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, Humor

Kindle Edition

Expected publication 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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Angie Boyter · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Bark Humbug
Series: Andy Carpenter #34
Author: David Rosenfelt
Publisher: St. Martin Press- Minotaur Book
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: October 13, 2026
My Rating: 4.2 Stars
Pages 320
If you are new to Andy, he typically only takes cases involving a dog. However, he always has and needs help from his wife Laurie and Corey Douglas who were both former police officers; body guard ~Marcus Clark Sam Willis is also part of this group and is a super hacker but employed as an accountant.

In this story Andy is seriously thinking of retiring. He is a big football fan and finds he is turning out the sound of his phone ringing while watching a game. However, when asked to participate in the local newspaper’s Christmas spread of local celebrities and their dogs – he doesn’t have to think twice (as we faithful readers know – Andy loves Tara) so he pauses the game to hear details.
He is told a photographer will come to his place to take pictures. However, instead of photographer- he finds Sharon Lowery, who needs a lawyer and comes up the newspaper story to get his attention. She wants him to help brother, Jon, who is wanted for murder and is on the run. Sharon tells Andy that Jon is willing to turn himself in with the hope Andy will represent him and reunite him with his dog.
Dog lover Andy cannot refuse.
Andy Carpenter stories are always entertaining~ Although formula driven- there are always a few surprises!
Formula~
• dog or dogs,
• Courtroom drama (which I love and am never disappointed!),
• a surprising twist, and
• usually a Victory dinner!!!

Okay since formula driven why do I keep reading this series.
This story is the reason as yes! It was different.

Always entertaining so I continue to follow Andy and friends and now look forward to #35!

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this fun eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 13, 2026.

[Margie Bunting · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't missed one book in David Rosenfelt's popular Andy Carpenter series, including the one coming in the fall, Bark Humbug. But don’t be fooled. Despite the title and the adorable dog wearing a Santa hat on the cover, its only resemblance to a Christmas-themed book is that it takes place during the three-month holiday period at the end of the year. No matter--it's the 34th(!) in the series, and defense attorney Andy's fans know what to expect .

Andy is still reluctant to take on a new case because he doesn't need the money and would much rather watch football, walk his dogs, or take a nap. But when he does accept a case, he is laser-focused and committed to protecting and satisfying his client. Granted, his methods and those of his team sometimes drift into less-than-legal territory, and his superhero investigator/ bodyguard Marcus will keep him from getting killed when things turn dangerous, as they often do. And yes, his personal life still revolves around his ex-cop wife and their now-16-year-old son. His friends are the police chief and newspaper editor, who have been drinking and eating on his dime for years. And his crack team occasionally use the services of a group of gleeful 90-year-old hackers. Andy can't resist some snarky comments and hilarious banter, but the courtroom scenes are my favorites. And I enjoy watching each case develop, step by step.

The case in this book is as tough as all of the others and I won't go into detail, but I will say that the ending is well worth waiting for. It's a formula that works, and one that my late husband enjoyed as well. David Rosenfelt, though not an attorney himself, knows how to write legal mysteries that are fascinating and suspenseful, with a rootable central character that ties it all together with panache.

My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of the book.

[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

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gasp! Bark Humbug is the thirty-fourth book in the Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt. And, I’ve read them all. Yep, I’ve done that. I always and I mean always look forward to spending time with Andy, the reluctant attorney, his wife, Laurie, and a cadre of friends and foes.

Bark Humbug takes place around Christmas although Laurie begins playing the holiday music in October. Christmas lasts awhile around the Carpenter household. As in most of the books, Andy is very reluctantly drawn into defending a man accused of murdering the mayor of Paterson, NJ who was also a favored gubernatorial candidate. It starts out a bit messy and it only gets worse as Andy and his team uncover unsavory characters, conspiracies, and other nefarious activities.

Did I mention how much I enjoy this series? It’s an easy and pleasant read, and the interactions of the various characters keep the story rolling and the chuckles in abundance. I’ve come to realize I’d love to share a glass of wine with Laurie, take dogs for a walk with Andy, and work with Sam when he hacks, I mean enters, various websites to gather evidence for a case. Then there’s Marcus, the silent but deadly body guard, and Corey and Simon, the retired officer and his police dog. Oh, the stories they could tell. Well, maybe not so much Marcus.

I always turn to an Andy Carpenter book when I need something familiar and humorous, with just the right amount of mystery and courtroom excitement. Once again, Mr Rosenfelt has delivered with Bark Humbug. And, once again, many thanks for giving me such reading enjoyment. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

If you are reading the 34th in the series, you’ve probably made up your mind on the series. I’m happy to say if you are here and enjoy the series you are going to enjoy this as well.

The gangs all here right down to the elderly hackers and Tara the golden retriever who is almost 30 years old at this point. Their unlikely immortality remains part of the charm.

Also back is the Golden Voiced Grover Gardner who just IS Andy Carpenter at this point. The books are great but Gardner gives so much personality to Andy it’s hard to read in book form when you know his narration is available.

The setup will be familiar to fans of the series. There is a murder, this time of a gubernatorial candidate and Andy is roped into defending the accused killer who as always is a dog lover.

Also familiar is the conspiracy that is going on under the surface that Andy, Eddie, Sam and the K team help unravel.

Edna plays a surprising role as her hard work is what really cracks the case.

I kid of course. She does nothing and resents even having to think about it. It’s the Edna we all love.

If 33 was a little plot heavy and joke light, 34 gets back into the more comfortable balance. One thing I will say is that for the first time in a long while this book had a few surprises. Nothing too shocking but enough to at least keep me engaged in the long running formula.

These are such comfort books. They are 7 hours of joy on audio. They rarely disappoint and generally make me smile every time.

I promise, if you like this series you’ll enjoy this one as well. And if you are new? Well it’s plenty easy as an entry point.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a pre-publication, advanced reader copy that I received as a Goodreads Giveaway. I was thrilled to win a copy of the book, even though I was unfamiliar with the author or the series. Since this book is number 34 it seems the author and the series have quite a following. My apologies to the die hard fans of the series but I didn’t love it. I had hoped to like it well enough to recommend it to my book club for our December read this year, especially since we are all dog lovers in the group. Alas, I will pass the book on for others to read but won’t recommend it for the book club.

With the title, Bark Humbug, I expected a storyline involving dogs and the Christmas holidays. Even the cover has an adorable dog wearing a Santa hat. All through reading it I kept wondering why the story didn’t fit the title. The attorney, Andy Carpenter, is a dog lover who has a beloved golden retriever, and the person he is representing in the murder trial owns a rescue dog, but that’s it for the dog’s involvement in the story. While the timeline did span through the Christmas holidays it was inconsequential to the story. So, why that title?

As for the rest of the story, I found it implausible that the attorney and his ragtag group of investigators, working only somewhat within the law, would be able to take down a major crime lord who was well insulated, well protected, and wanted internationally. There was a twist at the end that was interesting and I enjoyed the outcome, but it wasn’t enough to bump my rating up higher.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 34th in the Andy Carpenter series and its annual holiday installment. It would work as a standalone. Andy is an irascible, but somehow charming defense attorney. He doesn’t really want to try cases and, fortunately, his wealth allows him to choose only those in which he believes. He has an interesting team with whom he works, including his wife, Laurie, a former police officer. He and Laurie also founded the Tara Foundation for rescue dogs, named for his loyal golden retriever.

The mayor of Paterson, NJ, who is also a gubernatorial candidate, is gunned down along with one of his donors. The prime suspect is Jon, a former Marine raider, with PTSD. Jon’s sister tricks Andy into taking the case, which has evidence supporting both Jon’s guilt and innocence. As Andy's investigation proceeds, rampant political corruption is uncovered.

Bark Humbug is an entertaining blend of mystery and legal thriller with comedic elements. With a solid plot, colorful characterizations, twists, turns, courtroom drama, and great humor, this is a very enjoyable, fast-paced read. What truly sets Rosenfelt’s writing apart is his ability to infuse humor throughout his stories, particularly through Andy’s witty and snarky remarks. This is one of the few series I have ever read (and I have read many) that consistently makes me laugh out loud.

I look forward to each addition to this series. It is one of my  “must reads” whenever a new one is available.  Every book is a delight.


Thanks to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress and @Minotaur_Books for the DRC.

[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

[Kathryn E Hagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Lillian LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

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

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.

[Marty Doskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite series! Author David Rosenfelt takes his classic Andy Carpenter formula and adds a bit of a twist that readers of the series may not expect. I won't spoil anything, but I certainly didn't expect the ending.

Bark Humbug includes all of the elements readers have come to expect in this series. The entire cast of colorful characters is here - Andy, Laurie, Sam, Eddie, Corey, and Marcus. The Bubbale Brigade even makes a return appearance. Rosenfelt creates an interesting tale about corruption in politics that seems to be connected to the murders of a mayor/gubernatorial candidate and a wealthy donor and it's up to Andy and the team to vindicate his accused client.

Also, I listened to the audiobook, so it was wonderful to hear the voice of Grover Gardner who has been the narrator of the series from the beginning.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Howard Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a novel by David Rosenfelt is always an enjoyable experience. His novels are exciting, fun and always hold one’s interest. Since I lived in northern New Jersey for 60 years and have had several dogs, I find it easy to relate to Andy Carpenter—especially with respect to comments about the New York Giants. Having read ALL of his prior books, I know all of the characters and feel like they are all old friends. The novel is replete with much humor and sarcasm and I particularly liked the comments about Christmas music as sex music and Ricky wanting to know if Bing is really a name. The courtroom scenes are excellent along the way to a very surprising conclusion. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone and thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great addition to the Andy Carpenter series. I feel like the series is fairly formulaic, but the formula works and I always find myself giggling out loud at some point. This installment added something new that I didn't expect and I enjoyed being a little surprised.

This series as a whole is just great fun. You always know basically what you're in for and I enjoy watching Andy and his team figure out what really happened. My favorite part is the self-detracting humor and banter. I look forward to the next in the series.

I listened to the audio of this one, which was expertly narrated by Grover Gardner. He is just the perfect Andy and I can't imagine anyone else in the role.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Mike Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of Bark Humbug from Goodreads. I enjoyed this book and have read 20+ books of the Andy Carpenter series. To me, this is an escape from the craziness of the world we currently live in. I share Andy’s love of dogs and his relationship with Tara is relatable. Laurie, Marcus, Corey, Eddie, Sam, Pete, Vince, Willie, Sondra, Edna and Ricky are all part of this story. The Christmas theme is in the background but not the main theme of the book. Andy, the reluctant attorney, once again finds justice. I have family members who are attorneys—so much of the humor in the book is something I have experienced. Will be patiently awaiting for his next book as Andy can never retire and Tara will always be by his side.

[Jim Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bark Humbug is the literary equivalent of slipping into your most comfortable jeans

Bark Humbug is David Rosenfelt doing what he does best: delivering a fast‑paced, twisty mystery wrapped in razor‑sharp humor, Christmas grumpiness, and the world’s most lovable sarcastic lawyer. I had the chance to read an advance copy, and honestly, it felt like returning to your favorite restaurant or spending a night out with friends who know exactly how to make you laugh.

Andy Carpenter is in peak form here — irreverent, allergic to responsibility, and somehow still the guy you’d trust with your life (or at least your dog’s).

Even if you’ve never met Andy before, jump in here and you’ll be hooked enough to binge the whole series. It’s smart, funny, and just plain fun. Enjoy!

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Rosenfelt, how do you do it? This is book 34 of the Andy Carpenter series, and it is as good as the first, maybe better. I have read many in the series, and so will you if you get started. They are hard to resist. I will say I have listened to many as audiobooks, and the narrator, Grover Gardner, is wonderful and will keep you entertained.
For a retired lawyer, Andy Carpenter sure gets himself a lot of causes. Also a lot of trouble. Thank goodness he has his trusty team to back him up, and in the end he with them always gets their man. Oh, you can't forget the adorable dogs! They alone are worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing an advance review copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Honestly, it's great.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love opening an audiobook from the Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt! I know I will have hours of enjoyment through the snarky dialogue, self-deprecating humor, murder mystery, the relationships among the people who work for Andy’s law firm, and the canine companions. Grover Gardner is the absolute best at narrating the books in this series. He makes Andy come alive on the pages. From the very beginning, you will be drawn into the story and experience intrigue and danger, meet lots of suspects, go on walks with the dogs, and enjoy lots of laughs. This is absolutely one of my favorite series and I anxiously wait for the next adventure with Andy and the K-Team. This one has a very different ending than is typical. You need to go back and read from the first book in the series to understand what I mean. But it will be worth every moment you spend buried in the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

[LP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book.

WOW this was fantastic! I've read all the Andy Carpenter books and this is, without a doubt, my favorite. Very different and what a twisty ending! I did figure out some of it but that ending was brilliant. What also made this one extra special was so much more of the behind-the-scenes legal intricacies than we usually get from Andy. We've seen Richard's character previously but I was happy to see him again and discover he's got more sarcasm than I remember. His scenes with Andy were great. In fact, all of the recurring characters played a bigger role this time, which I loved. Another very quick, satisfying read from one my favorite authors. Go get 'em, Andy!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[HappyBookWorm2020 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter series is always a good read, and this one is no exception. As usual, Andy, a lawyer claiming to wish he were retired, is pulled into representing a person accused of murder. As usual, the evidence against his client appears to be compelling. But Andy has a way of looking beyond the obvious to find the other issues at play. His investigation is detailed, bringing in plenty of twists and turns, and it’s all told with an underlying humor that makes this an easy and entertaining read. I’m never disappointed with an Andy Carpenter story and heartily recommend this book.