Publishers Weekly
08/08/2022
In Edgar finalist Rosenfelt’s pleasing 26th mystery featuring semiretired Paterson, N.J., lawyer Andy Carpenter (after Holy Chow), Chris Myers, an employee at the Tara Foundation, a dog rescue center Andy runs, needs his help. A disbarred lawyer, Chris was convicted of involuntary manslaughter as the result of a bar fight almost three years earlier. He has always insisted he was innocent of the crime, and now a prominent witness in the case against him has come to Chris saying that he was paid to give false testimony. Before the motion to have Chris’s conviction overturned is processed, though, the recanting witness is found dead, and Chris is arrested for murder. Andy and his investigative team, which includes his wife, Laurie, a former cop with the Paterson, N.J., PD, and Marcus Clark, a “remarkably scary and dangerous” person, who saves Andy’s bacon whenever fisticuffs are called for, set out to clear Chris. In the process, they unmask a nefarious scheme. A nice group of supportive human pals, adorable dogs, and a plot that’s just complicated enough make this a winner. Cozy fans not already familiar with this series should check it out. Agent: Robin Rue, Writers House. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Santa's Little Yelpers
“For twists and turns, a story you can’t put down, and dogs, Rosenfelt’s books fill the bill, especially Santa’s Little Yelpers.” –Kings River Life
“A taut plot, leavened with humor, and packed with heroes, villains and multiple possible motives. . . light a fire, spike the eggnog, cuddle with a dog and settle in for a pleasant evening of engaging crime fiction.” –Free Lance Star
“A nice group of supportive human pals, adorable dogs, and a plot that’s just complicated enough make this a winner.” —Publishers Weekly
“The climactic revelation, as in all of Andy’s best cases, is both head-shakingly incredible and deeply satisfying.” —Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
2022-07-27
Andy Carpenter, that ornament of the Paterson bar, is dragged out of semiretirement yet again by a friend’s formidable legal troubles.
Before he joined the Tara Foundation, Andy’s dog-rescue organization, disbarred attorney Chris Myers served 14 months for killing Joey Bonaventura in a bar fight he was too drunk to remember. No sooner has Charlie Burgess, the star witness against Chris, admitted he was lying than he recants his admission and is found shot to death under circumstances that broadly hint that Chris killed him. Andy, of course, never wants to work, but he can’t say no to Chris. So he sics the members of the K Team on the case. A preliminary review of the legal matters Chris worked on before his law firm let him go produces four cases that might have motivated a double frame-up. The most promising of them is also the most puzzling: Chris’ work on behalf of the citizens of Metuska, Pennsylvania, whose properties were being seized by the local government under the rules of eminent domain. Since the city paid top dollar for the properties and seemed to make no use of them once they were confiscated, Andy can find no reason for the municipal misbehavior. It’s a good thing that his mystification redoubles his commitment to the case, because Chris needs all the help he can get. The climactic revelation, as in all of Andy’s best cases, is both head-shakingly incredible and deeply satisfying.
Not many dogs, even less about Christmas, but this holiday package still delivers the goods.
