A Furry Little Christmas

by Laurien Berenson

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Connecticut, but Melanie Travis and her brood of Standard poodles finds surviving the holiday season deadlier than expected in these two cozy mystery holiday romps bundled together for your yuletide pleasure . . .


The perfect stocking stuffer for mystery lovers and fans of dog mysteries by David Rosenfelt and Spencer Quinn!

"The perfect introduction to the delightful Berenson, this volume brings together two previously published novellas—and five standard poodles!—set during Christmas in Connecticut." - firstCLUE

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 . . .

• ISBN10: 1496742079
• ISBN13: 9781496742070
• Publish Date: 26 September 2023
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Kensington Publishing
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 352
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/isbn/9781496742070

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

A Furry Little Christmas is a set of two holiday-themed novella-length mysteries featuring canines galore (and Melanie Travis & co.) by Larien Berenson. Released 26th Sept 2023 by Kensington, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

These are both fully developed novellas and delightfully cozy reads. As always, the author has well developed characters and scene driven plots with well devised mysteries. The denouement and resolution are satisfying in both cases. Both stories are easily read in one sitting (each) and will make a nice interlude and relaxation from holiday stresses. 

Both of the stories were previously published in 2017 and 2019 respectively, but this is a new re-format and re-release from the publisher. The book also includes a teaser chapter from the author's tie-in series featuring Melanie's Aunts Peg & Rose, some background info and author's notes which were fun to read.

Four stars. Likely higher for fans of the author. Very well written and worth a look for fans of Donna Andrews, Nancy Atherton, and Laurie Cass to name a few.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.