DEATH AT THE DOG HOTEL, the follow-up to Michael Hogan’s charming debut THE DOGWALKER’S DETECTIVE AGENCY, has been acquired by Penguin Michael Joseph. Editor Grace Long bought World All Language rights from Juliet Pickering ahead of publication in paperback, eBook and audio on 19 November 2026. North American rights have been sold to Claiborne Hancock at Pegasus Books – for publication in Summer 2027 – and Italian rights have sold to Edizioni Piemme SpA.
DEATH AT THE DOG HOTEL is a witty and festive locked-room murder mystery. When Charlie Boardman and his fellow dogwalkers are invited to an exclusive new dog-friendly hotel on the outskirts of their seaside hometown of Framstone, they’re looking forward to the ultimate wintery getaway. But when a hotel guest’s body is discovered in suspicious circumstances, the dogwalkers’ staycation takes a turn for the worse. Guests and staff quickly become suspects, and Charlie and his canine-loving friends must pivot from festive thrills to sniffing out the killer in their midst. Who checked into the dog hotel with murder in mind?
‘Crimes will always need solving and dogs will always need walking, so I'm overjoyed to continue the adventures of the Framstone gang and their ragtag pack of hounds,’ said Michael. ‘A locked room mystery at a snowed-in boutique hotel - what could be cosier? I hope readers will enjoy this seasonal sequel as much as I enjoyed writing it. Waggy Christmas, one and all.’
‘It’s been a delight to work with Michael on bringing THE DOGWALKER’S DETECTIVE AGENCY to readers, and I’m thrilled to bring the next instalment, DEATH AT THE DOG HOTEL, to fans of cosy crime and dogs alike!’ added editor Grace Long. ‘With a fantastic cast of characters, warm humour and a wonderfully festive set-up, all tied together with a gripping and twisty mystery, DEATH AT THE DOG HOTEL is the perfect stocking stuffer this Christmas.’
Photo: Clara Molden
About Michael Hogan
Michael Hogan is a writer and editor with a 30-year career in journalism. As a freelance writer for the past 12 years, he’s been TV critic for the Telegraph and written for the Guardian, Observer, Radio Times, Red, Q, Empire, Marie Claire, Grazia, Glamour, InStyle, Esquire, ES and You magazine.
He lives in London with his family and a rescue dog called Ivy. To escape them all and get some work/procrastination done, he commutes to a shed at the bottom of his garden.
Praise for THE DOGWALKER’S DETECTIVE AGENCY
‘This sweet, big-hearted novel is like THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB with Dogs. I horsed through it and found it hugely uplifting. The friendship between the characters is beautiful, and I LOVE the protagonist Charlie. It really kept me guessing – and oh my God, that final FINAL twist! I need more!’ – Marian Keyes
‘Clever, charming and as twisty as a string of sausages stolen from a butcher’s by a Staffy.’ – Adam Kay
‘Michael Hogan is a hilariously funny writer, and this is a total treat’ – Jenni Colgan
‘Brilliant. I inhaled it. This is actually my dream book.’ – Claudia Winkleman
‘Charming, big-hearted, and with a gigantic twist. But frankly, you had me at ‘dogs’. – Jojo Moyes