Book Review: Dog Eat Dog by David Rosenfelt
Finding the Book
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Dog Eat Dog by David Rosenfelt is the latest in the author’s Andy Carpenter series featuring a dog-loving defense attorney and Tara, his sidekick golden retriever.
I can’t remember the exact place I saw one of the books in this series for the first time, probably a mystery book blog, and I had added it to my book wish list on Amazon. I add to this list anytime I see a book I might want to read, and then when I’m ready to get some new books, either purchased or from the library, I scroll through this list and pick something on it. I like to start with the first book in a series, so many months ago I got the first book and was hooked!
It was an exciting moment when I saw the new book in this series was available, so I grabbed it and had it read within 24 hours. It’s just as good as I had expected since every single book in this series is fabulous! I seriously think this would make an amazing weekly crime/mystery show on USA or even HMM!
About the Book
A routine morning dog walk brings Andy, his wife Laurie, and their two dogs into a confrontation involving a man abusing a dog and another witness who steps in with some physical consequences to the abusive man.
In true form, Andy wonders if they should do something and Laurie actually does it. However, the super hero has already de-escalated the situation but not before the cops have been called in. As both the dog abuser and the hero are arrested, Andy hands the guy his attorney business card for any help needed.
When the hero is accused of committing a murder that happened two years prior, with the charge being held together by a surely rock solid case of DNA, Andy steps in to work his defense attorney magic. His team of investigators, including Laurie, dig up information that Andy uses in his defense of the man he knows is innocent because someone who saves a dog would not commit murder.
A little side note: In the publisher’s blurb (see below), it states the rescued dog, Hunter, is taken to Andy’s nonprofit dog rescue, the Tara Foundation; however, Andy and Laurie actually take the dog home with them in the story. The Tara Foundation doesn’t really have a starring role in this installment of the series, but it is featured in others!
From the Publisher: Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, work to free a man who risked it all to help a dog in need.
Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his wife, Laurie, enjoy walking their dogs, Tara and Sebastian. By this point in their marriage, it’s routine. When out for one of their strolls, their simple ritual isn’t so simple anymore. Across the street, a man is mistreating his dog. Three things happen at once: Andy yells, Laurie runs to stop the abuse, and so does a closer passerby, who so thoroughly beats the owner that both are arrested when the cops arrive.
Andy scoops up the dog and takes him to the Tara Foundation, the dog rescue organization that’s always been his true passion. Meanwhile, at the police station, the passerby is identified as Matthew Jantzen, and he’s wanted for murder. Andy and Laurie are struck by the fact that Jantzen, a man on the run, would nevertheless intervene to help a dog, and decide to find out more.
Dog Eat Dog, the twenty-second installment in the Andy Carpenter series, features the charming cast of characters – old and new – that David Rosenfelt is known for and the dogs that accompany them.
What I Love
The Main Character
Andy, the attorney who doesn’t really want to be an attorney. I have loved this character since the very first sentence of the very first book. The author does an amazing job portraying a really smart guy who happens to be gifted, to his chagrin, with a defense attorney super power. The guy is also very witty. I find myself laughing out loud while reading these books, which I’m sure makes my husband wonder how in the world that lady can laugh at words on a page. (He’s not a reader, obviously!)
The Supporting Characters
One of the things that makes Andy’s character so likeable is the cast of characters he hangs out with, including his wife, Laurie, who started out as his investigator and remains so, now with her own team of investigators. Also on Andy’s team are Marcus, an investigator slash guy-who-saves-Andy’s-a$$, and Sam, the computer genius, albeit illegally. These guys are two of my favorite characters in this series. All of the characters are written so well and each likeable for their given personality. Really, the entire crew pulls together the team vibe in this series, and I don’t think Andy would be Andy without them.
The Dogs
It’s obvious the writer has a soft heart for dogs, and if you, too, are a dog lover who also enjoys mysteries, then you need to read this series. You’ll fall head over heels for Tara, Andy’s long-time companion, and really enjoy every single supporting dog character who makes an appearance throughout the series. And the Tara Foundation creation was a fabulous addition. (The author’s Goodreads bio says he and his wife created this foundation in real life!)
If you enjoy a good cozy mystery or even a legal crime story, then this series is likely to be one you’ll love!
Get the Book
Other Books in the Series
This is the 23rd book in the Andy Carpenter series. Here is a list of all the current books in this series:
Open and Shut (Andy Carpenter Book 1)
First Degree (Andy Carpenter Book 2)
Bury the Lead (Andy Carpenter Book 3)
Sudden Death (Andy Carpenter Book 4)
Dead Center (Andy Carpenter Book 5)
Play Dead (Andy Carpenter Book 6)
New Tricks (Andy Carpenter Book 7)
Dog Tags (Andy Carpenter Book 8)
One Dog Night (Andy Carpenter Book 9)
Leader of the Pack (Andy Carpenter Book 10)
Unleashed (Andy Carpenter Book 11)
Hounded (Andy Carpenter Book 12)
Who Let the Dog Out? (Andy Carpenter Book 13)
Outfoxed (Andy Carpenter Book 14)
Collared (Andy Carpenter Book 15)
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas (Andy Carpenter Book 16)
Rescued (Andy Carpenter Book 17)
Deck the Hounds (Andy Carpenter Book 18)
Bark of Night (Andy Carpenter Book 19)
Dachshund Through the Snow (Andy Carpenter Book 20)
Muzzled (Andy Carpenter Book 21)
Silent Bite (Andy Carpenter Book 22)
Dog Eat Dog (Andy Carpenter Book 23)
Best in Snow (Andy Carpenter Book 24)
Holy Chow (Andy Carpenter Novel Book 25)
Santa’s Little Yelpers (Andy Carpenter Book 26)
Flop Dead Gorgeous (Andy Carpenter Book 27)
‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas (Andy Carpenter Book 28)
Dog Day Afternoon (Andy Carpenter Book 29)
The More the Terrier (Andy Carpenter Book 30)
You can check out David Rosenfelt’s Amazon author page here. Interestingly, his bio states he used to work at Tri-Star Pictures before authoring books and screenplays. Now I need to look up what screenplays he has written, and I’m really hoping this series will be turned into a show!
Addendum: After writing this blog post, I discovered the author had also written a book about the cross-country trip he and his wife undertook with their then 25 dogs as they moved from California to Maine. After reading Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, and 3 RVs on Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure, which was loaned to me by a librarian, I immediately bought 4 copies – one for my bookshelf, one for each of 2 friends, and an extra to keep on hand for loaning or giving away.
I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with dogs even more. But if you ask either of the Saint Bernards or the Australian Shepherd who run the roost here in our home, then hopefully they’ll tell you it’s not even possible for me to love them even more!
