y current read is Blind Search, by Paula Munier, the second book in the Mercy Carr mystery series. It is set in Vermont and includes lots of description of local flora and fauna (though not in so much detail that you want to skip over it.) Mercy Carr, the main sleuth in the book, is ex-army and has an army-trained dog (Elvis) to help her out with her investigation. Her sidekick is a game warden and also has a dog (Susie-Bear) trained to track.