[.ca] Dog Eat Dog (ISBN 0758213174)

a fun, "feel-good" mystery:
If you're not looking for a classic, but rather fun laugh-out loud suspense, this series is for you. Three-dimensional characters with beliveable suspects, with no unfair punches as to the who-dun-it. I also liked how Berenson did not have to resort to multi murders in this one to keep the reader engaged. Leaves the reader with a cozy feeling, and empathetic satisfaction.

Woof!:
Welcome back to the "dog eat dog" world of dog breeding and shows, where Melanie Travis and her Aunt Peg are once again embroiled in a mystery. This time, in Dog Eat Dog, a member of Peg's kennel club is murdered shortly after a meeting, and Melanie is compelled to find the killer despite the fact that she is not a member of the club herself. This, however, is not the only thing "eating" at Melanie: the ex-husband is back in town and anxious to take up where he left off with Melanie's son, five-year-old Davey, even though the two haven't seen each other in four years and two months. Needless to say, the reunion does very little for Melanie's escalating relationship with Poodle breeder Sam Driver, particularly when the former hubby drops hints of taking Davey back to Texas. Discoveries of gossip and blackmail are the focus of Dog Eat Dog, which is a good followup story to Underdog. A light, sometimes humorous read, this is a recommended "cozy".

Pleasant read:
This is a book definitely to be reserved for the rainy day read. It is not demanding or particularly compelling and the characters are somewhat two-dimensional and caricaturish. The plotting is simplistic and homespun. Yet, while not being among the more accomplished of the genre, it is generally unobjectionable if one's expectations are not set too high.

Interesting Characters, including the Dogs!:
I got this book on a whim because on the cover are two beagles similar to my beloved hound. I also bought it looking for a fun, light-hearted mystery that has as its background something that I am interested, in this case the dog world. It is not overly ambitious, nor is it very complicated. But I enjoyed it greatly and have read all the others in the series. There is a new one in September, and I can't wait! I would put this on par with Grafton's mysteries, or the Jackson Braun Cat Who.. series. One piece of advice: I'd read them in order, starting with Pedigree to Die For. (And Aunt Peg is a hoot!)

A glimpse into dog show life:
Not only are these mysteries entertaining, but they also inform the reader of the ins and outs of the dog show business and breeding. I am new to dog ownership and these books have answered many questions I was afraid to ask others. Surely worth enjoying!