What do you think?
Rate this book
Golden Retriever Mystery #1
In Dog We Trust
Forty-two-year-old Steve Levitan 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 home town of Stewart's Crossing, PA, with his tail between his legs.
With his parole officer peering over his shoulder, Steve begins a technical writing business and takes a part-time job as an adjunct professor of English at his alma mater Eastern College. He reconnects with an old friend - the local police detective - hangs out at a coffee shop, and enjoys the natural beauty of Bucks County and the stimulating college environment.
Starting over helps him numb the pain of all he's lost, including the two unborn children his ex-wife miscarried before their divorce. The last thing he needs in his life is a shaggy, bossy golden retriever. But when his next-door neighbor Caroline Kelly is murdered, Steve becomes her dog's temporary guardian.
Rochester seems determined to solve the mystery of Caroline's death, digging up clues and pushing Steve to investigate. As they nose through Caroline's past, her friends, and her career searching for motives, the bond between man and dog grows.
But it's only when Steve uncovers a connection between Caroline's death and some uncomfortable situations between his students and his colleagues that Steve realizes that in order to save his own life, and the life of the dog he's come to love, he's going to have to come face-to-face with a killer with nothing left to lose.
With his parole officer peering over his shoulder, Steve begins a technical writing business and takes a part-time job as an adjunct professor of English at his alma mater Eastern College. He reconnects with an old friend - the local police detective - hangs out at a coffee shop, and enjoys the natural beauty of Bucks County and the stimulating college environment.
Starting over helps him numb the pain of all he's lost, including the two unborn children his ex-wife miscarried before their divorce. The last thing he needs in his life is a shaggy, bossy golden retriever. But when his next-door neighbor Caroline Kelly is murdered, Steve becomes her dog's temporary guardian.
Rochester seems determined to solve the mystery of Caroline's death, digging up clues and pushing Steve to investigate. As they nose through Caroline's past, her friends, and her career searching for motives, the bond between man and dog grows.
But it's only when Steve uncovers a connection between Caroline's death and some uncomfortable situations between his students and his colleagues that Steve realizes that in order to save his own life, and the life of the dog he's come to love, he's going to have to come face-to-face with a killer with nothing left to lose.
Hoopla Digital Audio
First published March 10, 2010
1835 people are currently reading
989 people want to read
About the author
Neil S. Plakcy
235 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
October 4, 2015
Pure, unadulterated fun! Classic beach or rainy day read.
February 21, 2023
Good solid writing. The only thing I didn't seem to feel was a strong intensity. It was more good solid steps to solve the mystery.
Good enough part for a dog to make it a mystery + dog book. There were parts where the dog is nosing something that turns out to be a clue or something that leads to something that I don't think they would have, but hey, it moves things along and gives the dog something to do. At least it was not as obvious like when the dog irrationally barks at someone in the beginning of the book that in the end has people saying, I should have listened to you they were the killer.'
I am trying to read 'all' the book 1 of the mystery + dog book series before moving beyond book one. This book makes 13 that I have read out of 50 series I have identified. Always open to what people think are the 'best' dog books, including best mystery + dog books. I liked this one, but it didn't move me for me to think it was the best.
Hmmmm, had a thought, after I figure out what is the best book 1, I could be open to see who has the best book 2. :-) Just kidding, after I get through all the book 1's, I will want to read the whole series from whom I consider the best.
Good enough part for a dog to make it a mystery + dog book. There were parts where the dog is nosing something that turns out to be a clue or something that leads to something that I don't think they would have, but hey, it moves things along and gives the dog something to do. At least it was not as obvious like when the dog irrationally barks at someone in the beginning of the book that in the end has people saying, I should have listened to you they were the killer.'
I am trying to read 'all' the book 1 of the mystery + dog book series before moving beyond book one. This book makes 13 that I have read out of 50 series I have identified. Always open to what people think are the 'best' dog books, including best mystery + dog books. I liked this one, but it didn't move me for me to think it was the best.
Hmmmm, had a thought, after I figure out what is the best book 1, I could be open to see who has the best book 2. :-) Just kidding, after I get through all the book 1's, I will want to read the whole series from whom I consider the best.
