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Andy Carpenter #6
Play Dead
In this imaginative legal thriller for dog lovers, an attorney tries to free an innocent man by convincing an incredulous jury to take the testimony a golden retriever seriously.
Few can rival attorney Andy Carpenter's affection for golden retrievers, especially his own beloved Tara.
After he astonishes a New Jersey courtroom by successfully appealing another retriever's death sentence, Andy discovers that this gentle dog is a key witness to a murder that took place five years earlier.
It will take all the tricks Andy's fertile mind can conceive to get to the bottom of a remarkable chain of impersonations and murder -- and hopefully save not only a dog's life but also his own in the process.
Few can rival attorney Andy Carpenter's affection for golden retrievers, especially his own beloved Tara.
After he astonishes a New Jersey courtroom by successfully appealing another retriever's death sentence, Andy discovers that this gentle dog is a key witness to a murder that took place five years earlier.
It will take all the tricks Andy's fertile mind can conceive to get to the bottom of a remarkable chain of impersonations and murder -- and hopefully save not only a dog's life but also his own in the process.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2007
About the author
David Rosenfelt
74 books3,072 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 752 reviews
July 21, 2017
Once again, the winning combination is heart-racing action, humour, suspense, and a Golden Retriever. Make that two Golden Retrievers. Reggie comes onto the scene and he is smart, talented, and completely devoted to his human – and he will do whatever he has to in order to save his human’s life.
Heroes abound in this story, and there is plenty to be heroic about. Andy Carpenter is shot at in a car, shot at in a baseball field, shot at as he’s about to enter a house – someone wants Andy out of this case – and he’s not the only one who is getting in the way of the bad guys. Whoever those bad guys are!
This case is riddled with question marks as large as skyscrapers. People who are supposed to be dead, aren’t. People who aren’t supposed to be dead, are. The problem is, who are these people and how did they become dead – or not dead, as the case may be? And are some of these people bad buys or good guys? How does one tell when the motivations are so mixed up and the clues nothing but a gigantic bag of more question marks?
As usual with this series, it is difficult to put this book down for very long. The need to know what happens next is very strong and a testament to David Rosenfelt’s great writing skills. I am just thankful that I only have to wait another month before this series rotates to its next turn for reading!
Heroes abound in this story, and there is plenty to be heroic about. Andy Carpenter is shot at in a car, shot at in a baseball field, shot at as he’s about to enter a house – someone wants Andy out of this case – and he’s not the only one who is getting in the way of the bad guys. Whoever those bad guys are!
This case is riddled with question marks as large as skyscrapers. People who are supposed to be dead, aren’t. People who aren’t supposed to be dead, are. The problem is, who are these people and how did they become dead – or not dead, as the case may be? And are some of these people bad buys or good guys? How does one tell when the motivations are so mixed up and the clues nothing but a gigantic bag of more question marks?
As usual with this series, it is difficult to put this book down for very long. The need to know what happens next is very strong and a testament to David Rosenfelt’s great writing skills. I am just thankful that I only have to wait another month before this series rotates to its next turn for reading!
August 25, 2021
This is a Legal Mystery, and this is the 6st book in the Andy Carpenter series. I have read and review the other books in this series. I have to say I love the characters in this book series. In this book I loved the mystery and the suspense in this book. I also love how much dogs are in this book. This book he is a lawyer to a dog, but this story grows bigger then just being a lawyer to a dog. This book really had a lot of suspense. I love seeing Andy trying to figured out what was really going on and trying not getting himself killed while doing it.
January 12, 2019
The 6th book in the Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt. Andy is a defense attorney, and his latest case involves a golden retriever. First, he defends the golden retriever. Then, he discovers the golden to be a witness in a murder case, and uses the dog to help free an innocent man.
A fast-paced, humorous, and entertaining legal thriller. I especially enjoy the love for dogs shown by pretty much every character in the book.
A fast-paced, humorous, and entertaining legal thriller. I especially enjoy the love for dogs shown by pretty much every character in the book.
November 1, 2014
I am so addicted to Andy Carpenter and Tara, his Golden Retriever. This is the sixth book in this series and I am loving the continual characters, writing style, humor and love that appear in every book David Rosenfelt writes.
We actually get the privilege of two court cases in this novel.
Reggie, an abandoned Golden Retriever has bitten his tormentor and stands on death row at the Tara Foundation that millionaires, Andy and Willy have founded. Once Andy gets wind of this, he cleverly absolves all charges against Reggie and Reggie is set free. A dog as a witness, how positively fun! As Reggie becomes a regular household member at Andy’s and Tara’s house, Reggie’s guardian, Karen Evans, appears.
Reggie’s owner, Richard Evans, is serving a life sentence for killing his fiancee’ on a boat. When Andy gets wind of this, he cleverly seizes this opportunity to do yet another ‘good deed’. There are lots of clues, twists and turns and some harrowing close calls as Andy and his team rush to find out the reason behind a conspiracy that holds Evans in prison for a crime he did not commit.
This book was full of suspenseful fun! Is this a proper sentence? No, but I like it and it sounds good to me!! As a dog lover, I was hoping to see more ‘dog’ related investigation techniques in this book, but sadly not much. Come on Mr. Rosenfelt, I know canines are smarter than Andy, use them! *chuckling*
I am still waiting to see a novel in this series that helps me understand and develop a better relationship with:
Kevin - The Law-Ndro-Mat guy who owns his own laundry cleaning business and gives out free law advice. He’s also a hypochondriac, go figure.
Edna - The neverending genius crossword puzzle solver who is Andy’s secretary but insists on being called an administrative assistant. Lazy broad.
Sam - The computer wiz that speaks in song lyrics whenever Andy needs him. Funny!!
Marcus - The humongous and scary looking bodyguard who was initially Laurie’s assistant before she moved. He speaks in grunts! *laughing*
*contented sigh* On to the next book, New Tricks.
We actually get the privilege of two court cases in this novel.
Reggie, an abandoned Golden Retriever has bitten his tormentor and stands on death row at the Tara Foundation that millionaires, Andy and Willy have founded. Once Andy gets wind of this, he cleverly absolves all charges against Reggie and Reggie is set free. A dog as a witness, how positively fun! As Reggie becomes a regular household member at Andy’s and Tara’s house, Reggie’s guardian, Karen Evans, appears.
Reggie’s owner, Richard Evans, is serving a life sentence for killing his fiancee’ on a boat. When Andy gets wind of this, he cleverly seizes this opportunity to do yet another ‘good deed’. There are lots of clues, twists and turns and some harrowing close calls as Andy and his team rush to find out the reason behind a conspiracy that holds Evans in prison for a crime he did not commit.
This book was full of suspenseful fun! Is this a proper sentence? No, but I like it and it sounds good to me!! As a dog lover, I was hoping to see more ‘dog’ related investigation techniques in this book, but sadly not much. Come on Mr. Rosenfelt, I know canines are smarter than Andy, use them! *chuckling*
I am still waiting to see a novel in this series that helps me understand and develop a better relationship with:
Kevin - The Law-Ndro-Mat guy who owns his own laundry cleaning business and gives out free law advice. He’s also a hypochondriac, go figure.
Edna - The neverending genius crossword puzzle solver who is Andy’s secretary but insists on being called an administrative assistant. Lazy broad.
Sam - The computer wiz that speaks in song lyrics whenever Andy needs him. Funny!!
Marcus - The humongous and scary looking bodyguard who was initially Laurie’s assistant before she moved. He speaks in grunts! *laughing*
*contented sigh* On to the next book, New Tricks.
November 29, 2024
4 Stars for Play Dead: Andy Carpenter, Book 6 (audiobook) by David Rosenfelt read by Grover Gardner.
Andy saves a dog’s life that was going to be put down because of biting. And then suddenly he realizes that this dog is the proof that it’s owner may have not committed the murder that they are in jail for. It’s convoluted but entertaining.
Andy saves a dog’s life that was going to be put down because of biting. And then suddenly he realizes that this dog is the proof that it’s owner may have not committed the murder that they are in jail for. It’s convoluted but entertaining.
November 10, 2018
This book was a mix of the cute and a mystery. I loved how Andy went to court to save a golden retriever from being put down (or from death row as he put it). Saving Yogi sets off unforeseen events and soon Andy is trying to get an innocent man out of jail.
