Bark Humbug

Andy Carpenter #34

by David Rosenfelt

Reluctant 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.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Humor, Mystery Thriller, Christmas, Thriller, Adult

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 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

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bark Humbug is the 34th in the Andy Carpenter series and for the tenth time, Rosenfelt has provided a Christmas themed plot. Yes, these books are formulaic. Andy’s MO is always be able to sow reasonable doubt by finding someone else to blame. But I still love them - the characters, the humor, the legal maneuvering, and the brisk pacing. And as obnoxious as Andy sometimes is, he’s a dog lover. And this time, the ending totally threw me for a loop.
This time, the Patterson mayor, who was running to be the next NJ governor, is shot down by a sniper, along with one of his donors. The police quickly latch onto a suspect, whom Andy takes on as a client.
I have to laugh that while Rosenfelt allows Ricky to grow up, Tara never ages. Thank heavens!
I both read and listened to this story. Grover Gardner narrates and he is so perfect as Andy, I hear his voice in my head even when I’m reading.
My thanks to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

In this 34th book in the 'Andy Carpenter' series, Andy defends a man accused of murdering a gubernatorial candidate.

*****

Ever since he inherited a large fortune, New Jersey defense lawyer Andy Carpenter takes very few cases.



Instead, Andy spends time with his wife Laurie; plays video games with his 16-year-old son Ricky; visits his dog rescue operation called the Tara Foundation;



and plays with his three pooches - golden retriever Tara; basset hound Sebastian; and pug Hunter. Andy takes Tara and Hunter for long walks every morning and evening, but lazy Sebastian prefers to do his business in the yard, between naps



In his spare time, Andy also likes watching sports on TV and hanging out with his friends, newspaper editor Vince Sanders and Homicide Captain Pete Stanton, at Charlie's Sports Bar. Since Andy is a millionaire, he always pays the bill - and sometimes gets useful information in return.



When Andy agrees to be part of a photospread profiling area celebrities and their dogs, he doesn't realize it's a ploy to get him to represent murder suspect Jon Lowery, who got his dog Luna from the Tara Foundation a couple of years ago.



Andy reluctantly signs on to defend Lowery, and learns Jon is a former Marine Raider and expert sniper. Jon is accused of shooting Paterson mayor - and New Jersey gubernatorial candidate - Craig Henley, and political donor Steven Tiller. Jon got on police radar because he excoriated Henley at a town hall meeting, cursing the candidate for his plans to cut drug addiction programs.



Evidence implicating Jon includes spent rifle shells, X posts threatening the mayor, footprints, hairs from Jon's pooch Luna, and more. With all that 'proof', Andy knows this will be a tough case, and as always, he decides to use the SODDI (Some Other Dude Did It) defense. Andy assembles his team, which includes 'The K Team' detective agency, whose investigators are: Andy's wife Laurie Collins - a former police officer;



Corey Douglas - a retired cop; Simon Garfunkel - a K-9 German shepherd who worked with Corey at the Paterson Police Department;



and Marcus Clark - the toughest, scariest guy on the planet.



In addition to The K Team, Andy calls in his accountant Sam Willis - who can hack into any computer anywhere;



his assistant attorney Eddie Dowd - who's especially good with paperwork and motions;



and his secretary Edna - who doesn't like to do any work. This time Edna 'gets the flu', which doesn't prevent her from cashing her weekly paycheck.



Andy's search for alternative suspects turns up mobster Vinnie Esposito - who was accused of crimes when Mayor Henley was a prosecutor; Albanian mobsters running drugs and small arms; contractors who lost business because Henley was on the take; and others.

Author David Rosenfelt follows his usual formula for these mysteries, and Andy is followed and threatened; Marcus Clark beats people up and extracts information from them; Sam hacks into websites and tracks the location of cell phones; Laurie helps with the case and prepares scrumptious pancakes for Sam (who's addicted to them); etc.



As he always does, Andy makes sarcastic remarks and fun quips throughout. This book has some extra laughs when Sam enlists the help of his golden age friends, called the Bubelah Brigade, to help with computer searches. One member of the brigade, Hilda, bakes the best rugelach on the planet. This leads Andy to threaten Sam, "If there are none saved for me...I will put your head in the oven." And Sam replies, "Then you'd better get here soon. Because there are worse ways to go than death by rugelach."



In another amusing passage, Andy talks about Christmas. Laurie plays Christmas music from Halloween on, and Andy remarks, "I am bombarded with the gooey music for months, and I literally spent an hour the other day listening to a Lawrence Welk Christmas album. I would have preferred to be waterboarded." And speaking of gifts, Andy says, "Laurie bought some shirts and a book for me. The book was by her favorite author David Rosenfelt. For some reason, he includes dogs in all his books, so she thinks that will cause me to like his writing. No chance of that. I tried reading his books a couple of times and it put me to sleep. The guy is the Ambien of authors."



As per usual, the trial scenes have Andy poking holes in the testimony of prosecution witnesses, and presenting his 'alternative killer' defense. The novel has some surprises, and - for me - Andy's ethics aren't quite up to par in this book.

This is an enjoyable story, recommended to fans of the series.



I had a copy of the digital book and the audiobook, narrated by Grover Gardner, who always does an excellent job.

Thanks to Netgalley, David Rosenfelt, and Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for ARCs of the book.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[Dorie - Cats&Books :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

***NOW AVAILABLE***

I always like this series but this one was especially enjoyable as it doesn’t follow the usual path in court and off!!

It’s only Halloween and Andy is already dreading what is ahead - months of Christmas music that his wife Laurie will start to play by November 1st!!

As always Andy doesn’t go looking for cases but they seem to come to him - he has had a number of very high profile cases that he won and many want him to represent him.

This time he is tricked into representing Jon Lowery - a young man accused of a high profile double murder. His sister posed as a local reporter to get in to see Andy. He only knows that Jon adopted a dog from his shelter and he’s always willing to help a fellow dog lover.

There is the usual cast of characters and in this novel they uncover an intricate web of political conspiracy and corruption.

This is a very engaging mystery with some twists I definitely didn’t see coming. Another great installment in the series.

I received the audiobook from the publisher through NetGalley and MacMillan audio. It was my pleasure to listen to and review this great title.

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

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.

[Shannon Moeser · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Another Christmas season, another Andy Carpenter story. BARK HUMBAG is #34 in the Andy Carpenter series. It is the eleventh book in that series that I have read since May 2023. (So I still have 22 more to go.) I discovered the series late; the first Andy Carpenter novel was written in 2002, but for some reason they didn't come into my sphere until 2023.

I have read that 11 out of order, but it doesn't matter. A reader can start with any book in the series and have no problem following (1) the recurring characters, and (2) the plot of the latest mystery.

For me, the main attraction of these books is the sarcastic humour. Many writers attempt to write humorous novels. Few succeed. The author, David Rosenfelt manages to hit all the high spots. Great one-liners. And he has managed to carry on wisecracking through 34 books.

These novels follow a simple formula. Andy becomes the lawyer for a client who is charged of murder. He and his team become involved in an investigation that involves uncovering the truth underlying these charges, and through legal maneuvering gets his client acquitted. (Plus, in the process, solves the murder case that results in getting a bad person charged.) Throughout the book, the reader is aware of many nefarious deeds committed by the bad guy(s), but there is always at least one unexpected twist.

It's hard to carry out an unexpected twist through 34 books, but in many of the ones I have read, I didn't see the final twist coming. This was true of BARK HUMBAG. The ending was a complete surprise.

So, was the book worth 5 stars? It was in terms of plot. But emotionally, it didn't hit the high spots in terms of Christmas cheer. (It just wasn't as "upbeat" as many of the Andy Carpenter Christmas novels.) So, I'm giving it 4.5 stars.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My reviews for other books in this series that I have read:
Open and Shut (Andy Carpenter, #1)
Dead Center (Andy Carpenter, #5)
Leader of the Pack (Andy Carpenter, #10)
Hounded (Andy Carpenter, #12)
Dachshund Through the Snow (Andy Carpenter, #20)
Dog Eat Dog (Andy Carpenter, #23)
The More The Terrier (Andy Carpenter, #30)
Dogged Pursuit (Andy Carpenter, #31)
And to All a Good Bite (Andy Carpenter, #32)
Dead Men Don't Play Fetch (Andy Carpenter, #33)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Christine · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

4.25 stars
This mystery/legal thriller is suspenseful, but still has plenty of humor. Andy Carpenter is an attorney who would love to retire, but can't resist a request for help from someone in need. This time, a man who adopted a dog from his animal foundation is accused of killing the city's mayor and needs Andy's help to prove his innocence.

The book begins a couple of weeks before Halloween and continues through the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Andy has a wonderful sarcastic sense of humor, and I enjoyed his complaints about costume parties, Christmas music in October, and several other topics. The mixture of humor, dogs, and courtroom drama is a winning combination. The case is a tough one with several shocking twists at the end. I love the way Andy handled a complicated situation and enjoyed the book overall.

I received an advance copy of the ebook from Minotaur Books and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 5 out of 5]

BARK HUMBUG, David Rosenfelt's 34th Andy Carpenter mystery, is every bit as entertaining, suspenseful and funny as each of the preceding installments. In other words, readers are virtually guaranteed a fabulous time. But there's more good news. In my carefully considered opinion, it offers even more beautiful features than the earlier entries --- funnier funny stuff, more suspenseful suspense, and some effective new techniques that add to our enjoyment of every page.

There are, for example, some “in-jokes” that actually made me laugh out loud. Included are Andy Carpenter's spicy opinions about his wife Laurie's favorite author, David Rosenfelt. You can't get more “inside” than that! There also are some subtle political references that jump off the pages. Consider the personality of the murder victim in the first chapter, Paterson, New Jersey Mayor Craig Henley. He’s hoping to become governor of New Jersey, but he never will fulfill that ambition. He and one of his large donors are shot and killed just outside the site of a town hall meeting during which the mayor had discussed some of his controversial beliefs and proposals. Henley’s character and career reveal fascinating parallels to a certain real-life New York politician who eventually “suffered” the unfortunate event of hair dye running down his face in the middle of a speech.

Both Henley and that politician were prosecutors who had won big-time guilty verdicts and therefore became heroes in their cities. Both ran for mayor, and both won. Both ultimately were considered tough and unforgiving, rather extreme examples of ultra-conservative disrespect toward the unfortunates in American society. And both were accused of failing to give credit to those who worked effectively to earn those guilty verdicts that made the politicians famous and admired. Finally, both met unfortunate fates themselves. The real-life one was disbarred and had to withdraw from public service. The fictional one was assassinated.

Still another new Rosenfelt technique is the practice of making disparaging but indirect criticisms of two very important occupations. Andy delivers a clever remark when responding to the troubles of folks with problems, which amounts to, “Well, it's better than being a criminal defense lawyer.” And he doubles down on that self-critical lack of occupational wisdom when he says later, “Well, it's better than being a mystery writer.” Here is typical but always effective Rosenfelt humor, but it’s a particular type that hasn’t been utilized often in previous Andy Carpenter novels.

Now to the unwinding of the plot. First up is the assassination of Mayor Henley and one of his campaign donors, Steven Tiller. A bit later, we learn that the main suspect is a young man named Jon Lowery, a former employee in Henley's office. Jon has a master's degree in computer science. His wife had been murdered by a drug addict, after which he wanted to change the direction of his life. So he joined the Marines and became a member of the Special Forces. He developed PTSD, and after leaving the corps, he found a job as an IT manager at Henley's office. Jon's mission in life was to help drug addicts, and he learned pretty quickly that the mayor's attitude toward them was in sharp contrast to his own. It seemed that the mayor wanted to use the issue as a campaign strategy. Addicts needed to help themselves, and the government had to stay away from their problems.

So Jon went to the town hall in an ugly mood and angrily confronted and threatened the mayor. Then he left. He immediately became the prime suspect in the murders, and the accusation was exacerbated when it was learned that he had extensive training as a marksman, had become an expert at the skill, and looked more and more like the culprit. Then the prosecution became even more certain of his guilt when investigators discovered that the rifle used in the murders was the same model as one that Jon owned.

So Andy --- unwillingly, of course --- takes on Jon as a client. As usual, Andy's case seems impossible to win; Jon looks as guilty as sin. Also as usual, Andy and his team get into all kinds of trouble with very dangerous mafia-type individuals and organizations and willingly place their own lives in desperate situations on Jon's behalf. It's often true in Andy's adventures that it's impossible to prove that the defendant is innocent. The defense only must convince the jury that there is reasonable doubt that the accused is the murderer. So that is Andy's mission. He displays his brilliance during Jon's trial, but when the jury is sent to debate and decide the verdict, the process and the waiting are nerve-racking and extremely anxiety-inducing. But the post-trial events and revelations involve twists that we could not have expected and make BARK HUMBUG even more compelling than some earlier entries in the series.

Reviewing Andy's team's investigative practices and techniques demonstrates once again that the humor and suspense created by Rosenfelt's unique talents are only part of the whole picture. If we very carefully observe each of these novels, we become increasingly aware that our personal identification with the characters and situations are powerful elements of our attraction to the stories.

We easily can relate to each character's flaws and behaviors:

- Andy's self-deprecating comments as we see that his admitted shortcomings are often our own as well.

- Andy's secretary's hilarious laziness and excuses, which are very much like ours when we simply don't feel like doing something we know darn well we should be doing.

- Andy's dependence on his team and his own weaknesses, reflecting our need to admit that in our most difficult times, we'd better get help from our friends.

- The realization that our most important decisions are so often filled with ambiguity, ambivalence and contradictions that bedevil us, like Andy's admission that he somehow both loves and hates his chosen profession.

- Our realization that so often the ends justify the means, even if we know down deep that the means involve dishonesty and lies. Think of Andy's expert hacker, Sam, when they know that Sam's hacking is flagrantly illegal, or when Andy convinces an unwilling interviewee that he could drag him to court when that is, in fact, impossible.

- And the wish that I could be as quick, cutting and funny as Andy and his friends when they're engaging in their mutually insulting repartee.

All of those factors taken together demonstrate conclusively why Andy Carpenter fans always await the next Rosenfelt/Carpenter combination so happily and consistently. Rosenfelt gives us a magical formula of suspense, humor and even self-realization. I can't wait for the next one.

Reviewed by Jack Kramer

[Judy Collins · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Santa's on Trial: Inside Andy Carpenter's Festive 34th Outing.

The Ultimate Audio Comfort Food: Why Grover Gardner Shines in Bark Humbug

Bark Humburg by David Rosenfelt is another delightfully witty, fast-paced addition to one of the most consistently entertaining legal cozy mystery series out there. As a devoted fan of this long-running series and the legendary vocal talent of narrator Grover Gardner, tuning into Andy Carpenter’s 34th outing feels like catching up with an old friend. It is a smart, lighthearted, and animal-loving holiday mystery that delivers exactly what fans crave.

Intro
David Rosenfelt delivers a charmingly cynical Christmas legal caper that perfectly balances courtroom strategy with festive humor. With Grover Gardner anchoring the audio, the trademark sarcasm and reluctant heroism of our favorite defense attorney shine brighter than ever.

The Hook
Imagine Miracle on 34th Street getting a sharp, legal-thriller makeover with a heavy dose of deadpan humor and a lovable pack of rescue dogs.

Elevator Pitch
Reluctant attorney Andy Carpenter is dragged out of his semi-retirement yet again when a local mall Santa—who happens to be a beloved friend of Paterson's dog rescue community—is arrested for a high-profile murder right before Christmas. Andy takes the case to clear Santa's name, but navigating the festive chaos, a cynical client, and a tangled web of holiday secrets will require all the legal maneuvering he can muster.

Setting
The frosty, snow-covered streets of Paterson, New Jersey during the peak of the frantic Christmas shopping season.

Vibe
Cozy, festive, witty, sarcastic, and heartwarming.

Genre
Legal Thriller / Cozy Mystery / Humorous Fiction.

Themes
~The power of community and loyalty among animal lovers.
~The stark contrast between holiday cheer and hidden criminal motives.
~The exhausting but rewarding nature of doing the right thing under pressure.

Standout Characters
~Andy Carpenter The witty, independently wealthy defense attorney who complains about working but always leaves everything on the courtroom floor.
~Grover Gardner (as Andy) Gardner's voice is so fundamentally linked to Andy's identity that his performance makes the character pop as a standout entity.

Author Writing Standout
Rosenfelt excels at pacing self-deprecating humor. He manages to keep the legal stakes engaging and realistic while never letting the book lose its lighthearted, comforting, and breezy tone.

Audio 🎧 Standout
Grover Gardner is an absolute masterclass narrator. His deadpan delivery, immaculate comedic timing, and distinct, recognizable pacing perfectly embody Andy’s inner monologue. Gardner brings a comforting, audio-comfort-food quality to the series, making even the routine courtroom elements a joy to listen to.

Takeaway
Sometimes the best holiday miracles are the ones fought for in front of a judge, backed by a loyal group of friends and a few wagging tails.

