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Melanie Travis #2
Underdog
Melanie Travis is back. Now, the Connecticut teacher and single mother returns to elite canine circles, this time as the owner and handler of her own pedigreed poodle -- and uncovers a killer lurking among the dogged handlers and their prize-winning pets.
It's not easy being the underdog, but what Melanie and her five-month-old pup lack in experience, they make up in enthusiasm. Melanie signs up for a breed-handling class at Connecticut's classiest obedience school...only to have her education cut short by sudden death. Melanie -- with her unerring nose for detection -- smells murder.
With her rambunctious puppy, five-year-old son, and Sam Driver -- the man giving her both hot fantasies and cold feet -- in tow, Melanie hits the championship circuit. In this dog-eat-dog world where winning is everything, she discovers that more than one suspect had a bone to pick with the victim, including: an unctuous rival handler, an envious younger sister, and a kennel owner whose secret recipe for dog biscuits isn't the only thing she's guarding.
Between laps around the show ring, Melanie learns some tricks of her own. But will she learn fast enough to stay out of the reach of a killer?
It's not easy being the underdog, but what Melanie and her five-month-old pup lack in experience, they make up in enthusiasm. Melanie signs up for a breed-handling class at Connecticut's classiest obedience school...only to have her education cut short by sudden death. Melanie -- with her unerring nose for detection -- smells murder.
With her rambunctious puppy, five-year-old son, and Sam Driver -- the man giving her both hot fantasies and cold feet -- in tow, Melanie hits the championship circuit. In this dog-eat-dog world where winning is everything, she discovers that more than one suspect had a bone to pick with the victim, including: an unctuous rival handler, an envious younger sister, and a kennel owner whose secret recipe for dog biscuits isn't the only thing she's guarding.
Between laps around the show ring, Melanie learns some tricks of her own. But will she learn fast enough to stay out of the reach of a killer?
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
207 people are currently reading
627 people want to read
About the author
Laurien Berenson
60 books845 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 125 reviews
January 20, 2022
3.5
Didn't enjoy this one as much as the first book but I love the dog show backdrop and that we get to learn all about it right along with newbie Melanie. And I love the balance between her job as a special ed teacher and the dog show stuff. Plus single parenting her five year old son, brings a nice mix of chaos to the mystery. :-) Speaking of which, I knew whodunnit even before the murder so I was getting impatient for Melanie to catch up. lol
Of note: some crude language
Didn't enjoy this one as much as the first book but I love the dog show backdrop and that we get to learn all about it right along with newbie Melanie. And I love the balance between her job as a special ed teacher and the dog show stuff. Plus single parenting her five year old son, brings a nice mix of chaos to the mystery. :-) Speaking of which, I knew whodunnit even before the murder so I was getting impatient for Melanie to catch up. lol
Of note: some crude language
January 19, 2022
An enjoyable entry in the series. I figured out who done it early on.
May 18, 2020
This story involves a missing dog, suicide, murder, a new student, dog training, dog food, and dog shows. In this story Faith is still a puppy, and she's just beginning to compete in dog shows. I wasn't surprised by the killer, but I was surprised by their reasons for killing. The school stuff wasn't related to the dogs or mystery, so I wasn't as interested in that part of the story. The rest of the story was interesting, and I liked the way it all came together.
May 1, 2020
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
I absolutely love Davie! I think he is super adorable and the way Melanie interacts with him is precious. As she says many times, she may not be the best mother, but he's happy, healthy, and she's by far not the worst mother. The real-life way the book depicts her struggles as a single mom are really interesting to read about, as are the battles she chooses with her son. I'ts clear that Melanie loves her son and would do anything for him.
I also like how the book demonstrated just how hectic a teacher's schedule can be. While I don't know if Melanie had to lesson plan as a special education teacher in the 90's, it was nonetheless interesting to see how terminology has changed.
Speaking of the decade, I found it really interesting to read about what life was like at the time. While I was born near the end of the decade, many of my memories do have cell phones and computers in them, and though I remember having (and still have) a landline, I don't remember some of the other things, like using pay phones or going out of the house and having to worry about not being able to contact anyone.
Unlike with the first book, I found that many of the terms of the dog show world were explained much more thoroughly in this book. Looking back on the first book, I feel that it might be due to the fact that Melanie was so new herself, so the information we got was filtered through her eyes. I definitely feel I learned more about dogs and the show world.
