An Andy Carpenter Mystery
David Rosenfelt
Hardcover, $24.99 (our price $20)
David Rosenfelt is beloved of animal enthusiasts for his
work in rescue, as recounted in his wonderfully funny memoir, DOGTRIPPING, and the
sequel, LESSONS FROM TARA. He is also a skilled writer of mysteries, in which
dogs are not exactly front and center, but still an important element. (For
front and center dogs, you can’t beat Spencer Quinn’s Chet & Bernie series.)
Rosenfelt’s alter-ego, Andy Carpenter, is a lawyer who has
inherited the means to avoid lawyering as much as he likes, but in this new
mystery, he feels compelled to take on the defense of a local eccentric who
rescues puppies. Her nickname is Pups, and she is cantankerous to the max, but
Andy knows a good heart when he sees one, and he understands Pups’ cynical and
wary view of humanity. After all, she rescues adorable puppies who would
otherwise be euthanized because of lazy, heartless, or just plain stupid
people.
But Pups is in serious trouble. After Andy defends her
against a neighbor’s sudden complaint and the town’s cease and desist notice,
said neighbor is found dead by Pups. And worse, the weapon is found in Pups’
basement. And even more troubling, Pups herself had publicly threatened the
neighbor, promising to do some physiologically impossible harm to his body.
First on Andy’s to-do list is to make sure the twelve
puppies in her care find homes fast, and that Pups’ own dog is cared for as
well. Being Christmastime, he is confident all puppies will be in demand.
And then Andy dives
into Pups’ defense. The case becomes rapidly more complicated when she is
further implicated in other murders. Andy scrambles to find out who is behind
the killings and why they are framing Pups. The investigation takes him across
country from New Jersey to South Dakota, as he pieces together the puzzle. But
he is also being followed, and is in more danger than he imagined.
The humor and dog-friendly characters who fill the pages of
this latest mystery make it a perfect gift for a dog lover. But it’s appealing
to any mystery reader who would like an escape from the daily newsfeed of
despair.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
