Death of a Dog Whisperer: A Melanie Travis Mystery

The intricacies of championship dog showing and the complexities of murder intertwine in Berenson’s entertaining 17th Melanie Travis mystery (after 2013’s Gone with the Woof). Amiable, handsome, and talented dog whisperer Nick Walden is gunned down in his home, possibly by someone he knows. His sister Claire enlists dog-loving amateur sleuth Melanie to help find Nick’s killer. The long list of suspects includes Nick’s clients; his snobby girlfriend, Diana Lee; and Melanie’s own Aunt Peg. Melanie uses her keen investigative instincts to sniff out clues in her lovely town in Connecticut’s Fairfield County, all while balancing two children, six standard poodles, and marital problems. Melanie’s engaging narration, with its slightly sarcastic flair, makes her utterly relatable. Fans will roll over with joy, and new cozy readers will likely scoop up the rest of the series. Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Sept.)