Hounded To Death

By Laurien Berenson

Book Overview

As the dog days of summer turn to the playful nip of autumn's chill, Melanie Travis is ready for a little relaxation. Her Aunt Peg has the perfect solution--a five-day symposium for dog show judges in Pennsylvania's idyllic Pocono Mountains. While Peg and Melanie's sister-in-law Bertie welcome the opportunity to socialize with the dog world's elite, the very pregnant Melanie embraces the chance to simply unwind. But when renowned judge Charles Evans delivers a keynote address that irritates many of the attendees, the symposium's agenda takes a deadly turn. For later that evening, Charles is found floating face-down in the outdoor hot tub. With few clues to go on, the police are baffled. But Melanie decides to take matters into her own hands, suspecting that a cold-blooded murderer may lurk among her fellow dog-lovers. . . "This canine cozy is absorbing enough to delight even cat lovers." -- Publishers Weekly "The mystery keeps the book rolling along, but it's the entertaining relationships Melanie has with her family that keep the reader involved." -- Romantic Times

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 075821605X
• ISBN13: 9780758216052
• Release Date: August 2008
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 316 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

great

I purchased this book as a gift. The recipient is a big fan of mystery books. She loved this one.

another satisfying mystery

Once again, Larien Berenson gives us another good mystery. Her characters are true-to-life and so are the animals. It's always enjoyable to read a book by this author.

Fantastic, as usual!

This series is terrific. The books are so well-written, you will enjoy them even if you are not a dog lover. If you are a dog lover, you will love the author's hilarious insights into dog ownership and dog shows. The characters are hysterical and likeable, the mysteries are well developed, and there is enough "real life" issues to keep the books from being cheesy. You won't be disappointed.

Another great mystery by Berenson

I've loved each book in the Melanie Travis Mysteries series, and this book doesn't disappoint. The only things I really missed in this book were the poodles! But don't worry, "Aunt Peg" finds a stray German Shepherd for you to worry about, and a pampered little Chihuahua saves the day for its owner.

amusing canine caper

Her husband Sam and her Aunt Peg persuade four months pregnant Melanie Travis to take a break from all her activities. She agrees and goes with Peg and her sister-in-law Bertie to a symposium for dog show judges and those who want to be one in the Pocono's. Melanie is shocked to learn that Peg is going to meet Richard Donner, whom she corresponds with on the internet; he brought his mother, who is very possessive of her son and her she also brought her Chihuahua with her. When Melanie goes for a walk she finds an abandoned German Shepard who is terrified of people. That night they try to find him buit instead come across well known dog judge Charlie Evans floating dead in the Jacuzzi. The police discover it's a homicide and everyone at the symposium expects Melanie to find out who the killer is. Many people think the controversial keynote speech he gave led to his murder; but Melanie thinks otherwise. Although she tries to stay out of the investigation, she keeps getting pulled into it until she finally surrenders and aggressively investigates wondering whose bite was louder than their bark amidst the many canine loving suspects. Fans of dog lovers and amateur sleuth mysteries will thoroughly enjoy HOUNDED TO DEATH, a doggedly good who-done it. There is lots of humor in this book as the author plays up the pitfalls of the heroine's pregnancy (an amusing salute to Fargo) to the enjoyment of the audience. The abandoned German Shepard and the adorable Chihuahua also are played for laughs although dogs play an important role in protecting humans. Laurien Berenson keeps her series fresh by having her key characters change. Harriet Klausner