Underdog: A Melanie Travis Mystery

Rating:
Summary: A MUST for mystery and dog lovers alike!!!
Review: As a new fancier of purebred dogs and a long time lover of good mystery writing...the Melanie Travis mystery series is wonderful. I can't remember the last time I have stayed up until dawn to finish a book. Ms. Berenson's writing is witty and lets you know what really goes on in and out of the "show dog ring". As far as mystery writing goes...Ms. Berenson gets my vote for BEST IN SHOW! I look forward to her next ventures!

Rating:
Summary: Fairly good premise but mediocre execution.
Review: As both a dog lover and mystery addict, I expected to like this book a lot more than I did. Unfortunately, I found the characters (aside from the narrator) and the tale a little thin. For example, the only way Berenson can fit Travis' son into the plot is to mention that he's whining for junk food, which happens all too often. With tighter writing (or editing - I'm not sure who's at fault here) and a few less transparent characters, this book would be really engaging. As it stands, however, it's only decent.

Rating:
Summary: Rachel's Review 4 "Underdog"
Review: I think Laurien Berenson did a GREAT job of writing this book.If you havent read it, it is excellent! At Amazon.com they areselling it, so if you want it quick, order it now! Anyway, I really loved this book, and it is great for people who like mysteries, and people who love animals (such as myself). I am only 12 and I love mysteries! My sister, who is 20 loves mysteries and when I gave this book to her to read, she read it in one night! She told me it was the best page-turner she had read in years! END

Rating:
Summary: Rachel's Review 4 "Underdog"
Review: I've been a dog breeder/exhibitor for 30 yrs.so I know she has her facts together and it great to be able to relate to those aspects while also getting a good mystery.

Rating:
Summary: Hardly an underdog
Review: Melanie Travis appears to have learned quite a bit about the dog show world in between Pedigree and this second Berenson novel. In Underdog we find Melanie is a Poodle owner now, grooming her puppy for the big time, yet still unable to avoid trouble.

It happens when a dog trainer and friend of Melanie's dies suddenly from what appears to be natural causes. Melanie, however, refuses to let sleeping dogs lie (I have GOT to stop it with these dog puns) and returns once again to sleuth mode.

Like Pedigree, Underdog is a quick read; I would estimate a mystery fan could finish this book in 1-2 days. The story as a whole is quite good -- it will be interesting to see how the budding romance between Melanie and fellow dog owner Sam Driver plays out in future novels -- yet I must admit I had a good idea as to who the murderer was early in the story. Usually I'm not very adept at that, nevertheless I'll see if I can go two for three with the next Melanie Travis mystery.