Rosenfelt is back with another Andy Carpenter mystery that entertained me with a legal battle and a mystery, both things that I love. Ever since defense attorney Andy Carpenter inherited millions of dollars from his father, he's been very selective about the cases he takes. His newest client owns two rescue dogs, and if you’ve read any previous books in the series, you know Andy can’t turn away anyone with a soft spot for dogs. While the case looks really bad for the client, Andy is assured that the man is innocent. So he and his team set out to discover the truth. Unfortunately, their discovery work uncovers some scary characters.

My Concerns
*While I loved the first books with this lawyer, his sarcastic, at times arrogant, yet wimpy attitude isn’t working for me anymore.

*Parts of the story were pretty unbelievable.

* Carpenter’s wife and son have always felt more like names than people with emotions.

*And lastly, for those expecting something Christmasy, this book will possibly be a letdown.

Final Thoughts
If you're a fan of Andy Carpenter, this is a mystery that will keep you reading and shouldn't disappoint. Andy, of course, is clever and can work through mysteries rather quickly, even if they involve the mafia. Though that, for sure, can add a little suspense to the story.

But for me, I'm realizing that Andy's personality is getting old, and the stories and characters are feeling somewhat stagnant.

Princess Fuzzypants here: All I know is that if I ever got accused of murder, I would want Andy Carpenter to defend me. Unorthodox to say the least, he is funny and smart and he has an awesome team to do the leg work, including his very capable wife. He manages to frustrate both the prosecution and the judiciary but he gets to the bottom of things and never gives up.

This time one of the adopters from his Tara Foundation is accused of murdering a guy with deep ties to organized crime. His arrest reveals his real identity that has been hidden by witness protection after he testified against some of his former colleagues. Andy is not too sure at first whether to believe his protests of innocence but quickly learns that there is a major conspiracy going on to frame him. What Andy does not understand is why now and why not just kill him. It is a puzzler.

I always love the way Andy and his team investigate. This one is as entertaining as usual and what they uncover is truly far more than either they or the police can imagine. In trying to exonerate their client, they solve a major crime but will the jury find their defendant innocent or guilty. Andy is never sure until the verdict comes in.

But my verdict is five purrs and two paws up.

5 + STARS
How the heck does Mr. Rosenfelt keep writing this series but the material never, ever gets old? The story was fresh, riveting, and exciting. Seriously this is one of the best mystery series out there.

Andy Carpenter is the creme de la creme of defense lawyers. Poor Andy, who is financially secure, just wants to happily retire. He seems to attract people in his orbit that are wrongfully accused of murder. Being a decent man he can't help representing them.

Such is the case of Bobby, a young man that adopted 2 dogs from Andy's shelter. Bobby convinced him he wasn't the one that prematurely ended Roland Bank's life, and retirement is once again pushed aside.
The major problem. Is Bobby was once a member of a vicious gang called the Cobras.

The story held my interest from the very first page and I couldn't help rooting for Bobby. The whole gang is here trying to save this man from spending the rest of his life in jail. The formidable Marcus along with Andy's fearless wife Laurie, and their ex cop partner Corey are there to fight for justice.

I highly recommend this book and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for my reading pleasure.

Reluctant Lawyer should be printed on his business cards, but since he is so reluctant, I’m not sure if he has business cards. Attorney Andy Carpenter is there when one of the men who adopted two dogs from his Tara Foundation is arrested for murder. The man, Derek Moore, aka Robert Klaster, is in Witness Protection due to his testimony that sent two killers to prison. Andy believes that Derek now Bobby is innocent and calls in his team, well except for Edna who is engaged and checking out wedding venues. As with all of Andy’s cases, he counts on his wife Laurie a former cop, Corey Douglas with his K9 Simon Garfunkel, Eddie Dowd, Sam Willis and of course Marcus, quiet yet incredibly dangerous Marcus. The case soon expands to involve other murders and a local crime lord who is planning a destructive way to increase revenue. Can Andy and his team find the killer and stop the new money-making scheme? I love every word of Andy’s sarcastic and laugh out loud dialog. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Readers can expect the usual wit and wise cracking humor yet again in this latest book of the Andy Carpenter lawyer series by David Rosenfelt. 'Twas the Bite Before Christmas is the 28th book in the series, so to those who are new to Rosenfelt's writing, I would suggest starting earlier in the series, even though each book can be seen as a stand alone legal case for the characters.

In this novel, Andy is tasked with defending his friend, Derek, from murder charges stemming from Derek's past affiliations in organized crime and gang activity. As Andy learns more about the murder, more players come to light between multiple crime families and the complications of the case grow as time passes.

