Author: Lauren Carr
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Publisher Date: Oct 13, 2026 (483 Pages, E-book)
Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Police Procedural
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery # 15
One Collar. Two Dead. Total Chaos.When a priceless platinum-and-diamond collar vanishes at the Mid-Atlantic Classic Kennel Club Invitational—Best in Show at the Spencer Inn, it looks like the ultimate high-society theft. But when two women connected to the glittering event are murdered in quick succession, the case explodes into something far more deadly.
Mac Faraday and his troublemaking German Shepherd, Gnarly, dive headfirst into the glamorous, cutthroat world of championship dog shows. Amidst perfectly groomed champions worth small fortunes, ruthless competitors, and million-dollar egos, the trail leads to a missing Irish Wolfhound whose value goes well beyond his blue-blood pedigree.
As tensions rise between Spencer PD and the county sheriff’s office, Mac’s team races to untangle a web of greed, betrayal, and long-buried secrets—all while the elegant resort descends into delightful canine chaos. With show dogs of every shape and size turning the Spencer Inn into their personal playground, Gnarly does what he does best: stir up trouble and sniff out the truth.
Fast-paced, laugh-out-loud funny, and packed with four-legged mischief, Best in Murder proves that in the high-stakes world of Best in Show, the biggest prizes come with the deadliest risks.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from I Read Book Tours for an honest review. This is my honest review. The opinions and thoughts are my own.
BONUS! BONUS! BONUS!
Pre-order Best in Murder now and receive the exclusive bonus novelette Who Framed Michelangelo? — a complete Mac Faraday mystery featuring Gnarly and a very special Goldendoodle!
One Locked Cottage. One Framed Dog. Two Four-Legged Detectives on the Case.
When beloved local Frieda Selleck is found mauled to death in her locked cottage, all evidence points to her gentle, arthritic Goldendoodle service dog, Michelangelo. But Mac Faraday refuses to believe the obvious. With help from his irrepressible German Shepherd, Gnarly, Mac must prove the loyal service dog was framed for murder.
Just days before the glamorous Mid-Atlantic Classic Kennel Club Invitational descends on the Spencer Inn, Frieda—a sharp-eyed woman with a reputation for “psychic” visions—had handed Mac a sealed envelope containing clues to her own killer. Now, with doors locked from the inside, no signs of forced entry, and a hidden wall safe emptied of cash and gold, Mac and Gnarly race against time to uncover the truth.
Joined by an unlikely four-legged partner in Michelangelo, the canine detective squad follows a trail of family secrets, phony smiles, suspicious alibis, and a desperate climb down a steep wooded hillside. As the pieces fall into place, Mac discovers that even the shiniest “golden child” can hide a dark heart.
A fast-paced, twist-filled cozy mystery packed with humor, heart, and plenty of doggy mischief. Perfect for fans of the Mac Faraday series!
“Who Framed Michelangelo?” is an exclusive prequel short story set at the Spencer Inn the week before the events of Best in Murder (Mac Faraday Mystery #15, coming October 13, 2026).
We get a mysterious beginning, and we meet Jennings. Then we run into Mac doing home repairs. Things get exciting. We get some excitement when Gnarly and Storm find a body.
We now have a new crew that decided to join in and help. We seem to have dog nappers and a lot of other things happening. Every chapter, are things going? Do the police not realize that a missing dog could be with the children?
It seems that David is in for another sheriff, and things spring into action fast. I already want to know what's going on and why. By Chapter 3, they're already in, and bodies are washing up to be found.
There seems to be a leak somewhere in the Sheriff's department, but who could it be? Will the two work together to solve two murders, and will it go the distance?
It really has it all. It even has 4-paw chaos—all of which brings out the mystery and fun. Lauren Carr has done it again. But I love what a dog does when a child is in trouble. Or what Gnarly does to stop someone in their tracks, and how he did it? This one really goes to the dogs.
This one seems interconnected and seems to intertwine dogs and packs and murders, and it's not just one murder or two. It feels like a dog pack mystery with twists, turns, and dog napping. We get about four or five points of view. It was a dogtaic read, and I cannot wait to read more. I really enjoyed seeing a really good character join the fun. It's nice to see David and his little family grow.
Lauren Carr is the author of over thirty acclaimed mystery novels, with more than half a million copies sold worldwide. Her fast-paced series—the Mac Faraday Mysteries, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and more—blend twists, suspense, humor, and unforgettable characters (including clever German shepherds!).
It's Murder, My Son organically hit #1 in Mystery on Amazon, and her books consistently rank in the Top 20 Police Procedurals in the US and international markets.
A popular speaker and publishing consultant, Lauren lives on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV, with her husband and three spoiled rotten German shepherds.
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ X/twitter ~ pinterest ~ goodreads
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