Peg and Rose Play the Ponies

I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes at first when I saw ‘dog shows and murder’—how many times can that premise work? But *Peg and Rose Play the Ponies* won me over by refusing to be cute. Berenson writes Peg and Rose as fully realized women, not just quirky detective archetypes. Peg’s pragmatism clashes deliciously with Rose’s chaos, and their dynamic carries the story even when the plot’s pacing stumbles (more on that later). The murder investigation hinges on workplace resentments and family secrets, not parlor-game tricks, which keeps the stakes feeling personal. Margaret Strom’s narration is a masterclass in tonal balance. She gives Rose a rasp that suggests a lifetime of cigarettes and bad decisions, while Peg’s voice is steadier, but with a hint of exhaustion—like she’s two steps away from snapping at everyone. The production is clean, though I docked half a star for a few odd pauses during dialogue transitions that broke the flow. My bigger critique? The middle act drags when the sleuthing relies too heavily on convenient overheard conversations. But the final act delivers a payoff that’s both surprising and emotionally satisfying, especially in how it tests Peg and Rose’s loyalty. If you’re tired of cozies where the worst consequence is a ruined batch of scones, this one’s got teeth.