Meet the Author

Meet Author Peggy Gaffney: A Life Fueled by Dogs, Creativity, and Suspense

Peggy Gaffney’s journey to becoming an author has been as dynamic and exciting as her novels. A lifelong lover of purebred dogs—especially Samoyeds—her adventure began in 1968 when she welcomed her first Samoyed puppy as a graduate student’s wife. This remarkable pup not only excelled in the show ring and obedience trials, but made history. In 1971, he traveled from California to New Jersey, where he won the prestigious Samoyed Club of America Specialty. He then competed in Mexico City, becoming an International Champion, earning four Group 1s and Best in Show—the first Samoyed ever to achieve this title in Mexico. Later, he retired from competition to work with special needs children. Over the decades, Peggy bred multiple generations of Westernesse Samoyeds, a distinguished line that continues to thrive in the show world today.

Beyond the dog world, Peggy built an impressive career in education, serving as a university and public librarian, as well as a school librarian and teacher at both the middle and elementary levels. After 25 years, she retired from education to pursue her passion for knitting design, launching Kanine Knits—a business dedicated to custom-knit sweaters and accessories for dog lovers. Her unique breed-specific designs were showcased at top-tier dog events, including Westminster. Over the years, she crafted hundreds of custom sweaters and authored knitting books featuring patterns for over 100 breeds.

But storytelling was always in her blood. Remembering her early college aspirations of being a writer, she transitioned once again—this time into the world of suspense fiction. The result? The thrilling Kate Killoy Mystery series is written for dog lovers who enjoy fast-paced intrigue with a touch of humor and heart. Kate, a savvy designer of boutique dog-themed fashion, juggles her career with raising and showing dogs—while also solving high-stakes crimes. The series, now nine books strong with a tenth on the way, features a cast of memorable characters, compelling mysteries, and brilliant and heroic dogs.

Today, Peggy lives in Connecticut with her beloved Samoyeds, continuing to weave suspense, adventure, and the unbreakable bond between people and dogs into every book she writes.