Title Significance
"Bark Humbug" serves as a clever play on Scrooge's famous catchphrase, perfectly encapsulating Andy's reluctant, slightly grumpy attitude toward holiday obligations, alongside the canine-centric heart of the series.

Metaphor
Andy’s constant protestations against taking new cases act as a metaphor for his hidden soft heart; no matter how much he claims to want a quiet retirement, his fierce sense of justice always overrides his laziness.

Why You Should Read
If you are looking for a break from heavy, grifter-filled thrillers and want a smart, funny, and cozy legal puzzle featuring excellent narration and plenty of dogs, this series remains an absolute go-to.

My Thoughts
34 books in, and this series still hasn't lost its charm. The plot relies on the tried-and-true Rosenfelt formula. The holiday backdrop adds a wonderful layer of cheer, and Grover Gardner's narration makes it an irresistible listen. It’s an incredibly comforting, funny, and satisfying experience that will leave a smile on your face.

Verdict 4/5 stars
"A festive, funny, and thoroughly engaging legal mystery made completely unforgettable by Grover Gardner's spectacular narration."

Recs or read alikes
~The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by David Rosenfelt (For another essential holiday case in the series)
~One for the Money by Janet Evanovich (For similarly snappy, New Jersey-based comedic mystery vibes)
~The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson (For another mystery series elevated to legendary status by its audio narrator)

Special thanks to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for sharing an advance reading and listening copy for my honest thoughts.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithiDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 13, 2026
My Rating: 4 Stars
Oct Newsletter
October 2026 Must-Read Books

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Andy Carpenter is watching football, minding his own business, and maintaining his long-running delusion that he is retired when a woman invents an ENTIRE NEWSPAPER CHRISTMAS FEATURE ABOUT LOCAL CELEBRITIES AND THEIR DOGS just to get through his front door. Sharon Lowery does not call. She does not email. She creates festive canine journalism because her brother is wanted for murder and she needs Andy’s attention. That is an absolutely unhinged amount of initiative, and unfortunately for Andy, it works.

Her brother Jon is on the run for murdering a gubernatorial candidate, and Sharon tells Andy that if he agrees to hear Jon out, Jon will turn himself in. Also, Jon desperately wants to see his dog again. And there it is. The fatal error in Andy’s retirement plan. You can hand this man a murder suspect, a political circus, armed law enforcement, and an obvious threat to his peaceful football schedule, and he will say no. Add “and he misses his dog,” and suddenly Andy is putting on shoes. Sir, your weakness is embarrassingly well documented.

Jon’s situation is a nightmare. He’s hiding, the media is losing its mind, the victim was running for governor, and everybody has already decided how the story ends before Andy has even met the guy. Andy agrees to help get Jon safely into custody, which is already much more involvement than “I’ll hear him out” should reasonably require. This happens to him every time. Andy says yes to one tiny thing, then looks up three hours later and Marcus is involved, Laurie is investigating, Sam is disappearing into the internet, and somebody has probably tried to kill him. Retirement is going beautifully.

And of course the murder starts growing extra legs the second Andy pokes it. People have motives. Stories don’t match. There are connections nobody seems particularly eager to explain. The whole thing starts smelling less like one desperate man killing one political candidate and more like several people desperately hoping nobody asks the exact questions Andy has now begun asking out of spite. This is my favorite version of Andy, because once he decides something is wrong, he becomes the human equivalent of a dog who has heard a suspicious noise inside the wall. Nobody is getting peace until he finds it.

The crew is also exactly the crew I wanted. Laurie remains the person most likely to remind Andy that an investigation requires actual investigation rather than twelve minutes of sarcasm and a courtroom objection. Sam continues to treat privacy laws like optional reading. Marcus still needs approximately four words per book because his entire personality is conveyed through other people realizing they have made a terrible mistake. And Andy is in the middle complaining that all these people keep involving him in the case he voluntarily accepted. I missed them. I know I never actually left them. I still missed them.

What makes Andy work for me after this many books is that his whole personality is “please stop needing things from me,” while his actual behavior is “fine, I will personally dismantle the legal system before I let this happen to you.” He would rather chew through drywall than admit he cares this much. He wants Laurie, Tara, Sebastian, football, and enough money to never answer another work call. Yet the second somebody is getting flattened by a system that has already made up its mind, he cannot leave it alone. Especially if there’s a dog waiting for that person to come home. Andy’s retirement is not a plan. It is a recurring joke he keeps telling himself.

And Jon wanting his dog back got me because David Rosenfelt never treats the dogs like little cozy-mystery accessories someone trots out when things need to feel cute. They matter. They are family. Jon is scared, hunted, and facing the possibility that his entire life is over, and part of what he is hanging onto is his dog. Andy understands that immediately. Nobody has to explain it. At this point I am convinced you could bring Andy evidence of organized crime, international espionage, and a government conspiracy and he’d ask you to leave. Then a Labrador walks in looking sad and Andy is suddenly scheduling depositions.

The Christmas part is also perfectly Andy because he has approximately the same relationship with holiday cheer that Sebastian has with cardio. Everybody else can decorate. Everybody else can be festive. Andy would like Christmas to remain respectfully outside his line of sight while he watches football. But he will still save your brother, protect your dog, uncover whatever giant mess everybody has been lying about, and probably make it home in time to complain about a wreath. That is his Christmas spirit. I accept no substitutes.

Bark Humbug gets 4.5 stars from me because I will apparently continue reading Andy Carpenter’s fake retirement announcements until one of us becomes legally deceased. The case kept getting bigger, Andy kept pretending he was being dragged into something he had absolutely agreed to do, and the whole crew slid right back into place like the world’s most sarcastic emergency-response team. Give me Andy complaining, Laurie being smarter than him, Marcus frightening oxygen molecules, Sam committing whatever the digital equivalent of trespassing is, and one dog quietly becoming the reason all of this matters. I am home.

Merry Mayhem Prize: For Turning a Christmas Dog Photo Shoot Into a Murder Defense, a Political Disaster, and Another Completely Successful Failure at Retirement

Huge thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC and for once again enabling Andy Carpenter’s imaginary retirement. At this point his out-of-office message should simply read, “Unavailable unless your situation involves murder, injustice, or a dog with sad eyes,” because we all know he’ll answer.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 34th Andy Carpenter mystery starts when he very reluctantly agrees to a newspaper interview. He only agrees because it is about local celebrities and their dogs and Tara deserves all the recognition. Only the newspaper article is a scam.

Sharon Lowery, the supposed reporter, really wants to see Andy to convince him to represent her brother Jon who has been accused of murdering the local mayor and one of his largest contributors.

Andy had met Jon since he adopted a dog named Luna from Andy's foundation, but that wouldn't necessarily be enough to pull Andy out of his self-imposed retirement. Andy announces himself as Jon's lawyer when the peaceful surrender is turned into a SWAT event by the State Police.

All of the evidence is circumstantial but there is a lot of it. Andy's investigation leads to learning that the mayor was taking bribes all around for little things like drug running and money laundering. When two men associated with his crimes are also murdered, the case against Jon should be simpler. However, since he mayor was working for the two other murder victims, it is hard to understand why they might have wanted him dead.

Andy and his team pull off their usual tricks with Sam digging into the internet on sites legal and not-so legal and Marcus intimidating in his usual silent way. And then there is Andy who is his usual smart-mouthed, sarcastic self.

This was another enjoyable episode in this long-running series.

[Dawn · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

This latest installment of the Andy Carpenter series is the best....IMHO! The twist in this one....I did NOT see coming at all!

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Overview: Andy Carpenter isn't having a holly jolly time. It isn't quite past Hallowe'en yet, and Laurie already has Christmas music blaring from the speakers. And now he is supposed to meet with a journalist and a photographer for an article about famous Patterson, New Jersey citizens and their dogs. Surprise! There is not article, just a young woman who wants her brother to get a good lawyer. Did Jon Lowery truly kill two individuals, and then run away to Ocean City? Who else could have wanted Mayor Henley dead? And will Luna be okay? Let's find out.

Dislikes: I would drive Andy crazy. Christmas songs are always great to listen to.

Carlos is a scary man. The people he targeted didn't really do anything wrong, in some cases, other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Likes: Both Pete and Richard tried to keep their egos out of the case. They wanted to do the right thing by justice.

Marcus is terrifying, and a lot like Andy. They both don't mind stretching a boundary if it will help the innocent.

Mr. Rosenfelt played the shameless plug card well.

Conclusion: This was a fun book, though it reminds me of why I don't want to be a lawyer. If you like legal thrillers, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

Bark, Humbug is the 34th book in The Andy Carpenter series and the 13th that I’ve enjoyed very much.

I won’t get into the plot of Bark, Humbug as you can read about that in the Amazon/Goodreads Book Description. I’ll just say that Rosenfelt’s long-time formula of combining courtroom strategy, twists, humor, dogs and, of course, the usual cast of primary and secondary characters has proven to be very effective yet again. In particular, wise-cracking Andy Carpenter, is a character that stays in your mind even after you finish the book.

I particularly liked the way the case gradually unfolded, with Andy and his team piecing together seemingly unrelated details and challenging the prosecution’s version of events. The courtroom scenes are smart without becoming overly technical, and Andy’s dry, sarcastic humor continues to be one of the book’s biggest strengths. The supporting characters—especially the familiar members of Andy’s team—add plenty of personality and humor as well.

The mystery kept me guessing, and Rosenfelt does a good job balancing the serious aspects of the case with the lighter moments. Maybe not my favorite book in the series, but definitely a worthwhile and enjoyable addition for longtime fans of Andy Carpenter.

I've said it before - probably 13 times 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.

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.

#Bark, Humbug #NetGalley

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Bark Humbug is the 34th Andy Carpenter legal procedural mystery by David Rosenfelt. Released 13th Oct 2026 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

For current fans of the series, this is a good one. It's full of the same sarcastic, warm humor and the same ensemble cast as previous entries in the series. Andy Carpenter is, of course, central to the story and still trying to figure out how to stay retired and avoid working. This is such a long running and consistently well written series that saying it's "more of the same, worked around a different mystery" should be enough of a recommendation by itself. Although it's the 34th book in the series, the mystery is self contained and the necessary back-story is written in without major spoilers for previous books. I heartily recommend the whole series, but this particular entry is especially strong.

This is pure comfort reading. It's got a likable protagonist, an engaging mystery, humorous dialogue, and a solid climax, denouement, and resolution. Here's another innocent man framed for a murder he didn't commit. Here's Andy and co. coming to the rescue to help him out of almost impossible legal danger by not only being brilliant in the courtroom, but by figuring out whodunnit and putting the fear of Marcus into the bad guys. The climax and denouement are particularly riveting and definite kudos to Mr. Rosenfelt for the unexpected twists.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 6 hours and 43 minutes and is expertly narrated by series narrator Grover Gardner who manages to juggle the various accents and characters of all ages and both sexes without problems. The read is definitely enhanced by the narrator. The sound and production quality are high throughout the recording. Mr. Gardner's narration really is a high point of the entire series, and he's got to be one of the best voice actors working in publishing today.

Five stars for both the text and audiobook versions. All around fun read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Monnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit to being a cat person. Those other four-legged critters who bark don’t interest me in the least; I consider them like grandkids – best handed back to their owners after half an hour or so. That said, there’s something about books with dogs in them that’s simply irresistible. And this series, while really focusing on a semi-retired attorney who inevitably gets drawn back into the courtroom, is a great example of the power of the pooch.

This time out, it starts with a devious newspaper photographer, who gets dog lover, advocate and shelter owner Andy Carpenter’s attention by a way of a trick request to join a Christmas celebrity doggie feature. Andy of course takes the bait, only to learn that what she wants is him to represent her brother Jon Lowery, who’s nowhere to be found but wanted for murdering the town mayor and his associate. Andy still swears up and down he’s retired (but after this many books, methinks that he protests too much). After he learns Jon is willing to talk to him with no strings attached, Andy at least agrees to hear him out (made even easier when he finds out Jon has a dog adopted from Andy’s Tara Foundation, named for his own golden retriever).

A meet-up is quietly arranged, but when Andy and his wife Laurie Collins get to the agreed-upon place to meet, they’re accosted by state cops with really big guns. Suddenly, the situation changes – sans any kind of meet-and-greet, Andy really has no choice but to say he’s Jon’s attorney. For Andy, that’s a first; never in his career has he taken on a client with whom he’s never even spoken. All Andy knows is that Jon is a computer science expert (with a degree from Rutgers, near Paterson, New Jersey, where Andy lives and works), and, most notably, he’s an ex-Marine and accomplished sniper.

From that point on, it’s a matter of gathering the investigative team together – and that includes Laurie, an ex-cop – who will collect information Andy needs to defend Jon in the courtroom. The team also includes the usual cast of characters loyal readers have come to know and love. Perhaps the best part for me, though, is that books in this series are serious, but guaranteed to elicit a chuckle (make that quite a few, plus an outright guffaw or two). Sharing any details would spoil things for others, but I will say there’s a surprise ending that’s a doozy.

All told, it’s another totally enjoyable adventure from start to finish, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review it. Since it’s got a holiday slant, it would make a great gift for someone who loves to read while sitting before a cozy fire with a pooch at their feet. Go! Fetch!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If David Rosenfelt is growing tired of writing the Andy Carpenter series, it is certainly not obvious to me in this latest outing. It continues to be well-observed, wryly funny, and sarcastic, with a mystery at its heart, serving justice up at the end. The characters are evolving slowly (Ricky is growing up even though Tara never ages, Andy’s relationship with the guys at Charlie’s is put to good use, and there are more good things to say about Marcus).
In this story, a former Marine is accused of killing the town’s Mayor. The accused’s sister invents a photo shoot to have a chance to plead his case with Andy. She brings his dog, so what choice does Andy have?
I’m hoping the next book in the series includes the recipe for the mouthwatering ruggelah cookies described (and devoured) by several of the characters! This story starts just before Halloween and carries us through the New Year. So grab a PSL and this well-narrated audiobook (or print/ebook if you prefer) and settle in for this delightfully cozy legal mystery!
My thanks to the author, @DavidRosenfelt, publisher, @MacmillanAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #BarkHumbug for review purposes. Publication date: 13 October 2026.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy Carpenter book #34

A legal thriller

This mystery centers on the highly publicized murder of a state governor candidate pulling Andy out of early retirement after he agreed to be part of a photospread profiling celebrities and their dogs not realizing it was a ploy to get him to represent murder suspect Jon Lowery, who got his dog Luna from Andy’s Tara Foundation a couple a years before…..Andy reluctantly defends Lowery….. and we are propelled right into the murder scene, the dubious investigating methods and the court room shenanigans.

Using his usual formula Mr. Rosenfelt has our hero followed and threatened, his associate Marcus Clark beating people to extract information, Sam hacking to get locations and of course we have Laura doing her thing and spoiling the boys.

This is a fun read full of sarcastic remarks and playful banters and many many amusing passages. Andy definitely hates Christmas music preferring to be waterboarded than listening to it… oh and hates emojis…😊.

As usual, at trial Andy is at his best poking holes in the testimony of the prosecution witness and going all out to defend Lowery. What a surprise ending we are left with ….

As always Mr. Rosenfelt has penned an entertaining blend of mystery and legal thriller with humorous elements. Definitely “Bark Humbug" has a solid and fast-paced plot played out by colourful players.

Enjoy

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and Netgalley for this ARC

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bark Humbug is the 34th book in the Andy Carpenter series and another of the Christmas stories. Once again Andy doesn't really want a new client, but circumstances change his mind. Of course, a dog is involved. The sister of someone who once adopted a dog from the Tara Foundation conspires to convince Andy to help her brother who stands accused of shooting the mayor. Andy rounds up the usual team who all do what they do best to investigate and help him build his case.

I love this series and this book does not disappoint. Andy's humor and his tenacity make the book so enjoyable. There is just enough family, friendship and dog obsession to lighten the mood of a tense legal situation. I really enjoyed how the story plays out. I listened to an Advanced copy of the audio book. Grover Gardner is such a good narrator and he remains consistent with the characters in this series. His familiar voice makes all the characters seem even more like old friends. I'd join the team!

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the Advanced Listener Copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best Andy Carpenter book, hands down! All the drama, all the twists, and all the humor! I could not stop reading this book! I for sure thought I had guessed the ending and “whodunit” correctly with this mystery. I was completely wrong, and wasn’t even close.

David Rosenfelt writes as if you’re in the room with him, having an actual conversation. His humor is fantastic and the little Easter eggs he throws in always makes me laugh. Character Laurie’s favorite author being David Rosenfelt always gets me. However, this book mentioning that our lead character Andy Carpenter believes that Laurie’s favorite author is the “Ambien of authors” had me actually chocking I was laughing so hard.

This read was so fun and a great book in the series. Although it’s in a series, these books absolutely can be read as standalones. This series is my #1 pick and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for the read. David Rosenfelt is a favorite of mine, so it was an honor to get this novel as an ARC, and an honor to be able to share my thoughts.

[Carol Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read/listen (love Grover Gardner) from David Rosenfelt. No matter how hard he tries to stay retired, Andy finds himself taking another case. It's Christmas time again which lasts for months in the Carpenter household. Andy finds himself tricked into taking a new case and of course does his best to get it over with as soon as he can. I love the characters in this book including the dogs. Andy's whit is as great as ever and I love how invincible he thinks he is. The next installment can't come soon enough.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have listened to ALL of the Rosenfelf books. I say listened because I love the narrator for these books. He really brings Andy Carpenter to life. And its so fun and clever. I love the characters. All of Andy's team are interesting and colorful.
The investigation and court room dialog is always very clever.
This one has a surprising twist near the end and very cleverly resolved.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a dedicated fan of David Rosenfelt's library of titles. Whether his mystery/thriller standalones, his nonfiction, or the excellent Andy Carpenter series, Rosenfelt is an author I follow, recommend, and gift to every reading lover I know. Written in his normal humorous manner, Bark Humbug is book #34 in the Andy Carpenter series, but the twists in this one were shocking. All of the series' regular characters make an appearance in this book. The client Andy is convinced to represent displays absolute confidence in Andy's defense abilities, which is unusual in itself, while Laurie and Marcus keep Andy as safe as they can. But the ending......this is one you do not want to miss.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosenfelt delivers the 2026 Andy Carpenter “Christmas” book with his trademark dry, sarcastic humor. Read my full review here.

Publication is expected October 13.

#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #BarkHumbug

[Sowmya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wowwe I was living under a rock about Andy Carpenter
3.5 Doggie stars 🐕‍🦺🐕‍🦺🐕‍🦺½ .
There is certainly charm to hear a grump doing about their day. Andy simply wants to retire dammit, what do you mean crime never rests?
I was listening to this audiobook lying on the bed and looked like a shaking caterpillar with how much I was laughing at the unexpected Dad jokes; yes they are Dad jokes and no I am not lying; they are very funny.
The best part of this book is naturally Andy. David Rosenfelt writes him whip smart, brave and like a tired annoyed Dad. The story progresses with all the right amount to suspense, evidence and conspiracy rises at correct intervals, and we wait as Andy and team(love you Lori) races against time to save their client.
There is a certain suspension of disbelief you need to have while the puzzle starts to complete. Things neatly fall into our lawyer's lap, like Kismet herself is his pen pal, but the most suspension should be reserved to Mark- he deserves.
All in all, this was a most certainly an enjoyable audiobook with fantastic narration by Grover Gardener and I will definitely look for Book #35, to see if Andy can finally retire.
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this advance reader copy. All Reviews and Opinions are my own

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good Andy Carpeobook with an interesting twist at the end.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Terrific as usual, and wonderfully narrated.

[Diane Davis · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

David write faster

[Hobart · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader. If you like this post, you might like others on that site. Consider checking it out!
---
WHAT'S BARK HUMBUG ABOUT?
The sister of a murder suspect comes to Andy's home. Her brother had adopted a dog through his dog shelter a couple of years before, which had led him to follow Andy's career. So when he became the focus of a police manhunt, he wanted Andy to help coordinate things when he turned himself in. Well, hopefully to go all the way and defend him in court, but they'd start with surviving surrendering himself to the police.

Things there didn't go quite as planned, and Andy got upset and was caught on camera saying he'd defend Jon. So he's stuck with a job—which might not be all that bad, it'd give him something to think about other than all the holiday music his wife's about to start playing—it's Halloween season, time for her to break out the Bing Crosby. Also, Andy believes Jon.

Jon's accused of murdering the mayor—and gubernatorial candidate—with a sniper rifle, making an incredibly difficult shot. Sadly, one that the US Military taught him to make. That, and a whole lot of evidence, is pretty daunting for Andy and his legal team—but since when has that stopped them?

They do find a lot of evidence of other criminal activity afoot that could point to other suspects—but will it be enough? Is Andy capable of (another) Christmas miracle? And just what happens to someone who makes our genial attorney mad?

THE YEARS ARE PASSING
This is one of those series where very little changes—the dogs never age (thankfully); Andy, Pete, and Vince eat like college students and don't have health issues; Edna is on the verge of retirement constantly; Sam's senior citizen helpers are just as old as they've ever been, and so on.

However...Ricky is aging. Nowhere near in real-time, but it's happening. He's got a girlfriend, he's taking vacations with his friends over the holidays, and even the frequently oblivious Andy is noticing it.

On the one hand, having Ricky around was a breath of fresh air back when it happened—and seeing him grow up could add some variety to things. Also, it's hard to keep writing him out of things so he's not in danger, or his activities aren't a distraction from the case. Maybe aging him will allow Rosenfelt to bring him into the plots just a bit, too.

THE RETURN OF MARCUS
When I talked about Dead Men Don't Play Fetch earlier this year, I noted that Marcus was returning to his mysterious and dangerous roots after a few books where Andy and the reader learned a little more about him, got a glimpse into his personal life, and actually understood what he was saying.

This book took a major step in that direction. Andy understood a little bit of what Marcus said (although we didn't get it in dialogue form, just described in the narration), but not most of it.

And whoo-boy, Marcus was back to his near-superhero levels of intimidation and violence. I think there was one book with more violence from him (many years back), but this has to be second place on the Marcus-as-Batman meter.

While I liked getting to know Marcus more, I like this "classic" version of him, too.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT BARK HUMBUG?
The humor in this volume seemed a little more crisp and fresh than it has lately (not that I've even had problems with it, but it's felt tamer). The cultural references are more current, as well (some of them, anyway).

The courtroom action is as solid as ever—Andy keeps the judge and the prosecution on their toes. But keeps things friendly with the D.A., which is a nice touch.

Andy and his team have to do things we're not used to them doing to get to the truth—although there are plenty of typical antics going as well.

Basically, I guess I'm saying that Bark Humbug gives the reader everything we've come to expect in an Andy Carpenter book, but just a little more.

This is a dose of holiday-themed fun (much to Andy's chagrin) with a very twisty mystery on tap. This case, more than any other in a long time, challenges our team. The last few chapters are as tense as I can remember this series being—maybe not since the first dozen or so. New readers or old won't be saying "Humbug" to this ending (or anything before then).

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley—my thanks to both for this. This post contains my honest opinion about a book I chose to read.

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, a fun adventure with always reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter and his crack team of investigators. What can I say? Andy would rather be lounging around with his family and friends watching football than taking another case. He's lucky enough to have inherited money and doesn't need the job, so how does he wind up defending a suspected murderer this time? Well, he's a sucker for all things dog. Reporter Sharon Lowery tricks him into a supposed interview on local celebrities and their dogs. Only there's no interview. She is there because he isn't answering the phone and she wants to talk him into taking her brother Jon's case. A former military sniper, he's accused of killing an up and coming politician and his associate. And, oh, he has a dog. Even more to the point, one adopted from Andy's Tara Foundation. Needless to say, Andy soon finds himself calling together his team once again.

That, of course, is where the story really begins. Over the life of the series, regular readers have gotten to know the team members well and it's rather like gathering in Andy's home to enjoy their company when they meet. Which is, also of course, infrequently given Andy's lack of a work ethic. Marcus, strong and usually silent, remains a bit of a mystery but that's probably intentional. While Andy appreciates that Marcus has his back and has saved his life an uncountable number of times, he still has the ability to intimidate Andy who mostly communicates with him through Laurie, Andy's ex-cop wife and team leader. I've grown to like the team members and respect what each brings to the table. Laurie deals with Andy's avowed laziness and snark, lots of snark. Honestly, while each story features a case that seems to become more complicated as the book goes along, often managing to includes underworld figures, Federal authorities, near death for Andy, not to mention a group of 90-something year old hackers that computer hacker, er, wiz, Sam, calls on for help when in a time crunch, it's the characters and snarky humor that keeps pulling me back. I mean, guess what author Andy manages to criticize at one point. Nope, not telling.

Bottom line, although I won't delve into the plot, far too many twists and turns, other than the murder that sets everything into motion, I will say that if you like courtroom drama with a touch (okay, a big touch) of humor, that shows us the behind the scenes action that we can only imagine, not to mention the stress lawyers are under, this may be the book for you. I often joke that I've learned much of the legal terms I'm familiar with from this series, not to mention general courtroom procedure and etiquette, albeit Andy is usually short on the latter. Humor, warmth of family and friends, Andy's realization that son Ricky is growing up, interesting characters, even the bad guys, and the sense of familiarity are what make this series work. We even get to take a few dog walks with Andy and Tara, the beloved Golden that gave Rosenfelt the name for his own real rescue, the Tara Foundation. Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #Minotaur for the early read of Andy's latest reluctantly taken case. What a twist at the end!

Finally, since I was lucky enough to receive both the ebook and audio versions of this book, kudos to author Grover Gardner. He captures Andy's snark well. Thanks #MacmillianAudio for the early listen. I always appreciate getting the audio, too, as it seems like I always catch some nuance or bit of info I'd missed in the regular read.

[Arlene Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bark Humbug by David Rosenfelt: An Andy Carpenter Novel, #34

I got this from NetGalley in return for my honest review. I loved this book. At the beginning when I selected it from NetGalley, I didn't know it was part of a series. Now, I have to go back and read quite a few, if not all, of these books! That's how much I enjoyed it! I got the audiobook which is 6h 43m. Great narrator!

Andy Carpenter is a defense lawyer and is thinking about retiring. He’s working independently. He hates having a busy schedule. He does love dogs and justice. He lives in Patterson, New Jersey. And Andy does not like Christmas.

Characters other than Andy in this book are:
• Family: Ricky, high school aged son; Laurie—wife and former police officer
• Tara: Andy’s constant and loyal canine companion.
• Sharon Lowery: Sister who loves her brother who is accused of murder.
• Jon Lowery: Sharon’s brother. He had been in the US Marines and was trained as a sharpshooter. Now he’s on the run after being framed for murder of the local mayor, Henley. He needs help to get out of it, especially since he didn’t do it. And he doesn't want to be separated from his dog.
• Craig Henley: Mayor of Paterson, NJ. Running as candidate for governor. Shot and killed.
• Steven Tiller: Major political donor, wealthy. Supported Henley for governor. Shot and killed.
• Crew: Andy has a team of investigators and legal aides. They help him find and break down evidence. They’re tight-knit and trust each other. They all help Andy fight each case.
o **Eddie Dowd—legal end of things, Marcus—investigator/enforcer who handles dangerous background work, and Sam.
• K Team: detective agency that includes his wife, Laurie, Corey Douglas who is an investigator, and K-9 German shepherd named Simon Garfunkel.

Sharon tricks Andy into meeting her by asking him and his dog to be photographed for a Christmas spread of local celebrities and their dogs. Instead of a photographer, Sharon shows up at Andy’s. She tells him about the trouble her brother is in and begs him to help. If Andy will meet Jon and hear him out, he’ll turn himself in, hoping Andy will represent him. Andy agrees to meet Jon.

Why the police focus on Jon:
1 At a town hall meeting, Jon berated Mayor Henley. Jon cursed at Henley over his plans to cut needed drug addiction programs.
2 Jon’s social media accounts had many angry, threatening posts about the mayor.
3 Footprints at the murder scene matched Jon’s. As did stray hairs that matched to Jon’s dog. Spent rifle shells were found and matched Jon’s expertise.

Andy and his crew find a dangerous shadow operation… I'll let you read it to find out the rest! It's worth it!

This is a very good book. I highly recommend it. I enjoy that humor is part of its storytelling and I love dogs, too! I’m going to read more of this series.