Santa’s Little Yelpers: An Andy Carpenter Mystery

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.)