*received for free from netgalley for honest review* i have read a few books from this series, they are not my favorite but i do enjoy them because of i love dogs and cozy mysteries so this is the best of both even if its a little more cop drama than cozy mystery lol

“Holy Chow” finds Andy Carpenter and the gang returning for another daring, dangerous, and delightful adventure with crime and dogs. Regular readers of the “Andy Carpenter” series have followed the characters as they have changed and grown, but new readers will be quickly pulled into the action. As usual, Carpenter is trying desperately to not work, while everyone else has lots to do.

The plot has the expected elements, of course, a dog, a dog owner, and a big problem. This time the dog had previously been placed by The Tara Foundation, and the elderly owner is requesting rehoming for the dog when she dies if her son cannot take him. Things get complicated when the owner does die and the son is arrested for her murder. Carpenter, once again, has to actually work. Since it is for the benefit of a dog, he puts on his best lawyer attitude. It is, after all, all about the dog. If the son did not kill the dog’s owner, then the real killer is still out there. Who did it?

Every “Andy Carpenter Mystery” book is filled with friendly banter and dogs, but the investigation is always focused and detailed. “Holy Chow” has the perfect balance between drama and hilarity. Clues are hidden in the past and in the present, and they are easy to overlook. I read my first Andy Carpenter novel years ago, and enjoy each new adventure with Andy and the gang. For new readers, I suggest reading this book, and then going back and reading the rest in order if you can, but you can also just read any one you can find. Andy Carpenter and the whole gang can always make “things” right.

I received a review copy of “Holy Chow” from David Rosenfelt, Minotaur Books, St. Martin’s Publishing Group, and Macmillan Audio. Each new book is just an excuse to spend time with this group of interesting and funny people. The audio version of “Holy Chow” is narrated by Grover Gardner who excels in conveying the characters, the action, and the humor to listeners.

“Holy Chow” is now available in print, as an e-book, and on audio from independent bookstores, online booksellers, retail stores, public libraries and anywhere you get your books.

Through no fault of his own, attorney Andy Carpenter has a new case. It’s not like he seeks them out but that they fall into his lap and usually involve dogs. This time it’s Lion, an older Chow who was adopted through the Tara Foundation, Andy’s rescue group. Andy gets a phone call from Lion’s adopter, Rachel, who asks, if anything happens to her, would he make sure Lion finds another home if her stepson, Tony, can’t take him? Of course, he agrees.

Weeks later, Andy’s notified Rachel has died. He’s shocked to learn she was a wealthy, as in billions wealthy, woman. Andy is summoned for the reading of the will where he’s doubly shocked—the Tara Foundation is a beneficiary, and Tony is arrested for Rachel’s murder before the will can be read.

What looked like a heart attack was an injection of potassium chloride. Rachel’s heart stopped almost instantly. Since Tony will only receive a small amount of money in the will, is a high school chemistry teacher, and is staying with Rachel for a few weeks, the police think it’s an airtight case. Motive, means, and opportunity, all there.

Andy reluctantly takes the case. The more he learns, the less he knows. He’s pretty sure there’s something fishy going on with the business her late husband founded. Rachel was taking an active interest in it. The main thing is, how does that tie in with her death?

This is book twenty-five in the popular series. Andy is a sarcastic lawyer who takes every advantage to protect his clients. After all, if you’re stuck taking a case, you might as well win. Judges and cops hate him. Andy takes great delight in that. The investigative team is a mix of ex-cops—Andy’s wife Laurie and Cory with his K9 partner, Simon Garfunkel—Sam the computer whiz, a backup attorney, and Marcus the muscle.

Andy isn’t the kind of man who puts himself in dangerous situations. His smart mouth has other ideas that often lead to Marcus bouncing heads against brick walls to save Andy’s life or at least rescue him from a beating.

If you love a good mystery, great characters, wisecracks and most importantly, dogs, this is the series for you. Start anywhere, but be aware, you’ll want to read them all, including the spinoff series, the K Team books, three so far, with Good Dog, Bad Cop coming in March 2023.

