First published 2026
Val Caruso takes on what seems like a routine cheating spouse case at Hamilton Park Dog Park in suburban Maryland. Her target is June Kennerson, a former athlete turned housewife who spends her days with her beloved pup. But the investigation becomes complicated when Val meets Alex Reed, a nervous woman hiding from her past who also frequents the dog park. As Val digs deeper into June's life, the three women form an unexpected bond among the colorful regulars at the shabby but cherished park. June begins to pursue what she truly wants, Alex discovers thrills she never imagined, and Val finds herself attached to an unexpectedly demanding canine companion. Their growing friendship faces its biggest test when buried secrets surface and threaten to destroy the trust they've built. The story explores whether their connection can survive the truth about their pasts and what brought them together.
Genres: fiction, friendship, mystery, contemporary
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: found-family, unexpected-bond
Setting: Hamilton Park Dog Park, Maryland
Period: contemporary
320 pages · Hardcover · G.P. Putnam's Sons