Golden Retriever Mystery Books
THE START OF A BEAUTIFUL PARTNERSHIP— A DETECTIVE DUO WITH HEART AND FUR Steve’s ripe for a new relationship —divorced, over forty, and still dusting himself off from a lamentable sojourn in prison, an unusual experience for a professor, to say the least. (He really must do something about his hacking habit!) Rochester’s a handsome, homeless, loveable golden retriever whom Steve had always found too big, too enthusiastic, and too shaggy. But tragedy struck their neighborhood when someone murdered Caroline, Steve’s nice next-door neighbor, while she walked her best friend, Rochester. Steve’s the unlucky guy who finds her body and he just knows, despite their differences, that he has to take in the broken-hearted pooch. Once they’re both properly rehomed, these two form a detective partnership that’ll make you sit up and beg for more. Eat your hearts out, Spade & Archer—pretty soon they’ve got a warm and fuzzy thing going. Big furry forthrightness—not to mention heart—meets tech-savvy craftiness as they work their case. Rochester has no idea he has the potential to be the greatest doggy detective since Rex the Wonder Dog was a pup. But he’s got a job to do and he has to find a way to train Steve in the fine art of investigation. Unbeknownst to Steve, his life just changed radically—because a big furry mentor has just trotted into it. Steve’s way—when all’s said and done— is still to bend the law a little, with the help of Caroline’s contraband laptop. And also to follow Rochester’s trail of treats. Fans of animal cozies—and all cozies!--will find pure gold here especially aficionados of mutt heroes from the aforementioned Rex through the immortal pooches created by Spencer Quinn, David Rosenfelt, Garth Stein, and Laurien Berenson. Lovers of canine classic films like TURNER AND HOOCH, BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA, and the immortal BENJI will also want to sit and stay awhile. Luckily, there’s a whole litter of cases out there. Neil S. Plakcy is the author of the award-winning Mahu mystery series, and coeditor of Paws and Reflect: A Special Bond Between Man and Dog.
When his mentor, Joe Dagorian, director of admissions at prestigious Eastern College, is murdered during a fund-raising event, Steve Levitan feels obliged to investigate. He and his golden retriever, Rochester, go nose to the ground to dig up clues, including a bloody knife and some curious photographs. But will Steve’s curiosity and Rochester’s savvy save them when the killer comes calling?Second in Neil S. Plakcy's Golden Retriever Mysteries, The Kingdom of Dog is funny and charming-- and who can resist a gregarious golden character like Rochester?
#3 in a delightful series-- which can also be read as a stand-alone. Another adventure for semi-reformed hacker Steve Levitan and his clue-sniffing golden retriever Rochester. It’s almost time for graduation, and Eastern College is in trouble. A prominent alumna is dead, and a faulty computer program is jeopardizing student records and financial aid. It’s up to Steve and Rochester to dig into the situation and retrieve the culprits! Rita Gaines wasn’t a nice person—but she did love her dogs, and most of her clients respected her financial acumen and her talent in training dogs for agility trials. When she’s found dead, there’s a long line of potential suspects from Wall Street whiz kids to doting doggie daddies-- including one of Steve’s former students. Felae is an art prodigy now studying with Steve’s girlfriend, Lili, chair of Eastern’s Fine Arts department, and Rita hated his controversial senior project. When she tried to have his scholarship cancelled, he threatened to kill her. But is he the villain behind her death? In between helping Steve’s high school friend Rick track the killer, Rochester practices darting around weave poles and jumping over limbo poles while Steve helps shepherd the college toward the completion of another academic year. It’s spring in Stewart’s Crossing, and old friends – and their dogs—gather together to investigate and eventually, to celebrate.
Steve may have a new job-- but he and Rochester are still a doggie detection duo! Autumn has come to Bucks County, and Steve Levitan has a new job: develop a conference center for Eastern College at Friar Lake, a few miles from campus. But on his first visit to the property, his golden retriever Rochester makes a disturbing discovery, a human hand rising from the dirt at the lake's shore. Whose hand is it? Why was the body buried there? The answers will take Steve, his photographer girlfriend Lili, and the ever-faithful Rochester to a drop-in center for recovering drug addicts on the Lower East Side, a decaying church in Philadelphia's Germantown, and finally to a confrontation with a desperate killer.
