Carole and Frank who made their big money from a new kind of toilet now want to move into Providences swankiest address, but are denied because they’re not the right kind of people. Frank throws up an offhand remark someone should kill the guy so it’s no surprise when he’s arrested for his murder a few weeks later. Carole is too superficial a character and should definitely not be a dog owner, ignoring her dogs constant barking, and always leaving her in the car, and is generally annoying, so I’m not crazy about this new series.

When you start out with very little, any improvement is gratefully received. Carole Capobianco would love her husband Frank whatever happened, but the not so small fortune he made with his invention, the Bye-Bye Toilet, has definitely made life easier. It didn't make any difference when they applied to move to a prestige address in their hometown of Providence, Rhodes Island, however, where Frank was heard to threaten the original owner when he refused their application. Unfortunately, when the aforementioned owner was found bludgeoned to death at Frank’s latest renovation project, his comments returned to haunt him as he was arrested for murder!

Determined to clear her husband Carole and her spoilt but loyal Brittany I as Poopsie start investigating. It seems, however, that most of the possible suspects have something to hide, and danger is present at every turn. She can't stop now, though, Frank is relying on her if she can just manage to stay alive to pass on what she discovers!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies, but the opinions expressed are my own. I struggled a bit at the beginning of this as Carole, Frank, and Poopsie weren't instantly likeable. The storyline drew me in, however, and I will definitely give book 2 a whirl!

As a long time reader of Meier, I was happy to read something different by her. A different setting in Providence, RI, characters from the poor side but made it big on a plumbing product and still went back to their roots make this completely different from Lucy Stone. Carole, her husband, Frank, and their family are a riot. Frank’s parents are great supporting characters and I hope they stay on. The mystery itself was okay for a first book and I felt there were a few side stories that detracted from the mystery but were good for letting readers see the characters. Overall, it was a good read and I hope there are more.

A Matter of Pedigree by Leslie Meier is a great cozy mystery that is the first in a new series: A Carole and Poopsie Mystery.

I have always loved the Lucy Stone Mystery series so when I heard Ms Meier was coming out with a new one, I had to snatch it up.

This is definitely a change from Lucy, small-town reporter/mother/amateur sleuth. This is Carole, a well-to-do Rhode Island mother/wife/ and unexpected amateur sleuth. Even though the other series is also modern, Carole has more wealth, resources, and opportunities for investigation, and she definitely didn’t anticipate becoming an investigator…but when her husband is wrongly accused of murder, she finds that if she wants to help prevent him from being convicted…she is going to have to do a bit of digging herself. The more she digs, the more suspects she finds…and the more she finds she enjoys it.

Looking forward to where this series can go.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Publishing- Kensington Cozies for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/30/25.

Good start to a funny new series by a delightfully familiar author. Groaned and giggled my way through the clueless regulars and the mounting number of suspects!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Avail Sep 30, 2025
#AMatterofPedigree by Leslie Meier #CaroleandPoopsieMysteriesBk1 @kensingtonbooks #NetGalley
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Book one in Leslie Meier's new cozy mystery series, "A Matter of Pedigree" is a fun romp with dogs and murder! While it's not a Lucy Stone novel, it's a great beginning!