ARC Review: Santa's Little Yelpers by David Rosenfelt

Santa's Little Yelpers
Author: David Rosenfelt
Series: Andy Carpenter (Book 26)
Publication: Minotaur Books (October 11, 2022)

Description: Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his humorous investigating team return in Santa's Little Yelpers, the next Yuletide mystery in David Rosenfelt’s bestselling series.

'Tis the season in Paterson, New Jersey: Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, are surrounded by holiday cheer. It’s even spread to the Tara Foundation. The dog rescue organization, not used to having puppies, has their hands full with a recent litter. Eight puppies are a lot to handle, and Andy is relieved when his co-worker Chris Myers agrees to foster them.

Myers, a newer employee at the Tara Foundation, did time for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. When Myers discovers a key witness against him lied on the stand, he goes to Andy to ask for representation in getting the conviction overturned. Myers thinks they can have this wrapped up by Christmas, no problem.

But when the witness is murdered, and Myers is arrested for the crime, things go from bad to worse. Suddenly, it’s all elves on deck to make a list and check it twice, so they can prove Myers is innocent.

My Thoughts: Andy's Christmas break is disturbed when one of the best volunteers at his dog rescue is arrested for murder. Disbarred attorney Chris Myers had already been convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served his term. Now, Charlie Burgess who was witness against him has contacted him to say that he was paid to lie. 

When Chris goes to see the wavering witness, he arrives just in time for someone to shoot Burgess. Three hours later, Chris is arrested. 

Andy gathers the team together to plan Chris's defense. But there are few ways for them to progress. Chris has always said that he didn't think he killed Joey Bonaventura behind that bar. But he admitted that he was very drunk at the time. Once Andy starts investigating, the first roadblock is that Bonaventura apparently didn't exist. Sam, his computer geek, can't find anything older than six months about him.

While they are trying to find out more about Bonaventura, they also want to look into the cases he was working on at the time of the first arrest and trial. Chris doesn't remember much about them since he was drinking so heavily at the time. But they do provide another avenue for research.

This was another entertaining episode of Andy Carpenter, reluctant lawyer, and his band of colleagues. I liked that it takes place during the Christmas season which gives Andy a lot to be snarky about. Since the story is told from Andy's viewpoint and in his voice opportunities for snark and sarcasm are abundant.

Fans of the series won't want to miss this latest episode. 

Favorite Quote:

Even though I'm with Marcus, these situations unnerve me. I always have to remind myself that the worst thing I can do is show that nervousness. The best way not to show it is to be a sarcastic wiseass. That I can do with no problem whatsoever.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews

The Belle of Belgrave Square
Author: Mimi Matthews
Series: Belles of London (Book 2)
Publication: Berkley (October 11, 2022)

Description: A London heiress rides out to the wilds of the English countryside to honor a marriage of convenience with a mysterious and reclusive stranger.

Tall, dark, and dour, the notorious Captain Jasper Blunt was once hailed a military hero, but tales abound of his bastard children and his haunted estate in Yorkshire. What he requires now is a rich wife to ornament his isolated ruin, and he has his sights set on the enchanting Julia Wychwood.

For Julia, an incurable romantic cursed with a crippling social anxiety, navigating a London ballroom is absolute torture. The only time Julia feels any degree of confidence is when she’s on her horse. Unfortunately, a young lady can’t spend the whole of her life in the saddle, so Julia makes an impetuous decision to take her future by the reins—she proposes to Captain Blunt.

In exchange for her dowry and her hand, Jasper must promise to grant her freedom to do as she pleases. To ride—and to read—as much as she likes without masculine interference. He readily agrees to her conditions, with one provision of his own: Julia is forbidden from going into the tower rooms of his estate and snooping around his affairs. But the more she learns of the beastly former hero, the more intrigued she becomes…

My Thoughts: This was an entertaining historical romance. Julia Wychwood is an heiress who suffers from severe social anxiety and who is under the thumb of her electively invalid parents. They are determined that she would never leave them through a marriage that would take her out of London. Unbeknownst to her they have turned away any potential suitors who would remove her from London and their influence.

Captain Jasper Blunt has come to London looking for an heiress so that he can restore his newly inherited estate and care for his three bastard children. He is a hero of the Crimean War but his scarred countenance and lack of funds don't make him the most eligible of suitors.

However, Julia and Jasper bond over their love of novels. He is also very helpful when the crush of society gets to be too much for her. When her parents' chosen suitor becomes overly familiar, Jasper is there to send him on his way. He also rescues her from her home when her parents call in a doctor who bleeds her twice in a very short time period leaving her too weak to leave on her own.

He takes her to his home in rural Yorkshire where she is much happier even though the children aren't immediately cordial. However, her father isn't so quick to let her go. He does what he can to hold up her access to the money she inherited from an aunt which is needed to make estate improvements.

Also Jasper is keeping a number of secrets which make it hard for them to become closer. Those secrets threaten their relationship more than her father's actions. She will have to overcome some of her fear of her parents if she wants her new life to become permanent.

I enjoyed both characters. The time period was interesting as well. Women's rights and the laws of the time have a lot to do with the plot of this story. I loved the information about the growth of novels and novel reading and the beliefs about novels that were prevalent. 

Fans of historical romances with accurate history will enjoy this story.

Favorite Quote:

"The law is a strange beast," Mr. Finchley said. "We must respect it and abide by it. Our society couldn't function if we didn't. But laws aren't synonymous with justice."

"You believe there's a distinction?"

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Dashing Through the Snowbirds by Donna Andrews

Dashing Through the Snowbirds
Author: Donna Andrews
Series: Meg Langslow Mysteries (Book 32)
Publication: Minotaur Books (October 11, 2022)

Description: Dashing Through the Snowbirds is the next merry installment of Donna Andrews's New York Times bestselling Meg Langslow mystery series.

Christmas in Caerphilly is wonderful! Unless you’re a Canadian whose inconsiderate boss is forcing you to spend the holiday there, far from family and friends, with only a slim chance of a white Christmas. Meg already has her hands full, trying to make the season festive for the dozen programmers who are staying with her and Michael while working on a rush project with her brother’s software company. At least it’s an interesting project, since the Canadian company is doing forensic genealogy and DNA analysis.

When the inconsiderate boss is found murdered, there are too many suspects. Even before their Christmas in exile, his own employees had plenty of motives, and the growing number of people suing the company for faulty DNA analysis and invasion of their genetic privacy include at least one notorious murderer. Can Meg crack the case in time to keep the Yuletide bright?

My Thoughts: Christmas is just a few days away and Meg finds herself hosting a dozen Canadian computer programmers who are working with her brother Rob's company. Most of the visitors are nice people, but the boss Ian Meredith is not. Besides being an unpleasant person, he also has some questionable business practices. His Canadian genealogy website is getting into DNA testing. But he's using the lowest bidder and not maintaining client privacy.

Just as Meg and the other directors are getting ready to terminate the contract with Ian's company, someone bashes him over the head with a hockey stick and kills him. Could one of his dissatisfied clients been angry enough to murder him? What about the murderer whose DNA was matched to the crime scene through a relative's DNA which was wrongly released? There are more possibilities too. Kevin and Casey's true crime podcast has attracted a stalker too.

As Meg tries to entertain her unexpected guests and make room for visiting relatives, a snowstorm is coming which is great for her father's surprise gift of a skating rink but will cause difficulties getting the Canadians home for Christmas. 

This was a fun and busy cozy mystery. Fans of the series won't want to miss this episode. It is the 32nd book in the series, but it is not necessary to have read them all to enjoy this story. 

Favorite Quote:

"He intended to say that we'd wrap the event by singing around the campfire," Caroline said. "I have no idea why autocorrect changed 'campfire' to 'vampire," Or why anyone would suppose he'd be planning to serenade one. Am I really expected to provide a vampire on top of the bowling?"

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (October 10, 2022)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I will be combining my YA and adult reading and purchases on this one weekly roundup.

Want to See What I Added to My Stack? links to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality.

Other Than Reading...

This was another quiet week filled with baseball. My Braves won their division and now are waiting to begin the playoffs. I've been watching Wild Card games to see who they will play and was glad to see that their first opponent will be the Phillies. They next play on Tuesday.

