Emerson Smith has always fancied herself something of a sleuth, but when the chance for some real sleuthing arises, her skills are put to the test! An aspiring author and full-time dog-sitter, Emerson is the kind of neighbor everyone wishes they had. She always picks up after her dogs and she never fails to welcome neighborhood newcomers with a freshly baked pie. Recently, however, Emerson has noticed that one of her elderly neighbors, the owner of an ornery English bulldog named Carmine, has gone missing. When a new face shows up in the old man’s home, Emerson is determined to get to the bottom of things. The question is, is Emerson as much of a sleuth as she aspires to be or has she seen the last of the old man and the cantankerous Carmine?