Rosenfelt never fails to entertain with his Andy Carpenter mysteries. Andy is quick witted and sarcastic at the best of times and his banter with all those he encounters is delightful. In Holy Chow, Andy suddenly finds himself with a new case and Lion, a large and lovable chow. Andy gets himself in some pretty wild predicaments, but with the help of his wife, an ex cop and some pretty amazing friends, he had somehow managed to survive his past encounters, but this case puts him in the headlights of some mighty powerful enemies. Will he be able to save his client from a murder charge while trying to save his own skin and find a new home for Lion before it’s all too late? A fun read from start to finish!

It is absolutely fascinating to me how David Rosenfelt can keep a consistent high quality in this series of now 25 police procedurals - they are still witty, fun and compelling !
In this book we have defense attorney Andy Carpenter still unsuccessfully trying to retire for good since yet another case drops in his lap. Someone he vaguely knows because she adopted a ChowChow through his animal rescue charity, dies and leaves quite a bit of money to the charity so Andy cannot not be involved suddenly it turns out she did not just die, she was murdered, there’s a quick arrest but could that have been the right person, Andy has his doubts and soon a new client ! I love this series for it’s keen insight into legal proceedings and legal thinking and it’s quick witty banter - it is much smarter than the at times cutesy covers or titles would have you believe ! Fun !!

Absolutely kept me up in the middle of the night! I love this series and the way the author explains the legal process to us as he navigates the story of Andy Carpenter 's latest caper! He has a great investigative team helping him, with a cast of unorthodox characters getting it done for him. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to preview. And some cute canine friends to cluck after in the middle of all the action is always a hit.

This is a new to me series, yet it is the 25th book! I loved the dog-centric focus of the story. I loved the different characters in this book and I really wasn't able to put this down. I have to check out other books in this series now since I enjoyed this so much!

Andy runs a dog rescue organization, and he placed a Chow Chow with a widow named Rachel. When he receives a surprise visit from her asking him to take her beloved Chow Chow back if she passes he is a little taken aback.

When she turns up dead he is floored. He meets her stepson Tony, who is promptly arrested for her murder. He claims his innocence and asks for Andy’s help to prove it.

With the help of his ex-cop wife, his mumbling partner/bodyguard, a young hacker with a gang of 80 year old Jewish grandparents, he starts his investigation.

Rachel inherited her husbands company and leaves it to the co-chairs to run it. She does contact a reporter for a big story but dies before they meet.

Andy has to dig to find out what that secret was and if it was what killed her.

Lots of mystery, suspects who aren’t forthcoming and plenty of hijinks and laughs.

Andy’s odd sense of humor is growing on me for sure.

Holy Canolli - was Holy Chow one heck of an adventure. Another stellar read in the fascinating world of Andy Carpenter. I love Andy with his boasts of being lazy, He is one of the most dedicated lawyers on the planet. I also adore the fact that the scenes take place in New Jersey which is my old stomping ground. It's wonderful to hear about all the familiar places. Andy is a Jersey boy through and through.

This novel was packed with nonstop adventure. Once again Andy is guilted into helping someone he believes is innocent. The murder victim appeared to have no enemies and her stepson is charged with the murder. You will enter a whirlwind of dangerous masterminds and murderers as Andy and his crew race around-the-clock to prove the stepson's innocence..

Of course a dog will be involved. Andy is drawn magnetically to canines and he takes care of the victim's chow named Lion. Whats not to love? A solid and well crafted plot, Andy's signature snark and dogs. This series nevers gets old and I have my fingers crossed that Mr. Carpenter never truly retires. I can't recommend this riveting and suspenseful mystery enough. Even though the story was sad at times, Andy knew how to make me laugh. Another hit out if the ballpark!!! Happy Reading!

Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for my reading pleasure..

Holy Chow (An Andy Carpenter Mystery) by David Rosenfelt
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Published: July 5, 2022

Holy Chow is the 25th book in the Andy Carpenter Mystery series by David Rosenfelt. This can easily be read as a standalone mystery. As much as I want to, I have not read most of the previous books and found this to be easy to jump into.

Andy Carpenter is a want-to-be-retired attorney, who can't help himself when faced with the right case! He is a great sleuth, loves dogs, and is so funny! I actually laughed out loud as some of the things he said! The crime solving was great and I loved how it all comes together!

