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Melanie Travis #18
The Bark Before Christmas
Melanie Travis has her hands full with her two young sons, a part-time job, and a half dozen Poodles to her name. But even with the busy holiday season approaching, she still has time to sniff out a Christmastime killer…
There’s nothing lovelier than Christmas in Connecticut, but Melanie can scarcely find a moment to enjoy the festivities. With her youngest son approaching toddlerhood, she’s decided to return to her old job at Howard Academy, a posh private school attended by the children of Greenwich’s well-heeled gentry. Balancing work, motherhood, and the hectic dog show circuit takes some fancy footwork, especially when the headmaster taps her to be the chairman of the school’s Christmas Bazaar.
The Christmas Bazaar is Howard Academy’s biggest and most important fundraiser, so Melanie feels the pressure to make it a huge success. She even enlists her longsuffering sister-in-law Bertie to help with the Santa Claus and Pets Photo Booth. But everything goes awry when a prize show dog goes missing and Santa turns up dead. The dog’s owner is one of the school’s most perfectly pedigreed alums, and she enlists Melanie to help find the purloined pooch. But just as Melanie starts pawing at the truth, she digs up a sleighful of sinister secrets that leaves everyone feeling less than merry…
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2015
320 people are currently reading
651 people want to read
About the author
Laurien Berenson
57 books843 followersLaurien Berenson is the award-winning author of the long running Melanie Travis canine mystery series and the new Senior Sleuths series starring Peg Turnbull and Rose Donovan as a pair of seventyish sisters-in-law who are learning to put aside old grudges as they work together to solve mysteries. DIE ANOTHER DANE (#31 in the Melanie Travis series) is out now.
Laurien's work has appeared numerous magazines and the New York Times. She and her husband live on a farm in Kentucky, surrounded by horses and dogs.
Laurien's work has appeared numerous magazines and the New York Times. She and her husband live on a farm in Kentucky, surrounded by horses and dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
December 29, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I jumped into this series late, reviewing Live and Let Growl in July. Since then I found this book on my TBR shelf and have been looking forward to reading it during the holidays. Again the author gives us plenty of information about the characters to make this book easily read all on its own.
Christmas for Melanie Travis also includes stepping in to chair the Christmas Bazaar fundraiser at Howard Academy. The main event at the bazaar is the Santa Claus and Pets Photo Booth. With her family’s ties to the dog show community they are able to spread the word and she hopes many will bring their show dogs and pets for a picture with Santa making the whole event a huge success. But when Santa is found dead and a pricey show dog goes missing things get out of control. The dog’s owner and her Aunt Peg hold Melanie responsible for the lost dog and demand she find it immediately. The school also hopes she finds out why and how the Santa ended up dead. This whole thing could tarnish the school’s reputation. If she expects to be able to celebrate the holidays with her family she needs to solve both parts of this case faster than Santa travels on Christmas Eve.
What a story but I have mixed emotions about the story as a whole! First I was drawn in my Melanie’s dedication to the school and her students. She is the teacher that helps the kids that get behind and need a little help or that have learning disabilities and need to learn differently. She also brings her large Standard Poodle, Faith, to class with her everyday. The dog helps her reach students in a delightful way. One of these student’s parents are splitting up and dealing with that has made things difficult for her at school. Her mother is the owner of the dog that goes missing at the bazaar. This girl’s story just ripped open my heart.
Berenson took this girl’s story at tipped it on its ear and wove a very creative mystery around it with plenty of turns. I started to figure out the clues just a bit before Melanie.
Maybe because I am new to this series Aunt Peg really made me pause. Overbearing, yes, but to me she did come off as rude and uncaring a few times. Thankfully Melanie has much more patience than I. Had my mother or aunt shown up in my home uninvited at 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning, complaining that I and my children were still in our pajamas I would have exploded. SUNDAY AT 7 A.M.! Then another time she took Melanie to task for her plans to go pick out a Christmas tree with her family instead of looking for the missing dog.
Truthfully I still don’t see how Melanie is responsible for the missing dog or the dead Santa. She was not the person that hired the Santa and it was the owner’s choice to keep the dog in a crate while she worked at the bazaar. I do admire the way Melanie handled the whole situation and the way she figured out the truth and solves the mystery.
I enjoyed reading about Melanie, Sam, Davey, Kevin, and even Aunt Peg when she isn’t ripping Melanie apart. Plus I really love reading about the dogs and the dog shows. I hope to be able to start this series from the beginning and she how they got where they are now.
I jumped into this series late, reviewing Live and Let Growl in July. Since then I found this book on my TBR shelf and have been looking forward to reading it during the holidays. Again the author gives us plenty of information about the characters to make this book easily read all on its own.
Christmas for Melanie Travis also includes stepping in to chair the Christmas Bazaar fundraiser at Howard Academy. The main event at the bazaar is the Santa Claus and Pets Photo Booth. With her family’s ties to the dog show community they are able to spread the word and she hopes many will bring their show dogs and pets for a picture with Santa making the whole event a huge success. But when Santa is found dead and a pricey show dog goes missing things get out of control. The dog’s owner and her Aunt Peg hold Melanie responsible for the lost dog and demand she find it immediately. The school also hopes she finds out why and how the Santa ended up dead. This whole thing could tarnish the school’s reputation. If she expects to be able to celebrate the holidays with her family she needs to solve both parts of this case faster than Santa travels on Christmas Eve.
What a story but I have mixed emotions about the story as a whole! First I was drawn in my Melanie’s dedication to the school and her students. She is the teacher that helps the kids that get behind and need a little help or that have learning disabilities and need to learn differently. She also brings her large Standard Poodle, Faith, to class with her everyday. The dog helps her reach students in a delightful way. One of these student’s parents are splitting up and dealing with that has made things difficult for her at school. Her mother is the owner of the dog that goes missing at the bazaar. This girl’s story just ripped open my heart.
Berenson took this girl’s story at tipped it on its ear and wove a very creative mystery around it with plenty of turns. I started to figure out the clues just a bit before Melanie.
Maybe because I am new to this series Aunt Peg really made me pause. Overbearing, yes, but to me she did come off as rude and uncaring a few times. Thankfully Melanie has much more patience than I. Had my mother or aunt shown up in my home uninvited at 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning, complaining that I and my children were still in our pajamas I would have exploded. SUNDAY AT 7 A.M.! Then another time she took Melanie to task for her plans to go pick out a Christmas tree with her family instead of looking for the missing dog.
Truthfully I still don’t see how Melanie is responsible for the missing dog or the dead Santa. She was not the person that hired the Santa and it was the owner’s choice to keep the dog in a crate while she worked at the bazaar. I do admire the way Melanie handled the whole situation and the way she figured out the truth and solves the mystery.
I enjoyed reading about Melanie, Sam, Davey, Kevin, and even Aunt Peg when she isn’t ripping Melanie apart. Plus I really love reading about the dogs and the dog shows. I hope to be able to start this series from the beginning and she how they got where they are now.
November 26, 2017
I wonder how many books are out there where the person who is murdered is none other than dear old Santa. In this instance, Melanie Travis, who has recently returned to her job at Howard Academy, is suddenly put in charge of the Christmas bazaar when the person who had that job is no longer able to do it. Santa bails on them and the school principal gets an offer from a complete stranger who wants to fill the role. All is going swimmingly until ...
The mystery here is complex enough to keep the reader engaged, but it's really the people in Travis's world that steal the show. As with the other books in this series, the solution, though intriguing, isn't especially memorable, but that doesn't much matter because spending time with Melanie and the gang is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.
The mystery here is complex enough to keep the reader engaged, but it's really the people in Travis's world that steal the show. As with the other books in this series, the solution, though intriguing, isn't especially memorable, but that doesn't much matter because spending time with Melanie and the gang is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.
September 1, 2015
Melanie Travis Canine Mystery #18
Laurien Berenson
Kensington Publishing
Release Date September 29, 2015
5 Stars
Melanie Travis has her hands full this holiday season. She is returning to her position as special needs tutor at the prestigious Howard Academy after an extended leave of absence when her son Kevin was born.
