Publication Sept.26, 2023
I love Christmas books anytime, especially Christmas books with a big helping of dogs. This dog mystery offers up two novellas from Laurien Berenson, one of my go-to authors, so it was a win-win-win for me.
The stories are set a year apart, focusing on the weeks leading up to Christmas. In the first, "Wagging Through the Snow", Melanie's brother Frank, routinely a thorn in her side but loved, buys unseen a Christmas tree farm. As if that isn't bad enough, especially since he didn't do it with his partner's knowledge, a dead body is found in the trees. What leads them into the deeper part of the tree farm? A strange whimpering sound. Bet you can guess what they find. Who was the dead man and why was he there? Will Melanie be able to find time between herding kids and dogs and shopping and decorating her own home to investigate? Will it get her in trouble?
The second story, "Here Comes Santa Paws", takes place a year later. In this case, three very young Australian Shepherds are dumped in an oversized stocking hung at the end of Aunt Peg's driveway. Melanie is visiting to cuddle puppies when Claire, her ex-husband's current wife, calls, pleading for help. Seems she has stumbled over a body. Who is it? Why are there no real records of the victim's past? Why is the gatehouse she's living in in such poor repair?
Who... oh, enough teasers. Both stories are short, easy reads with strong characters and, yes, lots of dogs. I've increasingly become a fan of character driven books and the characters here are fully fleshed out, even the dogs, and you'll chuckle as you observe the often chaotic scenes at Melanie's home, not to mention her not so adept efforts to evade the strength of will that seems to radiate from Aunt Peg. In my mind, although Melanie is doing the legwork and is the one ultimately in danger, Aunt Peg simply dominates the tale. Needless to say, I'm fully enjoying the new series where Aunt Peg and her sister-in-law Rose are the sleuths, not Melanie, so it was fun to watch the action. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for inviting me along to cuddle with the puppies and watch Melanie and Aunt Peg in action. This series is one of my favorites!
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