ARC Review: Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt

Dogged Pursuit
Author: David Rosenfelt
Series: Andy Carpenter (Book 31)
Publication: Minotaur (July 1, 2025)

Description: In Dogged Pursuit, David Rosenfelt takes readers back to the start of this beloved series as Andy Carpenter begins his career as a defense attorney in Paterson, New Jersey.

Andy Carpenter has spent the three years since graduating law school working as a prosecutor in Paterson. But having seen how the system never looks out for the little guy, he leaves to start his own practice as a defense attorney. His office might be a little bit of a dump, but he's excited to make a change.

Andy goes to the shelter to adopt a dog, where he meets his beloved golden retriever, Tara, for the first time and feels an immediate connection. The shelter is crowded and Tara's been sharing space with a dog named Sunny; Andy hates to break them up and so asks to take Sunny, too, but since there's a pending criminal case involving the owner, he'll need to get written permission for temporary possession.

Andy discovers that Sunny's owner, Frank Tierney, has been arrested for the murder of his ex-boss. But he takes an immediate liking to Frank and his clear dedication to his dog, and ends up with his first case along with the two dogs.

This prequel to the long-running and perennially popular Andy Carpenter mysteries is a gift for fans and a terrific entry-point for newcomers.

My Thoughts: Andy Carpenter has just left the prosecutor's office in Patterson, New Jersy, to set up as a defense attorney. His marriage to Nicole is in trouble because they have different views of the future. Andy can't see himself as a corporate attorney working for his wealthy father-in-law. He wants to make a difference for real people. He has set himself up as a defense attorney and opened an office above a fruit stand in downtown Paterson.

Andy is also ready to fulfill his lifelong desire to get a dog. He goes to a local shelter with the goal of finding a small dog to be his companion. But one look at the golden retriever sharing a cage with another dog and his heart is lost. Not only does he bring home Tara but he wants to adopt Tara's cage mate Sunny too. The only problem is that Sunny is owned by a man who is in jail and accused of murder.

Andy goes to visit Frank Tierney to get him to sign off on Sunny's adoption and becomes his lawyer.  Frank has been accused of setting a car bomb which killed his former boss at the trucking company and two other people who were catching a ride with him after a staff party. 

Andy begins looking into the case. He hires an investigator - Laurie Collins - who used to be in law enforcement as recommended by police officer Pete Stanton. And he calls on his accountant Sam Willis to do some sleuthing via internet hacking. He soon learns that all is not well at the trucking company. In fact, it is looking like a criminal enterprise. But that criminal enterprise doesn't necessarily connect to whether or not Frank was a murderer until Andy does some of his legal shenanigans on Frank's behalf.

I really enjoyed getting to know Andy Carpenter's origin story. I liked seeing how he began gathering his investigative team. I liked the way he was drawn to Laurie. And I liked Andy's personality.

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