Andy is married to Laurie (ex-cop) who celebrates an extended Christmas season. Andy created the Tara Foundation, a dog rescue with Willie, also a dog lover, and between them have saved many, many dogs. But it is Willie this novel that brings Andy out of retirement—again. Willie’s friend and old cell-mate is in jail. For a crime he didn’t commit. Uh huh…

All the gang are back, the associates behind Andy, including Marcus, and Laurie’s new crew. Andy starts his investigation by calling on colleagues he usually calls until he discovers Hike won’t be back. But Hike recommends another attorney who he is sure will work well with Andy. What is not to love? The man is an ex-football player and he is nothing if not sports savvy.

Two things: First, the dogs slip back stage a bit and second, the wise-cracking, snappy patter from Andy is not quite up to the usual level of pummeled prose. Also, I figured out the antagonist early on. STILL, it’s a complex, deeply involved mystery, love the characters, especially when Andy gets the case into cour. That experienced courtroom expertise always reminds me of that Richard Gere scene in Chicago where he taps to the building of his case—craftily pushing, pulling, manipulating, maneuvering.

I’ve read and reviewed upwards of a dozen books by Rosenfelt that include this series and two others, but it’s this series that I keep coming back to. Whether or not it’s one that fails to produce a book hangover, it is still fun, engaging, entertaining and well worth reading. Always recommended!

Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for my uncorrected proof review copy. These are (always) my own opinions. 4.5/5 stars

Well written and entertaining mystery. Really enjoy this series. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

Andy Carpenter is a semi-retired lawyer who would prefer to be entirely retired so he could spend more time with the dog rescue he started with his friend, Willie, but somehow, something always drags him back into his law practice. This time, it’s as a favour to Willie whose friend and one-time cellmate, Tony Birch, has been charged with murder. Andy isn’t sure how he feels about it. Tony has a troublesome past as a member of violent gang and the man he was accused of murder had once testified against him many years ago which is how he had ended up in a cell with Willie. To make matters worse, after the earlier trial, he had been heard loudly threatening to kill the victim in front of dozens of witnesses.

But Willie has always been there when Andy needed help and, besides, Tony seems to have turned his life around since he got out of prison. But perhaps the most compelling evidence - he has a really sweet dog that clearly loves and misses him so Andy reluctantly takes the case. He figures there’s a slim chance he can win it...that is, until another man who testified agains Tony in the earlier case also turns up dead &, unfortunately, the forensic evidence shows it happened before Tony’s arrest.

Silent Bite is the twenty-second entry in the Andy Carpenter cozy mystery series by David Rosenfelt but it was the first I have read. I can honestly say I really enjoyed it. It is smart and, if at times, it stretched my willing suspension of disbelief almost to the breaking, there is a good supply of wit and humour to make up for it. The story is told in the first person by Andy and the book is interspersed with self-deprecating jokes and anecdotes that, although having little to do with the story, are a whole lot of fun to read. If you’re looking for a fast, entertaining, and often laugh-out-loud funny Christmas cozy with plenty of wit and dogs, this may be exactly what you’re looking for.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

I have a confession to make. I love David Rosenfelt"s books. Whether Andy Carpenter's series of a lawyer who would really rather not have clients to his stand alone books of mystery and thrillers, Rosenfelt has the ability to pull the readers in at page 1 and keep the story moving and the characters entertaining until the reveal where the bad guys are found out and get their just desserts.

SILENT BITE is book #22 in the Andy Carpenter series. While it's a perfectly great stand alone story, all of this series will keep readers chuckling at the snarky lawyer and his long suffering wife/ investigative partner. The characters quickly become old friends in the same vein as the Stephanie Plum series. The whole gang work very hard to keep Andy safe while he works towards the moment of genius that lets him save the day and his client. Silent Bite finds Andy relaxing at home after suffering through a cruise with his loving family...Andy suffers whenever he must leave home except to walk Tara and Sebastian, his dogs. Andy is asked to accept a client as a favor to a friend that he cannot turn down, even though he tries very hard to run it down. And the fun has started.

Everyone of my friends and family have read David Rosenfelt's books. They receive them for every gift giving occasion and many occasions that occur because there is a new book and they need to read it. If you love Janet Evanovich or Sue Grafton books, you should read these. Heck, you should read them even if you don't like the others.

Although this entry into the Andy Carpenter series isn’t among my favorite, spending time with these wonderful characters and of course the rescue dogs is always worthwhile.

Another rip-roaring romp in the life of lawyer extraordinaire, Andy Carpenter. He is bullied, I mean encouraged to go on a family cruise vacation. Andy loves simplicity and it all boils down to how much he cares for his hometown in Paterson, New Jersey. You can't drown walking the streets in Jersey! Andy survives his vacation to find an urgent plea from his good friend Willie. Andy and Willie bonded over a trial that our favorite lawyer won and Willie was finally released from jail and found not guilty over a wrongful imprisonment. Willie thinks the world of Andy and always has his back. Now for once he has a favor to ask. Can he represent Willy's friend Tony on murder charges? Willie and Tony met in prison wihen Tony was there on a different set of murder charges! Andy isn't exactly turning cartwheels at the thought of taking on this case. Willie is adamant his friend was innocent both times and Andy can't figure out a way to say no to his loyal friend.

This book had me riveted from the first chapter. Several men are shot in the back of the head by the same gun which is buried quite obviously I may add in Tony's backyard. Tony was part of a gang and did jail time and the two men killed turnd against him. But nothing adds up. Why wait so many years for revenge and the clues left by the killer were short of erecting a billboard saying I did it! This isn't enough to keep Tony from jail and Andy has to keep digging and sticking his neck into some extremely dangerous situations. I love the series full of snark, brilliant writing and heart-pounding suspense. If I'm ever sent up the river I am hoping for a lawyer as good as Andy to rescue me. Happy Reading! Special thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book for my reading pleasure.

This will not be a fun Christmas for Andy Carpenter, attorney-at-law; murder cases do not follow a holiday calendar, but it will be fun for readers; Carpenter and crew are back in “Silent Bite,” book twenty-two. Readers know the characters; it is almost like visiting with relatives who live out of town; they have matured, but their personalities have remained the same. Andy is still Andy; Laurie still gives him perspective; they both dote on an older Ricky, and everyone is preoccupied with dogs.

The book opens with a scene that provides the inciting event for the story. Following the structure that readers expect and love, the story unfolds in Andy Carpenter’s first person narrative full of sarcasm, self-deprecating humor, and astounding insight. All the familiar characters are there, along with a few new ones. Andy makes quick introductions for new readers, and then proceeds to try not to work, not to get killed, and to protect owners of dogs everywhere. He talks to readers, but mostly talks to himself as only Andy can. His account is occasionally interrupted by other accounts so readers know what Andy does not.

The plot has the expected elements; an innocent dog owner is unjustly accused of a dreadful crime. As bodies pile up, conflicting evidence is abundant. Things become complicated in a dark world of warring street gangs, organized crime, and a possible serial killer; it is New Jersey after all. Andy uncovers something awful that happened in the past and wonders if people might just be waiting a long time for revenge. Of course, the case goes to trial so Andy can have his “Perry Mason moment.” The results are never in doubt, the man owns a dog who loves him after all, but the details, the specifics, are dramatic and unanticipated.

Every Andy Carpenter book is funny, dramatic, and full of unexpected events; “Silent Bite” is no exception. It is enjoyable with just the right amount of drama and suspense. The clues are expertly hidden in plain sight, waiting to be discovered, but easily overlooked. I received a review copy of “Silent Bite” from David Rosenfelt, Minotaur Books, and St. Martin’s Publishing Group. When I read my first Andy Carpenter novel several years ago, I just had to go back and read them all starting at the first one. For new readers, I recommend reading this book, and then doing the same thing, going back and reading them all.

Andy Carpenter and Tara, where have you been all my life? Over the years I have heard of this series, and even listened to a friend rave about how good it was. But. This is my first time to read one of the books. What a mistake!! I adored this book. Andy has just the right amount of snark and wit to keep me entertained throughout the entire book. It was an easy read as a standalone, but I certainly want to go back and read all the previous entries! I just couldn't resist the knotty legal problems and intriguing whodunnit. Andy takes on this new client as a favor to a friend. We are convinced he's innocent, but it he? Two cute dogs, one great mystery. Five paws up!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another in Rosenfelt's always enjoyable Andy Carpenter legal thriller series. This time Andy's very good friend Willie brings him a case he cannot refuse and it is a stinker. It does not twist and turn, it will not budge. Willie knows the man is innocent, his dog knows, Andy's gut knows, but the case says otherwise. No courtroom shenanigans will save this one, but a rising body count and the team's hard work may do the trick. All the usual elements with emphasis on Andy's smart mouth, as well as slight reshuffling of characters to freshen up the formula with good effect. Major dunce points, however, to all the characters for not knowing where Zoey ran away to. And they call themselves dog people. A quick, fun read.

Rosenfelt has a great character in Andy Carpenter, a semi retired lawyer. This book was entertaining, but not as good as many of his others. Carpenter’s usual wise cracking ways weren’t as evident in this one making it just an average court room drama/mystery. The rescue dogs always add charm and touchy feely moments too, but once again, even those were lacking a bit. Overall, just an OK read.

Andy Carpenter and his family have just returned from a Caribbean cruise (Andy hated it) and are looking forward to celebrating Christmas. But, when they return to solid ground they find that Andy’s partner at the Tara Foundation, Willy, needs help. An old friend of his has been arrested for murder. Willy believes he’s innocent of the crime and that’s good enough for Andy. Although Andy is always reluctant to put on his lawyer’s hat, he’ll do whatever it takes to help Willy and assure a merry Christmas for all.

I always enjoy an Andy Carpenter book and Silent Bite (#22) is no exception. Andy is the kind of guy I’d like to know. He can be a smart aleck, with sarcastic comebacks, but he’s also a loyal friend and a good attorney, and his team is top notch, albeit a little unusual. And, did I mention that Andy is a dog-lover? Oh, yes, that is the cherry on top for me. Not only that, the writing is filled with light humor, the mystery is well-plotted, and the dialogue is entertaining. And who can resist that cover?! Or, for that matter, any Andy Carpenter cover!

Obviously, I’m a fan of David Rosenfelt and his Andy Carpenter series. Silent Bite is just what I needed right now and it is certainly a good way to start the holiday season. Thank you Mr Rosenfelt! Please keep writing!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Silent Bite is the 22nd (!!) Andy Carpenter legal mystery by David Rosenfelt. Due out 13th Oct 2020 from Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This series is such a fun and reliable read. It's an ensemble cast featuring criminal defense lawyer Andy, his wife (a former cop), and the supporting ensemble of investigators, other lawyers, canines, and an office manager (who is allergic to work), who drive the action. This particular installment is holiday themed and Andy & co. face a challenge trying to prove their client's innocence against a backdrop of gang violence and murder.

The dialogue is rapid fire and often sarcastic; Andy's something of a wisecracking smart alec. The narrative is fast paced and engaging. I wound up reading this one in one sitting (wrecking my bedtime in the process). The denouement was admittedly a little over the top, but I liked seeing Andy and his friends do what they do best. There is some rough language, used in context, and quite a bit of violence (also in context) as the body count rises. There is no sexual content apart from some very light double entendre on Andy's part (aimed at his wife).

Simon Garfunkel (the former K-9 patrol dog), Tara, Sebastian, and other four legged characters make charming appearances (as always), and it's a fun ride to a satisfying conclusion. This entry works well enough as a standalone, all the background info is written in - however, for fans of the series who aren't caught up - there's a pretty major development concerning Andy's colleague Hike Lynch which will be spoiled if you read this one out of order.

Four stars. This is a super fun and positive and very well written light legal procedural with dogs. The series is one of the few I recommend without any reservations to all of my mystery reading friends.

