In this 2nd book in the 'Golden Retriever Mystery' series, amateur sleuth Steve Levitan - with help from his golden retriever Rochester - tracks down the person who murdered a college admissions officer.
Forty-three-year-old Steve Levitan, who's an experienced technical writer, is on parole after a short prison stint for computer hacking. To put food on the table - and kibble in Rochester's bowl - Steve takes a job in the Alumni Office of his alma mater, Eastern College, in Leighville, Pennsylvania. Steve is on the fund-raising committee, which hopes to collect 500 million dollars to upgrade the college facilities.
Eastern is kicking off the fund-raising campaign with a HUGE gala for bigwigs and alumni, and director of admissions Joe Dagorian is grousing about it. Joe would rather use the 'party money' for scholarships.
Joe has been head of the admissions office for 30 years, with the goal of recruiting the best and the brightest. Conversely, Joe rejects 'mediocre' applicants, some of whom nurse resentments for years.
During the gala, Joe Dagorian steps out for a breath of air and doesn't return.
Steve's golden retriever Rochester, who has a nose for trouble, finds Joe, who's lying dead with his throat cut.
Police detectives Tony Rinaldi and Rick Stemper investigate the murder.....
......and Steve, who's helped the police before, unofficially assists.
Possible suspects include:
✿ Joe Dagorian's ex-wife - who was seen arguing with him;
✿ the assistant admissions director - who got Joe's job;
✿ the college president - who wanted Joe to retire;
✿ a wealthy alumnus - whose son was rejected by Eastern;
✿ a mentally ill man - who's been writing Joe nasty letters for years;
✿ a student worker - who Joe threatened to expel; and more.
In the midst of all this, an adjunct professor named Perpetua Kaufman (who sounds like a Jewish nun) dies from carbon monoxide poisoning. Steve is asked to teach Perpetua's business writing class, where Steve suspects plagiarism that could lead to expulsion.
We follow along as Steve investigates the murder of Joe Dagorian; shares clues with police detectives; does his fund-raising job; helps students in trouble; takes care of Rochester; and ignites sparks with Professor Weinstock, the beautiful new chair of the Art Department.
Dog lovers will appreciate Steve's affection for Rochester. Steve takes Rochester to work with him; buys Rochester sandwiches and hamburgers (no buns); plays with Rochester; walks Rochester; and is solicitous in every way.
In return, Rochester digs up the knife used to kill Joe; tries to alert Steve to dangerous situations; and unearths a photograph that helps Steve expose the killer.
Author Neil Plakcy likes humorous names, and sometimes gives minor characters monikers like Rose Hipz; Nancy Fancy; Ike Arumba; José Canusee; Candy Cane; Lou Seegusey; Anna Rexick, Lay Zee; Dee Gamay; Barbara Seville; and more. Some reviewers complain about this, but I think it's hilarious.
This series has 20 books and is going strong. So if you like dog mysteries, you might give it a try.
Rating: 3.5 stars
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