The Man in the Dog Park offers the reader a rare window into homeless life. Spurred by a personal relationship with a homeless man who became her co-author, Cathy A. Small takes a compelling look at what it means and what it takes to be homeless. Interviews and encounters with dozens of homeless people lead us into a world that most have never seen. We travel as an intimate observer into the places that many homeless frequent, including a community shelter, a day labor agency, a panhandling corner, a pawn shop, and a HUD housing office. Through these personal stories, we witness the obstacles that homeless people face, and the ingenuity it takes to negotiate life without a home. The Man in the Dog Park points to the ways that our own cultural assumptions and blind spots are complicit in US homelessness and contribute to the degree of suffering that homeless people face. At the same time, Small, Kordosky and Moore show us how our own sense of connection and compassion can bring us into touch with the actions that will lessen homelessness and bring greater humanity to the experience of those who remain homeless. The raw emotion of The Man in the Dog Park will forever change your appreciation for, and understanding of, the homeless life so many deal with outside of the limelight of contemporary society.

PRE-ORDER BONE OF CONTENTION, THE BRAND NEW DOG PARK DETECTIVES NOVEL, COMING SPRING 2025. Murder is never just a walk in the park . . . When friends Louise and Irina find a dead body in the local park whilst walking their dogs, they are soon drawn into the mystery of who murdered local entrepreneur Phil Creasey. Phil used to be a member of their dog walking community – nicknamed ‘the Pack’ – until the death of his cockapoo, and the Pack feel they owe it to Phil to investigate his death. But with Louise and Irina leading the charge, it isn’t long until they’re neck-deep in local gangs, stolen motorcycles and a disturbing string of poisonings. Have the Pack bitten off more than they can chew, or can they follow their noses and solve the crime? The Dog Park Detectives is a joyous and fur-ociously entertaining murder mystery for fans of dogs and cosy crime, and the first in a pawfully exciting new series that is perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Robert Thorogood. ‘More good dogs than I've ever seen in a single book! Oh, and a grisly, puzzling murder to solve, with lots of twists and red herrings. But really, I'm here for the pooches, and you should be too’ Antony Johnston ‘Howling good fun, with a plot twisty enough to get any dogged armchair detective barking up the wrong tree. I loved it – just don't tell my cats!’ Fiona Leitch ‘Adored The Dog Park Detectives! Brilliantly written, with quirky characters, dogs and a dash of murder, I ripped through this in two sittings. Perfect cosy crime’ Lisa Hall ‘A pacy and entertaining murder mystery that’s a must-read for all dog-loving crime fans. Go the Dog Park Detectives!’ A. K. Turner ‘Totally PAWSOME – I was hooked from the very first page and Mara weaves a special cosy magic throughout with rich characters and a fascinating, twisty plot. A brilliant whodunnit and all delivered with the deftest of touches. Unputdownable!’ Jonathan Whitelaw, author of The Bingo Hall Detectives ‘An absolute delight to read. Like a lovely, summery stroll in the park - specifically the dog park’ Kat Ailes, author of The Expectant Detectives ‘A fun murder mystery with plenty of leads to get tangled and clues to sniff out!’ Sarah Yarwood-Lovett ‘I loved it. As someone allergic to furry animals, it was nice to hang out fictionally with "the Pack" as they sniffed out the evidence and did their best not to tangle up dog leads on their quest to find a murderer. With memorable owners and even bigger dog personalities, this series is set to run and run’ Joy Kluver

Taylor Fyre never thought he'd find love at the dog park, but when he spots Nicky Campbell and his dog, Nagy, he begins to think the impossible is possible. Taylor Fyre isn't wild about dogs. He's got serious reservations about the animals and the last thing he wants to do is cover a story about the dog park. When he arrives at the park, he realizes facing his fears won't be easy, but if Nicky Campbell is part of the healing process, he's ready to start. The handsome, tattooed mechanic makes him want to bare his soul. But Nicky's got a dog and things could get sticky. Nicky Campbell would rather keep to himself than talk to new people. He's tired of being labeled dangerous because of his tattoos. His dog, Nagy, a pit bull mix, faces the same discrimination. When Nicky runs into Taylor at the dog park, he expects a fight. But the more they talk, the more he's drawn to the polished reporter. If he and Taylor can overcome their differences and be themselves, they might find they have plenty in common and can have the forever they both deserve. Reader advisory: This book contains expressions of homophobia, references to male prostitution and reference to past abuse at the hands of an uncle.

When the nurturing nature of women meets the loyalty and unguarded affection of dogs, remarkable stories ensue. This book showcases these amazing connections and the resulting courageous and compassionate acts of love and healing they bring about.

The stakes couldn't be higher in this sequel to THE FACILITATOR - VOLUME I Life was good but was now being threatened by a commitment made years ago to a notorious drug lord. Follow The Facilitator's perilous journey as he traverses between the worlds of opulence in sunny Southern California and the darkness of a crime plagued Mexican drug cartel. Can the two worlds be reconciled and, if so, at what price?

Matthew Margolis is a nationally syndicated lifestyle columnist for Creators Syndicate. This is a collection of the very best of Dog Talk with Uncle Matty from 2014.