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Melanie Travis #7
Unleashed
Summer means two things to Melanie Travis: a break from her teaching duties at Connecticut's elite Howard Academy and a chance to plan the perfect wedding to her fiancé, Sam. She certainly doesn't need the unwelcome arrival of a dinner invitation "peace offering" from Sam's ex-wife, Sheila Vaughn. And dinner proves to be only the beginning of her problems. Sheila's new man turns out to be Brian Endicott, an old buddy-turned-enemy of Sam's. To make matters worse, Sheila announces her temporary stay in town is now permanent: she's accepted a job as co-publisher of Woof!, a new gossip rag for the dog show world. But before the first issue is even out, a hotter story breaks when Sheila is found dead, strangled with a leather dog leash.
As far as Melanie's concerned, the woman should have been on a leash long ago. And it seems she isn't alone in her dislike of Sheila. Some of Woof!'s salacious stories threatened to expose the dirty paws of quite a few important exhibitors, and someone on Sheila's staff may have found her high-handed attitude worth silencing. Then there's the question of the life insurance policy Brian took out only days before Sheila's death.
Even more troubling to Melanie is her faltering relationship with Sam, who's hiding secrets-secrets that put him more deeply under Sheila's spell in death than in life. Now, it will take the instincts of a bloodhound to sniff out a killer who's bent on putting an end to Melanie's amateur sleuthing...
As far as Melanie's concerned, the woman should have been on a leash long ago. And it seems she isn't alone in her dislike of Sheila. Some of Woof!'s salacious stories threatened to expose the dirty paws of quite a few important exhibitors, and someone on Sheila's staff may have found her high-handed attitude worth silencing. Then there's the question of the life insurance policy Brian took out only days before Sheila's death.
Even more troubling to Melanie is her faltering relationship with Sam, who's hiding secrets-secrets that put him more deeply under Sheila's spell in death than in life. Now, it will take the instincts of a bloodhound to sniff out a killer who's bent on putting an end to Melanie's amateur sleuthing...
313 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2000
161 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
About the author
Laurien Berenson
57 books843 followersLaurien 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 12, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up. Others have elaborated on the plot. Melanie's life sure has its ups and downs.
I really enjoy this series.
I really enjoy this series.
August 13, 2008
I like all the dog-themed mysteries that Laurien Berenson writes. I sometimes learn about different breeds and the world of show dogs and their kooky owners and trainers.
May 7, 2020
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
I was extremely thrown by this book! I really enjoyed the mystery itself, but Sam and Melanie had some serious communication issues. I thought that both could have been more mature and communicated with the other better than they did.
As for the mystery, I was honestly surprised by the ending because it was definitely not what I'd expected. I'm glad the book turned out the way it did as it made the ending much more exciting than usual.
As always, I like that the book focuses on Melanie as a person as well as someone solving the mystery. I especially like that the book expands on relationships she has with other characters instead of having them to support her but not expanding on them as people.
That said, I wasn't impressed by the pacing in the first half of the book or by the lack of communication between the characters.
I was extremely thrown by this book! I really enjoyed the mystery itself, but Sam and Melanie had some serious communication issues. I thought that both could have been more mature and communicated with the other better than they did.
As for the mystery, I was honestly surprised by the ending because it was definitely not what I'd expected. I'm glad the book turned out the way it did as it made the ending much more exciting than usual.
As always, I like that the book focuses on Melanie as a person as well as someone solving the mystery. I especially like that the book expands on relationships she has with other characters instead of having them to support her but not expanding on them as people.
That said, I wasn't impressed by the pacing in the first half of the book or by the lack of communication between the characters.
November 29, 2016
Excellent
I've read several of the Melanie Travis books, out of order, but that has not been a major problem., although I recommend reading on order if you can. These books go way beyond the cozy mystery genre. Not only is each mystery compelling and satisfyingly solved, the characters, esp Melanie, are complicated and well developed. I looked forward to this book when I realized it expounded upon Mel's relationship with Sam. Well done! What brought me to the series in th e first place was hearing that standard poodles were involved. They certainly are, and you'll learn much about my favorite bred, as well as dog shows and more.
