Staff Picks
Dog Days of Summer
- Kristin A.
- Sunday, July 03, 2022
Collection
The Dog Days of Summer describes the most oppressive period of summer, between July 3rd and August 11th each year, around the time the constellation Sirius appears to rise alongside the sun. Beat the heat by staying indoors with one of these doggone good reads. Enjoyed by yourself, or curled up with your furry best friend.
Best in Show
Published in 2004
Murder's on the ticket when intrepid poodle breeder Melanie Travis travels to Maryland for a world-famous dog show where the competition isn't the only thing that's cutthroat. . . There are dog shows. And then there's The Poodle Club of America National Specialty Dog Show. For poodle purists, it's the pinnacle of the season, drawing competitors and spectators from all over the world. Once in Maryland, Melanie is put to work selling raffle tickets by the co-chairs of the raffle committee, Betty Jean and Edith Jean Boone. Sixty-ish steel magnolias from the South, the reclusive sisters make few appearances. But this year, they have a silver Toy puppy that has already caused quite a buzz on the show circuit. While the poodles remain well behaved, it's their owners and handlers who start acting up. And when Betty Jean is found dead at the host hotel, murder takes center stage. But this is the PCA--and the show must go on. As Edith Jean staunchly resumes her duties, Melanie starts searching for clues, and comes up with a compelling cast of suspects whose actions prove that in the dog-eat-dog world of showing, a life can be as easily lost as a blue ribbon. And that unlike cats, dogs--and their owners--have only one to risk. . .
The Finders
Published in 2020
Jeffrey B. Burton's The Finders marks the beginning of a fast-paced new mystery series featuring a heroic golden retriever cadaver dog named Vira and her handler, Mason Reid. Mason "Mace" Reid lives on the outskirts of Chicago and specializes in human remains detection. He trains dogs to hunt for the dead. Reid's coming off a taxing year?mourning the death of a beloved springer spaniel as well as the dissolution of his marriage. He adopts a rescue dog with a mysterious past?a golden retriever named Vira. And when Reid begins training Vira as a cadaver dog, he comes to realize just how special the newest addition to his family truly is... Suddenly, Reid and his prize pupil find themselves hurled into a taxing murder case, which will push them to their very limits. Paired with determined Chicago Police Officer Kippy Gimm, Mace must put all his trust in Vira's abilities to thwart a serial killer who has now set his sights on Mace himself.
A Dog's Purpose
Published in 2010
This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog's search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, this touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here? Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey's search for his new life's meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8 year old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog. But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey's journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders, will he ever find his purpose? Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh out loud funny, this book is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Published in 2003
Despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with people, Christopher, a mathematically-gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy, decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secret information about his mother.
Our Dogs, Ourselves
The Story of a Singular Bond
Published in 2019
"An eye-opening, informative, and wholly entertaining examination and celebration of the human-canine relationship." -- From book jacket flap.
Oogy
The Dog Only a Family Could Love
Published in 2010
"A heartwarming story of a puppy brought back from the brink of death, and the family he adopted"--Provided by the publisher.
It Started with a Dog
Published in 2021
"Thanks to an accidental phone swap, two adorable rescue pups, and a coffeehouse clash, a holiday flirtation goes to the dogs and hilarity ensues, from New York Times bestselling author Julia London. All Harper Thompson wants for Christmas is the huge promotion she's worked so hard for-which she should get, as long as her launch of the hip new coffeehouse, Deja Brew, goes according to plan. Jonah Rogers is spending the holiday season trying to save his family's coffee shop, Lucky Star, from going out of business, which will be tough with the brand-new Deja Brew opening across the street. When Jonah and Harper meet for the first time after accidentally swapping phones, their chemistry is as electric as a strand of Christmas lights. He's a tall, handsome, compassionate hunk of engineer, and she's an entrepreneur whose zest for life is very sexy. They love all the same things, like running, scary movies, greasy food-and most of all, dogs. It's a match made in heaven...until Jonah finds out that Harper's theone about to put him out of business. Only one coffee shop can survive, and a competition of one-upmanship ensues in a holiday battle of the brews. The paws really come out when the local rescue shelter has a fundraiser where local businesses foster dogs,and patrons donate cash to vote for their favorite pup. Harper takes in an adorable old bulldog on behalf of Deja Brew, while Jonah fosters a perky three-legged dachshund for Lucky Star. When one precious pup is crowned King Mutt, and a For Sale sign goes up in the other shop's window, Harper and Jonah must decide if their connection was all steam or if they are the perfect blend"-- Provided by publisher.
The Friend
Published in 2018
"A penetrating, moving meditation on loss, comfort, memory...Nunez has a wry, withering wit." ? NPR "[A] sneaky gut punch of a novel...a consummate example of the human-animal tale." ? Harper's Magazine A moving story of love, friendship, grief, healing, and the magical bond between a woman and her dog. When a woman unexpectedly loses her lifelong best friend and mentor, she finds herself burdened with the unwanted dog he has left behind. Her own battle against grief is intensified by the mute suffering of the dog, a huge Great Dane traumatized by the inexplicable disappearance of its master, and by the threat of eviction: dogs are prohibited in her apartment building. While others worry that grief has made her a victim of magical thinking, the woman refuses to be separated from the dog except for brief periods of time. Isolated from the rest of the world, increasingly obsessed with the dog's care, determined to read its mind and fathom its heart, she comes dangerously close to unraveling. But while troubles abound, rich and surprising rewards lie in store for both of them. Elegiac and searching, The Friend is both a meditation on loss and a celebration of human-canine devotion.
Animal Instinct
Published in 2021
"The K Team is back in the second installment in this spinoff series from bestselling author David Rosenfelt's beloved Andy Carpenter mysteries. Corey Douglas and his K-9 partner, a German shepherd named Simon Garfunkel, are recently retired police officers turned private investigators. Along with fellow former cop Laurie Collins and her investigating partner, Marcus, they call themselves the K Team, in honor of Simon. The K Team's latest case - a recent unsolved murder - gives Corey a chance to solve "the one that got away". Corey knew the murder victim from his time on the force, when he was unable to protect her in a domestic dispute. Now, he is convinced the same abusive boyfriend is responsible for her murder. With some help from Laurie's lawyer husband, Andy Carpenter, the K Team is determined to prove what the police could not, no matter the cost. What they uncover is much more sinister than they could have imagined."--Provided by publisher.
Who Let the Dog Out?
Published in 2015
"Lawyer Andy Carpenter is surprised when Willie Miller, Andy's partner at their dog rescue operation, the Tara Foundation, calls to say the alarm has gone off at the foundation building. There has clearly been a break-in, and a dog has been stolen. All of the dogs that the Tara Foundation rescues are given collars with GPS tracking capabilities, so Andy and Willie know they'll be able to track down the missing dog. They follow the signal to a house in downtown Paterson, and sure enough, the dog is there...standing right next to a dead body. The man had been gruesomely murdered mere minutes earlier. Could it be a coincidence? Or could the dog theft somehow be connected to the killing? Andy takes the dog safely back to the foundation building, and that should be the end of it, but his curiosity--and his desire to keep the dog from further harm--won't let him stop there. Andy finds himself looking into the circumstances surrounding the break-in and the dog theft, and what he starts to uncover makes him believe that the cops may have just arrested the wrong man for the crime. Once again David Rosenfelt has written a fast-paced and clever mystery with his characteristic blend of humor, larger-than-life characters, and propulsive plotting"-- Provided by publisher.
Jonathan Unleashed
A Novel
Published in 2016
Jonathan Trefoil's boss is unhinged, his relationship baffling and his apartment just the wrong side of legal. His girlfriend wants to marry someone just like him - only richer and more organised with a different sense of humour. On the plus side, his two flatmates are determined to fix his life - or possibly to destroy it altogether. It's difficult to be certain as they only speak dog. Poor Jonathan. He doesn't remember life being this confusing back in the good old days before everyone expected him to act like a person. But one thing he knows for sure: if he can make it in New York City, he can make it anywhere. Will he get out of advertising, meet the girl of his dreams and figure out the gender of his secret crush? Given how it's going so far, probably not.
One Good Dog
Published in 2010
After Adam March loses his job, his wife, and the life he has worked so hard to achieve, he must fulfill a community-service obligation at a soup kitchen, where he meets Chance, a pit bull bred for fighting who ends up being Adam's best shot at redemption.
What a Dog Knows
Published in 2021
"From New York Times bestselling author Susan Wilson comes What a Dog Knows, another heartwarming novel about humans and the dogs that change our lives. Ruby Heartwood has always lived a life on the move. As a traveling psychic, she makes her living working at carnivals and festivals and circuses around New England. It's a life Ruby has made peace with-settling in one place has never been for her. She needs no one, and no one needs her. Until one night, when she is camped by the side of the road in her trusty Volkswagon "Westie" van, a fierce thunder and lightning storm erupts. In the middle of the downpour, she hears a distinct voice telling her to "let me in." In jumps a little black and white dog, and to Ruby's astonishment, she can hear the dog's thoughts. Has she been struck by lightning? Did the storm do this? Is she losing her mind? It turns out, Ruby can hear many dogs' thoughts. She decides to set up semi-permanent residency in the town of Harmony Farms, until she can sort out what is going on, and who the little dog, Hitch, belongs to. But some people in Harmony Farms don't want her there. And it seems that events keep preventing Ruby from leaving. What secrets is this town keeping? Why was she meant to find this dog? And what has Ruby really been running from, all these years?"-- Provided by publisher.
Even the Dog Knows
A Novel
Published in 2022
"A family's old, beloved dog takes a final road trip to help his humans find forgiveness and healing. Meg Gorton finds herself alone and lonely in Florida. Three years earlier, she had packed what she could fit into her sister's car, told her estranged husband, Gary, where he could find her, and asked him to take care of Moses, their beloved black Labrador. For years, she'd tried to talk Gary into moving away from Woodstock, Virginia. They both needed a fresh start after the loss of their only daughter many years ago. Even after raising their grandson, Troy, it was clear that if Meg wanted a new beginning, she would have to do it alone. Now, with some looming health issues, Meg has a plan to finally bring Gary to Gulf Breeze. Gary wasn't able to move on the same way Meg did. Haunted by the tragedy of his daughter's death, and painfully aware of his guilt because he feels partly responsible, he is stuck in his life. He still owns and drives the bus for their hometown minor league baseball team. And he still thinks about the day his wife drove away. At least he still has Moses, who is always willing to listen when Gary talks about his regrets and all the things he should have done differently. Meg contacts Gary with a surprise request: she wants him to bring Moses to visit her one last time before the old dog passes on. Gary is reluctant to go, but Troy thinks it's an excellent idea. They could even travel together in Gary's bus. Along the way, Gary takes a detour to visit Troy's ex-girlfriend, Grace--the woman who Gary and Meg always believed was the one for Troy. Gary might not know how to fix things with his wife, but he knows he doesn't want Troy to make the same mistakes he did. Although Moses is just a dog, he's very observant: Gary hasn't been the same since Meg left, Troy is hiding something, and Grace's fingers smell like bacon. It doesn't take long for Moses to learn they are going on a road trip to see Meg. He misses her and regularly senses Gary's loneliness. He knows he's an old dog and that his time is near, but he also knows there are still important things he needs to do. "-- Provided by publisher.