The Dead Man in Indian Creek by Mary Downing Hahn

I got this off our home bookshelf. I remember reading it a while back and thinking it was a pretty good story. The cover looks pretty dopey (and young), which is too bad since the story is about a couple of seventh grade boys. I might add it to the CMSW collection (second copy) because it fits so well with the mystery unit. It's pretty far-fetched (drug dealer / murderer threatens one boy's mom and her boss / boyfriend, but they all get away okay). I loved the character of the dog, though! Otis saves the day (and is a German shepherd - bonus). Here's a picture of our Pepper at the lake: