Dead Men Don't Play Fetch: An Andy Carpenter Mystery (An Andy Carpenter Novel, 33), by David Rosenfelt

 

Publication July 7, 2026

Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter never lets me down. Always well written with not just great characters and frequently laugh out loud humor, but dogs. Andy has been trying to retire as a lawyer for about as long as I've been reading this series but never quite manages. This time he's roped into a seemingly impossible case with all the evidence seeming to point at his client. Why would any self-respecting lawyer, especially one wanting to retire, take on such a case?  There's a dog involved. For long time fans, that will come as no surprise as Andy is all about dogs and started the Tara Foundation. The Tara Foundation is real, btw, and headed by Rosenfelt. If you're new to his work, make sure you find the non-fiction story of his cross-country move with, well, lots of dogs. 

In any case, back to this book. I won't detail the plot as the book's blurb does an excellent job doing that. Instead, I'll simply say you will enjoy a mystery with lots of twists and turns, legal wrangling, a well-fleshed out regular cast, and humor. And, did I mention, dogs? You'll enjoy Andy's one-sided chats with Tara during their walks, I'm sure. As for the human characters, Andy's investigative team, headed by Laurie, his ex-cop wife, is top notch and, did I mention, includes a K-9 member? Have fun getting to know them all. His newspaper editor and police chief friends are also fun, albeit I'm sure even Andy has lost track of the tab they're run up on him at their favorite meeting place. You'll even meet a few less savory types, hopefully when Marcus is around to keep Andy from getting himself killed. He does seem to have the knack of annoying some organized crime figures. His lawyer opponent in the courtroom is an old nemesis, so it's fun to see them spar, too, although I'm sure just about any judge would prefer Andy be a bit less snarky and more by the book. 

Bottom line, I  recommend this book to anyone who enjoys humor and is curious about how a lawyer might go about collecting evidence via investigating.  His easy relationship with his wife and the team members is a plus and you'll feel like you're among friends as you listen to their plans and shared info. And, of course, there are the dogs. The client's dog, Hope, is a huge part of why Andy finds himself back in the courtroom despite all his best(?) efforts to avoid taking cases, of course. Andy's sarcasm is nicely fine-tuned but so is his legal mind, one lucky enough to have a fantastic team behind him. Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for allowing me this early peek into Andy's latest courtroom drama and all the humor, snark, and dogs that surround him. Something tells me Laurie won't allow his brain to atrophy too long before the next case even if Tara continues to remain mum on her opinion. 

And to All a Good Bite: An Andy Carpenter Mystery (An Andy Carpenter Novel Book 32), by David Rosenfelt

 

Publication October 14, 2025

Once again, reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter finds himself in the middle of a murder case. There is, of course, a dog involved. A beautiful Golden named Rufus that the defendant, Jeff Wheeler, rescued from a burning building. Why was it burning? Because someone blew it up. Jeff was there to pick up his girlfriend who was attending a meeting in the building. Unfortunately, he was unable to save her or any of the others there but did manage to rescue the then puppy before being forced out by smoke and heat. He became something of a hero to many and ultimately adopted Rufus from Andy's Tara Foundation. Now. however, he's accused of murder. Having reluctantly reached the realization that he is a lawyer at heart despite his yen to endlessly talk and watch sports, Andy not only agrees to take the case but cares for Rufus at his own home. Never fear, he talked it all out with Tara during one of their daily walks. 

As usual, it's complicated. While I won't even attempt to summarize the plot, let's just say it ultimately involves bad guys, explosives, greed, priceless art, crack investigative work, and, well, Marcus saving Andy's life. That last one should be no surprise to long time series fans. You'll also get to spend ample time in the courtroom where Andy's snarky style masks a crafty legal mind. I always find the court time fascinating as we get insight into why he asks and doesn't ask certain questions, and things like what the police responders did or didn't do. In the process his investigative team gets time to shine, well, except for the work allergic Edna, who appointed herself office manager. You'll wind up liking them all, especially Laurie, Andy's wife, an ex-cop, as is Corey, who is part of the team with his retired K-9 Simon. Sam's hacking ability still makes Corey nervous but no one can deny that while his day job is as an accountant, his ability to find out things online is incredible. Marcus is, well, Superman, I think. I've never attempted to figure out how often he's saved Andy's life but it almost seems easy for him. While I lean toward thinking he'd make me nervous, I'd sure like to know he had my back. 

So, bottom line, it's an intriguing, complicated plot full of not just dogs, Laurie's motherly care of the team, Tara's wisdom and patience with her human, and explosions and international ..... oops, almost gave away a plot point. Let's just say, it's a fun read, even with the violence, and I'm already impatient for the next in the series. Andy's genuine worry and concern over the verdict rings true, too, showing the fact that he is not just a lawyer but a caring one. Thanks #NetGalley and #St.Martin'sPress - #Minotaur for allowing me this early peek at what's going on with Tara's human and his friends. This continues to be a favorite series, one I look forward to following as long as Rosenfelt keeps writing. Extra virtual treats for Tara and her four legged friends, too, especially walk-resistant Sebastian.  

