"Death Under the Dogwoods" By Neil S. Plakcy & Joanna Campbell Slan

Review by Kiana Wall

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

There are a lot of things that make me happy, but a collaboration of novellas between Neil S. Plakcy and Joanna Campbell Slan tops the list. Which is why I was so happy when I was handed their latest book, Death Under the Dogwoods. To quote Hannah Montana, this book is the best of both worlds for readers familiar with Steve Levitan’s world and with Kiki Lowenstein. From the difference in fonts on the title cover to the style of writing, you can tell that readers truly get 2-in-1 in this collection of novellas.

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Steve Levitan has been looking forward to the Dogwood Festival … until he is summoned to a disturbing scene of a dead body under the celebrated dogwoods. He uses his adorable golden retriever Rochester’s intuitive nose and gentle demeanor to solve the mystery. Steve and his friend Rick, the police chief, delve into a deep mystery involving clever deception, misconceptions, and a woman’s troubling past. The mystery wraps itself up in a timely manner while still being deep and reflective.

Meanwhile Kiki’s hometown, Webster Groves, is getting ready to celebrate their own Dogwood Festival. Things become serious when there appears to be something like poison under the dogwoods. Fortunately, Kiki and her dog, Gracie, are on the mystery and find that secrets, issues, and corruption are poisoning the community. I was thrilled to discover a new cozy author that incorporates dogs and deep topics in a mystery setting.

Although I am new to Joanna Campbell Slan, I was pleasantly surprised and yet not surprised by how well this collaboration with Plakcy works. The novellas have a common theme of the gorgeous dogwoods, and while exploring different universes and stories, they complement each other perfectly. For fans of either author, this is the perfect book to reacquaint yourself with your favorite author … and to introduce yourself to a new one.

To enter to win an ebook copy of Death Under the Dogwoods, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "dogwood,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen May 23, 2026. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter.  If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors!

You can click here to purchase this book.

Kiana Wall lives in Reedley, CA and is 17. She enjoys reading, writing, and a number of different crafts in her spare time. She also loves anything to do with horses.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.