June 22, 2021
Steve is a convicted felon--he hacked into a credit card database to block his overspending ex-wife's cards, and got caught. Bitter and broke, he's trying to start over, moving from California to PA, where he grew up. When his neighbor Caroline dies, he finds himself caring for her exuberant golden retriever, Rochester, even though he says he doesn't want a pet. Rochester helps him solve the mystery of Caroline's violent death, and makes him realize that he needs Rochester as much as Rochester needs him. Recommended for readers who enjoy a well-plotted cozy mystery and, of course, for anyone who loves golden retrievers.
August 23, 2015
In Dog We Trust, by Neil Plakcy (CreateSpace, 2010, 322 pages, $10.99)
I read a lot of books. I have to. I’m a book reviewer and every once in a while I find myself reading a self-published book. Most of them are not worth the paper they are printed on, primarily because they have not been edited (and this has a few typos).
However, if the book is one in a series, chances are better that it is a good book because the author has more experience and because his or her writing has received some comments. (This is the first in a series of six, so far.)
I also pay attention to who the author is – if an English professor, I can generally assume it is well written. (The author has an MFA.)
If it has a reader’s guide, great!
And if it has received (or if the author has won) a legitimate award like the DWAA (Dog Writer’s Association of America) or a Pulitzer or Newbery, it is sure to be good.
In Dog We Trust is self-published but written by an MFA (Master of Fine Arts)(who has also written numerous other series) and is the first in a series of six books.
I loved it!
If you like the Chet and Bernie series by Spencer Quinn or the Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt with a golden retriever, you will love In Dog We Trust! Rochester the golden finds clues but doesn’t talk like Chet does, so if you favor real dogs, In Dog We Trust is for you.
It’s a fast read and has a protagonist you can really identify with: a middle-aged divorced freelancer adjunct college English instructor, even if he is an ex-con (you may not identify with that, though, but Neil Plakcy puts you in his shoes and they fitl so well you might think Plakcy is an ex-con himself! [He isn’t.])
Steve Levitan becomes a dog person when he temporarily takes in his newly-murdered next-door neighbor’s dog and, in this book, the dog really is part of the story. Not only does Rochester find clues to two crimes and tie them together but the author realistically details the daily life of a dog up to and including poop-walks at 11 pm.
The mystery begins smack dab in the beginning, perhaps a bit early for some folk, and gradually mounts with plenty of clues so that you may figure it all out. If so, your enjoyment in this story will not be diminished because the characters are so real and likable. In Dog would be an excellent beach read or plane read. I have a trip to a conference coming up: jus right for the second in the series.
But, . . .
I read the electronic version on my Mac and the left- and right-justification nearly murdered me, as well as having to continually change the size of the print (font) which took entirely too long. After I finished it, and too quickly, I received the pdf version - much easier to read. Since this is only the second e-book I have read, the lack of page numbers and a table of contents also drove me crazy.
However, . . .
In Dog We Trust was good enough to read in one day!
A Truly Fun Crime Mystery, Two in One!
I am so looking forward to the rest of the six in the series! (They have more interesting covers!)
I read a lot of books. I have to. I’m a book reviewer and every once in a while I find myself reading a self-published book. Most of them are not worth the paper they are printed on, primarily because they have not been edited (and this has a few typos).
However, if the book is one in a series, chances are better that it is a good book because the author has more experience and because his or her writing has received some comments. (This is the first in a series of six, so far.)
I also pay attention to who the author is – if an English professor, I can generally assume it is well written. (The author has an MFA.)
If it has a reader’s guide, great!
And if it has received (or if the author has won) a legitimate award like the DWAA (Dog Writer’s Association of America) or a Pulitzer or Newbery, it is sure to be good.
In Dog We Trust is self-published but written by an MFA (Master of Fine Arts)(who has also written numerous other series) and is the first in a series of six books.
I loved it!
If you like the Chet and Bernie series by Spencer Quinn or the Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt with a golden retriever, you will love In Dog We Trust! Rochester the golden finds clues but doesn’t talk like Chet does, so if you favor real dogs, In Dog We Trust is for you.
It’s a fast read and has a protagonist you can really identify with: a middle-aged divorced freelancer adjunct college English instructor, even if he is an ex-con (you may not identify with that, though, but Neil Plakcy puts you in his shoes and they fitl so well you might think Plakcy is an ex-con himself! [He isn’t.])
Steve Levitan becomes a dog person when he temporarily takes in his newly-murdered next-door neighbor’s dog and, in this book, the dog really is part of the story. Not only does Rochester find clues to two crimes and tie them together but the author realistically details the daily life of a dog up to and including poop-walks at 11 pm.