When the chairman for the Christmas Bazaar runs off, Headmaster Hanover is eager to relinquish the duties to Melanie. Although she has several capable assistants, Melanie eagerly seeks out the help of sister-in-law Bertie. Melanie assures Bertie she’s a perfect match for the Santa Clause & Pets photo booth.
When GCH Westglen Braveheart, aka Kiltie goes missing from the bazaar, Aunt Peg insists Melanie investigate and return the dog to his rightful owner. Unfortunately, the dog’s owner, Sondra MacEvoy has annoyed & irritated plenty of people in the dog world, and the possible suspect list is a mile long. It appears that the missing dog is causing plenty of tears, however, Melanie can’t be sure if the tears being shed are out of love or anger.
As the story unfolds, family truths are revealed and the innocent are the only ones suffering the aftermath once the brutal and ugly truth is revealed.
Greed, deceit, & entitlement play a big part in this fantastic story.
Laurien Berenson wraps you up in the drama, and just when you have that A Ha moment, “Bam,” it takes another twist that makes you question just who the bad guy really is.
I loved the adventure into the dog show world. The behind the scenes action will leave you breathless.
I received an ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All thought are my own.
Laurien Berenson
Kensington Publishing
Release Date September 29, 2015
5 Stars
Melanie Travis has her hands full this holiday season. She is returning to her position as special needs tutor at the prestigious Howard Academy after an extended leave of absence when her son Kevin was born.
When the chairman for the Christmas Bazaar runs off, Headmaster Hanover is eager to relinquish the duties to Melanie. Although she has several capable assistants, Melanie eagerly seeks out the help of sister-in-law Bertie. Melanie assures Bertie she’s a perfect match for the Santa Clause & Pets photo booth.
When GCH Westglen Braveheart, aka Kiltie goes missing from the bazaar, Aunt Peg insists Melanie investigate and return the dog to his rightful owner. Unfortunately, the dog’s owner, Sondra MacEvoy has annoyed & irritated plenty of people in the dog world, and the possible suspect list is a mile long. It appears that the missing dog is causing plenty of tears, however, Melanie can’t be sure if the tears being shed are out of love or anger.
As the story unfolds, family truths are revealed and the innocent are the only ones suffering the aftermath once the brutal and ugly truth is revealed.
Greed, deceit, & entitlement play a big part in this fantastic story.
Laurien Berenson wraps you up in the drama, and just when you have that A Ha moment, “Bam,” it takes another twist that makes you question just who the bad guy really is.
I loved the adventure into the dog show world. The behind the scenes action will leave you breathless.
I received an ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All thought are my own.
November 1, 2015
Every cozy author knows that you NEVER allow animals to be harmed in your story. After 17 previous entries in the Melanie Travis series, we all know that Ms. Berenson would never do that. But just to change it up a little bit, she does kill off Santa Claus . . .
Now that her son Kevin is growing into full-fledged toddlerhood, Melanie is about to return full-time to her tutoring position at a private school. The school has funding problems and their biggest fund-raiser of the year is the Christmas Bazaar. Unfortunately, the chairman for this highly-anticipated event has run off, and the headmaster picks Melanie as the new chairman. Luckily, the rest of the committee has everything well in-hand, and are quickly able to help Melanie get caught up with what needs to be done. Melanie even adds to the Bazaar events, adding a photo booth to the Santa Claus meeting place and urging children to bring their pets for pictures. The crowds do come, and within hours the festivities are in full swing and everything is going great. Until Santa disappears . . .
I've enjoyed every book in this long-running series. The characters, for me, are the reason for that. Melanie and her husband Sam, their two boys, extended family, five dogs, and of course, Aunt Peg--who doesn't appear much in this story, but still manages to get her way. I do like it when the stories have Melanie interacting with her students, and when their problems, and those faced by the main characters, resonate with me as common troubles faced by everyone. The Travis family is frequently showing dogs at a local dog show, and Ms. Berenson lets us in on what goes on behind the scenes. Another pleasant entry in this series and a mighty good read.
