I loved this book. It was so entertaining to read, mixing humor with crime investigation. And Andy dated a famous actress.

I may have come late to this series, but I've quickly become a fan; as long as uber-likable retired attorney Andy Carpenter plays a prominent role, I can't turn the pages fast enough. This one finds him back in the courtroom to defend Hollywood film star Jenny Nichols, who's been charged with murder. She's talented, beautiful and, despite Andy's love of his ex-cop wife Laurie, irresistible; after all, he dated Jenny back in high school (as he's fond of reminding anyone who's within earshot).

When Jenny returns home to Paterson, New Jersey, where Andy lives and runs the dog rescue Tara Foundation, Andy arranges a private dinner party so some of his closest friends can meet her. It's almost spoiled by the appearance of Jenny's ex-husband, a big-shot movie producer who apparently didn't get the memo that divorce means she's no longer his wife. Andy's friends save the day and Jenny, but the next day doesn't go quite as smoothly when the ex-husband turns up dead in Jenny's recently deceased mother's home, where she's staying. Jenny, of course, denies any involvement - she was the one who found his body in the kitchen, yes, but she insists she didn't do it despite a ton of evidence to the contrary.

But hey - Andy dated her in high school, remember? So he makes it his mission to polish up his lawyering skills and try his best to prove to the jury that she's innocent. Given that preponderance of evidence, it won't be easy; but Andy calls in his team of experts - including his wife - and spends the rest of the book investigating, strategizing and arguing (the latter in court, where readers get to see the "old" Andy in action). How it turns out, of course, you'll have to find out for yourself (I will say that a very early guess I made turned out to be spot on). Now I just have to wait for the next installment and thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

I enjoy the Andy Carpenter series so much. This entry is no exception
The mystery in this book involves the murder of a wealthy actor
The accused is a well known actress who Andy dated in high school
All of Andy's team are on the job investigating as Andy prepares to defend her. The combination of an intriguing mystery with the gentle humor is irresistible.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
I've read every Andy Carpenter book in this series and he never disappoints. Do they follow a formula? Sure they do, but that doesn't detract from a damn good mystery in each one. Self-deprecating Andy is so funny, you'll find yourself laughing out loud more often than not. Add in great side characters and wonderful dogs and you've got yourself a successful series. They're quick reads and maybe not so memorable, but a heck of good time, even if you've solved it before the ending. Since the crime in Flop Dead takes place outside Paterson, I thought we might not see Pete Stanton - he does make an appearance (phew!) albeit quite late in the book. See you next year, Andy!

Where are the dogs? Please put back the dogs. Tara taking a walk noticing things. Willie (human) as a sidekick. I love this series and own them all because I enjoy certain repeating motifs. This isn't the best of the books, but it could be heightened with more interactions with the buddies from previous books. The twist at the end was a little sudden. Still, I'm not giving up my hope for more books in this series.

Thoughts: This wasn’t your typical cozy mystery. Most of them have bakers or shopkeepers, or some other amateur sleuth who swoops in to solve the mystery. This one has a criminal defense lawyer and his team on the case in question. That doesn’t make it any less compelling. Especially with this particular lawyer. Andy is supposedly retired, married, and has a foundation to help find homes for dogs. A long time ago, in high school, he dated a girl who has become a famous movie star. And now she’s been accused of murder. While trying to convince everyone he meets that he once dated the gorgeous star.

What I liked: that the “sleuth” is something different than the norm. And that things don’t always go his way. He also has a team already in place—experts to help him. This is definitely not your typical cozy mystery. But it is still light enough to be one instead of a thriller mystery. Also, the dogs are a cute touch.

What I didn’t like: Nothing, really. It’s a good story with a satisfying ending.

Recommendation: For something a little different than the standard cozy, pick this one up.

Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Another home run for the Andy Carpenter series! I love these books and the humor threaded throughout! You can't get better characters! A must read!

This was a great mystery. I think it needs some editing to cut down the length - too much that's unnecessary and irrelevant and makes it drag - but I enjoyed it. :) I will definitely check out the rest of this series now.

FWIW, the cover made me think it was a cozy, but it's definitely not.

Andy Carpenter is at it again. He makes me laugh. He loves his family. He cares about his friends. This is just a fun series, always enjoyable, and not too far off the path of believability.

