Peggy Gaffney is a dog lover and breeder of the Samoyed breed for over forty-five years. She has been involved in breeding, training, and exhibiting her champion Samoyeds of Westernesse. Her love for dogs, particularly Samoyeds, is evident in her suspense novel for dog lovers, "Fashion Goes to the Dogs," which has been well-received and honored by Sisters in Crime. The novel, the first in the Kate Killoy Mystery series, is a high-speed chase that pits international intrigue against the world of purebred dogs.
Born and raised in Connecticut, Gaffney spent her early career as a teacher and librarian before encountering Samoyeds in California and becoming enamored with the breed. She returned to Connecticut with her young son, a cat, and four Samoyeds, which were the foundation of many generations of show dogs. Along the way, her Westernesse Samoyeds have won numerous awards, including championships, obedience titles, and group and best in show awards.
Gaffney's dog influence also extended to her business as a knitter and longtime designer. She created a line of dog-themed sweaters and accessories for her fellow exhibitors of show dogs, which became popular and led to the publication of ten knitting books for dog and other pet owners. Her latest book, "Knit a Kitten Purl a Puppy," was published in 2016.
In addition to her writing and breeding, Gaffney is an active member of several organizations, including Connecticut Authors & Publishers, Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime New England, and the Samoyed Club of America. She is currently working on several new books to delight the creative knitter.
Gaffney's experience as a longtime dog breeder has enabled her to create a smart, sassy, fast-paced, romantic suspense series aimed at dog lovers. The series, Kate Killoy Mysteries, has tackled threats in the form of international intrigue, attempted kidnapping, murder, stalking, cyber crimes, hacking, theft of millions, and in her latest adventure, a threat against the United States. The series has been well-received and described as "Die Hard meets Best In Show" by some reviewers.