Muzzled the twenty-first book in the Andy Carpenter series by David Carpenter is one that takes total concentration. The intertwining concepts need total focus in order to keep straight who’s doing what and when. Yet, this is typical of this author’s crafting his Andy Carpenter’s “retired defense lawyer” cases…making them all the more engaging and entertaining.

Defending a man who is accused of a double murder involving members of a pharmaceutical company leads Andy and his group through the often baffling aspects of drug development and approval…add in money laundering, the mafia, and corporate corruption and you have another gripping story that Mr Rosenfelt is so skilled at crafting.

This ARC book was complimentary…provided by NetGalley and the Publisher. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

When I received the ARC of Muzzled by David Rosenfelt, as well as the books that came afterward, I went back to the very beginning with book #1, Open and Shut, and loved it so much that I binge read every single book that was available to me as of January, 2023, and so in two weeks' time I read 30 of these delightful books, and they include four books in the spinoff series, The K Team.

One thing made abundantly clear in these greatly enjoyable books are two things about Andy Carpenter - he loves dogs and he desperately wants to retire as a defense attorney. During the course of his life and career, Andy landed a settlement that has left him with millions, so he does not need to work. However, in this book of the series, when his friend Beth pleads with him to take on a case, one that involves two dogs, Andy finds that he cannot say no. In fact, if ever a dog is involved, then so is Andy.

With a wealthy man is accused of murder and even of faking his own death, Andy steps in. Those familiar with this series will of course see Andy's dogs, Tara and Sebastian, his wife Laurie and other recurring characters. This book has a homey feel - literally like you are at home among friends, no matter what crime is being investigated by Andy, Laurie and other members of his tightknit team.

Since I came into this so late, all but the newest book coming out this October were available as audiobooks, so I took that route, and was delighted that Grover Gardner has narrated each and every book so far, including the latest one I have listened to that comes out in July, Flop Dead Gorgeous.

One thing I love about the series, Andy and even the narrator, is the way the humor comes through. Andy is witty and sarcastic, although he treats his clients - and of course, his dogs and any other dogs that always seem to become a part of things - with the utmost respect.

Now, I have to talk about Tara, one of the loves of Andy's life. He is more than tethered to her and I love that. I also love the ever so lazy Sebastian, another dog of Andy's. Food and sleep is all Sebastian needs, so even going for walks is just a bit too stressful for him.

With the backstory woven in to each successive book in the series, it is not necessary to read them all or even in order, but if you are a series fanatic like me then go for it. Let me tell you, you will not be disappointed.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

What's better than a well written mystery novel?! A well written mystery novel with pets! I am a sucker for a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, written masterfully by a talented author and includes a trust sidekick of some sort! This one hit all of those things and more~! I loved following the characters on their journey, helping to solve the puzzle. Well done!

~Reviewed by Lisa for Page Turners and Sweet Tea

The Andy Carpenter series is up to 21 books, but I have only read or listened to a handful along the way. I have always enjoyed the story and had no problem following it. Andy is a lawyer, who says he is retired, but always gets pulled into working a case in each book. Andy's friend Beth, who works with the Tara Foundation, has found a stray dog who appears to belong to a recent murder victim. When someone contacts her to say she has his dog, she calls Andy for assistance. When they identify the man as one the police were looking for, he calls them and is arrested for murder and blowing up his boat to cover the crime. He asks Andy for help, and he can't resist helping this dog lover.

This story leads the reader on a merry chase. Who was the intended target? There are pharmaceutical secrets, a mystery girlfriend, mistaken identity, dodgy characters & possible mob involvement that all get in Andy's way. With Laurie, his wife, and the K team to help, he is able to sift through everything to figure out what was going on. Most of this story takes place outside the courtroom and introduces a lot of characters. There were times that I was a bit confused, but everything finally fit together at the end. With a few more murders along the way, Andy is able to work with his friend and detective Pete to bring the culprits to justice. This is a cross between a legal thriller, mystery and organized crime story.

Andy Carpenter is Back at It!

In this go round, Andy gets a frantic call from his friend Beth who helps out with his foundation reuniting lost dogs with their owners. Beth is beside herself when she receives a call from someone claiming to be the owner of a lab named Lucy. The problem? Beth thinks the owner is a killer! No joke! A boat explosion has been all over the news in the last few days during which two men died and a third (Alex Vogel) has gone missing.

When a meet and greet is scheduled it’s confirmed that the man in question is in fact Alex Vogel who the police want to take into custody, even though he swears he’s innocent. Good thing Andy is there to act as his lawyer, even if it’s the last thing Andy wants.

Now it’s up to Andy and The K-Team to figure out the truth. From murder to corruption and coercion this is one thriller that truly kept me on my toes. I had a few guesses but admittedly there were several characters flitting in and out of this wild mystery suspense and that made it hard for me to guess right.

Of course, my favorite part of this book was Andy Carpenter himself. I just love his sarcastic sense of humor and laughed quite a lot at both his antics and his one-liners.

Keep ‘em coming David Rosenfelt!

A buddy read with Kaceey!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the arc.

Published on Goodreads on 9.20.20.

3.5*
Once again I was fortunate enough to witness the crazy antics of Andy Carpenter as he plows through life rescuing dogs, all the while trying desperately to avoid practicing law. Despite his best efforts he once again finds himself thrown into a case that he cannot walk away from.

A man presumed to have been killed in a fiery explosion waltzes into Andy’s friends dog rescue, intent on claiming his dog. Impossible! This man died a horrible death! Was he responsible for the explosion? The police certainly think so and immediately arrest him for murder one.

And just like clock-work, Andy once again finds himself dragged into the middle of yet another hot, legal mess, having to step up and defend the man. In the back of his mind Andy thinks what the heck, the guy’s a true dog lover… how could he be guilty?

This book had a great premise and got off to an explosive start (sorry for the pun). But midway it lost steam, introducing too many characters, leading to the plot becoming watered-down and overly complex. So much so I wasn’t sure who any of the players were. Or more importantly, what their particular agendas were.

I’m addicted to the series though, and already have the next in series on my shelf. Looking forward to seeing what antics Andy finds himself in next!

A buddy read with Susanne

Thank you to Minotaur Books via NetGalley.

I absolutely love David Rosenfelt's books. They have mystery, courtroom drama, and dogs - what's not to love? But what I love most is Rosenfelt's style of writing which is snarky, sarcastic and often laugh-our=loud funny. He really appeals to my sense of humor.

This book bogged down a little for me in places where the emphasis was on organized crime and Russian mafia but it's all part of having something for everyone.

I've read several books in this series and hope the series continues for a long time!

This was my third Rosenfelt read and I'm convinced: Andy Carpenter is the snarky lawyer you've been waiting for.

In Muzzled, Andy takes the case despite wanting to be retired for one key reason: The guy who's been arrested? He loves his dog. And also, his dog loves him. (Sure, he could still have been a murderer. But I don't know, a dog is a pretty great character reference.)

This is book #21 in the series but you absolutely don't need to have read other books in the series to appreciate it. (I.e., can be read as a stand alone.)

The investigation in this one didn't work as well for me as in the two other Rosenfelt books I've read, but I still enjoyed his dry humor and found myself rooting for certain outcomes. I'm sure I'll reach for others in the series when I'm in the mood for them - this is a great series to try if you like snark and mysteries on the cozier end.

David Rosenfelt involves Andy Carpenter in a case of Alex Vogel who loves his dog so much he comes out of hiding to claim her, Aggie. In the course of his trial for murder Alex Vogel is under threat, there are lots of red herrings, and Andy Carpenter and his dog rescue helpers are trying to find whodunit. Competent mystery.

The Andy Carpenter series is simply one of the best cozy mystery series around and that's not just because of the four legged friends that are prevalent in each. I enjoy each because you can really hear the voice of Andy and get into the story like you are there. Not only do I try to read these for NetGalley and Minotaur as ARCs which I am most grateful for, but I also add them to my library. All opinion s are expressly my own. Can't wait for the next!!

Passing boaters thought the Doral’s owners were below decks. It was only when they were close enough to see a man sprawled on the deck, they thought it was odd. Before they got near, the Doral exploded. Without bodies, it’s assumed three men, pharmaceutical executives, who were seen on the yacht were dead. The Jersey State Police declared the incident a triple homicide based on signs of a bomb found in the debris and wreckage.

Beth Morris reunites lost dogs with their owners or finds homes if the owner refuses to reclaim them. Andy’s Tara Foundation has a similar mission. This time, Beth needs legal advice. Being a lawyer, Andy is in a position to give it as long as it doesn’t turn into a case. Wealthy and disinclined to work, Andy avoids cases unless by taking the case, he can annoy the police or other lawyers. Or help a dog.

There’s a yellow lab at the Tara Foundation. Willie, the supervisor, asked for Beth’s help to find the dog’s owner and she did. The lab belonged to Alex Vogel, thought to be on the Doral. Now a man has called Beth claiming that’s Aggie, his dog. He provides enough detail for her to believe him. So—is the phone call from a dead man or a fraud?

Andy is on hand to see the wildly enthusiastic reunion. It’s clear, that’s her person. And her person is Alex Vogel, presumed dead. The police are there, curious to find out how Alex survived, got to shore, and stayed “dead.” He’s arrested, but his one phone call is to Beth, to make sure Aggie is in a loving home and is safe.

Andy takes Alex’s case. After all, any guy who’d come out of hiding to reunite with his dog, use his one phone call to assure the dog’s happiness and safety, deserves all the help he can get. And things get weird from there.

Andy is sarcastic, a smart mouth, and definitely not the hero type. Thankfully, his wife Laurie, is an ex-cop, as is Cord, and then there’s Marcus who is just large and well. They manage to protect Andy from himself and others. Each book shows the genuine love of dogs, both on the part of the characters and the author. It’s become one of my all time favorite series.

This is book twenty-one. Readers will also enjoy The K Team, a spinoff series where, hard to believe, Andy takes a backseat to the K Team’s investigation. In October 2020, look for Andy to be back in Silent Bite, available now for pre-order. You can’t keep a lawyer quiet for long.

“Retired” lawyer Andy Carpenter has taken on a new case, defending a pharma company exec, Alex, accused of murdering his two friends, also execs at the company. Andy becomes involved with Alex when Alex comes out of hiding to claim his dog, Aggie. Alex and his two friends had been on his boat when it was blown up, supposedly killing all three. Now, a short time later, Alex comes out of hiding and is almost immediately arrested for the two murders, which he insists to Andy he never committed. Andy activates his whole team to figure out what exactly happened that fateful day, and to develop a defense for Alex. The case is difficult to put together because there are a lot of unknowns in the story, which Andy and his crew sift through trying to figure out which is relevant, and which is a red herring. To make matters worse, just about everything points to Alex as the murderer, but Andy believes Alex is not guilty, partially because of the way Alex cares about and treats his dog. No one, in Andy’s mind, could kill if he cares so much about a four-legged companion. Thus, Andy and his crew prevail, working toward Alex’s freedom and exoneration.

As is always the case, this is a well done, interesting book, that will keep the reader interested to the very ending. I do wish there had been more involvement of the dogs, Andy’s as well as Alex’s, but even so, the book was a fascinating read. Per his usual style, the book moves along well and has a lot to offer. I always enjoy reading about Andy and scrapes he and his crew managed to get themselves into and out of, and this is no different. If you liked and have read the other books in the series, you will like this one also. The dogs play a role in it all, albeit a minor one, but they are nevertheless a part of the story. I received this form NetGalley to read and review.

This is the first book by David Rosenfelt that I have read. I received an ARC of Muzzled. Andy Carpenter is a retired attorney but he still gets sucked into cases. This time it seems to be a no-win case but somehow, I think Andy specializes in no win cases. The story line was compelling. It kept me interested. I wanted to see what happened next. Each member of Andy’s entourage is quirky and unique. It’s a legal thriller that isn’t too legal. I’m excited to go back and read more books in the Andy Carpenter series. I was a little put off by the title Muzzled. I thought it would be about a dog, not a legal case. Rescue dogs are an integral part of Andy’s life but the story only touches of the animals which was fine for me. I’m actually sorry I put this book off for so long.

Muzzled is the 21st (!!) Andy Carpenter mystery by David Rosenfelt. Released 7th July 2020 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

I have enjoyed every one of these books since discovering the series some years ago. This one sees Andy still unsuccessful in his bid to retire, this time trying to clear the name of a biotech executive who is accused of murder and trying to fake his own death. As always there are dogs and dog lovers and the returning cast of supporting human characters.

This is a very well written book, full of warmth and humor and believable characters who are three dimensional. The author is also quite adept at the nuts and bolts of storytelling and the story moves along at a good pace. The dialogue, though full of witty repartee, never devolves into corniness and is a fun read overall.

Although it's far from the first book in the series, the necessary backstory information is written in and it works well as a standalone. I strongly recommend the whole series, though it's not necessary to read them in order.

Five stars. I recommend it highly.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Though Muzzled is number 21 in the Andy Carpenter books, it stands alone well. Muzzled is actually my first read in the series, and it serves as a good invitation to read the others. Mr. Rosenfelt writes with humor and I really enjoyed the witty dialogue. The main character is multi faceted and complex, which makes the rest of the books intriguing to me. The mystery (case) is well woven and the story itself evenly paced and plotted. Andy Carpenter is a sympathetic character and I was pulled in by his inability to stay "retired." I will seek out the rest of the series.
I am grateful to have received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

4.5 stars. A terrific addition to this great series! There are some unexpected twists in this one that I enjoyed. There are a few great courtroom moments, but there's not as much time spent in the courtroom as in some other books in this series. The nature of the mystery meant there needed to be an emphasis on investigation. For that reason there's also less of the legal team in this one and more of the new K-Team investigators, which I enjoyed.

