Twas the Bite Before Christmas [Mass Market Paperback]

Lee Charles Kelley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 25, 2005

The maid for a wealthy couple who lives in a mansion along the Maine coast, is found dead at the bottom of the main staircase a few weeks before Christmas. The couple claims that the maid's ex–boyfriend ran out of the house just as they arrived home, but there are no footprints in the snow, and the guard at the front gate didn't see anyone leaving the property. Jack and his fiancée, local medical examiner Dr. Jamie Cutter, reluctantly leave their eggnog and tinsel when they are called in to help catch the killer. Soon Jack realizes that there is more at work than simply murder: a mysterious visitor has been conning the rich couple with tales of spirits, magic, and elfin visitors. 'Tis the season for tracking down the truth, so Jamie and Jack set out for New York City and end up in a foot chase that takes them through the snow–covered city, tailing a lost Dalmation puppy, mysterious elves, a sly killer, and the true meaning of Christmas.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Both Lee Charles Kelley and his fictional detective are dog trainers, and it’s obvious they know their stuff.” (Dog World )

“This is not only a great mystery novel, it should also be sold in every pet store in America.” (Kevin Behan, author of Natural Dog Training )

“The most perfect book. The mystery is beautifully written, fast-paced and engrossing. What could be better?” (Delia Ephron, author of Hanging Up, and executive producer and screenwriter of You've Got Mail )

“A terrific story with equally terrific characters...don’t miss this one.” (Rendezvous Magazine )

“A jolly good read for those who enjoy “escape” fiction.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette )

“Smart and witty, fast-paced . . . the best of mysteries a la canine.” (Shirley Rousseau Murphy )

“A very clever canine caper.” (Romantic Times BOOKclub )

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (October 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060732288
• ISBN-13: 978-0060732288
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a songwriter, a dog trainer, and a mystery novelist. I live in New York City with a Dalmatian named Fred. My novels are best described as a combination murder mystery, romantic comedy, and dog training manual. The titles include A NOSE FOR MURDER, MURDER UNLEASHED, TO COLLAR A KILLER, and 'TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, which was a Featured Alternate Selection for The Mystery Guild. DOG WORLD MAGAZINE said of me, "Both Lee Charles Kelley and his fictional detective are dog trainers, and it's obvious they know their stuff."

My short story, "The French Poodle Connection" is featured in the dog mystery anthology, BARK M FOR MURDER, along with stories by fan favorite Virginia Lanier, prize-winning novelist Chassie West, and New York Times bestselling author, J.A. Jance. My next novel, titled DOGGED PURSUIT, will be out in July of 2006.

I'm a member of ASCAP. I wrote the book and lyrics for the musical comedy IT'S ONLY MONEY, with partner David Forrest. I've written the theme songs for two independent motion pictures that you've probably never heard of. Other tunes have been praised by Carly Simon, Charles Strouse, Ric Derringer, Tierney Sutton, and others.

The dog training techniques I use are based on NATURAL DOG TRAINING by Kevin Behan. They're unique in that they don't rely on dominance or food rewards but utilize the dog's prey drive to stimulate obedience and solve behavioral problems naturally.

I'm in my mid-50s. Fred died peacefully in his sleep of congestive heart failure on June 28th, 2007. He was 15 years old.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How I Wrote this Book, November 10, 2005

By 

Lee Charles Kelley "dog trainer/mystery novelist" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twas the Bite Before Christmas (Mass Market Paperback)

I was nearly finished writing DOGGED PURSUIT when I got an e-mail from my editor at Avon. Was the book I was currently working on set at Christmas? Could it be a Yuletide-themed story?

Hardly, I told her. It's set in October and features a serial killer. Not much Christmas cheer there.

Still, the idea of writing a story with Christmas themes built into it was very appealing to me. Years ago I'd written and sold a spec screenplay called THE LEGEND OF CHARLEY MAINE that was never produced. I had a great deal of affection for the characters in that script and wondered if I could artfully weave them into Jack and Jamie's world.

Off the top of my head I pitched a story idea for what became TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS to Erin, my editor. It involved a rich, elderly couple, living in a mansion on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. They come home from a Christmas concert to find their housemaid has been murdered. They suspect her ex-boyfriend, who's done time for murder, and even plant evidence to implicate him. But their grown, playboy son was having an affair with the victim. Then there's the chauffeur, Karl, who has ties to the Russian mafia in Brooklyn, not to mention a mysterious professor who occasionally comes to visit the mansion from New York. When he stays with them strange lights appear at night on the third floor. I told Erin the story would also tie-in to remnants of the Underground Railroad (for escaped slaves), and that there would be a chase scene at the skating rink at Rockefeller Center.

She loved it, agreed to let me put DOGGED PURSUIT on the back-burner for the time being (it'll be out in July of 2006), and we were off to the races.

I had a lot of fun writing this book. I hope you enjoy reading it.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You don't have to wait till Christmas to read this one :-), January 10, 2006

By 

Silvija Vecrumba "Silvija Vecrumba" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Twas the Bite Before Christmas (Mass Market Paperback)

Jack and Jamie are back, thank goodness, and in this latest offering from Lee Charles Kelley they take readers on another fun ride with, of course, all of their canine companions. While this book can certainly be read as a stand alone, readers would be well-served to grab up all the prior Jack and Jamie books first, because they're fun to read, and second, to get to know the characters. I don't think anyone that enjoys this genre would be disappointed. And speaking of which, what a breath of fresh air Mr. Kelley brings to the world of dog mysteries! I devour books; they are my preferred form of entertainment and relaxation. When I want a fun read, I choose a dog mystery. Quite honestly, it seemed the field had rather dried up recently. Even one of the authors I read regularly abandoned us and wrote about....ee gads...cats! Enter Mr. Kelley.

As with his prior books, in "Twas The Bite Before Christmas", Mr. Kelley gives us a fun mystery with two main protagonists that you will like immediately; well, if, like me, you like a smart-aleck know-it-all pain in the butt guy like Jack ( but hey, he loves dogs, has a great sense of justice, does volunteer work for sick children, and beats up tough mafia hoods,and doesn't give up till he solves the crime...what's not to like? ),and Jamie, well, everyone loves Jamie. ( Even if Mr. Kelley does attribute her occasional moodiness to certain 28 day cycles....what's Jack's excuse?? )But you get the drift; these two have fun together, even through ups and downs, and the reader has fun right along with them. The quirky supporting cast is a bit out there, but somehow Mr. Kelley brings it all together and makes it work. After all, it is supposed to be a fun read, and from the rich,eccentric,devious Brights whose housemaid is found murdered at the beginning of the book, to their mafia connected chauffeur Karl, to their mysterious visiting "professor", to tales of elves and strange lights in the Bright mansion, and most importantly, to the dogs that Mr. Kelley cleverly weaves into his stories, it IS a fun read, and it works.

One last note from someone who is an absolutely committed, passionate, nutso, over the top, fanatical dog lover. Most people that enjoy this genre are dog people. I would venture a guess that readers would be happy to see their breed represented in a book they're reading. Until now, there wasn't much chance of that happening. Most dog mystery writers write from their limited experiences and stick to the breed they know. Mr. Kelley is a trainer and has vast experience with many breeds; he also obviously knows that readers will want to see their breed(s) represented in his books. This is not just a smart marketing idea; it makes for more interesting reading. Mr. Kelley also finds ways of smoothly educating readers on his training philosophies and methods. As someone who trains dogs, I love this. I have gone from thinking "interesting", to "YES!!" to bookmarking Mr. Kelley's web site. THIS trainer is always open to learning how to do things a better way. In closing, although I primarily read for entertainment, yes, I have always most enjoyed books from which I can learn something. I never expected to learn anything from a dog mystery. Thank you, Mr. Kelley. Silvija Vecrumba

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars clever crime caper, October 25, 2005

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Twas the Bite Before Christmas (Mass Market Paperback)

Ex-NYPD Police Officer Jack Field now lives in Maine where he owns and operates a kennel and is a consultant to his fiancée state medical examiner Jamie Cutter. They are enjoying themselves one night when a phone call summons them to the Bright mansion where the corpse of the housemaid Amy Frost is found d lying on the steps. Tests show that she suffered blunt force trauma to her head by an unknown object and the Brights believe her abusive ex-boyfriend Thomas Huckabee did the deed.

They go so far as to plant false evidence so the police will focus their investigation on Huckabee. Karl, the family chauffeur, disappears after telling Jack about a mysterious professor who visits the Brights quite often and where he is in residence. Strange things happen in the newly contracted third floor of the mansion. Karl is in New York trying to resolve a misunderstanding with a Russian mafiosa who winds up helping Jack in his quest to find the mysterious professor. Jack wants Huckabee found so he can give a kidney to his son who has weeks left to live and his father is a good match. Jack also wants to discover what role the professor played in the Bight problems and develops a brilliant con to bring him out of hiding.

Readers who like Laurien Berenson and Susan Conant will love `TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. The secondary cast makes the tale including Doberman pinchers who look fierce but are putty in Jack's hands. The hero's own two dogs will bring a smile to the reader's face with their actions and antics. Though a bit too many ornaments, Lee Charles Kelly has written a clever crime caper.

Harriet Klausner