ARC Review: Holy Chow by David Rosenfelt

Holy Chow
Author: David Rosenfelt
Series: Andy Carpenter (Book 25)
Publication: Minotaur Books (July 5, 2022)

Description: In Holy Chow, the next mystery from bestselling author David Rosenfelt, the beloved characters―both human and canine―of this fan favorite series are back on the case with the author’s trademark wit and humor.

Retired lawyer Andy Carpenter’s calling has always been running the Tara Foundation. The dog rescue organization places hundreds of dogs in new homes every year. It’s added up to so many dogs and new owners that Andy can’t even do the math. But there’s one dog―and one owner―Andy will always remember.

About a year ago, Rachel Morehouse came to the foundation looking for a companion. In her sixties and recently widowed, Rachel wanted a senior dog that also needed someone. Andy took a liking to her, Rachel took a liking to Lion, an older Chow Chow, and the rest is history.

If Rachel dies, will Andy take care of Lion if her stepson cannot? Andy agrees, no questions asked, and promptly forgets about it... until he receives a call from Rachel’s estate to attend her will reading. Which is where he meets Rachel’s stepson, Tony, who is promptly arrested for his stepmother’s murder. And he wants Andy to prove his innocence.

Andy has continued to learn more about the woman he so greatly admired and the businesses she ran, and holy chow, was this woman impressive. The person who killed her deserves to be held accountable, and if Tony is to be believed, they’re still out there. And that possibility is too much for Andy to remain on the sidelines.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this new episode of the long-running Andy Carpenter series. This one begins when a woman who adopted a big chow calls Andy to ask if he will take the dog back if something happens to her. 

A couple of weeks later, he's contacted by a lawyer and asked to attend a reading of a will. The lady died. At first, it seemed like natural causes since she had heart trouble and cancer, but it was soon discovered to be murder. Her stepson has been accused of the crime.

Andy, rather less reluctantly than usual, agrees to defend the stepson but there isn't much evidence that supports his belief that the man is innocent except that Andy likes him and he wants to adopt his stepmother's dog. 

The investigation uncovers all sorts of wrong-doing at the $12 billion business the woman had recently inherited from her husband. Most of the book deals with uncovering that wrong-doing and trying to figure out how Andy can bring it all up at the trial. 

I enjoyed the entertaining dialog. The story was also filled with tension because of a few attacks on Andy to try to get him to back off. Fans of the series won't want to miss this episode.

Favorite Quote:

"Any ideas who would have profited from killing Rachel Morehouse?"

"The police seem to think the answer is your client."

"Yeah. I hate it when that happens."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.