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At the beach, in a backyard hammock or late at night in bed, dog mysteries are a fun way to spend your summer reading hours. Several authors have made dogs an integral part of their writing, and if you enjoy a lighthearted mystery, these may be a perfect way to while away the summer.

“Dog on It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery” is the first in a new series by Spencer Quinn. This debut is narrated by Chet, canine detective, and his partner, Bernie Little, of the Little Detective Agency. In their first adventure, Chet and Bernie investigate the disappearance of Madison, a teenage girl who may or may not have been kidnapped, but who definitely has gotten mixed up with some unsavory characters. With his dog ways and charming but hard-boiled voice, Chet is both endearing and, at times, mischievous. Loyal to Bernie, he finds himself trying to figure out idioms (“quiet as a pin”) as well as issues Bernie confronts such as finances, divorce and child custody. Like Bernie, he is a likable and flawed character.

Susan Conant writes the entertaining “Dog Lovers Mysteries” starring Holly Winter of Cambridge, Mass., a trainer of malamutes and writer of a dog column. In her series of 18 books, she and her adopted Alaskan malamute team up to solve mysteries. In her latest, “All Shots,” Holly stumbles upon the corpse of a woman also named Holly Winter, and investigates a crime that might be linked to the town’s third woman of the same name, an academic who happens to be a dog-hater.

“A Pedigree to Die For: A Melanie Travis Mystery” is the first of the Laurien Berenson series. Featuring Melanie Travis, a thirtysomething teacher and single mother, this puzzle involves Melanie when her Uncle Max is found dead in his championship kennel, surrounded by his prize-winning poodles. Posing as a breeder in search of the perfect stud, Melanie hounds Connecticut’s elite canine competitions to find out about the possibility of foul play in the death of her uncle. Murder and romance play a part in this charming series.