All in all I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to see what else this series brings.
All in all I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to see what else this series brings.
June 4, 2020
The way this started out seemed like it was going to be really boring. Andy took on a case of a dog that was about to be put to death for biting some guy, but Andy could tell the dog was innocent. Dogs did feature prominently in the book, but it got more interesting soon after this case.
David Rosenfelt, the author, is (believe it or not) a diehard golden retriever lover, both in and out of the book. Well, in the book, Andy is the dog lover. In this one, he ends up with a second one for a while, which makes him and his dog both happy.
The story was full of suspense, humor, and and tears. If you are a dog lover, I think you will certainly want to read this series. If not, read it anyway.
David Rosenfelt, the author, is (believe it or not) a diehard golden retriever lover, both in and out of the book. Well, in the book, Andy is the dog lover. In this one, he ends up with a second one for a while, which makes him and his dog both happy.
The story was full of suspense, humor, and and tears. If you are a dog lover, I think you will certainly want to read this series. If not, read it anyway.
March 5, 2014
At the risk of going against the grain here - Play Dead is easily the dumbest book I've read in quite some time. I finished it simply to state that I did as I now review it. The book has the sophistication level and wit of a "Three's Company" episode - all that's missing is the canned laugh track.
This is the sixth entry in the Andy Carpenter series - Andy is an independently wealthy defense attorney who takes on cases/clients that "move" him.
The book opens with our hero taking on the "legal" case of a dog on death-row. The poor hound has been found guilty of biting its questionable owner - as evidenced by the scars the dog bears - and is now in a shelter. The shelter is co-owned by our hero and after the requisite 10 days the hound will be put down. After hours of research and thinking outside of the box, and unfortunately almost 60 pages, our brilliant legal eagle concocts a brilliant solution - He adopts the dog.
After "winning" the canine case Andy is promptly contacted by a woman whose brother was convicted of murdering his fiancee five years earlier. The impetus for the call - she recognized the aforementioned dog on the TV. Since Andy is a celebrity lawyer, his doggie case received vast media attention - this new "client" specifically recognizing the scars the dog bears. Never mind that it's been five years since she's seen the dog - which went missing at the time of the murder - or the fact that five pages earlier the scars were the "key" to Andy's case to save the dog, i.e. the result of mistreatment by the previous owner. With a leap of faith and before one can say, "Here Fido!", Andy is "moved" and takes on the case of the wrongly imprisoned brother/murderer.
This should give you a feel for both the pace and plot level of this book - and it goes downhill from there. "Clues" literally fall into Andy's lap and the initial case and trial which put his human client behind bars are proved incorrect by some stellar investigation performed by Andy and his team.
For instance Andy's crack computer whiz gets on the Web and finds out the murder victim wasn't who she said she was. (You'd think someone in law enforcement would have thought of this 5 years earlier, but no...)
Hmmmmm, very mysterious, must mean some vast conspiracy and of course it is. This superficial level of investigative work and mystery solving goes on for 200+ pages and the less than satisfying solution comes out of nowhere in the last 10 pages of the book.
After a promising debut this series quickly ran out of steam. To say this book was "phoned in" implies a level of effort nowhere evident in the reading. Very disappointing.
This is the sixth entry in the Andy Carpenter series - Andy is an independently wealthy defense attorney who takes on cases/clients that "move" him.
The book opens with our hero taking on the "legal" case of a dog on death-row. The poor hound has been found guilty of biting its questionable owner - as evidenced by the scars the dog bears - and is now in a shelter. The shelter is co-owned by our hero and after the requisite 10 days the hound will be put down. After hours of research and thinking outside of the box, and unfortunately almost 60 pages, our brilliant legal eagle concocts a brilliant solution - He adopts the dog.
After "winning" the canine case Andy is promptly contacted by a woman whose brother was convicted of murdering his fiancee five years earlier. The impetus for the call - she recognized the aforementioned dog on the TV. Since Andy is a celebrity lawyer, his doggie case received vast media attention - this new "client" specifically recognizing the scars the dog bears. Never mind that it's been five years since she's seen the dog - which went missing at the time of the murder - or the fact that five pages earlier the scars were the "key" to Andy's case to save the dog, i.e. the result of mistreatment by the previous owner. With a leap of faith and before one can say, "Here Fido!", Andy is "moved" and takes on the case of the wrongly imprisoned brother/murderer.
This should give you a feel for both the pace and plot level of this book - and it goes downhill from there. "Clues" literally fall into Andy's lap and the initial case and trial which put his human client behind bars are proved incorrect by some stellar investigation performed by Andy and his team.
For instance Andy's crack computer whiz gets on the Web and finds out the murder victim wasn't who she said she was. (You'd think someone in law enforcement would have thought of this 5 years earlier, but no...)
Hmmmmm, very mysterious, must mean some vast conspiracy and of course it is. This superficial level of investigative work and mystery solving goes on for 200+ pages and the less than satisfying solution comes out of nowhere in the last 10 pages of the book.
After a promising debut this series quickly ran out of steam. To say this book was "phoned in" implies a level of effort nowhere evident in the reading. Very disappointing.
November 9, 2019
Rosenfelt's legal thrillers with lawyer Andy Carpenter are such a fun light read. I love the humor and wisecracking of Andy. I can see why dog lovers are drawn to this series. I am not particularly crazy about dogs, but nevertheless enjoy the part they play in Andy’s life. And a dog is a major part of this case. Rosenfelt has written a number of books in this series and I look forward to reading them all.
April 4, 2018
Full review - The Limit of Books Does Not Exist
If you like courtroom dramas, then you’ll like this one because it has two of them! First Andy has to defend a golden retriever from being put to death and then defend that dog’s owner who is currently serving time in prison. The book moved at a quick pace and of course the case wasn’t as it seemed.
Another nice and easy read in the Andy Carpenter series. Can’t wait to read more!
If you like courtroom dramas, then you’ll like this one because it has two of them! First Andy has to defend a golden retriever from being put to death and then defend that dog’s owner who is currently serving time in prison. The book moved at a quick pace and of course the case wasn’t as it seemed.
Another nice and easy read in the Andy Carpenter series. Can’t wait to read more!
May 3, 2011
Who would put a golden retriever on the witness stand----no one but Paterson, NJ attorney Andy Carpenter, the guy wealthy enough to only take cases he believes in. If you want to read a well-plotted mystery underscored with humor and engaging characters (including Andy's own canine companion Tara) try Play Dead. You won't be disappointed!
4/28/20: Revisited this favorite on audio!
4/28/20: Revisited this favorite on audio!
August 4, 2024
**** 8/20/24 ***** Finished #6 thriller in the very entertaining Andy Carpenter legal series. This one features a dog as a witness, but it really works. Great as always, love this series, recommend. 5-stars.
**** 8/4/24 **** Just checked this out from LA public library and looking forward to hearing more about Tara, Andy Carpenter's true love of his life (dog lol).
**** 8/4/24 **** Just checked this out from LA public library and looking forward to hearing more about Tara, Andy Carpenter's true love of his life (dog lol).
June 27, 2014
"Play Dead" by David Rosenfelt.
This is the 2nd book in the Andy Carpenter series that I've listened to on CD. I have become addicted with joy to this series primarily due to the fact that it is a dog lovers mystery series with the added touch of humor.
In this story Andy astonishingly finds a golden retriever in a cage at the Passaic county dog pound waiting to be euthanized. According to Andy a golden retriever is the last dog that should ever be in this situation. Andy takes on the golden retrievers case and clears him of being a vicious dog.
Andy adopts the dog and brings him home to meet Tara, Andy's dog. Tara and the new member of Andy's family hit it off from the first. While walking both dogs a woman calls out "Reggie" and the golden retriever runs to her.
Andy meets the woman and soon learns that Reggie's original owner is in prison for murder...a crime he did not commit. The key witness to this murder is Reggie. Andy commits himself to finding the real murderer and clearing Reggie's owner. But is it as simple as that?
I highly recommend this story and this series to all dog lovers.
This is the 2nd book in the Andy Carpenter series that I've listened to on CD. I have become addicted with joy to this series primarily due to the fact that it is a dog lovers mystery series with the added touch of humor.
