Melanie Travis’s new book club caters to readers craving fiction—with bite! But when a real-life murder case bares its fangs, she’ll need to swap dog-eared novels for a lengthy suspect list . . .   Thanks to Aunt Peg and her enthusiastic pedigree dog show pals, Melanie’s aptly named Bite Club reading group has book lovers all over town burying their noses in thrilling murder mysteries. But another pet project surfaces when Melanie reluctantly agrees to train a Bulldog puppy for elusive member Evan Major. Between the unusual bruise on his face and a bizarre run-in with an unknown dog show attendee, introverted Evan can’t dodge trouble. It even sends him to an early grave—while landing Melanie in the hot seat for homicide . . .   Caught at the wrong place at the wrong time, Melanie delves into the victim’s shady past to prove her innocence. As she uncovers a juicy scandal that cost Evan his marriage and, possibly, his life, Melanie realizes that booking the real culprit comes down to gathering her pack of suspects together at the next Bite Club meeting. What she doesn't know is Aunt Peg has been hiding some explosive secrets of her own—secrets that, once unleashed, could pit Melanie against an unpredictable killer bent on bringing this story to an abrupt end . . . PRAISE FOR LAURIEN BERENSON AND HER MELANIE TRAVIS CANINE MYSTERIES!   RUFF JUSTICE   “Cozy mysteries may have cats galore to charm their readers, but dog lovers are well served by Berenson’s sweet series.” — Publishers Weekly   MURDER AT THE PUPPY FEST   “It’s mutts vs. purebreds as Melanie Travis investigates the death of a dog-loving philanthropist . . . worth the price of admission.” — Kirkus Reviews   “Bring this one on your summer vacation!” — Modern Dog   LIVE AND LET GROWL   “Canine lovers will best appreciate this installment.” — Publishers Weekly   THE BARK BEFORE CHRISTMAS   “Cozy mystery fans and dog lovers will lap this one up.” — Library Journal   DEATH OF A DOG WHISPERER   “Berenson cleverly weaves in interesting details about different breeds and showmanship. Fans of Miranda James’ Cat in the Stacks series may also enjoy Berenson.” — Booklist   GONE WITH THE WOOF   “A wonderful novel. Even better if you read it with a dog on your lap.” — Suspense Magazine LAURIEN BERENSON is an Agatha and Macavity nominee, winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, and four-time winner of the Maxwell Award, presented by the Dog Writers Association of America. She and her husband live on a farm in Kentucky surrounded by dogs and horses. Readers can visit her website at: www.LaurienBerenson.com. Bite Club By Laurien Berenson KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP. Copyright © 2019 Laurien Berenson All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4967-1836-5 CHAPTER 1 It started as a joke. After all, who would name a friendly book club Bite Club? Well, we did. First, because we were all dog lovers, some of whom had met as fellow dog show exhibitors. And second, because when we formed the group we decided to concentrate on reading mystery novels. Books with bite. Plus, we all liked the idea of belonging to a club that sounded as though Brad Pitt might stop by on occasion. Especially Terry Denunzio. Terry always has plenty to say — and all of it is entertaining. He didn't back down when the rest of us told him that he was barking up the wrong tree because Brad Pitt wasn't gay. Instead, Terry just sat there and smiled like he knew something we didn't. It wouldn't be the first time. Terry is one of my best friends and I've seen him in action. I'm pretty sure if anyone could change Pitt's preferred orientation, Terry would be the one to do it. You might be wondering what all that had to do with books. Truthfully, not much. We weren't even halfway through our first meeting when it occurred to me that maybe the books were just a good excuse for us to get together and enjoy each other's company. And drink a little wine while we were at it. The idea for the book club had arisen from my own love of reading. I'd envisioned spending a few evenings a month with a small group of like-minded people. Good friends coming together to share stories and swap reading recommendations. I'd begun by recruiting my former neighbor, Alice Brickman. She and I had met years earlier when our older children were infants. The shared trials and tribulations of motherhood had brought us together, then quickly solidified our bond. Since I'd remarried and moved to a different part of town, Alice and I didn't see nearly as much of each other as we used to. This seemed like a wonderful opportunity to reconnect. Next I'd called Claire Walden Travis, a family member by virtue of being married to my ex-husband, which also made her stepmother to my older son, Davey. She'd been delighted to become part of the group. An organizer by nature and profession, she'd brought a list of potential book choices to the first me