Book Review: Leader of the Pack by David Rosenfelt

Leader of the Pack
Author: David Rosenfelt
Series: Andy Carpenter (Book 10)
Publication: Minotaur Books (July 17, 2012)

Description: Over the course of his legal career, Andy Carpenter has lost a few cases. But that doesn't mean he forgets his clients. Andy has always been convinced that Joey Desimone, a man convicted of murder nine years ago, was innocent and believes that Joey's family's connections to organized crime played a pivotal role in his conviction. While there isn't much Andy can do for him while he serves out his prison sentence, Joey suggests that he check up on Joey's elderly uncle. He'd rather not, but as a favor to Joey, Andy agrees to take his dog, Tara, on a few visits.

The old man's memory is going, but when Andy tries to explain why he's there, it jogs something in the man's mind, and his comments leave Andy wondering if Uncle Nick is confused, or if he just might hold the key to Joey's freedom after all this time.

Andy grabs on to this thread of possibility and follows it into a world where the oath of silence is stronger than blood ties, and where people will do anything to make sure their secrets are kept.

Riveting, suspenseful, and highly entertaining, Leader of the Pack is bestseller David Rosenfelt's latest entry in his much-beloved Andy Carpenter series.

My Thoughts: This Andy Carpenter mystery has him reexamining one of his few losses. Joey Desimone was convicted of murdering his ex-lover and her husband. Andy has always thought he was innocent and convicted because he was the son of a notorious crime boss. When Joey convinces Andy to bring Tara in the guise of a therapy dog to visit his Uncle Nick, Andy hears something from the senile old man than convinces him that everyone overlooked something when the case was first tried.

And when Uncle Nick is killed in a suspicious "accident" just hours after talking to Andy, Andy is more convinced than ever that Joey was wrongly convicted. Andy's investigation takes him into the secrets of some of the old crime families and also shows him how much the old ways have changed. 

This new generation of crime bosses are still as adept at evil though as Andy quickly learns. 

I enjoyed this tenth book in the Andy Carpenter series. I never get tired of his snark. I also like his determination that justice prevail. 

Favorite Quote:

"So what do you have on tap for today?" I ask, trying to pull the old switcheroo. 

"I'm going running, then a spinning class, then Pilates, and then this afternoon I'm volunteering at the hospital."

"You know, I can't decide which of those things sounds the most awful."

I bought this one November 2, 2022. You can buy your copy here.