Dead Men Don't Play Fetch: An Andy Carpenter Mystery

Andy Carpenter #33

by David Rosenfelt

Bestselling author David Rosenfelt returns with Dead Men Don't Play Fetch as Andy Carpenter investigates a wealthy dog lover's unusual death.

It’s defense lawyer Andy Carpenter’s dream to retire. That goal is once again thwarted when he gets a call from Lou, an old friend who he simply cannot refuse, asking for a favor. Lou runs a rehab center, and when one of his patients, a homeless vet, is charged with first degree murder, he needs Andy's help. And of course, Andy will also be called on to care for the accused’s dog, but that’s okay, what's one more dog?

The man that Jason Maddox is accused of stabbing to death is none other than billionaire Paul Vincent, an eccentric businessman and inventor. Bickert dedicated a great portion of his life to philanthropy, with a soft spot for dog-related causes. This led him to befriend Jason, a physicist and war hero, whose life fell apart to the point where he ended up on the streets with his dog, just trying to survive.

But why would Jason possibly have wanted to kill him? Well, for one thing, he was to receive a fortune in Vincent's will. That, coupled with the fact that Jason was at the scene, his fingerprints were on the knife, and Vincent's wallet was in his jacket, made it a slam dunk arrest.

Once again, Andy is enmeshed in a puzzling, twisty case. But in order to reunite a man and his dog, Andy will have to untangle it all.

Genres: Mystery

Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 7, 2026

About the author

I am a novelist with 27 dogs.

I have gotten to this dubious position with absolutely no planning, and at no stage in my life could I have predicted it. But here I am.

My childhood was relentlessly normal. The middle of three brothers, loving parents, a middle-class home in Paterson, New Jersey. We played sports, studied sporadically. laughed around the dinner table, and generally had a good time. By comparison, "Ozzie and Harriet's" clan seemed bizarre.

I graduated NYU, then decided to go into the movie business. I was stunningly brilliant at a job interview with my uncle, who was President of United Artists, and was immediately hired. It set me off on a climb up the executive ladder, culminating in my becoming President of Marketing for Tri-Star Pictures. The movie landscape is filled with the movies I buried; for every "Rambo", "The Natural" and "Rocky", there are countless disasters.

I did manage to find the time to marry and have two children, both of whom are doing very well, and fortunately neither have inherited my eccentricities.

A number of years ago, I left the movie marketing business, to the sustained applause of hundreds of disgruntled producers and directors. I decided to try my hand at writing. I wrote and sold a bunch of feature films, none of which ever came close to being actually filmed, and then a bunch of TV movies, some of which actually made it to the small screen. It's safe to say that their impact on the American cultural scene has been minimal.

About fourteen years ago, my wife and I started the Tara Foundation, named in honor of the greatest Golden Retriever the world has ever known. We rescued almost 4,000 dogs, many of them Goldens, and found them loving homes. Our own home quickly became a sanctuary for those dogs that we rescued that were too old or sickly to be wanted by others. They surround me as I write this. It's total lunacy, but it works, and they are a happy, safe group.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidr...

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]


****Another Very Enjoyable Addition To The Andy Carpenter Series!

I won’t get into the plot of Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch as you can read about that in the Amazon/Goodreads Book Description. I’ll just say that Rosenfelt delivers yet another charming Andy Carpenter mystery (the 33rd in the series) — witty, fast-paced and dog-loving as usual. The legal twists are satisfying, and the canine subplot adds heart. Longtime fans will enjoy the familiar humor and characters, though newcomers will miss some backstory. In fairness, while it is predictable in parts, it is always reliably entertaining and, in my opinion, it is a solid, cozy legal mystery.

I've said it before and I'm saying it again now -- no matter what limitations David Rosenfelt might possibly have in his life, the ability to tell a consistently good, suspenseful and humorous story isn't one of them.This stems from his ability to provide interesting plots, credible courtroom drama, lots of humor and well-developed major and minor characters. In particular, wise-cracking Andy Carpenter, is a character that stays in your mind even after you finish the book.

I remain a loyal fan of this series and look forward to hanging out with Carpenter and his "crew' in his future legal adventures. Plus, his dogs, Tara in particular, are ones I wish I had.

#Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch #Net Galley

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch
Series: Andy Carpenter #33
Author: David Rosenfelt
Publisher: St. Martin Press- Minotaur Book
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: July 7, 2026
My Rating: 4.2 Stars
Pages 288
This story starts when Andy gets a call from Lou Campanelli, an old friend who runs a rehab center. One of his patients, Jason Maddox a homeless veteran, is accused of stabbing billionaire Paul Vincent and charged with first degree murder, he needs Andy's help both legal as well as care for “Hope’ Jason’s dog.

The man that Jason Maddox is accused of stabbing to death is none other than billionaire Paul Vincent, who had befriended Jason, a physicist and war hero, whose life fell apart.
But why would Jason possibly have wanted to kill him? Well, for one thing, he was to receive a fortune in Vincent's will.

This novel is #33 in the Andy Carpenter series I especially enjoy the audiobooks as I just love narrator Grover Gardner. He performs Andy to a T. Author David Rosenfelt has a great wit and Mr. Gardner delivers it in his ‘dead pan’ voice! I was fortunate that I got to attend a Rosenfelt author presentation at our local library. It was like sitting in an Andy book. His stories were soo Andy! Additionally, the local Animal shelter brought several dogs, cats and a few other animals that were so ALL so well behaved we all wanted to take them home.
Andy Carpenter stories are always entertaining~ true usually formula driven
• dogs;
• Courtroom drama (which I love and am never disappointed!),
• a surprising twist, and
• a Victory dinner!!!

(However, the courtroom drama didn’t have the usually big reveal, so we went into Jury deliberation worried about the outcome.)

This story was once again fun, feel good legal mystery and is the reason I follow Andy and friends and look forward to #34!

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this fun eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 7, 2026.

[Becky Burciaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch, the thirty-third book in the thoroughly enjoyable Andy Carpenter Mystery series by masterfully talented author David Rosenfelt, delivers exactly what fans have come to love: sharp humor…especially from Andy’s wife Laurie…heartfelt moments, lovable dogs, and a cleverly multi-layered mystery. Andy’s latest obsession, naturally he has many, is one named (no last name) individuals, think Cher, Madonna, etc…his quips and grips are woven throughout and unexpectedly pop up, which makes them all the more hilarious.

Andy’s long-running dream of retirement is, once again, put on hold when an old friend asks for a favor Andy simply can’t refuse. What begins as a seemingly impossible murder case…complete with overwhelming evidence, a billionaire victim, and a homeless veteran defendant…quickly becomes a tangled puzzle full of hidden motives and unexpected turns. The emotional core of the story, however, lies in Jason Maddox, a recovering addict, and his lovable dog, Hope, whose bond adds both warmth and urgency to the case.

The mystery is well constructed, with enough twists to keep pages turning, while Andy’s trademark sarcasm and self-deprecating wit keep the tone light even when the stakes are high. The supporting cast and canine companions are as delightful as ever, and the courtroom drama is balanced nicely with compassion and humor. Without giving any part of the story away, know that the ending is quite unexpected …with the quintessential Andy Carpenter “gotcha” moment.

This is a satisfying, feel-good legal mystery that proves why this series remains so reliable and comforting…especially if you believe, as Andy does, that saving a man and his dog is always worth the trouble.

This ARC book was complementary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review

[Joanne Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "Dead Men Don't Play Fetch", the 33rd book in David Rosenfelt's extremely entertaining and long-lived Andy Carpenter series (but we all know it's just about the dogs). I am working my way through the series, and I've gotten up to number 18 (whew, do I have a long way to go), but I jumped at the chance to read and review this one pre-publication.

You don't need to have read any of the previous books (but why on earth wouldn't you) to get up to speed on Andy's and Tara's (as well as Marcus's and Laurie's and all the other recurring characters) stories. Let's just say that, reluctant defence lawyer that he is, Andy Carpenter can always be counted on when there's a dog involved.

And this time is no different. When Paul Vincent is murdered outside a rehabilitation centre, and Jason Maddox is accused of the murder, .Andy is called in by an old friend to defend the man; and make sure that Jason's dog, Hope, is cared for, for the duration of the case and trial. And, of course, he does. And thus begins another twisted tale of drugs, criminal conspiracies, murders, etc. that Andy has to wade through to get to the truth, No one but the police and prosecution actually believe that Jason committed the crime, and there are a number of other suspects. But Carpenter will wade through it all in order to get to the truth.

And he does, in true Andy Carpenter fashion. And then comes the twist!

Highly recommended, but I might be prejudiced - having read 18 books so far, and working my way though the rest. And of course, I have been a proud dog parent myself, and love all four-legged (and some two-legged) creatures.

[Monnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a go-to series for me for some time now – the stories are always well-written, entertaining and a bit lighthearted even though the legal situations can get pretty complex and the investigations downright dangerous. And this, the 33rd installment, doesn’t disappoint.

Trying-to-retire defense attorney Andy Carpenter fights to say no when old friend Lou Campanelli, who runs a rehab center in Paterson, New Jersey, calls to ask a favor. That’s because Andy knows it’s likely to drag him back to a courtroom – and he’d much rather keep his eyes on the Tara Foundation, a dog rescue operation, and/or play with the three beloved pooches that share his home in addition to his wife Laurie Collins.

Alas, that’s not to be. Lou is insistent that Jason Maddox, who was at the shelter when he heard a noise outside, went out and found a man who had been murdered, didn’t do the dirty deed. Fairly strong evidence says otherwise, though, and Jason desperately needs a defense attorney. Reluctantly, Andy and his team, which includes Laurie as chief investigator, set out to at the very least convince the jury there’s reasonable doubt and get a not guilty verdict.

While his team does a whiz-bang job of investigating, Andy shines in the courtroom. This time, he’s up against old and extremely competent prosecutor Dylan Campbell, who, as usual, doesn’t make things easy for Andy. The details of both the investigation and the trial, of course, won’t be forthcoming in this review – no way I’ll take away the fun for other readers. I certainly will, however, recommend this book (and the entire series) highly and thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to once again enjoy a pre-release copy. Loved it!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh, another Andy Carpenter mystery and another most pleasant afternoon spent reading it. In Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch, Andy is contacted by his old friend Lou Campanelli, who runs a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program where a megabillionaire has just been murdered. Lou is convinced that a young man, Jason Maddox, has been wrongly accused of the crime. Of course, Andy, being only wishfully retired, agrees to meet with him and soon takes the case.

As in every Andy Carpenter book, there are dogs involved in one way or another. Seriously, could you imagine Andy without Tara, who must be in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest living golden retriever in history? Andy enlists the help of the K-Team, and together they set out to uncover the truth behind the murder. With plenty of suspects and twists, the trial unfolds, the story resolves, and justice (of one sort or another) is served.

But as with any Andy Carpenter book, it’s not really about the facts of the case. It’s about the wit and storytelling that David Rosenfelt brings to every page, making readers come back time and again, salivating just like the dogs in anticipation of the next book.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Mike Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Men Don't Play Fetch will make you happy the business David Rosenfelt has chosen is the 'Andy Carpenter' series of books. Rosenfelt has produced another amazing addition to the series. Andy is fighting offers to take on new clients when another potential case is brought to his attention. He wants to say "No" again but, thankfully for the reader, Laurie Collins lights a fire under him. Our favorite attorney then has the tough task of defending someone accused of killing a billionaire. Sorry, I should say a multi-billionaire. It's a difficult assignment made even more challenging by the fact Andy and his super team can't identify a true culprit to present to the jury. How will Andy overcome that obstacle? That, boys and girls, is best discovered in the pages of Dead Men Don't Play Fetch. So run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore on July 7th and be prepared to laugh repeatedly. You'll be entertained from start to finish. No surprise there.

[Christopher Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Andy Carpenter book and I have to say, I’ll be looking for the other ones for sure.
To me it sort of reminds me of an old show called Matlock(yes this shows my age lol). The story is interesting and the characters are likeable especiallyAndy, a guy just hoping for retirement or is he really. A murder puts Jason behind bars but is he really guilty or is there more going on than what everyone sees? Andy assembles his team, each characters holding their own personalities which only adds to the story. Can they help Jason and figure out what really happens to Paul Vincent or will Jason be doomed to prison life.
The pace of the story is great, making you want to see what happens next. The attitude of Andy and his quips , quirks as well as his love of dogs really makes you root for him.
If you like fun, well paced mystery stories give this a go, you’ll enjoy it.

[Lillian LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment in the Andy Carpenter series!

Having read every single book in David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series, I was delighted to have the opportunity to pre-read Dead Men Don't Play Fetch.

This book has all the elements of the best in the series. There is a great deal of air time for Andy and every member of his team (well, maybe not Edna, but she thrives on avoiding being seen). Andy's self-deprecating humor is abundant, even more so than in the series' most recent installments, and the plot is exceptionally fast paced.