I'm behind on watching The Voice and hope to catch up this week. I've only seen the first two episodes. However, catching up means I can't be listening to my current audiobook which I also want to do.

I caught up on posting my reviews at Amazon and also added some new review books to my stack. I have titles stretching out until May. I have six more to read for November but four of them won't be released until November 29. That means I have a gap to fit in some of my own books. 

Having finally finished all of my Added in 2008 collection except for Nora Roberts's The Gift which is on my calendar for December, I went browsing through my physical TBR stack for some books that still seemed interesting. In order to reduce the physical size of that collection, I've been trying to choose hardcovers.

Besides baseball, this coming week has a couple of medical appointments. Wednesday I'm scheduled for by flu shot and next Covid booster. Thursday, I make my annual visit to my gastroenterologist. I'm not looking forward to either because I'll need to actually leave my house and drive to the appointments complete with finding parking. My gastroenterologist's office is in the middle of a construction zone as the hospital is expanding which makes parking especially challenging. Wish me luck!

Read Last Week

If you can't wait until the review shows up on my blog, reviews are posted to LibraryThing and Goodreads as soon as I write them (usually right after I finish reading a book.)

• A Book Club to Die For by Dorothy St. James (Review; 1) -- Cute cozy mystery with engaging characters. My review will be posted on October 26.
• Flight Risk by Cherie Priest (Review; November 15) -- Fun contemporary mystery where one of the main characters is on inconsistent psychic. My review will be posted on November 10.
• Written in Red by Anne Bishop (Audiobook Reread) -- It has been some months since I reread this series and was in need of some comfort reading. 

• The Sea King's Daughter by Barbara Michaels (Mine) -- Romantic suspense by a classic author in the genre. My review will be posted on October 29.
• Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop (Mine; Audiobook) -- One of my comfort book favorites . Second in the series. 
• Viviana Valentine Gets Her Man by Emily J. Edwards (Review; November 8) -- Historical mystery set in New York City in 1950. Filled with period slang and period details. My review will be posted on November 1.

Currently

• Kris Longknife: Intrepid by Mike Shepherd (Mine; 6th in the Kris Longknife series)
• Never Name the Dead by D. M. Rowell (Review; November 8)
• Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop (Audiobook; Reread)

Next Week

• Kris Longknife: Undaunted by Mike Shepherd (Mine; Book 7 in the Kris Longknife series)
• Calling by Molly Harper (Audiobook; Mine; Last in trilogy)
• The Last Goodnight by Kat Martin (Mine via Prime Reading; 1st in a trilogy where I have the third on my review stack)

• Shadow Girl by Gerry Schmitt (Mine since Jan. 27, 2018)
• For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund (Mine since June 22, 2012)
• Hands Down by Felix Francis (Review; November 8)

Reviews Posted

• Treachery on Tenth Street by Kate Belli
• The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal
• A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril

• Blind Faith by Alicia Beckman
• Canter with a Killer by Amber Camp
• Under the Veiled Moon by Karen Odden

Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Review:

• The Villa by Rachel Hawkins (January 3)
• Bones Under the Ice by Mary Ann Miller (March 21)

• Downfall by Mark Rubenstein (April 4)
• Viviana Valentine Goes Up the River by Emily J. Edwards (May 2)

Bought:

• Santa's Little Yelpers by David Rosenfelt (New hardcover; gift from the publisher)
• Dangerous to Know by Tasha Alexander (Kindle Daily Deal; $2.99) -- Book 5 in the series. Now all I need are 6, 7, and 8 to have the whole series.
• Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt (I had a $5 Kindle credit) -- I'm gradually collecting the whole series as they go on sale.

What was your week like?

ARC Review: Under a Veiled Moon by Karen Odden

Under a Veiled Moon
Author: Karen Odden
Series: Inspector Corravan Mystery (Book 2)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (October 11, 2022)

Description: In the tradition of C. S. Harris and Anne Perry, a fatal disaster on the Thames and a roiling political conflict set the stage for Karen Odden’s second Inspector Corravan historical mystery.

September 1878. One night, as the pleasure boat the Princess Alice makes her daily trip up the Thames, she collides with the Bywell Castle, a huge iron-hulled collier. The Princess Alice shears apart, throwing all 600 passengers into the river; only 130 survive. It is the worst maritime disaster London has ever seen, and early clues point to sabotage by the Irish Republican Brotherhood, who believe violence is the path to restoring Irish Home Rule.

For Scotland Yard Inspector Michael Corravan, born in Ireland and adopted by the Irish Doyle family, the case presents a challenge. Accused by the Home Office of willfully disregarding the obvious conclusion, and berated by his Irish friends for bowing to prejudice, Corravan doggedly pursues the truth, knowing that if the Princess Alice disaster is pinned on the IRB, hopes for Home Rule could be dashed forever.

Corrovan’s dilemma is compounded by Colin, the youngest Doyle, who has joined James McCabe’s Irish gang. As violence in Whitechapel rises, Corravan strikes a deal with McCabe to get Colin out of harm’s way. But unbeknownst to Corravan, Colin bears longstanding resentments against his adopted brother and scorns his help.

As the newspapers link the IRB to further accidents, London threatens to devolve into terror and chaos. With the help of his young colleague, the loyal Mr. Stiles, and his friend Belinda Gale, Corravan uncovers the harrowing truth—one that will shake his faith in his countrymen, the law, and himself.

My Thoughts: It is 1878 and Scotland Yard Inspector Michael Corravan has been assigned to the Wapping River Police after some police scandals. He's busy with some murders that look like gang problems between two Irish gangs. Then the unthinkable happens, the Princess Alice which is filled with day trippers collides with the Bywell Castle which is a coal hauler. The Princess Alice comes apart drowning more than 600 people. 

When it looks like the accident could have been caused by the Irish Republican Brotherhood, Corrovan is pulled in many directions. Some of his superiors are concerned that he will be too sympathetic to the Irish because of his own Irish heritage. While he struggles to unravel the tangled threads of the disaster, he is also dealing with family issues. His young foster brother Colin, who deeply resents the fact the Michael took off unexpectedly when he was young, is getting mixed up in the doings of Irish crime lords. Michael wants to get him out from under their thumbs and give his brother an easier, legal future. 

The setting was fascinating. The politics of the day intriguing and reflecting current day politics as well. I liked Corrovan who was a dedicated police officer determined to find the true culprits behind the accident. He was a complex man who deals with guilt and grief with the strong support of his foster mother and lady friend. 

Fans of historical mysteries won't want to miss Inspector Michael Corrovan and his colleagues and his world.

Favorite Quote:

"You can't blame yourself," she replied. "Blame is a useless thing. Folks take it up because they think it's easier than grief."

"Easier?"

"Blame gives you the notion something can be done to heal the hole dug like a well into your heart. But it can't." She paused. "The only thing that can fill that well are tears, Mickey. Grief must be borne, unhappy though it makes us for a while."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: Under a Veiled Moon by Karen Odden

 Happy Friday everybody!

Book Beginnings on Friday is hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Beginning:

We all carry pieces of our past with us. Sometimes they're shiny and worthy as new half crowns in our pockets. Sometimes they're bits of lint or scraps of paper shredded beyond use. Plenty of my memories carry a stab of regret or a burn of shame with them, and honestly, there are times when I wonder how we all bloody well live with the fool things we've done.

Friday 56:

"I know that feeling myself," I said truthfully. "Could you tell me what happened that night? I came from Wapping straightaway, but I didn't arrive until well after the boat sank."

"How could you? It all happened in minutes."

This week I am spotlighting Under a Veiled Moon by Karen Odden. This book from my review stack is the second in the Inspector Corravan historical mystery series. Here is the description from Amazon:

In the tradition of C. S. Harris and Anne Perry, a fatal disaster on the Thames and a roiling political conflict set the stage for Karen Odden’s second Inspector Corravan historical mystery.

September 1878. One night, as the pleasure boat the Princess Alice makes her daily trip up the Thames, she collides with the Bywell Castle, a huge iron-hulled collier. The Princess Alice shears apart, throwing all 600 passengers into the river; only 130 survive. It is the worst maritime disaster London has ever seen, and early clues point to sabotage by the Irish Republican Brotherhood, who believe violence is the path to restoring Irish Home Rule.

