I have been following this series ever since the first book, A Pedigree to Die For, was published in 1995. Watching Melanie and her little boy Davy grow over the years has been a consistent pleasure. I’ve also enjoyed learning quite a bit about poodles (like why they are made to look as they do in shows) and other canines.

Each book offers a traditional mystery as is the case here. This time the murder victim is a wealthy philanthropist. Who did it? Why? Follow along with Melanie as she figures everything out.

Currently Berenson has been writing a series based on Rose and Peg. Peg has had a role in this older series as well. Both series are fun for lovers of traditional mysteries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Hey, who can not love puppies? That is what attracted me to this book. Cute puppies on the cover what could go wrong?
Well, seems this is an on going series about an amateur sleuth.

I have never read this author before but I will again.

It's an entertaining mystery but I felt that the end didn't match the same pace as the rest of the book. It felt rushed and not finished. Maybe there is another on it's way.

I loved the way the dogs were a huge part of this book. I enjoyed it.

Enjoyed this addition to the series. Cute and likable characters. Easy to follow the story line and paced good.

Melanie Travis is back home in Connecticut after her Kentucky adventure (LIVE AND LET GROWL), helping out at an annual event called "Puppy Fest," run by a local dog rescue organization funded by local millionaire Leo Brody, who opens his capacious home and pockets for the event, which is extensively covered by the press, and attended by most of his children from three different marriages. When Brody doesn't show up for the opening of Puppy Fest (which is played somewhat like the Puppy Bowl game on Superbowl Sunday), Melanie is sent to track him down. You guessed it: she finds him dead—with his latest mistress bending over the body. So not only is there now a body, but several people think Melanie had something to do with his death, including Jane, the officious Brody daughter who runs Puppy Posse, the rescue organization.

It's a good thing Melanie is still on vacation because she spends the rest of the book driving through Connecticut talking to the rest of Leo Brody's fractured family, and boy are they a bunch of pips—if they don't hate each other on the surface they sure do underneath. This is another one of Berenson's books in which everyone is so unpleasant you almost don't care who gets arrested as long as they all shut up. Of more interest in the story is Bud, the terrier that Melanie and Davey rescue as the book opens and if he will find a home with the family, and of what Aunt Peg is going to do once a sobering event happens.

Murder at the Puppy Fest by Laurien Berenson is part of the Melanie Travis Mystery series. Melanie has her hands full with her children and her pedigree Poodles. She agrees to volunteer at Puppy Fest, an annual fundraiser for a dog rescue. Life gets more complicated when she finds the owner of the mansion where the event is being held dead in his office. The mystery was interesting, but I did not enjoy the time spent on the dog shows. I adore dogs but everything involved in pedigree dog shows is not for me. I also found it a little odd that Melanie took her youngest son along when she questioned her suspects. This is a good book but just not for me.

I took a break from this series for a bit so thanks to Netgalley for the ARC which brought me back to it. Melanie has a bad habit of stumbling on murders (golly, how does this happen to any one woman!). but she's also a pretty intrepid and entertaining detective. I like these books because I enjoy reading about the poodles, the dog shows, and the other characters (I've always been a huge Aunt Peg fan- that woman says it like it is). You could easily read this as a standalone and be fine. It's light, breezily written, and a classic cozy. Love the dogs.

This is the first Melanie Travis book I've read, but I think it stands alone pretty well. I really enjoyed the family storyline and the dog show storyline. The mystery storyline, however, didn't grab me that much. There wasn't any compelling reason, really, for Melanie to be looking into it, and when she takes her young son with her to question family members (the obvious suspects), I had to lower my estimation of her intelligence, a lot! I was halfway through this book when a library book came in, and I set this one aside to read the library book. I did come back to this one, but not with any sense of urgency. The mystery part sort of plodded along, and there wasn't much of a surprise when it came to its resolution.

Note: Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Murder at the Puppy Fest by Laurien Berenson is the twentieth book in A Melanie Travis Canine Mystery series. Melanie Travis is driving her oldest son, Davey home from soccer practice when they see a car toss a puppy out. The pair stop and rescue the poor pooch who gets named Bud by the time they reach home (this little pup has a new home). The next day Melanie is off to help Claire Travis at the Third Annual Puppy Fest sponsored by millionaire Leo Brody. The money from the benefit goes help Puppy Posse, a dog rescue foundation (a very worthy cause). Melanie agreed to help wrangle the pups, but she did not count on finding Leo Brody on the floor in his study. Melanie immediately calls 911, but it is too late to save Leo Brody. The suspect list includes Leo's nine children and several of his grandchildren. The person who killed Brody knew his routine and about his nut allergy. Melanie had decided to not get involved in the investigation, until she speaks with Libby (thanks to Aunt Peg’s meddling). Libby Rothko, one of Leo Brody’s daughters, is confident that her father was murdered. Someone deliberately left him cookies spiked with nuts. Melanie agrees when she hears that Leo’s EpiPen was gone from his desk. Libby arranges for Melanie to talk to her siblings to help gather clues and find the culprit. Unfortunately, this does not help to narrow down the suspect list. Every single one of them had a motive to harm Leo. The killer, though, does not wish to be caught. What will the murderer due to avoid capture?

Murder at the Puppy Fest is well-written and has a good pace which makes for an easy to read (and engaging) cozy mystery. I thought the characters well-developed, relatable and entertaining. The only person I am not fond of is Aunt Peg (nosy, controlling busy body). Though, she does provide some humor. I like Melanie, Sam and her two kids. It is a nice change to have a married main character (instead of someone who is dating). While Murder at the Puppy Fest is the twentieth book in the series, it can be read alone (you might find it helpful to read A Pedigree to Die For). Readers are provided the necessary background details on Melanie and her family. I give Murder at the Puppy Fest 4.5 out of 5 stars. The mystery is slightly complicated, but avid cozy mystery readers should be able to resolve it before the reveal. Other readers will be surprised when the solution is revealed. The author provides good clues to help readers solve the whodunit. It is interesting to get an inside look at dog shows. I had no idea so much went into preparing the dog and the judging criteria. I look forward to reading Wagging through the Snow when it comes out.

A delightful cozy mystery with dogs at the heart of it. Family dynamics also play a huge role. One loving and fun family; the other not. Lot of dog show details, but not so much that it bogs down the plot.. Nice series.

Laurien Berenson is one of my favorite cozy authors. i was thrilled to return to Melanie and family for a new mystery adventure. Melanie is a Poodle owner, dog show veteran and busy Mom . She and her husband both are involved with showing standard poodles and have many show dogs . The descriptions of the dogs and the world of dog shows is a delight that makes this series so special .
Melanie has been asked to attend a rescue event and work with puppies at philanthropist Leo Brody's mansion. When Melanie arrives his family is not welcoming and the event is problematic. Soon after she arrives his body is discovered with his mistress present and Melanie begins her sleuth, She has noted many suspicious characters that have possible ties to the murder at the event. Our witty protagonist is on the case and she will soon solve the murder with help from her family and friends.
This is a welcome annual addition to this wonderful series. The characters are written to perfection and each adds depth to the story. The sleuth is very well crafted and was full of surprises for this avid mystery fan. Melanie and crew are always fun to spend time with in the world of show dogs. I highly recommend the Murder At Puppy Fest for all animals lovers and those who enjoy animal mysteries. I received a ARC which did not influence my review.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 20 in the series.

I'm not a regular reader of the series, so I can honestly say that you don't have to have read the rest of the books to follow along on this one.

Like all the Melanie Travis books I have read, this is a fun one. The story was fast-paced and a quick read, and of course, there are puppies! I love Melanie and her family, especially the Poodles, (though it still perplexes me why Poodle is capitalized....) and even Aunt Peg.

My only minor complaint is the sort of wishy-washy resolution to the murder mystery. I can't say much else without it being spoiler-y. Suffice it to say, I prefer a more definitive ending.

Once again, author Laurien Berenson delivers a Best in Show winner! All your favorite characters are here – Melanie, Sam, Aunt Peg, the Poodles and the boys. Davey and Kevin are becoming their own characters now as they’re growing up a bit, and both participate more in this mystery, which is fun!

When Melanie is asked by a Brody family member to figure out who murdered the Brody family patriarch, she digs in and starts asking questions, never anticipating where that would lead in danger to her own family as she hunts down a killer.

Lots of sleuthing and fun at dog shows makes Murder at the Puppy Fest a most enjoyable read. Just like all the Melanie Travis mysteries, there are enough clues scattered through the story to keep you wondering and guessing. Grab a copy of Laurien Berenson’s newest, put your feet up and enjoy!

Five Stars!

How could I not have known about this series? I saw the cover and read the blurb and never realized it was part of a series. And you know what? It didn’t matter. I read this cozy mystery and enjoyed every page. The author knows and is comfortable with her characters and you will be too. The mystery kept me guessing and the characters kept me laughing. I learned a whole lot about poodles and you can be sure I will be checking out the previous books.

This is the second Melanie Travis book I have read, and I enjoyed it as much as the first one. This time, we find Melanie helping out at a local puppy fest, the annual “baby” of Leo Brody, a wealthy philanthropist. During the day-long event, Leo dies from eating a cookie made with peanuts, to which Leo has a severe allergy. Though everyone seems satisfied that this is an accidental death, one of Leo’s children engages Melanie to investigate the family members to determine if the death really was accidental, if family members have any ideas who the murder may have been and, finally, if any family member was responsible or involved in this death. While Melanie investigates this death, a second line of the story follows the adoption of a new dog, a mutt, found abandoned on the side of the road, Melanie’s almost 13-year old son’s work on and participation in the showing of his own young poodle, and the ever interesting, and, often funny, antics of her family. This is a delightful story, though, because of it prominent secondary side, almost not a real cozy mystery. Nevertheless, the author has blended both parts well, giving the reader an entertaining mystery/tale of the family’s daily life during this short interlude as well as of the mystery of Leo Brody’s death.

The story flowed smoothly and quickly, capturing me from the very beginning, when Melanie and her young son, Davy, find Bud, an abandoned dog on the side of the road, and Davy, being the almost 13-year old he is, immediately decides Bud is a new member of the family clan and his own dog, without anyone’s input or consultation. As the story progressed, I was hard pressed not to fall in love with both of Melanie’s young sons, Davy, almost 13-year old, and Kevin, the chubby, totally accepting and adorable 3-year old, both of whom play a solid role in the story. In addition, the four poodles the family owns as well as the new dog Bud were irresistible. It was refreshing to see this modern, loving, normal family in action. There were no fancy moves or events in their lives. Contrast this family to that of Leo Brody, where nothing is normal or beyond believable, in the lives of his nine grown children and several grandchildren. Each of these characters was unique in his/her own way, and added to the colorful picture of this dysfunctional family presented throughout the book. Melanie solved the mystery herself, without any interference or help from the authorities. The plot was rather simple, yet complex enough to hold the reader’s interest. Though not really a cozy mystery (the mystery is only half this story), this book is similar to a cozy and can easily be considered one. Like cozies, it is an enjoyable book to pick up as a summer vacation, beach or relaxing read. I highly recommend it to any reader who enjoys or is looking for a fantastic, quick, easy read, or for anyone who enjoys and/or loves dogs. This will definitely fill the bill. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

This is book 20 in the Melanie Travis series and it has certainly come a long way. Dog lovers will enjoy Melanie and her family as they show Standard Poodles in competition. As always her husband Sam, sons Davie and Kevin and her Aunt Peg are all prominent in the story. This book has Melanie volunteering at a local animal shelter fundraiser and finds a rich contributor dead from an allergic reaction. Lots of tips for dog handlers and grooming.

I definitely have mixed feelings about this one. Overall it was interesting, and I loved Kevin and the dogs. The mystery was really good until it got to the motive. I also really didn't like Aunt Peg's attitude towards mutts, but I liked that pound puppies were a big part of the book.

A very well written mystery. I loved it, mystery and dogs!! If you love a good mystery this is the book for you.

I always like my annual visit with Melanie and her friends and family. Murder is afoot and Melanie finds herself once again involved and it’s her interactions with humans and our furry friends that makes this book a delight to read.

I love the comfortable tone and the evenly paced tempo of this whodunit that grabbed my attention with the first sighting of “Bud.” The author did a great job in delivering a well-written mystery with plenty of suspects and enough clues to keep me glued to the pages as I had to know what happens next. The narrative was visually descriptive, putting me in the middle of all the action and I liked that when I thought I had a handle on the person behind the murder, the author changed the direction with some twists and turns, all to the betterment of this captivating story. I enjoyed my time with this story and look forward to the next one is this wonderfully appealing series.

This is the first Melanie Travis Canine Mystery I have read. Joining at book 20 could be difficult but that was not the case.

Melanie's family breed and show Standard Poodles, a tradition her Aunt Peg started. Melanie's helping at Puppy Fest, an annual fundraising event sponsored by Leo Brody to support the Puppy Posse, a group who find homes for unwanted pets. Melanie finds Leo Brody dead in his home office. His massive family provide a huge suspect pool. When Melanie is asked to help prove Leo's death was not an accident she finds herself juggling her family life with some dangerous people.

A cozy who-done-it where I didn't guess the culprit.

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've always enjoyed the Melanie Travis books and Murder at the Puppy Fest delivers the same interesting mystery with delightful dogs that I've come to expect. This is the 2oth (!) book in the series, and can be read alone, but the other books help fill in the backstory.

Melanie Travis is a divorced and remarried mom who loves dogs and dog shows. Her son Davey shows one of their poodles at dog shows, assisted by her knowledgeable and acerbic Aunt Peg. In this book, Melanie is helping out at Puppy Fest, a charity dog rescue event at the private home of Leo Brody, a wealthy philanthropist with 9 adult children and numerous grandchildren from 3 different wives. The children are in constant conflict with one another for Leo's attention and presumably for his inheritance.

After Melanie finds Leo dead, she is enlisted by her Aunt Peg and Jane, one of Leo's daughters, to solve the murder. She must interview all his children and many of his grandchildren while juggling her family and multiple dog shows at the same time. None of his children tell the whole truth, and they point the finger at one another, leaving Jane frustrated and annoyed until she gets a glimpse of the truth. She gets too close for comfort to the killer in the process, which alarms her friends and family. All in all, a very satisfying mystery.

The plot moves along swiftly and Laurien Berenson's writing is crisp and easy to read. Her characters are relatable and amusing. I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at dog shows, and she clearly has a lot of experience with dog grooming and showing techniques. It was very interesting. I didn't guess the identity of the murderer, and the conclusion was convincing.

I recommend Murder at the Puppy Fest, as well as all the other Melanie Travis books.