I struggle to think of a single thing to critique in this book - if forced to come up with something, I can only think of the restaurant visit where the fries weren't burned to a crisp.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #St.Martin'sPress for the advance reader copy of #DeadMenDon'tPlayFetch

[Kathryn E Hagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to #33 (if I’ve counted correctly) in the Andy Carpenter series! Yes, I’ve read them all and do read them in order if you’re new to these books. The crimes are seriously awful, the humor is frequently corny, the whodunit is always twisty, and the dogs are precious.

Andy Carpenter is a wealthy attorney who says he wants to retire but never does. He has his own dog rescue called the Tara Foundation, named after his golden retriever.

This case involves a brilliant man, Jason Maddox, who has faced tragedy and is doing a good job of facing his demons. Jason is accused of murdering his own friend. The situation looks grim.

Is Andy up to the task?

If you enjoy Spencer Abraham’s Chet and Bernie series, the Andy Carpenter and spinoff K Team novels may be for you.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.

[Howard Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having devoured and enjoyed all of David Rosenfelt’s novels, I always look forward to a new one. This book is worth waiting for and is one of his best. Of course, dogs play a significant role in the story, which is laced with the expected level of humor and sarcasm. Andy Carpenter is, once again, forced into taking on the defense of a client (who is a dog lover) he believes to be innocent. There are several surprises in store for the reader and the trial scenes are first rate. I wholeheartedly recommend this novel for anyone interested in this genre and assert that there will be a very surprising and unexpected conclusion. I thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.

[HappyBookWorm2020 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always excited to read another book by David Rosenfelt, featuring my favorite fictional attorney (Andy Carpenter), and his canine sidekicks. Andy is trying to tie up all of his loose ends and retire but somehow, something always comes up. This time a friend calls him about a young man - a homeless veteran - who has been arrested and charged for murder. Andy took the case partly because the young man has a dog, and being Andy, he also took the dog home with him. Otherwise, the dog would have had to go to the shelter. I never guessed the identify of the killer, and the ending was a complete surprise.

I received an e-arc from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this author through a NetGalley ARC and quickly became hooked on his books. One of my favorite things is how familiar characters show up again and again. It feels like checking in with old friends while still getting a fresh story.

The humor had me snort-laughing more than once, and the twists and turns kept me guessing all the way through. I genuinely did not see the ending coming, which is always a win in my book.

If you enjoy mysteries with recurring characters, sharp humor, and plenty of surprises, this one is well worth the read.

Thank you to netGalley for this ARC in for my honest opinion

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch is another Andy Carpenter mystery by David Rosenfelt. Much to his dismay and inability to remain retired, Andy is once again involved defending a man accused of murder. I love Andy’s self-depracating sense of humor. I also love the way he talks his way through attempting to solve the case. It is seemingly impossible to figure out the true suspect but Andy does his best to do just that. This is a fun, fast-paced mystery with a little suspense thrown in. I am often surprised with the ending and this book is no exception. Each book can be read as a standalone but they are all so much fun, I recommend the entire series.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy Carpenter is back at it again. All he wants to do is not work and walk his dogs. But a friend asks him to speak to one Jason Maddox, who is accused of killing his wealthy friend behind the outreach program office where he staying. OF course, Jason has a dog and Andy takes on the case. As always, he assembles his crew and they investigate so many different possibilities that even the police don’t. Andy gets threatened like always, gets protected and still finds a way to solve the mystery. As always a fun read, even since not all the characters from previous novels where used extensively.

[Janis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for advanced copy of Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch.

True to form, a fast paced easy read continuing the Andy Carpenter Mystery series. While I noticed some typos and some awkward sentencing, which I am sure would be corrected in final copy editing, the story itself is good and the characters enjoyable. The story remains refreshed yet familiar. You know what you’re getting and there’s nothing with looking for a little bit of certainties in your reading material. As usual, a nice read.

