I’ve always been an early riser. When I was younger, it was because I needed to let my dogs outside. Or I was on my way to a dog show. Now that I’m in my seventies, it’s because I don’t sleep much anymore. When the sun rises, so do I.
That’s actually a benefit because my calendar is always filled with things that need to be done. Every December, I act as chairman for my kennel club’s Christmas Bazaar. This year, however, I just found out that I’ve been replaced in that role by fellow club member, Jonabell Goff. I like to think I’m too dignified to have a nemesis, but if I did have one, it would be Jonabell.
Now that she’s in charge, Jonabell is going out of her way to lord her position over me. What she doesn’t seem to realize is that her high-handed tactics are also alienating the other club members. These are the very people whose cooperation and assistance she’s going to need to ensure the charity event’s success.
Since I have no desire for the kennel club board to realize how displeased I am by their decision, I decide to take the high road and invite the entire club membership to my Christmas party. Jonabell and I are both adults who know how to behave in polite company. I’m sure we can manage to be civil, maybe even friendly, with each other for one festive holiday evening.
The party turns out to be a boisterous affair, and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. At least until the end. That’s when Jonabell collapses and dies in my living room, holding a glass of eggnog I’d made myself clutched in her hand.
I feel terrible about that. I really do. I also hope I didn’t have a guilty look on my face when it happened.
PEG AND ROSE DECK THE HALLS
Series: A Senior Sleuths Mystery, Book 4
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: September 2026
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
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Sisters-in-law Peg and Rose are preparing for Christmas in Connecticut, with the annual dog-show fundraiser as a highlight. But when the jingle bell tolls for a party guest, a murder investigation breeds trouble in the latest Senior Sleuths Mystery from bestselling author Laurien Berenson.
Peg has always been the alpha dog when it comes to the Cherry Valley Kennel Club’s annual Christmas fundraiser—so she isn’t thrilled that Jonabell Goff has been chosen to run it this year. Especially since she’s had run-ins with the abrasive and rather incompetent board member. Still, she tries to be a pleasant hostess when Jonabell attends her holiday open house. But the two have no chance to work out their differences after Jonabell drops dead . . .
Rose, a former nun with the patience of a saint, may have her squabbles with her grumpy sister-in-law, but she knows Peg is no murderer. Rose is busy trying to provide a festive Christmas for the residents at the women’s shelter, but now that Peg is in a vulnerable position too—with the police suspecting her and locals giving her the cold shoulder—she jumps into the investigation. Had the kennel club treasurer been dipping her snout in the funds? What secrets were the victim’s friends and family hiding? Or did her domineering personality just drive someone to finally unleash their rage?
It’s a good thing Peg and Rose have become amateur sleuths, because this killer needs to be stopped before causing even more mayhem . . .
About the author
Laurien Berenson is the award-winning author of the long running Melanie Travis mystery series which revolves around the world of dog shows and the new Senior Sleuth series starring Peg Turnbull and Rose Donovan. Her work has appeared in numerous magazines and the New York Times. She and her husband live on a farm in Kentucky surrounded by dogs and horses.