A Matter of Pedigree by Leslie Meier Narrator: Coleen Marlo
Series: A Carole and Poopsie Mystery #1
Published by Dreamscape Media on September 30, 2025
Source: NetGalley
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Length: 6 hrs 27 mins
Pages: 256
Format: Audiobook
Purchase at Bookshop.org or Libro.fm
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The author of the popular Lucy Stone mysteries returns with this brand-new series about two newly wealthy Rhode Island empty-nesters.
Carole Capobianco has always counted her blessings, but it’s even more fun now that she and her husband Frank are finally making serious money, thanks to Frank’s newly patented Bye-Bye Toilet. With the kids finally on their own, Carole and Frank are empty-nesters, which will give her uninterrupted time to add to her impressive shoe collection—and lavish care on Poopsie, her beloved, very spoiled Brittany spaniel. The cherry on top is a hefty bid on a luxury co-op in a prestige building . . .
But that dream is quickly flushed when the offer is refused by venture capitalist Hosea Brown. Hearing the claim that the Capobiancos won’t fit into their wealthy, snooty community, Frank is outraged enough to roar something about killing that “old Yankee” on his way out the door. Three months later, Carole is shocked by the news that Hosea has been bludgeoned to death.
When Carole learns Hosea was one of the backers of a big new construction project for which Frank’s company has also been contracted, she’s worried. And that worry grows with every new twist in the case that’s discovered. Armed with her favorite Jimmy Choos and her beloved, if quirky, Poopsie, Carole sets out to clear Frank’s name—and just maybe save their lives . . .
I had high hopes for A Matter of Pedigree. I like starting a series at the beginning and Carole and Frank Capobianco sounded like a good couple to base a series around. Turned out I was not a fan.
Carole and Frank are newly wealthy, thanks to a toilet Frank invented. They make a too high offer on a fancy apartment, but are rejected as “not the right people.” When the property owner is found dead, Frank becomes a suspect and Carole takes it upon herself to prove his innocence.
While I loved Frank’s parents and the delicious Italian foods they cook, Carole and Frank themselves were annoying. I think Carole’s supposed to be funny and quirky, but she’s mostly just self-centered and I got tired of hearing about all of the luxury brand items she wore/used. I could have liked her dog, Poopsie, but she was not a great dog owner. She basically drugged the poor puppy so it would stop barking. I understand reactive dogs, the ones you can only walk when other people aren’t around – I have one, but I’m not sure I really need one in a cozy mystery, Frank wasn’t particularly likable either, and their son, Frank O, was supposedly an artist, but his main traits seemed to be lazy and has blue hair.
The mystery was fine, and maybe the twist was that the solution was actually fairly simple.
I listened to the audio and the narrator did a good job. For better or worse, she was able to get the the right mix of rich snob and blue collar roots.
About Leslie Meier
Leslie Meier lives in Harwich, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She is the creator of ‘Lucy Stone’, a reporter and amateur sleuth in New England.
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