[Pattyh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch.
The Andy Carpenter series is back with another great “who done it”.
Andy takes cases even though he sees himself retired as a criminal defense attorney. Begrudgingly he takes on the case of a young man accused of murder. The stakes are high but Andy takes the case to prove him innocent.
The usual cast of characters are present including Tara who is Andy’s golden retriever.
This is a very good story and this series does not disappoint fans. 5 stars. Loved it.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mere fact that I have read and loved 33 of the books in his Andy Carpenter series should tell you all that you need to know. Andy is a sarcastic lawyer who wants desperately to retire, but cases keep getting in his way. In this case, a homeless veteran and his dog have been accused of killing a very wealthy man. Funny thing, they were best friends. The whole gang is back again, working to prove his innocence...okay, maybe Edna really slacked on this one but otherwise...Thanks St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for an early chance to read this book.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great entry in this series with lawyer Andy Carpenter. Andy takes a case defending an ex-drug addict of murder. The deceased was a very wealthy individual who had formed a friendship with the man accused of the murder. With his own style and wit, Andy works to prove the man's innocence. Along the way in typical Jersey style, he rubs elbows with the mob, irritates the prosecutor, and deals with his son growing up. The cast of supporting characters add to the theme and reality of the story. Lots of tongue in cheek humor but we still wonder if the good guy will win.

[Linden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andy finds himself with a new case. A billionaire has been murdered, and his friend Jason is charged. Jason's dog Hope is being cared for by Willie and Sondra while he's in jail, and Andy and the team are working to ensure that Jason will be able to return to Hope. Mobsters, drug dealers, and a variety of other miscreants appear to be related to the case as the trial draws to an exciting conclusion, and Andy ties up one final loose end. Another winner for dog and mystery lovers. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advance copy.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Men Don't Play Fetch, Andy Carpenter book 33, by David Rosenfelt

This is one of my all time favorite series. It soothes and excites all at the same time. Andy and company are off to save another dog and his owner. Mistakes are made. Retirements are put on hold. And biscuits are bestowed.

Thanks for another fun Installment. I love the snark. I also loved the conflicting character traits of the victim. I was kept on my toes for this one.

#bookreview #2026 #thriller #netgalley #doglove

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andy, Tara and the gang are always a great addition to every entry in this series. Andy’s snarky sense of humor is a taste of home for this Jersey girl and Tara just makes everything better by just being in the books.

But each and every entry has a great mystery filled with twists, turns and visits from the supporting cast that always brings criminals to their knees. If you haven’t read one of the books in this series yet, each reads fine as a stand alone, so no worries there. Start with this one and you’ll be ordering the others in the series to binge on.

[Amber Ward (fablesandflights) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rosenfelt does it again! Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch is another fun, fast paced mystery full of wit and humor! Of course, dogs are involved so what’s not to love? Read to uncover the truth behind the death of a multibillionaire and follow along as Andy takes on the case of the potentially wrongly accused. This story has plenty of twists and turns so be sure to read and find out if Justice is served! Highly recommend!

[Becky Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Men Don't Play Fetch by David Rosenfelt is the latest Andy Carpenter book in which Andy and his cohorts end up with a dog and a case to solve. A homeless man is accused of murdering a philanthropist and Andy reluctantly agrees to take his case. These books are just fun to read and always have dogs featured along with court cases and the ensuing investigations by Andy's family and friends.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s one thing you always know going into an Andy Carpenter book, what the jury verdict is going to be. But the fun of reading these if following along as Andy and his team dig into the mystery to provide alternative suspects and hopefully find the actual perpetrator. The case had plenty of twists and turns and several seemingly unrelated murders to keep the reader guessing.

This was a quick read because I didn’t want to put it down.

[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. I like the character Andy Carpenter and the others on his team. I'm glad he keeps coming out of semi-retirement. I'll read any new books that David Rosenfelt writes. He's got another one coming out at the end of the year.

[Likestotravel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always fun, always entertaining, always with a twist from Andy Carpenter’s patient yet brilliant deductions. Enjoyed the latest in this lighthearted series!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Minotaur & Edelweiss for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series, and if there were any sour notes for me, they stemmed from not getting to hear the dulcet tones of Grover Gardner this time around (he is a national treasure).

Andy is Andy, and that's what I love: he's a dog guy who's funny, but effective; he loves his family; he pays the bar tabs of his (on paper) enemies. David Rosenfelt makes you believe in the system again, in a clear-eyed, bighearted way that Michael Connelly only *wishes* he could do.

Viva Andy Carpenter!

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Cozy Legal Mystery, and this is the 33rd book in An Andy Carpenter Mystery series. I have the first thirty two books in this series before picking up this book, but I do not think you need to read the other books in this series to read and enjoy this book. I love the dry humor in this book and throughout this series. I love all the dogs in this book and throughout this series. I really enjoyed the mystery in this book. I really enjoyed reading this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.