I found 'Twas the Bite Before Christmas to be an entertaining story with a dash of holiday spirit. My one complaint was that there were a number of characters to keep track of and I found at times to be confused about which crime families the "bad guys" were connected to. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the chance to read and review this novel.

This is the first book I have read by David Rosenfelt but it won't be my last. I also have to say this cover was so cute!! I loved that this was about a lawyer since i'm a huge John Grisham fan. I felt at home reading this book. This book has twists and turns in this mystery read. This has some Christmas in it but not a lot. This was a really fun read and I can't wait to read more in this series.


Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

This is book number 28 in the Andy Carpenter Novel series. It works well as a standalone; although, you should seriously consider getting the entire series even if you aren't crazy about dogs. The reason I say that is because I am a cat person, and yet after reading one book, I was completely hooked on this series.

The characterization is really well done. Andy, a lawyer, has a habit of being a bit sarcastic that is funny but not over the top annoying. He ends up fighting in court for people who often don't seem to a have a chance. He has some great people working with him: there's Sam his accountant who is also a very talented hacker, and Marcus who no one should go up against because they will be lucky to walk away. His wife is a former police officer, and rounding out the team are another former police officer and a retired police dog.

The stories are always well written and wrapped up by the very end. Every book is worth five star.s in my opinion.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas for Andy Carpenter and company. In this the 28th offering from author, David Rosenfelt.
And while it seems that everyone in the Carpenter household, as well as those associated with Andy's beloved Tara Foundation, are up to their eyeballs in seasonal good cheer. He is facing the holiday in usual Andy fashion.
Complete with sardonic wit, a touch of self deprecation, and a dash of pet fur thrown in for good measure.
Until family friend and pet foster turned ower, Derek Moore, finds himself going from serving eggnog at the foundation's holiday shindig. To possibly serving prison time for murder.
Leaving him and his beloved pets Sasha and Jake in need of help that only Andy can provide.

This book has everything.
Witness protection, mobsters, vendettas, murder, plot twists...
And Andy of course.
There is never a dull moment.
Every time you think that you have things figured. something happens to make it very apparent that YOU DON'T.
This book offers that perfect escape into whodunit goodness. With a side of holiday happiness. That is far from the toothache inducing sweetness that is pumped out by the page full around this time of year.

Reviewer's Note
Special thanks to Negalley and St. Martin's Press for providing the review copy on which this honest critique is based.
Though this book is part of a continuous series. It may be read as a standalone.

This is an good legal thriller with moments of humor thrown in. While 28th book in this series, it’s easily read as a stand-alone. Andy is the protagonist, a wealthy lawyer who would rather hang out with his rescue dogs, wife, and friends. He will undertake the occasional criminal defense case when necessary. This time, one of his fellow pet foster friends is arrested for murder and Andy’s convinced to take the case. I love that Andy’s wife is a former police officer who is now an investigator. There are gangs and witness protection and eggnog, along with Andy’s sardonic sense of humor.

How David Rosenfelt manages to write so many books with a dud is beyond me. This is the twenty-eighth book in the series, and it is great. I enjoyed it greatly and am looking forward to the next one.

n the book Twas the Bite Before Christmas, author David Rosenfelt continues his bestselling Andy Carpenter Mystery series. Once again, much to Andy’s chagrin, he has a new case and it’s at Christmas time. Derek who adopted 2 dogs from Andy’s Tara Foundation is arrested for murder. But as they dig into the case, Andy discovers that Derek is not really Derek but Bobby who is in witness protection for testifying in a double murder case. And the murder victim has ties to Derek’s, I mean Bobby’s, old life. This is a Christmas story like no other!
This was a great fun story that continues the series. I would recommend this book and the series. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Andy Carpenter books, while still being suspenseful, are always a rollicking good time. I laugh and I smile while reading, and I'm still on the edge of my seat waiting to see if Andy and his team will be able to find out the truth to set his client free. The whole gang is here this time except Edna, who is on a hunt to find the perfect wedding destination. A couple more dogs join the crew, and of course since the client is a dog owner, Andy HAS to represent him! He is what Andy calls a "foster failure" - someone who is supposed to foster dogs from the shelter, but ends up adopting them instead, which is still just fine with Andy.

The parts with Junior were so funny to me, even though he is a scary dude, and Marcus being Marcus is probably one of my favorite things ever.

'Twas the Bite Before Christmas is the newest in the Andy Carpenter Mystery series. I've only read one other book in this series, but enjoyed it so much I couldn't wait to read another one. Andy is a criminal defense lawyer who would rather run his New Jersey dog rescue organization than appear in the courtroom. However, when one of his rescue group's top dog fosterers is arrested for murder, Andy takes the case. 

This case is complicated and dangerous since it involves gang rivalries and retaliations. Fortunately for Andy, he has a solid team supporting him, including his wife Laurie who is a former police officer who is now an investigator for Andy's firm. I like the writing style of the author and the way most of the story is told in the first person from Andy's point-of-view. This allows the reader to get to know Andy well and shows off his great sense of humor. The humor balances out the more serious scenes in the book. 

The courtroom scenes are dramatic and suspenseful and I missed the clues pointing at the identity and motive of the killer. The book ends on a positive note that has me wanting to read more books in this series. 

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Minotaur Books. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

Book #28 in the Andy Carpenter series and if you have not read them.....you are seriously missing out. I fell in love with Rosenfelt's eccentric laywer, Andy Carpenter in 2002 and have remained faithful to this cast of characters ever since. Each book's title has a canine reference and dogs play a big part in each book. If the characters don't love dogs, they will most certainly become victims in this mystery/ thriller/ legal procedural/ comedy/ series. The books are so well written, you fly through them, Rosenfelt always leaves you wanting more. If you love Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum or Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone, you will definitely love Andy Carpenter. My family and friends often receive copies of his books for their birthdays or Christmas. This one is out just in time for them to get it in their stockings this year.

'Twas the Bite Before Christmas is book 28 in the Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt.
This book is full of humor, wit, and constant adventure. The storyline was interesting with very entertaining characters which made this book hard to put down. A wonderfully executed mystery that is fast paced and enthralling which I enjoyed very much.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

As Christmas nears, Andy Carpenter is reluctantly manning the eggnog table at the dog rescue foundation he is a partner in when Derek Moore, a young man who adopted two dogs from the Tara Foundation and is one of their best foster volunteers, is arrested for murder. Reluctantly drawn into the case to represent Derek, who's real name turns out to be Bobby; he was in the state witness protection program after testifying against members of the gang he used to belong to, and the murdered man is one of the gang's leaders. Andy believes Bobby when he claims to be innocent, so he pulls his legal and investigative team together to try to prove it and get Bobby back home to his dogs. 'Twas the Bite Before Christmas is chock full of Rosenfelt's dry wit, along with all the characters a long-time reader of the series know and love, and a complex case that only Andy can unravel.

I love David Rosenfelt and this series of books. Not really “Christmas’s” but a good mystery, with familiar characters and loads of puppies,!

Andy Carpenter at his best. These books never fail to hold my attention in fact I finished this one about 4;30 this morning. Once you start reading it’s hard to put down.

Andy Carpenter and the team save the day again! And nab a crime boss as a bonus!! I love this series and all of the characters in it! I haven't read the entire series but it is definitely on my things to do list!! I can't wait to see what shenanigans the team gets up to in the next installment!

3.5 Stars.
Author David Rosenfelt has developed a winning formula for this 28-book series. His books follow the same pattern. The story is a solid 4-star read, but the structure and plot have become repetitive, thus my 3-star rating. The main character and narrator is Andy Carpenter, an independently wealthy defence lawyer. He has a sardonic sense of humour, and his sarcastic remarks add to the entertainment value. He loves dogs, has three in his home, and is partner in a dog rescue project. He reluctantly returns to the courtroom if a dog is remotely involved. His new client has been charged with murder and has two rescue dogs that Andy brings into his home for the duration of the trial.

It is hard to resist the dogs on the eye-catching covers, which makes the books look like cozy mysteries. The legal cases are more challenging and much more complicated. The dogs pictured only exist on the story's periphery but cause Andy to accept new clients. Complex past crimes have involved money laundering, drug trafficking, far-reaching conspiracies, Interpol's most wanted, cybercrime, mob violence and gang-related killings, and terrorism. His clients have been made to seem guilty, with solid evidence against them.

Andy's scheme in the trial is to cast suspicion on others who might have a motive. He works with his K team to investigate the background of the crime. The team consists of his ex-police officer wife Laurie; Cory, a retired policeman with his police dog Simon Garfunkle; Sam, an expert hacker; and Marcus, a large, strong, intimidating protector.

This book has little to do with Christmas except for a party for dog rescuers, clients and volunteers. One of the volunteers who has taken two dogs into his home is being arrested. He has been known as Derek, but the police call him Bobby. He has been in witness protection under a new name since he testified against gang members who committed murder. He has been charged with killing a member of his former gang, and the evidence is overwhelming against him.

This complex crime involves gang members from New Jersey and Philadelphia, with internal mob killings and the movement of illegal, deadly drugs. This is a tangled web with many names requiring concentration. Bobby seems guilty, and defending him will be difficult for Andy.
This book (#28) involves a new and exciting crime investigation by the K team and Andy's clever courtroom tactics. It works as a standalone and should inspire new readers to seek out previous books. The plot follows a familiar pattern.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. The date of publication is set for October 10.