The mystery begins smack dab in the beginning, perhaps a bit early for some folk, and gradually mounts with plenty of clues so that you may figure it all out. If so, your enjoyment in this story will not be diminished because the characters are so real and likable. In Dog would be an excellent beach read or plane read. I have a trip to a conference coming up: jus right for the second in the series.
But, . . .
I read the electronic version on my Mac and the left- and right-justification nearly murdered me, as well as having to continually change the size of the print (font) which took entirely too long. After I finished it, and too quickly, I received the pdf version - much easier to read. Since this is only the second e-book I have read, the lack of page numbers and a table of contents also drove me crazy.
However, . . .
In Dog We Trust was good enough to read in one day!
A Truly Fun Crime Mystery, Two in One!
I am so looking forward to the rest of the six in the series! (They have more interesting covers!)
November 26, 2017
I bought this book when I was casting around for a new author of dog-related books.
Unlike the main human characters in most books where a dog is involved, the main human character, Steve, in this book does not initially like dogs, especially not big hairy energetic golden retrievers. But when his next door neighbor is shot, Steve discovers the body. He temporarily (he thinks) takes in her dog, a golden retriever named Rochester, who is young, big, energetic, and ill-mannered.
Steve is trying to rebuild his life after a prison stint for computer hacking. He finds himself unable to resist getting involved in solving the murder mystery, even if he has to risk getting caught at computer snooping which would send him back to prison. As time goes on, he falls for the golden and ends up keeping it.
A fairly decent book. The dog is a real dog, complete with young dog flaws. The writing is sometimes repetitious as the author keeps trying unnecessarily to explain Steve's motives multiple times. There are a few things that appear to be story inconsistencies. (For example, he lives in a townhouse he inherited from his father but he also mentions that he has to pay a mortgage.) There are numerous humorous asides that sometimes got a chuckle out of me.
Unlike the main human characters in most books where a dog is involved, the main human character, Steve, in this book does not initially like dogs, especially not big hairy energetic golden retrievers. But when his next door neighbor is shot, Steve discovers the body. He temporarily (he thinks) takes in her dog, a golden retriever named Rochester, who is young, big, energetic, and ill-mannered.
Steve is trying to rebuild his life after a prison stint for computer hacking. He finds himself unable to resist getting involved in solving the murder mystery, even if he has to risk getting caught at computer snooping which would send him back to prison. As time goes on, he falls for the golden and ends up keeping it.
A fairly decent book. The dog is a real dog, complete with young dog flaws. The writing is sometimes repetitious as the author keeps trying unnecessarily to explain Steve's motives multiple times. There are a few things that appear to be story inconsistencies. (For example, he lives in a townhouse he inherited from his father but he also mentions that he has to pay a mortgage.) There are numerous humorous asides that sometimes got a chuckle out of me.
July 25, 2021
This was very entertaining, It was actually a good book.
This was a refreshing read, It was a murder mystery without the gore and there was very little profanity in the entire book. Overall basically a non offensive book.
The main character is a college professor who is returning to normal life after a short time in prison. He hacked his ex-wife's credit bureau to put a hold on her accounts.
Fresh from prison, on parole, divorced, and inheriting his father's house; He is the only witness to a murder. His next door neighbor who owns a golden retriever named Rochester. There was no one to take Rochester so this college professor adopts him.
Basic amateur detective novel, His best friend is a cop, lots of college teacher life and the backstory of how he's remaking his life post-prison.
The reason I gave it three of five stars is thathat early on they telegraphed who the villain was.
Overall very enjoyable I will read the next book in line.
This was a refreshing read, It was a murder mystery without the gore and there was very little profanity in the entire book. Overall basically a non offensive book.
The main character is a college professor who is returning to normal life after a short time in prison. He hacked his ex-wife's credit bureau to put a hold on her accounts.
Fresh from prison, on parole, divorced, and inheriting his father's house; He is the only witness to a murder. His next door neighbor who owns a golden retriever named Rochester. There was no one to take Rochester so this college professor adopts him.
Basic amateur detective novel, His best friend is a cop, lots of college teacher life and the backstory of how he's remaking his life post-prison.
The reason I gave it three of five stars is thathat early on they telegraphed who the villain was.
Overall very enjoyable I will read the next book in line.
December 7, 2021
Steve is an ex-con, on parole, who somehow garnered a job as an adjunct professor at Eastern. When his neighbor is murdered, he reluctantly inherits a dog, and an investigation.
