Dog of Deliverance: A Golden Retriever Mystery: A Heartwarming Dog-Lover Mystery of Friendship, Justice, and Community

Golden Retriever Mystery #21

by Neil S. Plakcy

A Body at the Purim Carnival. A Hidden Past. A Community in Danger.When his golden retriever Rochester noses out a dead body behind the bounce house at Stewart’s Crossing’s first Purim carnival, Steve Levitan is pulled into two dangerous investigations—each revealing its own world of secrets, power, and betrayal.

Two Cases. One Team. Countless Hidden Truths.Steve’s longtime mentor, Eastern College President Babson, needs his computer expertise. A rising academic star, Austin Graynor, may have fabricated his credentials—and buried his past mistreatment of female colleagues.
What Steve uncovers forces him to question academic power, accountability, and how far people will go to protect their reputations.

Meanwhile, Detective Rick Stemper needs help with the murder of Yakov Shmerler, a diamond dealer engaged to marry eighteen-year-old Hadassah Schildkraut. Hadassah fled her restrictive Orthodox community, landing in Stewart’s Crossing under the protection of Steve’s friends. Her escape—and her explosive blog exposing corruption—has made her a target.


Secrets Stretch from Pennsylvania to the CatskillsAs Rick and Steve investigate, clues point toward Kiryas Lev, a closed and insulated community in New York’s Catskill Mountains.

Powerful men want Hadassah silenced.Yakov’s death is only the beginning.And the deeper they dig, the more the two cases intertwine—echoing the Purim story of Esther, hidden identities, and courage in the face of corrupt authority.

A Mystery About Courage, Community, and the Voices That Refuse to Be SilencedSteve must protect a young woman risking everything to speak the truth, confront a dangerous academic with a past full of shadows, and keep Rochester out of trouble as they race to unmask a killer.

Perfect for fans

David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter

Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis mysteries

Witty, heartfelt dog mysteries with real emotional stakes

Step into Stewart’s Crossing and discover a mystery where community, justice, and courage take center stage—led by one unforgettable golden retriever.

Genres: Mystery

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2025

About the author

I’m Neil S. Plakcy, and I write mysteries and romances filled with humor, heart, loyalty, found family, complicated heroes, and, very often, dogs.

Readers may know me from the Golden Retriever Mysteries, featuring Steve Levitan and his clue-sniffing golden retriever Rochester; the Mahu Investigations, featuring Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa‘aka; the Have Body, Will Guard adventure-romance series with Aidan and Liam; the Angus Green FBI thrillers; and the Smiling Dog Café healing fiction.

I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment on A Separate Peace by John Knowles. I didn’t yet have the words for being gay, but I knew I was longing for deep emotional connection, friendship, and love. That longing still runs through my work, whether I’m writing mystery, romance, adventure, or suspense.

An MFA in creative writing helped me hone my technical skills and understand what kind of storyteller I am. Since then, I’ve written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and been lucky enough to find readers who care about my characters as much as I do.

I’ve also always believed that dogs make excellent detectives. They notice what humans miss: a faint scent, a subtle shift in body language, the hidden treat in your pocket. That belief helped inspire my Golden Retriever Mysteries, where Rochester helps Steve Levitan nose out the truth.

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, and the cobbled streets of Europe. I love exploring how communities work, from a café where dogs help people heal to a police unit in Honolulu to a romance unfolding under the Mediterranean sun.

I write because stories helped me feel less alone growing up. Now I hope to give readers that same feeling: a companion, a puzzle, a sense of place, and maybe a laugh.

When I’m not writing, I’m probably walking one of my golden retrievers, teaching writing, reading, or daydreaming about my next story.

For free stories, bonus scenes, and new-release news, visit my website or join my newsletter at plakcy.substack.com. You can also follow my author page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy.

Reviews

[Julian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Kobo (EPub 3 DRM_Free) 9798231409624; 248 pages (k)

Book 21 - so obviously a few not (yet?) listed on kobo...

Rochester continues to add his detecting skills to those of his master (?) Steve Levitan in an intriguing tale with two main threads - Hadassah Shildkraut escapes a restrictive Orthodox community to avoid an arranged marriage... When the intended groom is murdered at a Purim festival Steve (and Rochester) aid a local detective investigate. At the same time Steve is asked by his college president to investigate the history of an academic who would add to the college reputation...

A somewhat different background to the 'usual' mixture, with the Jewish elements contributing a lot to the narrative.

[Dorothy Vannelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rochester provides clues; Steven follows.

Steve is asked by Eastern College president to dive into the background of a teaching applicant. The dive takes twists and turns but Steve is successful and provides good results. There is also a young Jewish girl who leaves her community to escape a planned marriage and get more freedom not only for her but so she can help the other girls in her community. Her former fiance is killed and of course Steve and Rocheter aid in catching the murderer. The relationships of the characters in Golden Retriever mysteries are very real; i like the way Steve and Lilli interact. They are loving and respectful.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Former hacker, now college bureaucrat, sleuth Steve is assigned by his college president to use his skills to research the past of professor who is well known, but may have a dark past.

Meanwhile, a runaway from a religious community shows up wanting to start a blog about her oppressive hometwon. Then the man her parents tried to force her to marry winds up murdered. While there are some interesting parts, I found his theme of extremism ham handed and clumsy, and so two years ago.

On the whole, not bad, but could have been better had the author got out of his own way.

[Sharron Fitak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dog of Deliverance

As with previous Neil S Plakcy books I learn about different topics. His writings are clear and easy to. The characters are well developed and totally believable. Though there are multiple plots they each fit seamlessly into the book.
I highly recommend these books for anyone who wants a mystery that's both entertaining and interesting.
I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for two reasons: one it was Purim-themed. I'm Jewish so I'm always excited for Jewish fiction. Two, it was recommended for fans of the Andy Carpenter series, which I love. While the characters (and dogs) in these 2 series are very different, I enjoy them both. Fun, lighthearted series with an adorable Golden Retriever sidekick. You really can't go wrong if you are looking for a casual read that goes well with coffee and a comfy chair.

[Marie Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book. We enter the world of Judaism and its traditions and variations. Thank you for sharing these with us. Another plot is vetting a prospective professor for the college which Steve plays a major role in. I enjoyed spending time with Steve, Lili, and Rick. I love Rochester, and his excellent taste in humans. I recommend this book. You won’t want to put it down.

[Judy Sagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good!

This was about the best of a long series of good books. I had to use the dictionary more than usual, but I learned a great deal more about Judaism and academic life. And I grew up in an academic family!

[Cher Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, this book doesn't dissapoint!

A young woman running away from an arranged marriage, finds herself at odds with her family and religious beliefs. Unknowingly getting caught up in murder, stolen diamonds and possible drug dealing in her secular community

[Lucretia Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOLDEN RETRIEVER MYSTERIES!

Another great read with characters who have become friends! I’ve enjoyed all 21 of these novels and look forward to the next one with Rochester, Steve and Lily and all the other characters in this series!

[norma baker · Rating 1 out of 5]

The best of a wonderful dog series

This one deals with some serious issues: smuggling, diamonds, drugs, sectarianism, names, holidays. All done so well. You will love this.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the stories and characters in this series and have read all 21 of the books. I love the thoughtful approach to issues of choice, privacy and responsibility woven into a great story.

[CAROLYN · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Truth Solves Many Falsehoods

I really loved the help given by the dogs. But also about have the truth really solves so many a mystery

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this series. I have read them all. The one thing I enjoy is the author tries to educate his readers in Judaism. I know very little of their customs and the differences between orthodox and unorthodox.
Again Rochester helps solve a murder! I am looking forward to book #22!!