Author: Laurien Berenson
Genre: Mystery/Christmas
Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9781496742070
Kensington Cozies
352 Pages
$12.95; $8.81 Amazon
September 26, 2023
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WAGGING THROUGH THE SNOW:
With a demanding teaching job and five poodles scampering around the house, Melanie Travis barely has energy for the upcoming Christmas rush. When an unexpected business venture leads to a dead body, Melanie must run through a flurry of likely suspects and muzzle a dogged murderer in time -- or she'll be next on someone's deadly list.
HERE COMES SANTA PAWS:
As Melanie attempts to deck the halls in a house overrun by pampered Poodles, her event planner friend, Claire, is busy playing Santa for the wealthiest clientele on Connecticut's Gold Coast. But when Claire's stylish stint uncovers a dead body, Melanie and her nosy Aunt Peg dash into a dizzying investigation to rein in a sinister Kris Kringle before they're the next ones on someone's deadly wish list...
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This book is a compilation of two earlier Christmas tales by the author, gathered together in this one book for those who haven't read them (as I haven't) or even for those who are fond of the series and want to re-read them (or even give this as a Christmas gift to your favorite book lover).
In the first book, Melanie's brother Frank has realized a new business opportunity, and bought some land that he thinks can make himself and his business partner -- Melanie's ex-husband -- a nice profit. But it's not very nice when Melanie's son Davey discovers a body. Melanie, along with her determined Aunt Peg, of course, decide to figure out who the dead man is and how he got into the woods. When Melanie starts asking questions, she finds out that he had quite a history, and not a good one. But with all the suspects having motive, how can she figure out which person killed him?...
In the second book, Melanie answered a frantic call from her friend Claire, who is an event planner and personal shopper. When she arrives at the location Claire directs her to, there's a dead body in the house. Claire insists she doesn't know the killer, and, as it turns out, doesn't really know the dead woman, either. An investigation ensues, with the police telling Melanie to butt out, and Melanie paying no attention to them (naturally). When she discovers more about the dead woman, she's sure there's a mystery there besides murder. But who wanted her dead, and why?
I have not read either of these books before this, so they were new to me, which is very nice. I was pleasantly involved in Melanie's trials as both a sleuth and a mother, and the backstory of her home life was woven easily into both stories. They fall in succession, so there's no having to go back into time; and I must say she's married to the most patient man in the universe. My husband, wonderful as he is, would be hanging onto my shirt collar and saying 'no'. (Ha). Her investigation is done well, with asking questions easily, and not pushing people for answers. She instinctively knows when to pull back.
I love Melanie, being smart and inquisitive, but also the love she has for not only her own small family, but the extended one as well. We should all be so lucky. When Melanie finally begins to put everything together (in both books) it brings us to a climax that's definitely worth waiting for. Finding the murderer isn't as easy as one would think, but it leaves a satisfying ending to two tales, and wanting us to fall into Christmas once more. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley, but this in no way influenced my review.
Goodreads: TBA
More on Laurien Berenson's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/laurien-berenson/
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