Now that her son Kevin is growing into full-fledged toddlerhood, Melanie is about to return full-time to her tutoring position at a private school. The school has funding problems and their biggest fund-raiser of the year is the Christmas Bazaar. Unfortunately, the chairman for this highly-anticipated event has run off, and the headmaster picks Melanie as the new chairman. Luckily, the rest of the committee has everything well in-hand, and are quickly able to help Melanie get caught up with what needs to be done. Melanie even adds to the Bazaar events, adding a photo booth to the Santa Claus meeting place and urging children to bring their pets for pictures. The crowds do come, and within hours the festivities are in full swing and everything is going great. Until Santa disappears . . .
I've enjoyed every book in this long-running series. The characters, for me, are the reason for that. Melanie and her husband Sam, their two boys, extended family, five dogs, and of course, Aunt Peg--who doesn't appear much in this story, but still manages to get her way. I do like it when the stories have Melanie interacting with her students, and when their problems, and those faced by the main characters, resonate with me as common troubles faced by everyone. The Travis family is frequently showing dogs at a local dog show, and Ms. Berenson lets us in on what goes on behind the scenes. Another pleasant entry in this series and a mighty good read.
November 7, 2015
I'm a constant reader of this author. I always look forward to the next Melanie Travis installment and have enjoyed seeing the character and her family evolve over the years. Terrific plot based at Melanie's school of employment and I liked the headmaster as a minor character with several appearances; he can be funny, not-so-funny, and predictable. Some very touching moments involving some of Melanie's pupils. And as always, Aunt Peg and the Poodles and dog shows play starring roles.
I would have liked to see Melanie's husband Sam play more of a major role as he's seemed to have fallen into the background in this one. But a well-written mystery and Christmastime, who could ask for more?
I would have liked to see Melanie's husband Sam play more of a major role as he's seemed to have fallen into the background in this one. But a well-written mystery and Christmastime, who could ask for more?
September 30, 2015
Santa is dead! Well, a Santa is, and A BARK BEFORE CHRISTMAS is where it happened. Author Laurien Berenson kills off Santa and it’s up to Meanie Travis, protagonist of the fun series, to find out why and the real who, (because we all know author LB didn’t really kill him.)
It’s not easy I’m sure to keep series eighteen titles long fresh. But Laurien Berenson, being a wonderful writer, manages to do just that. And I have no doubt it will just continue to get better and better.
A BARK BEFORE MIDNIGHT was well plotted and moved at a good pace. Lots of questions raised, and I didn’t have all the answers until the reveal, which was exciting, if a bit more intense than in most cozies (at least to me).
Dog lovers will be in heaven with not only this title, but the entire series. But I guess the word Canine in the series title already gave you the idea. ;-)
I really enjoyed this book and I’m now going to have to go back and play catch up. But I’m always willing to find a series that’s new to me. If this is one you already follow, you’re going to be happy I’m sure. If you don’t follow this series, pick up a copy and give it a try!
It’s not easy I’m sure to keep series eighteen titles long fresh. But Laurien Berenson, being a wonderful writer, manages to do just that. And I have no doubt it will just continue to get better and better.
A BARK BEFORE MIDNIGHT was well plotted and moved at a good pace. Lots of questions raised, and I didn’t have all the answers until the reveal, which was exciting, if a bit more intense than in most cozies (at least to me).
Dog lovers will be in heaven with not only this title, but the entire series. But I guess the word Canine in the series title already gave you the idea. ;-)
I really enjoyed this book and I’m now going to have to go back and play catch up. But I’m always willing to find a series that’s new to me. If this is one you already follow, you’re going to be happy I’m sure. If you don’t follow this series, pick up a copy and give it a try!
January 19, 2016
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the book in this series….until this one. Yes, there was a mystery and a murder to solve, but those responsible avoided paying for their deeds. And an innocence child was left in a bad situation. Not a “happy-ending” for her or for readers.
May 27, 2016
The whole point of cozies is that, in the end, everybody pretty much lives happily ever after, except for the bad guy, who gets his just desserts. The ending here is sad. And I like Berenson's books - pleasant and diverting, especially if you want to be spoonfed info about dog shows.
November 9, 2019
The Santa for the Howard Academy Christmas
Festival is dead, a show dog, GCH Westglen
Braveheart, aka Kiltie is dognapped from the crate
during the Christmas Festival and now Melanie
Travis newly named chairperson of the Christmas
Festival must track down who napped the show dog!!!
