Dog's Kitchen A Canine Amateur Sleuth Mystery: From the Set of a Reality TV Cooking Show

by Neil S. Plakcy

Perfect for fans of dog cozy mysteries, culinary cozy mysteries, lighthearted amateur-sleuth fiction, and behind-the-scenes reality-TV drama.

🎬 Lights, cameras… and sabotage in the kitchen!
When the Cuisine Network brings its brand-new reality show, Dog’s Kitchen, to the peaceful Friar Lake Conference Center, Steve Levitan expects chaos—but not sabotage. Celebrity chefs, foodie influencers, and gourmet-loving dogs descend on the property, turning Steve’s summer into a whirlwind of barking, baking, and behind-the-scenes drama.
His golden retriever, Rochester, just wants to stay close to the food.

🍽️ Then the accidents begin…
As filming ramps up, strange mishaps threaten to shut down production:Equipment fails at the worst possible momentsKey ingredients vanishA star chef threatens to walkPriceless truffles are swappedAnd a crew member is injured in the chaosIf the show collapses, Friar Lake’s future—and Steve’s job—may go down with it.

🐾 Good thing Rochester knows a scent of trouble when he smells one.
With careers and reputations on the line, Steve and Rochester must sniff out whoever’s sabotaging the show. It’s a mystery without a murder, but the stakes are just as real—and the truth could cost far more than money.

☕ A treat for fans Cozy culinary mysteriesDog cozy mysteries & pet-sleuth fictionLighthearted small-town whodunitsReality-TV–themed cozy mysteriesSpencer Quinn, Laurien Berenson, Rita Mae Brown, and Ellery Adams🐶 Dog’s Kitchen is a warm, witty, and deliciously fun read—
a feel-good blend of foodie flair, TV-set intrigue, lovable dogs, and amateur sleuthing. Perfect for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with tension but no tragedy, clues with humor, and a golden retriever hero at the center of it all.

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2025

About the author

I 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.

Reviews

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoy all of the Rochester books. This book equals to all the past books. In the Rochester books, there is usually a murder which Rochester helps solve. In this book, NO murder! It’s about a cooking reality TV pilot and the chefs are sabotaged. The question is who? As the reader, you try to figure out who is the culprit. As the book gets closer to the end you know the culprit will be revealed thus you want to keep reading and not stop! Yes, Rochester does help solve the sabotages. Can’t wait for the next Rochester book.

[JA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific

I love this series. Great writing and plots. The interaction between all the character including the canine ones are SO believable and realisic. They always leave me wanting the next book. 🙂🙃

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read and as always Steve, Lili, and Rochester save the day and catch the evil doers.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is ine of the best dog mystery series I have read. I look forward to the next episode