If your looking for a sweet and funny cozy mystery series to get into then look no farther, this will have you falling in love with the characters and let's not for get the puppies that are in it as well as the to die for covers that are on them. Who can say no to covers with puppies on it .

Melanie is working with her ex-husband's new wife Claire, as they try to solve a murder. Lots of characters with plenty of red herrings makes for a lively story. Not as much Aunt Peg in this one, but still an enjoyable read. Fun story for Christmas. Would recommend.

At just under 200 pages, this was a quick Christmas story featuring Melanie Travis, her partner in crime, Aunt Peg and of course lots of dogs. Melanie's friend and event planner, Claire, has added personal shopper to her list of services. When Claire finds her newest client dead when she stops by to drop of some presents she purchased, she is immediately the prime suspect. Melanie has a lot of time on her hands, with school on vacation, so she and Aunt Peg snoop to find the real killer. At first, they have more questions than answers and the detective on the case wants them to butt out of his case, but he may be wishing he paid more attention to Melanie because she always seems to be one step ahead of him. Will they catch the real killer before someone else gets hurt?

I enjoy this series as it is fun and sweet. Claire is married to Melanie’s first husband but they have become friends, which is not normal. Melanie is always willing to help friends, family, neighbours, fellow dog owners, and pretty much anybody, even when it may put her in danger. There were a few suspects, but Melanie often hits a dead end. I enjoyed reading how she followed the clues, until the exciting conclusion. The characters are engaging, the mystery is well-plotted leaving me satisfied with this story. You do not have to read them all or read them in order to enjoy this story. An enjoyable Christmas Cozy with great characters, including all the dogs.

Of course Melanie will end up dealing with murder- doesn't matter that it's Christmas! It's always nice to spend time with Melanie, her Aunt Peg, and the Poodles. Oh and the rest of her family. This is a classic fun cozy from a master. Don't worry if you haven't read the earlier books- this will be fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

A sweet Christmas read featuring an even sweet puppy. I enjoyed this read. And even though it's past Christmas it was still a great read. That gave me me a brief escape.

Here Comes Santa Paws was a perfect cosy caper even for readers new to the series or genre! The dogs were a new addition to a mystery that drew my eye but the concept of a Christmas-time murder kept me hooked.

24th book in the series. This time around Claire is the prime suspect in the murder of a socialite. It's up to Melanie to solve the mystery.

I had to read my copy during the holiday season, and the book cover was so cute and perfect for the holiday. This is a fun cozy caper compete with canine companions....
Follows the usual cozy route, but reads smooth and fun. So don't fret if you haven't read the backlist, you can jump right in at any time. Definitely recommend.

A great murder mystery centered around my hometown of Stamford, Connecticut. Laurien Berenson does a great murder mystery while simultaneously keeping the story very festive for the Christmas season. Great characters keep this a real page turner.

A Christmas Cozy that includes dogs. Whats not to love? This book hits on all cylinders for me. I look forward to more books by Ms Berenson.

What is not to like with dogs and Christmas with a little mystery thrown in?
I have never read anything by this author but I will now.
Loved the book.

A really good cozy mystery I finished in one day, I enjoyed the characters and their animals who I felt added to the story.I recommend for any cozy mystery lover

A fun Cozy Christmas Mystery...The background for this book was inspired by the story of Hugette Clark. I enjoy knowing the inspiration and background for a story even when fictional so, that made this one even more interesting. Melanie's SIL Claire stumbles across a body (Usually it is Melanie finding the bodies) and calls Melanie for help and support. As usual, Melanie can't help snooping around and also as usual, Aunt Peg butts in and assists. Adorable puppies, sweet dogs, cute kids, and Holiday magic all combined create a fun Holiday Cozy to enjoy! Another good installment in this series :) If you enjoy cozy mysteries, if you like reading holiday stories, and if you love dogs; you'll enjoy this book and maybe even want to read this series :)

Book 24 in the long-running Melanie Travis cozy mystery series is a slim, quick Christmas-time mystery that finds wife/mother/poodle enthusiast Melanie literally called in to help when her close friend Claire finds a dead body. In the rundown gatehouse of an even more rundown estate, Claire's personal shopper client Lila Moran lies dead in her living room, a bullet in her chest. Right away, even during the police's questioning of her friend, Melanie suspects Claire isn't being entirely forthcoming ... and sure enough, soon Claire admits to Melanie that a background check she did on Lila revealed the woman had no history going more than five years back. Melanie sets out to get to the bottom of the mystery, digging into Lila's past even as she puts herself into danger via a killer ready to strike again if needed, in a mystery that, while definitely set in an around Christmastime, never feels 100% fully-rooted in the holiday season; the mystery simply takes place during the holidays, but in no way feels tied into it (also the lack of any snow, oddly enough, felt a bit disconnected from wintertime). That said, one think I truly appreciated, as a new reader to both Berenson and Travis, was Berenson's skilled economy of words that immediately introduced the murder in the story and kept things moving without lapsed for long exposition or description. Melanie's questioning of one suspect leads her to another, and she simply follows the trail, everything tied up neatly and quickly even once the killer was exposed. Even though I guessed who that killer was from the character's introduction on the page, it never felt like a letdown even when I was proven correct, the book is that smoothly written and takes you on the ride to solve the puzzle with Melanie so easily. Maybe a longer novel would have benefited the mystery more, via the addition of other suspects or a few red herrings (also, the ending was a bit anti-climactic), but for a short,fluffy-light Christmas cozy Berenson delivers exactly that, via her "get in, tell your story, get out" writing style that works well here. Also worth mentioning is the way the author, even through her economy of words, still in so short a novel makes Melanie and Aunt Peg and all the other characters so real on the page. Kudos for that alone! 4/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

"Here Comes Santa Paws" is the first book I read by this author, but certainly not the last one. The novel really contains a "story within a story:" a cozy mystery within a Christmas family story. Melanie has her work cut out for her, as she again assists with solving a murder mystery and simultaneously prepares for Christmas with her family.
There was a lot to like about this novel. First, the amateur sleuth does not compete with the local law enforcement to solve the crime; she assists. The police are not portrayed as bumbling idiots, which I really dislike in mystery novels. Second, the main characters are likeable and smart, and the family is realistic in their interactions with each other. I loved Aunt Peg! Third, what is there not to like about dogs? Fourth, the author's end note explains the historical facts behind one of the characters, who is based on a real person. And finally, I did not guess the culprit or motive until almost the end of the story. Plenty of red herrings abound to keep the reader guessing.

Readers looking for a fun and cozy read with an "all's well" ending will not be disappointed in this book.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

It's looking like Christmas in New Canaan, a haven for some of Connecticut's wealthiest and lucky Claire is in the cat-bird seat having created a personal shopper clientele list. Claire is the wife of Melanie's ex and they've managed to forge a friendship in spite (or maybe because) of their shared history. When Claire calls Melanie for help in a panic, Melanie doesn't hesitate to run to her aid.

Delivering her client's packages, Claire has stumbled on the body of Lila Moran in her client's gatehouse on the property of a reclusive and wealthy socialite. It doesn't take long before the police suspect Claire and Melanie, as well as her feisty Aunt Peg, are compelled to investigate the murder on their own. Melanie has a full house with a husband, two sons, five Standard Poodles, and an irascible spotted rescue mutt.

It isn't long before instigator Claire helps get Melanie in trouble with Detective Hronis and told to leave the detecting to the detectors. That isn't going to happen with Aunt Peg either and together they begin the process of scenting out clues and interviewing. It's an easy-going, well-plotted mystery and includes a number of well-developed characters as well as support characters.

Twists and red herrings are introduced with each interview leading inexorably to the antagonist, whom you might have guessed. While the dogs do not figure prominently, they do create asides and help break the tension.

The author's biting sense of humor has bloomed and matured within her narratives. It's easy to get involved with this protagonist and quickly run through the fun and fast book which could function just fine as a standalone.

I was given this digital download by the publisher and NetGalley and sincerely appreciated the opportunity to read and review. Recommended for those who enjoy a light mystery with lovable canines and empathetic main characters.

I confess I am very late in coming to the A Melanie Travis Canine Mystery series. To be frank, if I’d paid better attention I’m not sure that I would have requested an ARC of the 24th title in a series. And to be further frank – I’m really glad that I made that oversight for I discovered a story that had me engaged with the mystery, enjoying the antics of the characters and not the least bit lost in a story that could be considered a standalone. I have had the pleasure of enjoying a few series like this where you have a base set of recurring characters but each book is a new adventure. Now, I intend to go back and read the very first book, UNDERDOG, to see where this all began from — but you could (like I did) pick up HERE COMES SANTA PAWS and completely enjoy the relationships, the mystery-solving without any hesitation.

I was easily caught up in HERE COMES SANTA PAWS from the very start. Really, most of what you need to know before picking up this book can be found in the Cover Description. What I discovered was a mystery that kept me guessing, an amazing relationship between Melanie and her Aunt Peg, and a bookful of adorable dogs, pups included. I had fun in this world, and that is the entire point of any story.

I wish I had discovered this series sooner, but I do intend to continue from this point onwards. If you enjoy a really good Cozy Mystery, if putting puzzle pieces together until they show the entire picture is your thing, or if you simply like stories with interesting, realistic relationships in the background then you’ll want to pick up HERE COMES SANTA PAWS and discovery an enticing world full of mystery for yourself. I’m hooked now on this series, and I believe you would be, too (if you aren’t already).

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

When Melanie's friend calls her for help after finding a body, she just can't resist trying to solve the mystery herself.

A light, cozy mystery with interesting characters and storyline....and pets, of course. I enjoyed it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.

Here Comes Santa Paws is a well written murder mystery. I enjoyed the plot, setting and the characters . The author is new to me and I definitely will be reading more of her books. My thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

Christmas is right around the corner. Melanie Travis and her brood of dogs and family are preparing for the holiday. Melanie gets a frantic call from friend Claire, who asks Melanie to come at once to a client’s house because Claire has found something…er…gruesome at the house. Melanie rushes to the house, where she finds Claire with the client’s dead body at the house—a body Claire discovered when she made a delivery to the house. Claire has capitalized on the wealthy area’s citizens who prefer not to spend time on deciding on, buying and wrapping Christmas gifts. Claire does all that for them, and this was one more of her deliveries. Ever the amateur sleuth, Melanie, with the help of Aunt Peg (who sometimes just gets in the way, but can be helpful) delves into the dead person’s life to figure out who the murderer is and how it all went down.

This is another charming story involving Melanie and her family. I need no introduction to the characters, as I have read most of the stories. In this one, though not featured prominently, the ever-faithful dogs are everywhere. I like the way the author includes them and lets them be dogs, loving and protective as necessary. Aunt Peg is Aunt Peg in the story, sometimes creating problems but more often than not lovable and helpful in her own way. Of course, Melanie shows her keen abilities as a sleuth. This is another good addition to the series, which has become one of my favorites. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.