Gone with the Woof

Melanie Travis #16

by Laurien Berenson

When Melanie’s Aunt Peg volunteers her to help one of dogdom’s elder statesmen write his memoirs, Melanie has no idea what she’s getting into. Edward March turns out to be a crotchety, manipulating philanderer and when his adult son Andrew is killed in a hit-and-run crash, March quickly becomes the prime suspect.
Drawn into the investigation, Melanie uncovers family discord, secret hoarding, and two generations of disgruntled ex-lovers. Melanie—busy with her own child who’s about to enter the terrible twos, not to mention a new puppy for Davey—must follow a convoluted trail of clues, but before she can act on what she uncovers, the killer prepares to strike again and this time she’s is the target…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Dogs, Animals, Murder Mystery

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Laurien Berenson is the award-winning author of the long running Melanie Travis canine mystery series and the new Senior Sleuths series starring Peg Turnbull and Rose Donovan as a pair of seventyish sisters-in-law who are learning to put aside old grudges as they work together to solve mysteries. DIE ANOTHER DANE (#31 in the Melanie Travis series) is out now.

Laurien's work has appeared numerous magazines and the New York Times. She and her husband live on a farm in Kentucky, surrounded by horses and dogs.

Reviews

[Susan Gottfried]

What a fun, solid read! Dropping into the series at #16 wasn't an issue AT ALL, which means the entire past history of the series is really well integrated into the current volume -- there were no info dumps and the explanations of Melanie's past seemed generally discreet, and the explanations of the dog show world seemed to be appropriate and fresh. In other words, nothing here felt like a rehash.

The mystery was a bit unsatisfying, as we don't get to see the Bad Person doing their thing on the page until late. If you want that, or you hate it when a suspect pops up at the last minute, this isn't for you.

But for a pleasant read with nice characters and dogs that are woven into the text like any other character? Bring it. I'm not a dog person. I liked the Poodles a lot. Robin the Setter, too. They're not plot moppets. They're just... THIS is how you write pets into a story.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun series, jam-packed with all kinds of dogs. Mom of two and former amateur sleuth Melanie decides she needs some adult conversations, so she's recommended by the zany Aunt Peg to co-author a memoir with a retired dog show judge. Things aren't always as they first appear, and Melanie is thrust into the drama of the dog world and smack-dab in the middle of a murder.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This takes place in January. Melanie is still on maternity leave. She works for an acquaintance of her aunt's helping him write a book. The story also has dog shows and family drama and secrets and a murder to solve. The mystery was okay. It would have been more enjoyable if there had been less drama.

[Suspense Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melanie Travis is a housewife with a small child, a teenager and dogs, dogs and more dogs. Life had become a little mundane for Melanie, as her Aunt Peg repeatedly tells her, so Aunt Peg finds her something to do with her time. She has decided that Melanie should help a former dog show competitor and judge write a book about his life in the “dog” world. Having lived her life in the world of show dogs, she reluctantly accepts the job. How hard could it be really?
Believing it to be nothing more than helping out a friend of Aunt Peg’s, Melanie finds her new employer, Edward March, to be nothing more than a mean old man with a closet full of skeletons. And his book is not about dogs, it’s about letting all of those skeletons out of the closet. He wants the world to know he was the Don Juan of the dog show world and he doesn’t care who knows what about whom. He even sends a mass email to all of the subjects that will be chapters in his book. Needless to say, some of them don’t want their “affairs” made public, including his adult son Andrew.
Andrew demands that Melanie not help Edward write the book. She refuses and is now more determined than ever to write it with him. Unfortunately, Andrew is struck by a hit and run driver in front of his home and left for dead. And dead he is. And the number one suspect is none other than Edward March himself.
Edward decides to put the book on hold and tells Melanie, in no uncertain terms, that her new job will be to find out who killed his son and why.
She can handle this new assignment, but as she begins to investigate the dog show world, she realizes that she might have taken too big a bite out of the biscuit.
A wonderful novel. Even better if you read it with a dog on your lap.
Reviewed by Sherri Nemick for Suspense Magazine

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Melanie gets involved with a judge of dog shows who wants to write his memoirs. When his son is killed the gets asked to start asking questions since the father is getting no answers from the police. The book was an easy read.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very fond of a terrific podcast called "What Should I Read next?" in which the host asks guests to name three of their favorite books, one book which they didn't especially like, and what they are looking for in their reading lives. Based on that information, she attempts to recommend their next reads.

The podcast got me to thinking about what makes me choose what I do from my ever growing "to read" list.

In this instance, the answer is clear. For the past several weeks, I've spent most of my workday filling out rather lengthy statistical forms which the federal government now requires us to complete for each client we serve. While they aren't difficult to do, the work is mind numbing and extremely time consuming and it takes me away from the part of my job I love, spending time with my clients. Filling out form after form leaves me totally exhausted at the end of the day. As is so often the case, books come to the rescue. At times like these, "escapist" literature really is the best medicine.

While perusing the list of new books added to the Braille and Audio Download site, I came across the most recent offering in Laurien Berenson's Melanie Travis series. Seeing that reminded me of just how much pleasure I got from earlier books featuring this dog loving mom. I decided that this is exactly what I needed after all that crazy paperwork and so I looked to see where I left off and discovered that the next entry was this one from 2013.

Travis has now quit her job as a special education teacher in favor of becoming a stay at home mom. This has proved so time consuming that she really hasn't done very much else and her loving, though meddlesome, Aunt Peg is determined to change that. Peg volunteers her niece to work with retiring dog show judge Edward March on a memoir which he plans to call "Puppy Love." Melanie reluctantly goes along with the plan; she loves dogs after all and her aunt may be right when she says that Melanie needs to lead a more complete life. Both Melanie and Peg are quite surprised when they discover that March doesn't intend to write about his experiences with dogs. No, this book will tell all about his many exploits with women. To make matters worse, March's son is killed in a rather suspicious car accident.

If you are looking for a book that will forever change your life, this isn't it. But if you want a few hours of fun with characters you'll come to love along with an intriguing mystery to solve along the way, you can't go wrong with this one.

I was delighted to discover that there are three newer titles in the series which I have yet to read and that one of them has a holiday theme. It's very likely that I will begin my Christmas reading by once again spending time with Melanie and Aunt Peg which will clearly put me in the holiday spirit.

[Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the urging of Aunt Peg, Melanie (who is now married and mother to a toddler and middle-school aged boy) takes a part-time job as a co-author. Much to her dismay, the book will not be about Mr. March's distinguished history in the dog show world but will instead be a memoir of his many love affairs. Just as she's trying to finding a way to back gracefully out of the project, his adult son is hit and killed by a car. When the police discover it appears purposeful, they seemingly focus their attention on Mr. March himself, who was at odds with his son over their construction business. Mr. March convinces Melanie to find the true killer. In her quest to do so, she finds many suspects - some who may turn their attention toward ending her quest. As if her life weren't busy enough, Melanie and her husband contemplate adding a member to their family. It was too long of a wait between books for me, so I really enjoyed diving back into this series. Melanie's spouse and toddler are growing on me. And, I really liked the characters of Robin, Auggie, and Bonnie. Even though I guessed one part of the mystery very early on, I still greatly enjoyed the journey. Melanie and her family seem like nice people you’d want on your side in a bind. Reading this book was a nice way to spend a lazy, fall afternoon. I can't wait until the next installment!

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know how you hate to have a series end, well I am really sorry to come to the end of this one and can't wait for the next two books which will be out by year end. I thoroughly enjoy Melanie Travis and her family and her poodles. 2015
Next read 2023

When Melanie’s Aunt Peg volunteers her to help one of dogdom’s elder statesmen write his memoirs, Melanie has no idea what she’s getting into. Edward March turns out to be a crotchety, manipulating philanderer and when his adult son Andrew is killed in a hit-and-run crash, March quickly becomes the prime suspect.
Drawn into the investigation, Melanie uncovers family discord, secret hoarding, and two generations of disgruntled ex-lovers. Melanie—busy with her own child who’s about to enter the terrible twos, not to mention a new puppy for Davey—must follow a convoluted trail of clues, but before she can act on what she uncovers, the killer prepares to strike again and this time she’s is the target…

[Tracy Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I had already rated this. So nice to see Melanie and the gang back for another installment after much too long! I miss more of Aunt Peg and Melanie as a school teacher. The stay at home mom thing leaves me cold, but that's probably because I don't have kids! LOVE this series and am waiting for the next installment!

[Friday · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy these stories but I just have to ask why Melanie isn’t getting any smarter? It was especially annoying in this book considering the character was shot, and saved at the last moment, in the last one. Ms. Berenson has created a creditable protagonist who is independent minded, unafraid, and seemingly intelligent, but I found her to be totally and unbelievably stupid in this book.

[Jennifer Golden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. For me the early Melanie Travis books are still the best. (The first 5 or 6). When Melanie was showing the Poodles and we learned a little about dog shows and how they work. I do not think new readers will enjoy this book nearly as much as someone who's read the series.

[Dyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

After 16 books, this author is still on top of her game. Her characters keep developing and are well defined. What bores some reviewers is the everyday family dynamics described, but I think they are integral to the story and that all aspects of the books - family life, dogs, dog shows, etc., and, of course, murder are seamlessly woven together. Actually, this book moves away from the dog shows and judging theme and has Melanie sleuthing in another direction. What's best about this series is that there is no gratuitous sex, bad language, murder gore, and is a true cozy mystery. At times, it is also humorous. Recurring characters in #16 are Aunt Peg, Alice Brickman, Bertie Kennedy, Terry Denunzio, and Crawford Langley.

It has been almost 1 1/2 years since Melanie has done any sleuthing and baby Kevin is now 18 months old and a handful. Meddlesome, bossy, and opinionated Aunt Peg has decided that Melanie is dull and boring. Huh - she's taking care of her two young sons, Davey and Kevin, a new husband, and a house full of five standard poodles. What do you think? She arranges an interview for Melanie with Edward March, a respected and newly retired AKC dog show judge. He also raised and showed Irish Setters previously. His remaining dog is named Robin. If hired, she will be co-author writing his memoirs. She is let into the house by Charlotte Chandler, his assistant, who leads Melanie directly to the messy library. But during the interview, a growly March tells Melanie that he's going to title his book "Puppy Love". As she questions him, it turns out it won't be about his dogs and career, but a tell-all of all the women he's slept with over the years. Can you guess who one of those ladies might be? He will name names thinking the women will be flattered. March says it will be a best seller but, Melanie thinks, who is going to read it? She hesitantly agrees to take the job thinking she can change his mind. She will receive a percentage of the profits when it is published. Another huh. He sends E-mails to all the women he will write about, and all are involved in the dog show circuit. He can't see that they wouldn't want their reputations besmirched.

Melanie soon gets a visit from March's son Andrew. He demands Melanie pull out and quit working on the book. Obviously, father and son don't get along; and it isn't long before Andrew is out jogging on a snowy road and gets run over by a hit-and-run driver. Since there are no skid marks, the police think murder. Edward is their best suspect. Edward says they will put the book on hold and that Melanie is to find his son's murderer instead. It turns out that Edward is also owner of a company called March Homes. He had turned the running of the company over to Andrew. There has been some litigation issues since Andrew took over. The company promises quality homes, but the builder cuts corners to save money.

Of course, the police are convinced Edward is the best suspect and are not looking any further. It will be up to Melanie to interview other suspects:
- All the ladies who might be in the book which includes: Patsy Revere (Irish Setters), India Fleming who is a show dog judge, and Maribeth Chandler (Weimaraners) and is Charlottes's mother.
- Julia Davis is Andrew's girlfriend and he dumped her when he found out she was pregnant.
- Lawyer Sherm Yablonsky was Andrew's best friend. He's also in love with Julia and is preparing a civil suit to get Edward to recognize his grandchild.
- George Weiner worked for March Homes and felt underappreciated, mishandled, and misunderstood. He wanted the job as sales manager but it was given to someone else.
- Walt McEvoy stood to profit from Andrew's death by succeeding Andrew as President of March Homes.
- Bonnie Raye was Andrew's assistant. She didn't like Andrew's treatment of Julia and was supposed to keep him from getting into trouble.
- The dog show circuit passed rumors that Edward could have another child out there by one of those women he's writing about. Is it true?

A subplot has Melanie puzzled about why most of the house is closed off. Charlotte becomes a friend of Melanie's and calls her when in distress. One day, Melanie finds Robin, the dog, outside and can only enter through the kitchen door. As she finds her way through the house, she soon discovers Edward is a hoarder. The climax has Melanie confronted by the murderer and Robin who ultimately saves her life.

