How to Read the Paw Enforcement Series
Written by former tax attorney and state assistant attorney general Diane Kelly, the Paw Enforcement series is a delightful blend of cozy mystery, light romance, and police procedural elements. Set against the lively backdrop of Fort Worth, Texas, the books feature rookie officer Megan Luz and her K-9 partner, Brigit, a sassy German Shepherd mix who often has her own opinions on Megan's life, cases, and police work.
Because the overarching relationship between Megan and bomb-squad expert Seth Rutledge, as well as Megan's career trajectory and her bond with Brigit, develops sequentially across the books, we highly recommend reading the series in chronological order. However, the standalone nature of each case means you can easily read them in publication order without losing track of the mystery plots.
Paw Enforcement Books in Chronological Order
Reading the series chronologically allows you to integrate the novellas exactly where they fall in the timeline of Megan's life and career. Here is the recommended chronological reading path:
- Paw Enforcement (2014)
- Paw and Order (2014)
- Laying Down the Paw (2015)
- Upholding the Paw (2015) – Novella #3.5
- Against the Paw (2016)
- Above the Paw (2016)
- Love Unleashed (2017) – Novella #5.5
- Enforcing the Paw (2017)
- The Long Paw of the Law (2018)
- Paw of the Jungle (2019)
- Bending the Paw (2020)
- Pawfully Wedded (2024)
Paw Enforcement Books in Publication Order
If you prefer to read the books as they were released to the public, the order is almost identical to the chronological timeline. The publication sequence is as follows:
- Paw Enforcement (2014)
- Paw and Order (2014)
- Laying Down the Paw (2015)
- Upholding the Paw (2015) – Novella
- Against the Paw (2016)
- Above the Paw (2016)
- Enforcing the Paw (2017)
- Love Unleashed (2017) – Novella
- The Long Paw of the Law (2018)
- Paw of the Jungle (2019)
- Bending the Paw (2020)
- Pawfully Wedded (2024)
Detailed Look at the Paw Enforcement Books
1. Paw Enforcement (2014)
The book that started it all introduces Fort Worth rookie police officer Megan Luz, who lands herself in hot water after a run-in with a sexist colleague. As punishment, her lieutenant assigns her to the K-9 unit with Brigit, a stubborn German Shepherd mix. When a bomber begins targeting a local shopping mall, Megan and Brigit must set aside their differences to solve the case, with help from handsome bomb-squad specialist Seth Rutledge and his dog, Blast.
2. Paw and Order (2014)
Megan and Brigit return to tackle a series of thefts at the Fort Worth Stockyards during a major rodeo tournament. As they hunt for a thief dubbed "Robin Hood," Megan's relationship with Seth Rutledge continues to heat up, while Brigit keeps them grounded with her humorous canine observations about human behavior, dog treats, and police procedures.
3. Laying Down the Paw (2015)
When a dog-napping ring starts operating in Fort Worth, Megan and Brigit take the investigation personally. The case brings them face-to-face with the dark underbelly of pet theft and illegal animal sales. Their teamwork is put to the test as they work to reunite stolen pets with their families and bring the perpetrators to justice.
4. Upholding the Paw (2015) – Novella #3.5
This quick-read novella follows the K-9 team as they track down a group of thieves conducting a series of high-stakes burglaries across the city. It provides a fun, fast-paced bridge between the third and fourth full-length novels, focusing on Brigit’s instincts and Megan’s sharp investigative wits.
5. Against the Paw (2016)
Megan and Brigit find themselves investigating a murder at a local veterinary clinic. With a clinic full of suspects, including eccentric pet owners and competitive veterinarians, the K-9 duo must sift through clues and animal behavior to identify the killer before they strike again.
6. Above the Paw (2016)
The stakes are raised when a malicious perpetrator begins poisoning dogs in local Fort Worth parks. To protect Brigit and the city's pets, Megan must work quickly to track down the offender. The investigation is deeply personal for Megan, showcasing the strong emotional bond that has formed between her and her furry partner.
7. Love Unleashed (2017) – Novella #5.5
Unlike the other installments, this companion novella shifts focus to a kindergarten teacher, Jessica Bellingham, and firefighter Louie DeLuca. When Jessica finds a stray Dalmatian puppy and Louie visits her classroom for fire safety week, sparks fly. This charming story expands the community of Fort Worth and provides a sweet side romance.
8. Enforcing the Paw (2017)
Back on the beat, Megan and Brigit investigate a string of construction site robberies. The case becomes complicated as they deal with suspicious contractors, competitive builders, and changing dynamics within the police department, all while Megan tries to maintain her work-life balance.
9. The Long Paw of the Law (2018)
When a baby is left abandoned at a local fire station, Megan and Brigit are called in to assist with the investigation. Their search leads them to a reclusive, secretive religious sect on the outskirts of the city. Megan must navigate complex social dynamics and deeply buried secrets to uncover the truth behind the child's identity.
10. Paw of the Jungle (2019)
The action moves to the Fort Worth Zoo, where someone is poaching and smuggling exotic animals. Megan and Brigit must track down the wildlife traffickers. The book highlights the dark world of illegal animal trades and features Brigit interacting with various exotic zoo animals.
11. Bending the Paw (2020)
Megan and Brigit investigate corporate espionage and a suspicious death at a major manufacturing corporation. Navigating white-collar crime proves to be a different kind of challenge for the K-9 unit, requiring Megan to use her sharpest analytical skills while Brigit keeps her nose to the ground.
12. Pawfully Wedded (2024)
The latest installment finds Megan Luz and firefighter Seth Rutledge preparing for their wedding. However, crime doesn't take a honeymoon. The police department is disrupted by a series of dangerous fake active-shooter "swatting" calls, while a mysterious arsonist targets local firefighters. Megan, Seth, and Brigit must work together to neutralize the threats before they can walk down the aisle.
What to Know Before You Start
The Paw Enforcement series is celebrated for its dual perspective. While the story is primarily driven by Megan's first-person narrative, Diane Kelly weaves in delightful third-person italicized segments from Brigit's point of view. These sections show Brigit's thoughts on human eccentricities, her love for bacon, and her professional assessment of police work, adding a layer of lighthearted humor that sets the series apart from standard procedurals.
Diane Kelly's real-life experiences shine through the pages. As a graduate of the Mansfield Citizens Police Academy, she uses her knowledge of K-9 training and law enforcement procedures to keep the cases realistic, even as she maintains the warm, humorous tone expected of cozy mysteries.