When the elderly caretaker at Howard Academy turns up dead after being spotted arguing with a girl young enough to be his daughter, teacher Melanie Travis is on the case, but a rival for her fiance's affections will complicate matters as she tries to unravel the mystery. Tour. Hush Puppy ($20.00; Oct.; 304 pp.; 1-57566469-0) It's back to school for Melanie Travis and her Standard Poodle Faith, as Melanie (Watchdog, 1998, etc.) signs on as Howard Academy's new drama coach just in time to rub cantankerous caretaker Eugene Krebbs the wrong way before he's rubbed out for real. She then goes to the head of the classway ahead of a mysterious young Jane Doe and Melanie's unhappy sweetie Sam Driverwhen she and her Aunt Peg nail his killer. (Author tour) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.