Product Description

In an effort to escape her ex-husband and boyfriend, Melanie Travis opts to track down the elusive owner of an adorable dachshund puppy that's about to be put on the block at a charity auction. But the more Melanie discovers about the puppy's background, the messier the case becomes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #140723 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In the ninth installment of this beloved cozy series featuring teacher, prize-winning poodle owner and amateur sleuth Melanie Travis (Once Bitten, etc.), a young journalist hopes Melanie's penchant for stumbling over dead bodies will lead her to a career-making story. But as Melanie tells the woman, at this point her life is pretty dull dull, that is, if you discount her tangled personal life. Melanie's ex-fiance, who left for six months to find himself, has just returned; her ex-husband has a new 20-something girlfriend and has moved into town to reconnect with his seven-year-old son; and she's involved in a divorced couple's battle over a Dachshund puppy, Dox. When strange things begin to happen her wallet goes missing, she returns home one night to find all the lights on, an unidentified caller phones at all hours of the night, someone steals Dox Melanie begins to believe the next murder investigation might be her own. As in previous books, Berenson's insights and knowledge of the world of show dogs are a must for anyone who wants to know what it takes to get to the Westminster Dog Show. Melanie's poodles are as lovable and real as the story's human characters, while committed fans will enjoy following the progress of Melanie's relationships, some of which she actually resolves. A catchy title, an alluring dust jacket and the author's solid reputation should attract new readers as well.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
This new addition to the series (Once Bitten) surrounds heroine Melanie with an attention-starved ex-husband and ex-fianc , two media stalkers, and a dachshund puppy that's become the focus of someone else's marital battle. In addition, she must contend with house break-ins, a dog-napping, and worse. Sure to be in demand.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"A winning cozy...there are some tender moments here and the ending is a surprise on more than one front."

Customer Reviews

Problems follow poor dog-breeder Melanie Travis
Melanie Travis's life has changed. Sam, the boyfriend who deserted her on her way to the alter, is back in her life and anxious to start where he left off. Bob, her ex-husband, is doing everything he can to be a good father to their child, and her poodle puppy wins her first champion point. But things are a long way from perfect. A beautiful reporter has decided that Melanie's ability to stumble over bodies everywhere she goes is a sure ticket to T.V. stardom. And someone begins harrassing Melanie with phone calls and even break-ins. Gradually Melanie has to confront the fact that someone is obsessed with her and means her no good.

Author Laurien Berenson delivers a perky single mother (of a seven year-old son and two standard poodle daughters) with a nose for mystery and a personal life that never seems to go quite right. Melanie is a wonderfully developed character--smart and sympathetic with her assorted family and male attachments (both ex and current). Fans of the series will be delighted to see how Eve (her younger dog) is growing up and catch up on Aunt Peg's latest outrageous plan.

HOT DOG isn't the standard Melanie Travis mystery. There is a surprising lack of dead bodies (pity the poor reporter). This time, the threat is more subtle--and more personal. Berenson's smooth writing is engaging and clever.

A great series!!!!
This author and her series is one of the best out there. If I had to choose between spending money on food or on her newest hardback book - her book would win out! Since the very first book, I have enjoyed her descriptions of the dogs and her little boy. Each book has gotten better. There are so many different reasons to like her books, the dogs and the descriptions of what is involved in dog shows, her relationships with her family, Aunt Peg, her ex and Sam, the mystery involved, her humor. This is an author I would definitely, very highly recommend.

best Melanie Travis mystery to date
Melanie Travis lives a fulfilling life working, as a special needs tutor in Greenwich, Connecticut. She also gets immense pleasure out of showing her standard French Poodle puppy Eve at the dog shows. Her ex-fiancé wants to get back together with her but she's holding back, not sure if she can forgive him for walking out on her when she needed him most.

Her life turns complicated when she agrees to watch Dax, a little Dachshund puppy, who is the rope in a custodial tug of war. Meanwhile Mel's ex-husband Bob is forging a relationship with their son and has a brand new girlfriend in his life. Things really begin to go crazy for Mel when doors she closed are reopened. When she returns home, her wallet and Dax turn up missing and the phone rings all night long. Sam wants to be there for her, but she rejects his overtures, determined to go it alone even if it kills her.

HOT DOG is the latest and best in the Melanie Travis mystery series to date. This book is as much a family and relationship drama as it is a mystery and for the first time the audience sees the protagonist as something less than a super win. Laurien Berenson has written a real treat for the human as well as the canine persuasion.

Harriet Klausner