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Senior Sleuths Mystery #1
Peg and Rose Solve a Murder
In the world of award-winning author Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis Canine Mysteries, Peg Turnbull and Rose Donovan, Melanie’s chalk-and-cheese aunts, are especially beloved by readers. Now feisty Peg and sweet-natured Rose are putting their distinct differences to good use and joining forces as senior sleuths in a witty, warmhearted new mystery series . . .
Rose Donovan looks for the good in everyone. With her sister-in-law, Peg, that sometimes requires a lot of searching. Even a sixty-something former nun like Rose has her limits, and gruff Peg Turnbull sure knows how to push them. But after forty years of bickering, they’re attempting to start over, partnering up to join the local bridge club.
Peg and Rose barely have a chance to celebrate their first win before one of the club’s most accomplished players is killed in his home. As the newest members, the sisters-in-law come under scrutiny and decide to start some digging of their own. Bridge is typically seen as a wholesome pastime, yet this group of senior citizens harbors a wealth of vices, including gambling, cheating, and adultery . . .
By comparison, Peg and Rose’s fractious relationship is starting to feel almost functional. But as their suspect list narrows, they’re unaware that their logic has a dangerous flaw. And they’ll have to hope that their teamwork holds steady when they’re confronted by a killer who’s through with playing games . . .
Rose Donovan looks for the good in everyone. With her sister-in-law, Peg, that sometimes requires a lot of searching. Even a sixty-something former nun like Rose has her limits, and gruff Peg Turnbull sure knows how to push them. But after forty years of bickering, they’re attempting to start over, partnering up to join the local bridge club.
Peg and Rose barely have a chance to celebrate their first win before one of the club’s most accomplished players is killed in his home. As the newest members, the sisters-in-law come under scrutiny and decide to start some digging of their own. Bridge is typically seen as a wholesome pastime, yet this group of senior citizens harbors a wealth of vices, including gambling, cheating, and adultery . . .
By comparison, Peg and Rose’s fractious relationship is starting to feel almost functional. But as their suspect list narrows, they’re unaware that their logic has a dangerous flaw. And they’ll have to hope that their teamwork holds steady when they’re confronted by a killer who’s through with playing games . . .
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 30, 2022
About the author
Laurien Berenson
53 books802 followersLaurien Berenson is the award-winning author of the long running Melanie Travis canine mystery series and the new Senior Sleuths series starring Peg Turnbull and Rose Donovan as a pair of seventyish sisters-in-law who are learning to put aside old grudges and myriad differences as they work together to solve mysteries. PEG AND ROSE PLAY THE PONIES is her new book. It will be followed by PUMPKIN SPICE PUPPY in the fall.
Laurien's work has appeared numerous magazines and the New York Times. She and her husband live on a farm in Kentucky, surrounded by horses and dogs.
Laurien's work has appeared numerous magazines and the New York Times. She and her husband live on a farm in Kentucky, surrounded by horses and dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 495 reviews
August 22, 2022
This book was not what I thought it would be like. Its a cozy mystery about a dog show judge and an ex- nun who decide to join a bridge card group. I’m not into either of these pastimes but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy this mystery. In fact as I read it I grew to love it more and more. I’m not familiar with the author but I will be ready to read book two when it is released in the future. I thought the book was very well written and I grew to love Peg and Rose. I loved the compassion and adoration that Peg lavished on her dogs and how she took in an abused dog and lovingly cared for it until it learned to trust her. I loved that Rose and her husband opened a home for abused women. I thought it was wonderful how two older women who were sister-in-laws and had never been able to stand each other or get along for years were able to forgive each other and work together to solve a crime. This book started out slowly and worked its way into an edge of seat nail biter. It was entertaining and unpredictable. The story seemed to flow smoothly and I thought it was an easy to read book. This book had everything I like to see in a cozy mystery.
When Peg Turnbull and her Sister-in-Law Rose Donovan join a bridge club they learn there’s more going on than playing cards. Two weeks after they join the club a long time member is found dead. Since he was shot police rule it as murder. Peg and Rose both have had some experience in sleuthing murder cases with Melonie their niece. They decide to investigate and dig up clues and motives even though Detective Rodney Sturgill warns them not to get involved. They can’t help but get involved because after all the police need all the help they can get. They didn’t see it coming when the real killer pays them a visit and it’s the last person they would have suspected!
I recommend this book to readers of cozy mystery and fans of the author. This is the first book of the Peg and Rose series. This book is scheduled to be released on 8/30/22.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are my own.
#PegandRoseSolveaMurder#NetGalley
When Peg Turnbull and her Sister-in-Law Rose Donovan join a bridge club they learn there’s more going on than playing cards. Two weeks after they join the club a long time member is found dead. Since he was shot police rule it as murder. Peg and Rose both have had some experience in sleuthing murder cases with Melonie their niece. They decide to investigate and dig up clues and motives even though Detective Rodney Sturgill warns them not to get involved. They can’t help but get involved because after all the police need all the help they can get. They didn’t see it coming when the real killer pays them a visit and it’s the last person they would have suspected!
I recommend this book to readers of cozy mystery and fans of the author. This is the first book of the Peg and Rose series. This book is scheduled to be released on 8/30/22.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are my own.
#PegandRoseSolveaMurder#NetGalley
October 14, 2022
A fun start to a new series!
At first I didn't know if I was going to care for this book. The beginning of it had a lot of focus on dog show/dog show judging and that is just really not my thing, but when the gals joined the bridge club I was hooked. I loved the bridge club group, meeting all the teams, learning about all the extra curricular activities that were going on besides cards, and especially our two main characters Peg and Rose. These two women are opposites, but both loved the same man. Peg's deceased husband was Rose's brother.
They want cards to "bridge" their relationship, but it ends up being teaming up to find a killer that allows these women to come together.
I can't wait to read what hijinks these ladies get up to next!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley, the author Laurien Berenson, and the publisher for this opportunity.
At first I didn't know if I was going to care for this book. The beginning of it had a lot of focus on dog show/dog show judging and that is just really not my thing, but when the gals joined the bridge club I was hooked. I loved the bridge club group, meeting all the teams, learning about all the extra curricular activities that were going on besides cards, and especially our two main characters Peg and Rose. These two women are opposites, but both loved the same man. Peg's deceased husband was Rose's brother.
They want cards to "bridge" their relationship, but it ends up being teaming up to find a killer that allows these women to come together.
I can't wait to read what hijinks these ladies get up to next!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley, the author Laurien Berenson, and the publisher for this opportunity.
June 16, 2022
Sisters-in-law, Peg Turnball and Rose Donovan have never been friends. When former nun, Rose, approaches Peg to ask her to be her bridge partner in a local group, Peg hesitantly agrees. (You may know Aunt Peg from the Melanie Travis Mystery series by this Author). At the first week’s meeting, Peg detects cheating and gambling going on in the bridge club. Then, one of the members is murdered.
Peg and Rose decide to partner up as amateur sleuths and question all the bridge group members about their relationships with the victim. Detective Sturgill advises them to mind their own business which they ignore. It takes some time, during which the ice starts to thaw between Peg and Rose and they both decide they might like to be friends.
Author Berenson is a natural storyteller and keeps this plot moving steadily forward with multiple red herrings that lead from one possible suspect to another. Both Peg and Rose are capable women in their own rights; stubborn and sarcastic, yet loyal. When the puzzle pieces all finally fit together, the murder mystery is solved. I thoroughly enjoyed the human characters, the pet characters, humor, setting, and plot. Great ending! I look forward to reading future stories in this series.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
Peg and Rose decide to partner up as amateur sleuths and question all the bridge group members about their relationships with the victim. Detective Sturgill advises them to mind their own business which they ignore. It takes some time, during which the ice starts to thaw between Peg and Rose and they both decide they might like to be friends.
Author Berenson is a natural storyteller and keeps this plot moving steadily forward with multiple red herrings that lead from one possible suspect to another. Both Peg and Rose are capable women in their own rights; stubborn and sarcastic, yet loyal. When the puzzle pieces all finally fit together, the murder mystery is solved. I thoroughly enjoyed the human characters, the pet characters, humor, setting, and plot. Great ending! I look forward to reading future stories in this series.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
January 12, 2024
DNF’d at 44%. I just didn’t care enough about Poodles, dog shows, or Bridge. The main characters were both unlikeable.
April 1, 2022
It's no mystery that I'm a huge fan of Laurien Berenson and her Melanie Travis mysteries. When I saw that Aunt Peg has her own series, I couldn't wait to read it.
Peg is a owner/breeder of standard poodles, as has recently become a judge for dog competitions. Normally we find Aunt Peg involved in her niece's life, but in this first in a new series, we find Peg and her sister in law Rose, working together to solve a murder.
Peg and Rose have a tumultuous relationship at best, so when Rose reaches out to Peg, I was wondering where this was going to lead. Rose invited Peg to be her partner in a bridge club, and from there events spin out of control.
I loved seeing this bit of a softer side from Peg, and her love for poodles shines through when she helps a rescue get acclimated to her new family.
This is a great start to a new series and I enjoyed the back story about Rose and Peg. I'm looking forward to seeing what other shenanigans these ladies will be up to.
I recommend this book to all types of readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#PegandRoseSolveaMurder #NetGalley
Peg is a owner/breeder of standard poodles, as has recently become a judge for dog competitions. Normally we find Aunt Peg involved in her niece's life, but in this first in a new series, we find Peg and her sister in law Rose, working together to solve a murder.
Peg and Rose have a tumultuous relationship at best, so when Rose reaches out to Peg, I was wondering where this was going to lead. Rose invited Peg to be her partner in a bridge club, and from there events spin out of control.
I loved seeing this bit of a softer side from Peg, and her love for poodles shines through when she helps a rescue get acclimated to her new family.
This is a great start to a new series and I enjoyed the back story about Rose and Peg. I'm looking forward to seeing what other shenanigans these ladies will be up to.
I recommend this book to all types of readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#PegandRoseSolveaMurder #NetGalley
August 10, 2022
I got this book from a Goodreads giveaway. The book was a cute little mystery. No jaw dropping twists or turns, just a well thought out, simple mystery story line and we'll developed characters. 3.5 stars, I just prefer a little faster of a pace.
November 15, 2023
I really wanted to like this cozy mystery.
But...
The bickering and pettiness made me just skip along as quick as I could to find out the ending.
I know this is wanting to be a series that puts these two together again – but, they aren’t that likable. Even though later in the novel they were supposed to be more to our liking – but, that didn’t quite work for me.
And...
If you don’t like your main characters, how can you root for them – or even follow them through a full novel?
Well...
Maybe you like poodles – and that might be okay. (One of the characters use to breed them and now judges in dog shows.)
But...
The bickering and pettiness made me just skip along as quick as I could to find out the ending.
I know this is wanting to be a series that puts these two together again – but, they aren’t that likable. Even though later in the novel they were supposed to be more to our liking – but, that didn’t quite work for me.
And...
If you don’t like your main characters, how can you root for them – or even follow them through a full novel?
Well...
Maybe you like poodles – and that might be okay. (One of the characters use to breed them and now judges in dog shows.)
November 2, 2022
I won this in a giveaway so here is my honest review:
PLEASE SIGN ME UP FOR THE REST OF THIS SERIES. OK?? Can one have too many poodles? The answer is no. Peg and Rose had a great partnership and I enjoyed reading this story. I haven't read the other series, but I didn't feel like I was missing out. I'm a sucker for a cozy mystery.
PLEASE SIGN ME UP FOR THE REST OF THIS SERIES. OK?? Can one have too many poodles? The answer is no. Peg and Rose had a great partnership and I enjoyed reading this story. I haven't read the other series, but I didn't feel like I was missing out. I'm a sucker for a cozy mystery.
September 6, 2022
The blurb comparing this to Golden Girls and Murder She Wrote does this no book favors.
I went into this expecting snappy humor and lively senior protagonists using their age and experience to out sleuth law enforcement and instead got dreary personal history, dog show commentary, and almost no mystery. Peg and Rose are not friends and brought out the worst in each other in the past (One of the things Rose did to Peg is so awful it's almost impossible to forgive her) barely team up in the present, and neither have unique skills that would force them to work together.
It's almost halfway through the book before their investigation begins, which consists of food and beverages and a round of impolite questions. Worst of all, the murder is solved by
I know cozies have their own speed and style, but this almost lulled me to sleep.
I went into this expecting snappy humor and lively senior protagonists using their age and experience to out sleuth law enforcement and instead got dreary personal history, dog show commentary, and almost no mystery. Peg and Rose are not friends and brought out the worst in each other in the past (One of the things Rose did to Peg is so awful it's almost impossible to forgive her) barely team up in the present, and neither have unique skills that would force them to work together.
It's almost halfway through the book before their investigation begins, which consists of food and beverages and a round of impolite questions. Worst of all, the murder is solved by
I know cozies have their own speed and style, but this almost lulled me to sleep.
March 31, 2022
If you love dog shows and breed specific cozies, you'll love this one, especially if you are a bridge aficionado! Peg (a widowed dog show judge) and Rose (a former nun married to a former priest) are in their seventies and are former best friends and longtime in-laws but have had a contentious non relationship for decades. Rose decides to offer an olive branch in the form of asking Peg to join a bridge club. And then things get deadly.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley.
September 5, 2022
A mixed bag for me. I really liked Berenson’s writing style. It’s very straightforward and almost old fashioned, but worked so well for this book. Initially, I was sucked in with all the talk of dogs and dog shows combined with wondering when the murder would happen…..sadly a third of the way through and there’s still no murder. There are a whole lot of other things going on though, we’ve got a bridge club,a home for abused women, former nuns, pushy real estate agents, toms of backstory and lots more.
My biggest problem and what kept me from falling in love were Peg and Rose themselves. I guess I was expecting some Odd Couple banter with a touch of humor, but their constant bickering really bummed me out. Peg was just mean instead of being a charming curmudgeon and knowing why her and Rose fell out originally and how Rose didn’t rectify her cruelty was too much.
I’d love to see these two find more charm and an injection of humor, and I’d be head over heels for an entire book set only in Peg’s dog show world.
My biggest problem and what kept me from falling in love were Peg and Rose themselves. I guess I was expecting some Odd Couple banter with a touch of humor, but their constant bickering really bummed me out. Peg was just mean instead of being a charming curmudgeon and knowing why her and Rose fell out originally and how Rose didn’t rectify her cruelty was too much.
I’d love to see these two find more charm and an injection of humor, and I’d be head over heels for an entire book set only in Peg’s dog show world.
August 18, 2022
Peg and Rose Solve a Murder is the first in a new series which is a spin-off from the author’s Melanie Travis mysteries. Peg Turnbull is Melanie’s aunt and is an experienced dog breeder, dog handler, and dog show judge. She is smart and never hesitates to share her opinion which in Peg’s mind is always right. Rose Donovan is a former nun now married to a former priest who together run a women's shelter. Rose is the sister of Peg’s deceased husband and the two sisters-in-law have never gotten along. The book alternates between Peg and Rose’s point-of-view. Rose’s chapters allow us to get to know Rose’s husband Peter, too. Peter and Rose are a great couple and I really like that when Peter disagrees with his wife, he can make suggestions in a kind, loving way that are constructive instead of argumentative.
Peg is surprised when Rose asks her to join a bridge club with her and feeling lonely with Melanie and her family out of town, Peg is even more surprised to find herself agreeing. Peg and Rose are just getting used to playing together and are getting to know their fellow club members. When one of the members of the club is murdered in his own home, Peg and Rose decide to question the other club members to see how much information they can obtain. Peg and Rose are very different types of people but that makes them a good investigative team. They’re able to decide who will talk to different witnesses based on who will be able to get the most information out of that specific person. Through working on the investigation together, the women are able to find a way to get past their differences. Even when she’s at her most interfering and frustrating, Peg is an entertaining character. This book, more than the Melanie Travis series, shows a more vulnerable and likable side of Peg and I like that she brings out a more fun side of Rose as well.
As expected, there was plenty of insider information about dog shows and especially poodles. I enjoyed seeing Peg help a frightened rescue poodle that she comes across during the investigation. As much as I love all the information about dogs, I think some of the details about playing bridge were unnecessary. However, that is easily overlooked because the book is so good. I really hope this is only the beginning of a long partnership between Peg and Rose because this book was fantastic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an advance copy of this ebook. The ebook was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
Peg is surprised when Rose asks her to join a bridge club with her and feeling lonely with Melanie and her family out of town, Peg is even more surprised to find herself agreeing. Peg and Rose are just getting used to playing together and are getting to know their fellow club members. When one of the members of the club is murdered in his own home, Peg and Rose decide to question the other club members to see how much information they can obtain. Peg and Rose are very different types of people but that makes them a good investigative team. They’re able to decide who will talk to different witnesses based on who will be able to get the most information out of that specific person. Through working on the investigation together, the women are able to find a way to get past their differences. Even when she’s at her most interfering and frustrating, Peg is an entertaining character. This book, more than the Melanie Travis series, shows a more vulnerable and likable side of Peg and I like that she brings out a more fun side of Rose as well.
As expected, there was plenty of insider information about dog shows and especially poodles. I enjoyed seeing Peg help a frightened rescue poodle that she comes across during the investigation. As much as I love all the information about dogs, I think some of the details about playing bridge were unnecessary. However, that is easily overlooked because the book is so good. I really hope this is only the beginning of a long partnership between Peg and Rose because this book was fantastic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an advance copy of this ebook. The ebook was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
October 8, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Sisters-in-law Peg Turnbull and Rose Donovan are complete opposites and have a rocky relationship but Rose decides to take the bull by the horns in hopes they can build a healthier less contentious connection. She asks Peg to join a local bridge club with her and be her partner. Peg has not played bridge in years and she questions Rose’s motives but finally agrees to give the group a try. They don’t fair too well on their first day which Rose blames Peg for and Peg counters that some of their opponents may have been cheating. Still, they agree to return the following week.
Sadly before they can get a rematch one of the group’s players is murdered in his home. All of the members of the tight-knit group are questioned but as the newest members, Rose and Peg are given extra attention. Peg knows the drill, to clear their names they need to do some investigating on their own. An investigation that uncovers their new friends have some skeletons in their closets. Could one of those skeletons have stacked the cards against the newly deceased? Will Peg and Rose solve the murder before the killer turns the tables on them? Can the two septuagenarians’ new closer relationship trump everything and keep them safe?
We have met and gotten to know well Peg Turnbull in Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis Mystery Series. She is a treasure, set in her ways and not afraid to give her opinions and tell you what she thinks about almost any subject but her life revolves around her dogs. She is a breeder/owner of several standard poodles and also a judge of many breeds at dog shows near and far. Her usual sleuthing partner is her niece Melanie but Melanie is traveling across the country on a family vacation. So she takes what she has learned from her escapades with Melanie and teams up with Rose to solve the murder. Rose is a former nun who has traveled the world and fell in love with a priest who she married. They have recently returned to town and have opened a woman’s shelter. These women couldn’t be more different but that starts to change within the pages of this book. The author has these characters take some very interesting steps as they investigate and learn about what really happens in each other’s lives.
The murder mystery has several viable suspects and I enjoyed following along with Peg and Rose as they worked through each of them coming up as to why each had a motive to kill. The clues were cleverly dropped to keep the story moving at a nice pace leading up to a great reveal.
With the unique relationship between Rose and Peg, the story contains quite a few humourous moments. I also loved that Peg’s dogs were featured and that Peg even took on helping a new little pup. Ms. Berenson knows dogs and she crafts them so that each one has its own distinct personality. It really makes them as true to life as her human characters.
Peg and Rose Solve A Murder was a darling little read and has set this series off to a fine start. I am looking forward to seeing how this series moves forward knowing that Peg is a key character in the author’s other series.
Sisters-in-law Peg Turnbull and Rose Donovan are complete opposites and have a rocky relationship but Rose decides to take the bull by the horns in hopes they can build a healthier less contentious connection. She asks Peg to join a local bridge club with her and be her partner. Peg has not played bridge in years and she questions Rose’s motives but finally agrees to give the group a try. They don’t fair too well on their first day which Rose blames Peg for and Peg counters that some of their opponents may have been cheating. Still, they agree to return the following week.
Sadly before they can get a rematch one of the group’s players is murdered in his home. All of the members of the tight-knit group are questioned but as the newest members, Rose and Peg are given extra attention. Peg knows the drill, to clear their names they need to do some investigating on their own. An investigation that uncovers their new friends have some skeletons in their closets. Could one of those skeletons have stacked the cards against the newly deceased? Will Peg and Rose solve the murder before the killer turns the tables on them? Can the two septuagenarians’ new closer relationship trump everything and keep them safe?
We have met and gotten to know well Peg Turnbull in Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis Mystery Series. She is a treasure, set in her ways and not afraid to give her opinions and tell you what she thinks about almost any subject but her life revolves around her dogs. She is a breeder/owner of several standard poodles and also a judge of many breeds at dog shows near and far. Her usual sleuthing partner is her niece Melanie but Melanie is traveling across the country on a family vacation. So she takes what she has learned from her escapades with Melanie and teams up with Rose to solve the murder. Rose is a former nun who has traveled the world and fell in love with a priest who she married. They have recently returned to town and have opened a woman’s shelter. These women couldn’t be more different but that starts to change within the pages of this book. The author has these characters take some very interesting steps as they investigate and learn about what really happens in each other’s lives.
The murder mystery has several viable suspects and I enjoyed following along with Peg and Rose as they worked through each of them coming up as to why each had a motive to kill. The clues were cleverly dropped to keep the story moving at a nice pace leading up to a great reveal.
With the unique relationship between Rose and Peg, the story contains quite a few humourous moments. I also loved that Peg’s dogs were featured and that Peg even took on helping a new little pup. Ms. Berenson knows dogs and she crafts them so that each one has its own distinct personality. It really makes them as true to life as her human characters.
Peg and Rose Solve A Murder was a darling little read and has set this series off to a fine start. I am looking forward to seeing how this series moves forward knowing that Peg is a key character in the author’s other series.
August 10, 2022
Thank you to Laurien Berenson and Kensington for an ARC of Peg and Rose Solve A Murder. I don't give away spoilers in my reviews.
I loved this book! The cover and the title are fun and made me want to read this book. The graphics are colorful and I love the two characters of Peg and Rose.
I loved both main characters - Peg made me laugh with her no-nonsense ways. I am also a dog lover so I loved her Poodles. (that's my favorite breed as well!)
Rose was so kind and sweet that I couldn't help but love her. Especially her background story of how she met Peter. I thought it was unusual and loved the Gallagher House setting.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Peg and Rose from beginning to end. Each character developed and changed throughout in natural ways.
From the title, it's obvious they solve a murder. I had trouble figuring out who the killer was until it was revealed. I loved not being able to figure out whodunit while the aftermath was occuring. It's usually so easy to figure it out so it was a surprise.
Fun book and I couldn't help but easily picture the Golden Girls in my mind as reading this. I'd see Peg as Dorothy and Rose as Rose.
I loved this book! The cover and the title are fun and made me want to read this book. The graphics are colorful and I love the two characters of Peg and Rose.
I loved both main characters - Peg made me laugh with her no-nonsense ways. I am also a dog lover so I loved her Poodles. (that's my favorite breed as well!)
Rose was so kind and sweet that I couldn't help but love her. Especially her background story of how she met Peter. I thought it was unusual and loved the Gallagher House setting.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Peg and Rose from beginning to end. Each character developed and changed throughout in natural ways.
From the title, it's obvious they solve a murder. I had trouble figuring out who the killer was until it was revealed. I loved not being able to figure out whodunit while the aftermath was occuring. It's usually so easy to figure it out so it was a surprise.
Fun book and I couldn't help but easily picture the Golden Girls in my mind as reading this. I'd see Peg as Dorothy and Rose as Rose.
January 25, 2024
This is one of the finest examples of a cozy mystery. The writing and pacing were perfect. Loved the characters. It’s funny, I’m not usually a fan of third person, but I adored this. Well done.
July 29, 2022
This is an excellent book with a murder mystery that seems unsolvable. Peg and Rose are hot on the trail of the perpetrator.
Rose Donovan looks for the good in everyone. With her sister-in-law, Peg, that sometimes requires a lot of searching. Even a sixty-something former nun like Rose has her limits, and gruff Peg Turnbull sure knows how to push them. But after forty years of bickering, they’re attempting to start over, partnering up to join the local bridge club.
Peg and Rose barely have a chance to celebrate their first win before one of the club’s most accomplished players is killed in his home. As the newest members, the sisters-in-law come under scrutiny and decide to start some digging of their own. Bridge is typically seen as a wholesome pastime, yet this group of senior citizens harbors a wealth of vices, including gambling, cheating, and adultery.
By comparison, Peg and Rose’s fractious relationship is starting to feel almost functional. But as their suspect list narrows, they’re unaware that their logic has a dangerous flaw. And they’ll have to hope that their teamwork holds steady when they’re confronted by a killer who’s through with playing games .
This book byLaurien Berenson is very .enjoyable.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily. E
Rose Donovan looks for the good in everyone. With her sister-in-law, Peg, that sometimes requires a lot of searching. Even a sixty-something former nun like Rose has her limits, and gruff Peg Turnbull sure knows how to push them. But after forty years of bickering, they’re attempting to start over, partnering up to join the local bridge club.
Peg and Rose barely have a chance to celebrate their first win before one of the club’s most accomplished players is killed in his home. As the newest members, the sisters-in-law come under scrutiny and decide to start some digging of their own. Bridge is typically seen as a wholesome pastime, yet this group of senior citizens harbors a wealth of vices, including gambling, cheating, and adultery.
By comparison, Peg and Rose’s fractious relationship is starting to feel almost functional. But as their suspect list narrows, they’re unaware that their logic has a dangerous flaw. And they’ll have to hope that their teamwork holds steady when they’re confronted by a killer who’s through with playing games .
This book byLaurien Berenson is very .enjoyable.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily. E
May 29, 2022
I have been a fan of Laurien Berenson's Melanie Travis mysteries since finding them in the local library a few decades ago, and I have digital copies on my Kindle for re-reading and pre-order each new one. This companion book takes on two of Melanie's aunts, both of whom have, in the main series, drawn her into projects that turned into solving mysteries. Peg and Rose are both stubborn, convinced they're right, and rather demanding. Both loved Max, Peg's husband and Rose's brother, who's death was the starting incident for the very first book of the series. And neither like each other all that much.
Perhaps it is the latter which made this book feel slow than the Melanie Travis one. A lot of the first quarter of the book was spent on explaining this history, which, as a reader of the main series, I knew, but by being 3rd person vs the first person narration, felt a little more drawn out, Having said that, once the plot points were established, it moved quickly and the sisters in law made a successful team.
The other difference from the main series is that Melanie is usually an observer in a world not her own, As a result, I, as the reader,have learned about dog shows, about obedience training, about pet therapy, about dog conferences, about doggie daycare, and a lot of other facts as Melanie has. In this case, while the Bridge club served as a framing event, it was just something to introduce the characters. Peg and Rose didn't really learn anything about Bridge, and therefore I didn't, either.
Having said all that, this is a worthy spin off of an excellent series. I will add this book to the collection as it comes out. I also think it would be a worthy stand alone, which might be appealing to readers a but nervous about jumping into a long-runner.
I am an educator and clicked that I wouldn't be recommending this one to my students. I wish to make it clear that this has more to do, simply, with middle school aged kids not necessarily finding discussions of bridge and why two sisters-in law might struggle in their relationship less interesting. Content wise, like many cosy mysteries, this would be appropriate for teen readers who enjoy mysteries, just maybe not popular enough to spend a school library's budget on.
Perhaps it is the latter which made this book feel slow than the Melanie Travis one. A lot of the first quarter of the book was spent on explaining this history, which, as a reader of the main series, I knew, but by being 3rd person vs the first person narration, felt a little more drawn out, Having said that, once the plot points were established, it moved quickly and the sisters in law made a successful team.
The other difference from the main series is that Melanie is usually an observer in a world not her own, As a result, I, as the reader,have learned about dog shows, about obedience training, about pet therapy, about dog conferences, about doggie daycare, and a lot of other facts as Melanie has. In this case, while the Bridge club served as a framing event, it was just something to introduce the characters. Peg and Rose didn't really learn anything about Bridge, and therefore I didn't, either.
Having said all that, this is a worthy spin off of an excellent series. I will add this book to the collection as it comes out. I also think it would be a worthy stand alone, which might be appealing to readers a but nervous about jumping into a long-runner.
I am an educator and clicked that I wouldn't be recommending this one to my students. I wish to make it clear that this has more to do, simply, with middle school aged kids not necessarily finding discussions of bridge and why two sisters-in law might struggle in their relationship less interesting. Content wise, like many cosy mysteries, this would be appropriate for teen readers who enjoy mysteries, just maybe not popular enough to spend a school library's budget on.
August 10, 2022
Entertaining from start to finish. Who could guess that bridge club would lead to murder? Can two sister-in-laws with nothing much in common work together to catch a killer?
April 8, 2022
Will Peg and Rose survive each other as they work together to solve who murdered Stan? For me, it was as much fun watching them sort out their long-time fractious relationship as it was watching them figure out who did it. Who knew a simple invitation to play bridge together could put them in danger?
Peg, a no-nonsense, take no prisoners type, immediately sets out to see what she, er, they can find out themselves. Rose, an ex-nun now married to a former priest, is initially reluctant but secretly delighted to find that she's not only enjoying the process but that she is rather good at it. Will it put them in danger? Definitely.
If you're a fan of Berenson's Melanie Travis series, you will immediately feel at home with "Peg and Rose Solve a Mystery". It works beautifully as a standalone as much of the background is naturally shared as Peg and Rose tentatively share information about their past and present, which includes mentions of not just Melanie, who sends a post card from vacation, but Crawford and Terry. Both Peg and Rose, despite their differences, are likeable and care, even if it takes them awhile to come to the realization that this includes about each other. I mean, Rose doesn't even like dogs. Dogs have been Peg's world ever since she married Rose's late brother Max. I highly recommend this book to both dog and cozy mystery lovers. It's a winner.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to play bridge and hang out with Peg and Rose. Having those lovely dogs about was a bonus
Peg, a no-nonsense, take no prisoners type, immediately sets out to see what she, er, they can find out themselves. Rose, an ex-nun now married to a former priest, is initially reluctant but secretly delighted to find that she's not only enjoying the process but that she is rather good at it. Will it put them in danger? Definitely.
If you're a fan of Berenson's Melanie Travis series, you will immediately feel at home with "Peg and Rose Solve a Mystery". It works beautifully as a standalone as much of the background is naturally shared as Peg and Rose tentatively share information about their past and present, which includes mentions of not just Melanie, who sends a post card from vacation, but Crawford and Terry. Both Peg and Rose, despite their differences, are likeable and care, even if it takes them awhile to come to the realization that this includes about each other. I mean, Rose doesn't even like dogs. Dogs have been Peg's world ever since she married Rose's late brother Max. I highly recommend this book to both dog and cozy mystery lovers. It's a winner.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to play bridge and hang out with Peg and Rose. Having those lovely dogs about was a bonus
May 23, 2022
It is a rare book that makes me laugh out loud during the first paragraph, but Laurien Berenson did just that with "Judging dogs involved three of her favorite things: telling people what to do; airing her own opinions; and of course, interacting with the dogs themselves." I knew at that moment that Peg Turnbull and I were going to be fast friends.
Peg and Rose Solve a Murder is a spin off of the Melanie Travis series are readers of that series will be familiar with the main characters Peg and Rose. This was a new author for me, and I am looking forward to reading her other books. The dialogue between Peg and Rose reminds me of the Golden Girls: witty, sarcastic, and gentle when needed. Throughout the course of the book we get to see their relationship go from grudging sisters in law to friends while they work to solve the murder of one of the members of their bridge group.
I really enjoyed this book and found it sweet, snarky, and humorous simultaneously. Thank you Net Galley for this advanced copy - I am looking forward to reading the series.
Peg and Rose Solve a Murder is a spin off of the Melanie Travis series are readers of that series will be familiar with the main characters Peg and Rose. This was a new author for me, and I am looking forward to reading her other books. The dialogue between Peg and Rose reminds me of the Golden Girls: witty, sarcastic, and gentle when needed. Throughout the course of the book we get to see their relationship go from grudging sisters in law to friends while they work to solve the murder of one of the members of their bridge group.
I really enjoyed this book and found it sweet, snarky, and humorous simultaneously. Thank you Net Galley for this advanced copy - I am looking forward to reading the series.
April 6, 2022
Peg and Rose are finally trying to get along and make their relationship work. As a first step they team up to play bridge and end up being suspects in a murder. Can they work together to solve the case or will they be going to the big house together?
I never read the Melanie Travis Mysteries, so this was my introduction to Laurien Berenson…and I’m hooked! I love the dynamics between Peg and Rose and their heartfelt efforts to become closer…and if a murder doesn’t make you closer, I don’t know what will. I’m looking forward to more in this series as well as checking out the Melanie Travis books. A good read all around!
I never read the Melanie Travis Mysteries, so this was my introduction to Laurien Berenson…and I’m hooked! I love the dynamics between Peg and Rose and their heartfelt efforts to become closer…and if a murder doesn’t make you closer, I don’t know what will. I’m looking forward to more in this series as well as checking out the Melanie Travis books. A good read all around!
August 3, 2022
Peg Turnbull loves to judge dog shows because it involves her favorite things: telling people what to do, airing her own opinions and of course dogs. Besides the dog shows, things have been a bit slow for her because her niece Melonie and family are away on a road trip. That leaves one person in town. Her sister in law Rose Donovan.
Rose is a former nun, who left the order to marry a former priest. When she was younger and full of herself, she judged Peg harshly and said quite a few hurtful things. Since then the two women have barely spoken to each other. Rose has an idea to keep the two ladies busy, she just needs peg's cooperation.
The idea is to join a Bridge club. Neither has played in a while, but Rose insists it's a great way to meet new people and keep their brains sharp. There are a lot of details for the Bridge game. Unless you have played an understand Bridge, I thought this part of the book was a bit tedious. I don't play and it went right over my head
There's been a shooting of one of the Bridge club members. Peg and Rose, air their differences, make peace and decide to try to solve the murder. The more they talk to the club members, the more it seems like something out of an old soap opera. Secrets, affairs, betrayals. Which was the one that broke the camel's back?
This story had many great features, getting to know a bit more about Peg and Rose, their own self-realizations and of course dog shows.
The culprit was a huge surprise.
Overall a fun read
Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy
Rose is a former nun, who left the order to marry a former priest. When she was younger and full of herself, she judged Peg harshly and said quite a few hurtful things. Since then the two women have barely spoken to each other. Rose has an idea to keep the two ladies busy, she just needs peg's cooperation.
The idea is to join a Bridge club. Neither has played in a while, but Rose insists it's a great way to meet new people and keep their brains sharp. There are a lot of details for the Bridge game. Unless you have played an understand Bridge, I thought this part of the book was a bit tedious. I don't play and it went right over my head
There's been a shooting of one of the Bridge club members. Peg and Rose, air their differences, make peace and decide to try to solve the murder. The more they talk to the club members, the more it seems like something out of an old soap opera. Secrets, affairs, betrayals. Which was the one that broke the camel's back?
This story had many great features, getting to know a bit more about Peg and Rose, their own self-realizations and of course dog shows.
The culprit was a huge surprise.
Overall a fun read
Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy
April 8, 2022
Great characters and a fun storyline make Peg and Rose Solve a Murder a must-read!
Rose Donovan looks for the good in everyone. Her sister-in-law, Peg, well that's another story. After forty years of bickering, they’re attempting to start over, partnering up to join the local bridge club.
Peg and Rose barely have a chance to celebrate their first win before one of the club’s most accomplished players is killed in his home. As the newest members, the sisters-in-law come under scrutiny and decide to start some digging of their own. Bridge is typically seen as a wholesome pastime, yet this group of senior citizens harbors a wealth of vices, including gambling, cheating, and adultery…
Loved it.
Rose Donovan looks for the good in everyone. Her sister-in-law, Peg, well that's another story. After forty years of bickering, they’re attempting to start over, partnering up to join the local bridge club.
Peg and Rose barely have a chance to celebrate their first win before one of the club’s most accomplished players is killed in his home. As the newest members, the sisters-in-law come under scrutiny and decide to start some digging of their own. Bridge is typically seen as a wholesome pastime, yet this group of senior citizens harbors a wealth of vices, including gambling, cheating, and adultery…
Loved it.
September 1, 2022
Peg and Rose Solve a Murder is the début instalment in Laurien Berenson's mystery series featuring Peg Turnbull and Rose Donovan. Peg, seventy-odd, is a Standard Poodle breeder and owner as well as a dog show judge. Rose, in her late sixties, is a former nun and she is Peg's sister-in-law. The pair have never got on very well but Rose has decided she would like to change that so she invites Peg to join a bridge club with her. Peg was married to Max, Rose's older brother but he had a heart attack a few years ago, leaving Peg a widow. Rose is married to Peter, a former priest who likes to play chess. Two weeks after joining the bridge club a long-time member is killed, shot dead. Peg and Rose get involved against the instructions of Detective Sturgill who advises the pair not to meddle.
A fun and immensely compelling read that ensures I'll be looking out for book two. Set in Connecticut, the characters are interesting, colourful, and well constructed. Peg is deeply fond of her niece, Melanie who is away on holiday with her husband and children. Both the octogenarians, Peg and Rose are opinionated but loyal. The tale has twists and turns to hold my interest, a good wodge of humour and the storyline moves along swiftly. This is definitely a story for dog-lovers and I look forward to getting to know everyone better in the upcoming books.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
A fun and immensely compelling read that ensures I'll be looking out for book two. Set in Connecticut, the characters are interesting, colourful, and well constructed. Peg is deeply fond of her niece, Melanie who is away on holiday with her husband and children. Both the octogenarians, Peg and Rose are opinionated but loyal. The tale has twists and turns to hold my interest, a good wodge of humour and the storyline moves along swiftly. This is definitely a story for dog-lovers and I look forward to getting to know everyone better in the upcoming books.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
August 9, 2022
A very enjoyable read with lots of humorous sparring between two strong willed characters as they solve a murder.
July 22, 2022
Peg and Rose Solve a Mystery by Laurien Berenson is the first book in the Senior Sleuths Mystery series. This book has an interesting storyline but I felt it was a little slow going. I prefer a fast-paced mystery. I did enjoy the scenes with Peg interacting with her poodles and how Peg and Rose managed to repair their broken relationship. I've never played Bridge so I did not connect with those parts of the story. The dog shows and interactions with the characters and their pets was enjoyable.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
August 19, 2024
I have read her entire other series. This was a new series involving her Aunt Peg ! It was really fun .I enjoyed it.
April 16, 2022
I've never been one to binge read a series (unless you count the Sweet Valley High books I devoured in my early teens), but for the Melanie Travis series I couldn't help myself. Though this book diverges from that series a bit in characters, it grabbed me just as tight. While Melanie and her family travel the country in a rented RV, her aunts Peg and Rose find themselves knee-deep in a murder case back home in Connecticut.
Fans of Berenson's Melanie Travis series will be very familiar with Melanie's aunt Peg, a woman who popped up in Melanie's life after her uncle Max died unexpectedly and one of their prize poodles disappeared. Peg is brash and abrupt but she's also a devout dog lover and (in her own way) a loving aunt. We're introduced to Melanie's aunt Rose much later in the series and she's about as different from Peg as a woman can be. Needless to say, the two women don't exactly get along.
With her niece out of town, Rose decides she wants to extend an olive branch to her sister-in-law Peg. Unbeknownst to the readers until now, there was some bad blood between the women in the past, which Rose hopes to rectify. She does so by inviting to Peg to join her as Rose's partner in a bridge club. Of course things go sideways in a hurry when one of the players is shot to death in his home. As the newest members of a club that's been meeting for many years, Peg and Rose are considered prime suspects. Without Melanie there to help them solve the crime, they tackle the investigation together.
I started the Melanie Travis series in May 2017 and binge read most of it (books 3-20) between July and September. I (obviously) quickly fell in love with Melanie and Davey and Faith and, yes, Peg too. in this book the two sisters-in-law do their own sleuthing, using their disparate personalities to approach their suspects in the way best-suited for drawing out the most information from each person... and there's a lot of information to be had. Each member of their new bridge club has their own secrets and Peg and Rose discover that they make a great sleuthing team.
For anyone who enjoys the Melanie Travis series, this book is a must read. For fans of cozy mysteries, if you haven't read Berenson's books yet put them at the top of your list!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Fans of Berenson's Melanie Travis series will be very familiar with Melanie's aunt Peg, a woman who popped up in Melanie's life after her uncle Max died unexpectedly and one of their prize poodles disappeared. Peg is brash and abrupt but she's also a devout dog lover and (in her own way) a loving aunt. We're introduced to Melanie's aunt Rose much later in the series and she's about as different from Peg as a woman can be. Needless to say, the two women don't exactly get along.
