What do you think?
Rate this book
Andy Carpenter #34
Bark Humbug: An Andy Carpenter Mystery
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter helps a desperate sister investigate the widely publicized murder of a gubernatorial candidate in Bark Humbug, the latest Christmas mystery in David Rosenfelt's bestselling series.
This time, Andy is serious about retiring. Besides, he can't hear the sound of his phone ringing over the football game. But when the local newspaper asks him to participate in their Christmas spread of local celebrities and their dogs, he pauses the game and brings Tara along for the ride.
When the photographer comes to take pictures of him and the dogs, he instead opens the door to Sharon Lowery, who devised the newspaper story just to get Andy's attention and beg him for help. Her brother, Jon, is wanted for murder and is on the run. However, if Andy agrees to hear Jon out, he'll turn himself in with the hope that Andy will represent him and reunite him with his dog.
It's a dangerous situation, and between the media circus surrounding the murder and Jon's volatile position, Andy knows that when Jon is found, someone could get hurt. But Andy respects Sharon's dedication to her brother, and in an effort to keep Jon--and the public--safe, Andy agrees to talk to Jon. Andy decides to help Jon and slowly uncovers a web of conspiracies. Determined to keep Jon out of jail, Andy gathers the crew to investigate.
David Rosenfelt returns with Andy Carpenter's classic disdain for Christmas but love for dogs and justice.
This time, Andy is serious about retiring. Besides, he can't hear the sound of his phone ringing over the football game. But when the local newspaper asks him to participate in their Christmas spread of local celebrities and their dogs, he pauses the game and brings Tara along for the ride.
When the photographer comes to take pictures of him and the dogs, he instead opens the door to Sharon Lowery, who devised the newspaper story just to get Andy's attention and beg him for help. Her brother, Jon, is wanted for murder and is on the run. However, if Andy agrees to hear Jon out, he'll turn himself in with the hope that Andy will represent him and reunite him with his dog.
It's a dangerous situation, and between the media circus surrounding the murder and Jon's volatile position, Andy knows that when Jon is found, someone could get hurt. But Andy respects Sharon's dedication to her brother, and in an effort to keep Jon--and the public--safe, Andy agrees to talk to Jon. Andy decides to help Jon and slowly uncovers a web of conspiracies. Determined to keep Jon out of jail, Andy gathers the crew to investigate.
David Rosenfelt returns with Andy Carpenter's classic disdain for Christmas but love for dogs and justice.
- GenresMystery
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 13, 2026
About the author
David Rosenfelt
76 books3,003 followersI 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...
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...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A good story with believable characters and lots of laughs!
What more could I want for a good read? The story never let me down, and the ending tied up all the loose ends. I cared about the characters (and they cared about their dogs, although the furry friends were not as prominent in this book as in some of the earlier ones). There were plenty of smiles and laughs. Andy has come through for me again!
Bark Humbug is a legal thriller, so what violence is part of the story is mostly offstage. Andy’s research putting together his client’s defense identifies some pretty dangerous folks, though, so it is good that part of his legal team includes Marcus Clark, a man I would not want to meet in a dark alley unless I knew him and was sure he was on my side! The rest of his team includes his ex-cop wife Laurie, attorney Eddie Dowd, who is a former tight end for the Giants who spent enough time blocking 250-pound linebackers that “the justice system is not something he finds daunting”, and his accountant Sam Willis, who can hack into pretty much any computer system anywhere (“Sometimes it’s legal, and sometimes it’s not.”). He also gets occasional help from his friend Pete Stanton, captain in charge of Homicide in the Paterson police department.
The plot and characters are good, but the humor that is prominent in all of the Andy Carpenter books is what makes me grab every new addition to the series as soon as it is available. The humor was especially good in this book. Most of it came from Andy himself in the chapters he narrates, and these almost all gave me a smile or a laugh out loud. In this book, Andy’s wife Laurie added to my smiles by giving Andy a David Roseneflt book for Christmas!
I have read all 34 of the Andy Carpenter books and have never been disappointed in any of them. If you are new to the series, though, I recommend you read the first book, Open and Shut, before any of the others to get the background on Andy and his beloved golden retriever Tara. If you Open any of them, I am confident you will not want to Shut it until you finish it, although the characters do develop and mature over the course of the series, and it would be best to read them in order.
By the way, Rosenfelt’s interest in dogs is apparently not confined to his books. He and his wife have rescued four thousand dogs!
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martins Press.
What more could I want for a good read? The story never let me down, and the ending tied up all the loose ends. I cared about the characters (and they cared about their dogs, although the furry friends were not as prominent in this book as in some of the earlier ones). There were plenty of smiles and laughs. Andy has come through for me again!
Bark Humbug is a legal thriller, so what violence is part of the story is mostly offstage. Andy’s research putting together his client’s defense identifies some pretty dangerous folks, though, so it is good that part of his legal team includes Marcus Clark, a man I would not want to meet in a dark alley unless I knew him and was sure he was on my side! The rest of his team includes his ex-cop wife Laurie, attorney Eddie Dowd, who is a former tight end for the Giants who spent enough time blocking 250-pound linebackers that “the justice system is not something he finds daunting”, and his accountant Sam Willis, who can hack into pretty much any computer system anywhere (“Sometimes it’s legal, and sometimes it’s not.”). He also gets occasional help from his friend Pete Stanton, captain in charge of Homicide in the Paterson police department.
The plot and characters are good, but the humor that is prominent in all of the Andy Carpenter books is what makes me grab every new addition to the series as soon as it is available. The humor was especially good in this book. Most of it came from Andy himself in the chapters he narrates, and these almost all gave me a smile or a laugh out loud. In this book, Andy’s wife Laurie added to my smiles by giving Andy a David Roseneflt book for Christmas!
I have read all 34 of the Andy Carpenter books and have never been disappointed in any of them. If you are new to the series, though, I recommend you read the first book, Open and Shut, before any of the others to get the background on Andy and his beloved golden retriever Tara. If you Open any of them, I am confident you will not want to Shut it until you finish it, although the characters do develop and mature over the course of the series, and it would be best to read them in order.
By the way, Rosenfelt’s interest in dogs is apparently not confined to his books. He and his wife have rescued four thousand dogs!
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martins Press.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s that time of year again, and David Rosenfelt returns with his annual holiday offering, Bark of Night—or in this case, Bark Humbug, the latest installment in the ever-entertaining Andy Carpenter Series.
As always, Andy Carpenter, the wisecracking and perpetually reluctant defense attorney, finds himself dragged into a case he has no intention of taking. This time, he is tricked into defending Jon Lowery, a young man accused of murder. Jon’s only connection to Andy is that he adopted a dog from the Tara Foundation several years earlier. However, it is Jon’s determined sister—posing as a freelance newspaper reporter—who successfully bamboozles Andy into taking on yet another client against his better judgment.
From the opening chapters, the story moves at a brisk pace and delivers exactly what longtime fans have come to expect from Rosenfelt: sharp dialogue, laugh-out-loud humor, and a cleverly constructed mystery. Andy’s trademark sarcasm is in top form, and the familiar cast of characters feels like catching up with old friends. Of course, no Andy Carpenter novel would be complete without assistance from the K-Team, whose investigative talents send the case down a twisting path filled with suspects, secrets, and surprising revelations. The blend of danger, intrigue, and humor builds steadily toward a thoroughly satisfying conclusion.
One of the reasons I look forward to these books every year is their consistency. Rosenfelt has perfected the formula: an engaging mystery, memorable characters, plenty of canine charm, and Andy’s irresistible narrative voice. Bark Humbug delivers all of that and more. For fans of the series, this latest installment will not disappoint. It is another delightful addition to one of the most dependable and enjoyable mystery series being published today.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing an advance review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
As always, Andy Carpenter, the wisecracking and perpetually reluctant defense attorney, finds himself dragged into a case he has no intention of taking. This time, he is tricked into defending Jon Lowery, a young man accused of murder. Jon’s only connection to Andy is that he adopted a dog from the Tara Foundation several years earlier. However, it is Jon’s determined sister—posing as a freelance newspaper reporter—who successfully bamboozles Andy into taking on yet another client against his better judgment.
From the opening chapters, the story moves at a brisk pace and delivers exactly what longtime fans have come to expect from Rosenfelt: sharp dialogue, laugh-out-loud humor, and a cleverly constructed mystery. Andy’s trademark sarcasm is in top form, and the familiar cast of characters feels like catching up with old friends. Of course, no Andy Carpenter novel would be complete without assistance from the K-Team, whose investigative talents send the case down a twisting path filled with suspects, secrets, and surprising revelations. The blend of danger, intrigue, and humor builds steadily toward a thoroughly satisfying conclusion.
One of the reasons I look forward to these books every year is their consistency. Rosenfelt has perfected the formula: an engaging mystery, memorable characters, plenty of canine charm, and Andy’s irresistible narrative voice. Bark Humbug delivers all of that and more. For fans of the series, this latest installment will not disappoint. It is another delightful addition to one of the most dependable and enjoyable mystery series being published today.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing an advance review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dogs, murders, and an attorney who really doesn’t want to take your case: you must be reading an Andy Carpenter mystery! Add to that the condition that he will only take your case if he believes in your innocence.
Enter “Bark Humbug,” the 34th book in the Andy Carpenter series and the annual Christmas mystery as well.
True to form, Jon Lowery owns a wonderful dog and he is accused of murdering the mayor of Paterson, NJ, and one of his major contributors. Lowery threatened the mayor, but surely those words were just meant as frustration with the mayor’s policies. And what possible motive could Lowery have possibly had to shoot the other man?
Andy, Laurie, Marcus, and the rest of the team have a serpentine path to follow. Was something hinky with the mayor? What motive could someone have had to frame Jon Lowery?
All I want to say is: look out for two gigantic twists. And, if this series is new to you, start with the first book, “Open and Shut.”
I’ve enjoyed all 34 Andy Carpenter books, as well as the newer K Team novels. If you’re a fan of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum or the late Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone, try David Rosenfelt’s series.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.
Enter “Bark Humbug,” the 34th book in the Andy Carpenter series and the annual Christmas mystery as well.
True to form, Jon Lowery owns a wonderful dog and he is accused of murdering the mayor of Paterson, NJ, and one of his major contributors. Lowery threatened the mayor, but surely those words were just meant as frustration with the mayor’s policies. And what possible motive could Lowery have possibly had to shoot the other man?
Andy, Laurie, Marcus, and the rest of the team have a serpentine path to follow. Was something hinky with the mayor? What motive could someone have had to frame Jon Lowery?
All I want to say is: look out for two gigantic twists. And, if this series is new to you, start with the first book, “Open and Shut.”
I’ve enjoyed all 34 Andy Carpenter books, as well as the newer K Team novels. If you’re a fan of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum or the late Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone, try David Rosenfelt’s series.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.
June 21, 2026
Once again, this is the best in the series! I believe I've said that every time I finish an Andy Carpenter mystery, yet it's true.
Bark Humbug follows David Rosenfelt's typical fast-paced, fun, and enjoyable style. Readers of the series know the main characters as well as the supporting cast, and it's great to see how these characters continue to develop as the series progresses. As usual, there are many moments of Andy's self deprecating humor, and the author himself engages in a bit of it as well.
Since Andy Carpenter is a criminal defense attorney and dog lover, there is much canine focus in the book, and there is ample courtroom drama. One aspect of Rosenfelt's writing is emphasis on the characters versus the courtroom, and it makes for an eminently readable legal thriller. The court case section of every Andy Carpenter story is interesting yet not at all overdone.
Bark Humbug deviates from the typical Andy Carpenter novel with its wild twist at the end. It's definitely a departure from the endings of its predecessors in the series, and I loved it!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPublishingGroup for the advance reader copy of #BarkHumbug.
Bark Humbug follows David Rosenfelt's typical fast-paced, fun, and enjoyable style. Readers of the series know the main characters as well as the supporting cast, and it's great to see how these characters continue to develop as the series progresses. As usual, there are many moments of Andy's self deprecating humor, and the author himself engages in a bit of it as well.
Since Andy Carpenter is a criminal defense attorney and dog lover, there is much canine focus in the book, and there is ample courtroom drama. One aspect of Rosenfelt's writing is emphasis on the characters versus the courtroom, and it makes for an eminently readable legal thriller. The court case section of every Andy Carpenter story is interesting yet not at all overdone.
Bark Humbug deviates from the typical Andy Carpenter novel with its wild twist at the end. It's definitely a departure from the endings of its predecessors in the series, and I loved it!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPublishingGroup for the advance reader copy of #BarkHumbug.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's always the most special time of year when the latest 'Andy Carpenter' holiday classic is released. And, yes, David Rosenfelt has delivered another classic for readers in 2026. Okay, maybe that's not a surprise but I think everyone will be pleased with Bark Humbug. The plot could easily be ripped from the headlines. It's a shocking crime Andy's client is accused of committing. It's a terrific thriller tinged with those touches of wit and charm we've come to expect from Rosenfelt. References to the Donner Party, school desks, computer passwords, and Christmas music are priceless. Rosenfelt deftly delivers some "Whoa!" moments too that place Bark Humbug among the very best entries in this sensational series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the 34th Andy Carpenter novel, and the fact that I have stuck with this long running series proves that I really enjoy reading books about this sarcastic lawyer, who wants nothing more than to retire. However, he always gets sucked back in, especially when he believes his client to be innocent. So when the sister of a man accused of shooting the mayor of Paterson begs Andy to take the case, he does. Things run about the same as all ways. But, just when there is a question in my mind about something, along comes a new twist, and everything shifts to a new problem. Thanks, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. I recommend it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I confess that I am a big fan of the Andy Carpenter series. These books always make me smile and/or laugh. I also love dogs, and dogs always play a big part in these books.
Andy was tricked into opening his door to a woman who was not coming to take a picture of his dog, but who wanted to persuade him to help her brother, who is accused of killing two men. One of them was the mayor. Andy is a soft touch, particularly whenever a dog is involved.
Andy is also a very bright man. The ending of this book is awesome. I received an e-arc from the publisher St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.
Andy was tricked into opening his door to a woman who was not coming to take a picture of his dog, but who wanted to persuade him to help her brother, who is accused of killing two men. One of them was the mayor. Andy is a soft touch, particularly whenever a dog is involved.
Andy is also a very bright man. The ending of this book is awesome. I received an e-arc from the publisher St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bark Humbug is book #34 in David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter series. I have read them all and never get tired of them. Andy’s self-deprecating sense of humor gives me some good laugh-out-loud moments. Once again, Andy is drawn into a case even though he is trying hard to retire. But the suspect’s sister begs for his help and the suspect previously adopted a dog from his Tara Foundation, so how could he not help? The intricacies always amaze me as Andy (narrating the story) takes us through the process of figuring out the bad guys. There were many twists and turns and a couple of surprises. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a Legal Mystery/Suspense, and this is the 34th book in the An Andy Carpenter series. I have read the first thirty three books in this series before picking up this book, but I do think you can read this book as a standalone. I love this series and all the characters in this series. I love the dry humor in this book. The ending of this book I did not see coming, and it is different then the other books in this series. I really enjoyed this book so much. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Outstanding! I absolutely love this series. I’m not sure how many times my jaw dropped, but it was several. I had no idea how this ending was going to play out, and it was definitely worth staying up way too late to find out.
Another thing I appreciate is the author’s sense of humor and willingness to poke fun at himself. It adds an extra layer of enjoyment to an already fantastic story.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I just wish someone would turn these books into a television series. I’d be first in line to watch!
Another thing I appreciate is the author’s sense of humor and willingness to poke fun at himself. It adds an extra layer of enjoyment to an already fantastic story.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I just wish someone would turn these books into a television series. I’d be first in line to watch!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
The mayor of Paterson and his associate have been murdered. Andy gets roped into defending the accused by the suspect's sister, who poses as a reporter doing a story on celebrity pets. Jon, the accused, once adopted a dog from the Tara Foundation, and claims to have been framed. Andy and the team uncover a web of lies and corruption in local politics--no surprise there. But just when you think this series always follows the same formula, Rosenfelt throws in a twist that changes everything. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
June 22, 2026
Another great entry in this series. Semi-retired lawyer Andy Carpenter prepares to defend a man who is accused of killing the mayor who is running for governor. It seems that the man is guilty but will Andy find a way to plant reasonable doubt in the jury? Written with the author's typical humor toward life, his family and the law. Takes place near the holiday season --hence the title. Look for some New Jersey bad guys and a few twists and turns in thi.s satisfying read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bark Humbug, Andy Carpenter Mystery book 34 by David Rosenfelt
Another page turner in one of my favorite series. Murder, lovable dogs, and snarky humor. This one is fantastic, front to back, and maybe a little closer to some current IRL cases than his other books.
Another page turner in one of my favorite series. Murder, lovable dogs, and snarky humor. This one is fantastic, front to back, and maybe a little closer to some current IRL cases than his other books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Pretty good mystery with humor thrown in. I still like these characters even after thirty books into the series. I recommend this author to anyone who is looking for a fun mystery series.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I loved this book. The characters were great, a great story, and great writing by the author.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews