Publication July 2, 2024
It seems like only yesterday I picked up a copy of an interesting looking mystery with an adorable dog on the cover. It was by David Rosenfelt and I've been an avid fan ever since. As such, I am always waiting somewhat impatiently for the next-in-the-series and this one was not a disappointment. The usual cast of characters, not to mention dogs with unique personalities that I've grown to love like my own, and another unwanted case for reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter.
Andy has always seemed to be trying to retire ever since I met him. He's lucky enough to be independently wealthy, so working isn't a necessity. So, what can make him change his mind? A case involving not just a dog but a friend or, in this case, a friend of a friend. Most surprisingly, it's Marcus who comes asking a favor. Marcus, who's a bit of a Superman in my mind, has saved Andy's life countless times but never asked for anything. We're about to learn more about Marcus the man, not the Superman who can toss huge bodies around like pieces of fluff, fly planes, and practically dodge bullets, wants Andy to defend a young man he's taken under his wing. More on that in the story. The topping is that although Andy isn't quite sure Nick is innocent, all the evidence points at him, Nick just adopted a dog from Andy's beloved Tara Foundation. See, I told you a dog would be involved.
I'm not going to detail the plot, it's too much fun to ruin for you. I will note that the usual cast of characters, from ex-cop Laurie and their dogs, to the rest of the K-Team, an investigative team that is intriguing enough to have earned their own series. Marcus is, of course, a member of that team but Sam, the perpetual wannabe tough street sleuth who is actually far, far more helpful with computers than brawn, is a favorite. Did I mention he can probably hack into anything? True, it might take awhile and he does have help, a group of senior citizens who are no slouches themselves. In fact, they are very helpful this go-round. Andy's regular walks with Tara, the most perfect dog ever, are always both amusing and enlightening, not to mention this is usually where we get to see the various dog personalities emerge. One sort of twist, and there are many, many twists to this case, is that rather than Andy's usual at odds relationship with the opposing attorney, this time its an old friend. That provides a bit of a twist to the courtroom scenes but, never fear, snarky, smart-mouthed Andy is definitely still with us.
Bottom line, wonderful characters, dogs, tricky, twisty opponents and potential witnesses that seem to have a habit of getting themselves killed, not to mention Marcus in Superman form, and, oh, so much more. I came for the dogs, loved the humor, was pulled in by the writing and my own curious nature as to how Rosenfelt, who is not a lawyer, can keep doing these amazing (and humorous but deathly serious) legal drama-comedies. I still don't know and, quite frankly, rarely have any firm idea who did it until the final review but I keep coming back. If all the evidence is stacked against you, down to eye-witnesses at the site of the crime, you'd want Andy for your lawyer. I also imagine any defense lawyer would wish for an investigative bunch like the K-Team, although I doubt they'd want to be as close to being killed as many times as Andy seems to be. Thanks so much #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for allowing me this peek into Andy's latest unwanted case. And, wow, what an ending.
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