Dog's Breakfast takes the reader behind the scenes as intrigue erupts in a backwater U.S. Embassy when Andy Pulano, the second-in-command, becomes fed up with being treated with less respect than the ambassador's prized Labrador. Craving career advancement, Andy sets out to undermine his boss by instigating a series of crises in their host country of Vodania, which hardly needs any outside help in falling apart. After someone attempts to poison the Labrador, Andy secretly assigns Tara Zadani, a newly arrived junior officer, to investigate.

Never having signed up to be a doggie detective, Tara suspects she's been set up to fail. If so, Andy just invited the wrong girl to the prom. His machinations create enough chaos to put the ambassador on the verge of being sent home in disgrace. Then Tara makes a discovery that puts Andy's entire scheme - and his fevered hopes for a promotion - at risk.