Death of a Dog Whisperer

When this series first started, it was one of those old dependables; the reader could always count on a good mystery, entertaining characters and pretty good plotting. When the series seemingly came to an end, it felt like the right time; neither too soon nor too late. Then Ms. Berenson picked the series up again. It was still good, but mentally I'd sort of said my goodbyes. I'm a completist though, so I continue to read the series.

This one; this one is just really average. The plotting was excellent, but Melanie's husband Sam acted like such a complete ass I was almost too disgusted to finish the book, and while he and Melanie resolved the situation to their satisfaction, it wasn't to mine. Someone needed to hit him on the head - show more hard. He got off too easy and I'm left feeling mutinous.

But the actual mystery was pretty good. I have the next one in the stack; it's a Christmas themed one so I'll read that one soon and decide then if I'm still on this series' bandwagon or if it's time to hop off, completist or not. show less

Between her boisterous sons and a house full of Poodles, there's never a dull moment for Melanie Travis. But no matter how hectic life gets, she can always pick up the scent of a howling good mystery--and she'll stop at nothing to dig up the truth. . .

It's summer in Connecticut, and Melanie's life has become an endless string of dog shows, soccer camp, and the antics of her energetic toddler. She hardly has time to pay much attention to her Aunt Peg's new protégé, Nick Walden, a self-proclaimed "dog whisperer" with an uncanny gift for decoding dog-speak. The well-heeled dog owners of Fairfield County are lapping up his alleged talents, anxious to discover exactly what their pampered pets are thinking--that is until the pooches start show more spilling their secrets.

When Nick is discovered dead in his home, his sister Claire enlists Melanie to help track down the killer. Now, as she juggles the demands of marriage and motherhood--not to mention her six beloved Poodles--Melanie can scarcely even begin to nose through the growing list of suspects. But just when she thinks she's barking up the wrong tree, she'll find herself face to face with a purebred murderer. . . show less

Melanie Travis has a thing for dogs, and all dogs have a thing for Nick Walden, a self-proclaimed "dog whisperer" who enters Mel's life through her "doesn't care much for dogs" ex-husband Bob. In a promise to Bob to introduce Nick to Mel's Aunt Peg--if she, Mel, decides Nicks an "OK" type--the first step to Mel being enlisted in tracking-down the culprit in Nick's death is taken, and the path to the answer is a great romp through Standard Poodle land (Mel has six), and a whole group of people who have plenty of nice things to say about the victim and about his uncanny gift for understanding and translating dog-speak. Perfect day at the beach read, or for a cold winter's night in front of the fire. Good characters, nicely plotted, and show more nicely written. show less

fun read. Donated