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Andy Carpenter #19
Bark of Night
The next novel in David Rosenfelt’s witty, heartfelt mystery series featuring lawyer Andy Carpenter and his faithful golden retriever, Tara.
When defense lawyer Andy Carpenter’s veterinarian asks to speak to him privately at the checkup of his golden retriever, Tara, the last thing Andy expects is Truman. Tiny, healthy, French bulldog Truman was dropped off days ago with instructions to be euthanized by a man everyone thought was his owner. But now the owner is nowhere to be found.
Andy is furious. Who would want to euthanize a perfectly healthy dog with no explanation? He is willing to whisk Truman away to the Tara Foundation, the dog-rescue organization which is Andy’s true passion. They will find a home for Truman. But that’s not all the vet tells Andy. Thanks to Truman’s chip, it’s discovered that the man wasn’t Truman’s owner at all . . . Truman's real owner was murdered.
It’s now up to Andy – with help from his loyal sidekick Tara, Truman and the rest of the gang – to solve this case. In the latest in the popular Andy Carpenter mystery series, David Rosenfelt’s charmingly clever wit and love of dogs are back and better than ever.
269 pages, ebook
First published July 16, 2019
1145 people are currently reading
1177 people want to read
About the author
David Rosenfelt
74 books2,895 followersI am a novelist with 27 dogs.
I have gotten to this dubious position with absolutely no planning, and at no stage in my life could I have predicted it. But here I am.
My childhood was relentlessly normal. The middle of three brothers, loving parents, a middle-class home in Paterson, New Jersey. We played sports, studied sporadically. laughed around the dinner table, and generally had a good time. By comparison, "Ozzie and Harriet's" clan seemed bizarre.
I graduated NYU, then decided to go into the movie business. I was stunningly brilliant at a job interview with my uncle, who was President of United Artists, and was immediately hired. It set me off on a climb up the executive ladder, culminating in my becoming President of Marketing for Tri-Star Pictures. The movie landscape is filled with the movies I buried; for every "Rambo", "The Natural" and "Rocky", there are countless disasters.
I did manage to find the time to marry and have two children, both of whom are doing very well, and fortunately neither have inherited my eccentricities.
A number of years ago, I left the movie marketing business, to the sustained applause of hundreds of disgruntled producers and directors. I decided to try my hand at writing. I wrote and sold a bunch of feature films, none of which ever came close to being actually filmed, and then a bunch of TV movies, some of which actually made it to the small screen. It's safe to say that their impact on the American cultural scene has been minimal.
About fourteen years ago, my wife and I started the Tara Foundation, named in honor of the greatest Golden Retriever the world has ever known. We rescued almost 4,000 dogs, many of them Goldens, and found them loving homes. Our own home quickly became a sanctuary for those dogs that we rescued that were too old or sickly to be wanted by others. They surround me as I write this. It's total lunacy, but it works, and they are a happy, safe group.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidr...
I have gotten to this dubious position with absolutely no planning, and at no stage in my life could I have predicted it. But here I am.
My childhood was relentlessly normal. The middle of three brothers, loving parents, a middle-class home in Paterson, New Jersey. We played sports, studied sporadically. laughed around the dinner table, and generally had a good time. By comparison, "Ozzie and Harriet's" clan seemed bizarre.
I graduated NYU, then decided to go into the movie business. I was stunningly brilliant at a job interview with my uncle, who was President of United Artists, and was immediately hired. It set me off on a climb up the executive ladder, culminating in my becoming President of Marketing for Tri-Star Pictures. The movie landscape is filled with the movies I buried; for every "Rambo", "The Natural" and "Rocky", there are countless disasters.
I did manage to find the time to marry and have two children, both of whom are doing very well, and fortunately neither have inherited my eccentricities.
A number of years ago, I left the movie marketing business, to the sustained applause of hundreds of disgruntled producers and directors. I decided to try my hand at writing. I wrote and sold a bunch of feature films, none of which ever came close to being actually filmed, and then a bunch of TV movies, some of which actually made it to the small screen. It's safe to say that their impact on the American cultural scene has been minimal.
About fourteen years ago, my wife and I started the Tara Foundation, named in honor of the greatest Golden Retriever the world has ever known. We rescued almost 4,000 dogs, many of them Goldens, and found them loving homes. Our own home quickly became a sanctuary for those dogs that we rescued that were too old or sickly to be wanted by others. They surround me as I write this. It's total lunacy, but it works, and they are a happy, safe group.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidr...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 587 reviews
August 31, 2019
3.5*
This is a series that I have been wanting to read for a very long time. I’ve read some of David Rosenfelt’s stand-alone books and always enjoyed them. Here was my chance to finally try Mr Rosenfelt’s well-known Andy Carpenter series.
Andy Carpenter is a successful fun yet very sarcastic defense attorney attempting to walk away from his career.
Well...things don’t always work out as planned.
Andy agrees to help represent Joey Gamble accused of murdering James Haley who was filming him for a documentary. Joey was in the wrong place at the wrong time! What starts out as a simple murder case takes Andy in many directions he never saw coming!
Silly me thought that Andy’s dogs would play a larger role in the book?? (Can you tell I’m a dog lover)?! Maybe in the previous books they do?
I really liked Andy’s snarky personality but I really felt I missed so much of the character development. Maybe I need to start right from the beginning with book one Open and Shut.
I feel a binge read coming on in my near future!!
A buddy read with Susanne!
Thank you to Allison Ziegler at Minotaur Books for an ARC to read and review.
This is a series that I have been wanting to read for a very long time. I’ve read some of David Rosenfelt’s stand-alone books and always enjoyed them. Here was my chance to finally try Mr Rosenfelt’s well-known Andy Carpenter series.
Andy Carpenter is a successful fun yet very sarcastic defense attorney attempting to walk away from his career.
Well...things don’t always work out as planned.
Andy agrees to help represent Joey Gamble accused of murdering James Haley who was filming him for a documentary. Joey was in the wrong place at the wrong time! What starts out as a simple murder case takes Andy in many directions he never saw coming!
Silly me thought that Andy’s dogs would play a larger role in the book?? (Can you tell I’m a dog lover)?! Maybe in the previous books they do?
I really liked Andy’s snarky personality but I really felt I missed so much of the character development. Maybe I need to start right from the beginning with book one Open and Shut.
I feel a binge read coming on in my near future!!
A buddy read with Susanne!
Thank you to Allison Ziegler at Minotaur Books for an ARC to read and review.
September 4, 2019
3.5 Stars* (rounded up)
When a dog is abandoned at his vet’s office, left to be euthanized, it’s Andy, a Criminal Defense Attorney and his dog Tara, a Golden Retriever to the rescue!
French bulldog Truman is left for dead, literally. Good thing the vet checked to see if he had a chip! When a strange man brought Truman in to the vet’s office and paid to have him euthanized, the office gets suspicious and immediately calls for reinforcements. In his spare time, Andy runs a pet rescue and he saves the day. He also does a little investigating and find out that the man who previously owned Truman was murdered a few days ago.. and it’s not the guy who brought him into be euthanized! Though Andy has no interest in getting involved, he ends up representing the kid who was arrested for the murder. The problem? Andy doesn’t think he’s guilty!