I found the character and relationship development in this book to be really refreshing, because I feel like I really got to know and learn more about the other characters. Unlike other mysteries in which side characters are just there, even if they play a major role, I felt that I was really able to see Peg's personality and understand her relationship to Melanie. I also liked how the relationship between Melanie and Sam was explored, while not taking over the entire book. I found Sam to be even more likable in this book and I am so excited for their relationship to grow.
Similarly, I liked how the mystery, though central to the book, did not take over the entire story, but that we were able to view what Melanie's life was like.
Last, I absolutely adore Faith! She is such a smart dog, and if it weren't for the upkeep, I would seriously consider having a poodle as my next guide dog. As it is, I definitely want to own a poodle some day as they seem like such smart, lovable, and loyal animals. That isn't to say that my dogs aren't, only that I would like to know what it's like to have a poodle.
Overall, I really enjoyed the second book in the series and have already gotten the next ten or so books in the series.
I absolutely love Davie! I think he is super adorable and the way Melanie interacts with him is precious. As she says many times, she may not be the best mother, but he's happy, healthy, and she's by far not the worst mother. The real-life way the book depicts her struggles as a single mom are really interesting to read about, as are the battles she chooses with her son. I'ts clear that Melanie loves her son and would do anything for him.
I also like how the book demonstrated just how hectic a teacher's schedule can be. While I don't know if Melanie had to lesson plan as a special education teacher in the 90's, it was nonetheless interesting to see how terminology has changed.
Speaking of the decade, I found it really interesting to read about what life was like at the time. While I was born near the end of the decade, many of my memories do have cell phones and computers in them, and though I remember having (and still have) a landline, I don't remember some of the other things, like using pay phones or going out of the house and having to worry about not being able to contact anyone.
Unlike with the first book, I found that many of the terms of the dog show world were explained much more thoroughly in this book. Looking back on the first book, I feel that it might be due to the fact that Melanie was so new herself, so the information we got was filtered through her eyes. I definitely feel I learned more about dogs and the show world.
I found the character and relationship development in this book to be really refreshing, because I feel like I really got to know and learn more about the other characters. Unlike other mysteries in which side characters are just there, even if they play a major role, I felt that I was really able to see Peg's personality and understand her relationship to Melanie. I also liked how the relationship between Melanie and Sam was explored, while not taking over the entire book. I found Sam to be even more likable in this book and I am so excited for their relationship to grow.
Similarly, I liked how the mystery, though central to the book, did not take over the entire story, but that we were able to view what Melanie's life was like.
Last, I absolutely adore Faith! She is such a smart dog, and if it weren't for the upkeep, I would seriously consider having a poodle as my next guide dog. As it is, I definitely want to own a poodle some day as they seem like such smart, lovable, and loyal animals. That isn't to say that my dogs aren't, only that I would like to know what it's like to have a poodle.
Overall, I really enjoyed the second book in the series and have already gotten the next ten or so books in the series.
October 24, 2013
Another fun (if you can call murder fun) mystery set in the dog sow world. This one seemed to be more centered on the actual handlers, breeders, etc. than others and, like all competitive sports, it showed both the upbeat, fun side as well as the nasty, "win at any cost" side of competition. Little inserts about the behavior of other breeds (the Finnish Spitz rocketing out of his crate brought the biggest smile)clinches these books for me as I've had breed rescues as well as mutts over the years. While they're all dogs, they all have their own personalities and this book highlights how all show dogs aren't the same. If you're a dog lover and you like a mystery, give these books a try.
May 8, 2022
Underdog by Laurien Berenson is the 2nd book in the Melanie Travis Mystery series. Melanie Travis, together with her 5 month old pedigree poodle Faith, sign up for a show preparation class, only to have one of the trainers murdered. Another enjoyable cozy mystery where we learn more about the dog show world. Although the culprit was rather obvious, it was interesting to see Melanie juggle her work, single parenting and romance while learning about show preparation. An engaging mystery with plenty of cute and adorable canines.
April 23, 2021
Somehow I missed this title when I was reading through the series. I am very fond of the series so it was enjoyable to have another mystery to read about Melanie, Aunt Peg, and the poodles!
February 27, 2023
I enjoyed this cozy mystery, the second in this series! I am getting to know quite a bit about dog shows!
August 11, 2022
Melanie is a single mom with a 5 year old and a 6 month old poodle puppy. Her Aunt Peg gave her the dog and is initiating her into the poodle show dog circuit. Melanie is taking handling classes with a couple that is also into showing dogs and are professional handlers. When the woman of the group commits suicide, Melanie just doesn't believe it. She sets out to ask questions and determine what really happened.
