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Puggleton Park #2
Penelope and the Curse of the Canis Diamond #2
Follow Penelope the pug in the second book of this delightful series set in Regency-era London!
Penelope the pug is completely content in her new forever home with Lady Diggleton. So when her beloved owner receives an invitation to meet the Queen at Windsor Castle—and an instruction to bring the pug along—Penelope couldn't be more pleased for her Lady's good fortune.
However, once the two arrive at the castle, their fortune starts to seem less than fortunate. The Queen commands Penelope to befriend her own pup, a snooty dog named Duchess whose manners are most offensive, and who wants nothing to do with the poor pug.
But when the Queen's prized Canis diamond ring goes missing and Duchess stands accused, Penelope—who knows the dog is innocent—must find a way to defend her. If the pug is certain that her fellow canine didn't commit the crime, though, can she clear Duchess's name by determining who did?
Penelope the pug is completely content in her new forever home with Lady Diggleton. So when her beloved owner receives an invitation to meet the Queen at Windsor Castle—and an instruction to bring the pug along—Penelope couldn't be more pleased for her Lady's good fortune.
However, once the two arrive at the castle, their fortune starts to seem less than fortunate. The Queen commands Penelope to befriend her own pup, a snooty dog named Duchess whose manners are most offensive, and who wants nothing to do with the poor pug.
But when the Queen's prized Canis diamond ring goes missing and Duchess stands accused, Penelope—who knows the dog is innocent—must find a way to defend her. If the pug is certain that her fellow canine didn't commit the crime, though, can she clear Duchess's name by determining who did?
160 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2024
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Deanna Kizis
10 books14 followersDeanna Kizis is an author and journalist who could not put books down as a kid. She read them in the car, on vacation -- she even read them in the bath!
Now Deanna writes her own children's books, including PUGGLETON PARK, books 1 and 2 (ages 6 to 10), and a very silly picture book called PLEASE DON'T READ THIS BOOK!
She's a mom to a little girl who is also book obsessed, along with a cat, a dog, and a fish known as "Famous Fish" because he once slid down the drain while Deanna was cleaning his tank and she got him out and gave him mouth to gill resuscitation! (True story! It was gross!) Her favorite things include having a dance party, taking long naps, giving presents and eating chocolate. And reading, of course. Oh, and saving fish. Kind of.
Now Deanna writes her own children's books, including PUGGLETON PARK, books 1 and 2 (ages 6 to 10), and a very silly picture book called PLEASE DON'T READ THIS BOOK!
She's a mom to a little girl who is also book obsessed, along with a cat, a dog, and a fish known as "Famous Fish" because he once slid down the drain while Deanna was cleaning his tank and she got him out and gave him mouth to gill resuscitation! (True story! It was gross!) Her favorite things include having a dance party, taking long naps, giving presents and eating chocolate. And reading, of course. Oh, and saving fish. Kind of.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 2, 2025
Oh my gosh. This is easily my favorite early chapter book series! My daughter was so excited to read this sequel and see what Dreadful Squirrel was going to get up to. :) Even my 3 year old son was interested enough to sit through any of the chapters. Great writing, cute illustrations and the best characters. ❤️
December 6, 2024
Oh, I do hope there are more Penelope adventures to come!!
September 27, 2024
*squeee* I really loved this! It’s soo cute and clever! Pride and Prejudice – and Pups! ;-) It’s not a love story, fortunately, given the target audience – but it’s such a sweet story of “enemies”-to-friends and some of the dialogue is straight outta Austen. Duchess, the Queen’s pup, is our Darcy here and bristles at the thought that a low-born pup such as Penelope has been welcomed to their midst. Will Duchess learn that there’s more to friendship than pedigree? We also get a fun mystery, with nods to The Moonstone. Fortunately, this book is overall more cheerful than the first in the series because Penelope now has a safe and happy forever home and her Lady’s broken heart is mending thanks to Penelope. I think the mystery will hold appeal for the target audience so my quibbles about the first book’s subject seeming mismatched for the supposed target audience don’t apply here. I found it delightful ! I’m eagerly awaiting what I hope will be a Book Three, perhaps The Revenge of Dreadful Squirrel? ;-)
Some snippets of the dialogue, because it makes me smile:
Penelope sat there, waiting for Duchess to speak. But Duchess merely looked in the opposite direction, as though she saw something fascinating in the nearby trees.
“Mr. Weeby can be quite funny, can he not?” Penelope said […] “He spoke as though friendship should begin with a royal decree, while I believe, despite my limited experience, that attachments don’t often start by command from the Queen of England.”
“Perhaps I should tell you what I find humorous.” [said Duchess] “I find it humorous that a dog who, I have heard, was once a stray in Puggleton Park could think that she could qualify as an acquaintance of mine. I also believe it’s humorous that you dare to speak to me before I have spoken to you, as that is a breach of royal etiquette. Not that I expect someone with so little stature to understand such things.”
Penelope bristled at this insult, “I think you misunderstand,” she said, a bite of anger in her voice.
“I misunderstand nothing. You don’t belong here, and neither does your lady […] I do not mean to offend you, I am simply stating the truth”
Penelope was speechless as the spaniel walked away with her nose high in the air. Why, that is the most arrogant dog I have ever had the displeasure to meet.
*****
Penelope took her place before a golden bowl that was filled to the brim with cuts of meat and roast potatoes.
“Hello,” she said to Duchess. “How are you this evening?”
“I was quite well until just now,” said Duchess, without looking up from her dinner.
Of course, it was a rather rude reply, but Penelope decided she would not be deterred so easily. “I so enjoy roast chicken,” she said, swallowing a particularly tasty morsel. “And may I say the preparation here at Windsor is the best I’ve ever had?”
As if in reply, Duchess turned her snout away from the chicken in her bowl and ate a potato instead.
“It is your turn to speak,” Penelope said, trying to remain polite even though Duchess had been horribly rude thus far. “I’ve talked about the food, now you could talk about the weather.”
*****
I also loved that Moon has a scene again. Moon created some beautifully reflective moments in Book One and I enjoyed Moon’s presence here, too, encouraging Penelope to look within but providing gentle strength and support in the process.
Penelope looked out the window and was gladdened to see her friend Moon hanging high in the sky.
“What shall I do?” Penelope asked Moon.
“What shall you do?” Moon replied.
“That is what I am asking you, my friend,” she said, “What shall I do?”
“And that is what I am saying in return,” said Moon, “What shall you do?”
Penelope realized that Moon was making a point.
“You are saying that I must decide for myself,” she replied.
“I am,” said Moon. “For the most courageous acts do not come from the advice of a friend, they come from the depths of the hero’s heart.”
Some snippets of the dialogue, because it makes me smile:
Penelope sat there, waiting for Duchess to speak. But Duchess merely looked in the opposite direction, as though she saw something fascinating in the nearby trees.
“Mr. Weeby can be quite funny, can he not?” Penelope said […] “He spoke as though friendship should begin with a royal decree, while I believe, despite my limited experience, that attachments don’t often start by command from the Queen of England.”
“Perhaps I should tell you what I find humorous.” [said Duchess] “I find it humorous that a dog who, I have heard, was once a stray in Puggleton Park could think that she could qualify as an acquaintance of mine. I also believe it’s humorous that you dare to speak to me before I have spoken to you, as that is a breach of royal etiquette. Not that I expect someone with so little stature to understand such things.”
Penelope bristled at this insult, “I think you misunderstand,” she said, a bite of anger in her voice.
“I misunderstand nothing. You don’t belong here, and neither does your lady […] I do not mean to offend you, I am simply stating the truth”
Penelope was speechless as the spaniel walked away with her nose high in the air. Why, that is the most arrogant dog I have ever had the displeasure to meet.
*****
Penelope took her place before a golden bowl that was filled to the brim with cuts of meat and roast potatoes.
“Hello,” she said to Duchess. “How are you this evening?”
“I was quite well until just now,” said Duchess, without looking up from her dinner.
Of course, it was a rather rude reply, but Penelope decided she would not be deterred so easily. “I so enjoy roast chicken,” she said, swallowing a particularly tasty morsel. “And may I say the preparation here at Windsor is the best I’ve ever had?”
As if in reply, Duchess turned her snout away from the chicken in her bowl and ate a potato instead.
“It is your turn to speak,” Penelope said, trying to remain polite even though Duchess had been horribly rude thus far. “I’ve talked about the food, now you could talk about the weather.”
*****
I also loved that Moon has a scene again. Moon created some beautifully reflective moments in Book One and I enjoyed Moon’s presence here, too, encouraging Penelope to look within but providing gentle strength and support in the process.
Penelope looked out the window and was gladdened to see her friend Moon hanging high in the sky.
“What shall I do?” Penelope asked Moon.
“What shall you do?” Moon replied.
“That is what I am asking you, my friend,” she said, “What shall I do?”
“And that is what I am saying in return,” said Moon, “What shall you do?”
Penelope realized that Moon was making a point.
“You are saying that I must decide for myself,” she replied.
“I am,” said Moon. “For the most courageous acts do not come from the advice of a friend, they come from the depths of the hero’s heart.”
April 2, 2025
So adorable and dare I say, even better than the first? My daughter loved it as a read-aloud and this one had me laughing out loud. The illustrations are so charming and the story was a Pride and Prejudice-inspired tale of doggy friendship that was perfect for the age range. I think my daughter will love it even more when she’s old enough to read it herself.
January 7, 2026
regency era dogs?
I really love this series and can’t wait for the next story. I love the artwork as well.
This follows a pug, Penelope, and her human Lady Diggleton to meet the queen for their new charity placing dogs with loving families. But there is a thief on the loose and it’s up to Penelope to clear her new almost friend’s name. Who is the real thief?
I really love this series and can’t wait for the next story. I love the artwork as well.
This follows a pug, Penelope, and her human Lady Diggleton to meet the queen for their new charity placing dogs with loving families. But there is a thief on the loose and it’s up to Penelope to clear her new almost friend’s name. Who is the real thief?
August 18, 2024
Another Puggleton Park treasure!! My 7 year old and I both love these books so much! Really hoping the author writes more in the series!
May 9, 2025
I rather enjoy the author's writing style. Penelope goes with Lady Diggleton to the Queen's Palace, where she tries to get along with the Queen's royal dog, Duchess.
August 8, 2025
Another fun little read!
Found in School Starter Kit: Library Edition ('25)
Found in School Starter Kit: Library Edition ('25)
September 25, 2025
big fan of Penelope! This book had a cute mystery component and was fun to work and figure it out.
I am hoping a 3rd book in this series comes out.
I am hoping a 3rd book in this series comes out.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews