When her Aunt Peg lands a gig as judge at a Kentucky dog show, Melanie Travis welcomes the opportunity for a road trip. Too bad a killer has planned a deadly detour . . .

For a dog lover like Melanie, the opportunity to attend the Kentuckiana Dog Show Cluster is not to be missed. Fortunately, the timing coincides with her spring break from teaching, so she heads for central Kentucky with her sister-in-law Bertie and Aunt Peg, who's accepted a week-long judging assignment. Once there, Aunt Peg reconnects with an old friend, Ellie Gates Wanamaker, a former Standard Poodle exhibitor and a member of a well-heeled Kentucky family. Miss Ellie has been out of the dog show world for more than a decade, but when Melanie invites her to spectate at the Louisville Kennel Club dog show, she's eager to accompany her.

Miss Ellie's presence at the expo center, however, provokes mixed reactions from exhibitors she hasn't seen in years, including some outright animosity. The following day Melanie learns that Miss Ellie has suffered a fatal accident while exercising her dogs. Aunt Peg, however, suspects foul play. Wishing to avoid any scandal, Miss Ellie's pedigreed family prefers to let sleeping dogs lie, but as Melanie begins to sniff around, she discovers Miss Ellie had many secrets, both in the dog show world and amongst her Kentucky kin . . . ( )

Hmm… the first of the 5 Berenstein dog books I’m going to read. This was not very good. The writing is quite juvenile, the main character is only relatable for middle aged white women, and there are a lot of bone apple tea mistakes like using forbidding instead of foreboding and saying turning into a conversation instead of tuning into a conversation. Very annoying ( )

Melanie Travis' Aunt Peg is a judge at a dog show in Kentucky, and has also learned that she's now the proud owner of a very pregnant Thoroughbred broodmare. Peg wants to see the horse and see the stables, and Melanie, of course, after gentle prodding from her husband Sam, heads off to the Kentuckiana Dog Show. When they arrive, Peg reconnects with an old friend, Ellie Gates Wanamaker, who grew up on a Thoroughbred farm and once showed standard poodles herself. She's hoping Ellie can give her some pointers on horse ownership, racing and care.

For Melanie's part, she's delighted with Miss Ellie. Ellie is larger than life and still a force to be reckoned with. Melanie is surprised by the woman's energy and number of people she knows. While Ellie is greeted with affection by many, Melanie can't help but notice there are some who keep their distance, and while she notices the looks and whispers of some people, Ellie appears to be unfazed. What Melanie does learn is the reason Ellie retired was due to a tragic car accident that killed her Champion Poodle. What she doesn't know is the rest of the story.

After Miss Ellie is discovered dead on her family's land, Peg suspects foul play. Even though it was deemed an accidental fall, Peg is suspicious given the fact that Ellie knew the land inside and out, and had walked it on a regular basis, along with her four Jack Russell Terriers. And when they encounter someone else who doesn't believe it was an accident either, a plan is hatched to discover the truth.

While I enjoyed the book, I will tell you that much of it is devoted to dog shows and Thoroughbreds. There is detail after detail regarding show dogs and judging; if you don't derive pleasure from watching the Westminster Dog Show (et al) you might find it slightly boring and it seems extraneous. On the other hand, while there is nearly as much information regarding race horses, much of this information is crucial to the book.

The mystery itself seemed to be forthright: Someone dies, it looks suspicious, and Peg decides to find out the killer, asking Melanie to investigate. Unfortunately, the mystery itself got bogged down in all the information on the dog show; and I felt that Melanie allowed herself to be pushed around a little too easily. I love my aunts, too, but I wouldn't let them order me around this way. I got the feeling reading this book that Peg had no respect for Melanie and thought she was rather dim-witted. She never asked her what she thought or what she wanted to do; she just told her this was the way it was going to be, period.