Flop Dead Gorgeous (Andy Carpenter #270, by David Rosenfelt

 

Publication July 4, 2023

When a book is exceptionally good, one you look forward to every time, you hate to see it end. Such was the case with "Flop Dead Gorgeous", by David Rosenfelt. Independently wealthy, lawyer Andy Carpenter works hard to avoid working. This time, however, it's personal. The accused, movie star Jenny Nichols who, as Andy frequently reminds us, is someone he dated (briefly) in high school. She also adopted a mini-poodle, now called Mamie from the Tara Foundation, so there's no question Andy will be involved. With him comes his usual team, wife Laurie, Marcus Clark, ex-cop Corey and his retired police dog Simon, and Sam, who is the ultimate master of computers. All are fully fleshed out, even the dogs. Even Edna, Andy's adverse-to-work office clerk/secretary, gets some quality time.

I won't detail the plot, the publisher's blurb does an excellent job, and simply tell you to sit back and enjoy the ride. As usual, the book's opening scene seems to have no connections to anything....until it does. From there on it's a roller coaster of fun gatherings and some not so fun encounters as Andy does a deep dive into the investigation. Let's just say, Laurie's good but he's lucky to have Superman in disguise, er, Marcus, at watching his back. 

The FBI, hired killers, cyber crimes, foreign spies, and, well, lots more are involved. Through it all, Andy retains his snarky sense of humor and walks the dogs, although I will note that he isn't pretending to be a tough, brave guy this go-round. Probably wise. Marcus is tough enough for all of them, and Laurie and Corey are by no means slouches. Andy and Laurie are just glad son Ricky is away on a school trip through the worst of the danger. 

Bottom line, if you love courtroom/detective mysteries with an ample helping of humor, great characters, and some Hollywood glamour (Andy says to remind you he once dated Jenny), and dogs, you'll enjoy this one. Just be prepared for that conflicting urge to both draw out the fun while wanting get to the bottom of it all at the end. The entire series is that good and this one had a surprising twist at the end, at least one I wasn't expecting. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress - #MinotaurBooks for letting me catch up with Andy's never dull world. The glittery Hollywood touch was an extra plus. Guess Rosenfelt was recalling his own movie making days.

Santa's Little Yelpers (Andy Carpenter #26) by David Rosenfelt AUDIO BOOK

 

Available Oct. 11, 2022

This was the perfect way to end my day, curled up on the couch with my own dog while listening to award winning narrator Grover Gardner read David Rosenfelt's 26th Andy Carpenter mystery to me. I've loved each and every Andy Carpenter book in the series and Gardner, the long-time narrator, is perfect. He has Andy's personality down. Running time 6h, 41m.  

Having read the print version previously, you'd think I'd be bored listening to it again but you'd be wrong. You pick up things via the audio versions that you might otherwise miss while reading. I should probably note here that Gardner makes no attempt to imitate/differentiate voices, he simply reads. It works with Rosenfelt's writing style. As for the story, a summation of my initial review of the print version follows:

While the dogs of the tale are certainly a huge draw, David Rosenfelt always weaves a story full of not just dogs and humor but deep dives into organized crime, corruption, and how investigations might be done. Heck, he even makes the legal process understandable. And, Andy Carpenter never loses his self-deprecating humor and smart-mouth approach. 

I must also admit, I am a biased witness, er, reviewer. As soon as this book was approved for me to review, I immediately set aside what I was then reading and dived into the world of wannabe-retired lawyer Andy, who does some of his best thinking while out walking his dogs. Sebastian never fails to draw a grin from me, btw, for his lack of enthusiasm for said walks. Tara, of course, is the world's best dog. Just ask Andy. He may also have the best investigative team ever, too, and Sam, hacker extraordinary, gets out of the office to spend some time checking out a site in person for a change. True, at that point Andy figures it's a relatively safe bet that Sam won't encounter any problems on this seemingly barely connected town visit. Oh, but even Andy can be wrong sometimes. Sam's encounter with some shady characters sets the stage for the rest of the story, one that ultimately involves diamonds and organized crime. There's something in there about a trip to Disney, too, but Andy assures us he won't be wearing mouse ears.

If the above confuses me, don't despair. I've long since learned to just sit back, buckle up and enjoy the roller coaster ride that is an Andy Carpenter story. Even though I could have used a few more doses of Marcus, wife Laurie, as always, has Andy's back. There's even a new lawyer to oppose Andy this go-round and he sounds like a promising foe, albeit one we may wind up liking.

Bottom line, excellent pacing which moves right along, main characters you'll like, lovely dogs with personality,  and worthy opponents. You'll have to read it to find out what the big hole in the ground is and why people keep winding up dead. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress -  #MinotaurBooks - #MacmillanAudio for letting me spend some time with Andy, Laurie, Ricky, Tara, Corey, and, oh, yes, Marcus, not to mention some adorable Golden Retriever puppies.  Readers will love the ending and I'm hoping to see lawyer and dog-lover Chris Myers perhaps pop in occasionally in the future.