Melanie Travis, her husband and two sons have six
Standard Poodles named Faith, Eve, Casey, Tar,
Raven and Auggie. Melanie’s Aunt Meg is a long
time breeder and dog show judge. She insists that
Melanie find the missing dog.
The characters are well developed, well rounded,
some quirky and have good sense of humor.
An uniquely plotted mystery that will uncover the
secrets of some of the colorful characters.
The Bark before Christmas is an enjoyable holiday
read at any time of year.
This is book # 18 in the Melanie Travis series.
It can be read as a stand alone as the author
mixes the past with the present effortlessly.
Festival is dead, a show dog, GCH Westglen
Braveheart, aka Kiltie is dognapped from the crate
during the Christmas Festival and now Melanie
Travis newly named chairperson of the Christmas
Festival must track down who napped the show dog!!!
Melanie Travis, her husband and two sons have six
Standard Poodles named Faith, Eve, Casey, Tar,
Raven and Auggie. Melanie’s Aunt Meg is a long
time breeder and dog show judge. She insists that
Melanie find the missing dog.
The characters are well developed, well rounded,
some quirky and have good sense of humor.
An uniquely plotted mystery that will uncover the
secrets of some of the colorful characters.
The Bark before Christmas is an enjoyable holiday
read at any time of year.
This is book # 18 in the Melanie Travis series.
It can be read as a stand alone as the author
mixes the past with the present effortlessly.
April 15, 2024
In this story, Melanie is back at Howard Academy working part time. She is appointed the chairperson for the Christmas fundraiser a week before it happens. Everything goes smoothly until a dog disappears and Santa Claus goes missing and is later found murdered. The book was an easy read.
November 3, 2019
This is another Christmas cozy set in Connecticut. The story involves a Christmas bazar, a dog show, and a missing dog. The murder was secondary to the missing dog plotline, which is fine with me. I preferred that part of the story.
January 3, 2021
Light reading with a good plot. Santa Claus gets murdered and a Westie gets dognapped. Plus inside info on dog shows. Entertaining and a very fast read. Good distraction for covid obsession.
December 8, 2022
The book was okay, but one of the plot points (involving a child) was a bit more somber than I care for in a cozy.
December 4, 2023
Good Read. Dog lovers treat. ❤️✨
December 6, 2023
Exactly what I expected...a simple holiday mystery with a dog show setting that didn't require much concentration. It was nice to "catch up" with the characters I have "known" for years. Happy Holidays!
July 25, 2020
A cute and interesting story. A Christmas Bazaar, the prize winning show dog who disappears, and Melanie, who is asked to try to find the little dog. Of course, a murder of someone who played Santa Claus at the bazaar all adds to the story.
April 30, 2021
The Bark Before Christmas is NOT about Christmas, or dogs. It’s not even cute
Posted on April 30, 2021 by michellelovatosbookreviews, world's first book color commentator, book reviews with a twist
The Bark Before Christmas, book #18 in the Melanie Travis Mystery series, by Laura Berenson isn’t about Christmas. Okay. It is about Christmas, and murder, and a bunch of other expectable cozy-perfect ingredients.
I know. I know! Don’t bother protesting. These Christmas cozies are just so cute. To me, they’re little editorial Toy Poodles, small, cute, and have an end that never disappoints. And Berenson’s book is no different.
This barkalicioius story about a missing show dog, who is a Cairn Terrier and a proud representative of my favorite canine breed, thankyouverymuch, is different than other cozy I’ve lapped up before. Murder? Of course. Santa? Why not? But in this book, our heroine and main character, Melanie Travis is focused on an unusually short four-legged mystery, instead of the dead Santa laying at her feet.
Melanie is a woman neck-deep in her son’s various challenges, new marriage, private school special education teaching position, and a thriving standard poodle dog breeding business. She does not possess spare time to waste trying to solve the jolly old murder in red fur found nearby. No. She’s more interested in the missing dog, that somehow escaped its precious pooch palace during a school Christmas bazaar and pet photos event with Santa event.
