Bruce Sever is a private detective and needs to go undercover at a dog show for a case. He plans to borrow Paw, a Saint Bernard, living with and devoted to his girlfriend, Clarissa Hayes. Paw’s excited to jump in Bruce’s car and go for a ride until he realizes Clarissa isn’t coming with them. That is simply the beginning of Paw’s assistance on the case.

I have looked forward to reading this series since the discovery of the author’s writing, reading a spin-off series beginning with "Meowing for Murder." Sandra Baublitz’s love of cats and dogs, their unconditional love, habits, and antics, and the mutual devotion between owner and pet are implicit in every character she writes. The mysteries are always an adventure, particularly for readers who adore their furry face(s) at home; the stories are fur-tastic fun! In each step of Bruce’s investigation, I’m sure he assumed he was leading the pack. Suffice it to say; Paw had an incredible adventure at the dog show. With the descriptive writing, I was either smiling or giggling and, a few times, even laughing out loud as I could visualize every scene. So don’t delay; enjoy this delightful trip to the dog show in Dockers! ( )

Clarissa Hayes and her trusty St. Bernard, Paw, are helping out her PI boyfriend, Bruce Sevor, are at a dog show to investigate the possible murder of a much-disliked former competitor. It's a problem that neither of them knows anything about dog shows, and Clarissa has never done more than the most rudimentary training with Paw, but he is purebred, and a lovely dog. Fortunately, they also get help from friends who are more more interested in the dog show scene, especially Shelbee, who is a pet sitter and dog trainer.

They meet the good, the bad, and the ugly of the dog show scene, which is filled with people who love dogs, and people who are incredibly competitive. At least one looks like a potential murderer, and had clashed with the suspected murder victim in the past. It's a bit inconvenient, as well as unpleasant, when he turns up dead, too, this time obviously murder.

Baublitz clearly knows dogs. Despite two deaths, another owner attacked, and some alarming moments, it's mostly a light, entertaining story where plausibly real dogs, including Paw and the latest murder victim's mastiff, Samuel, get to play plausibly helpful roles in straightening things out.

Some things do work themselves out a bit too simply, but it's a story I was able to relax into, with dogs and dog lovers.

A light, fun read.

I bought this audiobook. ( )