Die Another Dane by Laurien Berenson

Available: October 28, 2025

Rated: 5 Great Danes

Kevin wants a Great Dane. Melanie is not exactly on board with this idea but honestly, with 6 dogs, what's one more? She's about to find out!

When Kevin sees his first Great Dane it's love at first sight and (of course) Aunt Peg knows a Great Dane breeder who can introduce the boy to the best examples of the breed. But when breeder, Audrey Kane, asks Melanie to find her stolen brooch things take a turn very quickly and within days Melanie is investigating a lot more than some missing jewelry.

I remember when I first started reading this series. My job was really stressful, and needlessly so (the worst kind where it's difficult not because it's actually hard but because other people choose to make it harder than it needs to be). The highlight of my day was pulling out my phone and reading as I walked to the bathroom farthest away from my office, hiding out in a stall for a few minutes reading about Melanie and little Davey and the lovable little Faith until I had to go back to the real world.

Fortunately I don't work at that awful place anymore but I still love reading about Melanie's midadventures. It almost makes me cry to read about Faith's whitening muzzle and her slower pace. I don't know how Berenson will handle this as the series progresses but I hope she finds a way to make Faith live forever because I think I'll mourn her as much as my own beloved dog who was still energetic and sassy when I started this series but is now long since married and moved away (say what you want about denial). That's what makes this one of my favorite series, it's more than a good story, they're almost like family.

If you're a fan of cozies and a fan of dogs this series is one you can't miss and this book was a great addition to the series. Focusing on Great Danes instead of Poodles gave it a fun new twist and Melanie and Aunt Peg were as fun and quirky as ever. Davey is also turning out to be a pretty great young man.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.