That’s rough.
But, in this case, ignoring the dead body found within walking distance is a good plan. She needs to find a prize-winning Cairn Terrier who went missing at the same time. Can you believe that some foul fiend opened the snow-white, fluffy-furred terrier’s kennel door while simultaneously stirring up a pile of elementary chaos?
Hey, that brings us to a point; if a number one, long-term, top-quality showed dog escaped the safety of its dog kennel in the middle of a busy elementary school Christmas bazaar, how did “said dog” become a show dog in the first place? Wouldn’t a show dog stay put because it’s a show dog? Isn’t that part of why they win those blue ribbons? Oh, never mind.
Melanie does a great job solving this mystery while developing our canine muscles through education about the ins and outs of her most worthy champion poodle breed. And her deep commitment to her doggies takes readers on a path of discovery and danger. Nice.
Melanie is dogged in her pursuit of what turns into a confusing case of canine pooch-napping, and doesn’t let go until she’s chewed clean through this mystery.
Unmoved by bad puns and bad people, our heroine trots through every tunnel and she weaves through a french braid of suspects and sub-plots before she uncovers her ultimate answers.
And whala! Right at the same time that Melanie reveals the truth about the missing show dog, the police, in a separate investigation, catch their bah-humbug killer, and this story is wrapped up with a pretty bow.
If I had to attach a rating to this cozy mystery, I’d give it a “G” for Grandma thinks her grandkids would like this story. Therefore, I hereby deem The Bark Before Christmas a cozy for the ages – all ages.
And my granddaughter can’t figure out why I like reading all these books about dead bodies and crazy killers. Sheeze.
BoutiquePublishingService@hotmail.com
BoutiqueBooks@hotmail.com
Happy are those who respect the Lord and obey him. You will enjoy what you work for, and you will be blessed with good things. Psalm 128: 1-2
Posted on April 30, 2021 by michellelovatosbookreviews, world's first book color commentator, book reviews with a twist
The Bark Before Christmas, book #18 in the Melanie Travis Mystery series, by Laura Berenson isn’t about Christmas. Okay. It is about Christmas, and murder, and a bunch of other expectable cozy-perfect ingredients.
I know. I know! Don’t bother protesting. These Christmas cozies are just so cute. To me, they’re little editorial Toy Poodles, small, cute, and have an end that never disappoints. And Berenson’s book is no different.
This barkalicioius story about a missing show dog, who is a Cairn Terrier and a proud representative of my favorite canine breed, thankyouverymuch, is different than other cozy I’ve lapped up before. Murder? Of course. Santa? Why not? But in this book, our heroine and main character, Melanie Travis is focused on an unusually short four-legged mystery, instead of the dead Santa laying at her feet.
Melanie is a woman neck-deep in her son’s various challenges, new marriage, private school special education teaching position, and a thriving standard poodle dog breeding business. She does not possess spare time to waste trying to solve the jolly old murder in red fur found nearby. No. She’s more interested in the missing dog, that somehow escaped its precious pooch palace during a school Christmas bazaar and pet photos event with Santa event.
That’s rough.
But, in this case, ignoring the dead body found within walking distance is a good plan. She needs to find a prize-winning Cairn Terrier who went missing at the same time. Can you believe that some foul fiend opened the snow-white, fluffy-furred terrier’s kennel door while simultaneously stirring up a pile of elementary chaos?
Hey, that brings us to a point; if a number one, long-term, top-quality showed dog escaped the safety of its dog kennel in the middle of a busy elementary school Christmas bazaar, how did “said dog” become a show dog in the first place? Wouldn’t a show dog stay put because it’s a show dog? Isn’t that part of why they win those blue ribbons? Oh, never mind.
Melanie does a great job solving this mystery while developing our canine muscles through education about the ins and outs of her most worthy champion poodle breed. And her deep commitment to her doggies takes readers on a path of discovery and danger. Nice.
Melanie is dogged in her pursuit of what turns into a confusing case of canine pooch-napping, and doesn’t let go until she’s chewed clean through this mystery.
Unmoved by bad puns and bad people, our heroine trots through every tunnel and she weaves through a french braid of suspects and sub-plots before she uncovers her ultimate answers.
And whala! Right at the same time that Melanie reveals the truth about the missing show dog, the police, in a separate investigation, catch their bah-humbug killer, and this story is wrapped up with a pretty bow.
If I had to attach a rating to this cozy mystery, I’d give it a “G” for Grandma thinks her grandkids would like this story. Therefore, I hereby deem The Bark Before Christmas a cozy for the ages – all ages.
And my granddaughter can’t figure out why I like reading all these books about dead bodies and crazy killers. Sheeze.
BoutiquePublishingService@hotmail.com
BoutiqueBooks@hotmail.com
Happy are those who respect the Lord and obey him. You will enjoy what you work for, and you will be blessed with good things. Psalm 128: 1-2
December 22, 2016
A silly title for a very good book! Melanie Travis is trying to find a Kiltie, a valuable show dog, stolen during the school Christmas Bazaar that she ran running as a fund raiser for the school that employs her. She ends up finding a murderer as well. The very best part of this book however, is Kevin, Melanie's two year old son who accompanies her on her visits to various "dog people" as she tries to locate Kiltie. Kevin's joy of life and love of dogs and people made reading this book a total pleasure.
March 20, 2019
Loved. Loved. Loved. And I think I one single book from the end. Gasp. I loved this one. I loved that Melanie gets about yay close to letting Aunt Peg have it. Sometimes, I think she has way too much patience with her. Yes, I know Aunt Peg means well - maybe. But we wouldn't do well together..... Coming over to the house before 8 on a Sunday. Nope. I love that their family keeps growing on two legs and four. I don't love the idea that eventually we are going to need to deal with the loss of one of these beloved characters as the series goes on for years and I can't imagine that it will anything but awful no mattter who it is.... It's interesting how characters sharpen in focus and then fade into the background in each book. Really just like our people and pets do in real life. Onward to the next. And I understand I'll get a little bonus book in between that I'll need to get on my Kindle.....
November 17, 2015
The Bark Before Christmas
The Bark Before Christmas Although I've certainly heard of this series, I've never actually read it. I enjoyed the information about how dog shows work, as I went to a dog show a few months ago and didn't understand the process. The plot was solid, but unfortunately get bogged down and as it went on, I found myself flipping through pages. If you edited out all the bits about the MC's 2 year old, Aunt Peg, and everyone blaming the MC for the dog going missing and demanding that she find the dog, the book would only be about 80 pages long. So, just an okay book but didn't float my boat.
The Bark Before Christmas Although I've certainly heard of this series, I've never actually read it. I enjoyed the information about how dog shows work, as I went to a dog show a few months ago and didn't understand the process. The plot was solid, but unfortunately get bogged down and as it went on, I found myself flipping through pages. If you edited out all the bits about the MC's 2 year old, Aunt Peg, and everyone blaming the MC for the dog going missing and demanding that she find the dog, the book would only be about 80 pages long. So, just an okay book but didn't float my boat.
January 9, 2016
I love mysteries and this is my first one by this author. The book does give you a look into the dog show world which I thought was extremely interesting.
January 23, 2016
Santa Dognapper
Humorous, well written, mystery. Melanie feels like part of the family. Her sleuthing skills are always in demand when the dog show world has a problem.
Humorous, well written, mystery. Melanie feels like part of the family. Her sleuthing skills are always in demand when the dog show world has a problem.
December 21, 2017
I LOVE this series. I found in kindle - Christmas - great read.
November 20, 2021
Melanie Travis is assigned to head up the annual Christmas bazaar at Howard Academy where she works at the last minute. When disaster strikes with a prized dog, Kilty, going missing and the replacement Santa being murdered, she fears the bazaar is a failure and her job might be in jeopardy. She is asked to help find the dog and proceeds to investigate. She doesn't really like Sandra, the owner, and the more she uncovers about the woman the less she likes her.
With Christmas approaching Melanie is busy with her family, school obligations and everything else that goes along with the holidays. Plus her ex-husband is getting married on New Years eve to a woman she likes and she has agreed to help with the wedding. She is concerned about the dog and Sandra's daughter, Poppy. She comes up against a few road blocks but is determined to see things thru.
