Peg and Rose are the most unlikely crime solving team - underestimated because of their age, related but only recently becoming friends and not willing to let anyone get the better of them. When the man Peg has met through an online dating service and begun dating is hit by a car, and not accidentally, off they go again to find the culprit. It's fun to see these women deepen their relationship and not give in to their age.

(3 stars, rounded up from 2.5)

I usually enjoy cozy mysteries, mainly as a break from more “serious” books, but this one just did not hit the spot for me. I’m of a similar age to the two main characters but I simply could not relate to either of them. The idea that Rose is running a shelter for battered women is admirable, but the situation doesn’t seem realistic at all. Also, there was a lot of dog talk, about breeding and judging dogs; all of that bored me, but if you’re a dog lover, you may feel differently about that.

The main plot involves someone who preys on older women, and that is a real concern, no doubt about it. Seniors (and not just seniors!) need to be on the lookout for scam artists of all types.

Sorry to say, I won’t be looking for more books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I was rather late to it. Because I was late to it, I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. All opinions are my own.

This was a fun read! Senior sleuths Peg and Rose are back! Love these two together...it feels like the odd couple meets golden girls! I would recommend this series to fans of senior cozies!
I would like to thank netgalley, the author Laurien Berenson, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book!

When Rose encourages Peg to meet up with a man she met on a dating site, the last thing they expect is to see him on the news as the victim of a hit-and-run, let alone to find out that there’s plenty of people who would want to see him dead.

This is the second book in the Senior Sleuths cozy mystery series, which follows long-estranged sisters-in-law Rose and Peg as they become better friends and solve murder cases that they unexpectedly stumble into.

This book follows all the good points of the first book, Peg and Rose Solve a Murder – an amusing odd couple of main characters with a complex relationship, plenty of good-natured humor, and a likable supporting cast. The mystery is an intriguing one without becoming too complicated, and there’s a plethora of suspects to sort through, all of which we are made to sympathize with. I also enjoyed the compassionate way in which the author approached romance scams.

However, it’s not a perfect read for a few reasons. I thought Peg and Rose’s reasons for getting involved with the case were somewhat flimsy, especially as it’s not clear off that bat that Nolan was purposely mown down. There’s also a fair few bits and pieces that show up in the story, like Melanie’s parenting troubles and Helen’s miniature horse farm that felt like word count padding, though they were enjoyable enough to read.

Peg and Rose Stir Up Trouble is the second cozy mystery featuring Aunts Peg & Rose written by Laurien Berenson. Released 25th July 2023 by Kensington Books, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out 2nd quarter 2024 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The first book in the series, Peg & Rose Solve a Murder, is also currently available on KU.

This is a nice sequel and a delightful cozy which has a distinct Odd Couple vibe, mixed with a little bit of Golden Girls thrown in for good measure. The plot is fun; late middle aged sisters-in-law with decades of unpleasantly fractious interactions. They couldn't be more different, one's a former nun who renounced her habit to marry a priest, the other is a pragmatic professional purebred dog show judge who generally has little time for what she considers distractions and non-practicalities. Rose (former nun) has convinced Peg (no-nonsense professional show judge) to try out online dating. Potentially disastrously funny encounters actually lead to a promising match, who soon turns up dead (yikes!). Peg & Rose are soon on the case.

As with most of the author's oeuvre, there is a surprisingly educational amount of minutiae and interesting behind-the-scenes nuts and bolts info about the dog show world and especially poodles. Additionally, the characterizations are subtly rendered (especially for a cozy mystery) and the mystery itself is well written and clever.

Four stars. Recommended for fans of cozies, and especially for fans of the author's other work. This series lightly ties in to the author's Melanie Travis canine mysteries, although they certainly can be read independently of one another, there are some occasional mentions or crossover cameos.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Peg and Rose are up to their ears in trouble again! When Rose convinces Peg to sign up for an online dating service, they don’t anticipate Nolan, the man Peg starts to date, will end up dead…and turn out to be a con man with a long list of victims.

And there are plenty of suspects in Nolan’s death, many of them women who fell for his con. In fact, there are enough of those women they’d formed a club and met regularly.

Peg and Rose tag team to interview suspects, follow clues and get to the bottom of who killed Nolan and prove it.

Laurien Berenson has created a fun read, with the tension between Peg and Rose starting to be buffed to softer edges as their relationship grows and develops. It’s great to see each playing to her strengths.

An entertaining mystery to curl up with on the couch and enjoy.

My favorite senior sleuths are back and they are investigating a murder. There are clues and suspects galore with some twists. Loved it!
Many thanks to Kensington. and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I guess you could say I am a glutton for punishment. After not particularly enjoying the first book in the Senior Sleuths series, Peg and Rose Solve a Murder, I decided to give the second book a chance. Well, this one was disappointing as well. The murder mystery just did not grab my attention and keep me invested in the story. I think I’m done giving this series a chance to fill my heart with happiness. By the time I’ve read the last word and closed the book, I end up feeling as crotchety as Peg!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Princess Fuzzypants here: It is refreshing to read a series where the two senior titular ladies are neither overly quirky nor a menace to society. Both are accomplished in their own right with the smarts to solve mysteries, much to the chagrin of their friend whose job it is to investigate the murders. This time Rose thinks it is time for Peg to join an online dating site for seniors. Peg is not convinced but is shocked when she receives interest from several men. She is even more shocked when one of them seems too good to be true. Sadly, he is in fact too good to be true, something Peg does not learn until after he is killed in a hit and run.

The ladies learn there is a large number of women whom he has swindled and although Peg was not a victim, she is incensed that she did not sniff him out. Some of his victims still think fondly of him. They felt that what he gave them compensated for any money he took from them. Others have had their lives torn apart. By talking to the women and the people who enabled him to do his swindles, they learn more about the man. He even has a son with whom he has not had contact. There is lots of anger and resentment. Many fantasized about doing him harm. Who actually did the deed?

There is a lot of excitement before Rose actually figures out the who and the why. It is a very sad story but the killer is prepared to go to any lengths to hide the truth. Will Rose survive?

A truly enjoyable read with great characters including the animals ones. It is only the second stand alone in the series. Do yourself a favour and read them both. Five purrs and two paws up.

I adored this cozy mystery! The group of characters were fantastic, and I loved the beach setting. I enjoyed the plot twists and the mystery. It was well paced and well written!

This book is the second book in the great cozy mystery series involving older sisters-in-law Peg and Rose. After decades of bad blood between the women, the women have reconciled and are unexpected crime-solvers. Peg is in early 70s works as a dog handler and dog show judge while Rose is an ex-nun who now runs a womens' shelter with her ex-priest husband.

After Rose convinces Peg to try internet dating and when Peg's date dies, she and Rose learn he had been dating and scheming against multiple women. Peg and Rose are on the case to solve the crime.
This book is the second in the series and is adjacent to the Melanie Travis canine mystery books. This book can be read as a stand-alone book without reading any of the other books. It is delightful to read a cozy mystery series where the lead is not a young person and Peg and Rose are as quirky as senior sleuths come. This book felt a warm hug during the difficult personal time in which I read it.

I give this book 4.5 stars for a delightful and funny cozy mystery with a pair of senior sleuths. I am definitely picking up the next book in the series.

Thank you Net Galley and Kensington books for the free book in exchange for an honest review. I will post this review on Goodreads, Bookbub and Amazon.

Rose has found happiness with Peter and now thinks Peg needs love in her life too. Love above and beyond that of dogs that is. Peg’s not so sure but Rose set up an online dating profile for her, so she takes a chance.

To her surprise, three men show an immediate interest. Two are easily ruled out for general smarminess and causing sheer boredom. The third, Nolan, is handsome, interesting, and fun to be with. Peg is beginning to think this wasn’t such a bad idea after all—until he goes to a dog show with her and mansplains the breeds. Peg is a professional dog show judge.

Rose is along and points out Nolan also parrots back what Peg has said. No wonder she found him interesting to talk to! When they leave, Nolan gets into a bit of a snit because Peg is driving Rose home. Apparently, he thought a romantic evening and perhaps, night, would follow. Peg decides to reevaluate their relationship.

Sadly, a couple of days later, before she’s had a chance to talk to him, Nolan is killed by a hit-and-run driver. When Peg and Rose go to the funeral, it’s surprising how many women are there, some to grieve, some to glare, some to smile. The more they find out about Nolan’s life, the clearer it becomes that nothing about him was true. With so many suspects to choose from, it will be hard for Rose and Peg to find the real killer.

In a turnabout, Rose takes the lead on this case which Peg is not at all sure she likes. Sifting through the clues, lies, and half-truths, it’s going to take all their snoopabilities to solve this case. This is the second book in the spinoff of the Melanie Travis series. Of course, there are Poodles but also Rose’s cat to liven things up. Peg and Rose feuded for 30 years. Now, they’re beginning to realize they have more in common than either of them thought.

The Melanie books are always a favorite—Peg and Rose have settled in on that list too.

Laurien Berenson never fails when she writes a book. They are never boring and the plot lines always flow together. I love the way she writes about dogs and dog shows. I wish she would write a little more about adoptng a dog like Buddy and give a few training tips in her book. Trying to get a dog from barking at the UPS and Fex X is like talking to the wall.

With the sass of the Golden Girls and then cleverness of Murder She Wrote, Peg and Rose are some of my new favorite sleuths!

Even though this is the second book in the series, I feel like I was able to pop in and know what was happening, and who was who within the first few chapters. The dialogue was well done, I LOVED the banter between Peg and Rose. They reminded me so much of the Golden Girls and I want to have cake and solve crimes with them!

AS far as the mystery goes, I thought it was well done. I had a feeling it was one of the scorned ladies, but I just couldn't figure out who until just before the reveal!


Overall I can see this becoming another favorite series of mine, I can't wait to read more!

I always love a cozy mystery and especially the ones that feature seniors or "pensioners" who are the amateur sleuths solving the crime. In this case, again sisters-in-laws Peg and Rose return to solve the mysterious death of Nolan, a gentlemen friend of Peg. Talked into getting back into the dating scene by Rose, Peg meets Nolan through a dating site. While he seemed quite the gentlemen, surprises abound when they go to his funeral and meet several other women who also were "friendly" with Nolan. But Peg and Rose felt that she needed to solve his murder and when they start asking questions, they may have asked the fifth question to the wrong person which puts they life in danger. A delightful story but highly predictable. Still, it's a good read on a rainy day and even in a murder mystery, it gives you some chuckles with the dynamics between Peg and Rose. 3.5 rounded up to a 4.
Many thanks to #netgalley #pegandrosestiruptrouble #laurienberenson for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a delightful series featuring a couple of irresistible and strong willed women who join forces as they try to build again a relationship after years of disagreements.
This is an excellent mystery, solid and full of surprising twists. Peg and Rosie are well rounded and likeable characters as the rest of the characters, both human and pets.
I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Peg and Rose know how to get into trouble. The death and possible murder of their acquaintance, Nolan is just the ticket for these two to investigate. Rose was onto the truth.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Sisters-in-law Peg Turnbull and Rose Donovan are still exploring their newly found friendship when Rose, a former nun who left the convent to marry her husband Peter, decides that Peg has been mourning Rose’s deceased brother Max for long enough. In Rose’s opinion, it’s high time that the widowed Peg found some new romantic companionship. To this end, she signs Peg up for Mature Mingle, an online dating service for their senior age group.

Peg’s first few dates are nothing short of disastrous, so she’s thrilled to eventually connect with the handsome and urbane Nolan Abercrombie. After an e-mail exchange that charms even the somewhat cynical Peg, she’s eager to finally meet in person. But, as she confides in Rose, she’s reluctant to make the first move for fear of seeming aggressive. Rose is disbelieving:

QUOTE
“This isn’t like you at all. You’re never hesitant about anything. And you’re certainly not shy. So what’s really going on?”

Peg sat back. “In case you haven’t noticed, this idea of yours yanked me totally out of my comfort zone. So excuse me if I’m still struggling to find my footing. But truthfully…?”

Rose nodded.

“I don’t want to be disappointed again. What if Nolan turns out to be deadly dull in person? Or if he’s only looking for a hookup?”

“Then I’d imagine you’ll deal with him the same way you do with everyone else,” Rose replied. “Indomitably.”

“Indomitably.” Peg let the word roll off her tongue. She liked the sound of it. “Is that how you see me?”

Rose laughed. “Are you kidding? That’s how everyone sees you.”
END QUOTE

Peg and Nolan finally go on a series of dates, and at first everything goes amazingly. Nolan even introduces her to his sister Barbara, who is just as delightful as he is. But after Peg brings Nolan to a dog show, and Rose gently points out several of his flaws, the heat under their burgeoning romance downgrades to a simmer. Even so, Peg is distraught when Nolan becomes the victim of a deadly hit and run shortly after.

His funeral raises far more questions than it answers, as many of the mourners seem to be women of about the same age as Peg and Rose. After it becomes clear that Nolan was something of a lothario – and worse, that he was a conman to boot – our intrepid duo realize that he was likely the deliberate target of vehicular homicide. But who of his many victims hated him enough to kill him?

Peg and Rose’s sleuthing soon brings them to a club, of sorts, of his former flames. These scorned women almost unanimously agree that the world is better off without him. Once in their cups, they even begin to speculate rather disturbingly on how they might have better dealt with him in life:

QUOTE
“What we should have done was make a plan and then take care of him ourselves.”

“All of us together?” Connie sounded skeptical.

“Yes, that’s why it could have worked. Since all of us would have been equally guilty, no one would have been able to figure out who the real culprit was.”

“That sounds familiar,” Gina said. “Didn’t some famous mystery author write a story about that?”

“Agatha Christie,” Aimee piped up. “So that’s out. Because who wants to be derivative?”

<i>Seriously?</i> Rose thought. That <i>was her problem with the plan?</i>
END QUOTE

These women aren’t the only ones holding a grudge against the deceased, however. Disgruntled family and less than savory associates also have plenty of reason to want Nolan permanently out of the picture. With almost too many suspects to sort through, will Peg and Rose be able to figure out whodunnit before one of them becomes the killer’s next victim?

Our sleuthing duo are an absolute delight to spend time with, especially as their once prickly relationship continues to blossom into a sweetly supportive friendship. They’re such opposites, yet share a core of steely determination that compels them both to uncover the truth, whether separately or together. The subplots regarding Peg’s life as a dog show circuit judge and Rose’s work running a women’s shelter were also very absorbing, and I loved the resolution of the handyman story. Peg and Rose might be stirring up trouble, but they’re also clearing up obfuscations and freeing the innocent of suspicion or worse, as their series goes from strength to entertaining strength.

Peg and Rose Stir Up Trouble is a cute comfortable cozy filled with
charismatic and stubborn seniors who it seems are always in the wrong place at the
wrong time. It’s comedic, sentimental, heartwarming and suspenseful all rolled
into one. Oh, and we can’t forget about the dogs!

Peg Turnball and her sister-in-law Rose Donovan have put their past issues
behind them. They are beginning to get comfortably reacquainted with each
other. So much so that Rose convinces Peg to put herself out there and create a
profile on a senior dating site. First item on Peg’s list…must love dogs, of
course!

Although Peg is really doing this for Rose, she does go on a couple of
dating misses, but incredibly, the third times really is the charm. She matches
with a very handsome senior who loves dogs, Nolan Abercrombie. As they begin to
get to know each other Peg actually believes Rose was right, but all good
things must come to an end. Noland has a fatal accident.

See…Peg knew it was too good to be true! And now it seems the accident may
have actually been a homicide! What Peg and Rose soon discover is not only was
Nolan hiding things about himself, but he seemed to be charming the money out
of many women which leads to a long list of suspects! It seems Nolan was an
enchanting con man!

So once again the two friends find themselves involved in a murder. But when
Rose is almost killed, the situation because even more urgent as to who killed
Nolan. Clearly Rose and Peg are getting too close to the truth.

Peg and Rose’s chemistry makes for a terrific combination with their witty
banter and headstrong determination. Dogs, dating and death. Who could ask for
anything more in a cozy!

Thank you #NetGalley #KeninstonCozies #LaurienBerenson
#PegandRoseStirUpTrouble for the advanced copy.

What a delightful read! I love seeing older women in feisty roles. The characters are well drawn and memorable, the plot is nice and twist6 and the craftsmanship is superb. Highly recommended! I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.