I've read several of the Melanie Travis books, out of order, but that has not been a major problem., although I recommend reading on order if you can. These books go way beyond the cozy mystery genre. Not only is each mystery compelling and satisfyingly solved, the characters, esp Melanie, are complicated and well developed. I looked forward to this book when I realized it expounded upon Mel's relationship with Sam. Well done! What brought me to the series in th e first place was hearing that standard poodles were involved. They certainly are, and you'll learn much about my favorite bred, as well as dog shows and more.
September 12, 2016
I liked this book enough to look for more in the series. The amateur detective is Melanie Travis, a teacher, dog lover and niece to a very well known and liked poodle breeder. There is a lot in the book about dog shows and the dog show world; plus, Melanie's standard poodle is pregnant through-out the book so there is a lot of whelping talk. But, I love dogs, we had small standard poodles when I was growing up and I've even gone to some dog shows. So that part was familiar and interesting. The mystery is well done also.
August 16, 2013
It's summertime, and Melanie Travis can finally start planning a perfect wedding to her fiancé Sam driver. But everything changes when Sam's ex-wife Sheila announces that she will be residing in town permanently as copublisher of the dog show rag Woof. When Sheila is murdered, Sam is devastated and asks Melanie to investigate well he goes to be with Sheilas family. As Melanie struggles to uncover the truth behind Sheila's death, she feels her once solid relationship with Sam crumbling beneath her feet. He is hiding secrets from his past, and his unresolved feelings for Sheila make him reevaluate his life. This book was awesome; I always enjoy learning about the dog show world. I enjoyed all the plot twists in this book as well, I had no clue who the killer was until the very end. The scene where Faith has her puppies was very heartwarming and sweet. And my heart broke for Melanie. I can understand Sam's situation, but I know how devastating it was for her when he walked away from their relationship. He will be back in future books though.
March 12, 2021
Melanie single Mom teacher dog trainer for standard poodles planning her wedding to Sam when his ex wife returns to town wanting him back. When ex wife found dead after expose in show dog gossip magazine . Many suspects then part new ex friend found dead too. She finds the evidence while Sam is away at his ex wife's funeral. The truth of the past and who really wanted them dad comes out only after they are also threatened. +Wonderful description of puppies being born!
July 2, 2017
It has been a while since I followed Melanie's sleuthing adventures but this is a very solid and fun mystery. Even though I am not a dog lover, I am intrigued by the dog show world and am amazed at the amount of work it takes to get a dog ready for a competition and how patient the dogs are! There's a bit of a bombshell at the end too!
May 12, 2023
In this book, Melanie has a pregnant poodle to watch over. Her fiance ex- wife is still around and still causing trouble. The ex is murdered and the fiance ask for Melanie to find the killer. The case seemingly is about articles in a new dog magazine. Enjoyable read.
January 9, 2024
An interesting turn of events in Melanie’s personal life in this volume. Faith is out of the show ring for awhile so the tables are turned for both of them.
January 5, 2021
A great series. Melanie figures out the culprits every time. Not me. Did not expect it. Did not expect how it ended either, but I'm glad there are quite a few more books in this series. And yes, I have read a few "out of order". Read and enjoy, even if you are not a dog person (cat person here)!
February 28, 2021
First time author for me. I enjoyed the book and loved reading about the dog show world. Writing in first person took some getting use to, but by the end it was not an issue. I don't normally read books in the first person POV. Left me hanging, so I'm definitely reading the next book for sure, as well as the rest in the series!