Andy Carpenter is a hoot my friends! This is my first novel by David Rosenfelt and I must say that he made me laugh. Not having read prior novels, it took me a bit to get my bearings but after doing so I really enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the interactions between Andy and his wife - they were hysterical! Entertaining and fun to boot, now that’s my kind of read!
This was a buddy read with Kaceey!
Thank you to Allison Ziegler at Minotaur Books and David Rosenfelt for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on Goodreads on 8.31.19.
When a dog is abandoned at his vet’s office, left to be euthanized, it’s Andy, a Criminal Defense Attorney and his dog Tara, a Golden Retriever to the rescue!
French bulldog Truman is left for dead, literally. Good thing the vet checked to see if he had a chip! When a strange man brought Truman in to the vet’s office and paid to have him euthanized, the office gets suspicious and immediately calls for reinforcements. In his spare time, Andy runs a pet rescue and he saves the day. He also does a little investigating and find out that the man who previously owned Truman was murdered a few days ago.. and it’s not the guy who brought him into be euthanized! Though Andy has no interest in getting involved, he ends up representing the kid who was arrested for the murder. The problem? Andy doesn’t think he’s guilty!
Andy Carpenter is a hoot my friends! This is my first novel by David Rosenfelt and I must say that he made me laugh. Not having read prior novels, it took me a bit to get my bearings but after doing so I really enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the interactions between Andy and his wife - they were hysterical! Entertaining and fun to boot, now that’s my kind of read!
This was a buddy read with Kaceey!
Thank you to Allison Ziegler at Minotaur Books and David Rosenfelt for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on Goodreads on 8.31.19.
May 30, 2019
If you’ve read any of this series then you’re familiar with Andy Carpenter, the wisecracking MC. He’s been trying to quit practicing law pretty much since he took the bar exam & it’s not going well. It’s just that those pesky clients keep showing up at his door. Luckily for us, it looks like his retirement plans have been foiled again.
When he takes beloved dog Tara for a visit to the vet, somehow he ends up leaving with a new client. He’s a little French guy named Truman & he’s a good boy, yes he is. He’s also an orphan after his human was recently murdered.
Through bizarre circumstances, Truman ended up being brought in for euthanasia & if there’s one thing Andy hates more than working it’s someone throwing away a perfectly good pupper. He begins looking into the owner’s death & before he knows it, he’s representing a 20 year old local man charged with murder. Now he just has to break the news to his team. All the usual cast is back & respond in typical fashion. Sam is elated, Edna is horrified & Hike believes they’re doomed. As for Marcus…well, who knows what he thinks. Probably something scary.
Truman’s owner was a guy named James Haley. He made his living shooting documentaries on various subjects. No one is sure just why he was in Paterson, New Jersy but odds are good he filmed something he shouldn’t have & it’s made a bunch of of seriously bad guys very nervous. In alternate chapters we spend time with these paragons of society & gradually learn what they’re up to. Needless to say, it’s not good. In fact it’s a plan that has repercussions for communities right across the country & before long, bodies are popping up all over. Andy & his crew will need the help of law enforcement on all levels if they’re to survive long enough to clear their client.
This series has become an annual delight for me. If you haven’t picked up any of these books, stop reading immediately & get thee to a bookstore. There’s a reason the series has made it to #19. This outing has everything required for a fast paced, entertaining read….great cast of characters, twisty suspense, plenty of dogs & a guy named Fat Tony. Can’t ask for more than that.
When he takes beloved dog Tara for a visit to the vet, somehow he ends up leaving with a new client. He’s a little French guy named Truman & he’s a good boy, yes he is. He’s also an orphan after his human was recently murdered.
Through bizarre circumstances, Truman ended up being brought in for euthanasia & if there’s one thing Andy hates more than working it’s someone throwing away a perfectly good pupper. He begins looking into the owner’s death & before he knows it, he’s representing a 20 year old local man charged with murder. Now he just has to break the news to his team. All the usual cast is back & respond in typical fashion. Sam is elated, Edna is horrified & Hike believes they’re doomed. As for Marcus…well, who knows what he thinks. Probably something scary.
Truman’s owner was a guy named James Haley. He made his living shooting documentaries on various subjects. No one is sure just why he was in Paterson, New Jersy but odds are good he filmed something he shouldn’t have & it’s made a bunch of of seriously bad guys very nervous. In alternate chapters we spend time with these paragons of society & gradually learn what they’re up to. Needless to say, it’s not good. In fact it’s a plan that has repercussions for communities right across the country & before long, bodies are popping up all over. Andy & his crew will need the help of law enforcement on all levels if they’re to survive long enough to clear their client.
This series has become an annual delight for me. If you haven’t picked up any of these books, stop reading immediately & get thee to a bookstore. There’s a reason the series has made it to #19. This outing has everything required for a fast paced, entertaining read….great cast of characters, twisty suspense, plenty of dogs & a guy named Fat Tony. Can’t ask for more than that.
October 8, 2021
In this 19th book in the 'Andy Carpenter' series, the defense attorney's client is accused of killing a documentary filmmaker. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Ever since he inherited a large fortune, New Jersey defense lawyer Andy Carpenter takes very few cases. Instead, Andy devotes his time to hanging out with his wife, son, and dogs; watching baseball; schmoozing with his friends; helping run a canine rescue operation called 'The Tara Foundation'; and so on.
When Andy's veterinarian Dr. Dowling asks to speak to him, the lawyer is frightened for his golden retriever Tara, who's at the clinic getting a lump assessed.
Luckily Tara is just fine, but the vet is concerned about a French bulldog named Truman - who was brought in to be euthanized. The receptionist reports that the man who brought Truman in was a big intimidating guy in his mid-forties.
The vet examines Truman and finds him perfectly healthy. Moreover, a scan of Truman's chip reveals that the man who brought him in is not the owner. Andy is outraged by all this and takes custody of Truman, who stays at the Tara Foundation while Andy makes inquiries.
It turns out that Truman's owner is a documentary filmmaker named James Haley, who's been staying in Paterson, New Jersey to make a movie about urban blight. Moreover, Haley was murdered a couple of days ago, and a 20-year-old minor criminal named Joey Gamble was arrested for the crime. Andy is certain the menacing man who tried to put Truman down is the real killer, and he takes Joey's case.
Andy assembles his team, which includes his private investigator (and wife) Laurie - a tough ex-cop with connections in law enforcement; his law partner Hike - the most depressing man on Earth; his accountant Sam - a terrific computer hacker/data miner; his muscle Marcus - who could take out a battalion by himself; his friend (and co-owner of the Tara Foundation) Willie - a dog lover with a black belt in martial arts; and his secretary Edna - who threatens to retire if she has to do any work. (I always get a kick out of Edna).
Andy also regularly meets 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 Pete is shockingly absent one day, Andy remarks: "I always pick up the tab for dinner and beer, and Pete would never miss a free meal, no matter what. If I had to guess, he probably doesn't even have a refrigerator or stove in his house."
As Andy prepares to defend his client he discovers that the victim, James Haley, previously made a movie about sponge-diving in Florida. Andy also discovers that other murders are connected to the Haley case. This necessitates Andy, Marcus, and Willie going to Florida, and also leads to Andy consulting with FBI and DEA agents.
In Andy's personal life, his ten-year-old son Ricky is away at summer camp and Andy's daily letters go something like: 'How's camp?' 'You playing sports?' 'You enjoying yourself?' 'How's the food.?' Ricky's answers are even briefer: 'Good.' 'Yes.' 'Yes' 'Okay.' 😎
By the end of the trial Andy is ready to reveal the truth about Haley's murder, and he even has a few kind words for the prosecutor, Dylan Campbell.....which is a first!
Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter mysteries are always fun, and I'd recommend the book to fans of light suspense.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author (David Rosenfelt), and the publisher (Minotaur Books) for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
September 23, 2019
Another fun entry into the Andy Carpenter series. This one is not at all believable, but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment. I read these for the humor and that is in full supply.
This is the perfect series to listen to. They are light, fast paced and keep you guessing until the end. And Grover Gardner is the perfect narrator. In fact, now when I read one of these books, it’s his voice I hear in my head.
This is the perfect series to listen to. They are light, fast paced and keep you guessing until the end. And Grover Gardner is the perfect narrator. In fact, now when I read one of these books, it’s his voice I hear in my head.
January 13, 2020
A great story that's interesting and moves throughout! 10 of 10 stars!
May 12, 2019
This book which contains legal drama and high stakes criminal investigation is the 19th in the Andy Carpenter series. This is only the 4th I have read, but I intend to read more. Narrated by Andy, I always enjoy his witty, sardonic sense of humour and his sarcastic thoughts and conversations.
Andy Carpenter is a defence lawyer. He prefers to spend time with his dog rescue foundation and with family and his 2 pet dogs Being independently wealthy, he only accepts legal cases if there is somehow a dog involved. The author. David Rosenfelt, the author of the series, also runs a dog rescue service, has over two dozen pet dogs, and has rescued 4,000 animals.
It is hard to resist the adorable dogs pictured on the covers, but be aware these are not relaxing, cozy mysteries, but are intricately plotted crime thrillers. They involve difficult and dangerous investigations by Andy, his wife, and friends and conclude with courtroom drama. The stories I have read feature mob violence, drug trafficking, criminal conspiracies, smuggling, gang-related murders and terrorism, within complicated plots.
This book begins with Andy taking his beloved pet, Tara, to the vet. He learns that a healthy French bulldog has been brought to the veterinary clinic to be euthanized by a man who presented himself as its owner. Andy rescues Truman, the French bulldog and is furious with the uncaring owner. It turns out that the man gave a false name, and the chip shows that the true owner was actually a documentary filmmaker who has been murdered. Andy finds himself defending a young man who has been charged with the film maker’s murder. This young man’s fingerprints are all over the house, and the murder weapon has been found in his backyard, and he was observed leaving the house on the night of the killing. Everything is pointing to the guilt of Andy’s client.
As Andy and his friends attempt to discover the identity of the man, now dead, who brought Truman to the vet, bodies start piling up, and they find scores of homeless me have died mysterious deaths elsewhere. They speculate that the motive for the film maker’s death was his discovery of a complex and far-reaching international conspiracy. Andy’s task is to tie together a complex thread of killings in order to defend his innocent client. Will he succeed and will the jury believe such a complicated story?
Many thanks to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for this enjoyable ARC.
Andy Carpenter is a defence lawyer. He prefers to spend time with his dog rescue foundation and with family and his 2 pet dogs Being independently wealthy, he only accepts legal cases if there is somehow a dog involved. The author. David Rosenfelt, the author of the series, also runs a dog rescue service, has over two dozen pet dogs, and has rescued 4,000 animals.
It is hard to resist the adorable dogs pictured on the covers, but be aware these are not relaxing, cozy mysteries, but are intricately plotted crime thrillers. They involve difficult and dangerous investigations by Andy, his wife, and friends and conclude with courtroom drama. The stories I have read feature mob violence, drug trafficking, criminal conspiracies, smuggling, gang-related murders and terrorism, within complicated plots.
This book begins with Andy taking his beloved pet, Tara, to the vet. He learns that a healthy French bulldog has been brought to the veterinary clinic to be euthanized by a man who presented himself as its owner. Andy rescues Truman, the French bulldog and is furious with the uncaring owner. It turns out that the man gave a false name, and the chip shows that the true owner was actually a documentary filmmaker who has been murdered. Andy finds himself defending a young man who has been charged with the film maker’s murder. This young man’s fingerprints are all over the house, and the murder weapon has been found in his backyard, and he was observed leaving the house on the night of the killing. Everything is pointing to the guilt of Andy’s client.
As Andy and his friends attempt to discover the identity of the man, now dead, who brought Truman to the vet, bodies start piling up, and they find scores of homeless me have died mysterious deaths elsewhere. They speculate that the motive for the film maker’s death was his discovery of a complex and far-reaching international conspiracy. Andy’s task is to tie together a complex thread of killings in order to defend his innocent client. Will he succeed and will the jury believe such a complicated story?
Many thanks to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for this enjoyable ARC.
October 14, 2021
This is a Legal Mystery, and this is the 19th book in the Andy Carpenter series. I really loved the beginning of this book, and I love how much Andy loves his dog. The case is this book was really good, and I love the twists and turns this book goes on. I have to say I really love the characters in this book series so much. I was hoping the homeless man that was in the last book would show up in this book working/helping out at the Tara Foundation, but (sad face) he did not. This book was so great anyway.
September 12, 2025
Anyone familiar with attorney Andy Carpenter knows what a soft heart he has for dogs. A veterinarian contacts Andy because someone dropped off a healthy dog to be euthanized, and it's discovered that it wasn't the true owner, but that in fact the owner had been murdered. Andy is on board to take the dog into his rescue but also gets involved with solving the murder when he doesn't believe the person charged is in fact responsible.
Andy's sarcasm, humor, and kind heart (that he hides) continue in this 19th book in the series. All the regulars are on board in this book, and as ever, Grover Gardner narrates. I could not imagine another voice for Andy at this point, as he captures him perfectly. Certain series I enjoy, but I space them out because I never want to come to the end!
Andy's sarcasm, humor, and kind heart (that he hides) continue in this 19th book in the series. All the regulars are on board in this book, and as ever, Grover Gardner narrates. I could not imagine another voice for Andy at this point, as he captures him perfectly. Certain series I enjoy, but I space them out because I never want to come to the end!
August 1, 2023
Andy Carpenter never gets old. His love of all things dog, his unwavering admiration and respect for his wife Laurie, as well as his self-deprecating, cynical dry humor never ceases to make this series a fun, humorous, and fulfilling experience.
August 1, 2019
David Rosenfelt has done it again, and with a very heartwarming ending. Mr. Rosenfelt’s books are not great masterpieces, although he has said in the past that he doesn’t understand why he keeps getting passed over for a Pulitzer. They are my guilty pleasure.
The usual crew are present and accounted for. The story is all too plausible and scary. The courtroom scenes are not technical or filled with legalese. This book was a quick read, I really enjoyed it, and I’ll be reading the author’s future books.
The usual crew are present and accounted for. The story is all too plausible and scary. The courtroom scenes are not technical or filled with legalese. This book was a quick read, I really enjoyed it, and I’ll be reading the author’s future books.
June 17, 2019
“Bark of Night” by David Rosenfelt is book nineteen in the series featuring Andy Carpenter and that wonderful golden retriever Tara. Regular readers will find everything they love about Tara and the gang, and new readers will jump right into this offbeat yet compelling story, wondering how they missed the previous books. The book opens with a shadowy, clandestine meeting in a hotel at the Tampa airport. The identities are fake but the danger and intrigue are not.
The action changes to the familiar first-person narrative by Andy Carpenter, reluctant defense attorney, and pro-active owner of Tara Foundation, a dog rescue group. Carpenter lives in Paterson, New Jersey with wife and former police officer Laurie, son Ricky (now 10 and away at summer camp), dogs Tara and Sebastian, and his TV remotes. He loves Patterson, but is realistic about where he lives. “If I were to look deeply into Paterson’s history, I imagine it was actually discovered by a settler named Urban Blight.” He does not especially want to take on legal work, but he is good at what he does; just ask him. “He actually thinks another lawyer might be as good as me. That in itself might make him a candidate for an insanity defense.”
When not making the world safe for dogs everywhere, he hangs out at Charlie’s Sports Bar with friends Vince Sanders, editor of the local newspaper, and Pete Stanton, captain of the Homicide Division of the Paterson Police Force. They tolerate Carpenter’s unconventional demands because he picks up the food and drink tab. When he reluctantly has to work, he relies on Sam Willis, accountant and resident computer hacker, Edna, puzzle champion and office manager, Hike Lynch, the other lawyer in the firm, and Marcus Clark, who scares people, especially Carpenter.
Carpenter is asked to find a home for Truman, a French bulldog who had been abandoned at the veterinarian’s office; of course, he agrees, “We’ll easily find him a good home.” However, there are complications, big complications. The person who dropped the dog at the vet was not the owner, per the chip, and the registered owner, James Haley, a documentary film maker from Toledo, Ohio, had been murdered a few nights previously. Carpenter reports all of this to Stanton.
“Where’s the dog now?” “You mean my client?” I ask. “He’s in my protective custody.” “He’s evidence in the case,” Pete says. “We’re willing to come in and talk anytime. In the meantime, I’ll send a copy of his paw prints to forensics.” Now “lawyer” Carpenter has a client and a crime to solve.
The companion part of the story unfolds with deception, cunning, and viciousness. A “hit man” murdered James Haley for a hundred grand in cash, fifty of it upfront, and delivered the computer, the video equipment, and the memory card from the camera to a mob enforcer. Despite having just killed the dog’s owner, he did not kill the dog, and took him to the vet instead. Naturally, there are more murders of people to come, many more.
Carpenter continues his commentary, talking to readers in his usual sarcastic, self-deprecating way, all the while evaluating the problems at hand, and slyly manipulating his cadre of colorful characters to do whatever he wants them to do while keeping everyone safe and fending off the bad guys.
Andy Carpenter has an unconventional attitude about life and an uncanny ability to come to the brink of disaster and still live happily after with kids, dogs, and reformed criminals. I received a copy of “Bark of Night” from David Rosenfelt, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Corporation. Rosenfelt’s books are always refreshing; Andy Carpenter never just does the same old things with new names. Every book is compelling, interesting, and above all funny. I recommend the entire series.
The action changes to the familiar first-person narrative by Andy Carpenter, reluctant defense attorney, and pro-active owner of Tara Foundation, a dog rescue group. Carpenter lives in Paterson, New Jersey with wife and former police officer Laurie, son Ricky (now 10 and away at summer camp), dogs Tara and Sebastian, and his TV remotes. He loves Patterson, but is realistic about where he lives. “If I were to look deeply into Paterson’s history, I imagine it was actually discovered by a settler named Urban Blight.” He does not especially want to take on legal work, but he is good at what he does; just ask him. “He actually thinks another lawyer might be as good as me. That in itself might make him a candidate for an insanity defense.”
When not making the world safe for dogs everywhere, he hangs out at Charlie’s Sports Bar with friends Vince Sanders, editor of the local newspaper, and Pete Stanton, captain of the Homicide Division of the Paterson Police Force. They tolerate Carpenter’s unconventional demands because he picks up the food and drink tab. When he reluctantly has to work, he relies on Sam Willis, accountant and resident computer hacker, Edna, puzzle champion and office manager, Hike Lynch, the other lawyer in the firm, and Marcus Clark, who scares people, especially Carpenter.
Carpenter is asked to find a home for Truman, a French bulldog who had been abandoned at the veterinarian’s office; of course, he agrees, “We’ll easily find him a good home.” However, there are complications, big complications. The person who dropped the dog at the vet was not the owner, per the chip, and the registered owner, James Haley, a documentary film maker from Toledo, Ohio, had been murdered a few nights previously. Carpenter reports all of this to Stanton.
“Where’s the dog now?” “You mean my client?” I ask. “He’s in my protective custody.” “He’s evidence in the case,” Pete says. “We’re willing to come in and talk anytime. In the meantime, I’ll send a copy of his paw prints to forensics.” Now “lawyer” Carpenter has a client and a crime to solve.
The companion part of the story unfolds with deception, cunning, and viciousness. A “hit man” murdered James Haley for a hundred grand in cash, fifty of it upfront, and delivered the computer, the video equipment, and the memory card from the camera to a mob enforcer. Despite having just killed the dog’s owner, he did not kill the dog, and took him to the vet instead. Naturally, there are more murders of people to come, many more.
Carpenter continues his commentary, talking to readers in his usual sarcastic, self-deprecating way, all the while evaluating the problems at hand, and slyly manipulating his cadre of colorful characters to do whatever he wants them to do while keeping everyone safe and fending off the bad guys.
Andy Carpenter has an unconventional attitude about life and an uncanny ability to come to the brink of disaster and still live happily after with kids, dogs, and reformed criminals. I received a copy of “Bark of Night” from David Rosenfelt, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Corporation. Rosenfelt’s books are always refreshing; Andy Carpenter never just does the same old things with new names. Every book is compelling, interesting, and above all funny. I recommend the entire series.
June 24, 2019
David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series is a delight to read, every time. Bark of Night is a fast-paced, quick read that is smart, witty, and heart-warming and leaves the reader feeling satisfied. The characters are like returning friends that I can't wait to hear from again, and the ending is absolutely perfect.
While the books in this series can be read as stand-alones, I love the series so much, I hope you will read them all.
Thank you to NetGalley, David Rosenfelt, and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
While the books in this series can be read as stand-alones, I love the series so much, I hope you will read them all.
Thank you to NetGalley, David Rosenfelt, and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 9, 2020
BOY, WAS I EVER IN NEED OF A FUN READ!! After 22 days of flop books, I’ll tell ya, this quirky pup mystery was a breath of fresh air.
Now before you question all of my book reviewing integrity, gimme a sec to explain.
My review for Bark of Night isn’t based on its literary proficiencies… it’s about evoking the right emotion at the right time and being witfully playful whilst doing so. BECAUSE YOUR GIRL HAS HAD A HARD MONTH AS OF LATE AND NEEDED SOME FUN!
But frankly, this book was awesome! It’s farfetched and silly. And like 100 people die within the first 50 pages (exaggeration more like 15… but still, a lot). And, attorney at law, Andy Carpenter, is on the case with his team of misfits to find out who is responsible (and to clear his client’s name). And I was so obsessed with their dialogue - because of THE HUMOR. It’s dry, snarky, backhanded, and SMART. God did I NEEEED that.
So yeah… does this book revolve around a French Bulldog, yes. Is it unrealistic at times, of course! Would I recommend it to my “I only read the classics” friends… Nah. But did it give me a bunch of laughs and put a HUGE ASS SMILE on my face… DAMN STRAIGHT!
SO BRAVO ANDY CARPENTER AND TRUMAN (said dog) because so far you have the winning book for the month of October!
Now before you question all of my book reviewing integrity, gimme a sec to explain.
My review for Bark of Night isn’t based on its literary proficiencies… it’s about evoking the right emotion at the right time and being witfully playful whilst doing so. BECAUSE YOUR GIRL HAS HAD A HARD MONTH AS OF LATE AND NEEDED SOME FUN!
But frankly, this book was awesome! It’s farfetched and silly. And like 100 people die within the first 50 pages (exaggeration more like 15… but still, a lot). And, attorney at law, Andy Carpenter, is on the case with his team of misfits to find out who is responsible (and to clear his client’s name). And I was so obsessed with their dialogue - because of THE HUMOR. It’s dry, snarky, backhanded, and SMART. God did I NEEEED that.
So yeah… does this book revolve around a French Bulldog, yes. Is it unrealistic at times, of course! Would I recommend it to my “I only read the classics” friends… Nah. But did it give me a bunch of laughs and put a HUGE ASS SMILE on my face… DAMN STRAIGHT!
SO BRAVO ANDY CARPENTER AND TRUMAN (said dog) because so far you have the winning book for the month of October!
August 23, 2019
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview Bark of Night by David Rosenfelt. All I can say is that Rosenfelt is one of my favorite authors. His books are layered with humor and great dialog.
This book is part of the Andy Carpenter series and this character is truly one of the best in this genre.
Andy loves dogs and his new client is a dog who was left at a vet's office to be put down. But the guy who signed this paperwork was a fraud and now he's dead. Andy must get to the bottom of this as the bodies start to pile up. Andy and his crew will have to work overtime to save a young man's life while solving a case that seems to be complicated and riddled with holes.
Another hit by Rosenfelt - 5 stars.
This book is part of the Andy Carpenter series and this character is truly one of the best in this genre.
Andy loves dogs and his new client is a dog who was left at a vet's office to be put down. But the guy who signed this paperwork was a fraud and now he's dead. Andy must get to the bottom of this as the bodies start to pile up. Andy and his crew will have to work overtime to save a young man's life while solving a case that seems to be complicated and riddled with holes.
Another hit by Rosenfelt - 5 stars.
May 28, 2019
Andy Carpenter is furious when his veterinarian asked his advice to if needs to put down a dog he was paid to do. Andy immediately takes the dog to the Tara foundation in the 19th book of this series. Andy learns the man had given a false name and was not the owner of the dog and that his owner had been murdered. This is the beginning of his new problem as the case is examined. He is beginning to feel that accuse is innocent. He takes the defense from the Public Defender. Will Andy succeed in saving the accuse from a life in prison. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
Disclosure: Thanks to St Martin's Press for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed my own.
Disclosure: Thanks to St Martin's Press for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed my own.
November 17, 2019
Andy Carpenter is a wealthy lawyer who would be glad just to walk his dogs, watch sports, and hang out with his family instead of taking a case. Occasionally, a case comes up where he feels someone is innocent and is being set up to look guilty, and he will step in for the defense. Did Joey Gamble really murder a documentary film maker? Andy sets out to discover the truth, and it goes a whole lot farther than a murder in Paterson, NJ. This series, with its trademark humor, compelling plots, entertaining characters, and always a dog or two, is one of my favorites. You can also read this novel as a stand-alone.
September 5, 2019
First Sentence: Frank Salvio checked into the hotel under an assumed name, using fake identification.
Truman, a healthy French bulldog, was left to be euthanized at the veterinary office where attorney and rescuer Andy Carpenter takes his dog. Truman is chipped, but the man who dropped him off is not his apparent owner. When Andy finds the owner has been murdered, it sets him off on an interstate investigation involving far more than one bulldog.
The first thing to know is that, in spite of the cute dog on the cover, this is no cozy. Dead bodies abound. The other thing to know is that, in spite of their number, the murders aren't described in gruesome detail.
From the very beginning, the case is delightfully twisty, almost a bit too much so. Rosenfelt engages the reader and ensures one wants to know what happened as much as do the characters, and there are a lot of characters. This is one time when a cast of characters might have been helpful.
It is those on Andy's team, of which there is a good, succinct introduction. who are quirky and enjoyable. Everyone should have a Marcus in their life—or maybe not. Most of all, there's Andy. There's something rather delightful about having a protagonist who is a picky eater, not a crack shot, or a boxing/martial arts expert but is, in fact, a bit inept, and admits it. Even when he tries to lose at a game, he accidentally wins.
Andy's, and Rosenfelt's, expertise is the law. It is interesting learning how an investigation team goes through a location of interest and it is those details which provide veracity to the plot. A well-written courtroom scene can provide tension. What is nice is that he explains the process and legalities along the way and that he writes very good dialogue—"Am I doing down for this?" he asks, the fear evident in his voice. "You're sitting here in handcuffs, Joey. You're already down. We're about to start digging you out."
The explanation of what is behind all the deaths is a terrifying one, all the more because of its believability. The escalation of the plot's timetable makes things exciting and tense. The only slight complaint might be that after everything which has occurred, the ending seemed too quick and the subsequent actions of the person behind it all seemed unlikely.
"Bark of the Night" has more bodies than some small towns, yet very little actual violence. No, it's not the best of the series, but Andy Carpenter fans will still find it an enjoyable read as much because the proceeds help support the Tara Foundation.
BARK OF NIGHT (LegalMys-Andy Carpenter-New Jersey-Contemp) – Good
Rosenfelt, David – 19th in series
Minotaur Books – July 2019
Truman, a healthy French bulldog, was left to be euthanized at the veterinary office where attorney and rescuer Andy Carpenter takes his dog. Truman is chipped, but the man who dropped him off is not his apparent owner. When Andy finds the owner has been murdered, it sets him off on an interstate investigation involving far more than one bulldog.
The first thing to know is that, in spite of the cute dog on the cover, this is no cozy. Dead bodies abound. The other thing to know is that, in spite of their number, the murders aren't described in gruesome detail.
From the very beginning, the case is delightfully twisty, almost a bit too much so. Rosenfelt engages the reader and ensures one wants to know what happened as much as do the characters, and there are a lot of characters. This is one time when a cast of characters might have been helpful.
It is those on Andy's team, of which there is a good, succinct introduction. who are quirky and enjoyable. Everyone should have a Marcus in their life—or maybe not. Most of all, there's Andy. There's something rather delightful about having a protagonist who is a picky eater, not a crack shot, or a boxing/martial arts expert but is, in fact, a bit inept, and admits it. Even when he tries to lose at a game, he accidentally wins.
Andy's, and Rosenfelt's, expertise is the law. It is interesting learning how an investigation team goes through a location of interest and it is those details which provide veracity to the plot. A well-written courtroom scene can provide tension. What is nice is that he explains the process and legalities along the way and that he writes very good dialogue—"Am I doing down for this?" he asks, the fear evident in his voice. "You're sitting here in handcuffs, Joey. You're already down. We're about to start digging you out."
The explanation of what is behind all the deaths is a terrifying one, all the more because of its believability. The escalation of the plot's timetable makes things exciting and tense. The only slight complaint might be that after everything which has occurred, the ending seemed too quick and the subsequent actions of the person behind it all seemed unlikely.
"Bark of the Night" has more bodies than some small towns, yet very little actual violence. No, it's not the best of the series, but Andy Carpenter fans will still find it an enjoyable read as much because the proceeds help support the Tara Foundation.
BARK OF NIGHT (LegalMys-Andy Carpenter-New Jersey-Contemp) – Good
Rosenfelt, David – 19th in series
Minotaur Books – July 2019
July 25, 2019
Andy Carpenter is hilarious. If you can get a hold of audio book, do it. It's so much fun. A brilliant criminal defense attorney and dog rescuer did it again!
August 3, 2019
No one can write like David Rosenfelt. He has a unique method of writing a suspenseful tale that is laced together with imaginative humor. In this 19th installment, Andy’s vet has presented him with a problem. A new client has dropped off a healthy dog to be euthanized, something the vet wasn’t going to do. Andy gets involved rescuing the dog, but almost before he can turn around, he finds himself defending a young man accused of murdering the dog’s owner. Of course, he says he didn’t do it. The more Andy digs into the case, the stranger it becomes. Bodies start piling up, seemingly unrelated, but if Andy and his team can’t link them together, his young client will be going to prison for a long time. The suspense in this mystery will keep you turning pages, but the humor will have you laughing and rolling your eyes at Andy. All I can say is, I wish David Rosenfelt could write faster - it’s too long to wait for the next book to come out.
December 18, 2024
I loved listening to the audiobook by David Rosenfelt and especially the narrator Grover Gardner.
July 21, 2019
Bark of Night is the 19th book in David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter mystery series. Sufficient background information is provided to allow this great book to be read as a standalone. This is a cozy mystery, with a humorous protagonist, who has a happy home life with his human and canine family. There is adult language in this book, but no graphic violence or adult situations. I enjoy this author’s writing style and witty dialog. Mr. Rosenfelt has written a fast-paced book with a complex mystery, a good storyline, excellent character development, and twists and turns to keep readers engaged.
Andy Carpenter is a reluctant and independently wealthy defense attorney who runs the Tara Foundation, an animal rescue organization, with his friends, Willie and Sondra Miller. Andy lives in Paterson, New Jersey with his wife, Laurie, their adopted son, Ricky, and two dogs, Tara and Sebastian. Andy’s veterinarian, Dr. Dan Dowling, approaches him seeks his professional help when a man drops off a French bulldog, signs the required form, and pays to have him euthanized. Upon examination, Dr. Dowling discovers the dog is perfectly healthy, his chip indicates his name is Truman, not Buster, as the man claimed, the man isn’t even his registered owner, and that James Haley, Truman’s owner, has been murdered. Andy ends up representing the young man, Joey Gamble, who is accused of murdering James Haley, and his investigation leads him and his team to the discovery of police corruption, drugs, and multiple murders which may, or may not, be related to his client’s case.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Andy Carpenter is a reluctant and independently wealthy defense attorney who runs the Tara Foundation, an animal rescue organization, with his friends, Willie and Sondra Miller. Andy lives in Paterson, New Jersey with his wife, Laurie, their adopted son, Ricky, and two dogs, Tara and Sebastian. Andy’s veterinarian, Dr. Dan Dowling, approaches him seeks his professional help when a man drops off a French bulldog, signs the required form, and pays to have him euthanized. Upon examination, Dr. Dowling discovers the dog is perfectly healthy, his chip indicates his name is Truman, not Buster, as the man claimed, the man isn’t even his registered owner, and that James Haley, Truman’s owner, has been murdered. Andy ends up representing the young man, Joey Gamble, who is accused of murdering James Haley, and his investigation leads him and his team to the discovery of police corruption, drugs, and multiple murders which may, or may not, be related to his client’s case.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
November 28, 2020
This doggie 🐶 tale was enjoyed via audiobook. If you’re a 🐕 dog lover, an attorney or perhaps in a law enforcement career, the books by this author are a delight. The stories are centered in Patterson, New Jersey where the author has lived his entire life.
In this book, defense attorney Andy Carpenter and his wife, a retired cop, both dog lovers themselves become involved in the murder of a documentary film maker. Of course, there’s also a pooch involved, this time a Boston terrier named Truman. Suspicion of foul play is suspected when a man asks the local pound to euthanize Truman.
Having read Muzzled by the same author, this book was not as easily digested as the previous one, but is a good stand alone story nonetheless.
In this book, defense attorney Andy Carpenter and his wife, a retired cop, both dog lovers themselves become involved in the murder of a documentary film maker. Of course, there’s also a pooch involved, this time a Boston terrier named Truman. Suspicion of foul play is suspected when a man asks the local pound to euthanize Truman.
Having read Muzzled by the same author, this book was not as easily digested as the previous one, but is a good stand alone story nonetheless.
May 30, 2023
I really like this series! It's got a nice mix of good humor, good stories, interesting people, and dogs. I'll take these over the daily news any day.
In this one, we have a very bad villain who kills without remorse, including a few other very bad villains who made the mistake of working with him. The FBI is fearful and advises against messing with him. But Andy has Marcus. This guy is tough, and lasts for maybe more than 10 seconds. I guess you could say Marcus is the superhero of all superheroes; good thing he's on Andy's side.
In this one, we have a very bad villain who kills without remorse, including a few other very bad villains who made the mistake of working with him. The FBI is fearful and advises against messing with him. But Andy has Marcus. This guy is tough, and lasts for maybe more than 10 seconds. I guess you could say Marcus is the superhero of all superheroes; good thing he's on Andy's side.
July 1, 2023
This is a wonderful Andy Carpenter story. I really liked this one. In it, Andy is at his warmest and his integrity is in the forefront. It gave me a friendly, warm feeling while reading it.
The mystery is interesting and the actions entertaining and humorous. A very good, fun, interesting and entertaining read.
The mystery is interesting and the actions entertaining and humorous. A very good, fun, interesting and entertaining read.
May 18, 2019
Don’t mess with a dog if Andy Carpenter is around!
When New Jersey attorney Andy Carpenter takes his dog Tara to the vet, Dr. Dowling asks for his advice. A man has dropped off a perfectly healthy dog and paid for him to be euthanized. As a caring veterinarian, Dr. Dowling can’t bring himself to kill the dog, but when he tries to contact him he discovers that the man has given him a false name. Dowling learns the real owner’s identity through a micro chip, only to find out that the man has just been murdered. The police soon arrest someone, but Andy thinks the accused did not commit the crime. Andy is a very reluctant lawyer, but he takes this case to free an innocent man and to find out who really did commit the murder… and try to kill a healthy dog.
Unlike many current-day protagonists in the mystery genre, Andy has a happy family, consisting of his wife Laurie, their adopted son Ricky, and Tara, his beloved golden retriever. Laurie is a retired police detective who is part of Andy’s legal team, which includes Marcus Clark, a private investigator and “the single scariest and toughest person on the planet, which is why I have structured it so that he reports to Laurie and not to me”, and Willie Miller. Willie has a black belt in karate, but “Marcus makes him look like a delicate flower”. Other members are Sam, his “cyber-investigative unit”, whose work Andy has found “to be both illegal and very helpful, not necessarily in that order, ” attorney Hike Lynch, and his secretary Edna, who is even more reluctant to work on cases, or anything else, than Andy is. Andy remarks that “Edna hasn’t done any actual work in years, unless one considers cashing checks to be work.”
Quirky they may be, but Rosenfelt’s characters come across as human. I was touched when Andy mentions the client’s grandmother to his clients, and the client responds, “Do you think it’s possible she believes I did this?....I don’t think I could live with that.”
Narrator Andy’s descriptions of his team give you a sense of Andy’s personality and the tone of the book. This personality is in full display in the courtroom scenes, to the delight of the readers but not of the judges Andy appears before.
The bad guys are pretty nasty, and this might be the nastiest case Andy has undertaken, but the overall tone keeps the book and the series well out of the noir genre.
What can I say about the nineteenth book in a series, besides the fact that I have read and thoroughly enjoyed them all? If you are new to the series, you can enjoy this book without reading any of the others, but I would suggest you read the first book, Open and Shut, to get the background for Andy’s team and their circumstances, after which you can enjoy them in any order. Let me assure the series’ many fans that Rosenfelt has not run out of interesting dog-related cases for Andy to solve and narrator Andy will doubtless never run out of his wry comments or courtroom antics. As a matter of fact, I see that the next Andy Carpenter, Dachshund Through the Snow, is scheduled to be published this fall. I, for one, will be dachshund off to read it!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance review copy of this book.
When New Jersey attorney Andy Carpenter takes his dog Tara to the vet, Dr. Dowling asks for his advice. A man has dropped off a perfectly healthy dog and paid for him to be euthanized. As a caring veterinarian, Dr. Dowling can’t bring himself to kill the dog, but when he tries to contact him he discovers that the man has given him a false name. Dowling learns the real owner’s identity through a micro chip, only to find out that the man has just been murdered. The police soon arrest someone, but Andy thinks the accused did not commit the crime. Andy is a very reluctant lawyer, but he takes this case to free an innocent man and to find out who really did commit the murder… and try to kill a healthy dog.
Unlike many current-day protagonists in the mystery genre, Andy has a happy family, consisting of his wife Laurie, their adopted son Ricky, and Tara, his beloved golden retriever. Laurie is a retired police detective who is part of Andy’s legal team, which includes Marcus Clark, a private investigator and “the single scariest and toughest person on the planet, which is why I have structured it so that he reports to Laurie and not to me”, and Willie Miller. Willie has a black belt in karate, but “Marcus makes him look like a delicate flower”. Other members are Sam, his “cyber-investigative unit”, whose work Andy has found “to be both illegal and very helpful, not necessarily in that order, ” attorney Hike Lynch, and his secretary Edna, who is even more reluctant to work on cases, or anything else, than Andy is. Andy remarks that “Edna hasn’t done any actual work in years, unless one considers cashing checks to be work.”
Quirky they may be, but Rosenfelt’s characters come across as human. I was touched when Andy mentions the client’s grandmother to his clients, and the client responds, “Do you think it’s possible she believes I did this?....I don’t think I could live with that.”
Narrator Andy’s descriptions of his team give you a sense of Andy’s personality and the tone of the book. This personality is in full display in the courtroom scenes, to the delight of the readers but not of the judges Andy appears before.
The bad guys are pretty nasty, and this might be the nastiest case Andy has undertaken, but the overall tone keeps the book and the series well out of the noir genre.
What can I say about the nineteenth book in a series, besides the fact that I have read and thoroughly enjoyed them all? If you are new to the series, you can enjoy this book without reading any of the others, but I would suggest you read the first book, Open and Shut, to get the background for Andy’s team and their circumstances, after which you can enjoy them in any order. Let me assure the series’ many fans that Rosenfelt has not run out of interesting dog-related cases for Andy to solve and narrator Andy will doubtless never run out of his wry comments or courtroom antics. As a matter of fact, I see that the next Andy Carpenter, Dachshund Through the Snow, is scheduled to be published this fall. I, for one, will be dachshund off to read it!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance review copy of this book.
July 25, 2019
Defense lawyers rarely land a case because of a call from their veterinarian, but that’s what happens to Andy Carpenter in BARK OF NIGHT.
A man dropped off a French bulldog with instructions to euthanize him. But there’s nothing wrong with Truman. As it happens, that particular day Andy is picking up his own dog, Tara, and the vet asks for some advice. See, in addition to defending people accused of a crime, Andy runs a dog rescue. So he scoops up Truman and promises to keep him safe. But the mystery of why someone would pay to put down a perfectly healthy dog still remains. Following the trail --- or, rather, Truman’s microchip info --- Andy and his wife Laurie, an ex-cop, discover some very interesting things. For one, the dog’s owner has been murdered.
The Paterson cops believe they’ve caught their man when they pick up Joey Gamble. However, Andy thinks otherwise. So he agrees to represent Joey (mostly due to Laurie’s insistence, or possibly the guilt trip she lays on him). Whatever the reason, Andy gathers his team together to prove that Joey didn’t do it. But the prosecution’s case is pretty impressive. In his inimitable fashion, Andy thoroughly investigates every nuance of the evidence available to him, some not so available, and some that’s of sketchy provenance. In truth, his methods might push the boundaries of legality, but Laurie tends to keep him on the right side of the law, albeit just barely. Andy will do almost anything to keep an innocent man from going to prison. Almost.
But now the trial is looming, and so far it looks grim for Joey. As Andy worries about how to get his client off, he thinks he sees some light at the end of the tunnel. While digging deeper to find out what really happened to Truman’s owner, the defense team uncovers some disturbing numbers. Could there be more going on than this one death in Paterson? They expand their search efforts and find that, indeed, it appears to be far bigger than anyone imagined. In fact, Paterson might be just the tip of the iceberg. Great, but how will that help their client? Maybe it will, maybe it won’t. Read and see.
Andy Carpenter is a self-deprecating lawyer who pokes fun at his own weaknesses, yet he refuses to put up with BS and idiots. That could be because he prefers dogs over humans. He has smarts and a smart mouth, a good nose for a foul smell, and a wicked sense of humor, one that maybe not everyone appreciates, especially his adversaries. Best of all, Andy has a keen sense of fair play. BARK OF NIGHT isn’t a fluff piece, as its name might suggest. Not even close. It’s a seriously clever mystery crafted with humor and intelligence. Andy could land on my list of top five favorite investigative lawyers with his sharp tongue and bendable ethics --- ethics that seem to simply put things right.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
A man dropped off a French bulldog with instructions to euthanize him. But there’s nothing wrong with Truman. As it happens, that particular day Andy is picking up his own dog, Tara, and the vet asks for some advice. See, in addition to defending people accused of a crime, Andy runs a dog rescue. So he scoops up Truman and promises to keep him safe. But the mystery of why someone would pay to put down a perfectly healthy dog still remains. Following the trail --- or, rather, Truman’s microchip info --- Andy and his wife Laurie, an ex-cop, discover some very interesting things. For one, the dog’s owner has been murdered.
The Paterson cops believe they’ve caught their man when they pick up Joey Gamble. However, Andy thinks otherwise. So he agrees to represent Joey (mostly due to Laurie’s insistence, or possibly the guilt trip she lays on him). Whatever the reason, Andy gathers his team together to prove that Joey didn’t do it. But the prosecution’s case is pretty impressive. In his inimitable fashion, Andy thoroughly investigates every nuance of the evidence available to him, some not so available, and some that’s of sketchy provenance. In truth, his methods might push the boundaries of legality, but Laurie tends to keep him on the right side of the law, albeit just barely. Andy will do almost anything to keep an innocent man from going to prison. Almost.
But now the trial is looming, and so far it looks grim for Joey. As Andy worries about how to get his client off, he thinks he sees some light at the end of the tunnel. While digging deeper to find out what really happened to Truman’s owner, the defense team uncovers some disturbing numbers. Could there be more going on than this one death in Paterson? They expand their search efforts and find that, indeed, it appears to be far bigger than anyone imagined. In fact, Paterson might be just the tip of the iceberg. Great, but how will that help their client? Maybe it will, maybe it won’t. Read and see.
Andy Carpenter is a self-deprecating lawyer who pokes fun at his own weaknesses, yet he refuses to put up with BS and idiots. That could be because he prefers dogs over humans. He has smarts and a smart mouth, a good nose for a foul smell, and a wicked sense of humor, one that maybe not everyone appreciates, especially his adversaries. Best of all, Andy has a keen sense of fair play. BARK OF NIGHT isn’t a fluff piece, as its name might suggest. Not even close. It’s a seriously clever mystery crafted with humor and intelligence. Andy could land on my list of top five favorite investigative lawyers with his sharp tongue and bendable ethics --- ethics that seem to simply put things right.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
August 4, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Bark of Night is the 19th(!!) book in the cozy mystery series featuring lawyer Andy Carpenter and canine crew. Released 16th July by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
This series has been consistently good from the beginning and this one lives up to the rest in quality of writing and readability. Despite being the 19th book, it's cleanly plotted and straightforward and new readers will have no trouble following the story or keeping the characters sorted out. The narrative is dialogue driven and the author is expert with witty repartee and banter. MC Andy is a smart mouthed criminal defense lawyer with a strong sense of justice which he's trying to convince everyone doesn't exist. (He's not fooling anyone). He's a beer drinking, back talking, everyman who gets involved when his dog's vet asks his advice about a dog which has been surrendered to the practice for euthenasia. The "owner's" story doesn't match up, and the dog, a French bulldog named Truman, comes under Andy's protection while the murders keep piling up.
This would make a super book selection for a book club read or just a fun solo read. I heartily recommend the series and this one in particular as a quick introduction to the series. I love binge reading these and went back and revisited earlier episodes after finishing this one.
The editing and formatting as always are top notch. The language is PG, a few damns and the like, no on-page graphic violence, apart from the opening prologue. The MC is happily married, with a kid and wife (who is an amazing character) and loves animals.
Five stars, I love this series and this book is a good addition. Looking forward to many more.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Bark of Night is the 19th(!!) book in the cozy mystery series featuring lawyer Andy Carpenter and canine crew. Released 16th July by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
This series has been consistently good from the beginning and this one lives up to the rest in quality of writing and readability. Despite being the 19th book, it's cleanly plotted and straightforward and new readers will have no trouble following the story or keeping the characters sorted out. The narrative is dialogue driven and the author is expert with witty repartee and banter. MC Andy is a smart mouthed criminal defense lawyer with a strong sense of justice which he's trying to convince everyone doesn't exist. (He's not fooling anyone). He's a beer drinking, back talking, everyman who gets involved when his dog's vet asks his advice about a dog which has been surrendered to the practice for euthenasia. The "owner's" story doesn't match up, and the dog, a French bulldog named Truman, comes under Andy's protection while the murders keep piling up.
This would make a super book selection for a book club read or just a fun solo read. I heartily recommend the series and this one in particular as a quick introduction to the series. I love binge reading these and went back and revisited earlier episodes after finishing this one.
The editing and formatting as always are top notch. The language is PG, a few damns and the like, no on-page graphic violence, apart from the opening prologue. The MC is happily married, with a kid and wife (who is an amazing character) and loves animals.
Five stars, I love this series and this book is a good addition. Looking forward to many more.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
July 4, 2019
I am an Andy Carpenter groupie. I am sure if Andy was a real person he would be loving this! I have never read a book from this amazing series that did not engage me from page one till the very end. If you like a complex plot that you can easily follow due to the authors great writing skills and plenty of dry wit, you are doing yourself a giant disservice if you do not enter the world of this reluctant but brilliant lawyer. Andy is married to the love of his life Laurie who is one badass ex police captain. She loves Andy and is his protector though Andy will deny this. Together with Andy's unique staff they are racing to prove a young man is innocent in the murder of a film maker. The odds seem insurmountable but Andy and his team risk their own safety to connect the dots on a series of what appears to be unrelated deaths. The action is amazing, the bad guys are incredibly scary and the dogs are just too freaking adorable. Yeah it is a wild mix of people and canines thrown at you but trust me every page is worth it. Even though this book is far along in the series I believe you can read this and not be lost. Just be forewarned, an Andy Carpenter novel is like eating your favorite snack food, you will not be able to stop with just one and I heartily recommend the entire series. Happy reading!
July 7, 2019
Another utterly fantastic Andy Carpenter book! This series just keeps getting better and better. I have been going back and reading the books in order and thoroughly enjoying each one. Every time I read a David Rosenfelt book I think this one is my favorite until I read the next one.
One of the best things about this series is the ability to read each book without having read the others along the way. The writing is superior, the characters are real and the dogs are the best part of each book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good witty mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
One of the best things about this series is the ability to read each book without having read the others along the way. The writing is superior, the characters are real and the dogs are the best part of each book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good witty mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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