by Sandra Murphy

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

Chris Meyers used to be a lawyer. They don’t let you do that anymore after you’ve been convicted of a felony, even if you swear you’re innocent. After all, the jury didn’t believe you, so why should the Bar Association?

Chris approaches Andy Carpenter, who is also a lawyer and would love to be retired, although he does draw the line at manslaughter, just to get out of taking cases. Chris says the only witness against him in the manslaughter case is willing to recant his testimony and explain he was paid to lie.

Unfortunately, the witness changes his mind and is ready to skip town. Chris goes to his house to discuss (well, in loud terms) the sudden change of heart and while the two are talking, a shot is fired, killing Chris’s only way out of the conviction. The police, being suspicious sorts, pin the murder on Chris.

Since Chris works at the Tara Foundation, a rescue organization named after Andy’s super smart golden retriever, Tara, Andy takes the case. After all, Chris was willing to care for a new mama and her eight puppies over the holidays. It’s a puzzler. The bartender says he saw the pair go outside. The witness says he saw the fatal blow. There doesn’t seem to be a connection anywhere. Chris was drinking heavily and often at the time so he’s not a lot of help.

Andy thinks the whole mess might be tied to Chris’s cases as a lawyer, but on the face of it, it’s a slim chance. How do you unravel a fight that leads to death, eminent domain (city seizes your property for the good of the city), a man, twenty years on the job, is suddenly fired, an embezzler, a jeweler, and four thugs to come up with a picture of what really happened? Not to mention, the eight golden retriever puppies at Christmastime.

This is book twenty-six in the popular series. Rosenfelt also writes the K-Team series, three so far, featuring the featuring the ex-cop, the hacker, the beauty, the brains, and the muscle, who investigate when Andy can’t get out of taking a case.

For twists and turns, a story you can’t put down, and dogs, Rosenfelt’s books fill the bill, especially Santa’s Little Yelpers. Once again, look for Rosenfelt on my Best of 2022 List.

To enter to win a copy of Santa’s Little Yelpers, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “yelpers” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 17, 2022. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If you are entering via email please include you mailing address in case you win, it will be deleted after the contest. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify. A new Christmas episode went up this week.

You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the Amazon link. You can also click here to purchase the book.

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She’s editor for Peace, Love, and Crime: Crime Stories Inspired by the Songs of the ’60s, with twenty-two cozy stories. She also edited A Murder of Crows, twenty-one stories featuring animals and crime (no animals were harmed). She also writes for magazines, newsletters, and the occasional guest blog. Both anthologies are available at the usual outlets, print or ebook.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.