This novel is a delightful addition to the series. I loved the witty banter between Peg and Rose and how they are softening their old grudges. The plot was well paced with plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing. I thought that the setting of the horse racing world added a unique touch to the story.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Peg And Rose Play The Ponies is the third book in this adorable senior sleuth mystery series. Peg and Rose venture out of their comfy, cozy town and head together with Peg's poodle Hope to Kentucky to sell Peg's mare. Who knew Peg owned a horse? Along for the drive, Rose will try continuing to bury the strained relationship she has with her sister-in-law Peg, as well as learn way too much about horse breeding and then of course, there's a murder...

When the women finally arrive at Six Oaks Farm after a harrowing, joyless drive being together for one too many days, they both settle into the hotel then go to visit Peg's mare. But unfortunately, their first interaction with the yearling manager, Jim Gable leaves them both less enthusiastic due to his being not very nice, and downright rude behavior at the meeting!

But they certainly don't find enough time to even discuss Jim's anger issues when they discover that night on the news that he has died. At first deemed an accident, the women are approached by one of the workers named Lucia who discovers she is the prime suspect of his now declared murder. Although Six Oaks is trying its best to keep that bit of information under wraps. Yes, she had a difficult relationship with the man, but she in no way had anything to do with killing him.

Of course, the women agree to help her and begin their instinctive snooping and asking questions. Being their age sometimes it's very easy to discover clues while just sitting on a bench, as the elders seem for some reason to go unnoticed. But in doing so, they soon discover that Six Oaks is not entirely the greatest place to work. Not only that but between shenanigans and missing equipment, the list of suspects soon seems to grow.

As always Peg and Rose will use their charm and wit to discover whose "horsing around" and what could possibly have led to the murder. Peg And Rose Play The Ponies is another captivatingly sweet cozy mystery!

Thank you #NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LaurienBenson #PegAndRosePlayThePonies for the advanced copy.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Review:

Peg and Rose’s latest sleuthing adventure is delightful rollercoaster ride, beginning as a business trip to Kentucky. Dog business and horse business, to be exact. Peg had met her goal of becoming one of the best breeders of Standard Poodles. She and her late husband, Max, were known internationally for their Cedar Crest Standard Poodles, and their pups were in high demand. Peg is now a judge for major dog shows and despite being tough, she is very popular. She no longer breeds dogs, but has her favorite retired Champion, Hope, who is almost always with her, and two younger Poodles.

Rose was a cloistered nun for most of her adult life. Since leaving the convent, she married Peter, who adores her. They own and manage a women’s shelter. Peg’s late husband Max was also Rose’s brother. The two women spoke little for over fifty years, only recently building a relationship. Rose, who wasn’t a fan of dogs, attended several dog shows when Peg was judging.

Peg will be a judge at several dog shows in Lexington, Kentucky, over Labor Day weekend. Days later, her colt will be auctioned at Keeneland, known for Thoroughbred racing and auctions. She had inherited a Thoroughbred broodmare that was successfully bred each year. Lucky Luna’s prior owner boarded her at Six Oaks, and Peg continues to do so. While in Kentucky, Peg wants to visit her horses and attend the auction in person.

Lucia, a personable staff member at Six Oaks, took the ladies to see Peg’s colt, then to see Lucky Luna and this year’s foal. Jim, the manager at the colt’s barn, seemed like a hothead, especially when starting a spat with Lucia. Apparently, that was his typical attitude around staff and visitors.

The first day Peg judged at the dog show, Rose saw in the news that Jim died in an accident at Six Oaks and told Peg. The second day, Rose stayed at the hotel with Peg’s pup, Hope, and Lucia from Six Oaks came to see her.

Jim had been murdered, but Six Oaks didn’t want the public to know. Lucia was questioned by the police, who considered her their prime suspect. Another staff member told police that Lucia and Jim had altercations in the past and on the morning of his murder. Lucia hoped Peg and Rose would go to the police station and tell them about the disagreement they had witnessed. Rose said that Peg had helped solve several murders, and perhaps they could help with this one. Peg was more than willing to help, neither woman wanted to see young, hard-working Lucia railroaded.

Peg and Rose are engaging, active seniors, very well defined by their thoughts, conversations, and behaviors. I enjoyed getting to know them better, being a senior myself. Peg has business savvy and understands the world differently than Rose, who had been sheltered at the convent. Peg is pragmatic, while Rose is tender-hearted. Secondary characters are defined as necessary for their roles.

The case sounded straightforward at first, but there were layers of history between Jim and Lucia. He deemed himself worthy of favors from young women working there and didn’t like being refused. He also had deep gambling debts, including to the grooms who worked for him. When Rose and Peg began asking questions, they didn’t like much of what they heard. Their suspect list grew because most people at Six Oaks wished him harm. The police didn’t want to hear their defense of Lucia; they only wanted evidence to arrest her. I had a couple of pet suspects and even good motives, but was as stumped as Rose and Peg. I was surprised at who really did kill Jim, and the person’s motive! I will definitely read more from this series, especially since I enjoy older sleuths who are vital members of their community. I highly recommend this cozy mystery!

A very cozy continuation of this sweet series.

Peg and Rose are back at it again but this time in Kentucky. Book 3 follows the duo as they attend a horse sale and solve a murder in the span of a weekend. This was an enjoyable read and I really liked that we are getting more character development for both Peg and Rose as this series goes on.

Can't wait to read the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this earc in exchange for my honest review.

Princess Fuzzypants here: As much as I enjoy the original series, I think I love this spin off even more. Peg and Rose are two sisters-in-law who could not be any more different. Gregarious take charge Peg and former nun Rose have always had a prickly relationship. During their adventures they both have formed a truce wherein there is mutual respect and affection. That is why Peg invites Rose to join her on a trip to Kentucky where she is going to combine a dog competition with a thoroughbred sale. Peg inherited a race horse and wants to witness first hand the yearling sale where her foal will be auctioned. This is going to be a steep learning curve for Peg. She receives an intense education in the world of horse racing that includes a murder.

They are asked to help a suspect prove her innocence and while they never put themselves into positions no intelligent senior would fathom, they still get into the heart of the mystery and discover the who and the why. Along the way the reader learns all sorts of information about this world that is fascinating. I enjoy books where I learn something while being entertained. But is the banter between Peg and Rose as they learn to trust and accept each other that is the best part. These two are hilarious and yet very believable.

Five purrs and two paws up.

I've been on a cozy mystery kick lately. I found this mystery interesting but found the details of the dog show a tad boring. I enjoy the friendship and banter between Peg & Rose. I really like this series and can't wait to read more.

Peg and Rose are going on a road trip. Why? Dogs and horses. Peg is going to judge two dog shows and then attending a sale of a thoroughbred. Hers, as it turns out. She owns a few horses and the yearling of one is going to be sold.
Once they get there, they encounter a manager who is just a jerk. Peg is busy judging and Rose is hanging out with Hope (Peg's oldest poodle). They discover that the jerk has been killed. A young woman from the farm asks them to tell the police that the argument she had with him the day before wasn't that serious. Instead, they decide to investigate.
If you like the Senior Sleuths series, you will enjoy this book. I don't think you have to have read the other books in this series to understand the players in this one.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out June 25, 2024
Senior Sleuths #3
Follows Peg and Rose Stir Up Trouble
ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

I am a huge fan of Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis series and have learned so much about showing dogs. I imagine she was going for the same thing with the horse selling in this one but I found all the information dry and uninteresting. I have been on the fence with this series as I find Peg annoying and this has put a nail in the coffin, so to speak. The dialogue was choppy and stilted. This mystery failed to hold my interest and I skimmed to the end just to see who the murderer was. I don’t think I will continue with this series but hope for more with Melanie Travis.

"Peg and Rose Play the Ponies" by Laurien Berenson is a delightful mystery featuring the quirky yet savvy “mature” sleuths Peg and Rose. In this fun romp, they embark on a road trip to Kentucky, where the backdrop of breeding Thoroughbreds adds a fascinating layer to the story. Berenson skillfully weaves together a charming blend of mystery, humor, and a unique setting, keeping readers entertained and intrigued throughout. (I received an advance reader copy of this book, and all opinions are my own.) With its endearing characters and intriguing plot twists, this book is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and those who enjoy dynamic, unconventional protagonists like Peg and Rose.

Sisters-in-law Peg and Rose are going on a field trip! It’s taken the two women decades to learn how to be friends, and now their relationship is going to face a real test: embarking on a days-long road trip together.

In addition to being a widely respected judge on the dog show circuit, Peg also owns racehorses. When she’s asked to judge two shows in Kentucky at the same time that her latest colt is about to be sold in a huge thoroughbred sale, she invites Rose to join her. Rose doesn’t really want to leave the women’s shelter she runs with her husband Peter, but everyone else in her life knows that she needs a change of scenery, even if that takes the form of hanging out around dogs and horses with Peg. Rounding out their little traveling party is Peg’s beloved Standard Poodle Hope, who will be accompanying them while Peg’s other dogs stay home with a sitter.

The trip starts out fairly uneventfully, as the two women bicker over each other’s driving on the long journey down from Connecticut to Kentucky. There’s lots more to keep them absorbed and entertained, however, when they reach their destination. Peg is in her element at the dog shows, though Rose and Hope are far more entertained by all they have to learn and see at Six Oaks Farm. The affable Lucia Alvarez is more than happy to show them around the stables where Peg’s horses are boarded. The only real unpleasantness comes from a fellow Six Oaks employee named Jim Grable, who is unnecessarily rude to them, and to Lucia in particular.

When Jim is found dead the next day and Lucia is deemed prime suspect in his murder, a desperate Lucia comes to Peg and Rose for help. All she wants is for them to set the record straight with the investigating detective, Officer Sherlock, about the nature of the encounter Peg and Rose had seen. An “eyewitness” has claimed that Jim’s rudeness had turned into a full-blown argument. Lucia just wants the older women to back her up on the truth.

Having some experience with amateur investigating, Peg and Rose decide to do Lucia one better and snoop around a little. When they discover that Lucia does indeed have a very good motive for murder, they confront her about it. An abashed Lucia explains:

QUOTE
“I figured if I told you about what Jim said, maybe you’d continue to believe me, or maybe you’d switch sides and believe him. And if that happened, I knew you wouldn’t be willing to talk to Officer Sherlock. Which is what I really needed you to do.”

“Young lady, you didn’t give us enough credit,” Peg said sharply.

Lucia didn’t wilt beneath Peg’s harsh tone. “Maybe not, but I had to assume the worst. After all, we’d just met. There are people on the farm that I’ve known for years, who believed Jim’s version of the ‘truth’ over mine. Trusting people to do the right thing hasn’t served me particularly well lately.”
END QUOTE

Peg and Rose can certainly understand Lucia’s reticence, and continue to investigate on her behalf after making her promise to be completely honest with them going forward. They quickly learn, unfortunately, that Lucia’s fears are well-founded. Everyone at the ranch had a reason to hate Jim, and everyone seems happy enough to let Lucia take the fall for his murder. Will our detecting duo find even one person ready to tell the truth in order to prevent an innocent young woman from going to jail?

This was a well-layered mystery brimming with compassion, as Peg and Rose both use their different strengths to get to the heart of what really happened at Six Oaks Farm. This is also a great book for anyone who wants to learn more about both dog shows and the process of raising and selling thoroughbred horses. I, personally, loved the on-going development of Peg and Rose’s friendship the most, especially as the somewhat dog-averse Rose is forced to spend more time with Hope and finds a connection that surprises both Peg and herself:

QUOTE
Peg reached the end of Hope’s leash. That made her halt. She turned back to see Rose and her Poodle standing together, as if the two of them were aligned against her. Rose’s fit of pique was one thing. Their relationship had always had its ups and downs.

But Hope taking Rose’s side? There was no way she could allow that to stand.

Rose looked down at the Poodle and smiled. “Good girl.”

Peg came stalking back. “Don’t talk to my dog.”

“Why not?” Rose asked reasonably.

“Because you’re always complaining that you don’t understand her. So I know you’re just doing it to annoy me.”

“I didn’t used to understand her. Now I do.” Hope looked up at Rose and wagged her tail.
END QUOTE

This sweet series about older sleuths and their animals is delightfully solid counterprogramming to the sexy summer thrillers that usually dominate the book industry in the hotter months of the year. If you need a break from sizzling beach reads, this heartfelt tale of amateur detectives solving a murder while on a Labor Day weekend road trip is the perfect palate cleanser for your mystery reader’s brain.

Sisters-in-law Peg and Rose are at it again in this third story about them. The two, as always, play off of one another as they become entangled in events.

Anyone who enjoyed the first two books or who has read the Melanie Travis series will want to give this one a look as will those who enjoy mysteries with animals in them. Here, there are both horses and dogs here.

Peg and Rose are in Kentucky so thoroughbreds are involved along with dog shows. When a difficult stable manager is murdered, it will be up to Peg and Rose to see that the correct criminal is identified and caught.

Readers will enjoy watching events unfold. They will then wait for the author to write the next book.

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

THIS COZY IS A SURE BET.

If you are a cozy mystery fan who likes a senior sleuth, you can get twice the fun with Peg and Rose. for years, Laurien Berenson's Melanie Travers often solved murders with the help of her overbearing acerbic Aunt Peg. Peg was a champion Standard poodle breeder and the books took us into the world of dog shows. The author recently paired forthright Peg with her soft spoke sister-in-law Rose in a spinoff that blends the Odd couple with Murder She Wrote. In this third book of the series, Peg is judging at a dog show in Kentucky near a horse ranch which boards a champion mare that she inherited. After the dog show, she plans on visiting the massive yearling sale nearby. Peg drags Rose on a road trip. and of course they end up helping a murder suspect. Berenson's novels usually give lots of dog breeding or dog show background. This time readers get to learn a little about horse breeding and sales. The needed clues are buried under lots of distracting red herrings and the mystery is solvable, but it really takes back seat to the relationship between the two women.These two characters are well defined and their banter is delightful. Peg's aging Standard poodle Hope may not have a lot to say, but she can hold her own in a silent conversation.

I was thrilled to read an advance copy from the publisher. However I can honestly recommend this book to any cozy mystery fan. Although this story is part of a series it can be enjoyed as a stand alone novel.

Peg and Rose are off to Kentucky. Between judging a canine and visiting a horse farm, they certainly didn’t expect solving a murder to be added to the trip. But yet here they are and soon things become precarious because the murderer isn’t is running for the roses.

Peg and Rose are always a good laugh. I can’t get enough of their shenanigans and sleuthing! They’re a riot!

It's an excellent installment in this series, with Peg being her usual somewhat abrasive self and Rose being her usual kindhearted self. But...Peg is always just human enough that I like her, and Rose's backbone is growing a bit with each installment. They're two smart women, just with very different personalities.

I like that this book moves from dog shows to the horse breeding world, for a change of pace. Their road trip and the new setting offer opportunities for new kinds of interactions, and now Peg doesn't know everything. She knows more than Rose about this world, but they both have a lot to learn.

The mystery is well plotted, and I enjoy the humor and the detecting and the shifting relationship between the two of them. I can just see this series as a BBC crime show (even though the series isn't British--haha!).

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

Peg and Rose are back and this time they're in Kentucky, checking up on a thoroughbred Peg has as an investment. And going to a dog show where Peg will be judging. Rose is reluctantly dragged along.

In the manner of Murder She Wrote, these nice little old ladies find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation. There is a lot of money and prestige to be had at breeding farms and there are a lot of people who wouldn't be sad to see the deceased go. Peg and Rose get deeper and deeper into the back dealings in this business as they dig up clues.

Peg and Rose are opposites, and they clash every now and again, which makes for fun dialogue. And it's always good to have older women with a life as main characters.

This was a fun book. There is a lot of information about the thoroughbred breeding business and dog shows, so if you don't want to read about those things, this is not a book for you. But if you like a cozy mystery that's part road trip, part Odd Couple, this is it!

My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books | Kensington Cozies for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Peg and Rose head to Kentucky to see Peg's thoroughbred and see the yearling sale. After checking out the horse farm, one of the farm managers is killed. A young woman is the prime suspect and she asks Peg and Rose for help. Faced with the horse industry and being out of their depth doesn't stop these two from their questions and figuring out what has gone on. This book is an education in all things horses and gambling. It is well written and the ending a bit of a surprise. An enjoyable read of these two and the things they get involved with.

Peg and Rose Play the Ponies sends Peg Turnbull and her sister-in-law Rose Donovan from their homes in Connecticut to Kentucky. This book is part of a series that is a spin-off from the author's Melanie Travis series. This book has no mention of Mel and her family so you can definitely enjoy it even if you've not read the original series. Peg is a well-respected dog show judge and has two shows to work. She is also the owner of a thoroughbred horse whose yearling is going to be sold. Peg wants to be there in person for the sale and convinces Rose to accompany her. Peg's beloved standard poodle, Hope, also goes along for the ride.

Peg is outspoken and Rose is naive for her age since she had been a nun for many years. They were estranged for a long time, but are now building a friendship and have discovered they make a good team when investigating crimes. When one of the employees of the farm where Peg's horses are being kept, the two join forces once again to find the killer. This is a fun, well-written cozy series. While I was reading it, Rose reminded me of Rose on The Golden Girls and Peg has many qualities of Dorothy. This was a fast-paced, interesting read that animal lovers and readers who enjoy mature characters will enjoy.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Kensington Cozies, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

Thank you to Laurien Berenson, Netgalley, and publishers for this ARC of Peg and Rose Play The Ponies. This is actually my third ARC from this series and one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Peg and Rose are, once again, back at solving another mystery. This time in Kentucky where Peg has a dog show to judge, and owns horses. I still loved the banter between Peg and Rose. There is one line that had me LOL'ing but I won't quote it until it's published. If you love dog shows, horses, senior sleuths (or bickering older ladies), and cozy mysteries, then this is definitely a read. Fast and easy summer read. Also, I am once again in love with the cover. It is GORGEOUS!!!!! Thank you once again.

Peg and her sister-in-law Rose are back! This is the third in a series spun off the beloved long running Melanie Travers series but it's perfectly enjoyable as a standalone because Berenson knows how to give just the right amount of backstory (also useful to fans). Peg inherited a horse, a foal of which is now up for sale at Keeneland in Kentucky so it's perfect timing for her to judge a dog show there. Rose comes along and, as it turns out, is instrumental in working through the clues to find the killer of a yearling manager. The mystery is classic cozy stuff so it's the rest of the story that makes this so fun- the banter between Peg and Rose, the atmospherics of the yearling sale, and of course even though not in the forefront, Hope the Poodle. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Peg and Rose take their Sleuthing to Kentucky in book three of The Senior Sleuths Mystery series. Readers find a different twist when the girls take a week away from Connecticut and head to the Kentucky Horse Farms. Peg has been keeping a secret from Rose and readers too, but that secret is revealed at the books beginning. Can our ladies stay out of trouble while they’re in Kentucky? Well you can be sure that there is a murder because Peg and Rose always find themselves right in the middle of an investigation. Can they work with the no nonsense Kentucky Sheriff to find the real killer or will they be on their own in finding out whodunnit?

I thought that the trip to Kentucky and the horse farms was a nice change for readers. There was some dog shows but for the most part readers got to see the hectic pace of life on a horse farm. I enjoyed the entire book but I did miss Connecticut . Peg and Rose had their petty arguments that I thought was cute. They do work well together when it comes to solving mysteries. I didn’t guess who the killer was and in fact I really didn’t have a clue whodunnit. I love when I read a baffling murder mystery. Keeps you flipping pages.

I recommend Peg and Rose Play the Ponies to readers of Cozy mystery and to Fans of the Author. If you have read the other two books in the series you will not want to miss this one. This book is scheduled to be released on 6/25/24.

I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are entirely my own.