Dog Eat Dog

Amateur sleuth, single mother, and pedigreed poodle owner Melanie Travis returns to Connecticut's elite canine circles--and unmasks a murderer lurking among the handlers and their prize-winning pets...

When Melanie's education in breed-handling at Connecticut's classiest obedience school is cut short by sudden death, she smells a murder. So, with her rambunctious puppy, five-year-old son, and sexy fellow breeder Sam Driver in tow, she hits the championship circuit. In this dog-eat-dog world where winning is everything, Melanie discovers that more than one suspect had a bone to pick with the victim, including a kennel owner whose secret recipe for dog biscuits isn't the only thing she's guarding.

Between laps around the show ring, Melanie learns some tricks of her own. But will she learn fast enough to collar an unleashed killer who's begging for the dogged detective to play dead?

As Melanie learns, it's a dog's life at the Pine Ridge Canine Care Center--and life is good. Everyone seems blissfully happy. Everyone canine, that is, as Melanie soon discovers there are some simmering resentments among the Pine Ridge staff. And when Steve Pine, the center's charming, good-looking co-owner, is found shot to death on the floor of his office, there's no shortage of suspects.

With the police at a loss for leads, it's now up to Melanie to go undercover and sniff out a killer whose secrets lie buried in a dog's paradise that's proving to be anything but. . .

"Warm and fuzzy. . .another cute tail-wagging puzzler."--Publishers Weekly

The apparent heart attack that killed kennel owner Max Turnbull has left seven pups in mourning, and his wife Peg suspecting foul play. But the only evidence is their missing prize pooch--a pedigreed poodle named Beau.

Enter Melanie Travis. With her young son happily ensconced in day damp, the thirty-something teacher and single mother is talked into investigating her uncle's death--unofficially, of course. 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's put on the scent of Sam's questionable past...and hot on the trail of a poodle-hating neighbor and one elusive murderer who isn't ready to come to heel.

For, as Melanie soon discovers, in a championship dog-eat-dog world, the instinct for survival, and winning, can prove fatal.

Dog mysteries continue to flourish.

A PEDIGREE TO DIE FORis fascinatin."

-Mystery Lovers Bookshop News

'A sleek and unusual book."

-Dog News

Even amidst the chaos, Melanie somehow manages to eke out a bit of time to get Faith enrolled in "school." The South Avenue Obedience Club looks like fun, even if there are enough sexual and political undercurrents in the group to power a small generator. Melanie is especially eager to bring Faith to the program at the Winston Pumpernill Nursing Home. Club member Paul Lennox initiated the outings to please his Great Aunt Mary, and since many of the other residents are also dog lovers, the trips are now a treasured tradition.

Melanie and Faith are warmly welcomed at the home, but their very first visit ends in tragedy when Aunt Mary is found suffocated in her bed. There's no shortage of suspects--from the wealthy victim's ne'er-do-well son to the staff to the secret-laden club members themselves, there's motive and opportunity aplenty. All Melanie has to do is follow the trail--and watch her back. . .

An enigmatic letter from her namesake aunt, a trip to England, and Charlie is seeing ghosts in the medieval Suffolk town of Bury St. Edmunds. But it isn’t only slightly-eccentric Aunt Louisa’s beliefs in the occult or her spooky “haunted sites” tours that pique Charlie’s interest. Something sinister is brewing and Charlie finds herself drawn into an investigation of crimes that are far too real.

Praise for Connie Shelton's previous mysteries:

"...a wonderful, easy flow that draws in the reader." --online 5-star review

"Charlie is just what readers want in an amateur sleuth."--Booklist

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." -- The Midwest Book Review

What Sweet Holidays!
It’s Christmas and a chocolatier shows up at Sweet’s Sweets, offering to create a special line of hand-dipped chocolates for Samantha’s customers. He says he’ll work for no pay, just to prove himself. But when she learns that he has connections to the wooden box which seems to give Sam her mystical powers, she discovers that certain evil people may do just about anything to take it away from her.

"Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to Life." --Albuquerque Journal

"Connie Shelton has another winner." --The Book Report

"Charlie is a good detective and a pleasant companion to unravel a mystery with."--Mystery News

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."--The Midwest Book Review

Charlie and Drake are off to Scotland, where they will live in a cottage on the grounds of an ancient castle. Taking a helicopter contract to help a friend, they’ll shuttle workers out to the oil rigs in the North Sea. Unfortunately, the boat operators in the area have waged an embittered battle with the helicopter operators and the animosity is palpable. Meanwhile, Charlie is asked by the lord of the castle to help with an unsolved case there, and soon three mysteries are competing for her time. Lives hang in the balance and Charlie’s flying skills are put to the ultimate test over the frigid waters of the North Sea.

"A Charlie Parker mystery is always a good read."--Southwest Book Views

Praise for Connie Shelton’s previous mysteries:

“Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” —The Midwest Book Review

“Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.”—Albuquerque Journal

“Shelton can only expand her fan base with this solid effort.” —Publisher’s Weekly

“Connie Shelton has another winner!” –The Book Report

Bitter Sweet:
In this fifth installment in the Samantha Sweet mystery series, it’s the height of the wedding season at Sweet’s Sweets and Sam has all she can do to stay ahead of the rush of bakery orders. Plus, her side job—breaking into houses—isn’t allowing much summer time off either. Not to mention that her mother is pressuring Sam and Beau to set their wedding date.

When Sam encounters two older women who then die suddenly, it appears that there may be a serial killer on the loose. Sam and Beau are shocked to consider that Beau’s own mother may have been an earlier victim of someone who operates by preying on the women’s trusting natures. As they begin to investigate, a number of suspects emerge and it looks like someone is out to keep Sam quiet.

Connie Shelton is the author of the bestselling Charlie Parker mysteries and the Samantha Sweet mystery series. She has taught writing—both fiction and nonfiction—and is the creator of the Novel In A Weekend™ writing course. She lives in northern New Mexico.

Praise for Connie Shelton's previous mysteries:

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." --The Midwest Book Review

"...a wonderful, easy flow that draws in the reader."--online 5-star review

"Love this new series. Can't wait for the next!" --5-star online reader review

Valentine Wedding Bells?
Samantha’s pastry shop, Sweet’s Sweets, is busier than ever this Valentine week, as Sam struggles to replicate the magical chocolate-making techniques of her enigmatic chocolatier, the man who boosted her winter holiday sales into the stratosphere.

However, candy classes take second place to a new mystery, when Sam meets a woman whose missing son’s case seems to have been dropped by the authorities. Marla Fresques learns that she is dying and needs for her son to come home and raise the daughter he left behind. Sam agrees to help, hoping that Sheriff Beau’s inside connections will bring about a quick and happy resolution.

But what about Sam’s and Beau’s wedding plans? They may be in jeopardy when an entirely new development appears in the form of Beau’s ex-girlfriend.

"Connie Shelton has another winner!" --The Book Report

“…a delightfully complex mystery.” –Romantic Times (4 stars)

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."--Midwest Book Review

It’s Christmas and Charlie and Drake are finally able to go on their honeymoon. It’s a mixed blessing--they get to spend three months at the famed Taos Ski Valley, but Drake will be working, shuttling skiers with his helicopter. When Drake’s assistant, Eloy Romero, is accused of killing his own brother, a Catholic priest, Charlie offers to help sort out the clues.

Drawn into the art world for which Taos is known, Charlie begins to uncover connections between the murdered priest and the theft of millions of dollars in religious artifacts. As the pieces click into place, she finds that she and Drake are placing their lives on the line.

“Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life in her colorful, vivid  description….Readers can only hope the likable characters, fast-paced plots and local color will continue in another installment.” –Albuquerque Journal