Where to Start with Carol Lea Benjamin
For most readers, the best starting point is This Dog for Hire (1996), the first novel in her acclaimed Rachel Alexander and Dash mystery series. This book introduces Rachel Alexander, a Greenwich Village dog trainer turned private investigator, and her loyal partner Dashiell (Dash), a spayed female pit bull. Starting here allows you to experience the natural evolution of Rachel's relationships, Dash's aging process, and the changing landscape of New York City over the years.
If you are interested in non-fiction, her landmark dog training book, Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog (originally published in 1985), is widely regarded as a classic in canine behavior literature. It is an excellent entry point for pet owners seeking positive, natural training methods.
Rachel Alexander and Dash Mysteries in Publication Order
The Rachel Alexander and Dash series consists of nine novels. The publication order matches the internal chronological order of the characters' lives, making it the highly recommended way to read the series.
- This Dog for Hire (1996) – Rachel is hired to find a missing Basenji named Magritte and investigate the suspicious hit-and-run death of an artist on a Greenwich Village pier. This debut won the Shamus Award for Best First P.I. Novel.
- The Dog Who Knew Too Much (1997) – Rachel investigates the apparent suicide of a young t'ai chi teacher, immersing herself in the Greenwich Village martial arts scene while caring for the victim's one-eyed Akita.
- A Hell of a Dog (1998) – Rachel and Dash go undercover at a prestigious Manhattan dog-training symposium after a celebrity dog trainer dies under mysterious circumstances.
- Lady Vanishes (1999) – Working undercover as a dog therapist, Rachel searches for a missing therapy dog and uncovers dark secrets hidden within a wealthy Manhattan family.
- The Wrong Dog (2000) – Hired by an epileptic woman whose bull terrier service dog has vanished, Rachel and Dash uncover a dangerous cloning conspiracy.
- The Long Good Boy (2001) – Rachel is hired by a group of transvestite sex workers in Greenwich Village to solve the murder of their friend.
- Fall Guy (2004) – Rachel investigates the suspicious death of a police officer she met at a 9/11 survivors' support group, navigating the trauma and changes in New York City.
- Without a Word (2005) – Rachel is tasked with locating a missing woman and works to help the woman's traumatized, silent young daughter find her voice again.
- The Hard Way (2006) – In the final book of the series, Rachel and Dash go undercover among New York City's homeless population to track down a murderer.
Chronological Caveats and Series Continuity
While each mystery features a self-contained case that is fully resolved by the end of the book, reading out of order is not recommended. The overarching narrative depends heavily on character growth and chronological events. Over the course of the series, Rachel experiences personal losses, enters new relationships, and navigates the deep psychological impact of historical events such as the 9/11 attacks in Fall Guy. Furthermore, Dash ages realistically throughout the series, and her physical condition changes over time, culminating in the gritty street-level investigation of The Hard Way.
Young Adult Standalone Novels
Before launching her mystery series, Carol Lea Benjamin wrote two standalone young adult novels. These books showcase her early talent for exploring adolescent struggles and family dynamics, often featuring animals as therapeutic figures.
- The Wicked Stepdog (1982) – Follows adolescent Louise Branford as she deals with her parents' divorce and the arrival of her new stepmother, who brings along a golden retriever named Beany.
- Nobody's Baby Now (1983) – The story of 15-year-old Olivia Singer, who struggles with her self-image, first love, and the emotional responsibility of helping care for her invalid grandmother.
Non-Fiction and Dog Training Guides
Benjamin is just as famous for her canine behavior books as she is for her fiction. Drawing on her decades of experience as a professional dog trainer, these books combine practical, empathetic advice with her own hand-drawn cartoons.
- Dog Training For Kids (1976) – Her debut non-fiction guide, designed to teach children how to train their pets using positive reinforcement.
- Cartooning for Kids (1982) – A creative, step-by-step instructional guide helping children learn the basics of drawing cartoons.
- Dog Tricks (1982) – Co-authored with Captain Arthur Haggerty, this book details fun and advanced tricks to teach your dog.
- Writing for Kids (1985) – A non-fiction guide focused on helping young people develop their creative writing and storytelling skills.
- Dog Problems (1989) – A troubleshooting guide addressing common behavioral issues such as barking, chewing, and aggression.
- The Chosen Puppy (1990) – A practical manual on selecting and raising a puppy, with a strong focus on adopting from animal shelters.
- Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence (1993) – A positive training program tailored to helping owners handle dogs during their difficult teenage stage.
- Dog Training in 10 Minutes (1997) – A guide demonstrating how to fit effective training sessions into a busy daily schedule.
- Mother Knows Best (2002 edition / 1985 original) – A classic manual on natural dog training methods modeled on how mother dogs teach their puppies.
- Dog Smart (2007) – Insights into understanding how dogs think, learn, and communicate.
- Second-Hand Dog (2008 edition / 1988 original) – The definitive guide to adopting, training, and socializing rescue and shelter dogs.
- See Spot Sit (2008) – A simplified guide focusing on basic obedience and good behavior.
- Do Border Collies Dream of Sheep? (2010) – A deep dive into canine intelligence, intuition, and the emotional lives of dogs.