He's a former hacker, but his cop friend asks him to use his computer to help gather information, despite the wishes of his parole officer.
Good thing the dog is smarter than his owner.
He's a former hacker, but his cop friend asks him to use his computer to help gather information, despite the wishes of his parole officer.
Good thing the dog is smarter than his owner.
September 1, 2019
If you are a animal lover, you will love Rochester the golden retriever , .Its agreat murder dog mystery. I want to read the other 5 books in order
If you are a animal lover, you will love Rochester (golden retreiver) it's a great whodunit murder dog mystery. I want to read the other 5. Keep them coming Neil.
If you are a animal lover, you will love Rochester (golden retreiver) it's a great whodunit murder dog mystery. I want to read the other 5. Keep them coming Neil.
March 11, 2016
This was quite possibly one of the best books I've ever read. It was well-written, had an interesting plot,and kept you guessing and hanging onto every word. I would strongly recommend this book, though it has some mild language in it, as it was very, very well-written.
March 30, 2021
Rochester, Golden Retriever, Detective!
Steve finds his neighbor murdered and rescues her beautiful golden retriever. Just a big overgrown puppy that leads Steve and the police to the murderer eventually. Along the way hundreds of thousands of dollars and 3 more people must die. Good read.
Steve finds his neighbor murdered and rescues her beautiful golden retriever. Just a big overgrown puppy that leads Steve and the police to the murderer eventually. Along the way hundreds of thousands of dollars and 3 more people must die. Good read.
February 28, 2017
My thanks to the author for my copy. A delightful story about a golden retriever, Rochester who is adopted by a nondog lover after his Mom is killed. Steve Levitan is out walking one evening when hears 3 shots and sees his neighbor 's dog running to him. The dogs lead him back to his owner's body. As the dog has nowhere to go, Steve keeps him. Rochester is very helpful in solving the mystery. I would have like to give this book 3.5 stars but will give it 4. I like very much Rochester behavior, that actions of the characters and the plot. Negative thoughts some of the information was not believable and felt the background have been researched better. I positively wanted someone to tell Steve to take Rochester to an obedience class. However, I know of many situations where the dog is the boss. I like the story so well, I read the next book. This is a debut book. I recommend this book for a light enjoyable read.
November 16, 2020
One of the most poorly written novels I've ever read. I was intrigued because the story had a golden retriever, a mystery and a computer hacker recently released from prison. What can I say, the book failed to be interesting on any of these levels. This self-published author really needed a good editor to help untangle the plot and fix the grammar and spelling and flesh out the characters. Even the golden didn't have a personality. This wasn't a very long book (274 pages). However, instead of concentrating on the story and the characters that mattered to the story, the protagonist spent about a third of the time telling us about his life with his ex-wife.
I wouldn't recommend this book and I never would have finished it. But since I gave a copy to my son, I felt I should read it if he was going to read it. Usually, I only recommend books I've read and enjoyed.
I wouldn't recommend this book and I never would have finished it. But since I gave a copy to my son, I felt I should read it if he was going to read it. Usually, I only recommend books I've read and enjoyed.
Currently reading
August 16, 2021I am wondering if I'm alone in thinking that the author is a little racist when it comes to Hispanic Americans. In this book, there is a character named Diga May (or digame). The character is supposedly Anglo and complains that people what to talk to her in Spanish. I thought it kinda weird until I started listening to the second book in this series. There is one character named Jose Can-You-See. There is a second character in the same book with a Hispanic name that is kind of brutalized into some form of humor but I am old and forgot the name and the "joke." I like humor but I don't see these characters as being humorous. I assume that if he was really trying to be humorous he would have a character named Honky Douchebag or Whitey Slave-Owner. I just wonder if anyone else was paying attention to this and what they thought of it.
September 24, 2012
This book is currently the first book you find on the New York Public Library e-book lending site when you look at mysteries. There are 50 people on the wait list.
I don't have that kind of patience, and I have enjoyed so many other books by Neil Plakcy, so I went looking to purchase instead.
I am so glad I did. This is a full length mystery novel regardless of what the cost leads you to believe. Not to mention it is a great read.
This is not a romance unless you count Steve falling in love with Rochester, the dog. It is a good, complicated mystery. The characters are likeable, and very human.
I don't have that kind of patience, and I have enjoyed so many other books by Neil Plakcy, so I went looking to purchase instead.
