Of course Rosenfelt’s latest is as enthralling as ever. Sardonic humor, silliness, dogs, pup, and relationships keep things rolling at a perfect pace.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this arc

Book Title: Santa’s Little Yelpers
Series: Andy Carpenter #26
Author: David Rosenfelt
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur Book
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: October 11, 2022
My Rating: 4.3 stars

This novel is #26 in the Andy Carpenter series and #20 for me! Of the twenty, most have been audiobooks as I just love narrator Grover Gardner. Author David Rosenfelt has a great wit and although I am reading this I honestly can hear Mr. Gardner ‘dead pan’ voice!

Andy Carpenter stories are always entertaining~ true they are formula driven ~ in addition to dogs; there will be courtroom drama (which I love and am never disappointed!), a surprising twist, and hopefully a Victory dinner!!!

If you are new to Andy, he is semi-retired as he came into a large inheritance. He typically only takes cases if there is a dog involved. He always has and needs help from friends and family: Laurie – his wife
and Marcus- his bodyguard

In this story Chris, a former attorney, has recently been released from prison. Chris is a dog lover and while in prison he organized a program where inmates learned how to train rescue dogs who had not yet found a permanent home ~ usually do to behavioral issues. Sounds like a win-win!!
He actually got reduced time for good behavior. He is now continuing his work and is helping at 'The Tara Foundation' caring for a litter of golden retriever puppies.
He claims he never committed the crime he served time for, and wants Andy to have his conviction overturned, however there now is a another death, and Chris finds himself accused again.

Can Andy and his assistants Laurie, Marcus, Sam, Cory, and Eddie plus Santa little yelpers Simon, Tara, Hunter, and even Sebastian -the low energy basset hound, figure this out before Christmas?

Now it is your turn ~ you have to read to find out!!

Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur Books for this early uncorrected eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 11, 2022

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Chris, a guy who foster for Andy Carpenter' dog rescue, and who is also trying to clear his name in a previous manslaughter conviction finds himself accused of murder when the guy who falsely claimed to witness the manslaughter and was going to come clean, ends up murdered. Andy believes in his innocence and finds himself thing in yet another case.

Another good one from David Rosenfelt. I live this series. It has a good cast of characters, humor, dogs, and good mysteries. I look forward to the next one.

Can Andy prove the police are barking up the wrong tree?
Everybody in Paterson, New Jersey, is busy getting ready for the Yuletide season, including the folks at the Tara Foundation dog rescue shelter. The last thing the Tara Foundation’s founder, attorney Andy Carpenter, needs is for his latest employee, ex-convict Chris Myers, to be arrested for murdering the man whose testimony had sent him to jail. Andy keeps trying to retire from practicing law, but sometimes he is forced into another case. This time, the dogs need Chris, so Andy steps in to defend him.
Andy Carpenter fans, you can relax! Narrator Andy has lost none of the spunk and sardonic humor that readers love and judges and opposing attorneys hate, and the book abounds in his comments. For example, early in the trial the judge says to Andy, “ You are making the “rush to judgment” argument” already, Mr. Carpenter?’” and Andy says, “ ‘ I’m practicing, your Honor ‘”. The wit is not confined to the courtroom. When Corey comments that an MIT professor who is involved in the case makes $275,000 per year and Sam exclaims, “ ‘Wow…that’s more than I thought professors get paid’”, Andy responds, “ ‘ Sam, backup shortstops make five million.’ ”
In addition to the humor, a classic Andy Carpenter courtroom episode resolves the case with his usual flair… and luck, not to mention assistance from someone who is usually Andy’s opponent.
Andy also rallies his investigative team of his wife Laurie, who is a retired police lieutenant, Corey Douglas, another retired police officer who is accompanied by his also-retired K-9 helper Simon Garfunkel, lawyer Eddie Dowd, accountant/cyber-detective Sam Willis, and, of course, taciturn muscleman Marcus Willis.
It has seemed to me that the bad guys in this series have been trending more to gangsterism than amateur murderers, but the violence is off-camera, so squeamish readers can handle it. The malicious objectives of the criminals have been getting more ambitious, and the conspiracy in Santa’s Little Yelpers is certainly complex. This is NOT a whodunit series in general, and I can guarantee you will be surprised by various elements of the solution. Likely? No. Credible, yes, with that willing suspension of disbelief.
The dogs play no real role in this book, other than providing a punny title, a mechanism for Andy to meet the defendant, and a warm ending that made me close the book with a smile.
Note to newbies: This is one of my favorite series, but I highly recommend you begin with the first book, Open and Shut, so you get the context and a proper introduction to the characters (and they ARE characters!). After that you can enjoy them in any order.
I received an advance review copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher.

First off, I have to say that I really enjoy reading the Andy Carpenter series. I have read many of them and hope to read many more. They are original and funny. Nothing like a lawyer who is sarcastic, is not afraid to admit that he is a coward and who wants nothing more than to retire, although he keeps getting dragged back in. This book runs true to form in that Andy's client has been accused of not one but two murders. This time it is a tangled weave of bad guys in two different states with the mob having only a slight involvement.
However...if you are just browsing and find yourself sucked in by the cute little dog picture, please let it be known that there is not much involvement with the puppies at all. Sadly, this seems to be happening a little more with each book as opposed to what I remember from the beginning. Still, a worthy read and I will continue to read them. Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the chance.

How does Mr. Rosenfelt do this? You would think writing so many books about the acclaimed lawyer Andy Carpenter that hails from New Jersey what get old after awhile. Well, it just doesn't. The latest story in this long standing series is as fresh and riveting as ever.

Andy's sarcasm has become an art form, at least in Jersey. Between the cast of wonderful characters, the witty dialogue and the suspenseful mystery he hits another one out of the ballpark. I can't image this series will ever grow old and sorry Andy, I don't want you to reach nirvana which is early retirement.

I urge you to jump right in. If you are a newbie this story can be a stand alone but like potato chips or in Andy's circle beers and burgers I bet you can't be satisfied with just one.. Do yourself a favor and start reading this entire series. You will be thrilled with this decision. Happy reading. Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for my reading pleasure.

Santa's Little Yelpers (Andy Carpenter Mystery #26) by David Rosenfelt
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: October 11, 2022

Santa's Little Yelper is the 26th book in the Andy Carpenter Mystery series by David Rosenfelt. This can easily be read as a standalone mystery. As much as I want to, I have not read most of the previous books and found this to be easy to jump into.

Andy Carpenter is a want-to-be-retired attorney, who can't help himself when faced with the right case! He is a great sleuth, loves dogs, and is so funny! I actually laughed out loud as some of the things he said! The crime solving was great and I loved how it all comes together! I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure things out so I could not put this book down!!!

This book was so much fun! I absolutely loved it! I definitely recommend reading this book!!!Sarcasm, quick wit, and dogs! I can't wait to start reading the other books in the series!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Yet another entertaining read in the Andy Carpenter series. It sticks to the formula, but doesn't lose any of the pizazz. This time Andy gets sucked into a case (the horror!) when a co-worker/dog-fosterer (and therefore saint) is arrested for murder which he naturally did not commit and the team is on the job. There are all the usual twists and turns, dog walking and saving Andy's behind by Marcus, and lots and lots of sarcasm and smart mouthing by Andy. Let's face it, it's what we love most about him. As always, a quick, fun and exciting read. Highly recommended.

I always look forward to reading Rosenfelt's mysteries whih always include a dog situation. His characters always make me laugh and the author's sense of humor is outstanding. You will always enjoy a David Rosenfelt mystery.
He is one of my heroes..!!!!!

Thank you Netgalley for always offering David Rosenfelt’s books for advanced reading!! As always, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy his books and all his characters!

I just love David Rosenfelt’s legal dog thrillers. While they are somewhat formulatic , the formula works for me. I always chuckle at the humor and enjoy all the characters that I have come to love. And of course, Andy Carpenter always finds a way to come out on top.

Another cute book from David Rosenfelt. The dogs certainly aren't integral to the story, but you love hearing about them anyway. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

What's not to like about a story with dogs, a wise-cracking lawyer named Andy Carpenter, terrific characters, and an intriguing series of crimes!.. I love David Rosenfelt and he has again written a very entertaining and readable mystery. A man is wrongly convicted of a crime and needs Andy's help so he doesn't go to prison for a second time. Since he works at Andy's dog rescue, Andy knows he is a good guy and agrees to help him. What follows is an interesting story that takes the reader through murders, organized crime, a mysterious town, a religious cult and of course, a trial where Andy shines. Readers can't go wrong picking up an Andy Carpenter adventure. They never disappoint.

Despite the very cute cover, the little "yelpers" and Christmas play such a minimal role they could be removed with no harm to the story. So, if you want a real Christmasy story, this ain't it. I didn't care.

This is very heavy on Andy, as are all the books I've read in the series, but all the usual suspects pop up, if briefly. I really got involved when the action started ramping up and my finger was flipping my ebook pages rapidly. Always a sign I'm engaged.

Makes me interested in going to book 1 and getting caught up, but yikes, close to 20 books is a bit daunting.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

It's another crisis for Andy Carpenter, the laziest lawyer in the world. Not really needing to practice law to earn a living, he is willing to take on pro bono cases that interest him. When one of the volunteers at his dog rescue operation, The Tara Foundation, is accused of murder, Andy wants to help. Chris Myers lost five years of his life when he was convicted of manslaughter. Only problem is, the witness who saw it all, lied. He now wants to recant his testimony, but is killed before he can and Chris is arrested because he was on the scene. As Andy and his team investigate, he discovers there are many strings tying this murder into knots, beginning with Chris' boss. Who stood to benefit from Chris being back in jail? Another charming and entertaining read from Rosenfelt.

David Rosenfelt’s Santa’s Little Yelpers is another installment in the Andy Carpenter series we have all come to love and admire. Andy, as we all know, is a young, retired attorney who always seems to be dragged into another situation where he is forced to, once again, find himself defending someone in a murder case. This time it is a disbarred attorney who has already been in prison for another murder of which he was innocent. Not surprisingly, this book involves dogs and is replete with Andy’s witty dialogue and sardonic sense of humor.

Andy’s stories are always interesting and enjoyable reading. The reader knows all of the continuing characters (including the dogs) and feels like they are old friends . I thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel and, of course, David Rosenfelt for his amazing storytelling.

May David Rosenfelt never stop writing Andy Carpenter books where we’re treated to Andy’s sarcastic wit, good mysteries, and best of all dogs. With an ever growing cast of wonderful characters who help Andy solve his cases, his books are always a laugh out loud delight.



I’m probably imagining this but his writing seemed a tad different with this book. Nothing I could put my finger on, just a feeling. This has no bearing on the book as it’s still as wonderful as all the others.

What's Christmas without a new seasonal Andy Carpenter tale? I hope we don't have to find out. There's not a Christmas stocking which wouldn't be nicer with the latest book from the prolific David Rosenfelt. In Santa's Little Yelpers he gives us another complex tale which crosses state lines. The story takes place on multiple fronts which Rosenfelt deftly handles as our favorite semi-retired attorney fights for truth, justice, and the victory party at Charley's. The characters we've come to know and love are all here (some more than others). This is another winning addition to a truly delightful series. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, & NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest review!

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from St. Martin’s Press and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


Another Andy Carpenter cozy mystery that’s a hit. A delightful series full of fun characters and interesting stories.

Andy Carpenter and friends are in top form when he agrees to help a fellow dog lover attempt to overturn a wrongful conviction. Whether you have read the entire series or starting with this title you cannot go wrong.