Santa’s Little Yelpers

Andy Carpenter Mystery Book 26

David Rosenfelt

Minotaur Books

Oct 11^th, 2022

Santa’s Little Yelpers by David Rosenfelt has all the holiday trimmings with a suspenseful plot, humorous dialogue, returning characters, including the K-Team, and cute dogs.

The book covers are always so cute. “I have nothing to do with it.  They come up with it before anyone knows what the book is about. They do a great job. Readers have come to accept that many times the cover has nothing to do with the story.  When the sixth book came out, Play Dead, it was the first time a dog was integral to the plot and that a dog was put on the cover. It sold twice as many copies as any previous books.  From that time on I could write the Manhattan Telephone Directory and it would have a dog on the cover.”

“The dogs serve as a lead into the plot.  They have something to do with why the main character Andy takes the case. In this story I introduce the person of interest, Chris, through his volunteering to take care of a litter of puppies. Many people have told me they skim to the end of the book to make sure Tara, Andy’s Golden Retriever, is still well. She has been holding at seven for the last fifteen years.”

 This plot has Andy contemplating retirement until a friend of his is accused of murder.  Chris Myers was fostering a bunch of retriever puppies found at the Tara Foundation doorstep. Myers, a new employee at the Tara Foundation, did time for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. When Myers discovers a key witness against him lied on the stand, he goes to Andy to ask for representation in getting the conviction overturned. Myers thinks they can have this wrapped up by Christmas, no problem. But then, one of the witnesses who says he was lying and has agreed to come forward, has changed his mind. Chris is furious, goes to the witness’ house to convince him to testify, and finds him dead. Myers is arrested for the crime and Andy has agreed to be his defense attorney to clear him.

Anyone who enjoys a wise-cracking hero will enjoy this book.  The main character, Andy, has many a snide remark, but also gets them back in his face. This is an excellent story with twists and turns.

Comments

comments