Despite the clever title, ’TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, David Rosenfelt's newest Andy Carpenter mystery does not feature any dogs who bite, especially not the adorable Dalmatian on the cover. What this holiday-themed novel has, and what almost all of Rosenfelt's mysteries have, are clever plots, lots of bad guys, one very innocent man who is being framed, more twists than even Santa's most challenging routes, and many sweet rescue dogs. Add in one curmudgeonly, reluctant attorney who loves rescuing dogs and hates practicing law, and the plot is set.

"You will chow down on this one as if you were a Labrador retriever in front of a bowl of prime quality chopped steak --- because it's nonstop pleasure on every savory page."

It's almost Christmas, and our beloved, sports-loving, holiday-hating attorney is hosting a party for his rescue, the Tara Foundation. Those in the know are aware that this rescue is based on the real-life Tara Foundation, started by Rosenfelt and his wife in honor of their much-loved golden retriever Tara, "[t]he best dog in the whole world," as he will unequivocally state. But during the festivities, Pete Stanton, Andy's friend and captain of the homicide division of the Paterson police, calls him on the phone and asks him to bring one of the rescue's volunteers outside. Derek Moore is arrested and charged with murder.

Derek is one of the foundation's best volunteers, and he has two dogs he adopted from them --- a Dalmatian and a golden retriever. Andy has a hard time believing that Derek is a vicious murderer. As usual, he reluctantly agrees to help by representing Derek in court. In addition to Andy's self-deprecating first person narrative, filled with Rosenfelt's wry humor, there are short chapters written in the third person that give details about a mysterious series of events. We are sure it eventually will be explained and will help prove that Derek is innocent of any crime.

Longtime fans of the Andy Carpenter series won't be disappointed as this installment features the trademark twists of brilliance by Andy just as the trial is almost over; his snarky sense of humor, which manages to piss off every judge he's ever appeared in front of; and his at-times comic group of helpers. They include a geriatric wannabe spy who is a tech genius; a bodyguard who would put any television superhero to shame with his display of physical prowess; an intrepid and intelligent wife who was a cop in a previous life; another former police officer who comes with his own K-9 (honesty check: the K-9 does indeed bite someone); and a nearly nonexistent office manager/secretary who is always away on vacation but still receives her paychecks.

Add in a few gang members and some mafioso types, as well as plenty of unraveling of disparate clues and events, and you have another clever, humorous, dog-filled mystery. You will chow down on this one as if you were a Labrador retriever in front of a bowl of prime quality chopped steak --- because it's nonstop pleasure on every savory page. Happy holidays.