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

This is another great Andy Carpenter book. Andy, a wannabe retired, attorney just can't seem to stay out of the courtroom. This time he is asked by his friend Willie to defend someone from a murder charge. All the evidence points to Tony as being the killer, but it all points to him a little too conveniently in Andy's way of thinking. As always, I really enjoy the Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt. The characters in this series become your friends and of course Tara and Sebastian, Andy's dogs just add a nice touch to it all. After all, if Andy did not discuss his cases with Tara how would he come to the conclusions that he does. I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. A big thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's press for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read and enjoyed every one of the Andy Carpenter mysteries and some of them more than once. This series is a sure fire stress buster for me. Andy is the person I would like to hang out with, even just taking a walk with Tara and Sebastian would be fine. Burgers and sports at their local bar, sign me up. Dinner at home with Laurie and Ricky would be great. Andy is a good friend and a super, pain in the butt, wise ass, very talented lawyer. He may want to retire but we all know that will never happen. When Willie asks him to take a special case, Andy, reluctantly, says yes and gathers his team. I won't give a spoiler but there is a shakeup for his team on the horizon. We also find Andy up against a new judge. As usual, things are about to get very interesting and very strange in the world of Andy Carpenter and his team. Bring it on.
This is a series that I want to say 'trust me on this'. If you like lawyers, complicated mysteries, twists, turns and big surprises, humor, great characters and people who love dogs, do not hesitate to pick up any one of the twenty-two books in the series. Reading the first in the series, Open and Shut is a must but then just dive in to the rest. You won't be disappointed.
My thanks to the publisher Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I don’t know how Mr. Rosenfelt continues to write such fascinating mysteries for our beloved attorney Andy Carpenter, but I hope he continues to do so. His use of amusing and sarcastic dialog makes the books a joy to read. Returning from an unwanted cruise, Andy once again finds himself involved in an unwanted murder trial. This time his best friend, Willie, has a friend who has been charged with murder and says he is innocent. Willie believes him and therefore Andy must believe him too. The case will involve not one but several murders by the time the case goes to trial. Andy along with his wife Laurie (a former cop and his investigator) and muscle Marcus Clark join the regular eccentric defense team. And of course, there is the beloved Tara. The case seems unsolvable and as the bodies pile up will Andy lose his first case? Loved it! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Andy is a criminal defense lawyer who doesn't want any clients. Because of the money his father left him and some lucrative cases, he is able to not work and spend his time with his friend, Willie, running the Tara Foundation, a dog rescue that he and Willie formed. He is married to Laurie, they have a young son, Ricky, and he is enjoying his life. He love love loves their dog, Tara, and thinks she's the best dog in the world. They also has another less lively dog named Sebastian, who he also loves.

Andy and his family just got home from a cruise, which Andy hated. He stops in to see Willie who tells him about a friend of his, Tony, who has been arrested for murder. Willie doesn't think Tony did it and wants Andy to be his lawyer. Andy wants to be retired lawyer and agrees to meet Tony. Because Willie is Andy's friend and Tony has a dog, Andy begrudgedly takes the case.

Tony has a past. He is a former gang member and had spent time in prison for involuntary manslaughter. When Tony got out, he turned his life around and became a mechanic, eventually buying the garage where he worked. One of his former gang "colleagues" had testified in court during the manslaughter trial and Tony had sworn in court he would kill him. He is now being charged with the recent murder of this man plus another colleague. Plus it didn't help that he has no alibi for the nights of the two murders and the murder weapon was found buried in Tony's backyard.

This is the 22nd in the Andy Carpenter series (I've read them all). I enjoyed this book and am enjoying this series. I find with most series that by the time an author has come this far, the series isn't very good and the author is pounding out the books just to get a paycheque. That's not the case with this series ... the author is able to keep this series fresh and fun.

Even though it is part of a series, it works as a stand alone (so you don't need to have read the ones before it to know what is going on). I like the writing style as it was funny, sarcastic and amusing. It was written mostly in first person perspective in Andy's voice but is sometimes in third person perspective when the focus is on other people.

I like Andy ... I think he would be a hoot to be around and he's quite generous with his time and money (his two best friends continue to take advantage of his tab at their favourite bar). Part of Andy's team is the K-Team (Laurie, a former police officer and now an investigator; Marcus, an investigator with "persuasive" reasoning skills; Cody, a former police officer; and Simon Garfunkel, Cody's former canine partner). Sam is his accountant who is also a computer hack who wants to be part of the action and he has a new associate named Eddie who is a former football player. Edna is his secretary who, like Andy, would rather he not take on any cases and she likes getting paid to do nothing.

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
Wow. Andy Carpenter #22. That's hard to believe. It doesn't seem that long ago that I started reading these (I think back in the single digits). But all-in-all, it's been a fun ride. How's this one stack up?

WHAT'S SILENT BITE ABOUT?
When Andy and his family return from a holiday cruise (a novella describing that in more detail than we got here would quickly become a fan favorite, no doubt), he's got a bunch of messages from Willie Miller. A friend, and former cellmate, of Willie's has been arrested for murder. Both Willie and his friend, Tony Birch, want Andy to take the case and clear him. Andy wants nothing to do with a problematic looking case*, but Willie's a friend—and Andy's son, Ricky, has pointed out that Willie does stuff for Andy all the time. Also, Tony has a dog that's miserable without him around.

* or any case, really.

The murder victim is one of the witnesses against Birch for the manslaughter charge that put him in prison with Willie years ago. At the trial, Tony threatened to kill him (and a few others) for turning on him, after years in a gang together. But upon his release from prison, years before this new murder, Tony had turned his life around—he owned and operated a fairly successful auto repair garage, and had no interest in criminal activity again. So why seek vengeance now?

And why be as utterly stupid with the murder weapon as the prosecution wants people to believe?

But then another witness against Tony in the original case turns up dead, and things start looking really bad for him. So it's up to Andy and his team to save the day.

ZOEY, THE NOVA SCOTIA DUCK TROLLING RETRIEVER
I really don't have much to say about Zoey, Tony's dog, but I've never heard of her breed before—and I don't feel too bad about that Andy hadn't seen one before. If your day could use a little lift, take a minute or two to scroll through some pictures online. Cute dogs.*

* That's a tautology, I realize.

THE NEW ASSOCIATE
In most of his cases, Andy Carpenter utilizes an associate to do the ugly detailed work, filing motions, looking up pertinent case law, and so on, while Andy goes around visiting people, investigating, getting saved from certain peril by Marcus Clerk, and being snarky and clever in court. He started with Kevin Randall, who owned a laundromat and gave legal advice to those who couldn't afford it. He eventually moved on and Hike Lynch moved in—largely, I think because Hike is a more entertaining character than Kevin. Well, Hike isn't around for this one and he suggests Eddie Dowd step in.

Eddie used to play for the Giants, but a knee injury ended that career, so he went to law school. He speaks almost entirely in sports phrases (spike the ball, put me in, pitch in, and so on). It's fairly ridiculous, but when done right, it's pretty funny. He's a nice change from the Eeyore-like character that Hike had been. I'm not sure if he'll be back, or if Hike will return—I'll be glad to see him if he is, even if it seems like the joke about his figures of speech will get old. I have faith in Rosenfelt. I'd have thought that Hike's extreme pessimism or Kevin's hypochondria would.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT SILENT BITE?
I thought the identity of the killer was pretty obvious, but Rosenfelt's execution of the reveal and of keeping Andy from seeing the solution all along sold me. I can't be more descriptive of that because I don't want to tip anything. It was a great conclusion to a really solid legal thriller, that comes with all the canine affection, snappy dialogue, some clever courtroom action, and a solid plot. Pretty much what the doctor ordered.

Once we got The K Team this year, with Muzzled as well, I didn't figure we'd have a Holiday Andy Carpenter book. Then when I saw this was coming, I worried it wouldn't live up to the other Holiday books in this series. I kept being wrong about this book—we got it and it wasn't a let-down. Rosenfelt managed to give us three strong novels in 2020 (hey, look, 2020 didn't wind up in a disaster on one front!)—that right there, folks, is a sign of a professional.

Whether you're new to the world of this would-be retired criminal defense lawyer and are in the mood for a witty and sharp legal thriller, or if you're familiar with Andy and his associates—this will entertain you. You'd do well to give this a shot.

I absolutely adore David Rosenfelt's novels. They are always full of warm characters, interesting mystery plots and a great deal of humor. This particular story deals with an incarcerated felon.

Rosenfelt never fails to delight the reader!

I like how David' Rosenfelt's Christmas Andy Carpenter books are just as good as his regular ones. We even get introduced to a new lawyer, complete with his own quirk (obsessive use of sports metaphors). This one was a good mystery with a bad guy I never saw coming. Thankfully, now that Rosenfelt is writing Christmas Carpenters, we get two a year (and really three if you count the K Team books). Keep them coming, David! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced readers' copy in exchange for an honest review.

Smart, sarcastic and independently wealthy, Andy Carpenter doesn't really want to be an attorney. Unfortunately he finds himself defending a friend of a friend in a double murder. Andy and his crack team, which includes is ex-cop wife, try to unravel the case against Tony Birch. Birch is an ex-con who served time for manslaughter, but turned his life around. Now six years later two gang members who testified against him are dead and the police find the murder weapon in Tony's yard. A smartly written mystery with many twists and turns that will surprise you.