Death at the Dog Hotel

A Novel

Michael Hogan

Full of entertaining characters, sly twists, and the warmth of a seaside town, this murder mystery will captivate both cozy crime and dog lovers alike.

Having achieved local fame due to their crime-cracking exploits, Charlie Boardman and his fellow dogwalkers are delighted to receive invitations for a festive stay at a new dog-friendly boutique hotel on the outskirts of the seaside town, Framstone.

A chance to enjoy some luxury and pampering, not to mention spending Christmas together, is gratefully accepted. That is, until one of their fellow hotel guests turns up dead in his room.

The dogwalkers soon realize they’ve got their paws on a murder. A rare white Christmas is now stained with red.

But who checked into the Dog Hotel with murder in mind?

Michael Hogan is a television critic for The Telegraph and written for The Guardian, The Observer, Radio Times, Red, Q, Empire, Marie Claire, Grazia, Glamour, InStyle, Esquire, ES and You magazine. He writes mainly about television and pop culture, but also turns his hand to lifestyle pieces, topical comment, celebrity interviews, and humor. Michael lives in London with his family and a rescue dog called Ivy. To escape them all and get some work done, he commutes to a shed at the bottom of his garden. The Dog Walkers' Detective Agency is his debut novel.

Buy it now in print:

Buy it now in ebook:

Endorsements & Reviews

Praise for The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency:

“An enchanting cozy about a group of dogwalkers turned amateur sleuths. With well-rounded characters, a soothing atmosphere, and a sufficiently surprising core mystery, readers are likely to give this a long leash. A sequel would be welcome.” Publishers Weekly

“With a title reminiscent of Alexander McCall Smith’s “No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” books and its broad and mostly likable cast of characters, this debut will have readers looking forward to more series installments." Library Journal

"Charming, big-hearted, and with a gigantic twist. But frankly, you had me at dogs.” Jojo Moyes, #1 New York Times bestselling author of We All Live Here

"Michael Hogan is a hilariously funny writer, and this is a total treat.” Jenny Colgan, New York Times bestselling author of Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop

"A delight for lovers of cozy crime, and a must for all lovers of a good mystery involving dogs!” Peter James, New York Times bestselling author

"This sweet, big-hearted novel is like The Thursday Murder Club With Dogs. I horsed through it and found it hugely uplifting. The friendship between the characters is beautiful, and I LOVE the protagonist Charlie. It really kept me guessing—and oh my God, that final, FINAL twist! I need more!” Marian Keyes

"Wit, charm, warmth and dogs—what more could you want from a cracking whodunnit?” Lucy Managan, author of Bookish: How Reading Shapes Our Lives

"Funny, big-hearted, cozy but never comatose, The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency is an absolute must-read for all dog lovers—and even you strange cat people too!” Mike Gayle, author of Hope Street

"What a joy The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency is—once I began reading it I just couldn’t put it down, and upon reaching the end I longed to rush straight out and start solving murders. Funny and ingeniously plotted, this is a terrific debut from Michael Hogan.” Jill Mansell, author of An Almost Perfect Summer

"A heartwarming, satisfying page-turner with a delicious final twist that made me gasp.” Daisy Buchanan, author of Read Yourself Happy