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Golden Retriever Mystery #6
Dog Have Mercy
In the sixth golden retriever mystery, Dog Have Mercy, Christmas approaches and reformed hacker Steve Levitan tries to help a fellow ex-con now working at the vet’s office in Stewart’s Crossing. His curiosity, and the crime-solving instincts of his golden retriever, Rochester, kick in when liquid potassium ampoules are stolen from the vet and Steve’s new friend is a suspect. Is this theft connected to a drug-running operation in North Philly? Or to a recent spate of deaths at the local nursing home? And can Steve continue to resist his computer-hacking impulses or will his desire to help others continue to lead him into trouble?
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2015
312 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Neil S. Plakcy
238 books649 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 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 13, 2017
I have read this series and feel each book is improvement over the last, both in the editorial areas and the story. Rochester is I'll and Steve Levitan arrives to find the vet's in turmoil. Some drugs are missing. After a wait, Rochester is seen and Steve becomes friendly with a vet tech. This book is more of a novel than a mystery. Lol moves into Steve's home. Rochester visits a retirement home several times. There are several unexpected deaths of the residents. The vet tech is suspected of stealing the drugs and is fired. Steve tries to help the vet using his computer skills legally. How do these differences join together? Will Steve and Rochester finds answers to prevent the elderly residents' death. I recommend this book and series.
June 17, 2015
I LOve Neil Plakcy's character Steve Levitan and his loveable golden retriever, Rochester. I've read all of the books in this series. This book lives up to all the other books! In this book, Steve and Lili are living together. I like that other characters from the past books are in this book too. Steve and Lili come from different backgrounds but both have a common bond in the Jewish faith. I like that the author brings in some of the Jewish culture and Lili's background. In this book, Steve tries to help someone get a second chance. I like that trait and it was sad to see that the character died, but that's part of the mystery along with the deaths of the nursing home residents. Possibly I'm more in tuned to what will eventually develop in the book but this time I was skeptical of the nursing home helper, Allison. The books have mystery, a dangerous moment, very entertaining, and yet very easy to read. You don't want to put the book down until you've finished it!
April 18, 2018
This book was inspired by all the time I've spent in veterinary offices with Charlie the Yorkie, Gus the Collie, and Samwise, Brody and Griffin, my goldens. I thought that a vet's office would be a good place for Rochester to sniff out clues, and that proved to be the case. I was also intrigued by how Steve would react to another ex-con trying to restart his life.
November 28, 2024
I don't usually figure mysteries out way before the end, but this time what seemed likely was actually the answer. There are times when it seems like there are gaps in the time line, like "Wait, you're leaving already? You just got there!" Or "When did they arrive?" Or "When did they leave?" Overall I still like the characters & the places. Waiting to see if the idea of Rochester visiting a nursing home like a therapy dog is going to get dropped the way the idea of him & Rick's dog Rascal doing agility got dropped.
Still some pronunciation/reading issues. and a couple of writing errors; and sometimes it's hard to tell which it is. Despite both Goodreads & Hoopla stating this time the audiobook is read by a different reader--it isn't, it's the same reader as the previous books in the series.
• "An emancipated woman on a gurney beside Edith. I doubt it was a gurney, in a nursing home. And I'd bet that was supposed to be "emaciated".
• "She got up to use the bathroom & I used one of the downstairs..." ??? Writing error, or did the reader skip a word or something. I re-listened 3X to see if I was missing hearing something. I wasn't.
• "He is a pain in the tooCHASS". I assume that was tuchus? Like Yiddish (I think?) for rear end, bum. Pronounced TOOKus. Now maybe the character was mispronouncing it on purpose just to be cute. But given this reader's record so far--I doubt it.
• "I praised him 'copously' " Copiously. "CO-pee-uss-ly" There's an "i" in there!
• "Now I bought 'artesian' pasta" ARTezen (artisan) Artesian is a kind of well.
• "My dog looked up at me with 'bayful' eyes". BALEful. Again. Nobody corrected him after the last book?? Neither the author nor editor (or anybody?!) actually listens to the audiobooks after they're made?!
• "...more had joined 'NASSent ventures". This one took me a minute to figure out what the word is. I think it is "nascent". Nascent is "NAYsent".
• "Hard not to miss that message." Author error. Something you can't miss is "hard to miss". "Hard not to miss" is like a double negative.
• "dig-OX-in". (He said it with a hard G.) Emphasis on correct syllable but digoxin has a soft g.
• "...so swarmy..." Smarmy, not swarmy! Talking about someone being kinda sleazy, not a swarm of bees!
• "I had already been punished once for acting with impunity". Writer error. "Impunity" means without consequences or punishment; he definitely got consequences for his actions, he went to prison! Therefore he, specifically, did not act "with impunity"; & the entire sentence is illogical since you can't be punished for acting without punishment!