Rochester is developing an unfortunate habit -- finding dead bodies! Reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan still gets a thrill from snooping into places online where he shouldn't be. When his golden retriever Rochester discovers a human bone at the Friends Meeting during the Harvest Days festival, these two unlikely sleuths are plunged into another investigation. They will uncover uncomfortable secrets about their small town's past as they dig deep into the Vietnam War era, when local Quakers helped draft resisters move through Stewart's Crossing on their way to Canada. Does that bone Rochester found belong to one of those young men fleeing conscription? Or to someone who knew the secrets that lurked behind those whitewashed walls? Steve's got other problems, too. His girlfriend Lili wants to move in with him, and his matchmaking efforts among his friends all seem to be going haywire. Whether the death was due to natural causes, or murder, someone in the present wants to keep those secrets hidden. And Steve and Rochester may end up in the crosshairs of a very antique rifle if they can't dig up the clues quickly enough.
In the sixth golden retriever mystery, Dog Have Mercy, Christmas approaches and reformed hacker Steve Levitan tries to help a fellow ex-con now working at the vet’s office in Stewart’s Crossing. His curiosity, and the crime-solving instincts of his golden retriever, Rochester, kick in when liquid potassium ampoules are stolen from the vet and Steve’s new friend is a suspect. Is this theft connected to a drug-running operation in North Philly? Or to a recent spate of deaths at the local nursing home? And can Steve continue to resist his computer-hacking impulses or will his desire to help others continue to lead him into trouble?
When his college friend Doug moves to Stewart’s Crossing after an ugly divorce, reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan sees a way to pay forward the help he received under similar circumstances. But when Doug dies under mysterious circumstances, Steve and his crime-solving golden retriever Rochester have a new goal: Find the truth behind Doug’s death, even if Steve has to risk the freedom he has fought so hard for to do it. Contains Ponzi schemers, a Quaker funeral and cute jump drives shaped like llamas.
When a young man suffering from mental illness disrupts the blessing of the animals at Steve Levitan’s synagogue, he and his golden retriever Rochester are launched into an investigation that will take Steve back into the past of his family, his congregation, and the Jewish population of the city where he was born.In this 8th of the golden retriever mysteries, Steve and Rochester nose out suspects and dig up clues to present-day crimes—and ones in the past which still influence the living. From the rabbi’s Talmud study group to a homeless shelter in Trenton, our two intrepid sleuths are on the trail of someone with deep secrets, and the will to kill to protect them.
When semi-reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan learns that a girl who was kind to him in high school is accused of three murders, he and his clue-sniffing golden retriever Rochester are on the case. Could sweet, ambitious Peggy Doyle be guilty of killing three husbands? Or is someone out to make it look that way?As teens, Steve admired Peggy because of the way she fought back from a difficult childhood to travel to France and aspire to a college degree and a career as a lawyer. When he discovers she’s been addicted to drugs, danced at a strip club, and married a biker, he’s surprised. How could the girl he knew grow up to be the woman the media are calling “The Black Widow of Birch Valley?”Can he and Rochester dig up the clues that might acquit Peggy, while avoiding the slippery slope of hacking that could cause him to lose everything he cares for? Trust Rochester to keep Steve on the straight and narrow, and bring the real killer to justice.
A murder in Steve Levitan’s gated community is bad enough—but when someone puts out rat poison that innocent dogs could consume, he’s fired up to track down the villain and make his world safe for people and their canine companions.With over 20,000 trade paperbacks and e-books sold, and hundreds of glowing reader reviews, it’s clear that Rochester, the hero of Neil Plakcy’s Golden Retriever Mysteries, has captured the hearts of dog lovers and mystery fans.When his golden retriever Rochester discovers a body during one of their nightly walks, reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan must look to his neighbors for suspects. Could a killer be lurking along the oak-lined streets? Steve inherited his townhome from his father, and it’s more than just a house to him—it’s the place where he recovered from the loss of two miscarried babies, the pain of losing his parents and the misery of his brief incarceration. Now that he has a new sweetheart, and a loving dog, protecting his home is even more important.Could someone in the homeowner’s association be sabotaging efforts to keep River Bend a well-maintained place to live? It’s up to Steve and Rochester to dig up the clues to bring a murderer to justice, and protect the place they call home.
Stop by for some comfortable visits to Stewart’s Crossing, where reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan and his crime-sniffing golden retriever Rochester are nose to the ground in this collection of mystery short stories that take place between novels.In the first of these stories, Steve is learning to love the big, goofy golden he has inherited on the death of his neighbor, and Rochester shows him how to open his heart and his home to his sweetheart Lili.From then on, Rochester tugs Steve along on a roller coaster of cases, from theft to murder to the discovery of an abandoned baby. Familiar characters from Stewart’s Crossing drop by, including Steve’s best friend, SCPD detective Rick Stemper. Of course there are a lot of opportunities for Rochester to tussle with his BFF, Rick’s Aussie Rascal. Check in with old friends like Gail Dukowski, the owner of the Chocolate Ear, and Steve’s childhood piano teacher Edith Passis. Joey Capodilupo, Mark Figueroa, and their snow-white golden Brody make an appearance, along with Lili’s ex, journalist Van Dryver, who makes a surprising appearance to help out with an investigation into Amish puppy mills.“The golden retriever mysteries are barking good!” - Sparkle Abbey, author of the Pampered Pet mystery series.
When his neighbor is accused of murder, reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan and his golden retriever Rochester are asked to sniff out clues to prove her innocence. Who could have killed bookstore owner Darlene Nowak? One of the food trucks venders she angered when they parked in front of her store? Someone from the writer’s critique group she sponsored? Did a self-published author she refused to promote write her into a real murder mystery? Steve knows that cooks and creative folks are very sensitive about criticism—but could one of them be angry enough to kill? “The golden retriever mysteries are barking good!” - Sparkle Abbey, author of the Pampered Pet mystery series
Two parents die and two families mourn, in very different ways. Amateur sleuth Steve Levitan and his clue-sniffing golden retriever Rochester face two deaths in the 12th full-length novel in this long-running series. An Alzheimer’s patient slips away from home on his own and tumbles into the Delaware River. And then Steve’s love Lili suffers the crushing loss of her mother in a Miami Beach hospital. Eckhardt Lalor left behind a fortune in real estate, a fractured family, and a bitter legacy as a city slumlord. Does that add up to murder? There’s no question of what killed Benita Weinstock—a dodgy heart—but her death rocks her daughter’s world, and Steve’s. It will be up to Rochester to solve the crime and heal his humans in this new mystery with heart -- and fur!
Steve and Rochester seek the truth about a neighbor’s murder There’s a new dog in town – a golden retriever named Luke, in training to be a seeing-eye dog. He and Rochester immediately bond, but there’s something odd about Luke’s human, Ben Ji. How can someone so young afford an expensive townhouse on Sarajevo Way? When Ben is shot, Steve begins to discover the lies he has been telling. Steve’s also forced to tell the truth about his past, when he deals with a student plagiarist at Eastern College, a professor locked in the stone age, a climate activist with dangerous habits, an angry bartender—and a rifle-wielding assassin. Will he and Rochester be able to dig up the clues to all these mysteries? Or will a deadly killer go unpunished?
Who crept into Boris and Natasha Krimsky’s mini-mansion and murdered them while they slept? Could it be the cousins they brought over from Russia, who want more money from them? Or the physicist who claims he helped Boris with the ideas behind his multi-million-dollar patent? It can’t be their resentful son, because he has an iron-clad alibi. Or does he? And how does a similar crime committed in Florida connect to the case? Semi-reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan and his clue-sniffing golden retriever Rochester are on the case. With wit and canine antics, this team go nose to the ground to bring a killer to justice.
Stolen treasures, a cane-whacking elderly woman and a couple of dead bodies. A favorite furry sleuth returns in a new adventure! Follow semi-reformed computer hacker Steve and his clue-sniffing golden retriever Rochester as they track different kinds of thieves. From a tree-removal scam artist to a museum heist, Steve and Rochester's investigations lead them on a thrilling journey from their small town in Pennsylvania to the bustling streets of New York City. They follow a trail that takes them from an elegant Fifth Avenue museum to a drop-in center for the poor and homeless on the Lower East Side. Steve endures personal threats and makes an important decision in this latest entry in a charming series, one that readers have reacted to with deep emotion. With their unique skillset and clever wit, Steve and Rochester use their charm and humor to uncover the truth and solve the case. Join the dynamic duo as they navigate the twists and turns of their investigation, and laugh your way through the clues.
