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COVER REVEAL!

The cover for book two in the Molly Madison Dog Wrangler Mystery Series is complete–and the Art Department at Penguin Random House/Berkley Publishing outdid themselves!

PLAYING DEAD, Molly’s latest adventure with her adorable pups, is scheduled for release in early February 2022.

ABOUT PLAYING DEAD

Molly Madison is back to solve another doggone difficult murder in her California community in this mystery from the author of A Deadly Bone to Pick.

Molly Madison has barely had a moment to catch her breath after moving to the sleepy beach town she now calls home. But as a former PI, she can’t help but notice the odd chemistry between members of Playtime Academy on the first day she and her loyal Saint Berdoodle, Noodle, and golden retriever, Harlow, visit. When a trainer’s body is found on-site, Molly knows it’s her duty to put her ex-police skills to use. She can’t say no to temporarily taking in the deceased woman’s dog, either—not with those puppy dog eyes.

Relationships at the training facility are not as clean as the prize-winning agility runs, making it difficult for Molly to get a leash on potential suspects. And her personal life is just as messy—her boyfriend is hiding something, her agoraphobic neighbor needs help, and her number of four-legged friends keep growing as she agrees to dogsit a wriggly local French bulldog.

When Molly’s friend is arrested for the murder, she’s not sure who to believe anymore. Is the case as simple as the local cops make it seem, or is something more devious afoot?

Pre-Order at: Penguin Random House | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | and more stores coming soon!

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Chapter 1

“Please be careful with that.” I winced as the two muscle-bound men, dressed in matching navy-blue uniforms, wrestled the antique ship captain’s desk through the front door. “It was my great-grandfather’s.” In reality, it had belonged to something like my great-great-great-great-grandfather. But why would they care? Nor would they care that Mom insisted I take the desk—part of a misguided effort to show she believed I’d move back to Massachusetts one day.

My golden retriever, Harlow, tail waving, practically vibrated with her desire to meet these potential new friends.

“Stay.” As much as I expected every person to love my dog, this was not the time. Ever obedient, she settled onto the travertine tile.

“Where do you want it?” Muscle Man Number One said.

“On the second floor. Here, I’ll show you.” The front door stood wide open. I looked back at Harlow and told her to stay again, then led the way up the broad staircase. I hoped my few possessions all made it safely inside. But, even if they didn’t, nothing here was irreplaceable.

I wanted this move to work out. No, not wanted. Needed. I needed this move to work out. My gaze blurred. I wiped my eyes and hustled to the landing.

When I reached the hall, I hesitated. Was I sure I wanted to use the ocean-facing room for my office? The alley-facing room to the left would offer morning light. Shaking my head, I entered the first door on the right side of the hall. It didn’t matter where I put the antique desk. My work life was effectively over.

Ruined. Destroyed. Finito. Just like my personal life.

A DEADLY BONE TO PICK is the first in a mystery series featuring former investigator turned dog trainer, Molly Madison.

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