• Medical terms: cītrate (he said with a long i) should be cǐtrate (short i); gluconate should be hard c, not soft; palliĀtive should be PALL-ee-uh-tiv.
• Common mispronunciations that are still wrong: "realitor" (does NOT have a vowel between the l & the t; it is "REE-ull-ter"; "ofTen" (the t is supposed to be silent, just like in "listen"); "artic" (there's a c in there: "ARK-tik" (arctic))
Still some pronunciation/reading issues. and a couple of writing errors; and sometimes it's hard to tell which it is. Despite both Goodreads & Hoopla stating this time the audiobook is read by a different reader--it isn't, it's the same reader as the previous books in the series.
• "An emancipated woman on a gurney beside Edith. I doubt it was a gurney, in a nursing home. And I'd bet that was supposed to be "emaciated".
• "She got up to use the bathroom & I used one of the downstairs..." ??? Writing error, or did the reader skip a word or something. I re-listened 3X to see if I was missing hearing something. I wasn't.
• "He is a pain in the tooCHASS". I assume that was tuchus? Like Yiddish (I think?) for rear end, bum. Pronounced TOOKus. Now maybe the character was mispronouncing it on purpose just to be cute. But given this reader's record so far--I doubt it.
• "I praised him 'copously' " Copiously. "CO-pee-uss-ly" There's an "i" in there!
• "Now I bought 'artesian' pasta" ARTezen (artisan) Artesian is a kind of well.
• "My dog looked up at me with 'bayful' eyes". BALEful. Again. Nobody corrected him after the last book?? Neither the author nor editor (or anybody?!) actually listens to the audiobooks after they're made?!
• "...more had joined 'NASSent ventures". This one took me a minute to figure out what the word is. I think it is "nascent". Nascent is "NAYsent".
• "Hard not to miss that message." Author error. Something you can't miss is "hard to miss". "Hard not to miss" is like a double negative.
• "dig-OX-in". (He said it with a hard G.) Emphasis on correct syllable but digoxin has a soft g.
• "...so swarmy..." Smarmy, not swarmy! Talking about someone being kinda sleazy, not a swarm of bees!
• "I had already been punished once for acting with impunity". Writer error. "Impunity" means without consequences or punishment; he definitely got consequences for his actions, he went to prison! Therefore he, specifically, did not act "with impunity"; & the entire sentence is illogical since you can't be punished for acting without punishment!
• Medical terms: cītrate (he said with a long i) should be cǐtrate (short i); gluconate should be hard c, not soft; palliĀtive should be PALL-ee-uh-tiv.
• Common mispronunciations that are still wrong: "realitor" (does NOT have a vowel between the l & the t; it is "REE-ull-ter"; "ofTen" (the t is supposed to be silent, just like in "listen"); "artic" (there's a c in there: "ARK-tik" (arctic))
October 5, 2015
Not a real Tolkein fan!
Sorry about this, as I really like these books, but our pal Steve got Galadriel all wrong. She was not Elrond's wife -- she was his mother-in-law! Her husband was Celeborn, and they lived in Lothlorien, not the Last Homely House (right - not the Last Lonely House). I hope Steve figures this out later, as I am only halfway through the book, but, having read Tolkein books at least as many times as Steve claims to have read them, I was so annoyed I had to throw in a review right now, just so I could finish this book!
Sorry about this, as I really like these books, but our pal Steve got Galadriel all wrong. She was not Elrond's wife -- she was his mother-in-law! Her husband was Celeborn, and they lived in Lothlorien, not the Last Homely House (right - not the Last Lonely House). I hope Steve figures this out later, as I am only halfway through the book, but, having read Tolkein books at least as many times as Steve claims to have read them, I was so annoyed I had to throw in a review right now, just so I could finish this book!
November 5, 2022
Five stars for the golden retriever. Three stars for the rest.
The confession at the end was too abrupt and too easy. I expected the resolution to be messier somehow.
The foreshadowing—or rather, the trail of clues left by the author about whodunnit—was poorly concealed. Thus, we all knew where this was going long before the characters in the story. I think that’s my biggest complaint.
I felt sorry for the vet tech who was killed. I thought that storyline held promise, but it ended more as a distraction than anything else.
The confession at the end was too abrupt and too easy. I expected the resolution to be messier somehow.
The foreshadowing—or rather, the trail of clues left by the author about whodunnit—was poorly concealed. Thus, we all knew where this was going long before the characters in the story. I think that’s my biggest complaint.
I felt sorry for the vet tech who was killed. I thought that storyline held promise, but it ended more as a distraction than anything else.
March 23, 2015
Quick Entertaining Read
I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed the others in this series. I look forward to the next one.
I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed the others in this series. I look forward to the next one.