In this story Andy astonishingly finds a golden retriever in a cage at the Passaic county dog pound waiting to be euthanized. According to Andy a golden retriever is the last dog that should ever be in this situation. Andy takes on the golden retrievers case and clears him of being a vicious dog.
Andy adopts the dog and brings him home to meet Tara, Andy's dog. Tara and the new member of Andy's family hit it off from the first. While walking both dogs a woman calls out "Reggie" and the golden retriever runs to her.
Andy meets the woman and soon learns that Reggie's original owner is in prison for murder...a crime he did not commit. The key witness to this murder is Reggie. Andy commits himself to finding the real murderer and clearing Reggie's owner. But is it as simple as that?
I highly recommend this story and this series to all dog lovers.
April 16, 2022
4 stars for a great series and a great MC - another star for the dog. Excellent series so far, I know I'm behind but something to look forward to when I hit many duds ! If you love dogs and love people who love dogs, then add in a funny lawyer - you will LOVE this series !!
June 29, 2019
A surprising case in the end! One of his best book and Andy rescued dog from death row.
September 29, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Once again an excellent read by David Rosenfelt, I absolutely love Rosenfelt’s sence of humour. This is the six in the Andy Carpenter series each one just gets better.
Once again an excellent read by David Rosenfelt, I absolutely love Rosenfelt’s sence of humour. This is the six in the Andy Carpenter series each one just gets better.
February 28, 2012
This is the first book that I have read of the Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt, although it is #6 is the series. I enjoyed it a great deal. While it did give a little of the back story, it didn't give away major details; I don't believe I was lacking anything not having read the previous five books first. As an animal lover, particularly dogs, particularly golden retrievers, when a book starts out with an attorney (Andy) going to court to prevent a golden retriever shelter dog's execution (and wins!), how can you not love the book? And ok, chances are pretty strong if that's how the book is starting, he's not going to lose and the dog gets gassed; that was just the setup story anyway, but quite a heroic start to the book nonetheless. The real story is Andy trying to get a new trial for a man wrongly convicted of the murder of his fiancee and then providing the defense once the new trial is granted, where that same "saved from being gassed" golden Reggie plays a role, along with Andy's golden retriever Tara. I liked Andy's character quite a lot; he is also the narrator of the story. His regular guy-ness and self-depricating humor adds a nice balance to lighten things up from the serious nature of the story and the often violent opposition he and his team face trying to find out what really happened to the fiancee, among other mysteries. The other characters were also good, well flushed out and the relationships between them and Andy and them and each other seemed natural. I will definitely check out other books in this series.
March 10, 2018
I always enjoy catching up on the latest Andy Carpenter escapades and love Rosenselt's wry and snarky humor along with the wacky and appealing cast of characters that surround Andy, not to mention Tara, the world's greatest dog.
These are fabulous in audio format as the narrator, Grover Gardner, perfectly captures Andy's New Jersey accent and speech patterns.
The series is best started with the first book and continued from there. They are perfect for fans of Sue Grafton, Harlan Coben (especially the Myron Bolitar series), and Janet Evanovich.
These are fabulous in audio format as the narrator, Grover Gardner, perfectly captures Andy's New Jersey accent and speech patterns.
The series is best started with the first book and continued from there. They are perfect for fans of Sue Grafton, Harlan Coben (especially the Myron Bolitar series), and Janet Evanovich.
December 21, 2021
As always, I so enjoyed the characters. I didn't love the murder mystery element of this one. It felt like a little more complicated and scattered than it should have been. That aside, and that might be my own hangup with this story, the structure and elements are all here and it is an enjoyable book. The maturation of Andy's relationship with Lori enhances the enjoyment while the author takes you on the path to discovery in this story. I always enjoy the pet element and find this a very good series for me.
June 15, 2012
Well, simply put: this is the best book yet in the Andy Carpenter series. I like this one by far the most. Though in many ways, it follows the same formula of the previous five novels, it does so with plots twists and turns that makes the formula itself almost irrelevant. It is such an enjoyable read and I really love it! It is simply terrific! I hesitate to write anything else in fear of giving away anything about the twisting plot! I can't wait for Rosenfelt’s next book!
November 1, 2022
Andy as a character is starting to grow on me, if I am really honest I listen to these books because I love the narrator Grover Gardner. There are plenty of laughs in this one and there is also plenty of tension. Andy is once again coming to the aide of a man in prison for life for a crime that he says he did not commit.
These books are great easy reading that come with great stories, characters and plenty of dogs.
These books are great easy reading that come with great stories, characters and plenty of dogs.
August 23, 2020
Play Dead is a fun legal mystery thriller featuring the irrepressible dog loving attorney Andy Carpenter. Rosenfelt has a great groove with these books. The lead character is such a sarcastic and self-deprecating character that he would be hard to dislike. The court scenes are always well crafted and Rosenfelt’s genuine love for dogs shines the way. A high 3 star that would be a great beach read.
February 19, 2015
This was pretty good, not as funny or sharp as Sudden Death, but entertaining enough. I really enjoy this series, each time I pick up one of the books I know I'll be getting a good story and a witty cast of characters to spend my reading time with.
January 21, 2019
I enjoyed this book! It was a Re-read.
March 1, 2023
Lots of dog in this book and lots of surprises and laughs.
David Rosenfelt “hits the ball out of the park”. Enjoy.
David Rosenfelt “hits the ball out of the park”. Enjoy.
June 17, 2024
3.5 stars
This one got a bit convoluted at the end but it was still very interesting.
This one got a bit convoluted at the end but it was still very interesting.
October 4, 2022
Andy finds a Golden Lab that is about to be put down because it bit the owner - who may not actually be the owner. There are also witnesses that he abused the dog. However, it appears that this dog is Reggie who was presumed dead five years ago. Reggie's original owner is in prison for murdering his fiancée, and Andy believes for Richard to be innocent. I mean can a killer own a Golden Retriever? Kevin and Marcus are playing bigger roles in Andy's life. Another great escape.
December 7, 2013
An abandoned Golden Retriever leads Andy Carpenter and his gang of associates into a tangled web of identity and deceit. The core group of characters and Andy make for continued excellent reading.
More on Edna, Andy's trusted secretary (now administrative assistant): "What are you doing here?" This is the greeting I get from Edna, who for fifteen years has been my secretary but who now insists on being called my "administrative assistant." In neither role has Edna ever done any actual work, but as an administrative assistant she can do nothing with considerably more dignity.
And a bit on New Jersey identity: Asbury Park has long been a key city on the shore, which is how those of us from New Jersey refer to the beach. If you ever suspect that a person is posing as a Jersy-ite, ask him to describe the area where the ocean hits land. If he says "beach," he's an impostor.
More on Edna, Andy's trusted secretary (now administrative assistant): "What are you doing here?" This is the greeting I get from Edna, who for fifteen years has been my secretary but who now insists on being called my "administrative assistant." In neither role has Edna ever done any actual work, but as an administrative assistant she can do nothing with considerably more dignity.
And a bit on New Jersey identity: Asbury Park has long been a key city on the shore, which is how those of us from New Jersey refer to the beach. If you ever suspect that a person is posing as a Jersy-ite, ask him to describe the area where the ocean hits land. If he says "beach," he's an impostor.
August 4, 2014
I'm not big on lawyer stories, though this series appears to be on the marginal edge of the genre. Protagonist Andy Carpenter is a lawyer who mostly avoids work, having already made "enough" money on past efforts. Mostly he seems to get involved in cases where the welfare of a dog or dogs might be hanging in the balance. This novel includes that premise. Golden retrievers are his favorite breed, and I imagine we see more of them than any other in these books.
It's well written enough, with an intricate plot, careful exposition, and adequate resolution. I was just expecting the dogs to play a larger role in the story than they do.
It's well written enough, with an intricate plot, careful exposition, and adequate resolution. I was just expecting the dogs to play a larger role in the story than they do.
November 8, 2014
Loved it. I've gone to the Fantastic Fiction site to find how many Andy Carpenter books were written. I plan to check out the library computer soon. The relationships between the members of the defense team and the police are so realistic sounding. The men value each other as people enough to tease and drink beer together. Lots of action and bad guys trying to take out the witness along with lots of humor.
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