Author: David Rosenfelt
Series: Andy Carpenter (Book 28)
Publication: Minotaur Books (October 10, 2023)
Description: In National Bestseller David Rosenfelt’s ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas, all through the Carpenter house, five dogs are stirring, and not even Andy can get out of working this latest case at his door.
Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter is at the Tara Foundation’s annual Christmas party. The dog rescue organization has always been his true calling, and this is one holiday tradition he can get behind because every dog that’s come through the rescue―and their families―are invited to celebrate.
This year’s party is no exception. But before the stockings can be hung by the chimney with care, homicide detectives ruin the evening. Derek Moore, one of the foundation’s best foster volunteers, is arrested for murder.
Andy discovers Derek―whose real name is Bobby―is in the witness protection program after giving evidence against his former gang. The police believe Bobby murdered a member. But Bobby swears to Andy he didn’t do this. He’s built a new life, a new business, has two new dogs after being a double foster-failure.
There isn’t much Andy likes about this case, but he likes Bobby. If he’s innocent, Andy wants to help. Before Andy can settle down for his long winter’s nap, he has a client’s name to clear, a murderer to catch, and two new dogs to look after: a golden and a Dalmatian. Andy’s golden retriever, Tara, will have to adjust to not being the only golden at the house while Andy gets to the bottom of this one…
My Thoughts: Andy Carpenter's next case comes to him at the Tara Foundation Christmas party when one of the best fosterers is arrested for murder. Derek Moore whose real name is Bobby is in the Witness Protection Program after turning in two of his fellow gang members for murdering a convenience store owner and a customer who was there. Bobby has built a new life for himself which includes adopting two dogs. He tells Andy that he didn't kill anyone and asks for help.
The case doesn't look good. The victim's blood is found in Bobby's trunk and the murder weapon in a cabinet in Bobby's home. But there are still a number of questions that need to be answered before Andy can prove that someone is framing his client not least of which is why someone would want to frame him.
As Andy and his team of investigators including his wife Laurie and accountant Sam have lots of trails to travel down to find the answers. For quite a while it looks like Andy and company have discovered another crime that is still on-going which is great but doesn't get Bobby off the hook.
I enjoyed this 28th episode in the Andy Carpenter series. I really like Andy's sarcastic and self-deprecating viewpoint. The story has a nice assortment of dogs too between Andy's three and Bobby's two.
Favorite Quote:
Favorite Quote:
I get home and tell Laurie about the conversation in detail, and her first question is "What does your gut tell you?""My gut is an idiot. He's wrong so often, I've cut him off. We don't even speak anymore. So if you hear someone say I'm gutless, that's what they're talking about.""Andy,,," It's a one-word admonishment, but again one that says it all.
So this series seems like an auto read for me right? Dog? Mysteries? But how did I miss that this is the 28th. I did read the first book in the spin-off series and really enjoyed it so I need to make it a point to dive into this series one day!
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