Davey gets a big surprise at the end of the book and the inhabitants of the house suddenly become 10 members. Sam Driver, Melanie's husband, is a real catch as he is always there to babysit whenever Melanie has to go out sleuthing. He generally works from home. This is a series well worth reading. Highly recommended, especially if you love dogs.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Berenson's protagonist Melanie Travis is comfortable living the stay-at-home Mom life following the birth of her 2nd child 2 years ago, but her Aunt Peg has other ideas for her. Both women are involved in the dog show world, with Aunt Peg having taught Melanie all she knows, though Melanie worked as a teacher prior to her maternity leave. When Aunt Peg learns that local dog show legend Edward March is planning to write his memoirs, she sees it as a golden opportunity for Melanie to be his co-author. Melanie accepts the job, knowing that when Aunt Peg sets her mind to something, it's tough to sway her otherwise, but soon learns that both of their expectations are far different from reality. It all becomes a moot point though when March's son is murdered, and Berenson provides a long list of suspects for amateur sleuth Travis to turn her attention to investigate.
Having read multiple books in this series, though not in order, I enjoyed that the author filled me in on background details I missed by skipping around but didn't necessarily divulge the mysteries that those books revolved around. She did get a bit repetitive on those details though, as I counted at least 3 times where Aunt Peg's love of sweets was mentioned, along with the effects of Melanie enjoying them with her. I liked that the book turned to focus more on the murder than the autobiography, as the latter plotline was as intriguing to me as it was to Melanie and Aunt Peg. While I thought I figured it out early on, I was only half correct, so Berenson did keep me guessing until nearly the end.
Overall, it was a perfectly good book, nothing earth shattering, and the main plot was not as dog-centric as others I've read, which may be good or bad depending on a reader's opinion. That said, dogs were still mentioned early and often throughout the book and it advanced the ongoing storylines involving the central characters.

[Phyllis Barlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here we are again with Melanie and the gang.
Melanie and Sam have Davey and a nearly two year old son now.
Melanie has been on leave from her teaching job since Kevin's birth, and has enjoyed being a full-time wife and mother.
Or she was until Aunt Peg told her she was boring, and she had just the thing to bring a little zip into Melanie's life; helping one of her friends write a memoir.
Edward March is an esteemed former breeder of Irish Setters plus a well-respected retired dog show judge.
Melanie at first resists because she's busy with her home responsibilities plus she has no experience writing a book. Aunt Peggy of course overrides these concerns and makes an appointment for Melanie to meet with Edward. Without informing Melanie until like an hour before the appointment time.
Melanie resigns herself thinking she can certainly help write a book about the history of dog shows and stories about champion dogs.
BUT!! When she has her first meeting she discovers this is NOT the subject at all. Edward intends to write a tell all about the relationships he's had with women on the dog show circuit.
Edward's son Andrew is not pleased (to put it mildly) and pays a visit to Melanie to demand that she not take part in this endeavor.
Anyone who knows Melanie Travis knows demanding she not do something is like pouring gasoline on a fire. (Perhaps she's more like Aunt Peg than she realizes?)
Then things start to happen. Andrew is out jogging and is killed in a hit and run accident.
However, the police determine this was no accident, it was murder.
Edward thinks the police aren't moving quickly enough so he demands that Melanie get involved and try to solve this for him.
I figured out part of the mystery fairly early on but had the wrong killer.
A very absorbing, quick read, and I can't wait to find the next installment.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes there were dogs involved … the story revolves around people who breed and show dogs, but thankfully, the dogs do not control the story or do anything much more than be dogs. I hate the stories where the animals are “superhuman” and help the human solve the crime. Here, Melanie is hired to help an elderly dog show judge (Edward March) write his memoirs, but instead of a story about his life with dogs, he wants to write a tell-all story about his love affairs with women in the dog show world… one of whom is Melanie’s Aunt Peg, an opinionated dog show judge herself. Melanie isn’t sure she wants to co-write such a book when Edward’s only son, Andrew is killed in a hit-and-run incident that the police think is actually murder. It’s a good quick read without too many surprises.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the trauma of her last investigation Melanie has been living quietly at home on extended leave. Aunt Peg declares that Melanie has become boring and sends her to former dog show judge Edward March to assist him in writing a book. Instead of a dog show history book Mr. March plans to write his tell-all book about his various affairs. His son opposes the book because it will hurt the family home construction business. After his son is found dead Melanie is asked once again to look into the mystery. She finds unhappy former lovers, business troubles, and family secrets. All this while juggling her normal hectic family life of 2 active young boys, a husband, and a houseful of standard poodles with the addition of a new poodle puppy (Augie) for son Davey.

[Nese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a cozy with wonderful pets, dysfunctional but loving relatives, suspenseful murder mystery, a fast-paced and descriptive story telling style, and overall warm and hopeful feelings throughout the book. It is so enjoyable reading about Melanie’s day to day life with her family without any personal or family problems, unlike most people’s lives. The murder mysteries in each of the books in the series are suspenseful and well-developed, but I especially liked the new characters and the story in this one because it does such a good way of telling the complexity and duality of close relationships one has with one’s family. Four and a half stars.

[Mary Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of a wealthy old man who judged dog shows for years. Edward March wants to pen his life story and hires Melanie Travis to help him document not his dog show experience but his life outside the ring of breeds. His insistence of telling of his many affairs with the breeders, judges of dog shows upsets many of these women. In the meantime his son who runs the home construction company he started years ago sidetracks the creation of such a book. Melanie does her usual sleuthing to assist Edward to find out who murdered his son. Lots of unspoken details Edward does not reveal has Melanie uncovering many strange instances from Edwards past.

[Emily Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melanie's Aunt Peg thinks Melanie's brain is going soft because she is just being a stay at home mom so she offers Melanie's services to be a co-author on a legend in the dog world, Edward March. Melanie learns that the book is going to be more of a tell-all book, but the book is put on hold when Edward's son, Andrew, is killed by a hit-and-run. Edward knows that Melanie has done some sleuthing in the past and asks her to look into things. I love the "Melanie Travis Canine Mystery" cozy series, especially that with every book the kids grow older and that the series is done in real time.

[Josephine Morningstar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gone with the woof

I must say that this book was hard for me to get through, it was so dry. Usually I can read one of her books within a day and a half, and this one is taking me a week normally I can't wait to keep going and finish the book and this time well this time I took me forever to get through it. It didn't start to get interesting until 59% of it had been waded through. I'm not sure what it was about all of that detail it just was just not interesting to me. Maybe it will be to you.

[Mary Corso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time around it is still good.

I liked all of the books in this series. The information on dog show and handling is enjoyable, and the information on poodles makes me want one for myself! In fact, my dad told me once that I should have a standard poodle instead of Shepards .... well, maybe one more GSD and then switch to poodles. But they need hair cuts and all that .... anyway, This book is interesting from beginning to end, and the action at the end goes quickly.

[Darlene Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

? Despite a toddler and a house full of Standard Poodles, Melanie Travis can't pass up an opportunity to help legendary dog breeder Edward March pen his life story. The breeder's angry son Andrew demands she stop working on the book. Suddenly, Andrew is killed by a seemingly intentional hit-and-run. Melanie sniffs out every possible clue, runs into dead ends as fast as she runs out of time. The longer the killer stays unleashed, the sooner she may end up in the dog house for good.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder mystery set in the world of dog shows. The protagonist gets volunteered by her aunt of ghost write a book for a dog show judge that she thinks is going to be about his career. But he decides to make it a tell-all tale of his sexual conquests. When his sons is murdered, the author sets about finding out who-done it. Lots of dogs & family relationships.

Good sleepy-time book.

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet again, a clever tie in with the dog world and yet utterly original. I am fast approaching being up to date on this series and I can't help but think I'll be begging for the next one along with the rest of her fans! I love these books, characters and this author. I'm completely hooked. :) Bring on the next one!

[Terri Gilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun read about amateur sleuth Melanie Travis. Hired to help co-write what she assumes will be a book about dog shows, Melanie quickly discovers the old curmudgeon that's hired her wants a tell-all about his past affairs. Typical of the series, there's lot of plot twists and dog shows and gossip.

[James R Jackson III · Rating 4 out of 5]

Character studies are hard enough with people. The author does very well making human and canine come alive.

The action comes suddenly and turns the reader loose with them.The character studies play easy on the readers understanding and emotion. The story is a great distraction from2020. Well done!

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Melanie Travis series, but this one wasn't my favorite book in this terrific series. Somehow the story just seemed to go on and on about the man who had hired Melanie to help him with his memoirs. I would have preferred more about the poodles, but that is just me! I love the dogs in these books.

[Camilla Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a dog person, but I am an animal lover. (Have 3 cats - who are nowhere near as well trained as Melanie's standard poodles!) Love the series. The author writes great mysteries, with dogs in them! And this time I did have the culprit sort of pegged - figured it was one of two people! Read and enjoy.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. Author writes in a conversational storyteller style which is easy to read and pleasant. I love dogs, all of them, and the show circuit insider details are interesting. I like the main characters in these books and the setting and the dogs and the mysteries are decent too.

[Emma E Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lack luster episode in the series. I got the feeling that this book was written because the publisher demanded it, rather than the author having a great idea for a story. It ended rather pathetically with a stereotypical crazy woman who showed no signs of lunacy previously in the story. A shame because it had potential at one point to be good.