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.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Couldn't Drive?, by Dan Gutman, Allison Steinfeld (Illustrations)

 

Publication Nov. 1, 2022

What a fun book! Fun and informative. You get so caught up in the very realistic banter between siblings Turner and Paige (get it?) that you don't even realize how much you're learning, learning about not just Ginsburg but history and equal rights in the process. The fact the banter occasionally makes a brief detour, ie Turner and his thing for prunes, makes it all the more fun as Paige's response is very sister-like. There's even a section called "Mushy Stuff", which reminds us all the more of the probably target audience's age. 

I liked the format. It made for a quick read and didn't dwell on any one specific fact for long, making things seem to move along all the more faster. True, as an adult reader I found myself wanting to know more at times but, hey, this wasn't written for me. That I thoroughly enjoyed it, however, speaks volumes for the humor and skill with it shown by author Dan Gutman. The artwork is simple but effective and even though there were reminders in the digital copy I read that the artwork wasn't final, it worked. The siblings' tone, I might note, even while lighthearted and occasionally playful, was respectful, even while revealing, say, RBG's lack of driving and cooking skills. Good thing her husband learned to cook, and cook well, huh? He was also the designated driver, so to speak. 

Bottom line, this one is a winner and should appeal to both adults and the target audience of children. There is much to be learned, not just about Ginsburg but the times she lived and influenced. You know, considering the fact no law firm would even offer her a job after she graduated law school, Harvard, at that, she did okay, I'd say. No, better than okay. She became THE Notorious RBG. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #WWNorton&Company - #NortonYoungReaders for the chance to get to know this remarkable woman better.

Holy Chow (Andy Carpenter #25), by David Rosenfelt, Grover Gardner (Narrator) AUDIO BOOK

 

Audio book, Macmillan Audio    6h, 2m, 15s

It's always a delight to spend time with Andy and the gang, especially the dogs. Never mind that people seem to always be trying to kill him. Thankfully Marcus and Laurie have his back because Andy's strength is walking the dogs and legal matters, not self-defense. I read the ebook earlier, that review will follow the audio review, and enjoyed the book, so wasn't surprised to equally enjoy this audio version. As always, Grover Gardner does an excellent job capturing the personality and humor of wannabe-retiree defense lawyer Andy Carpenter. 

 Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series tends to follow the same pattern. You begin the book with a crime, usually murder, being committed. At that point you have no clue how it will connect to the rest of the story but you know it will eventually make sense. You then move to meet Andy, often as he's walking his dogs or chatting with Laurie. In this case, we meet him at a ball game. Son Ricky is playing. Not long after, Andy gets the phone call that sets the plot into motion. A woman who adopted a dog through his Tara Foundation, Lion, the chow of the title, had called to make sure that should something happen to her that Andy will ensure that Lion is cared for properly. She mentions a visiting step-son, one she hopes might take to Lion, but after Andy assures her that Lion will be properly cared for in case she no longer can care for him, the matter is dropped and pretty much forgotten. Then, a few weeks later, another phone call, this one from another lawyer. Rachel Morehouse, Lion's human, has passed away and Andy is invited to the reading of the will. Surprised, since he neither knew of Rachel's death nor that he'd have any connection to her will, Andy agrees. There he meets the step-son prior to the will reading. Just as they begin, the police enter and everyone except the step-son, Tony, is asked to step out. When the attendees return to the room, the only one missing is Tony. Seems the police have arrested him for the murder of his step-mother. It also turns out that Rachel was worth billions, probably the inciting reason for the arrest of a potential heir. And, thus begins the winding trail of how Andy reluctantly becomes involved in the case which, of course, turns out to be far more complicated than a simple murder. Luckily, Marcus has his back.

Narrator Grover Gardner perfectly captures Andy's humor, snark, and complex personality. The pacing is steady, seemingly increasing in pace as Andy finds himself in tense situations. Gardner makes no real effort to impersonate the various characters, ie changing his male voice to a more female sounding one, but it somehow works. There is never any doubt who is speaking. Gardner does this simply through slight changes of tone and speed, for lack of a better description. Chapter changes are not announced. Instead, there is a subtle pause between both chapters and changing scenes. All in all, it works well, from the initial set-up to the usually cliff-hanging conclusion....with Marcus managing to save Andy's life repeatedly at times, not to mention increasingly showing more of his own personality and background. I find myself looking forward to the next revelation about Marcus almost as much as I do seeing how Andy manages to get himself into and out of what appears a legal quagmire. "Holy Chow" is a winner, especially with the assist of narrator Grover Gardner.

Thanks #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for the chance to hang out with Andy and the dogs. It's always an adventure, with lots of both laughs and tension. One of my favorite, not-to-miss series.

ORIGINAL REVIEW OF EBOOK VERSION:

As usual, once I started reading, I couldn't stop until I finished. This is the 25th book in the Andy Carpenter series and I'd say that has pretty much held true for all of them. Now, true, I had to delay starting because, well, I needed to take my own dog for a walk. Andy would understand. I was drawn to the series because of the dog connection but have stayed for the self-deprecating humor, witty dialogue, and well-defined characters. Hey, we even learn a bit more about Marcus who, to be honest, I'm about half convinced is Superman in disguise.

As usual, the plot initially sounds simple. Andy's Tara Foundation adopted out Lion, a senior Chow, to Rachel Morehouse. Rachel calls him out of the blue one day to ask him to be sure Lion is cared for if something happens to her and her stepson can't take Lion. Andy thinks nothing more about it until he's notified Rachel has died and he should show up at the reading of her will. He goes, mostly thinking he's there to pick up the dog. He finds out there that Rachel was extremely rich and left $2M to the Tara Foundation. Then, her stepson, Tony, who actually adores the dog, is arrested for her murder just as the reading of the will is about to start.

That's when it gets complicated. Andy has been trying for years to retire, winds up as Tony's lawyer. Who killed Rachel Morehouse? Why? That's the big question Andy must answer to successfully defend his client. Speaking of his client, why was Tony estranged from the family? How is the family business connected? What does Sam discover while hacking his way through records? Do we really need to know exactly how late a plane lands each flight? What could that have to do with Rachel's murder? Dirty money? Drugs? How many times has Marcus saved Andy's life over the lifespan of this series? I don't know. The question just struck me. How do all these things connect? And, oh, there's more but you're going to have to read the book to find the answers to these and other questions.

Thank you #NetGalley and #SMB, #StMartinsBooks, for inviting me to drop in on Andy, Laurie, and the dogs. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment, well, aside from that really scary moment but, well, Marcus was there. He'd have saved me, too.

A Book of Murder in Notchey Creek (Harley Henrickson #4), by Liz S. Andrews

 Shared pasts. 

Shared memories. 

Shared secrets.

Superb mystery with many layers. The author's writing style flows, almost poetic at one moment, insanely tense at others, all while moving the story steadily forward. Her imagery is superb, capturing moments and sounds that vividly help us visualize the beauty of the setting and mood. I didn't write it down exactly, bad me, but one phrase introducing a tense encounter sorta encapsulated that ability as she describes crickets chiming out the "beleaguered seconds" like a metronome. In other words, I fully loved this book. 

I won't detail the plot, which is easily found elsewhere, but simply say that it's far more complex that the cute cover might indicate. Harley has an amazing ability to remember and quote passages from books. She's well read and once had a scholarship to Harvard. Yet, she's known for her cocktail mixes, hence many underestimate her. Although this worked nicely as a stand-alone, I found myself wanting to know more about not just Harley's past but that of her rock star friend, Beau, who seems to share so many of her memories. She's also got a good friend in Jed, the sheriff, who in contrast to the more stereotypical police-v-amateur sleuth relationship, seem to work together well and trust each other. How refreshing. 

As for the murder, it's complicated. On the surface, it begins simply enough with the death of an unknown woman. Then bodies start piling up. First, who is the unknown woman? Is there some connection between the deaths or is there a random killer at large? Wow, did you realize how much rare books are worth? How is a tatoo connected to the book "Jane Eyre"?  What did Suzanne mean when she called "Jane Eyre" a little golden Easter egg? A maid mumbling literary verse? Why is the press hounding....oh, never mind. Enough teasers. Read the book. I don't think you'll regret it and, hey, Matilda the pig does get a couple scenes.

Thanks #NetGalley and #LittleForestPress for introducing me to the wonderful series. I'll be back! And, oh, those cocktail recipes sound wonderful.

A Sprinkle in Time (Shake Shop Mystery, #2), by Dana Mentink

Secrets. Ambition. Family. Justice. All these and more play a role in the murder mystery in "A Sprinkle of Time". Secrets kept are good, right? Not necessarily, especially if they allow ambition to rule one's actions, especially when others are involved. Family....secrets kept can destroy a family, even if kept with the best intentions. As for justice, to quote the book, "Justice was satisfying, but it came with consequences of so much pain for so many."

I have to admit to finding it slow going at first, maybe because I hadn't read the first book in the series, but I was quickly able to sort out who was who and how they were connected and was hooked. While it was intriguing to see Trinidad Jones' mind process the clues, we also learn quite a bit about not just her and boyfriend Quinn but her grandfather Papa Luis, who drives the 1951 Buick that becomes a vital element of the mystery. I also loved her old dog, Noodles, who seemed to know more about what was going on within the various characters than they sometimes seemed to realize themselves.

I won't detail the plot, plot recaps are easily available, but this was definitely the first cozy mystery I've read where it basically begins with the main characters finding a body that then disappears before the local police can arrive. Who was it? Where did the body go? How did someone get it from the trunk to move it elsewhere so quickly? Or, whoa, was the person even dead? Why did Quinn sell his timber acres? How did Gabe's three exes all become such close friends? Can one moment of carelessness change lives forever? The answer to all these and more can be found in "A Sprinkle in Time'.

Thank you #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for letting me visit Upper Sprocket for awhile. I'm looking forward to revisiting and maybe, just maybe, caging a ride in Papa Luis' '51 Buick.

Bound by Murder (Antique Bookshop Mystery #3), by Laura Gail Black

  

Publication date Sept. 6, 2022.

Wow, so much going on here. Jenna is having a great day until her ex-boyfriend, Blake Emerson, shows up with his bride-to-be, Missy Plott. But, why is he still professing his eternal love for Jenna, especially after turning his back on her during a previous hard time? Although this series is new to me, the author effortlessly fills us in on that injustice which wound up with Jenna spending some three months in jail charged with murder and embezzlement. When released, Jenna is met at the door to their home by Blake, coldly handing her the key to a storage locker, and left alone to start a new life.

Just to add another complication to the current situation, while Blake is harassing Jenna, Missy's ex, Tom, shows up vowing that Missy and he are meant to be. He makes a very public spectacle of getting down on his knee and proposing. Let's just say, Missy isn't kind. Seems Blake is far richer. In the span of just a few days, Missy also manages to alienate many of the other historic town's shop owners with her entitled attitude and nasty nature. Is it any surprise she eventually turns up dead, or that it's Jenna who finds the body? This is where things begin to get even more complicated.

Why are Blake and Missy even there? What is he telling Missy that makes her beyond angry at Jenna? What mad skill does Jenna display to discourage Blake? Why is policeman boyfriend Keith so unsure of Jenna's love? Why isn't even Jenna sure of her own motives or feelings, be it love or revenge? How will the previously traumatized Eddy handle all the stress? Is there any limit to a mother's love? Why is Blake just standing by while Missy is so loudly being beyond rude to his mother? Come to think of it, why didn't Jenna ever meet his mother? Why does the destruction of one particular book in her shop, Twice Upon a Time, by what seems arson, so saddening for Jenna? How is all this connected to Jenna's past? Who had a reason to kill Missy? What does Blake have to say about all this? What is the significance of a key? And, well, to find out you'll just have to read the book.

I wound up loving this book and plan to read the previous installments asap. Jenna is likable, cares about others, and growing in confidence in her life and friendships. The supporting cast is excellent and seem like people we'd all enjoy having in our own lives. Having the chance to overhear both their idle chatter and deeper conversations pulls us into the story, making us want to know what happens next, not to mention what really happened in Jenna's past that brought her here. Jenna's romance with Keith, though new, seems solid and able to grow in the future. And, of course, there is Eddy. I'm a sucker for dogs anyway but Eddy captured my heart, healing from past trauma just as Jenna is. This series is a winner.

Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for introducing me to Jenna, Keith, and her friends. And, hey, I'm sending Eddy a virtual treat. Good boy, Eddy.

In Too Steep (Misty Bay Tearoom #2,) by Kate Kingsbury

Although I found Vivian's desire to do right for a deceased man she feels has been falsely accused of a crime, I also wanted to shake some sense into her a few times. It started innocently enough, seeing a Big Ben souvenir in a photo of the deceased's home and realizing it's one her shop sold. Her goal is simply to find the person who bought it, thinking perhaps they cared about the dead man, a loner who seemed friendless, and gave it to him. She wants to inform them of the death. Vivian is obviously someone who wants to think the best of others, even when she has little evidence to support her conclusions. It escalates from there. At some point she switches gears, from innocently wanting to do the right thing, probably without realizing it, into sleuth mode.

True, her thought processes are good, leading her to the most likely suspects. However, she puts not just herself but her loved ones and friends, not to mention her smart, adorable dog, in danger, too. In the process, the side stories show her growing attachment to Felix, an adorable, smart dog, and Hal. Ironically, she seems to find it easier to open herself up to danger than to loving again. Will Hal win her over? Her dog already adores him. How about her Tearoom workers? Will they be harmed because of Vivian's innate need to try to make things right? Heck, will the detective in charge find his way past his own past loses to not only find the killer but find happiness, too? Will the killer's girlfriend be the death of Vivian?

How does Vivian get out of this mess? Well, you'll have to read the book to find out. It's an easy, entertaining read with just enough romance and intrigue to satisfy most, not to mention a cute dog.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the ARC. This was a new series for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Citizen K-9, by David Rosenfelt

I am a huge fan of David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series and, as such, came into this audio book with certain expectations. I initially found the going slow, rare for me with Rosenfelt. Corey Douglas is no Andy Carpenter but he has his own style and sense of humor, however. It's more subtle perhaps than Andy Carpenter readers are accustomed to but as the story went along and I began to fall into the rhythm, it emerged more fully. Corey is also dedicated to not just his dog, retired canine officer Simon Garfunkel, but his lady and when a subtle threat to her is sent, he becomes even more focused, if that is possible. Oh, still cool and collected but laser focused on eliminating the threat to her, even if it rests on shaky legal grounds or costs him his life.

Let's just say, just like Andy, Corey has a talent for putting himself in dangerous spots. Of course, Laurie and Marcus have his back. Ex-police officer Laurie, as Andy's wife, can also call on his lawyer know-how as needed, even if Andy quips constantly where he should be sending his bill. As always, Marcus is a force onto himself and, heads up, we learn something new about Marcus in this episode. Shhh, don't tell Andy.

The plot is based on the K-Team being hired to investigate a cold crime of pretty much their own choosing. It's almost a no-brainer that they would opt for the one regarding the death of a high school classmate after a reunion that Laurie and Corey both attended. As Corey and the team follow the clues with an assist from Andy and his accountant, computer hacker wiz Sam, it becomes increasingly obvious that there is someone out there who doesn't want this crime to be solved. Who are they annoying? Well, besides the mob? What do drugs and gambling have to do with it? Could the male victim's job be related? Where are the vicitms?

Bottom line, if you come into "Citizen K-9" with an open mind and allow the rhythm to cast its spell, you're likely to enjoy it tremendously. And, oh, did I mention, that Andy's dogs make an appearance? I may have had no clue who did it until the big reveal but, quite frankly, didn't care. I just sit back, turned on the audio and let narrator Fred Berman lure me onto the roller coaster that, as always, is a David Rosenfelt book.

Thank you #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for inviting me to drop in on the doings in Patterson and hang out with the K-Team and visit Andy's dogs again. Kudos for Rosenfelt's continued involvement in the real life Tara Foundation, btw. 

Mrs. Jeffries and the Midwinter Murders (Mrs. Jeffries #40), by Emily Brightwell

First, how the heck did I miss the first 39 books in this series? Wow. Impressive. 

Second, coming off reading several fast paced, intense murder mysteries in a row, the slower pace of this one was actually quite nice. It had, well, Victorian sensibilities and a slower, more measured pace than more modern mysteries tend to do. I liked that although I'm honest enough to say I probably wouldn't like that full time, especially given the repetition involved as the helpful crew report back to each other daily. No razzle dazzle, just good ol' fashioned sleuthing and working as a team here as Mrs. Jeffries and the other characters, all of whom we got to meet briefly but sufficiently for the plot, secretly assist "their" Inspector Witherspoon to solve the locked room Christmas murder mystery. The suspects are intriguing themselves, most seemingly having a reason to kill, and I loved the teamwork and organization displayed by Witherspoon's unknown to him assistant sleuths. All and all, a delightful, intriguing read with lots of teamwork and obvious love and caring amongst the crew around Mrs. Jeffries and Inspector Witherspoon. I think I'm going to have to go do some serious catching up with this new to me series. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BerkleyPublishingGroup for the ARC and for introducing me to a delightful series I've somehow missed.
 

As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles, by Leslie Budewitz

If I'm ever falsely accused of a crime, I hope someone like main character Erin Murphy is around to help sort things out. She's feisty, tenacious, and dedicated to her family and friends. She's also willing to take on the task of finding the truth about the murder of a, let's face it, mere acquaintance. In the process, she's also juggling running a business, decorating for Christmas, trying to find a good handyman, not to mention help a repentant shop lifter, spend time with her soon to be husband, and take care of all the details of her rapidly approaching wedding. No pressure, right?

I won't detail the plot here as others will do a far better job than me. I'll just note that it all begins with what appears on the surface to be a family feud in the middle of the otherwise festive decorating binge the town of Jewel Bay, Montana, is in. Erin befriends the daughter and invites her to a gathering at her place. The daughter, Merrily, doesn't show. Although concerned, Erin isn't overly worried until she's called to meet a business friend who has found Merrily's dead body. From there on it gets complicated, full of family secrets, love gone wrong, and the odd way some are reacting to the murder. Money is missing. Fingers are pointed. Gossip is exchanged.

All this is done in a masterful way. The dialogue not only moves things along but sounds genuine, not forced. It helps make the characters all the more real to readers, especially as long-time tensions and secrets are revealed. In the middle of it is Erin, who somehow manages to keep everything moving forward, even after being run into a ditch full of water by an unknown driver. Vehicles similar to the one that ran her off the road are everywhere in the area, so the vague description of the vehicle is little help. Kudos to Budewitz for her mentions of natural treatments such as arnica for pain rather than prescribed drugs, btw. Anyway, then Erin spies another clue. And, well, you'll have to read the book to find out how it all ends. 

I felt as much sadness at the end of the book as I did relief that the murder and mysteries surrounding it had been solved. Kudos to the author. It isn't often an author can make you genuinely feel sympathetic to a murderer. That reveals the skill of author Leslie Budewitz. She not only brings Erin Murphy and family to life but the characters around her, both innocent and guilty. Five stars for this book. Give it a read. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BeyondThePage for the ARC.

A Three Book Problem, by Vicki Delaney

  A Three Book Problem, by Vicki Delaney

A Sherlock Holmes Bookstore Mystery, 7th in series

Thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the ARC. 

First, I absolutely loved this book/series. Main character Gemma's observation and intuitive skills are amazing. True, she's off base a few times but more often than not she is right. An intriguing story, the seventh installment in the series, with many red herrings, suspects, and sub-plots. I give it five stars. I'd toss in another star if possible for the unique murder weapon.

That said, as much as I admire the skills of the heroine of the story, Gemma Doyle, who runs a Sherlock Holmes focused bookstore, is also blunt and rude at times. Her observation skills are such that, much like Holmes, she doesn't miss much in the surroundings or actions of those about her involved but, sigh, she often seems to forget the human element involved. She particularly annoyed me when she called her Uncle Donald at 1 a.m. without a thought that he might be sleeping. To his credit, he instantly becomes alert and is ready to come to her aid wherever she is. She barely notices. She simply asks her question and basically hangs up on him without explanation of apology.

Despite all these quirks that must wear on those about her at time, I couldn't help liking her. Perfect? Not even close. But, doesn't that make her all the more human? I don't know about you but I'm sure I have quirks that annoy my friends and vice versa, so this all helps make Gemma seem all the more real. True, I found it odd she'd never heard the ol' saying about "curiosity killed the cat" but maybe that isn't as well known in England where she grew up. Speaking of cats, her own cat doesn't seem to like her. Another quirk.

As for the murder itself, no one really seems upset that the victim died. Even Gemma seems detached and more an observer than participant finding the solution in at first. Perhaps because she had no real connection to the victim? It actually isn't until late in the book that she "turns on" her Shelockian deduction skills as she dives headfirst into investigating and solving the murder. She even manages to find a few other crimes lurking beneath the surface in the process. 

I won't even attempt to detail the plot more than I've already hinted as I'm sure others will do a far better job of doing so than me. I'll thoroughly enjoyed the book and, in fact, the entire series and as much as she annoys me at times, am looking forward to spending more time with Gemma and her friends. I may even have to do some brushing up on my Sherlock Holmes reading between now and the next as it took me the entire book to figure out the significance of the title. Who am I kidding? The book finally tells us. Nope. Not telling. You'll have to read it yourself to find out. If you love a good mystery, characters who are both endearing and annoying, you know, real people, and enjoy matching wits with the amateur sleuths (and real investigators), this is a must read.