With her niece out of town, Rose decides she wants to extend an olive branch to her sister-in-law Peg. Unbeknownst to the readers until now, there was some bad blood between the women in the past, which Rose hopes to rectify. She does so by inviting to Peg to join her as Rose's partner in a bridge club. Of course things go sideways in a hurry when one of the players is shot to death in his home. As the newest members of a club that's been meeting for many years, Peg and Rose are considered prime suspects. Without Melanie there to help them solve the crime, they tackle the investigation together.
I started the Melanie Travis series in May 2017 and binge read most of it (books 3-20) between July and September. I (obviously) quickly fell in love with Melanie and Davey and Faith and, yes, Peg too. in this book the two sisters-in-law do their own sleuthing, using their disparate personalities to approach their suspects in the way best-suited for drawing out the most information from each person... and there's a lot of information to be had. Each member of their new bridge club has their own secrets and Peg and Rose discover that they make a great sleuthing team.
For anyone who enjoys the Melanie Travis series, this book is a must read. For fans of cozy mysteries, if you haven't read Berenson's books yet put them at the top of your list!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
April 22, 2022
Although she would be the last to admit it, Peg Turnbull is feeling a bit lonely. Her niece Melanie and husband and sons are on a month long trip and while Peg has her dog shows she misses having family around. So when her sister-in-law Rose Donovan invites Peg to partner with her at a local bridge club, Peg agrees even though the two have clashed for years. The two still clash but both Peg and Rose find themselves slowly begin to enjoy each other’s company. They have barely gotten started though when one of the players is killed in his own home. Both Peg and Rose have helped Melanie solve crimes in the past so they team up to solve this one but neither one realizes how much danger they could be in.
When I heard that Laurien Berenson was doing a spin-off series from her Melanie Travis mysteries featuring Peg and Rose I couldn’t wait to read it and “Peg and Rose Solve a Murder” did not disappoint – I loved this book! Having Peg and Rose team up was an inspired idea! I’ve read most, if not all, of the Melanie Travis books, and while it did take time for me to like Peg as a character, she’s now one of my favorites (although I don’t think I’d want to know her in real life!). She can be cantankerous, outspoken, and unlikable at times but she deeply cares for the people in her life (not just her dogs!). Rose is also an interesting character – a former nun now married to a former priest, she can be a bit prickly herself, a bit naïve, but she too deeply cares for the people in her life. I loved reading as their friendship grew over the course of the book – they will always clash a bit but that’s what makes them such a great time and the book so interesting to read. The mystery is well done – the murder does take some time to happen as Berenson sets up the relationship between Peg and Rose – but is very well done with just the right amount of suspects, surprises, and twists and turns to keep the reader guessing as to whodunit. I enjoyed this book so much that I was sorry when it ended and look forward to future books featuring Peg and Rose and their adventures.
“Peg and Rose Solve a Murder” is a great start to what looks to be an enjoyable series.
When I heard that Laurien Berenson was doing a spin-off series from her Melanie Travis mysteries featuring Peg and Rose I couldn’t wait to read it and “Peg and Rose Solve a Murder” did not disappoint – I loved this book! Having Peg and Rose team up was an inspired idea! I’ve read most, if not all, of the Melanie Travis books, and while it did take time for me to like Peg as a character, she’s now one of my favorites (although I don’t think I’d want to know her in real life!). She can be cantankerous, outspoken, and unlikable at times but she deeply cares for the people in her life (not just her dogs!). Rose is also an interesting character – a former nun now married to a former priest, she can be a bit prickly herself, a bit naïve, but she too deeply cares for the people in her life. I loved reading as their friendship grew over the course of the book – they will always clash a bit but that’s what makes them such a great time and the book so interesting to read. The mystery is well done – the murder does take some time to happen as Berenson sets up the relationship between Peg and Rose – but is very well done with just the right amount of suspects, surprises, and twists and turns to keep the reader guessing as to whodunit. I enjoyed this book so much that I was sorry when it ended and look forward to future books featuring Peg and Rose and their adventures.
“Peg and Rose Solve a Murder” is a great start to what looks to be an enjoyable series.
April 7, 2022
Peg and Rose Solve a Murder by Laurien Berenson is a great cozy mystery that is the first book in a new series: Peg and Rose. I just loved this!
What can I say except for this is what a cozy mystery should be. The main characters: upper/middle-aged Rose and Peg are perfect together. Prickly, yet sweet underneath, can honestly describe both to be honest. Both are formerly related sisters in law brought together again after years apart with a cloud of misunderstanding and regret as a bridge duo, and the beginnings of friendship forged again when then finding themselves solving a murder mystery.
I loved the small thread that had a serious undertone of regret, forgiveness, family, friendship, and second chances present with the major traditional theme of a murder/mystery. The author did a fantastic job balancing that out nicely and creating such vibrant, real, raw, imperfect, but yet perfect, characters. The side characters, backstories, and surroundings were perfectly described.
The pacing was great, the murder/mystery was as well, and the dialogue, wit, and interactions were spot on.
I can’t wait for the next book!
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/30/22.
What can I say except for this is what a cozy mystery should be. The main characters: upper/middle-aged Rose and Peg are perfect together. Prickly, yet sweet underneath, can honestly describe both to be honest. Both are formerly related sisters in law brought together again after years apart with a cloud of misunderstanding and regret as a bridge duo, and the beginnings of friendship forged again when then finding themselves solving a murder mystery.
I loved the small thread that had a serious undertone of regret, forgiveness, family, friendship, and second chances present with the major traditional theme of a murder/mystery. The author did a fantastic job balancing that out nicely and creating such vibrant, real, raw, imperfect, but yet perfect, characters. The side characters, backstories, and surroundings were perfectly described.
The pacing was great, the murder/mystery was as well, and the dialogue, wit, and interactions were spot on.
I can’t wait for the next book!
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/30/22.
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