For Scotland Yard Inspector Michael Corravan, born in Ireland and adopted by the Irish Doyle family, the case presents a challenge. Accused by the Home Office of willfully disregarding the obvious conclusion, and berated by his Irish friends for bowing to prejudice, Corravan doggedly pursues the truth, knowing that if the Princess Alice disaster is pinned on the IRB, hopes for Home Rule could be dashed forever.

Corrovan’s dilemma is compounded by Colin, the youngest Doyle, who has joined James McCabe’s Irish gang. As violence in Whitechapel rises, Corravan strikes a deal with McCabe to get Colin out of harm’s way. But unbeknownst to Corravan, Colin bears longstanding resentments against his adopted brother and scorns his help.

As the newspapers link the IRB to further accidents, London threatens to devolve into terror and chaos. With the help of his young colleague, the loyal Mr. Stiles, and his friend Belinda Gale, Corravan uncovers the harrowing truth—one that will shake his faith in his countrymen, the law, and himself.

ARC Review: Canter with a Killer by Amber Camp

Canter with a Killer
Author: Amber Camp
Series: A Horse Rescue Mystery
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (October 11, 2022)

Description: Perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Mollie Cox Bryan, Amber Camp’s debut novel will have you galloping through the pages, as a horse rescue owner races to find a killer and clear her name.

Mallory Martin left her marriage and her unfulfilling job to move back to her hometown of Hillspring, Arkansas, and start a horse rescue. It’s everything she’s been missing, with paddocks of happy horses and one very quirky donkey. But when her cantankerous neighbor and longtime critic, Albert Cunningham, is found murdered in his fancy show barn, Mallory becomes suspect number one. Since Sheriff Grady Sullivan is ignoring all good sense and focusing only on Mallory, she decides to take matters into her own hands.

Aided by her best friend, Lanie, and rescue volunteer Tanner, Mallory races headlong into the investigation in search of the real killer. But horses and murder aren’t the only thing on her mind when she meets Albert’s handsome son, Braydon. Sparks fly, and soon she’s got a new boyfriend. But there’s a case to be solved, and she redoubles her efforts to learn the truth.

The suspects mount quickly. There’s Albert’s girlfriend, Kathleen, who was on the farm when he was murdered; organic farmer Heather Rogers, who accused Albert of contaminating her creek; and Philip Atwood, who’d been trying for a right-of-way across Albert’s farm. None of the evidence is holding up though, and Mallory learns that she'll need to take the reins on this investigation if she's going to clear her own name.

My Thoughts: Mallory Martin has left her unfulfilling marriage to begin a horse rescue operation in her hometown in the Ozarks. Her rescue is next door to a fancy quarter horse breeding farm with a very cantankerous owner named Albert Cunningham who is constantly complaining that her operation is an eyesore. When Albert is found murdered in his fancy show barn, Mallory becomes the prime suspect.

Since Mallory feels that the sheriff is focusing on her alone, she begins her own investigation and finds a few possible alternate suspects. Heather Rogerd, the owner of a local organic farm, has had many loud arguments with Albert about her complaints that he is polluting a stream the runs through her farm. And Philip Atwood was in the process of suing Albert for access to some land Philip owned that was blocked by Albert's land. Albert had taken out a restraining order to keep him from doing more mischief on his land. 

Unfortunately, both Heather and Philip had strong alibis for the time of Albert's murder. But since Mallory knows she isn't guilty; she is trying to break their alibis. Both of them are threatening her with harassment.

Mallory isn't alone as she tries to prove her innocence. Her lawyer ex-husband shows up which gives her a chance to clear the air about their divorce even if he isn't much help in her murder investigation. She also has childhood friends - Lanie and Bill - who are definitely on her side and supportive. As are her two young volunteers - Ashley and Tanner. Also, she makes a new friend in local lawyer Andy Hannigan who is by her side even though he doesn't usually practice criminal law. 

I enjoyed this story even though I had figured out who the murderer was pretty quickly. I enjoyed watching Mallory interact with her rescues and dust off her old investigative skills. This was an entertaining mystery.

Favorite Quote:

Dad always told me that "curiosity killed the cat," which I would counter with my favorite teacher's often repeated Einstein quote: "The important thing is to not stop questioning."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.