April 4, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed. Light and fun to read.
August 29, 2021
I found this one very disappointing. It was predictable and I knew who had done it and how - not why - from the beginning. I think that this book portrays the police as unrealistically bumbling and totally unable to even follow their own protocols.
So there was theft from the vet's. The vet tells Steve that there had been a teenager in, after all of the other staff had left, making a huge fuss about a dog who actually wasn't ill or injured. Shortly thereafter, the theft of the potassium solution is discovered. Do you really expect me to believe that the first person the police would want to talk to wouldn't be that teenager? Seriously? But then I guess there wouldn't have been a book. And we never did find out why she was fired from her position as a candy-striper at the hospital. Do you want me to believe that she was committing murder at the hospital and all they did was fire her? Or did her hospital volunteer experience set her up to become a murderer?
I enjoy this series - or I have been enjoying it until now. This one was just a very sad effort. I hope it isn't an indication of what lies ahead.
So there was theft from the vet's. The vet tells Steve that there had been a teenager in, after all of the other staff had left, making a huge fuss about a dog who actually wasn't ill or injured. Shortly thereafter, the theft of the potassium solution is discovered. Do you really expect me to believe that the first person the police would want to talk to wouldn't be that teenager? Seriously? But then I guess there wouldn't have been a book. And we never did find out why she was fired from her position as a candy-striper at the hospital. Do you want me to believe that she was committing murder at the hospital and all they did was fire her? Or did her hospital volunteer experience set her up to become a murderer?
I enjoy this series - or I have been enjoying it until now. This one was just a very sad effort. I hope it isn't an indication of what lies ahead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2021
Wonderful
I loved this cozy mystery. It's completely unique and awesome. Reformed Hacker Steve Levitam and his dog Rochester visit Crossing Manor, where elderly people are taken care of. They have a good time with the residents, especially his music teacher, Edith. However, people start dying mysteriously after five vials of potassium is stolen from Dr. Hortz's clinic. Steve learns about this theft from his detective friend Rick when he visits the vet for Rochester's injured toenails. Hortz's assistant, Felix who is an ex-convict is under suspicion. Steve wants to clear his name and decides to investigate. Unfortunately, Felix gets killed in a drug deal gone wrong. Steve helps out Rick to solve this incredible case as he believes that the theft of potassium is related to the deaths in Crossing Manor. Very interesting read.
I loved this cozy mystery. It's completely unique and awesome. Reformed Hacker Steve Levitam and his dog Rochester visit Crossing Manor, where elderly people are taken care of. They have a good time with the residents, especially his music teacher, Edith. However, people start dying mysteriously after five vials of potassium is stolen from Dr. Hortz's clinic. Steve learns about this theft from his detective friend Rick when he visits the vet for Rochester's injured toenails. Hortz's assistant, Felix who is an ex-convict is under suspicion. Steve wants to clear his name and decides to investigate. Unfortunately, Felix gets killed in a drug deal gone wrong. Steve helps out Rick to solve this incredible case as he believes that the theft of potassium is related to the deaths in Crossing Manor. Very interesting read.
December 18, 2022
I'm a huge fan of Plakcy and the Golden Retriever Mysteries. Still, this one felt off, as if it had been rushed (to fulfill a contract deadline, perhaps?). It felt preachy -- how many times does he have to mention the research on the possible side-effects of potassium, or the various forms? Add to that a spot where a conversational piece is repeated a few paragraphs later, and one doesn't know what to think. The "whodunit" is a bit obvious in this one too.
Fortunately, I had also read several past #6, so I know this is not typical of the series. Yes, Steve can get preachy, but it's normally not as noticeable.
Still, a good story. A bit of better editing would put it in line with the rest of the series.
Fortunately, I had also read several past #6, so I know this is not typical of the series. Yes, Steve can get preachy, but it's normally not as noticeable.
Still, a good story. A bit of better editing would put it in line with the rest of the series.
November 13, 2021
Steve takes Rochester to the vet and finds Rick (police) there checking out the theft of 5 vials of potassium. When elderly patients in the nursing home he visits with his dog seem to be dying too frequently, he wonders if someone could somehow be using the potassium to kill them. Working as a porter in the home after his release from prison, of course young Felix is the first to be suspected of theft. Steve has been helping him with his writing in English, and he believes the young man is innocent and has been trying to turn his life around. When his past comes out at the nursing home, pressure is put on the administrator to fire him.
February 1, 2022
Steve, Rochester & Lilli go to visit Steve's former piano teacher in the local nursing facility where Rochester is a big hit with the residents. Then the residents start dying and Steve is perplexed. Then Rick, his police officer friend, starts investigating a possible theft of potassium from the local vet's office. The main suspect is a former prison inmate that Steve takes and interest in until he ends up dead. What is going on in town?
The story is a bit slow getting started and, while I enjoy the story, I'm not a fan of the language used; there really is no need to use foul language and it doesn't do anything for the story.
The story is a bit slow getting started and, while I enjoy the story, I'm not a fan of the language used; there really is no need to use foul language and it doesn't do anything for the story.
June 11, 2017
The audiobook is a pleasant listen.
Steve and Lili's personal lives -before one another and current- is explored more, giving depth to their relationship and the characters, in general.
We are introduced to new characters and new places, adding world building in Stewart's Crossing.
I loved how this started as a mystery, a murder was then committed, and Steve struggles with his addiction and weaknesses as he strives to untangle the clues and solve it.
The climax was unexpected and satisfying.
Oh, and you have to love how Rochester evolves with his own personality and new friends!
Steve and Lili's personal lives -before one another and current- is explored more, giving depth to their relationship and the characters, in general.
We are introduced to new characters and new places, adding world building in Stewart's Crossing.
I loved how this started as a mystery, a murder was then committed, and Steve struggles with his addiction and weaknesses as he strives to untangle the clues and solve it.
The climax was unexpected and satisfying.
Oh, and you have to love how Rochester evolves with his own personality and new friends!
January 27, 2018
Good read. Familiar characters and places. I began reading this series because of Rochester the Golden Retriever. I was hooked from the beginning. It's is populated with interesting people and enough suspense to hold your interest through twist and surprises. I will continue to follow Steve and Rochester in their adventures.
August 14, 2021
This is a great series. Steve, Rick and Lilli are like old friends. Catching up with them is great fun. Besides who can resist a good mystery? This book brought attention to nursing home deaths and of course Rochester was a big part of solving the mystery. I recommend this and all of the series I’ve read so far.
December 30, 2022
There are three story lines in this "episode": the relationships the continuing characters (Steve, Lily, Rochester, Rick, Rascal, Tammy, Mark, and Joey; the events at Crossing Manor; the potassium theft along with the relationship that Steve tries to develop with Freddy. Everything was well tied together in this enjoyable book. I am glad I found this series.
July 7, 2021
Death in the nursing homes
Steve, Rick and Rochester figure out who is killing all the elderly in the local nursing home. We are really beginning to get to know more characters and their personalities.
Steve, Rick and Rochester figure out who is killing all the elderly in the local nursing home. We are really beginning to get to know more characters and their personalities.
November 27, 2022
Rochester saves thevday.
Another mystery that the dog and master figure out again. Great mystery story. The dog, Rochester, finds the clues and leaves the computer hacker and the cop to figure it all out.
Another mystery that the dog and master figure out again. Great mystery story. The dog, Rochester, finds the clues and leaves the computer hacker and the cop to figure it all out.
December 14, 2022
free ebook, im so excited to read this one today!
he went to visit a friend in a nursing home and took the dog. the people there are dying off, but someone stole potassium from the vet and its being injected into the old people killing them. hes trying to help his cop friend figure out who did it
they babysat a puppy while the owners went on a cruise.
i knew it was the girl with pierced tongue!
he went to visit a friend in a nursing home and took the dog. the people there are dying off, but someone stole potassium from the vet and its being injected into the old people killing them. hes trying to help his cop friend figure out who did it
they babysat a puppy while the owners went on a cruise.
i knew it was the girl with pierced tongue!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2023
GOOD MYSTERY
Nursing home murders and an 80# Golden Retriever who is both a body guard and a sleuthing companion. (Not sure why this author feels the need to use so much profanity in this series, because it’s just so juvenile…).
Nursing home murders and an 80# Golden Retriever who is both a body guard and a sleuthing companion. (Not sure why this author feels the need to use so much profanity in this series, because it’s just so juvenile…).
October 30, 2020
Love this series I’ll be getting the next book
January 14, 2021
Love this series!
Read
February 28, 2021Another good one!
July 26, 2021
On-going series. Enjoy the fun,
August 9, 2021
More than a dog story
I gained so much insight into “Assisted living” facilities and the attitudes of the residents. This was another great story from Plakcy. On to the next one…
I gained so much insight into “Assisted living” facilities and the attitudes of the residents. This was another great story from Plakcy. On to the next one…
August 15, 2021
Who is the better detective, dog or man?
A mystery with several strands. Who will solve them, man
Or dog? Police or ex-con? Read to find out who solves the crimes?
A mystery with several strands. Who will solve them, man
Or dog? Police or ex-con? Read to find out who solves the crimes?
August 15, 2021
Enjoyed the book, smart dog, helped his master very well.
September 23, 2021
Good storylines and character development keep me coming back for more of these mysteries.
May 7, 2022
This is an excellent series. The stories are good with good character and writing. I always look forward to the next book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews