Blood Red, White and Blue: A Mary McGill Dog Mystery

In Delaney’s pleasing third mystery featuring retired home economics teacher Mary McGill and her cocker spaniel, Milly (after 2016’s Curtains for Miss Plym), Mary, who lends a hand in organizing every local event in the little community of Santa Louisa, Calif., prepares a bang-up Independence Day celebration, complete with a sensational fireworks display. As people are packing up for the night after the fireworks, Mary discovers the body of a visitor to town, Ian Miller, who’s been shot dead. She alerts the police and takes charge of the dead man’s splendid German shepherd. Supported by her pack of friends (most of whom have a fine dog or two of their own), Mary discusses the murder over endless glasses of iced tea, tracks down suspects, and unearths clues. When another man is found dead, she starts to hone in on not only the murderer but also the perpetrators of another crime. This is a highly enjoyable book for dog-loving cozy fanciers, with charming characters, a fair play plot, and a hands-on heroine. (July)