Peg is very taken with her online beau Richard, though when Peg realizes the adult man has brought his mother along, and that Florence’s opinion matters a great deal, she begins to think Melanie and Bertie are right about meeting people online.  Siren Alana has convinced one of the top dog men in the country, Charlie Evans, that dog shows are beginning toexploit dogs and that they no longer showcase what sets apart one breed from the next.  The night after Charles makes his keynote speech, Melanie and Peg find him floating in the hot tub.  

While suspects and motives, abound, and Melanie is not interested in getting involved with murder in her delicate condition, convention organizers and goers still turn to her as an expert,amateur detective when it comes to all things dog related.  Melanie finds herself (and that baby she keeps talking about) in harm’s way more than once, but try as she might, she still seems to find herself in all the wrong places at all the wrong times.

Melanie Travis is, as always, a very enjoyable heroine.  This time out she is a little moodier, though as she continues to point out, she IS pregnant, something that wears a little thin in a hurry.  A brief bout of jealousy over a possible relationship new husband Sam had with Alana many years ago is also out of character, but then again, she IS pregnant.  Aunt Peg is also a bit uncharacteristic, normally being very independent and proud of it, as she embarks on a new relationship that ends in a very amusing way.  

There are several possible solutions to the mystery but readers will most likely guess the solution before too long.  There is enough dog show information for dog lovers, but not so much as to turn off non-canine lovers.  Fans of the long running series will want to stay up to date with Melanie’s happenings, but readers new to the series may want to start with one of the earlier titles.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry