The Puppy, the Poison and the Sore Loser: A Cozy Mystery Adventure

Here is one of the first kids’ culinary mysteries ever written. A paparazzi-filled TV competition ends with adorable puppy, Duke, stolen...sending new friends hurtling down a dangerous rescue mission to save him. This adventure is sure to appeal to fans of the film, “The Goonies” and anyone who loves pets. After shockingly losing a cooking competition, a high school bully takes revenge on the winning team. Mortified that a middle school team has won, the high schooler kidnaps their puppy mascot, Duke. He’s left an alarming note with instructions. If they solve the clues he’s hidden, they’ll discover where Duke is. Maybe by then he won’t have fed the dog deadly chocolate ...but no promises. 11-year-old Izzi, his teammate Hunter (can he trust her?) and her sweet, and brilliant Golden Retriever, Moose, work together with their team to devise a rescue mission. Their lives on their island and the fun they've had with the pups during the cooking competition are suddenly altered. Izzi’s beloved dog is gone and he’s distressed. The new friends are faced with a ticking clock, and increasing danger as they pedal as fast as they can to reach Duke. Even with Moose’s adorable wagging and canine detective skills, no one is certain...will they find Duke in time? Themes of ingenuity, bravery and collaboration are explored throughout. Intermediate and advanced middle grade readers and those that would benefit from improved reading levels and vocabulary are keen for this mystery. Fans of Diane Mott Davidson and Joanne Fluke will find this chapter book a tween-version in the same genre. Next up is a companion cookbook to The Puppy, The Poison, and The Sore Loser , from the Stellamoch brand.