Paw Prints and Problems, by Carly Winter

Tact is not Gina's strong point. Nor is patience, well, unless it applies to a dog and an abandoned Golden Retriever has even about worn through her canine patience supply. Then there is that murder to solve. Sally's chef is murdered and she's asked Gina to help prove her innocence. How can Gina refuse a friend? 

Next thing we know, we're up to our reading eyeballs with surly bikers and drug lords, a father's confession, and .. .well, it's complicated. What really happened to Gina's mother? Why did she disappear? Who killed the chef and what's his name anyway? Will Zeus drive dog Gina's dog Daisy to distraction? Why is Trevor so free with information? Why is Gina hiding under a table? Who...oh, enough. So many questions.

I like Gina but, quite frankly, she does need to work on her approach to questioning. Gina has all the good intentions in the world but is given to being impulsive and not thinking through things before approaching people she genuinely suspects of being killers. True, she has her trusty talking dog Daisy at her side but Daisy isn't likely to scare off anyone. Daisy is smart and has a great nose for scents but, well, she also seems to operate like a toddler or, let's face it, in love with life dog. Daisy's canine chats with the abandoned, hyper, ill-behaved Zeus are a hoot. Finding out that there seems to be a scientific basis for his behavior and how it could be focused was definitely interesting. That sort of info is a plus for this book.

Bottom line, this was a fun, relatively quick read that I enjoyed. My own dog's name is Daisy, too, so another plus though I'm pretty sure I'd just as rather not know what she might really say to me at any given time. It was a plus in my mind that Gina made a point of going out of her way to both help and apologize to those she falsely accused.I did sorta have an inkling of who was guilty but it was so much fun to see Gina going off in one direction or the other with her suspicions, only to swerve into another lane dealing with wild-child, er, dog Zeus and finding him a forever home that it was never quite my focus. Yeah, I'd make a rotten detective. Grin.

Thanks #BookSirens and #WestwoodPublishing for giving me the chance to get to know Gina and, of course, Daisy the talking dog better. I'm looking forward to their next adventure, not to mention what is going on with Trevor.

'Twas the Bite Before Christmas (Andy Carpenter #28), by David Rosenfelt

 Publication October 10, 2023

One of the things you're asked before you serve on a jury is basically if you can be impartial. Well, no, your Honor. I don't think I can be an impartial reviewer for an Andy Carpenter book. I love David Rosenfelt's humor, snarky and dry, even when it's only in Andy's head, and have come to know and like the characters quite well. That said, how did I miss that Andy's firm's other lawyer, Eddie Dowd, was a tight end for the New York Giants before joining Andy's law firm? See, just when you think you know all the answers, Rosenfelt still manages to surprise me. It's also great fun to "hear" the rational he has in the courtroom for what questions he asks or doesn't ask.

This book, #28 in the Andy Carpenter series, was an intriguing, amazingly quick read. Quick because, well, once I start one of these books I pretty much read straight through until, whoa, almost to my shock, I'm nearing the end. That was the case this time. The story opens with Andy trying to delay downing the eggnog at a Christmas gathering at the Tara Foundation that operates to rescue dogs. Almost to his relief, he gets a call from Pete Stanton, a friend and the town's captain of the homicide division, to come outside. Next thing we know, one of the party guests, Derek, is being cuffed and taken to jail. But why is Pete is calling him Robert Klaster? Soon, Andy doesn't have to worry about drinking the dreaded eggnog but he does have another client. You guessed it. Derek. Or, is it Robert? Or, Bobby? That's when the story really begins. 

As always, Andy's a reluctant lawyer but, well, Derek, er, Bobby is a foster failure for the Tara Foundation. That translates to him having agreed to temporarily foster a dog, two in this case, but changing his mind and deciding he can't give them up later. They're now inside, happily mixing with the other rescues and potential rescues in the shelter as Derek/Bobby is led away. Oh, the identity confusion. I won't detail how or why as that is part of the plot, but let's just say "witness protection program". From that moment on, it's a roller coaster of events, including drugs, mob lords, questions upon questions, poisoning, and, well, much, much more. The usual crew is there. In addition to Andy, we have his tough as nails wife, Laurie, ex-cop Corey and his also retired police dog Simon, Marcus, who'd give King Kong a run for his money in a match up, and Sam, the mild-mannered accountant and master hacker. Edna is still on hiatus but gets a few mentions of her travels. And, oh, the dogs: Tara, who Andy deems the world's best dog ever, Hunter the pug, and Sebastian, who's favorite speed is nap. Toss in Bobby's two, Sasha and Jake, and Andy has a house full of dogs, which is just fine with him once he figures out how to walk the dogs without Sebastian being an anchor. 

That's about as much of the plot as I'll share....the blog does an excellent summary ... but will say that it is, as always, complex and involves as much legal eagle time as investigation. Fortunately, they aren't trying to kill Andy in the courtroom, just beat his sometimes seemingly off-the-cuff defense. Mobster ties and rivalries abound and, wow, even a mob biggie has serious admiration for Marcus's skills. Let's just say, those silly enough not to just throw up their hands and immediately surrender when he's there live to regret it. Laurie may make a pancake to make Sam drool, but she's also tough and no-nonsense, a real plus as a private investigator, but even she takes a backseat to Marcus. She loves Christmas, however, and seems to take buying presents for not just son Ricky, who shares none of Andy's love of football and baseball, but herself. Andy's always amazed at the good taste he's supposedly shown in gift buying. 

That said, aside from taking place during the holiday, this isn't really a Christmas based story. It's a legal mystery. I quipped online to some friends that I recognized some of the legalese being tossed around online by commentators because of this series, so it's taught me a few things, too. But, no, I'm still keeping it to one dog. She's a rescue, tho', so Andy would approve. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for allowing me to spend some of the virtual holiday season watching Andy in action. I'm reading for the next case, even if Andy isn't.

Good Dog, Bad Cop, The K Team #4, by David Rosenfelt AUDIOBOOK

 

Available March 14,2023   Narrated by Fred Berman    7 hours

Early in the book, main character Corey Douglas notes that while he'll follow the facts, he's hardly impartial. I feel the same way reading, or in this case listening to one of David Rosenfelt's books. I'll set everything else aside that I'm reading for one of them. Even while some of the crimes boggle my mind, it's always been worth every minute of reading or listening.

I'm always intrigued, in particular, when I listen to a book I've already read as an ebook to discover things I've missed. In this case, Fred Berman's narration does an excellent job of reinforcing the worn, often gravelly sounding voice of Corey Douglas, a retired cop, now investigator, who has seen horrible things. It also shows a subtle change when he speaks of Simon, his also retired canine police dog, and girlfriend Dani. I was definitely impressed by how well Berman handled the female voices in the story, at one point being just sure they'd brought in a woman to edit in for Laurie and Dani. Nope, all Berman. Kudos, Fred Berman.

I'll add my original review of the book at the end rather than ramble on about the plot here. Heck, anyone familiar with Rosenfelt's crime depictions knows they almost defy being briefly summarized anyway. Think the world is in danger and only Corey, or Andy Carpenter in that series, stands in the way of total chaos and destruction. Somehow, it all makes sense at the end, usually when it's explained how they figured everything out.

Another thing listening reminded me of is, as much as I enjoy the humor of these books, it's the characters that keep me coming back. Corey is emerging as a strong force in his own right, with his own smart a$$ humor and issues. Girlfriend Dani, as emphasized at the end, is behind him all the way, sweetly asking at the end what "their" next case is, which I'd also glossed over while reading. In other words, if you're like me, listening to an audio of a book you've already read simply adds to the experience. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for allowing me to get to know Corey, Dani, and, of course, Simon better with each book. 

My review of the ebook version follows below...

I've been a fan of David Rosenfelt's books ever since I picked up the first one with a photo of a beautiful dog on the cover. That love affair continues with his K-Team series. A spin-off from the Andy Carpenter series, it features many of the same characters but with the focus on retired cop Corey Douglas and his also retired police dog Simon, no, make that Simon Garfunkel. Simon is a star in his own right. 

While Corey doesn't have the same rapid fire, often in your face humor as Andy, his own humor is just as smart a$$ at times. That's very evident as the book nears its end and he confronts not just the bad guys but the government guys called in to cart away the guilty. Actually, we get to know Corey better and better with each book and it was fun to see the human side as well as the smart investigator determined to right wrongs. His relationship with girlfriend Dani is evolving and although he is determined not to rock the boat, the "M" word as he keeps calling it in his mind seems to be occupying more and more space. Just as Andy tends to talk things out with his beloved Golden Retriever Tara, Corey has lengthy discussions with Simon but, like Tara, Simon is one of those good listeners who offer no advice. True, he probably thinks his human is the slowest thing ever when Corey decides to take up running with Simon, but since Corey, so to speak, controls the treats, Simon tolerates him. So does Dani, who is easy to like. 

Bottom line, although Rosenfelt always seems to toss in some complicated scheme that they wind up investigating, often involving national consequences and the Feds, for me it's always the characters that draw me back, both human and canine. Well, that and team member and surely Superman in disguise Marcus' amazing feats. Sam's a wizard at the computer (think master hacker disguised as mild-mannered accountant) and Laurie, team member and Andy's wife, is no slouch with a gun, as she demonstrates in this book, but they all marvel at Marcus. 

Like dogs? Like action packed thrillers? Humor?  Like interesting characters that will grow on you? Curious about how investigators work? Ever wanted to save the world? This one is for you. Lots of thrills and fun along the way, not to mention solutions that will make you wonder how the heck author David Rosenfelt comes up with this stuff. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress - #MinotaurBooks for letting me rub elbows with this amazing team (and their dogs) again. 5 stars from me and four paws up and a tail wag from my own furry wonder, Daisy.

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

 

Publication October 11, 2022

I came for the dogs but stayed for the humor. Seriously, how can anyone possibly ignore the cover of this one with those adorable puppies. Yet, 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-ass 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 and enjoy the roller coaster ride that is an Andy Carpenter story. Even though I could have used a few more doses of Marcus, 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, worthy opponents, and.....oh, almost gave away a key element of the plot. 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 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.

Deceptive Designs (Cozy Corgi Mysteries Book 25), by Mildred Abbott

 

I've never made it a secret that I love this series. That said, I've grown tired of the Irons crime family connection popping up and had hoped that was behind us. Nope, they're back. Hopefully Abbott will allow them to fade away again so the focus remains on (Wini)Fred,and Watson, not to mention all the other interesting characters that have shown up over the series.

Don't get me wrong. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this book other than my own tendency to roll my eyes when the Irons topic pops up again. That also tends to mean, btw, a return appearance from.....oh, never mind. Long time readers know and we'll leave it a surprise for new readers. 

One hint, however, don't do the same thing I did, read the first three chapters, go, whoa, and put the book aside for awhile. Seriously, read at least four chapters so you don't spend time wondering what Abbott was thinking. As it turns out, phew, I was wrong and Abbott only did what any good author does, got my attention. 

It goes without saying, but there are plenty of scenes involving the ever growing dog population amidst our main characters. Phineas makes me smile jut thinking of the puppy energy and antics while, well, Watson makes me smile at his grumpy acceptance of pup antics and living for a t-r-e-a-t. Why am I typing it that way? Because that's one word you don't say unless you want to see one of Watson's moods. <insert grin>

So, all in all, despite my fatigue with the Irons thread, "Deceptive Designs" was a solid, enjoyable read. The title will make sense as you read and all our favorites are there, from Leo and Katie to the extended family and friends (and their dogs). The book will take you from Fred's sense that all was right in her world, not to mention that Katie's wedding is being planned, to a sudden darkening of mood. There are also signs that some of the characters are growing and evolving, always a plus in a long running series. 

If you enjoy dogs, family and friends who are family, not to mention a good mystery, give this one a read. Bet it'll leave you wanting to pet a puppy, well, right after you congratulate Fred for solving another crime.

The Lost (Mace Reid K-9 Mystery #3), by Jeffrey B. Burton

I tend to stick to cozy mysteries as opposed to those, like this book, with a darker, more sinister feel. It was definitely that but, hey, I mean, how can I not be drawn to a book with such a beautiful Golden Retriever on the cover. After reading the prologue, however, which was chilling, I wasn't so sure about my decision but decided to press on. I'm glad I did. Oh, not that the story line got any less dark or less chilling, but Mace and Kippy, along with Golden Retriever Vira, as in Elvira, the Oak Ridge Boys' song, won me over.

As for the plot, well, it basically comes down to don't tick off foreign mobsters. Mace, who was only recently and reluctantly talked into carrying a concealed weapon and hates guns, seems badly outmatched. But, he has police girlfriend Kippy, who keeps her gun handy and loaded, watching his back. Even more importantly, he has Vira. Her uncanny ability to not just find dead bodies but then somehow lead her team to the killer is no longer in doubt. She does exactly that this time, too. The hard part seems to be finding the necessary evidence to stand up in a court of law. In the meantime, there's a dead mother and missing child, not to mention missing jewels. All tied up in the mesh that involves the foreign mob.

The initial murderer is evident immediately, especially given Vira's talents. But, why murder Calley? Where is the missing daughter? Could Vira be mistaken? Nah. Not likely. Who is the body found in the park? Is it connected? Who is calling the shots of the ransom attempt?  Druckman is beyond rich, so why the connection to a pawn broker, of all things? Has the foreign mob moved in on pawn brokers? Will the missing daughter's escape plan work? Who is the blond woman with her? How do Kippy and Mace find the hiding place? Is Mace brave or foolhardy when he launches himself at attempted abductors? Wait, where are Vira and Scarf, the missing-again daughter? Scarf? What do hot air balloons have to do with anything? How will Mace find Vira? Not telling. You'll have to read the book for the answer to these and so many other questions.

Overall, although a bit out of my comfort range, I enjoyed the story although the frequently changing view points threw me off momentarily each change. Despite this, while it was disturbing to ponder such heartless scheming and murder,I liked Mace and it was interesting the watch Mace's behavior and pride in Vira and the rest of the pack. Vira and "The Finders," as Mace has dubbed them, emerge just as distinctly as characters as Mace and Kippy. Far from being superheroes, they emerge as down-to-earth people who love dogs and, hmm, each other? I think I may have to take a deep, calming breath and read the next book when it comes out.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress - #MinotaurBooks for introducing me to Vira and her human friends. Loved how Mace came up with their names, especially Sue. 

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. 

Best in Snow, by David Rosenfelt Andy Carpenter series, #24

First, as painful as it is, I have an admission. I'm batting zero on figuring out whodunnit in any of Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter books before the big reveal. What is surprising is that somehow that doesn't matter. I'm long since stopped trying to figure things out and just enjoy the ride.

Oddly enough, since I normally avoid books about messy murders and things like explosions and mob hits, I absolutely adore this series and have discovered that once I start reading I'm almost compelled to finish asap. Even more amazing, it's reluctant hero/lawyer Andy Carpenter's self-deprecating sense of humor and the well rounded characters who surround him that keep me coming back, not the desire to figure out the guilty party before the author discloses it.

I won't even attempt to detail the plot, which is complicated with many twists and turns and corruption in the highest places, but will simply say it starts with his beloved Tara finding a body in the snow during their regular walk. Although Andy is trying his best to retire, he finds himself the defense lawyer for the accused, a friend and associate of one of Andy's best friends. All the usual faces are there, including the inscrutable Marcus, and his team sets out to do what they do best, find the truth. Oh, did I mention Andy almost gets killed in the process.

Finally, of course there are dogs. The Andy Carpenter series has been built around the love that Andy (and author David Rosenfelt) have for dogs. Not only does Tara set things in motion by digging through the snow and finding a body, but there's a new Golden Retriever in town, Duchess. She and her reluctant care-taker, Vince, provide several humorous moments.

So, if you like dogs, complicated mysteries that somehow manage to combine humor and mayham, people you'll wish you knew, and the dynamics of friendship and family, you'll enjoy "Best in Snow". Daisy, who I have cautioned against finding any bodies during our daily walks, gives this one four paws up and a tail wag. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the advanced copy. #BestInSnow