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Golden Retriever Mystery #17
In Dog's Image
Join Steve Levitan and Lili Weinstock as they navigate the treacherous waters of wedding planning in "In Dog's Image," a captivating traditional mystery novel. Amidst disagreements over guest lists, menu selections, and even wedding attire, their impending nuptials face more than just typical hurdles.
The real challenge emerges with the mysterious demise of a prominent gallery owner. Lili finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue when she is asked to identify esteemed artists who graced an event she photographed two decades ago. As shadows of the past resurface, the couple's wedding concerns pale in comparison to the enigma unfolding before them.
Lili digs deep into her memories, Steve scans the dark web for details about a crime that went unpunished, and Rochester sniffs out clues to help them both bring justice.
As they peel back layers of deception, they uncover a complex tapestry of secrets, rivalries, and unspoken motives. "In Dog's Image" is a riveting tale where the boundaries between personal celebrations and perilous investigations blur. Will Lili, Steve, and Rochester unearth the buried truth and deliver justice, or will the past's long-shrouded mysteries remain forever concealed?
The real challenge emerges with the mysterious demise of a prominent gallery owner. Lili finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue when she is asked to identify esteemed artists who graced an event she photographed two decades ago. As shadows of the past resurface, the couple's wedding concerns pale in comparison to the enigma unfolding before them.
Lili digs deep into her memories, Steve scans the dark web for details about a crime that went unpunished, and Rochester sniffs out clues to help them both bring justice.
As they peel back layers of deception, they uncover a complex tapestry of secrets, rivalries, and unspoken motives. "In Dog's Image" is a riveting tale where the boundaries between personal celebrations and perilous investigations blur. Will Lili, Steve, and Rochester unearth the buried truth and deliver justice, or will the past's long-shrouded mysteries remain forever concealed?
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2023
35 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Neil S. Plakcy
237 books650 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.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 13, 2024
In Dog’s Image is the 17th book in Neil S. Plakcy’s Golden Retriever Mystery series. I came to this series late, but it has quickly become one of my favorites. I look forward to having the time to go back to the beginning of the series and read the ones I have missed. However, even jumping in late I have never felt lost. The series features computer hacker Steve Levitan and his Golden Retriever Rochester who has a nose for detection.
For those unfamiliar with the series, in the first book, In Dog We Trust, Steve has lost everything that matters to him - his marriage, his home, and his career. After finishing a brief prison term for computer hacking, he returns to his hometown of Stewart's Crossing, PA with his tail between his legs. Thanks to a murder, Steve becomes the temporary guardian of his neighbor’s Golden Retriever, Rochester, and his life is never the same! Steve now works at a local college and from time to time brushes off his hacking skills to help his long-time friend Rick who is a local police detective.
In this book, Steve and his fiancée Lili are planning their wedding. While they disagree over some of the logistics and each brings their own baggage to the marriage, they make a great couple. But amidst the wedding planning, the owner of a local art gallery is murdered. Lili finds herself in the midst of the investigation this time as she is asked to identify some infamous guests at an event from the past that she photographed (she is a professional photographer). They are photos that the owner of the gallery recently purchased, which they hope hold clues to the identity of his killer. Steve is once again asked to help Rick investigate, and Rochester helps sniff out some key clues. And if that wasn’t enough, Steve also finds himself worried about the future of his job.
This mystery was filled with secrets from the past and plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages! But as always, my favorite parts of these books are the interesting and loveable characters (especially Rochester) who now feel like friends, and the wonderful cozy feeling you get while reading them. In Dog’s Image is the perfect escape from the craziness of the world around us, and who can resist a clue-sniffing dog! Don’t miss this delightful addition to a lovely series! And if you haven’t read this series before, be sure to go back and read the other 16 books! You won’t regret it. I can’t wait for book 18!
For those unfamiliar with the series, in the first book, In Dog We Trust, Steve has lost everything that matters to him - his marriage, his home, and his career. After finishing a brief prison term for computer hacking, he returns to his hometown of Stewart's Crossing, PA with his tail between his legs. Thanks to a murder, Steve becomes the temporary guardian of his neighbor’s Golden Retriever, Rochester, and his life is never the same! Steve now works at a local college and from time to time brushes off his hacking skills to help his long-time friend Rick who is a local police detective.
In this book, Steve and his fiancée Lili are planning their wedding. While they disagree over some of the logistics and each brings their own baggage to the marriage, they make a great couple. But amidst the wedding planning, the owner of a local art gallery is murdered. Lili finds herself in the midst of the investigation this time as she is asked to identify some infamous guests at an event from the past that she photographed (she is a professional photographer). They are photos that the owner of the gallery recently purchased, which they hope hold clues to the identity of his killer. Steve is once again asked to help Rick investigate, and Rochester helps sniff out some key clues. And if that wasn’t enough, Steve also finds himself worried about the future of his job.
This mystery was filled with secrets from the past and plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages! But as always, my favorite parts of these books are the interesting and loveable characters (especially Rochester) who now feel like friends, and the wonderful cozy feeling you get while reading them. In Dog’s Image is the perfect escape from the craziness of the world around us, and who can resist a clue-sniffing dog! Don’t miss this delightful addition to a lovely series! And if you haven’t read this series before, be sure to go back and read the other 16 books! You won’t regret it. I can’t wait for book 18!
February 1, 2025
First, would someone please explain the cover to me? What house is Rochester sitting in front of??
An intriguing story, looking at old photos from Lily's past. Old mobsters, old artists.