I can't wait to start reading the other books in the series!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a Suspense Mystery, and this is the 25th book in the Andy Carpenter series. I have read and reviewed the other books in this series before picking this book up, but I do think you could read this book as a standalone even if I really enjoyed all the other books in this series. I love all the characters in this book series, and I enjoyed getting to know them a little bit more in this book. The dogs are always so great in these books, and this book was no different. I really love the mystery/suspense in this book. The build up was so great in this book, and the mystery kept me on the edge of my set. I really enjoyed this book, and I cannot wait for another book in this series. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Minotaur Books) or author (David Rosenfelt) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

In the book Holy Chow, author David Rosenfelt continues his bestselling Andy Carpenter Mystery series. Once again Andy is coming out of retirement. Rachel Morehouse adopted an older chow named Lion from Andy’s rescue dog foundation. About a year later she calls wondering if Andy would take Lion if she dies. He agrees and forgets about it, until Rachel’s estate calls Andy for the reading of her will. And where Rachel’s step-son Tony is arrested for her murder.
This was a great fun story. I would recommend this book and the series. I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

David Rosenfelt never disappoints! This newest book in the Andy Carpenter series is funny and entertaining. I love how good he is about keeping us guessing until the very end. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

Holy Chow is the twenty-fifth Andy Carpenter book by David Rosenfelt. As always, these books never fail to entertain! A light murder mystery infused with suspense, drama, court room antics, sarcasm and humor. Oh, and dogs! In Holy Chow, a wealthy widow is murdered and her until recently estranged stepson is the prime suspect. Andy knew the widow, Rachel through his dog rescue foundation. That's enough to get Andy of out the retirement that never seems to come! Andy's investigation takes him into very dangerous territory, and I'm not talking about Paterson NJ! Twenty-five books later, and Rosenfelt always manages to make the series seem fresh and no case resembles any other. While you don't necessarily need to read them all in order, I definitely would start at the beginning to get a feel for Andy and the people in his life. The characters bring extra humor in a delightful way. I highly recommend this series, and especially Holy Chow.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur for this advance copy for my review.

I only discovered Andy Carpenter a few years ago and I have been on a quest to make up for lost time ever since. David Rosenfelt's books are wry, funny, and convoluted. They are uniformly a pleasure to read, and "Holy Chow" is no exception. I loved it.

I don't like spoilers so I'm not giving any. What I will say is that the writing of this book, and all of the Andy Carpenter books I have read so far is of a very high level. These books are just fun. You want to keep reading. And they are worth reading. If you can figure out whodunit, and how Andy is going to save his innocent client, you're better than I am, I have yet to figure one out.

David Rosenfelt runs a dog rescue in real life, and in his books Andy's dog rescue, the Tara Foundation looms large. (I am entirely in favor.) The chow in this case is a large, lovely dog called Lion. As always we see the usual dogs and characters, which is a nice feature of these books.

This series gives a great deal of pleasure and so does this book. I completely recommend "Holy Chow," and the entire Andy Carpenter series. Enjoy!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I know when I begin a “retired” attorney Andy Carpenter mystery, that the case will start out a fairly “simple” murder, but will soon evolve into an intriguing and diabolical case. It will also, at times, be laugh out loud funny due to Andy’s (and the author’s) often hilarious sarcasm and wit. A woman has died, but her death was not from her existing health conditions; she was murdered. Her stepson is arrested and due to his concern for her dog, one that she rescued from the Tara Foundation, Andy reluctantly takes the case. This means getting the “team” together. The continuing cast of characters are one of the highlights of these mysteries. The woman had concerns about the company that she had inherited from her husband. As the team investigates the various companies that her husband owned, they discover concerns in regards to former employees. It won’t be long before someone tries to silence Andy, but they hadn’t counted on Marcus. An absorbing mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. (You will have to read this story to learn Andy’s comparison between a boat and his recliner – lol). I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Unfamiliar as I am with this series - this is the 25th book - I admit to expecting a dog-centric story on the order of the Spencer Quinn Chet and Bernie detective series that's a favorite of mine. It was clear from the git-go that I was barking up the wrong tree here, but no matter - it's every bit as doggone good. Put another way, what a thoroughly enjoyable book!

The star of the show isn't a dog; rather, it's mostly retired criminal attorney Andy Carpenter of Paterson, New Jersey. Independently wealthy, most of his time and money have gone to the dogs; he runs the Tara Foundation, a dog rescue organization, and is the human parent to three of his own. Not too long ago, a 60-ish woman named Rachel Morehouse stopped by looking to adopt a four-legged friend and went home with Lion, an older Chow Chow ( (just for the record, although I'm a confirmed cat person, I do like dogs - and Chows are a favorite to root for while I'm watching the annual Westminster Dog Show). Anyway, Rachel later calls Andy to ask if he'll agree to take care of Lion should something happen to her. Her husband is deceased, and she's not sure her stepson Anthony will want anything to do with the pooch.

Not an issue, Andy tells her - never suspecting he'll be held to that promise much sooner than expected. Next thing he knows, he's in Rachel's attorney's office waiting for her will to be read; it seems she's suddenly passed away. There, he meets Anthony, who seems to be a pleasant enough guy who's not unhappy about inheriting Lion. That gets put on hold, though, when Anthony gets arrested; it seems his stepmother's death was not of natural causes, and he's been charged with her murder.

It also turns out her estate is far more than chump change, and even though Anthony may not get the (ahem) lion's share of it, he insists he's innocent and begs Andy to defend him in court. Because he was impressed by Rachel and a few things don't quite add up, he agrees to take on the case and brings his supremely talented team in to help. From that point on, the case starts to heat up as details of Rachel's vast business holdings come to light. For those, however, you'll have to read the book for yourself; all I'll say is it's a well-written, intriguing and often humorous adventure you won't want to miss. I'm sure glad I didn't, and I'm going to make sure I don't miss any more. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for leading me to a pre-release review copy of this one.

Here we are at book #25 (and #26 right around the corner - hooray!) and I can say, without hesitation, that not one book in the Andy Carpenter series has disappointed me. They are my go to books when I'm in serious need of a comforting escape. Andy is Andy, you know what you are going to get in every book. It's like knowing that your favorite brand of chocolates or brand of ice cream will be there for you, that you can count on it.
Andy is the best darned criminal defense attorney on the East Coast, probably all of the US, come to that and he's the guy you want in your corner when it looks like there is no way out. This time it's a chemistry teacher from the Mid-West who is accused of murdering his step mother at her home in New Jersey. She left him $300K and her beloved Chow, Lion, a dog she had adopted from Andy's Tara Foundation. (Tara rocks!) so the prosecution says motive! He was staying at her house - opportunity! and he is a chemistry teacher. Slam dunk. Until Andy takes the case. Turns out the step-son, Tony, was the son of the founder of an equity fund and he left his wife $12 Billion dollars. Andy knew his step-mother Rachel and she had come to him for advice but was killed before she could follow through. Now he has a case and the bad guys better watch out because Andy is going to take them down.....with some help from his wife Laurie, Corey, Marcus, Sam and the Bubeleh Brigade and a few others. On the canine side there are The Awesome Tara, Hunter, Lion and Simon Garfunkel and Sebastian. Walking his three dogs is part of Andy's thought process as he can run anything concerning the case by them and they won't tell anybody.
So if you like twisty puzzles, great characters, a smart mouth pain in the tush lawyer, assorted dogs and humor do not hesitate one second about reading this series. We will see Andy next in Santa's Little Yelpers due out on October 11, 2022.
My thanks to the publisher Minotaur and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Cute

This is pretty much exactly like every other book in the series. That's not a complaint. The plots are simple (and a little far-fetched) and the jokes keep coming. They are perfect as audio books when I am working in on projects that occasionally take some brain power. Quite frankly, you can skip parts and not be lost.

This one involved a woman who was murdered and her step-son was accused of killing her. The title chow was a dog she got from Andy. the protagonist who is a sometimes criminal defense lawyer and runs an animal shelter. The chow had very little to do with the plot and pretty much spent his entire time in foster care.

The plots are pretty forgettable, but I still really enjoy the series. This episode did not have Andy did not going on and on about how perfect his dog, Tara is. There was no extended angst about his relationship with his wife or son. All in all, I think it is the best of the last few books. It is a great, light read.

A great addition to the long running series that will be fine as a standalone! Andy liked Rachel, an older and gracious woman who adopted Lion, a large Chow with an alleged bite in his history so when he hears she's died and he's in her will, he assumes its to take care of Lion. Turns out Rachel was a multi-billionaire AND that she was murdered with potassium chloride AND that her step son Tony, a chemistry teacher is the prime suspect. But as is so often the case, Andy doesn't think Tony did it and he assembles his crack team of investigators (including the Bubbes) to find out who did. Fans know that dogs always play a role in Andy's cases but they should know they aren't as character forward in this one. That said, this is a nicely complex topical mystery that I didn't solve until Andy and company did - a real plus for me. I'm a fan of all the characters and it was especially nice to learn a bit more about the mysterious and protective Marcus. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Really enjoyed this entertaining and engaging read- can't wait for the next one!

Normally I love anything David Rosenfelt writes, and this book was ok. But not a favorite. I find that one reason I enjoy reading his books is the interaction we get with the dogs. In this case, there was very little of that beyond Andy taking his 3 dogs for walks. And the dog that was "featured", the Chow had almost no presence at all. Even the trial part did not really flow around Tony, who was barely mentioned. I think the funniest part was when the big secret between Marcus and Andy was finally out in the open. So while I continue to enjoy this author, this one did not really do it for me.

It will come as no surprise to readers of this series that lawyer Andy Carpenter is once again lured out of semi-retirement to represent someone (probably?) wrongly accused of murder, all because of a dog. This time, the dog is a Chow Chow named Lion that his foundation previously placed with a woman named Rachel. When Rachel is found dead, her step-son Tony is accused of killing her and next thing Andy knows, he is representing Tony and trying to get to the bottom of who really wanted Rachel dead. While the story follows something of a typical Andy Carpenter formula, it's still a highly enjoyable romp featuring all of our favorite characters and Rosenfelt's trademark humor.

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S HOLY CHOW ABOUT?
About a year ago, Rachel—a new widow in need of a companion—came into the Tara Foundation's dog rescue facility and fell in love with a Chow Chow named Lion (who reciprocated)—Andy remembered her fondly. Then she calls out of the blue with a favor—will Andy take the dog if she dies and her stepson, Tony, can't/won't take the Lion?

Andy says of course he will. Within a week, Rachel's been murdered and Andy learns more about this woman. She was rich, in an eye-popping kind of way, and Andy is told to come to the will reading. He's confused by this, but assumes it has to do with taking possession of Lion (just in an unusual way). The reading is interrupted by the police coming to arrest that stepson for her murder.

Andy visits Tony and decides to take his case—for solid, evidence-based reasons, and not at all because he seems like a nice guy, his Great Dane mix had recently died and he's excited to take Lion. Okay, that's not true—Andy smells something off about the case, but it's (naturally) because Tony's a nice, dog-loving guy.

The police and prosecution are presenting this as a case of an heir being angry at the size of their inheritance. But Tony doesn't have a history of being that interested in money. Andy wonders if the murder might have something to do with the fact that Rachel had been taking an interest in her late husband's company's day-to-day activities lately. Or is there maybe something else afoot?

It'll take the combined efforts of Andy's firm, The K-9 Team, and the Bubeleh Brigade (the retirees-turned-hackers that Andy uses from time to time) to get to the bottom of this.

WHEN WILL THEY EVER LEARN?
I'm not wondering why prosecutors don't immediately drop the case when they hear that Andy has taken on a client. He does have a few guilty verdicts on his record. Although, you would think they'd require the police to tighten up their cases and make sure there aren't any threads hanging once Andy requests discovery.

But what I wonder is that given his track record, why they don't take him seriously when he calls the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, or any other three-lettered agency. (note: I wonder similar things when Joe Pickett starts meddling in non-wildlife issues). I'm not saying they need to roll out the red carpet or anything for him—don't let Andy Carpenter, of all people, call any shots. But he shouldn't have to rely on favors from a friend of a friend or threats to get someone to take him seriously anymore.

How does no one have this conversation:

Agent 1: Hey remember that guy who tipped us off to that terrorist organization and saved all those lives a couple of years ago?
Agent 2: That lawyer with the hot wife and the scary bodyguard, sure. Didn't he also tip us off to the smuggling ring last Winter?
Agent 1: Come to think of it he did.
Agent 2: Why are you bringing him up?
Agent 1: Well, he's got this theory about _________ now.
Agent 2: Might be worth sitting down with him, looking at his theory.


Although, some of that threatening and calling in favors can make for entertaining scenes. So, y'know...

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT HOLY CHOW?
Andy Carpenter #25? That's a mind-boggling number. I know it wasn't that long ago that I read #24, but I don't think it registered. So, does the Andy Carpenter series have anything new up its sleeve? (I'm tempted to make an old dog/new tricks joke here) I won't rule it out, but we don't see much new here.

But that doesn't make this stale, either. There's a comfort and a reassurance in knowing Andy's behavior while the jury deliberates, the fact that Pete and Vince are going to bust his chops and put their food on his tab, that taking a walk with his dogs will help Andy come up with an idea, and so on.

I'm not trying to take a shot at anyone here, but where this feels comfortable and not tired and repetitive is that Andy has settled into these patterns—this is his life. He's not, say, constantly second-guessing his choice of career (as much as he complains about it), he's not trying to decide between a sexy Homicide Detective love interest and a lethal and hot Security Specialist love interest after 30+ books. Just to come up with some completely random example that no way could be describing any particular series.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the twenty-fifth novel in this series might not have a lot that's new, there's still a lot of fun to have. And, we might get a glimpse of a different side of a long-running character (a continuation of something from Citizen K-9)

The humor is still present and sharp, the courtroom antics are fun (maybe a little subdued this time compared to others because of the case), and you can't beat the time hanging with these characters. Both the solution to this case, the reveals involved, and the resolution are as well-delivered as always.

Readers new to the series or those who've been around since 2003* will find plenty to enjoy in the pages of Holy Cow. A good time should be had by all.

* Or at least since Open and Shut, no matter when they read it.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.