Neil S. Plakcy

Neil S. Plakcy (est. birth 1958, in Yardley, PA) - a prolific multi-genre author and retired English professor from Broward College. He is best known for his dog-centered cozy mysteries and gay fiction, including the Mahu series. He lives in Hollywood, Florida, with his husband and their golden retrievers. Best-known for his 22-volume Golden Retriever Mystery series, featuring the Golden Retriever named Rochester and his owner (“permanent guardian and Dad”), Steve Levitan. Steve treats Rochester as a co-investigator with “an uncanny nose for clues” and as a family member. Steve’s Jewish identity is a fundamental part of his character, evolving from a background detail to a central theme as the series progresses. He is a Reform Jew and active synagogue member. Its manifestations:

Tikkun Olam Commitment: Steve’s drive for justice is explicitly framed as an extension of Tikkun Olam—the Jewish concept of “repairing the world”. This spiritual obligation informs his moral compass and motivates his efforts to hold wrongdoers accountable.

Synagogue Life: Steve is an active member of a local synagogue, participating in events like the “Blessing of the Animals”. He also joins a Torah study group led by the local rabbi, which serves as both a spiritual outlet and a plot device for his investigations.

Jewish Education: As an adjunct professor, Steve teaches a course in Jewish American literature, reflecting his intellectual engagement with his heritage. 

Observance of Holidays and Rituals: Major Jewish holidays often serve as the backdrop for specific novels. For instance, Dog Have Mercy (Book 6) integrates Hanukkah traditions—such as lighting the menorah and playing dreidel—into the narrative.

Lifecycle Events: His wedding to Lili is depicted as a traditional Jewish ceremony, incorporating elements like the chuppah and the breaking of the glass, while highlighting the historical context of his wife’s Eastern European Jewish heritage. 

Family History: The series explores Steve’s roots in the Jewish community of Trenton, New Jersey, where he grew up. Investigations often lead him to uncover secrets tied to his family’s past, his childhood congregation, and broader Jewish history, including links to the Holocaust.

Knowledge of Orthodox Culture: In Dog of Deliverance (Book 21), Steve’s Jewish identity allows him to navigate and investigate the insular world of Kiryas Lev, an ultra-religious Orthodox community. [Google/AI]

Key Books in Golden Retriever series with Explicit Jewish Content

Plakcy, Neil S., [Golden Retriever Mystery Series #6], (Dog Have Mercy) [pb, Dimensions, 2015] 978- 1507844960 -  Set during the Hanukkah season, the story weaves traditional holiday elements—such as menorah lighting and dreidel games—into an investigation involving a string of deaths at a nursing home.

Plakcy, Neil S., [Golden Retriever Mystery Series #8], (Dog is in the Details) [pb, Dimensions, 2017] 978-1548767969 - Steve investigates the murder of a rabbi’s brother. The plot explores the history of the Jewish community in Trenton, the role of sacred spaces (synagogues), and the intersection of tradition and modernity.

Plakcy, Neil S., [Golden Retriever Mystery Series #21], (Dog of Deliverance) [pb, independently published, 2025] 979-8287443207 - This installment centers on a Purim carnival where a young Orthodox diamond dealer is found dead. It explores the secretive world of Kiryas Lev, an ultra-religious community, and touches on contemporary social issues within Orthodox culture.