Still some bookmark-worthy errors, some with the reading of the audiobook, some with the writing:
"an old lech", pronounced LEK. NO. Couldn't be simpler, pronounced just like it's spelled: "LETCH"
"HAIRloom tomatoes"?! Heirloom. Just like "an old family heirloom". Heir, like "the heir to the fortune". You don't pronounce the H! These characters are not British!
"subsTidized". Again. Still. (Subsidized. No T.)
"She muttered an 'exPLICative' ". Seriously? You mean "expletive"?
"a Wall St. 'Mongol' ". Again. MO-gul. No N.
"'SUNny' Albany"?? Um, pretty sure you're talking about the college, not the weather. SUNY is pronounced SOO-nee.
"A man was killed down here in Stuart's Crossing this week and her brother's attorney has been trying to get hold of his sister, who's his next of kin." Bad writing: you used "her" BEFORE mentioning the sister!
"Albeit" pronounced "all bite". No. All-be-it.
Both Steve & Lily say "John Doe", when the guy's name is Joe Don! Reading error or writing error?
"...with everyone having phones in their cameras...". That's backwards. We have cameras in our phones, not phones in our cameras. Bad writing.
I'm still baffled how, after 17 volumes, these wrinkles haven't been ironed out! It's bad enough to allow an audiobook to be published with mispronunciations in it, but for him to repeat the SAME mispronunciations in one or more subsequent volumes??!
An intriguing story, looking at old photos from Lily's past. Old mobsters, old artists.
Still some bookmark-worthy errors, some with the reading of the audiobook, some with the writing:
"an old lech", pronounced LEK. NO. Couldn't be simpler, pronounced just like it's spelled: "LETCH"
"HAIRloom tomatoes"?! Heirloom. Just like "an old family heirloom". Heir, like "the heir to the fortune". You don't pronounce the H! These characters are not British!
"subsTidized". Again. Still. (Subsidized. No T.)
"She muttered an 'exPLICative' ". Seriously? You mean "expletive"?
"a Wall St. 'Mongol' ". Again. MO-gul. No N.
"'SUNny' Albany"?? Um, pretty sure you're talking about the college, not the weather. SUNY is pronounced SOO-nee.
"A man was killed down here in Stuart's Crossing this week and her brother's attorney has been trying to get hold of his sister, who's his next of kin." Bad writing: you used "her" BEFORE mentioning the sister!
"Albeit" pronounced "all bite". No. All-be-it.
Both Steve & Lily say "John Doe", when the guy's name is Joe Don! Reading error or writing error?
"...with everyone having phones in their cameras...". That's backwards. We have cameras in our phones, not phones in our cameras. Bad writing.
I'm still baffled how, after 17 volumes, these wrinkles haven't been ironed out! It's bad enough to allow an audiobook to be published with mispronunciations in it, but for him to repeat the SAME mispronunciations in one or more subsequent volumes??!
October 18, 2023
This is book #17in the series and I have read all 17! I love this series. I love the characters especially Rochester and the plots. These books are fictional yet the author does give out facts. In this book I had never heard of ProtonMail. Thank you Neil! The books are easy reading and they keep you interested to the very end. Sometimes there is drama and danger. There is always a murder and Steve with Rochester’s help manages to help solve the murder. In this book a new art gallery owner is killed. There’s also a new character in this book. We will see if he will be in the next book. Steve and Lili’s wedding is getting closer. I’m sure the wedding will be in the next book! I can’t wait! Thank you Neil for continuing this series!
October 18, 2023
Rochester does it again!
Steve, Lili and their golden retriever Rochester face life choices and murder once again. Rochester known for his uncanny clue sleuthing does it again leading Steve and Rick, police detective extraordinaire and Steve’s best friend in the right direction. Lili and Steve start planning for their October wedding and Steve faces insecurity at work. A fun, easy read written by veteran author Neil Plakcy. This is the seventeenth book in this series and I recommend it to those wanting a comfy mystery book.
Steve, Lili and their golden retriever Rochester face life choices and murder once again. Rochester known for his uncanny clue sleuthing does it again leading Steve and Rick, police detective extraordinaire and Steve’s best friend in the right direction. Lili and Steve start planning for their October wedding and Steve faces insecurity at work. A fun, easy read written by veteran author Neil Plakcy. This is the seventeenth book in this series and I recommend it to those wanting a comfy mystery book.
September 23, 2025
Another good story with Steve Levitan, Lili Weinstock and Rochester, the golden retriever working on the wedding planning with everything (guest lists, menu selections, what to wear and things they didn't plan on).
A local gallery owner is murdered and Lili is asked to identify artist who came to an event 10 years ago from a photograph. Lili goes over old memories and Steve helps by scanning the dark web for details and Rochester sniffs out clues to help both of them. I love all the ongoing stories in the series and wants more stories.
A local gallery owner is murdered and Lili is asked to identify artist who came to an event 10 years ago from a photograph. Lili goes over old memories and Steve helps by scanning the dark web for details and Rochester sniffs out clues to help both of them. I love all the ongoing stories in the series and wants more stories.
October 15, 2023
Another fantastic book
I couldn’t put the book down! Neil brings the characters to life! The friendship between Rick and Steve makes me wish I could sit in their conversations!
I couldn’t put the book down! Neil brings the characters to life! The friendship between Rick and Steve makes me wish I could sit in their conversations!
February 19, 2024
Great series
Great story. I love the images described and the way the antics of the dog were interwoven in the story.
Great story. I love the images described and the way the antics of the dog were interwoven in the story.
October 20, 2024
Love this one in the series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews