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MY REVIEW

YAY! Another Mac Faraday and Gnarly story and I can hardly wait to find out where Lauren Carr is going to take me now. Her stories never fail to entertain me, leaving me wanting more.

WOW! I am blown away. There is so much action and fun to be had in Best In Murder by Lauren Carr, but, of course, there has to be a downside, seeing this is a murder mystery. It all begins with a missing platinum and diamond dog collar and a missing Irish Wolfhound.

The kids and the dogs steal the show. As their actions unfolded on the pages they played like a movie in my mind. I had so many awww how sweet and laugh out loud moments, I never wanted them to end. Gnarly is the mayor of the town and throws his weight around, creating chaos. Can a mystery ever be solved in Mac Faraday’s world without Gnarly’s input?

There is so much I want to tell you, but I do not want to spoil all the fun you’ll have finding things out for yourself. Each book in the series can stand alone, so don’t be afraid to jump in at any time.

Book Details:

Book Title: BEST IN MURDER (A Mac Faraday Mystery #15) by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +)
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: Oct 13, 2026
Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr’s books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

“Pedigreed dogs, rich owners, cutthroat competition, enormous egos, several murders, a stolen diamond dog collar, a missing Irish Wolfhound show dog, a disgruntled cop, and a criminally inclined biker with a vicious poodle all come together in this tale. As each new element dropped in my lap, I was pulled in further until it was impossible to put the book down. I consumed it.”– Marilyn R. Wilson, Book Reviewer and Author

Book Description:

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.

Buy the Book:
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BONUS! BONUS! BONUS!

Pre-order Best in Murder now and receive the exclusive bonus noveletteWho Framed Michelangelo?— a complete Mac Faraday mystery featuring Gnarly and a very special Goldendoodle!

Download WHO FRAMED MICHELANGELO? Now

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).

Meet the Author:

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