I liked the book because it had a lot of information on what dog handlers do to get their dogs ready for a show. Really interesting stuff. Not something I can ever imagine myself doing - and I love dogs - but interesting none the less. Melanie is a bit two dimensional but it is only the second in the series. I think the premise was good and the characters have potential as does the series. I will read the next in the series.
I liked the book because it had a lot of information on what dog handlers do to get their dogs ready for a show. Really interesting stuff. Not something I can ever imagine myself doing - and I love dogs - but interesting none the less. Melanie is a bit two dimensional but it is only the second in the series. I think the premise was good and the characters have potential as does the series. I will read the next in the series.
January 8, 2020
A single Mom with 5 year old son shows standard poodles with her intimidating professional trainer/judge Aunt and new boyfriend dog handler. A handler in demand is murdered by poison then a 2nd murder narrows down the suspects as she learns secrets, puts herself in danger and puts the pieces together to solve the mystery. +Realistic parenting & love the dog decriptions!
November 11, 2025
The second Melanie Travis. As a reward for her help in recovering Beau, her Aunt Peg has given her a female puppy named Faith and assures Melanie that she is going to take the dog through her championship points. Melanie has pretty much given up arguing with Peg about certain things - Peg never hears her anyway when she doesn't want to. So Melanie has enrolled with Peg in a puppy handlers class. The Maguires are teaching the class. Mel likes Jenny who seems to be a nice person and is really good with dogs. Jenny also has an incredibly cute and clever toy poodle.
That night Jenny is in tears and told her the poodle was run over. Mel asks her over the next night for a girls night for dinner and talk, just to relax. Several days later, after supper with her husband and sister, Jenny collapses and dies. Melanie is very upset. Jenny was about her age and it rattles her that someone her age could die. So she sets about trying to find out what happened to settle her own anxieties over the death. The more questions she asks, the more confused she is. She eventually goes to the police and tells them what she knows of the situation and they confirm that they are investigating a murder. So she continues to ask questions of everyone remotely connected to the Maguire's kennel, Shamrock, and the owners of the dogs Jenny was showing - one dog in particular, a winning cocker spaniel named Charlie.
That night Jenny is in tears and told her the poodle was run over. Mel asks her over the next night for a girls night for dinner and talk, just to relax. Several days later, after supper with her husband and sister, Jenny collapses and dies. Melanie is very upset. Jenny was about her age and it rattles her that someone her age could die. So she sets about trying to find out what happened to settle her own anxieties over the death. The more questions she asks, the more confused she is. She eventually goes to the police and tells them what she knows of the situation and they confirm that they are investigating a murder. So she continues to ask questions of everyone remotely connected to the Maguire's kennel, Shamrock, and the owners of the dogs Jenny was showing - one dog in particular, a winning cocker spaniel named Charlie.
September 26, 2013
A great second book of one of the best series I have ever read!!! I recently finished reading this and I can honestly say the ending was surprising!!!! I am not going to add spoilers no matter how bad I want to! If you enjoyed the first of this series, A Pedigree To Die For, then you will enjoy this one! even if you haven't read the books in order since you can't get a hand on them, like me, this is still a great book, although like most series books, there may be a few spoilers of the the previous book in the beginning.
January 19, 2009
Again a charming mystery of murder in the dog show world. Competitiveness brings out the worst in people sometimes. A woman is murdered by those who want her out of the way for various reasons. Later another victim falls pray to the same killer. Meanwhile Melanie gains more experience in showing her puppy and moves along further in her relationship with Sam.
September 28, 2022
The main character, Melanie Travis has acquired a Poodle puppy which she is being to show at some dog shows in the puppy group. She also is taking a training class in handling with a woman who is murdered. Melanie has questions especially when no one else seems as concerned as she is. Am enjoying the series and hope the characters continue to evolve. The book was a quick easy read.
April 7, 2015
Disappointing and extremely easy to figure out. Mel really annoyed me at the end of the book with her stupid antics too. I have one more in this series in my TBR pile, but I doubt I will be adding more.
September 25, 2017
Very good cozy mystery set in the dog show world. Melanie starts investigating when a top trainer is found dead from arsenic poisoning.
April 8, 2018
Harmless, entertaining, predictable, with lots of dog shows.
September 12, 2019
An easy read and fun mystery
September 9, 2024
This whole series is wonderful. I've been reading since the start.
October 6, 2024
Great series! I enjoy the author’s writing style and the characters are fun. I’m learning a lot about show dogs, too!
October 8, 2020
Loving this series. And for once I'm not reading the books in order. I saw a half dozen of the later ones at a booksale and they looked interesting, so bought them all. Read one and was hooked. Think I've only got a couple of the ones I bought left to read, but in between I'm managing to find these first ones from libraries (when they aren't checked out). Guess I'm not the only one who enjoys these.
And I'm a cat person rather than a dog person. Not real interested myself in pet shows, but I have been to a couple cat shows. Who knows, maybe a dog show would interest me more. Probably not. It's the mysteries Melanie gets involved in and ultimately solves that I enjoy. Thought I had this one pegged (pun intended - as Peg is Melanie's aunt who got her into showing Standard Poodles). For a change I was correct.
Anyway, a great read, so go for it! Glad there are still quite a few books left in the series for me to read.
And I'm a cat person rather than a dog person. Not real interested myself in pet shows, but I have been to a couple cat shows. Who knows, maybe a dog show would interest me more. Probably not. It's the mysteries Melanie gets involved in and ultimately solves that I enjoy. Thought I had this one pegged (pun intended - as Peg is Melanie's aunt who got her into showing Standard Poodles). For a change I was correct.
Anyway, a great read, so go for it! Glad there are still quite a few books left in the series for me to read.
March 13, 2020
I read "A Bark Before Christmas" 20151st which I got free a few years ago as an Amazon prime member. It took me a few years to read (I was busy with the GOT books) but I liked the book once I got into it. She's no Mary Higgins Clark but the books are fun. I guessed the killer pretty much when introduced but still always doubts. If you like Hallmark channel and miss Lori loughlin's series "Garage Sales Mysteries" then you will like these books. I'm on to "Dog Eat Dog"! Poodles are my favorite breed!
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September 4, 2021I've read every book in the series, and generally enjoy them. As a lifelong dog lover, I like the dog show theme, although poodles aren't my thing. But the Aunt Peg character really sets my teeth on edge. She's incredibly bossy, lies to Melanie regularly, and is incredibly self-centered. Why Melanie continues to tolerate her is unclear; she'd be out of my life after 20 minutes! Get rid of Aunt Peg, please.
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.
March 17, 2017
3.5 stars
This was a nice enjoyable read. I started this series with book 2 by accident. I liked Melanie - she is down to earth and authentic. The pacing was good and I stayed interested up until the end. I wasn't totally surprised by the ending, but I was still left second guessing myself until the end. I am trying to decide if I should just go on from here or go back to read book 1 next!
This was a nice enjoyable read. I started this series with book 2 by accident. I liked Melanie - she is down to earth and authentic. The pacing was good and I stayed interested up until the end. I wasn't totally surprised by the ending, but I was still left second guessing myself until the end. I am trying to decide if I should just go on from here or go back to read book 1 next!
April 16, 2018
The second book is even better than the first one. So many clues stretched all through the book, that I am surprised Melanie managed to solve it after all. This one really kept me on the edge. There was a point when I felt that maybe Jenny is alive after all. Then I remembered the post mortem results and realized that is not possible.
Already started reading the next book in the series.
Already started reading the next book in the series.
August 14, 2018
It is a good thing that Laurien Berenson is such a prolific writer of this series.. I can't get enough of Melanie Travis, her Aunt Peg, and the pups.. This is short because I can't keep up and am already on the 5th book. If you want to read about what goes on in the Dog Show world with a bit of romance and murder(sometimes) this is the series for you.
November 2, 2018
Puppy love
Melanie got a puppy from her aunt and is learning to show her dog. While going to class she realised that the instructor and her are becoming best friends. A couple days after they had a girls day out her friend died unexpectedly and ended up as murder and she was determined to find out who did it.
Melanie got a puppy from her aunt and is learning to show her dog. While going to class she realised that the instructor and her are becoming best friends. A couple days after they had a girls day out her friend died unexpectedly and ended up as murder and she was determined to find out who did it.
May 10, 2017
I think about this book years later. It must have made an impression on me. I enjoyed learning about the show ring and lost a bit of dislike for poodles. I can't remember the mystery itself and I haven't read any of the other Melanie Travis books... yet!
June 10, 2018
I am completely won over by the variation of characters and relevant characterisation. I care about all of them and Standard Poodle theme, as former owner, is well defined. No sooner finisher reading I brain the next in the series, really interested in how story line will progress.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews