Peg is judging a dog show in Kentucky and Rose is accompanying her. While they're in town they're going to attend a horse auction to see a yearling Peg owns auctioned to the highest bidder. Will the two ladies get along? Or will their differences drive each other crazy?

I enjoy this series a lot. Peg and Rose are so dramatically different I found myself really impressed with how well the author portrays these characters and keeps them in character. It's also amazing how appealing both characters are, despite one being very terse and abrupt and the other being kind of soft and wishy washy. Their strengths and weaknesses play perfectly off of each other.

There aren't a lot of horse themed cozy mysteries, so this is a great read for anyone who is into horses and of course dogs too. Anyone who enjoyed the Melanie Travis series should definitely check out this series as well.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Peg and Rose Play the Ponies is the wonderfully done third book in Laurien Berenson’s Senior Sleuths cozy mystery series. Berenson’s decision to do a spin-off series from her Melanie Travis Canine mystery series featuring acerbic Peg Turnbull (a dog person) and ex-nun Rose Donovan (a cat person) continues to be an inspired one. In the course of the three books their relationship has steadily grown – they will always clash but they are starting to respect each other more – and they make an excellent pair as they solve mysteries, each bringing something different to the table. I also love the fact that they are both in their seventies – a nice change from so many youth oriented mysteries. The setting of this mystery is a bit different than the usual dog show (although Peg’s poodle Hope is a third character in this book) and takes place at a horse sale. While I know little about horse breeding, I never felt lost while reading this book and in fact learned a thing or two. The mystery is well done with plenty of suspects for the murder. I was kept guessing until the very end as to who the killer was and felt a little sad when all was revealed.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Peg and Rose Play the Ponies
Laurien Berenson
June 25, 2024

Aunt Peg has a long history of loving animals. At one point she and her now deceased husband, Max were given a horse by an old friend. Ever since Lucky Luna has lived on a ranch in Kentucky. Recently she accepted a job judging shows also in Kentucky. She felt it a good opportunity to stop by the farm where the Thoroughbred has lived and been bred to see her as well as be present at the annual yearling sale. In the past she has watched via the internet but never had the opportunity to be a part of the transactions in the farm auctions.
Peg thought it would be fun if she invited her sister-in-law, Rose to make the long drive with her. She could share the journey and help out with the driving. Although when approached, Rose was not certain she wanted to attend. Her husband felt it would help Peg and be a nice getaway for her. So she packed her bags and joined Peg and her dog, Hope on the tour.
Peg and Rose Play the Ponies will be published on June 25, 2024 by Kensington Publishing Corporation. I was able to read Laurien Berenson’s latest novel in the Peg and Rose series via NetGalley. It’s another fun and exciting adventure for the ladies as they head on their latest road trip. Berenson always gives us plenty of laughs as well as a mystery that the duo thinks they need to help solve. An easy read that is always a pleasure. Do Enjoy!

This was a new series and new author for me. Even though this was the third book in the series, it looked interesting to me, and I am so glad I took the chance! This book had three things I love in a good cozy series! The first is wonderful characters, I love Peg and Rose, they are ladies of a certain age, sisters-in-law and as different as night and day, and even though Rose spent many years in a convent and Peg is a fiesty lady of the world, they both bring much to the relationship and story! Next, I love cozies where I learn something. In this book, I learned a lot about judging dog shows and a little above horse racing , both were interesting backdrops to our story. Finally, this was an interesting mystery. The MCs are intelligent. They don't disparage the police and they don't take stupid chances. They use common sense and intelligence. I will definitely read more in this series. Major thanks to #NetGalley and #Kensingtonbooks for the opportunity to read!

This is the 3rd book in the Senior Sleuths Mystery series and in my opinion, it is the best of the three. The main characters, Peg and Rose, are senior citizens and sister-in-laws with a history of estrangement. As they navigate their newfound friendship, they find themselves in the middle of murder investigations. Putting aside their differences, they work together to solve the crimes.

In this latest book, Peg asks Rose to go on a road trip with her to Kentucky horse country where Peg owns a broodmare. Peg is judging at a dog show there at the same time as a big horse auction where her broodmare’s yearling will be put up for sale. They meet several of the employees of Six Oaks Farm and one of them, the yearling manager, seems to have anger management issues and is not well-liked. There is an accident and the yearling manager is found dead. The police believe that his death was not an accident and one of their prime suspects is a young woman with a promising career in the horse business. She asks Rose and Peg to help her prove her innocence.

I enjoy this series. Peg and Rose are likeable characters. I enjoy their banter. Their antics make me laugh. Their characters are developing more and more with each new addition to this series. The mystery had me guessing to the end. I know nothing about horse racing and I liked learning about that world. This is a fun light read. I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy a good cozy mystery.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I've been reading this series in order, and the character development really takes off in this installment. My mind's eye pictures Peg and Rose as the characters Dorothy and Rose on Golden Girls. Except that Rose Donovan is not ditzy like Rose Nilan. Naive, yes, ditzy, no.

Other than "Best in Show" and "Best in Breed", I don't know much about the classes and placements in dog shows. Other titles were mentioned that I didn't understand, but it wasn't important to the plot. I learned a lot about horse breeding and sales, though.

70+ yr-old sisters-in-law Rose and Peg are asked to help clear a young woman suspected of murdering a co-worker. To do so, they move between the farm where Peg's horses are boarded to the arena where the auction takes place. The reader gets a view of what happens behind the scenes along with trying to figure out who-dunnit.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the chance to read and review this electronic ARC.

Peg and Rose Play the Ponies is a great addition to the Peg and Rose series. This is an enjoyable and easy read full of adventure and fun banter as the ladies hit the road for Kentucky. Of course the road trip does not go as smoothly as planned, but that just makes this all the more enjoyable to read. If you enjoyed the first two books in the series, you will delight in this third novel.

I have been a fan of Laurien Berenson since the very first Melanie Travis mysteries, and was excited when the new series, featuring Aunt Peg was announced. I've read the first two in the series, thought they were terrific, and I have to say, this title tops them! The banter between Peg and Rose had me laughing out loud at times - I could hear their voices, it was so realistically written.

This time Peg and Rose take a trip to Lexington, Kentucky, where Peg has a judging assignment. It also coincides with a yearling sale at Keeneland, where Peg has a colt for sale, from a mare she was left by one of Max's friends. There is a murder at the stables where the colt is living, and Peg and Rose get themselves involved.

There is lots of fun in this mystery, along with the usual dog show tidbits, and background about what goes on in the Thoroughbred world. All in all, an extremely entertaining cozy mystery! I look forward to more of Peg and Rose's adventures!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Peg and rose are back and are picking up where the last book left off. Honestly the mysteries are so-so for me, it’s peg and rose that keep me so invested in this series! They’re such a dynamic duo and so entertaining! Highly recommend this if you enjoy the Thursday murder club series or the Marlowe murders or finlay Donovan series- all which have fantastic casts and are cozy- fun mysteries.

Peg and Rose are back together and take a road trip! Following up on a previous book in the Melanie Travis series, Peg opts to spend part of her judging assignment in Kentucky visiting Lucky Luna, the thoroughbred horse she inherited several years earlier. When one of the bigwigs is murdered Peg and Rose are asked by a suspect to investigate. I loved learning more about Keeneland and the horse sales. As always Peg and Rose are fun to spend time with.

Thank you to Kensington Cozies Publishers, Laurien Berenson and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a wonderful third installment of this mystery series. There is still plenty of tension in the relationship between Peg and Rose, but they still manage to solve a murder together. Hope gets in on the action to encourage them to get along. The mystery was well played out and all of the characters were well written. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Peg and Rose (and Hope) and am looking forward to the next adventure!

Another fun time with these seniors, Peg and Rose, as they find themselves in the middle of another murder. What starts out as a girls trip with the most unlikely pair, quickly becomes another adventure for them. It's always good to see women not acting their ages!

Peg and Rose are back and this time going to Kentucky to visit Six Oaks Farm to see a horse that Peg owns and for her to judge a dog show. When someone is murdered at the Farm, Peg and Rose need to investigate. Fun mystery series.

A great addition to the Peg and Rose series. If you’re a fan of the Melanie Travis books (I’ve read them all) I think you will enjoy the character development of Peg. I find the writing of the relationship between Peg and Rose makes Peg a much more likable character. This books has the added plus of bringing thoroughbred auctions in as a major plot focus. The author clearly has in depth knowledge of the horse world and that really added to the mystery..

I adore Peg and Rose!!

This time, the Miss Marple sleuths are on a road trip from their homes in Connecticut to the high-speed racehorse world of Kentucky!

I love their cheeky banter, and their genuine love for each other, that sees them through every scrape. Especially when there's danger afoot!

Seeing these two around horses this go-round was such a fun twist! And I didn't see the plot twist either, which was nice.

"What if I'm mistaken?"
"You're not."
"How do you know?"
"Because I agree with you. And I'm a wonderful judge of character."
"Besides that."
"There's no 'besides that'."

They're delightful!!

"Peg and Rose Play the Ponies" is a great edition to the series. Peg, a circuit judge for dog shows, invites Rose to come with her to Kentucky where the two fall into a murder investigation and must help the suspect prove she is innocent. The friendship between the two women feels realistic and their banter is a hoot. Recommended for lovers of cozy mysteries and animals. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. #PegandRosePlaythePonies #NetGalley

#PegandRosePlaythePonies #NetGalley is the newest book in the series and it really is well done.
Peg is famous for her standard poodles knowledge and is enjoying life as a circuit judge for dog shows.
Since reconnecting with her sister in law, Rose, they have managed to get themselves involved in a few murder investigations.
Peg is going to Kentucky to judge a couple of dog shows, but she also has a yearlong horse that is up for sale, so she convinces Rose to accompany her.
Of course this trip won't be complete without a murder investigation, so it's no surprise when the Yearling manager's body is found, possibly murdered, and the women are asked to help a suspect prove her innocence.
I liked this book because Rose seems to shine, she learns her way with Hope, Peg's standard poodle, and she really holds her own with Peg as well.
The author has done a great job with this series, I really enjoy reading about these two different women, who seem to love and respect each other, even if not always apparent.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
I'm happy to recommend this series to other readers.

Peg wants to travel to Kentucky to see the sale of her colt, and talks Rose into going along. Of course there is a stop for judging at a dog show, but most of the book is set at the sale barns. A whole week is a long time, but learned a bit about thoroughbred horse lingo with this one plus so of the behind of the scenes instead of simply watching a quick race or two. Enjoyed this one, I think it is book 3. Good banter and cozy mystery here and one I would highly recommend. Fun read.