I so enjoyed reading this book so much I was sad when I finished it and can't wait to read more from the author

In this book, high-spirited Aunt Peg and her niece Melanie are on their way to NYC, where Aunt Peg will be a judge in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, so, naturally, the whole family is excited for her. Before the show, Aunt Peg is conducting a seminar for dog lovers who are also in town for the show. Aunt Peg’s one-time rival and former member of her dog club is conducting his own show at the same time, in a thinly veiled effort to compete with Aunt Peg. Melanie’s two young sons, Kevin and Davey, along with her husband, Sam, will meet up with Melanie at the show later in the day. Things go as smoothly as can be expected, until the one-time member of Aunt Peg’s club, who was conducting the show, is found stabbed after the dog show. No one knows what to make of it. Because of her connection, Aunt Peg becomes one of the suspects in the death, so Melanie sets out to investigate and find out who killed the victim, as she obviously does not believe her Aunt Peg is guilty of such a heinous crime. As she works through the clues, Melanie discovers things were not quite as they seemed in the victim’s life, while many other possible suspects in the murder begin appearing.

I enjoy doggie books and always read this series. This one is good, but a little thin in the plot. I had not figured out exactly who had committed the murder early on, but it became clearer and clearer to me as things progressed. Still, it was interesting to see how Melanie tackled this crime and whether it differed from her regular modus operandi. I also found the ins and outs of the dog show interesting, as the book provided a good, quick overview of the show. As always, I especially enjoyed watching Melanie’s young sons, Davey and Kevin, especially Kevin, and their interactions throughout. I also further reinforced the idea that Melanie is lucky to have such a great husband in Sam. As usual, Aunt Peg was Aunt Peg. She never changes—not that I want her to. All in all, the family is interesting and helps make the book an enjoyable read. If you read the series, this is another book to delve into. If you just like dogs, this is a good book, as the dogs, per usual, play a rather important, central role in the story. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Murder at the dog show! That was a super interesting premise for me and the author did not dissapoint! I thought this was well written and an easy read, plus how can you go wrong with a book centered around dogs?! Thanks so much for the copy!

It's hard to believe that this is book 25 in the Melanie Travis Series. This can be read as a stand alone, but I've read most of them and they are all enjoyable, especially to dog loves. The series has progressed over the years and the cozy's are always fresh and exciting. Aunt Peg is going to be a judge at the Westminster Dog Show in New York city this year and the family is all attending her big night. When an obnoxious poodle club president is murdered, Peg becomes a suspect since she kicked him out of her club. Lots of tips on dog raising , especially poodles. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Princess Fuzzypants here: When Melanie and her Aunt Peg attend The Westminster Dog Show, they thought the most excitement would be her aunt judging. A despicable man who was turfed from their dog club and who subsequently started his own, is determined to undermine Peg. He arranges a big show at the same time Peg is holding a seminar on judging at the shows. Then, as she and Melanie are walking to Madison Square Gardens for her debut as judge, he accosts Peg in the street. Thankfully Melanie is able to thwart him but he saves the best until last, his last. He is murdered and because of her well known dislike of him Peg becomes a suspect.

Naturally everyone including Peg expects her to get involved in an investigation. She should think twice since a previous investigation has lost her a friendship. The more she learns about the victim the more she realizes he was hardly a victim. He is even worse than she suspected and when she figures out who knifed him, she has more sympathy for the killer than him. The man really was a blight.

No blight though when it comes to Melanie and her family. They are an enchanting quartet but it is the poodles, especially Faith, who truly won me over. Naturally, as a Maine Coon, I may get turfed from the Kitty Council for saying this but I fell in love the them. I think you will too. Four purrs and two paws up.

I love this series. Aunt Peg is judging the Westminster Dog Show when her old rival is found dead. Leave it to Melanie and her gang of poodles to sniff out the killer.

Another hit by a great author in a wonderful series. This one has Melanie searching for answers when an unpleasant man is murdered at the biggest dog show in New York. When the police start looking at her Aunt Peg as a suspect, she steps up her game. With her trusty poodle Faith at her side, the killer's identity is soon to be revealed. Fun series, and one I highly recommend.

Game of Dog Bones is the twenty-fifth book in Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis Mystery series. Each book in this series can easily be read as a standalone because the author provides great background information, making the character’s relationships easy to understand. The storyline is well plotted and flows at a steady pace. This is a clean, fun, and quick read. I recommend this series to readers who love well-crafted cozy mysteries.

Melanie Travis lives in Stamford, Connecticut with her husband, Sam, and two sons, Davey Kevin, five Standard Poodles, and a mutt they found on the side of the road. Melanie is a special needs tutor at Howard Academy, Sam is a software developer who works from home, and dog shows are a way of life for Melanie and her family. Aunt Peg is honored to have been chosen as one of the judges at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, but when New York detectives come to her home to question her about the murder of Victor Durbin, an ousted Paugussett Poodle Club member, she asks Melanie to look into the matter. As Melanie asks questions and digs into Victor’s life, she discovers there is no shortage in the number of people he’s crossed in the past.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

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Game of Dog Bones by Laurien Berenson is the 25th A Melanie Travis Mystery. I have enjoyed following Melanie Travis as she has solved mysteries since A Pedigree to Die For. Melanie has a happy home life with her husband, Sam and her two children, Davey and Kevin. Their household also has five poodles and one mixed breed who wreaks more havoc than all the poodles combined. I just love Faith, Melanie’s favorite poodle. It is delightful the way Melanie talks to Faith and how the poodle responds. This series contains great characters from Melanie down to little Kevin. I like that the characters continue to develop as the series progresses. Melanie received some advice from her sister-in-law, Bertie and I hope she acts upon it. In Melanie’s household, things are never dull which provides readers with laugh-out-louds moments. We get to visit the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Game of Dog Bones. I had no clue so much went into dogs shows. All the work that goes into preparing a poodle for the ring is fascinating. Laurien Berenson explains the judging in an easy to understand manner which I appreciate. Laurien Berenson has a lovely writing style that makes each book a joy to read. Her books have a smooth flow, good dialogue, relatable and well-rounded characters, and descriptive sentences that makes the reader feel they are right there in the book. The mystery was thought it with a just the right number of suspects and misdirection. The clues were present, but not obvious. The way the crime was carried out was clever. I liked the reveal which included some unexpected action. Crawford and Terry get married on Valentine’s Day. Terry (who is sporting purple hair) is planning the nuptials. I was surprised that Crawford left it up to the flamboyant Terry. I love how the book ended. Game of Dog Bones can be read as a standalone for those new to A Melanie Travis Mystery series. I am looking forward to reading Howloween when it comes out. Game of Dogs Bones is an entertaining cozy mystery with precious poodles, a wonderful wedding, dog club drama, a vile victim, a clever crime, and an autocratic aunt.

Melanie, her family, and Aunt Peg are heading to New York City, where Peg is going to host a seminar on raising and caring for show dogs. Unfortunately, Victor Durbin, who hates Peg and blames her for getting him kicked out of the Paugussett Poodle Club for his unsavory practices with his dogs, has started his own Empire Poodle Club, and has slated his judging to be opposite Peg's seminar, hoping to lure away her guests to watch his judging. But his plans go awry when Peg's seminar is filled, and Melanie, who has slipped away to watch the judging, is confused when she notices that the judge seems 'off' a bit and seemingly giving awards to dogs who aren't, in Melanie's opinion, deserving of the ribbons.

Later on, Victor accosts Aunt Peg and demands that she has a drink with him, even though she asks him to let her go. Eventually Melanie, who can't take it anymore, forces Victor to release her aunt and they go on their way. But the next morning before they are to head to the show, Peg calls Melanieand tells her that Victor has been murdered. When Peg discovers that she's a suspect in the murder, she asks Melanie to sniff around and see if she can figure out who had a motive to kill him. But Melanie doesn't know what she's in for -- it seems everyone hated Victor and had a reason to kill him, including his own godmother...

This is the 25th book in the series, so it's been long-running. While I must admit that there were some earlier books that just couldn't hold my attention (mainly because most of the story was about dog shows and very little about finding a murderer), I am glad to say that this is not the case here. While we learn quite a bit about the show itself, the tale is still focused on the murder.

While Melanie is trying to discover who might be the killer, she learns much about Victor's life, and what she does is distasteful to her and everyone around her. His practices as far as dog breeding were compromising, as well as his relationships with women. Therefore, Melanie has her work cut out for her in trying to find the killer.

Meanwhile, she's still attending the Westminster with her family and watching Aunt Peg as she judges there for the first time. She's also dealing with the upcoming wedding of her friends Crawford and Terry, who are dog handlers, and the fact that Crawford is holding a grudge against Melanie for something she did in an earlier book, which is causing stress in their relationship. But still, this has to be put on the back burner in favor of finding the killer.

But when she asks questions, she might be hitting the wrong notes with some people, and she's trying not to burn her own bridges in the process. When Melanie does finally figure it all out, it's shortly after we've figured it out ourselves, which is not a problem; and finding the murderer's motive is very sad indeed. All in all, a good book that can be read in one evening and I look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.

This is the 25th "Melanie Travis: Mystery by beloved cozy author Laurien Berenson. I have read the entire series and look forward to each new release. Over the decades that the author generously continued this series she has given her readers with love of dogs a great series with charcters we think of as friends in the dog show world. Melanie Travis is a smart savvy protagonist who not only solves mysteries but loves her dogs and her family. We have watched her grow over the years and every new book in this series is a delight.

In this next in series we find Melanie and her wonderful Aunt Peg going to New York City for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Aunt Peg is a experienced judge and will be judging on National TV. Aunt Peg has had a series of mishaps she believes caused by one disgruntled Poodle Club member Victor Durbin. He has been removed from the Poodle club and blames Aunt Peg. When he is found murdered Aunt Peg is the prime suspect and Melanie must put on her best sleuthing abilities to find the true suspect and clear her Aunt. She soon has clues abound and secrets discovered nefarious facts about the victim that may have lead to his murder.

This is a delightful next in series. I love that this book centers around such a prestigious dog show. Melanie and her Aunt Peg make a great team in both showing their poodles and solving crimes. The sleuth is very well crafted and the supporting charcters of the dog world are humorous and eclectic to read about. This is one of my long time cozy mystery favorite series and I wish it would continue forever. Very well done to the author and thank you for continuing this series.

Margaret Turnbull, Melanie Travis' renown (and often annoying) aunt as well as poodle breeder and judge, had been awarded the dog world's ultimate accolade: she's been chosen as a group judge at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Melanie accompanies Aunt Peg to New York City as assistant and companion, and must literally fend off an old "frenemy" of Peg's on the way to the hotel: Victor Durbin, whose questionable breeding methods and involvement in a dog café venue for adoptions have made him persona non grata with many people, but especially Aunt Peg, so when he turns up murdered Peg is the prime suspect. Naturally, Melanie throws herself into the investigation.

The mystery itself involves something in the news a lot these days and is suitably complicated for a cozy. The real strength with this book, the 25th in a series, is in the details: behind the scenes at august Westminster, Melanie's teaming with her sister-in-law Bertie, and the approaching wedding of flamboyant Terry and conservative Crawford (something happens at the wedding that made me cry). Davey continues with showing his poodle Augie, and of course there's kindergartener Kevin for comic relief.

I've been reading this series since the beginning and it never fails to please. By the way, I agree with another reviewer that we'd love to see Sam involved in a mystery!

Laurien Berensen has been writing cozy mysteries since 1995.  I have always spending time with her protagonist Melanie, Melanie's son and, of course, Aunt Peg.  The dogs also add to the series' charm. 


I once went to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show so was intrigued to see that this was a setting in the novel.  Of course, though, the show in the book was not like the one that I attended as there is murder.  Who killed Victor?  Why? Read the book to find out.


If you are a lover of cozies, I recommend the Melanie Travis titles. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.


#GameofDogBones #NetGalley

Game of Dog Bones by Laurien Berenson is the 25th book in the Melanie Travis mystery series, and another great addition. Reading this book made me feel like I was visiting good friends, and catching up on their latest adventure. It is Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show time at Madison Square Garden, and Aunt Peg will be judging on national TV, every one is excited. When an ousted member starts making trouble, and is later found dead. Aunt Peg tops the suspect list, and Melanie is out to prove her innocent. I love this series, and this book! I love the well developed characters and plot of this story. Melanie is very likable, with a fun sense of humor and funny how she deals with her Aunt Peg. This book kept my interest, and was fast paced and all round fun, and full of winter chill. I strongly recommend this book and this whole series, for people who love cozy mystery book, dogs, and dog shows.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I've been enjoying this series for years and this was a fun addition A trip to the Westminster dog show, something most of us is probably watched at one time or another was fun to read about. And it's always fun watching this family grow... Davey as a teenager is awesome and 5-year-old Kevin is always a hoot 😂 A light and fun cozy mystery is a good escape amidst these interesting and uncertain times ️😁

Another successful entry in the Melanie Travis mystery series. I really enjoy this series. Melanie finds herself in another murder mystery. This time Aunt Peg is a suspect. One aspect of this series that I enjoy are the family interactions, including the poodles. Having Terry and Crawford get married was another highlight for me. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next installment.

Dog Show Based Cozy
I love dogs and I love cozy mysteries so I thought that this would be a great fit for me. I was absolutely right. There are more than a few dogs in the story as well as an inside look at dogs in the show ring. The mystery part was just excellent. The author kept me on pins and needles as she figured it all out. I will be looking to read more of this author's books. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

Has Melanie Travis put herself in mortal peril this time?

It looks like danger is closing in on Melanie as she takes on solving the murder of Victor Durbin when police put her Aunt Peg on their short list of suspects. Victor has crossed many people over the years, including her Aunt Peg, whose judging assignment at the famous Westminster Dog Show coincides with Victor’s murder at the show site.

As Melanie investigates, she discovers disturbing facts about Victor and his suspicious puppy café, unethical breeding practices and underhanded business dealings. She also finds out before he was expelled from their club, he was less than principled in his contact with women in Melanie and Peg’s beloved Paugussett Poodle Club. That behavior continued in the new Poodle club Victor founded.

There’s a full litter of suspects for Victor’s murder from his business partner to breeders he’s cheated to women he’s cornered. But someone was willing to make him pay the ultimate price…and Melanie may just be standing between that person and freedom.

Game of Dog Bones delivers everything you expect from author, Laurien Berenson. It’s an engaging read that touches on some very modern issues twisted together with a solid whodunit. Don’t miss a great read in this 25th Melanie Travis mystery.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I don't know how she does it but Laurien Berenson always writes an entertaining, humorous, "poodleful" book! Her characters are like old friends to me since I've read all of her books. The passion portrayed in Laurien's writing shows as she writes about the poodles, Melanie, Sam, Aunt Peg, Kevin, and Davey. This book will give you laughs and an adventure in murder. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!