Flob dead gorgeous is book 27 in the Andy Carpenter series. I have not gotten to read all of this series yet. I have read a few but not in any order which is one of the things I love about the series. You can read these books as a stand-alone book, I would think that reading them in order might give you a leg up in some way but I am always entertained and never feel I have missed something in the storyline. That is a sign of a great author, In this book you have Andy and his friends out to dinner. Andy in High School dated a girl named Jenny Nichols who is now famous and I mean really famous. Jenny finds herself the prime suspect in the murder of her ex-boyfriend also a famous star. Call in Andy and his team to help. I loved the way this book unfolded and you thought it was solved then it wasn't but then it was great fun. I was given an ARC for this book by the publisher. This is my honest review. Huge thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books

I have loved everyone of the books by David Rosenfelt. I am not one who likes trial and law stories so this says a lot. This book continues the excellence of his storytelling and continues his focus on dogs. Jenny Nichols, a girl from Andy's high school days (he once dated her.) is charged with murder. Andy takes on the case, even though he prefers to be retired. We go through the trial and near the end there is a small surprise. The reader knows it will end up O.K. I recommend this book and any other book written by this author.

Andy Carpenter is back with another case. Not that he wanted one, but when a famous actress (who he dated a few times in high school) is accused of murder, he want to help. It is filled with the usual cast of characters, Andy’s sarcastic remarks, and the formulaic mystery in him guessing who the real killer is a near the end adds to the suspense and makes it another enjoyable Andy Carpenter novel.

4 stars
David Rosenfelt has once again written a fantastic mystery and managed to surprise me in the end. I do believe this is book 27 in the Andy Carpenter series and it feels as fresh as the first one. Dogs, mobsters and Marcus, what else could a reader want? Oh, and short chapters that make me keep reading long after I should be putting the book down. Rosenfelt really is the master at fascinating, clean mysteries that almost anyone will enjoy.
This is a great series that can easily be read as a stand alone. I started at book 17 and went back and read the entire series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

Flop Dead Gorgeous is the latest novel in the Andy Carpenter series. It doesn’t disappoint! I enjoyed reading about his famous high school girlfriend and her poodle. Andy is a retired attorney that has to prove her innocence of murder. The cast of characters and his dogs all play a role in solving the case. If you have read David Rosenfelt before you won’t be disappointed and if this is your first time reading him you will not be disappointed.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur for gifting me this arc.

Flop Dead Gorgeous (Andy Carpenter Mystery #27) by David Rosenfelt
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: July 4, 2023

Flop Dead Gorgeous is the 27th book in the Andy Carpenter Mystery series by David Rosenfelt. This book can easily be enjoyed as a standalone mystery or as part of the series.

This quick read was so good! I love the characters and found myself laughing out loud throughout the book! I am a huge fan of sarcasm, mysteries and dogs!

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!

This book was so much fun! I absolutely loved it! I definitely recommend reading this book!!!Sarcasm, quick wit, and dogs! 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.

So much fun!! David Rosenfelt’s character, Andy Carpenter is such a wonderful lawyer. He’s laugh aloud funny, comically arrogant and wicked smart - plus he loves dogs, his wife Laurie, and son Ricky. Always a perfect combination for an entertaining read. Flop Dead Gorgeous is another amazing addition to this ongoing series.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this fantastic ARC.

Flop Dead Gorgeous is David Rosenfelt’s newest book in the Andy Carpenter mystery series and I loved every page of it and read it in two days. David’s mystery series is so wonderful and my favourite characters in the book are Marcus, Edna and Andy. I find his books comforting because I know what to expect and it takes my mind off my stressful life and lets me escape from the world. Readers will not be disappointed with his latest addition to this series and Andy’s humour will make you chuckle. Bravo David 🙋‍♀️🇨🇦👏📚💐and thank you to NetGalley for an early arc E-book and I can’t wait to read David’s next book in this amazing book series.✍️🙏

David Rosenfelt’s sense of humor via the mouth of Andy Carpenter drives his novels. Tongue in cheek, laugh out loud funny, and oh yes, you get a mystery to go along with it, as well as returning nuanced characters who feel like old friends.
Andy’s high school friend Jenny, now a famous movie star, is home clearing out her mothers home and filming a NY movie, when her co-star is found murdered on the kitchen floor. Granted she couldn’t stand him, but she didn’t kill him either. Andy, of course, takes the case because he knows she’s innocent and did you know they dated for 5 minutes in high school? Not one to throw that around except for telling everyone he meets, Andy gathers the usual crew, including wife Laurie to solve the murder. With his usual irreverent style, great characters, and even better dogs, this is another delightful treat. May he write forever.

Flop Dead Gorgeous by David Rosenfelt is another volume in the Andy Carpenter series. As always the animal additions to the plot are as interesting as the human ones. This is again, a very fun addition to the series.

Another hit from David Rosenfelt with the same animal rescue, committment to the dogs, and a mystery in which Andy becomes enmeshed.

A movie star, a dog as famous as it's owner, a dead co-star and the book is off to the races.

A thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery from one of my favorite authors.