ou know how you hate to have a series end, well I am really sorry to come to the end of this one and can't wait for the next two books which will be out by year end. I thoroughly enjoy Melanie Travis and her family and her poodles. 2015
Next read 2023

When Melanie’s Aunt Peg volunteers her to help one of dogdom’s elder statesmen write his memoirs, Melanie has no idea what she’s getting into. Edward March turns out to be a crotchety, manipulating philanderer and when his adult son Andrew is killed in a hit-and-run crash, March quickly becomes the prime suspect.
Drawn into the investigation, Melanie uncovers family discord, secret hoarding, and two generations of disgruntled ex-lovers. Melanie—busy with her own child who’s about to enter the terrible twos, not to mention a new puppy for Davey—must follow a convoluted trail of clues, but before she can act on what she uncovers, the killer prepares to strike again and this time she’s is the target… ( )

This is the 16th book in the series and definitely my personal favorite. There aren't a lot of extraneous characters in the book, just Melanie, Sam, Davey, Kevin, Aunt Peg, the victim and suspects. The poodles are great. Having had a pack of 4 dogs myself, I found myself smiling at little things only people with multiple dogs would relate to. e.g. when her toddler drops food on the floor and one of the poodles snatches it up she hands out peanut butter biscuits to the others to "even it out". Lots of moments I could relate to. And a beautiful Irish Setter saving the day, well what more could you ask for. Loved it. ( )

I've been a fan of this series since the first book came out years ago, and they're books I will occasionally re-read. I was certain the last book, Doggie Day Care Murder, was the last one, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the upcoming release of Gone With the Woof. I made sure to pre-order it and couldn't wait to revisit old friends.

For this long time fan, the story didn't disappoint. Melanie, Sam, Aunt Peg, Bertie - the gang is all here and are as likeable and delightful as ever. Aunt Peg is still bossy, Sam is still easy-going and Mel is still giving as good as she gets.

The plot is one involving the sins of a father and son and I thought it was well done. There was a pivotal moment in the book when I had the 'ah hah!' moment and knew who the killer was - but it happened towards the end of the book and nothing was really lost with the knowing. I found the climax a little bit odd as there was no way the killer wasn't going to be caught so I don't know what motivated that final scene. But I enjoyed it all the same.

I don't know whether to look forward to another book or not? I certainly will be pleased if there is, but with 5 years in between this and the last, and after 16 books, I'm afraid to get my hopes up too high. ( )

Edward March, the retired Irish Setter breeder, custom home construction company founder, and retiring dog show judge, wants to write a book. He wants someone to help him write it. Melanie's Aunt Peg thinks Melanie should take the job. (After all, Kevin has only six months to go before he'll be three. Aunt Peg never had any human children of her own, so she sees no reason why Melanie is still a stay-home mom.)

Edward March is the kind of jerk who thinks of women as sex objects. No, he didn't wait until his wife died before resuming his pre-marital career as a Don Juan. Worse, his son, Andrew, takes after him. The more we learn about the March men, the more I think how inappropriate it is that they share the same last name as the loving family in Little Women. If Edward and Andrew had been better men, they would both still be alive and Melanie wouldn't have had her life endangered -- again.

I suppose I shouldn't talk because at one time my family had two toy poodles, a Doberman, and three cats under a smaller roof than Melanie and Sam's, but in this book they acquire a sixth standard black poodle. (It would be nice to learn if Augie was indeed named after the Hanna-Barbera 'Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy' cartoons I watched when I was a little girl. Perhaps Ms. Berenson will let us know in a later book.)

I've been enjoying this series for years and Gone With the Woof is a nice entry in it. ( )

Not the best book in the series but a pleasant read. ( )