Laurien Berenson Mystery Author

Mystery Women Authors

Laurien Berenson

Biography

Laurien Berenson Photo Laurien Berenson has received the Maxwell Award for Fiction from the Dog Writers Association of America. A graduate of Vassar College and a member of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, she lives in Georgia with her husband, her son, and six dogs. (From Jacksonville Library)

Read an interview with Lauren Berenson - click here

Visit the Laurien Berenson's web site - click here

Books

Melanie Travis Mysteries

Watchdog

Watchdog Cover The aunt of Melanie Travis is internationally renowned for her breeding of purebred poodles. When her aunt gives Melanie a poodle to train and show, Melanie's initial reaction was unfavorable. However, she now considers her prize-winning canine Faith to be an intimate part of her family. Melanie feels the rush of displaying her baby at the various competitions.

In the current show, Melanie becomes involved with a homicide investigation because the prime suspect is her immature brother. The crime appears to have its roots in real estate rather than with canine shows. Melanie ends up placing her budding relationship with a fellow dog show participant on the line when she begins sleuthing to prove her sibling's innocence. She quickly realizes that many people had motives to loathe the
victim. Still, Melanie knows that she must ferret out the killer's identity or watch her brother take the fall.

Watchdog is a first class piece of entertainment that stars a believable and likable amateur sleuth. The weird situations that seem to engulf Melanie adds a touch of realism to the well drawn mystery. The many suspects will receive reader sympathy, leading to the conclusion that even a good person may be pushed over the edge. The glimpse into the dog competition world adds some flavoring to Laurien Berenson's
latest animal mystery, which ranks in the top of the sub-genre. (Harriet Klausner)

Published Kensington Pub Group 1998

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Coming Soon

Hush Puppy

Published 1999

A Pedigree To Die For

Cover of A Pedigree to Die For When her Uncle Max is found dead in his championship kennel, surrounded by his prize-winning poodles, it's up to Melanie to investigate. Posing as a poodle breeder in search of the perfect stud, Melanie hounds Connecticut's elite canine competitions, and finds an ally in fellow breeder, Sam Driver. But her affection cools when she gets wind of Sam's questionable past.

Published Kensington Pub Co. 1996

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Underdog

Underdog Cover After her impressive debut in Berenson's A Pedigree to Die For, heroine Melanie Travis returns to solve her second murder set in the world of competitive dog shows. When Melanie enrolls her poodle in Connecticut's classiest obedience school, the instructor is killed, and Melanie must find a way to nab the murderer before she is nabbed first.

Published Kensington Pub Co. 1996

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Dog Eat Dog

Dog Eat Dog Cover As if raising her son, training her rambunctious poodle for the show ring, and grooming fellow handler, Sam Driver, for romance aren't enough, Melanie Travis's entree into the exclusive Belle Haven Kennel Club has been met with a grisly murder. As Melanie investigates, the truth about forged pedigrees and illegal show practices come to light. And soon, Melanie finds herself moving closer to a dogged killer who's desperate enough to strike again.

Published Kensington Pub Co. 1996

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Hair of the Dog

Hair of the Dog Cover The dog days of summer have just begun, and Melanie Travis is looking forward to savoring each lazy afternoon. Even her rambunctious standard poodle is taking a break from the show ring. But Melanie's quiet summer reverie is shattered when star poodle handler and ladykiller Barry Turk is shot dead in his own driveway.

Published Kensington Pub Co. 1997

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Other Mysteries

Deep Cover

After moving into her quiet country home, a young wife and mother sets out to investigate the mysterious death of her next-door neighbor. Now someone is terrorizing her, hunting her through the dark night woods. Someone won't rest until he has put an end to Gwen and her vulnerable eleven-year-old son.

Published Kensington Pub Co. 1994

Non Mystery Books (Romances)

Come as You Are

Published 1985

Double Dare

Published 1986

Winner Take All

Published 1987

Lucky in Love

Published 1989

Talisman

Published 1990