Join Steve Levitan and Lili Weinstock as they navigate the treacherous waters of wedding planning in "In Dog's Image," a captivating traditional mystery novel. Amidst disagreements over guest lists, menu selections, and even wedding attire, their impending nuptials face more than just typical hurdles. The real challenge emerges with the mysterious demise of a prominent gallery owner. Lili finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue when she is asked to identify esteemed artists who graced an event she photographed two decades ago. As shadows of the past resurface, the couple's wedding concerns pale in comparison to the enigma unfolding before them. Lili digs deep into her memories, Steve scans the dark web for details about a crime that went unpunished, and Rochester sniffs out clues to help them both bring justice. As they peel back layers of deception, they uncover a complex tapestry of secrets, rivalries, and unspoken motives. "In Dog's Image" is a riveting tale where the boundaries between personal celebrations and perilous investigations blur. Will Lili, Steve, and Rochester unearth the buried truth and deliver justice, or will the past's long-shrouded mysteries remain forever concealed?
Steve and Lili are on their way to the altar—but dognapping and murder get in the way. The theft of the vice-mayor’s dog unveils a widespread pattern of canine thefts. Could those poor pooches be on their way to a testing lab or a puppy mill? And how does that case play into the death of a Billy Joel tribute act? Could the caterer they’ve hired be responsible? It will take all of Steve’s hacking skills and Rochester’s talent for nosing out clues to close these cases before Steve and Lili can walk down the aisle... or will a killer ruin their happy ending? Blessing of the Dogs blends humor, heart, and an intriguing puzzle only Steve, Rochester and readers can solve. It's the perfect new installment for fans of this charming series.
🍁 Fall into mystery with Steve and Rochester! 🐾 New husband, same old knack for trouble. Steve and Lili's romantic Vermont honeymoon goes off the rails when his golden retriever Rochester sniffs out murder. ✅ Charming small-town setting ✅ Autumn vibes galore ✅ Adorable canine detective ✅ Twists, turns & long-buried secrets ✅ A dash of newlywed romance Steve Levitan and his new bride Lili hoped for a relaxing autumn getaway in Vermont. But when Steve and his golden retriever Rochester stumble upon a murder victim, their leaf-peeping trip turns into a hunt for a killer. Dr. Anthony Mihaly seemed like a pillar of the Centerbury community - a respected veterinarian turned successful pet food entrepreneur. But someone wanted him dead. Was it a disgruntled employee? A jilted lover from his past? Or someone with a deeper, darker motive? As more attempts are made on Dr. Mihaly's life, Steve finds himself drawn into the investigation, with Lili's help. With Rochester's keen nose for clues and Steve's computer skills, they begin to unravel a tangled web of small-town secrets and long-buried grudges. But the killer is still on the loose - and may now have Steve and Lili in their sights. Can they solve the case before their honeymoon turns deadly? Full of small-town charm, autumn ambiance, and canine heroics, Food of the Dogs is a cozy mystery perfect for dog lovers and armchair detectives alike. This latest installment in the Golden Retriever Mysteries series proves that man's best friend may also be his best partner in crime-solving. Perfect for fans of David Rosenfelt, Spencer Quinn, Laurien Berenson, and anyone who loves a good boy solving bad deeds! Don't let this fetch-ing mystery slip away - download now!
When Eastern College launches its first winter intersession program, administrator Steve Levitan is excited to host a course on Caribbean cuisine at Friar Lake Conference Center. His wife Lili is co-teaching with her friend, prominent food anthropologist Dr. Yesenia Ubeda. But before the first meal is served, threatening notes appear, old documents surface with explosive implications for US-Cuba relations, and a student with a hidden agenda is found murdered. With his golden retriever Rochester at his side, Steve must untangle a web of long-buried secrets and dangerous obsessions. Someone at Friar Lake is willing to kill to protect—or destroy—Yesenia's reputation. As more violence erupts and a brutal winter storm isolates the hilltop campus, Steve races to identify the killer before they can strike again. In this twentieth installment of Neil Plakcy's award-winning Golden Retriever mystery series, Steve and Rochester face their most complex case yet, where nothing is quite what it seems and old loyalties mask deadly new threats.