August 17, 2014
Love it
Love it
good plot, great characters. realistic emotions. Love the doggies. Love the fact that real people deal with real issues, that everything isn't sunshine and roses
Love it
good plot, great characters. realistic emotions. Love the doggies. Love the fact that real people deal with real issues, that everything isn't sunshine and roses
January 6, 2019
The 7th book in the Melanie Travis mystery series by Laurien Berenson. Melanie gets involved in another murder mystery. This one involves the death of Sam's ex-wife. A light cozy mystery. Good for dog lovers.
September 16, 2019
As in the last book, the plot takes a break from dog show competitions. Mainly, because Faith, Melanie's standard poodle, is seven weeks pregnant and days away from delivering her pups. The main characters are well developed and there is advancement in their lives in each new book.
It is summer break at Howard Academy in Greenwich, Connecticut where Melanie Travis is a special needs tutor. Her energetic six year old son, Davey, spends most days at soccer camp which gives Melanie time to plan her wedding to Sam Driver and for her hobby of amateur sleuthing. In #6 of the series we were introduced to Sheila Vaughn who, it turns out, is Sam's ex-wife and who wants him back. One night Sheila invites Melanie and Sam to dinner. She announces that her plans have changed and her temporary three month visit to show her pugs has been changed to a permanent status as she has become co-publisher of a new start-up magazine called Woof!. It's a magazine that provides news, gossip, and dirt "that you won't get anywhere else". This, of course, will generate plenty of enemies. At dinner Sheila introduces them to Brian Endicott who is the other co-publisher. Brian has a Saint Bernard named Boris and lots of money. He made his money by marketing a game called Island of Mutant Terror. Sam knows him, because they went to business school together and Sam "got the girl" Sheila whom Brian was dating.
Sheila is later found murdered, and Melanie finds Sam more upset than she thinks he should be. Before Sam leaves to visit Sheila's family, he asks Melanie to investigate her murder as the police in these books are usually incompetent and think Sheila was killed by a burglar. This request is strange, because Sam has always been resistant to Melanie's sleuthing. She is reluctant to get involved because of Sam and Sheila's past involvement. She discovers a plethora of suspects:
- Aubrey Jones, Managing Editor of Woof who was undermining Sheila's efforts as publisher.
- Tim Golonka who was "facilitating" and letting people know when a scandalous article was being printed about them.
- Kenny Boyle, who was busted for over billing clients and has a mean temper. He turns out to be Bertie Kennedy's (who is dating Melanie's brother Frank) ex-boyfriend. He was livid about the story published on him.
- Alida Trent who is a steel heiress and finds out the magazine is writing a slanted story about her leasing a Shih Tzu from a breeder who says she broke their contract. Alida wants the story killed and can't get Sheila to call her back to talk about it.
- Carrie, the magazine's receptionist, who had a crush on Brian.
- Marlon Dickie, a photographer that the magazine let go. He took some nude photos of Carrie and Sheila had the negatives and pictures.
- Chuck Andrews who's mother owns the house that Sheila was renting. He was upset his mother signed a binding contract with Sheila and Brian that he wasn't consulted on. He has other plans for the house and land.
- Brian himself for various reasons.
Melanie has a meeting to talk to Brian who wants to talk about Sam. When she arrives at his house, she finds he has also been murdered. Sam informs Melanie that he has been made executor of Sheila's estate. Melanie has mixed feelings about that. After the climax where the murderer is revealed, there is a surprise ending where Sam makes a decision that will affect both of their lives. Will Melanie lose her dream man? Can't wait to read the next installment and find out how that turns out. There is also a heartwarming birth scene where Faith ends up with six black adorable puppies. A good cozy mystery to read on a rainy day!
It is summer break at Howard Academy in Greenwich, Connecticut where Melanie Travis is a special needs tutor. Her energetic six year old son, Davey, spends most days at soccer camp which gives Melanie time to plan her wedding to Sam Driver and for her hobby of amateur sleuthing. In #6 of the series we were introduced to Sheila Vaughn who, it turns out, is Sam's ex-wife and who wants him back. One night Sheila invites Melanie and Sam to dinner. She announces that her plans have changed and her temporary three month visit to show her pugs has been changed to a permanent status as she has become co-publisher of a new start-up magazine called Woof!. It's a magazine that provides news, gossip, and dirt "that you won't get anywhere else". This, of course, will generate plenty of enemies. At dinner Sheila introduces them to Brian Endicott who is the other co-publisher. Brian has a Saint Bernard named Boris and lots of money. He made his money by marketing a game called Island of Mutant Terror. Sam knows him, because they went to business school together and Sam "got the girl" Sheila whom Brian was dating.
Sheila is later found murdered, and Melanie finds Sam more upset than she thinks he should be. Before Sam leaves to visit Sheila's family, he asks Melanie to investigate her murder as the police in these books are usually incompetent and think Sheila was killed by a burglar. This request is strange, because Sam has always been resistant to Melanie's sleuthing. She is reluctant to get involved because of Sam and Sheila's past involvement. She discovers a plethora of suspects:
- Aubrey Jones, Managing Editor of Woof who was undermining Sheila's efforts as publisher.
- Tim Golonka who was "facilitating" and letting people know when a scandalous article was being printed about them.
- Kenny Boyle, who was busted for over billing clients and has a mean temper. He turns out to be Bertie Kennedy's (who is dating Melanie's brother Frank) ex-boyfriend. He was livid about the story published on him.
- Alida Trent who is a steel heiress and finds out the magazine is writing a slanted story about her leasing a Shih Tzu from a breeder who says she broke their contract. Alida wants the story killed and can't get Sheila to call her back to talk about it.
- Carrie, the magazine's receptionist, who had a crush on Brian.
- Marlon Dickie, a photographer that the magazine let go. He took some nude photos of Carrie and Sheila had the negatives and pictures.
- Chuck Andrews who's mother owns the house that Sheila was renting. He was upset his mother signed a binding contract with Sheila and Brian that he wasn't consulted on. He has other plans for the house and land.
- Brian himself for various reasons.
Melanie has a meeting to talk to Brian who wants to talk about Sam. When she arrives at his house, she finds he has also been murdered. Sam informs Melanie that he has been made executor of Sheila's estate. Melanie has mixed feelings about that. After the climax where the murderer is revealed, there is a surprise ending where Sam makes a decision that will affect both of their lives. Will Melanie lose her dream man? Can't wait to read the next installment and find out how that turns out. There is also a heartwarming birth scene where Faith ends up with six black adorable puppies. A good cozy mystery to read on a rainy day!
November 23, 2024
I learn more and more about show dogs and what it takes to raise/train them with every book in this series, which is a good thing. Not that I ever intend to show dogs, but I learning something from a book keeps me engaged even beyond the actual storyline.
I like Mel and can empathize with her crazy life, although mine was never quite that hectic. Davey is a cute little guy, but he really needs someone to set down – and enforce! – limits. Once again, Aunt Peg’s imperious attitude set my teeth on edge more than once, but I doubt that’s ever going to change. I like the setting and most of the rest of the recurring characters too, but some of the other people in this book weren’t so likeable.
The murder victim was a surprise, but there was no shortage of possible suspects to think about. At first I thought I had it worked out, but then new information led me in a different direction, and I put it together just before it was revealed in the book.
The next several books from this series are in my audio library, and I plan to listen to at least one of them next year.
I like Mel and can empathize with her crazy life, although mine was never quite that hectic. Davey is a cute little guy, but he really needs someone to set down – and enforce! – limits. Once again, Aunt Peg’s imperious attitude set my teeth on edge more than once, but I doubt that’s ever going to change. I like the setting and most of the rest of the recurring characters too, but some of the other people in this book weren’t so likeable.
The murder victim was a surprise, but there was no shortage of possible suspects to think about. At first I thought I had it worked out, but then new information led me in a different direction, and I put it together just before it was revealed in the book.
The next several books from this series are in my audio library, and I plan to listen to at least one of them next year.