Melanie and her family and friends are very involved in the world of dog shows so there is a lot of talk surrounding this subject and dogs in general. A good mystery set at Christmas time with some lovable characters and a few.not so nice. Melanie is good about dealing with everything that comes up, good and bad.
Very enjoyable.
With Christmas approaching Melanie is busy with her family, school obligations and everything else that goes along with the holidays. Plus her ex-husband is getting married on New Years eve to a woman she likes and she has agreed to help with the wedding. She is concerned about the dog and Sandra's daughter, Poppy. She comes up against a few road blocks but is determined to see things thru.
Melanie and her family and friends are very involved in the world of dog shows so there is a lot of talk surrounding this subject and dogs in general. A good mystery set at Christmas time with some lovable characters and a few.not so nice. Melanie is good about dealing with everything that comes up, good and bad.
Very enjoyable.
June 14, 2017
In this installment, Melanie Travis is a special needs teacher and single parent who shows Standard Poodles. Her aunt Peg, aka Margaret Turnball is a well known poodle breeder known as Cedar Crest. Her aunt got her started in the dog show business. In this book, Melanie has remarried and has a two and a half year old. She and her husband own six poodles and 5 of them are champions. It is Christmas time and Melanie has gotten her job at the school back. She is put in charge of the Christmas bazaar which is a major fundraiser for her school. One of the highlights is Santa and pets photo booth. While at the bazaar, a prized show dog is stolen. It falls to Melanie to investigate the murder because her job can be on the line. If Melanie is to have a Merry Christmas she must find the killer fast.
December 16, 2024
This is the third holiday-themed mystery I've read this season, and I'm underwhelmed. With a dead Santa and a missing show dog, this story was more than a simple whodunnit, so that was a positive for me. Also super light on the romance, another positive for me. But there was such an emphasis on the dogs and dog shows and Christmas Bazaar, it took almost half the book to get to the death! This book clearly needed a better editor and a proofreader as there was a noticeable overuse/misuse of commas, words left out here and there, and the author seemed unable to decide between using past or present tense for the narrator at times. At one point, I was confused about who a character was until I realized the wrong name had been used. And even after finishing the book, I still don't understand why anyone blamed Melanie for the missing dog. Definitely will not be continuing this series.
June 6, 2017
My mother in law found this book for me in the library....and I tried so hard to get into it because well I love dogs and my mother in law! I feel like I'm in the minority here, others clearly love this book. But I couldn't get into it, by chapter 4 I could barely follow who the main characters were and the story was all dog brushing and overbearing Aunt Peg. I rarely cannot finish a book - but this time the he said she said style narration, forget it I felt like I was attending a boring social committee that I was forced to be at! I couldn't take it any longer. Like I say though I must be missing something because others clearly love this book!
September 4, 2017
Christmas is coming and mother of two and six Standard poodles Melanie Travis has her hands full enough when she is asks to chair her private school's Christmas bazaar. One of the bazaar's main attractions is have your pet's picture taken with Santa. Everything seems to be going great until a show dog goes missing and Santa ends up dead! The dog's owner asks amateur detective Melanie to investigate. I love this cozy mystery series! Always good stories and Melanie makes a great heroine and I love watching her family grow, both children and poodles!
November 26, 2018
Melanie has returned to work at luxury private school part time when the headmaster pins down to be the chairman of the school's Christmas Bazaar a week before the event. Things start going wrong when the headmaster receives a call that Santa will not be able to make it. When another person calls and said he was available a new Santa was in. Of course, a prize show dog goes missing and then Santa turns up dead! With Melanie and Aunt Peg's conections with the dog circuit, Melanie tries to find out what happened to the dog.
August 21, 2025
2 stars: it was ok. I started this series last year and flew through a big chunk of the books, and I liked them a lot. I decided I would focus on finishing series in the latter half of this year, which meant trying to finish this really long series (30 books!!). And while the story was nice, I just am not into them as I was last year. It was just ok, and was a bit predictable as I’ve read some of the many of them now. I really enjoyed learning about dog shows in the beginning, but now that I know so much, it’s a bit repetitive.
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