I jumped into this series with book 15 and had no trouble following the story - and then I immediately went back and read every book from the beginning. Sure, you lose some of the history in the relationships by picking up a series on the 21st book, but I think you could follow the story without difficulty if you are starting with this one. Fans of the series should not miss the latest case! (Language)

Andy Carpenter is supposed to be a retired defense attorney. At least he keeps trying to be. In this case, he answered a call from his friend Beth who rescued a dog after his owner was reported killed in a horrific boating explosion. Except his two partners died--not him.

As you remember, Andy's first love is his dog rescue, the Tara Foundation, which he founded with Willie Miller and wife. Pete Stanton, his beer and burgers buddy (and homicide detective), and all the members of the K Team get involved, of course, one being his wife, Laurie (an ex-cop). Soon they are embroiled in a complicated narrative of start-ups, super-bugs, pharmaceuticals, IPOs, and mafia types. Is this truly a vaccine that will neutralize a super-bug?

There is generally a good portion of the book devoted to interviews, investigations, and Sam's deep dives into the ether world where most shouldn't go. Shhh! The courtroom scenes are as gripping as the investigation, this one leading to a conclusion surprising in the face of most Andy Carpenter books. The usual heavy involvement with the dogs is not as evident, and there is the sarcastic but loving edge to dialogue, easy humor-punctuated banter consistent in each book.

I've burned through a mix of uncorrected digital galleys from NetGalley (including this one), ebooks and audiobooks from the library, and have a particular affinity for the audiobooks narrated by Grover Cleveland. He so totally sells Andy Carpenter that even if I'm reading the book, hear his voice. I found this narrative just a tad more serious than usual with that special Andy Carpenter sense of humor and razor wit. Rosenfelt upped his modus operandi just a bit this time.

Still, I found it to be filled with my favorite characters, a complex and engaging plot, sarcastic but witty, intelligent and fast-paced. I downloaded this digital galley from the publisher and NetGalley in anticipation of an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book which I totally enjoyed. As always! Wholly recommended.

I didn’t know what to expect from this book, as the author is new to me, but I enjoyed it very much. Although this is something like the eighteenth in the series, it is easy to follow, and only made me wish I had read others, something which I am going to rectify and soon. Rosenfelt has a fun and funny style, and the book moves right along.

Andy Carpenter is a mostly-retired defense attorney. He’s wealthy, which is why he apparently keeps retiring from practicing law, and runs a dog rescue. He has a wife and a son, and two dogs of his own. He also has a loyal bunch of friends and employees, who help him out with his cases. I don’t like spoilers, so I am not going to give any, except to say that the plot twists in an unusual way which I didn’t see coming.

If you like mysteries, and even if you are not a dog lover, you will enjoy this book. It is well written, interesting, with a marvelous cast of characters, and a spiffy plot. This one is well worth your time.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions are my own.

This is a book and a series that's always good for what ails me. These days that's very important, even vital for this reader. Here we are at book #21 and, after reading it, I'm feeling better. Why? Because spending time with Andy, Laurie, Marcus, Hike, Sam, Pete and the K Team makes me laugh and gives me a slam bang puzzle to try and solve.
First off, I want Edna's job. She 'runs' his office and does crossword puzzles and collects a regular paycheck. Edna is a hoot. Failing that job because Edna has it for life, then let me work for The Tara Foundation and do dog rescue. Andy just wants to retire, spend time with family and the dogs. Leave the lawyering stuff to others. Well, luckily, the world has other plans for him and there is always another client out there to get Andy back in the office with his team. This time it's a dead man who isn't dead and his dog who seals the deal for Andy to take on his case. A case that leads to big Pharma, dirty deeds, nasty criminals with a side of laughs thanks to Andy's point of view. He's the lawyer I would want on my side if I got tossed into the slammer and the deck was stacked against me. Plus, he would make sure my dog was well cared for while he was getting me off the hook.
That's all I'm going to give away so I don't spoil the fun for you. Muzzled works as a stand alone so if you are just now meeting Any and his team, enjoy this one and then do not waste a second getting you hands on the other twenty books. These are tough times and the Andy Carpenter series will help you feel better for as long as it takes you to read the series. For myself, I've started rereading it.
My thanks to the publisher, Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.