This is book 25 in the Andy Carpenter series. I’ve read several but I’m not hooked on this series. Andy is a retired lawyer who spends his time running the Tara foundation, a rescue organization for dogs. Several years ago Rachel adopted Lion, a big older Chow. She calls him and asks if he would take care of Lion if anything happened to her. He soon gets a call that she was murdered. A good mystery with likable characters.

Unfortunately, technology failed me trying to download this from NetGalley's website. I was unable to read it digitally and do a review. I was able to read the hardback and adored it, as I do all the Andy Carpenter books.

I love this series and this installment did not disappoint. The wit was great and I really liked the plot. It was a great beach read.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I feel like this series may be reaching a point where it's just a little too long. I enjoyed the book, but it wasn't as good as earlier in the series.

David Rosenfelt has Andy Carpenter, the lawyer, involved in a legal thriller in Holy Chow. A rich widow is found dead and her step son is charged with the murder although he has no criminal record. Then the companies that her dead husband has acquired start showing signs of criminal activities and maybe murder. Whodunit? Lots of cute dogs. Read and enjoy.

In this 25th in the series, Andy et al uncover a massive criminal conspiracy involving a Russian assassin, money laundering, drug trafficking, and a series of corporate executive deaths.

Though episodes in this series tend to follow a standard formula (because of a canine connection, reluctant lawyer agrees to defend someone whose guilt seems clear), I enjoy all of them - for the witty asides even more than the mystery itself.

Another installment of one of my favorite series by one of my favorite authors.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is another installment in the Andy Carpenter series. This time, Andy is defending a schoolteacher who is accused of killing his wealthy stepmother, who got a dog from his stray animal site. The dog, named Lion because of his size and appearance, is and has been a favorite of everyone. The stepson, a science teacher by trade, supposedly killed the woman in question with an injection of a chemical compound that sped up her heart killing her. Andy and his crew begin with almost nothing, but very soon stumble on to a far-reaching international plot. Then Andy must figure out how to being this into the case during court or his client will send the rest of his life in prison.

As usual, this was a very well done, enjoyable story. I always enjoy these novels, especially the dogs. This time, Lion becomes a part of the group. This is a story where it is obvious how much concern and love there is for the dog—for any dog who is even remotely mentioned or involved. Andy, as usual, is Andy, the well-to-do attorney who inherited a fortune and who continues to practice law while spreading his wealth around to everyone else. His wife is the ever-present person who helps him throughout the case while also helping him with the case and keeping him toned down a bit. In this one, a different Marcus shows up, which only made it all more interesting. This is a good book for fans of the series or for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a somewhat unexpected ending. I received this from Net Galley to read and review.

In the latest installment in this long-running series, dog rescuer and retired lawyer Andy Carpenter investigates the murder of a lady who had adopted one of his rescue dogs. As usual, Andy wasn’t looking for work, but he was invited to the reading of the wealthy victim’s will, because his dog rescue foundation was named as a beneficiary. The victim’s stepson, Tony, was accused of murdering her, but after meeting him at the will reading, Andy doesn’t believe it. He quickly re-rescues the dog before it can be traumatized further and sets out to investigate the crime. Andy tackles this with his usual flair—all humor and flippancy until things get serious and we see that, when necessary, he really can make a good legal argument. It’s light reading and terrific fun.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for a digital advance review copy.

This book was awesome, I loved the storyline and the mystery was interesting. I so love the dog in this story, it was cute. I highly recommend this book.

Retired attorney Andy Carpenter is back and again embroiled in another mystery by David Rosenfelt. Somehow trouble always seems to find Andy and this time it’s in the form of a lovable, geriatric Chow named Lion. Lion’s owner, Rachel, adopted Lion from Andy’s animal rescue organization, the Tara Foundation. Then, a year later Rachel asks Andy to take care of Lion if she dies, and her stepson is unable take the responsibility. Of course, Andy agrees and then promptly forgets his promise until he is contacted to attend the reading of Rachel’s will. There he meets her stepson who is arrested for Rachel’s murder and begs Andy to prove his innocence. See what I mean about trouble and Andy?

