement. George Firth (who doesn't like dogs) won custody and is now out to use Dox as ammunition to hurt his wife Marion (who breeds and shows Dachshunds) by donating the puppy to the auction. Marion can't do anything about it. Suspects begin showing up all over the place in Melanie's case. Added into the mix is a dog sitting client whom Melanie discovers has a nanny cam. A couple named Jean and Mike Azaria are Bichon breeders and "who are furious at Melanie because of a favor gone awry". Then the stalker ups the ante and plays the game for higher stakes. Melanie almost becomes a body, but guess who comes to the rescue? And where is the TV reporter when you need her?

I am most definitely a cat person but can diversify when it comes to books. I enjoy this series; and although there is a lot of information on poodles, dog shows, breeding, handling, showing, and competition, I consider this info as a learning moment. Perfect for a lay person. Highly recommended series.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This far into the series, and I still don't completely understand the system of points in the dog show world. It was explained a couple of books ago, but I just don't remember. I try to remember to ask Mr. Google, but forget until after I've started the next book in the series! Thank goodness that understanding isn't crucial to enjoying these books :)

I like Melanie, the MC, and could feel her frustration at life, and how frantic things became as the book continued. I'm still unsure about Aunt Peg - her imperious attitude rubs me the wrong way, but everyone gives in to her, so she'll never change. Sam has returned, which made me happy, and Davey is adorable if a bit spoiled, but the dogs once again steal the show.

There is no murder to solve in this book, but several puzzles that may or may not be connected. I figured out who was behind the most pressing of these before Melanie did, but my life isn't as chaotic as hers, so I was probably able to devote more time to it. The person's motive was expected, but annoying all the same.

The next book in this series is in my audio library, and I hope to listen to it early-ish next year.

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the suspense of this one!!! I plowed through the second half dying to know what was going on and I NEVER suspected the truth!! And of course, I was relieved to see Melanie working it out with Sam at the close of the book. Looking forward to the next one.

I took particular notice of the dialogue with Melanie this time. I LOVE how she says things like, "Did you notice how he said this or did that?" " Yeah me too. I feel like we're friends, Melanie and I. :) I know she and Joey's mom are friends, but I wish we'd been having coffee during this last book so we could have talked about the Sam thing. I sorta wanted to give her the business about how stubborn she was. But I guess it makes it easier to feel connected to her in that she doesn't have a bestie in the book other than Sam. We the readers are that. Convenient since we can't talk back, eh? I bet Melanie prefers it that way. Independent and stubborn. Like me.

Can't wait for the next one.

[Cynthia Sacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Championship Read

This cozy series follows Melanie Travis, her son Davey, assorted friends and relatives, and Melanie's standard poodles. Books can be read individually or in order. As a standard poodle owner myself, the dogs are what started me on this series. However, it is the cogent writing, the always intriguing mysteries, and most importantly the character development and relationships that make this series so special. While many cozy series involve a lot of fluff writing and or simplistic characterizations, Berenson grows and expands Melanie and her world with every book.

[Marty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Melanie Travis (and friends) own and show standard poodles. …(Lots about care and showing of poodles in the story.) The husband of one of her friends takes in a young pedigreed dachshund puppy to be an auctioned in a charity fund-raiser. Melanie agrees to keep it until the auction. The pup turns out to be a disputed item involved in a vicious divorce action. – Lots about grooming poodles and dog shows.

[Xavier University Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series by laurien berenson, they are such quick fun quirky mystery reads, and I love them even more since they are centered around dogs. This book focused on a young puppy that was going to be a prize for a silent auction and his background and family that leads to some weird answers. There is also finally some clarity on the main characters love life, especially after being left on a cliff hanger with the previous book.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this series in order and I think this episode is the best. No one was murdered, but there is a thread of suspense that kept me guessing until the end. Who was the stalker? Who stole the puppy? What about Melanie and Sam? And, of course, what about Bob? Though there is enough background information that allows the books of this series to be enjoyed out of order, reading in order lets the reader have a better feeling for the relationships among the characters.

[Rudolfssan Hammarberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of the books in this series! They are great fun with lots of humerous situations. I specially like the detailes of everything dog-breeding and dog-show related! Laurien Berenson really knows how it is to live this life with dogs, children (yes in that order) ;) and all people that are involved to make the wheeles spin around. I rate her book with 5 stars just because of her ability to give us an interesting and funny story with the dog-world knowledge.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this installment! No murders, just overall creepiness. From the ridiculous reporter to the creepy ex husband. And a very unconcerned Aunt Peg. Melanie might be striving for independence, but she also needs to stop being a doormat for the people in her life. She is stubborn with ones she really loves and placid about the annoying outsiders. Such fun to read though!

[L.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

*semi spoiler*
This book was a bit short on mystery but at this point I'm hooked enough on Melanie and Davey and the rest that I didn't mind. It was kind of a nice change to read a mystery where no one dies!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but didn't care that the leading lady was always being threatened. I did figure out who was doing the threatening early on so it wasn't too bad. As always, these are good books and fun to read.

[Kris Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story! My second one I've read in this series. I'm really growing fond of the characters and I am learning lots about dog shows. Looking for a fast and enjoyable read, can't beat this series!

[Ann Rogers]

Somewhat boring

I tried to like the book because I love dogs, but I just could not get into it and found it to be somewhat boring. I skipped many pages and just focused on the end. Maybe I didn't like the main character.

[Marilyn Mccloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

No murder.

I liked the story except I found the reporter annoying. I was hoping that Melanie and Sam would get back together. I understood her reservations about doing so. I liked the part where things were resolved. I wonder what will happen with Willow and Davey.

[Caryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berenson always delivers an entertaining, light mystery with wit, dog show atmosphere, interesting characters, and just the right amount of suspense. This series is a great way for dog lovers to relax and de-stress.

[Vanet Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable quick candy read. The plot is not your typical cozy mystery.

[Ewa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun read, nice characters, setting. Maybe I don't understand the idea of torturing dogs during shows, but apart from that everything was Ok.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and PG-rated book about dog shows and family, with a mystery thrown in. I'd definitely read more books in this series!

[Shawnee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow!❤🐎🐩

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haiku review #13

I read for the dogs,
Not the mysteries. But Jill
Should still have been cut.

[Mary Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not her best

This one is more soap opera than mystery, with an unsatisfying ending that readers will have anticipated well before the last pages.

[Cheryl Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your your a dog person you gonna love this book.