I am so glad I did. This is a full length mystery novel regardless of what the cost leads you to believe. Not to mention it is a great read.
This is not a romance unless you count Steve falling in love with Rochester, the dog. It is a good, complicated mystery. The characters are likeable, and very human.
April 6, 2014
Interesting new series that I wasn't aware of. I wasn't sure I would enjoy it, but since it was including dogs, I thought I would give it a shot and I did enjoy the entire series. I went from the first in the series to the last in just a few days and enjoyed how the dog would give the clues and it would take awhile for the human to realize what was being given to him. I also found it interesting to have the criminal record and the hacking as part of the story. I was surprised by the ending of the last book, but do understand. I would have liked more in this series.
August 21, 2012
I was immediately intrigued when I heard Neil Plakcy speak at the Malice Domestic 2012 convention this year on the “Must Love Dogs: Mysteries Involving Man’s Best Friend” panel. This is the first book in the Golden Retriever Mystery series. I’ll admit, cozy mysteries featuring an animal, I find pretty irresistible.
To see the rest of my review visit http://www.examiner.com/article/read-...
To see the rest of my review visit http://www.examiner.com/article/read-...
July 7, 2021
Fantastic mystery with wonderful character development, suspense, and humor. Steve is a great sleuth along with his curious and ever attentive side-kick, Rochester, who has an uncanny way of helping Steve do his detective work. I cannot wait to read book 2 in the series!
February 20, 2017
Good read
This is a fun series. I have been reading them out of order but they are still excellent stories and I always love a book with a dog in it.
This is a fun series. I have been reading them out of order but they are still excellent stories and I always love a book with a dog in it.
March 2, 2019
Fulfilling
Are you a lover of dogs, lover of mysteries and a lover of reading? This wondetful novel is for you!
Are you a lover of dogs, lover of mysteries and a lover of reading? This wondetful novel is for you!
did-not-finish
July 26, 2025DNF immediately.
The audiobook is messed up! This was the most irritating beginning because of terrible recording or something.
The audiobook is messed up! This was the most irritating beginning because of terrible recording or something.
November 22, 2025
A free trial that I audiobooked from Chirp.
August 19, 2025
3.5 stars
This is a fun mystery featuring an amateur sleuth and his clever dog.
Background: Forty-two-year-old Steve Levitan is having a rough time. Until about a year ago, Steve was a technical writer and information expert in Silicon Valley.
Steve drifted into hacking and - to curb his wife's overspending - diddled with credit card databases. The police arrested Steve the next day, and while Steve was in prison, his wife divorced him and his father died.
Steve is now on parole and back in his hometown of Stewart's Crossing, Pennsylvania. There Steve resides in the townhouse his father left him, does freelance technical writing, and is a temporary adjunct professor at elite Eastern College, his alma mater.
Steve's parole officer, Santiago Santos, checks on Steve monthly to keep him on the straight and narrow. Santos installed keystroke software on Steve's computer, to insure Steve isn't hacking into forbidden records.
*****
Early in the book, Steve is taking an evening walk when he hears gunshots and sees a black SUV speed past him. It turns out Steve's neighbor, Caroline Kelly, was killed, and her golden retriever Rochester is homeless.
To make a long story short, Steve adopts Rochester, and feels compelled to help find the person who killed Rochester's mommy.
Luckily, Steve has renewed a boyhood acquaintance with Rich Stemper, who's now a police detective. This gives Steve the opportunity to stick his two cents into the Caroline Kelly investigation.
Steve has an advantage over the cops because Rochester has a doggy instinct for unearthing clues. For instance, Rochester sniffs out the bullet casing from the murder gun; lays a paw on a relevant 10-digit-number on a piece of paper; draws attention to an important letter; and so on.
While Steve is getting Rochester's toys from Caroline's house, he can't resist taking Caroline's laptop. Though Steve shouldn't, he uses Caroline's computer to hack into her records and look into her background, to see who might have wanted to kill her.
While all this is going on, Steve is approached by his childhood piano teacher, a widow named Edith Passis. Edith confides she can't keep up with her finances and is afraid someone's stealing from her. Edith tells Steve that Caroline Kelly - who worked in Edith's bank - was looking into things, but of course Caroline was shot to death.
This 'coincidence' is suspicious, and Steve goes on to hack into Edith's records. With Steve's hacking and snooping and interviewing people, he learns about Caroline's killer and Edith's thief. Steve then gives the information to Detective Stemper and justice is done.
Of course Steve also gets into BIG trouble with his parole officer and runs the risk of going back to prison!!!
This is a fun mystery, and it's entertaining to follow Steve as he plays with Rochester; investigates crimes; has coffee at the Chocolate Ear café; patronizes food trucks; assists the police; teaches classes; converses with students; chats with colleagues; and more.
Tangential characters tend to have kooky names like Candy Cane, Anna Rexick, and Lay Zee, which is amusing. (Author Neil Plakcy has a good sense of humor. 🙂)
I'm a fan of 'animal mysteries' and I like talking pets - like the pooch named Chet in Spencer Quinn's books, and the cat called Mrs. Murphy in Rita Mae Brown's novels. Rochester doesn't say a word, but I like him anyway.
Recommended to fans of cozy mysteries.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
September 25, 2017
Steve Levitan has been living a pretty boring life, struggling to find regular work and enduring monthly visits from his parole officer. He recently spent six months in jail over a little light hacking, and as a result he lost his job, his wife, and his life in Silicon Valley. After leaving jail he moved back east and began work as an adjunct professor. Steve is unwilling to confess his conviction and jail time to his old friends and neighbors, and unable to move on and create new relationships without disclosing his past. He lives in suspense of discovery and rejection.
While on a walk one day, Steve discovers his next door neighbor's golden retriever, Rochester, running loose. Rochester leads Steve to the body of his owner by the side of the road, gunned down by three bullets. Steve wonders just what could cause someone to kill his neighbor, and before he can stop himself he's drawn into the mystery with help from his new doggy sidekick.
I enjoyed this mystery! This is the first in a series of seven starring Steve and Rochester, but it can be read as a standalone and doesn't end on a cliffhanger. The pace of the book is slow and steady, and the writing is simple and straightforward with plenty of descriptions and character development. Rochester, the golden retriever, was a gem and his mannerisms so truly doggy-like. I thought Steve's character arc was really well done. In the beginning he wasn't too likable, he was inwardly disparaging of his students, cruel to his ex wife, and made excuses for his crime. As the book progressed he became so much more through his interaction with Rochester, and in one particularly emotional scene he finally came to terms with everything he'd gone through.
The narrator was steady, consistent, and his pace was good. His voice sounded exactly like I'd imagine Steve in real life, which always helps immerse me in the story. I received a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. It was an enjoyable read, and I do plan on picking up the sequel.
While on a walk one day, Steve discovers his next door neighbor's golden retriever, Rochester, running loose. Rochester leads Steve to the body of his owner by the side of the road, gunned down by three bullets. Steve wonders just what could cause someone to kill his neighbor, and before he can stop himself he's drawn into the mystery with help from his new doggy sidekick.
I enjoyed this mystery! This is the first in a series of seven starring Steve and Rochester, but it can be read as a standalone and doesn't end on a cliffhanger. The pace of the book is slow and steady, and the writing is simple and straightforward with plenty of descriptions and character development. Rochester, the golden retriever, was a gem and his mannerisms so truly doggy-like. I thought Steve's character arc was really well done. In the beginning he wasn't too likable, he was inwardly disparaging of his students, cruel to his ex wife, and made excuses for his crime. As the book progressed he became so much more through his interaction with Rochester, and in one particularly emotional scene he finally came to terms with everything he'd gone through.
The narrator was steady, consistent, and his pace was good. His voice sounded exactly like I'd imagine Steve in real life, which always helps immerse me in the story. I received a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. It was an enjoyable read, and I do plan on picking up the sequel.
February 7, 2021
Although I enjoyed this book, overall, it could have been better. The plot was interesting enough and Rochester, the golden retriever, was great, but the "flawed hero" concept was taken too far. Steve was heavy on the flawed, light on hero.
There were a few typos but not an unusual number these days.
Page 7 Although Steve gives the reader a short lecture on the femoral artery, he makes no attempt at all to render first aid. He's not someone I want around in an emergency.
Page 58 Steve has mentioned that one of his students would look Amish if he were wearing a straw had. But all of the Amish I've met have a distinct accent. Did the student sound Amish?
Page 63 When Steve uncovers a piece of information about a customer at the bank where Caroline worked, he displays a remarkably juvenile attitude when he doesn't get the thanks that he thinks he deserves.
While it's not uncommon to hear adjuncts make disparaging remarks about a few of their students, Steve is teaching electives. His students have chosen to take those courses. If he were teaching 101 to students who had to be there, like it or not, he might really have something to whine about.
Page 167 Steve talks too much and doesn't listen enough to be a really good detective. Several times he risks giving too much information to possible suspects. Internally, he tells us way more than we want to know about his ex-wife.
Page 199 A five-year-old knows to call 911 in an emergency. Why does Steve have to be told?
Page 210 I liked Steve's lawyer but my lawyer would have stopped the questioning sooner.
Page 226 When is the story set? Steve says that Facebook is social media for students. Facebook was started for college students but has been open to the public since about 2006. The book is copyright 2010.
Page 243
There were a few typos but not an unusual number these days.
Page 7 Although Steve gives the reader a short lecture on the femoral artery, he makes no attempt at all to render first aid. He's not someone I want around in an emergency.
Page 58 Steve has mentioned that one of his students would look Amish if he were wearing a straw had. But all of the Amish I've met have a distinct accent. Did the student sound Amish?
Page 63 When Steve uncovers a piece of information about a customer at the bank where Caroline worked, he displays a remarkably juvenile attitude when he doesn't get the thanks that he thinks he deserves.
While it's not uncommon to hear adjuncts make disparaging remarks about a few of their students, Steve is teaching electives. His students have chosen to take those courses. If he were teaching 101 to students who had to be there, like it or not, he might really have something to whine about.
Page 167 Steve talks too much and doesn't listen enough to be a really good detective. Several times he risks giving too much information to possible suspects. Internally, he tells us way more than we want to know about his ex-wife.
Page 199 A five-year-old knows to call 911 in an emergency. Why does Steve have to be told?
Page 210 I liked Steve's lawyer but my lawyer would have stopped the questioning sooner.
Page 226 When is the story set? Steve says that Facebook is social media for students. Facebook was started for college students but has been open to the public since about 2006. The book is copyright 2010.
Page 243
June 26, 2021
Interesting read, but a few technical issues. The most bothersome was the dog getting sick after eating "chocolate biscuits". Since Golden Retrievers are fairly large dogs, it takes quite a bit of chocolate to get a neurological response. It would have been more believable if they were actually poisoned (and honestly who would blindly give their dog something home made that came through the mail unless they actually recognized who it was from?...but I digress). The severe limits are 2.4 pounds of milk chocolate or 1/2 pound of dark chocolate. Keep in mind that biscuits aren't pure chocolate, the bag that was delivered would have had to be huge to have enough to really poison that dog. And, sadly I know this because we've had dogs get into chocolate over the years. A 20 pound poodle scarfed 2 pounds of chocolate bon-bons (tossed her cookies, but was fine), a beagle polished off an entire 9x13 pan of chocolate frosted brownies (no ill effects whatsoever...but he was a Beagle) and a Golden scarfed 3 large size milk chocolate bars (7 ounces) one Christmas (no ill effects, the vet calculated how much chocolate she'd gotten (21 ounces or 1 lb, 5 ounces) which was well below anything he was worried about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2019
I’m an unabashed fan of Neil Plakcy’s writing. I’ve read, enjoyed, and favorably reviewed the books in both his ‘Mahu’ and ‘Have Body, Will Guard’ series.
Based on those books, I made what seems be a false assumption that his ‘Golden Retriever Mystery Books’ would also be a gay male mystery romance series. That certainly wasn’t the case in the series first book, ‘In Dog We Trust’.
I’ve given this book the lowest score I’ve ever given a book by Mr. Plakcy - not because is wasn’t a gay romance mystery, but because the life story and hardships of the principal character, 42-year-old Steve Levitan, a convinced felon, is repeated not once, not twice, but ad nauseam throughout book.
It was clear about half way through ‘In Dog We Trust’ who was behind the murders that were being investigated. Being able to identify the culprit is certainly not an experience I’ve had in the majority of Placky’s novels I’ve read.
So, primarily because like Mr. Plakcy, I'm also an owner and lover of golden retrievers, it’s on to ‘The Kingdom of Dog’ where I’ll hope for a more satisfying read.
Based on those books, I made what seems be a false assumption that his ‘Golden Retriever Mystery Books’ would also be a gay male mystery romance series. That certainly wasn’t the case in the series first book, ‘In Dog We Trust’.
I’ve given this book the lowest score I’ve ever given a book by Mr. Plakcy - not because is wasn’t a gay romance mystery, but because the life story and hardships of the principal character, 42-year-old Steve Levitan, a convinced felon, is repeated not once, not twice, but ad nauseam throughout book.
It was clear about half way through ‘In Dog We Trust’ who was behind the murders that were being investigated. Being able to identify the culprit is certainly not an experience I’ve had in the majority of Placky’s novels I’ve read.
So, primarily because like Mr. Plakcy, I'm also an owner and lover of golden retrievers, it’s on to ‘The Kingdom of Dog’ where I’ll hope for a more satisfying read.
October 29, 2021
Steve Levitan has recently been released from prison for hacking into 3 credit card companies and putting alerts on his ex wife's account after she lost her second baby was was about to get into some serious retail therapy, as was her habit.
Paying the bills is not easy, as Steve's job as adjunct professor of literature at Easton University pays very little. His parole officer has him working on a business plan for his freelance technical writing business, but he has to show Santiago Santos, the parole officer every move he makes on the computer.
While out walking he hears gunshots and finds that his neighbour, Caroline, has been shot dead. He does not particularly like dogs, but does not want to see her golden retriever, Rochester, get sent to the pound.
Steve tries to help his childhood piano teacher, Edith, figure out why her money has been disappearing. It takes him some time to realize that the two cases are linked.
Paying the bills is not easy, as Steve's job as adjunct professor of literature at Easton University pays very little. His parole officer has him working on a business plan for his freelance technical writing business, but he has to show Santiago Santos, the parole officer every move he makes on the computer.
While out walking he hears gunshots and finds that his neighbour, Caroline, has been shot dead. He does not particularly like dogs, but does not want to see her golden retriever, Rochester, get sent to the pound.
Steve tries to help his childhood piano teacher, Edith, figure out why her money has been disappearing. It takes him some time to realize that the two cases are linked.
July 28, 2021
I got the first 3 books free on Amazon. I've stopped reading free books because they are usually so bad you know it in the first 3 pages. However as a golden owner I was intrigued. At first I was a little put off by incongruencies in the story (How the ex wife when they met had brown kinky hair to how the ex wife when they met had a blond pony tail) and the gratuitous one liners that were not that clever. But the story did keep me interested although I still think making up silly names for people is distracting from the story itself. I'm still reading the series and even though a dachshund turns into a chihuahua I take it in stride. Read these books for fun. They are entertaining and with a good editor would be very good books. I did message the author on FB and received a very nice reply.
October 1, 2021
I would classify this as a cozy mystery because there's no sex and the murders happen off stage. But it is much deeper than most cozies. I fell in love with the dog, and I don't think it's letting the cat out of the bag (so to speak) to say, "The dog doesn't die." Since this is Golden Retriever Mystery #1, and there are a bunch more, he obviously survives. He's a big lug of a dog and so sweet. He reminds me a lot of my Newfs and my daughter's Danes. My objection to the main character was that no matter how loud I screamed, figuratively speaking, he simply would not listen to me. But, as I said, there are more books to follow so it's obvious that all ends well. And the ending doesn't leave you hanging like you HAVE to read the next book. You just want to so you can be near that big dog again.
January 19, 2021
Dog; wise and wonderful!
I am inlove with Rochester, the awesomely brilliant Goldy! Thank you, Nei S Plackey, for a completely satisfying read. The plot had enough twists; Steve Levitan was someone I worried about getting himself in over his head again - with dire results! That I worried over a character in a book, tells you just how wonderfully this character has been written/drawn. Actually, the entire cast of characters are all very believable. The book is well- written, with lovely descriptive phrases throughout. I recommend this book to anyone who a) loves dogs, b) likes murder and mayhem, c) ready to appreciate a really well-written, well thought out story. I am ready for book 2!!!
I am inlove with Rochester, the awesomely brilliant Goldy! Thank you, Nei S Plackey, for a completely satisfying read. The plot had enough twists; Steve Levitan was someone I worried about getting himself in over his head again - with dire results! That I worried over a character in a book, tells you just how wonderfully this character has been written/drawn. Actually, the entire cast of characters are all very believable. The book is well- written, with lovely descriptive phrases throughout. I recommend this book to anyone who a) loves dogs, b) likes murder and mayhem, c) ready to appreciate a really well-written, well thought out story. I am ready for book 2!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews