The city is abuzz in the leadup to the prestigious Melbourne Kennel Club Championship Dog Show, but when a groomer is found murdered, scandal threatens. With James still keeping Peregrine at arm's length, Peregrine improvises and registers as the handler of the victim's prize collie. Peregrine quickly realizes there's no shortage of rivalry between the dog owners, and that the dog world is much the same as the human one, with female entrants forced down a much more challenging road to success.

On race day, the president of the Sandridge Pigeon Club is discovered dead in the coop, covered in feathers and choked by birdseed. While Peregrine works the case with James, Birdie has her own mysterious mission to complete.