Ellie is quite taken by all the excitement of being at the show for the first time and being backstage.  She is also taken by how cut-throat the handlers are in trying to recruit clients.  Lulu has a new handler, Arnie, in whom Mrs. Steinman has placed her complete trust.  Arnie collapses in the show ring and is pronounced dead. 

At first, Ellie’s cop boyfriend, Sam Ryder and his partner Vince don’t think there has been foul play, but Ellie suspects otherwise, especially when a piece of homemade doggie treats is found tucked inside Arnie’s mouth.  Not sure whether Arnie was the target or Lulu, Ellie starts asking questions of her clients, and of her canine charges.

Much to the dismay of Sam, Ellie agrees to be Lulu’s handler for the rest of the competition, even though she tries to convince Mrs. Steinman that there are more qualified people for the job.  Ellie and Lulu do well, but there is still a killer on the loose and Ellie won’t rest until he (or she) is stopped.

 Another enjoyable adventure that dog lovers are sure to eat up, Death in Show goes behind the scenes of prestigious dog shows, giving another level of interest to the plot.  The interaction between Ellie and the dogs seems natural, and though many of her normal charges are missing this time, her conversations with Lulu and Rudy continue to be an enjoyable part of the plot.

One part of the plot that is a little awkward is Ellie’s willingness to let her new assistant Joy hand over the keys to clients’ apartments to a friend and allow the unknown friend to walk the dogs, who are very important parts of their owners’ lives.  Sam and Ellie’s relationship continues to grown, even as the pile of bodies Ellie stumbles over grows, much to Sam’s displeasure and instinct to keep her safe. 

The investigation into Arnie’s death is well-plotted, hampered by the fact that it happened in such a large venue with so many witnesses.  Dinner at Ellie’s mother’s ends the story on a light note, and a trip after dinner to Sam’s family home signals that the two plan on continuing their relationship, maybe making it a more permanent situation for the two of them – now that Rudy approves.                                          

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry