A Mac Faraday Mystery: Book 15
Publication Date: October 13, 2026
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.
Canine chaos erupts as murder and theft loom over an elite dog show at the Spencer Inn.
Author Lauren Carr serves up the latest Mac Faraday mystery with Best in Murder. Thanks to a helpful character guide introducing both two-legged and four-legged participants, readers new to the series will have no problem settling in.
As with previous adventures, the retired detective shares the spotlight with his canine companion, Gnarly. Gnarly’s role historically generates plenty of laughter, especially his penchant for theft.
However, this time around, Gnarly plays a significant role in sniffing out the truth amid an array of pampered, pedigreed pooches.
The human element also reflects the author’s signature flair for weaving humor into the plot. Not only is there some competition between the Spencer Police Department and the Garrett County Sheriff’s Department, but it also plays an integral role in the storyline’s development.
Best in Murder delivers a mystery full of twists that only someone like Mac Faraday—and Gnarly—can untangle.
 
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.
SEP 29 – @adriftinfctionalworld – book review
SEP 29 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / guest post
SEP 29 – CRYSTAL AND DAISY MAE’S PHOTO-BLOGGING SITE – book review
​SEP 30 – Books1987 – book spotlight
SEP 30 – Novels Alive – book review
OCT 1 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review
OCT 1 – FUONLYKNEW – book review / author interview
OCT 1 – From the TBR Pile – book spotlight / guest post
OCT 2 – Ashley Martinez – book spotlight
OCT 5 – Bigreadersite – book review
OCT 6 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post
OCT 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – book spotlight / guest post
OCT 8 – Nighttime Reading Center – book review
OCT13 – The Brave Bookshelf with Kim Bartosch – book review
OCT 13 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / guest post
OCT 14 – @Leannebookstagram – book review
OCT 20 – Liese’s Blog – book spotlight
OCT 21 – M.F. Jones – Writer – book review
OCT 22 – Deal Sharing Aunt – book review / author interview
OCT 27 – Sarandipity’s – book spotlight
NOV 9 – Adventurous Jessy – book review
