Check It Out:

At the beach, in a backyard hammock or late at night in bed, dog mysteries are a fun way to spend your summer reading hours. Several authors have made dogs an integral part of their writing, and if you enjoy a lighthearted mystery, these may be a perfect way to while away the summer.

“Dog on It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery” is the first in a new series by Spencer Quinn. This debut is narrated by Chet, canine detective, and his partner, Bernie Little, of the Little Detective Agency. In their first adventure, Chet and Bernie investigate the disappearance of Madison, a teenage girl who may or may not have been kidnapped, but who definitely has gotten mixed up with some unsavory characters. With his dog ways and charming but hard-boiled voice, Chet is both endearing and, at times, mischievous. Loyal to Bernie, he finds himself trying to figure out idioms (“quiet as a pin”) as well as issues Bernie confronts such as finances, divorce and child custody. Like Bernie, he is a likable and flawed character.

Susan Conant writes the entertaining “Dog Lovers Mysteries” starring Holly Winter of Cambridge, Mass., a trainer of malamutes and writer of a dog column. In her series of 18 books, she and her adopted Alaskan malamute team up to solve mysteries. In her latest, “All Shots,” Holly stumbles upon the corpse of a woman also named Holly Winter, and investigates a crime that might be linked to the town’s third woman of the same name, an academic who happens to be a dog-hater.

“A Pedigree to Die For: A Melanie Travis Mystery” is the first of the Laurien Berenson series. Featuring Melanie Travis, a thirtysomething teacher and single mother, this puzzle involves Melanie when her Uncle Max is found dead in his championship kennel, surrounded by his prize-winning poodles. Posing as a breeder in search of the perfect stud, Melanie hounds Connecticut’s elite canine competitions to find out about the possibility of foul play in the death of her uncle. Murder and romance play a part in this charming series.

Carol Lea Benjamin’s mystery series features Rachel Alexander and her formidable canine companion, Dash, a pit bull named for Dashiell Hammett. Set in Manhattan, this first book in the series, “This Dog for Hire,” involves Rachel investigating the death of a young artist who is killed in a hit-and-run incident near an isolated pier. Not only was the artist killed, his prize-winning Basenji, set to appear in a Westminster dog show, is also missing. Through the Greenwich Village gay community, SoHo art circles and the dog show world, the story climaxes in an exciting confrontation with the killer. With a strong female character and a great deal of action, this series will appeal to many.

Delilah Doolittle is a British expatriate who lives in Surf City, Calif., and shares her place with her much-loved Doberman. She makes her living as a pet detective, tracing lost animals and returning them to their owners. In the latest of her six Pet Detective Mysteries, Delilah investigates the death of the horse of the Duke of Paddington, who wants her to work undercover to find out who killed her animal. Two killings and a fire ensue, and Delilah tries to prove how all three are interrelated. Cross a California dude ranch and an English village mystery, and you will have the Delilah Doolittle mystery cozies.

Summer is a good time to relax, so just check out a cozy mystery and enjoy!

CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org . For more information on the Central Library or any of the branches, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.