Even though this is the 19th book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone, as there is enough information given to where the reader doesn't feel lost, and it's pretty easy to gauge personalities of lesser characters, which is a nice touch. A decent book worth the read. Recommended. ( )

Live and Let Growl is a cute, cozy mystery. I had not read any other Meanie Travis books in the series, so I can readily say that this is a stand-alone book, although part of a long series. In this book, Melanie is approaching spring break. Her Aunt Peg has landed a stint as a judge at a Kentucky dog show while, at about the same time, inheriting a Thoroughbred broodmare named Lucky Luna, who's stabled at a horse farm there, so Melanie, not working right then, travels with her aunt to the show and to check out the horse. After arriving in Kentucky, Melanie and her Aunt Peg meet up with Aunt Peg’s old friend and former poodle exhibitor Ellie Gates Wanamaker. Ellie left the show circuit after a serious accident, but remains connected to the dog show world and enjoys a long time relationship and reputation within this circuit. Ellie is also from a well-connected Kentucky family in the area. Not having been to a show in years, Ellie agrees to go to this expo with Melanie and her aunt. Things do not turn out as planned from that moment on, as a mysterious killing becomes entangled with the dog show and the duo’s visit to Kentucky. Melanie and her aunt likewise become involved in the investigation of this killing, as can be expected. At this point, the book actually becomes enmeshed in a series of twists and turns as it plods along to a conclusion and solution for the killing. A lot of these twists and turns were well done, although the ending was fairly predictable and not as exciting as it might have been.

Still, I enjoyed reading this book. It was not that long and moved along fairly well. The characters were well developed and lent intrigue to the story line. I did, however, fine Melanie’s Aunt Peg a bit too overbearing at times, and could have used a bit less of her in-your-face and I-know-more-and-better-than-you attitude. As a long-time dog lover, I enjoyed the setting and the information about the inner workings of a dog show and the preparations the exhibitors go through when showing dogs. I also enjoyed the treat of having Melanie’s standard poodle, Faith, who accompanied Melanie and her aunt on their trip, interspersed throughout. I wish there had been more of Faith, but that story is/may be for another book. I think this book will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery or reading about dogs. It will also appeal to a reader looking for something enjoyable but with a little substance. I received this from NetGalley to read and review. ( )

Live and Let Growl by Laurien Berenson is the nineteenth Melanie Travis Mystery. Melanie Travis is looking forward to spring break. Then it is sprung on her by her family that she is going with Aunt Peg to Kentucky. Aunt Peg has just inherited a thoroughbred named Lucky Luna and wants to check it out. Aunt Peg (Margaret Turnbull) is also a judge of Standard Poodles in a dog show nearby. Before checking out the horse, they meet up with Ellie Gates Wanamaker. She is an old friend of Peg's (she used to raise Standard Poodles until a car accident). Ellie is bright, energetic and vibrant woman. Peg gets her to agree to come for a day at the dog show. The next day they hear that Ellie died in an accident on the family farm. Peg is not sure it is an accident and wants to investigate (actually, have Melanie look into it). Melanie agrees to explore the possibilities (talk to some people, look at the accident site). Who wanted Ellie dead? Can Melanie and Peg find the culprit before there is another "accident"?

Live and Let Growl was well-written and contained good characters. I felt Aunt Peg was little overbearing and Melanie easily pushed or manipulated. The story got bogged down, though, with all the details about dog shows and thoroughbred horses (it was very confusing). The pace of the book did pick up during the last ten percent of the book. The mystery was no puzzle despite the writer's attempts at misdirection and to lead the reader down a different path. I kept hoping for a good twist (I ended up inventing my own). Live and Let Growl can be read as a stand-alone book. The author does a good job of updating the reader on the characters, habits, and past adventures. I give Live and Let Growl 3.5 out of 5 stars. The books focus was just not on the mystery which was disappointing. Will I read the next book in the series? Yes. I believe I might like the book more without all the dog show judging details (the judging is extremely perplexing) combined with the horse information (it was a little too much information for one novel). I am glad that I did read this book because it introduced me to a new series and author.

I received a complimentary copy of Live and Let Growl from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel. ( )