Holy Chow is the latest Andy Carpenter mystery by Rosenfelt and, as always, it is an entertaining book, filled with a variety of characters and witty dialogue. I always enjoy the time I spend with Andy and the gang and this book is no exception. It is a good read and a great choice for a hot summer day. A tip of the hat and thank you to Mr Rosenfelt.

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

If you have never read an Andy Carpenter story by David Rosenfelt, we cannot be friends. I truly feel sorry for you. All of my friends and family have read these books, why? Because I gifted them the books then quizzed them afterwards. This series is truly one of the most entertaining series on today's list. If you love Janet Evanovich or Sue Grafton, these books are made for you.

5 stars = Outstanding!

One of my favorite Andy Carpenter novels of the last few years. The mystery was captivating and twisty and really kept me guessing. The pacing was perfect, and I loved spending time with these characters. This is a must read series for me, and this latest story did not disappoint.

Series fans should NOT miss this one. Newcomers could probably start here, but you would miss a bit of context for the characters. But once you get the hang of the characters, these can be read in any order. (Language)

Holy Chow is book 25 in the Andy Carpenter series. Though this is book 25, the story can easily be read as a stand alone and should make you think twice of reading this book before you read the other 24. This is a fast, easy-to-read mystery, that I almost consider Rosenfelt’s books as cozy mysteries.

David Rosenfelt has written a funny and suspenseful enough story to keep the reader engaged. With wonderful characters and of course you can’t go wrong where dogs are involved and a part of the story.

Thank you to #netgalley and #stmartinspress and #minotaurbooks for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

#davidrosenfelt #holychow #andycarpenterseries

Holy Chow is book number twenty five in the Andy Carpenter Series . . . and the first one I've ever read! Talk about being late to the game! However, I'm delighted to say that this book stands completely alone with enough backstory for me to step into it and immediately fall in love with the man and his rescue group for dogs.

In Holy Chow, a woman is discovered dead who owns a big Chow named "Lion" acquired from Andy's dog rescue, the Tara Foundation. She recently reached out to Andy to let him know that if she died and her stepson Tony doesn't want the dog, her wishes are for Andy to take Lion back. Andy attends the reading of the will and learns Tony, her stepson loves Lion and will be happy to take the dog. The only fly in the ointment is that police are arresting Tony for her murder. Andy agrees to represent Tony because he believes he's innocent and when he starts looking into Rachel's late husband's business, something is definitely off-kilter. As Andy digs deeper, it's clear he's making someone very nervous.

Holy Chow strikes me as a crossover between a cozy and legal mystery thriller. I quickly fell in love with Andy's wry sense of self-deprecating humor and enjoyed the banter between cast members who many will recognize as old favorites. Excellent writing, characterization and plotting make for easy but intriguing reading. Being new to the series, I was surprised to realize that the dog, Lion, isn't the star of the show so to speak, but more of a pawn that draws Andy out of retirement and into the limelight and shines a bright light on the world of rescues. Holy Chow is an entertaining story with an interesting mystery and a lot of laughs. I highly recommend it to fans of lighter mysteries with a big dose of humor.

Gosh, I love David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter mysteries. They are fast-paced, funny and suspenseful, with a great cast of people and dogs. I actually like the audiobooks even better than the print versions because of the perfection that is narrator Grover Gardner. "Holy Chow" is wonderful, as always. My only complaint is that the books are too short. But maybe that accounts for Rosenfelt's productivity, so it's a fair trade off.

Holy Chow by David Rosenfelt is such a fun mystery to read. The book had the right amount of drama, mystery, and good humor. I must admit the last one didn't quite keep my interest, but Holy Chow was definitely a vast improvement. Between Andy's investigation, his group of "misfit" characters and the canine players, it kept me so interested I finished it in one day. I would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting a no stress mystery with a satisfying ending.