Customer Reviews

Hot Dog: A Melanie Travis Mystery (Melanie Travis Mysteries)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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

Melanie has a few complications in her life right now. Sam has returned, and although she still loves him, she still hasn't forgiven him for running out on her. Her ex is still in the picture and hasn't totally accepted the fact that she doesn't want him anymore, except as Davy's father. His latest gift to Davy is a pony however, and he is now dating the owner of the stable, Pam. Pam is awfully possessive for a new relationship, but she is great to Davy and is teaching him to ride and take care of his pony. Bob is also buying into Melanie's brother's coffee bar and they are talking about expansion. Faith's puppy, Eve, is ready for competition, fun, but exhausting. The last thing she needs is to get in the middle of one of her two aunts' disagreements. Rose has accepted a daschund puppy as an item in a charity auction she and her husband are running. She needs help caring for it, and Peg is furious that they would even consider auctioning off a living breathing creature. Melanie finally agrees to take care of the pup. Strange things are also happening in her home, lights are on when they shouldn't be, TV's on in the middle of the night, cumulating in the pups disappearance, and her own dogs being let out of the yard into the street.

As usual, I really enjoyed the book. The mystery isn't really difficult, but there are many twists and turns and some red herrings also. I don't think I can wait another year to find out what happens in the next book. There were a few loose ends I can't wait to see tied up.

I've enjoyed most of Laurien Berenson's books, and this one was better again. - she really is maturing as a writer. The dialogue is great and she brings just the right amount of "attitude" to Melanie Travis.
The plus is that this is a doggy book. Melanie inhabits a world of dogs and doggy people. If you've ever been part of that life you'll enjoy this book even more.

This was a delightful quick, light read - a day brightener.

I've enjoyed most of Laurien Berenson's books, and this one was better again. - she really is maturing as a writer. The dialogue is great and she brings just the right amount of "attitude" to Melanie Travis.

The plus is that this is a doggy book. Melanie inhabits a world of dogs and doggy people. If you've ever been part of that life you'll enjoy this book even more.

This was a delightful quick, light read - a day brightener.

I thought the author spent too much time discussing the characters feelings about her relationship. I mean we know about that from previous books. There wasn't much action in this story until near the end.There was no dead body, no murder,no real mystery to this story.It was more of a relationship story then a mystery. The author tried to make you think Melanie was being stalked and harrased but I just don't think she pulled it off. I know it's kind of hard to believe an ordinary person would continue to stumble over dead bodies but isn't that what we expect from these books? I still like this author and will continue to read her books but I just don't think this was one of her better ones.

I am currently reading this book, and it is totally BORING!!!!!
The author goes way too deep into discussing the dog shows and how to take care of poodles. Who cares, if I wanted to know how to do that I would read a book on that specifically. Also, the story line never goes anywhere and the author spends too much time discussing the characters feelings. And the mother spends way to much time worrying about her dogs and feeling guilty about not being home for them. Get over it. She needs to get a social life!!!
Besides who takes their dogs to work, and travels around with them constantly. The book is totally unrealistic. This is the first one I have read of this author and it will be the last.