March 9, 2024
Fast paced mystery
This story focuses on the show dog world--trainers, owners, and magazine publishers. A new magazine, Woof, is destined to reveal bad odors in the dog world. Did the first issue touch someone's raw nerve causing them to murder one of the owners? Melanie's fiance Sam has asked her to use her investigative skills to ask around. Did he even consider the danger she would be in? And danger there was--an irate landlord, someone's abusive ex-boyfriend, jealous coworkers. The suspects were more open in their revelations than Sam was which makes the ending quite understandable. Quick read!
This story focuses on the show dog world--trainers, owners, and magazine publishers. A new magazine, Woof, is destined to reveal bad odors in the dog world. Did the first issue touch someone's raw nerve causing them to murder one of the owners? Melanie's fiance Sam has asked her to use her investigative skills to ask around. Did he even consider the danger she would be in? And danger there was--an irate landlord, someone's abusive ex-boyfriend, jealous coworkers. The suspects were more open in their revelations than Sam was which makes the ending quite understandable. Quick read!
February 12, 2022
I love all of the books in this series! They are great fun with lots of humerous situations. I specially like the detailes of everything dog-breeding and dog-show related! Laurien Berenson really knows how it is to live this life with dogs, children (yes in that order) ;) and all people that are involved to make the wheeles spin around. I rate her book with 5 stars just because of her ability to give us an interesting and funny story with the dog-world knowledge.
November 8, 2023
Another adventure with Melanie, Peg, Sam, and all the poodles. (And Davey, too of course.) This story was a more personal one, and the ending took me quite by surprise.
I don't want to give anything away so I will leave it at that.
Except to say, how dumb can a man be to think that the fact that he was married before is "no big deal," especially when said ex-wife blows into town and tries to lure her ex-husband back?
Can't wait to see what happens in the next installment.
I don't want to give anything away so I will leave it at that.
Except to say, how dumb can a man be to think that the fact that he was married before is "no big deal," especially when said ex-wife blows into town and tries to lure her ex-husband back?
Can't wait to see what happens in the next installment.
May 11, 2017
As usual a good book that I recommend. I loved this series from book 1. I read them and immediately get the next book. These books take my mind away from what's going on in my life and they make me happy and there's always a good mystery along with all the wonderful dogs.
December 29, 2021
Another fun story about a double tragedy and a surprise bad guy.Berenson leaves us hanging about the state of Melanie's engagement to the fabulous Sam. Thanks goodness this is an older series and I won't have to wait a long time to see what happens.
January 9, 2024
This is a series that does not get worse with time...I enjoy each book as much as the earlier ones! The mystery is easy to understand, and the characters are interesting, although not even eccentric! Good info about dog shows is included.
December 9, 2024
Well!
Don't bother trying to understand all the characters, but watch all of them feed them The dogs rotate to keep up interest. Eventually the author gives the reader whatever is neei.
Don't bother trying to understand all the characters, but watch all of them feed them The dogs rotate to keep up interest. Eventually the author gives the reader whatever is neei.
July 23, 2017
This book was a bit harder-hitting than previous books in the series. I liked it, despite wanting to slap Sam silly the entire time.
February 16, 2019
Fast moving story with interesting characters. I will be looking for other books by this author
January 26, 2020
Forgot to write review right after i read it and 3 weeks later I dont remember enuff about book to properly analyze.
I'm sure it was about poodles.
I'm sure it was about poodles.
January 31, 2020
Pleasantly diverting, but I am getting a little tired of the annoying people around Melanie.
March 6, 2020
if you have a yen for dogs, you'll adore these books. Ms. Berenson has a way of bringing her words to life, as well as the dogs!!!
Also, the mystery follows and the storie unfolds....
Also, the mystery follows and the storie unfolds....
July 8, 2020
3.5 stars. This book seemed better than the last ones I’ve read in the series. Story was more engaging and flowed better.
December 9, 2020
This is another excellent book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews