Michael Hogan’s cosy canine sequel DEATH AT THE DOG HOTEL acquired by Penguin Michael Joseph

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

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Penguin Michael Joseph acquires ‘charming, witty’ debut, THE DOGWALKERS’ DETECTIVE AGENCY by Michael Hogan

Penguin Michael Joseph has acquired World All Language rights in Michael Hogan’s debut novel, THE DOGWALKERS’ DETECTIVE AGENCY, from Juliet Pickering.

THE DOGWALKERS’ DETECTIVE AGENCY is a charming, witty murder mystery set in the sleepy coastal town of Framstone. When Charlie Boardman and his beloved Staffy, Ruby, stumble across a corpse in the woods, the tight-knit community is rocked by the discovery that the local pub landlord has been murdered. Charlie and his fellow dogwalkers take it upon themselves to try and sniff out any clues that might help the police. But when they uncover the second body, it’s time for them to follow their noses – and collar a killer.

Grace Long commented: ‘THE DOGWALKERS’ DETECTIVE AGENCY has everything I love in a cosy crime novel. Hogan’s writing is packed with wit, warmth, humour and charm, with a wonderful cast of characters and their canine companions for readers to fall in love with. With an intriguing mystery at its heart and some fantastic twists and turns, readers and dog lovers are in for a real treat.’

Michael Hogan added: ‘I read a lot of crime fiction and go on a lot of dog walks, so the idea for THE DOGWALKERS’ DETECTIVE AGENCY just seemed to wag its away into my brain and onto the page. I'm thrilled to be working with the mighty team at Penguin Michael Joseph, which publishes some of my favourite authors and is the perfect home for my debut novel.’

Juliet Pickering said: ‘When Michael first told me about his idea for a group of dogwalkers investigating a murder (or two), his pitch was so brilliant that it persuaded me to expand my list to include crime writing! I’ve really enjoyed working with him on this book, and am thrilled that Grace and her colleagues felt just as excited and intrigued by this band of disparate mates, mutts and murderers. THE DOGWALKERS’ DETECTIVE AGENCY is frequently hilarious, but often thoughtful and poignant too, and I can’t wait to see what Ruby, Charlie and co. do next…’

THE DOGWALKERS’ DETECTIVE AGENCY will publish in paperback original and ebook in October 2025.

 

Photo credit: Clara Molden

About Michael Hogan

Michael Hogan is a writer and editor with a 30-year career in journalism. After running his own magazine while studying English at Durham, he did a postgraduate diploma in magazine journalism at City University.

He began his frankly ludicrous career by being the “token boy” at teen mags More! and Just 17, became editor of Sky Magazine, launched Zoo, and worked on the likes of FHM, ShortList, Stylist and Heat. As a freelance writer for the past 12 years, he’s been TV critic for The Telegraph and written for The Guardian, The Observer, Radio Times, Red, Q, Empire, Marie Claire, Grazia, Glamour, InStyle, Esquire, ES and You Magazine.

Michael now writes mainly about TV and pop culture, but also turns his hand to lifestyle pieces, topical comment, celebrity interviews and humorous articles. He’s also a live-blogger, script-tickler, copywriter and editorial consultant for the National TV Awards. He even DJs under the name “Mr Sparkles” (long story). He’s a worryingly prolific tweeter, and makes regular appearances on TV and radio.

He lives in London with his partner, their two children 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.

 

Follow Michael on BlueSky and X (previously Twitter).