“The Cat Who…” Mystery Series
By Lillian Jackson Braun The series begins with broke middle-aged reporter James Qwilleran inheriting a Siamese cat whose owner was murdered.
The female Siamese YumYum soon joins Koko, the clever cat in question, in the series and Qwilleran relocates to Moose County as the heir to a large fortune. This is gives our sleuths ample time to stick their noses in more mysteries! Koko is the prime crime fighter in the bunch…he continues to nudge Qwilleran along the path to discovery whodunit! “A Dog Lover’s Mystery” Series
By Susan Conant Dog writer Holly Winter, along with veterinarian boyfriend Steve, and Alaskan malamute companions Rowdy and Kimi, keeps their little corner of Cambridge crime-free and properly groomed.
Although Rowdy and Kimi don’t have a hand in the mystery solving, they are also an integral part of the story. Susan Conant intersperses the book with good tips of choosing and caring for pets! “A Melanie Travis Mystery” Series
By Laurien Berenson Melanie Travis appeals as an everyday mom overloaded with the responsibilities of a young son, ex-husband, current fiancé, teaching job, strong-minded Aunt, and a beloved hobby…raising and showing standard poodles!
Melanie is the owner of two standard poodles, Hope and Faith, and travels the dog show circuit with them, guided by her poodle-breeding Aunt Peg. Melanie is new to the dog showing world, and her tidbits about circuit are a nice sneak peek for the reader. Melanie often manages to get herself entangled in a mystery that is sure to involve a pooch or two! “An Alaskan Mystery” Series
By Sue Henry Protagonist Jessie Arnold is a fiercely independent Alaskan musher with a clever team of sled dogs at her side. Some of the mysteries center more on the Iditarod and other dog races than others, but the whole series is a wonderful portrait of the Alaskan landscape and way of
life. “Mrs. Murphy Mysteries” Series
By Rita Mae Brown (With Sneaky Pie Brown) Postmistress Harry is guided in crime fighting by her cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter and her dog
Tucker. The animals speak English to each other out of the hearing of their bumbling human companions and derive ways to help lead Harry on the right path to solving the crimes that plague Crozet, Virginia. “An Alice Nestleton Mystery” Series
By Lydia Adamson Alice is a struggling New York stage actress and intrepid cat sitter with a nose for murder. All of Alice’s mysteries somehow center on the involvement of a cat…and it takes a true cat person to catch the connection. The Alice Nestleton mysteries are quirky and fun, and sometimes even border on the mystical. Lydia Adamson, who also pens a mystery series starring veterinarian Dr. Nightingale, knows her animals!
Faith Harper is a freelance writer who resides in Houston, TX. She can be reached at WredenHarper@aol.com | 
