This was my first Andy Carpenter novel but I picked it up because I rescued a little yorkie about a year ago and the cover of this book pulled at my heartstrings seeing the little pup on the cover. I knew I was in for some sort of cute story no matter what may be within the pages.

I had such a great time with this crime/ mystery book and I can see why these books are popular. Murphy, the little Terrier mix, finds his way back to Andy Carpenter's door and is ultimately returned home after discovered he got lost while his mom was stress baking pastries. When Andy isn't assisting at a dog rescue, he is also a defense lawyer and he soon uncovers that Murphy' boy, BJ, is in prison for a crime he most likely didn't commit.

From there, Andy takes it upon himself to figure out what happened and try to help BJ, BJ's mom, and little Murphy, put their lives back in order.

The mystery is intriguing with lots of twists and turns. I think it plays out well and though I know nothing about how a defense attorney would work a case, I feel like Andy does a good job of making things feel semi-believable but still fun for the story. I mean, who doesn't enjoy Russian mobsters getting involved and going into a whole rabbit hole of other things at the same time.

I think I need to pick up more books by this guy. They are fun, quick reads with satisfactory endings and it sounds like all of his books may have ties to dogs which is always a winning combination for me!

This book was adorable, but a bit too corny for my liking. I should've known by the cover, to be honest.
I would not disadvise reading, though!

This was a quick and fun cozy mystery read. Though this is book 30 in a series, you can easily read it as a stand-alone as this was my first time reading the Andy Carpenter series. The author does a nice job explaining the main players of the story and how they came to be associated with Andy without too much detail which would bore repeat readers of the series. I really enjoyed Andy's commentary throughout as well— as a bit of a comedic aspect. Though the story seems to be written in a formulaic way the story is still interesting and the characters/mystery intriguing. Though the cover looks Christmasy, but the story doesn`t focus on the holiday as a main focus.

I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Grover Gardner, who did a wonderful job. His intonation and timing are great for the humorous aspects of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC. This is my honest review.

Christmas Carols, eggnog, and someone accused of murder can only mean one thing. An Andy Carpenter Christmas mystery from David Rosenfelt.
BJ Bremer was discovered by police standing over the dead body of Professor Steven Rayburn in Rayburn's home. When some cash and the professor's Rolex were found in BJ's home, it didn't take the police long to stop looking for anyone else. It also helped that the two had a loud argument in class over one of Bremer's grades.

Fortunately, BJ and his mom once adopted a dog that had been fostered by Andy Carpenter. When the dog gets loose, it makes its way to Andy's house. This ultimately leads Andy to BJ's mother, and soft touch, that he is, Andy ultimately takes BJ's case.

Andy, as always, is the last one to know that he is going to take the case. Even with a mountain of physical evidence, the motive for the murder remains weak. Andy's investigation leads to connections between Rayburn and some online bullies who may be criminals in real life. It also uncovers a shady lawyer and some Russian mob connections that stretch from New Jersey to Chicago. As the trial gets underway, Andy has a lot of evidence of potentially criminal goings-on, but still no clue as to why Rayburn had to die. Will he be able to create enough doubt in court? Or will BJ be facing life behind bars?

The fun of these mysteries is the journey as much as the destination. Andy's sardonic sense of humor, his team of delightful and varied investigators, and some tense moments when his life is in danger make these books so much fun. Add in an intricate plot that bumps up against national security and takes some serious skill to unravel and you have another lovable entry in this long-running series.

Grover Gardner does his usual masterful job with the narration. He will forever be the voice of Andy Carpenter whether I'm reading or listening to these stories, because why mess with perfection. He is perfectly in tune with the pacing and humor of this book.

A Christmas setting, a thorny mystery, a heaping helping of humor, and those oh-so-adorable dogs make a great story.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.

The is book 30 in this series. I had not read this series and did not have a problem keeping up with the story. Looking back I found I had read the first 3 books so I’ll be looking into filling in the gap. That will give me quite a few books in an excellent series.
Andy Carpenter is a lawyer, and despite his best efforts to take on no cases, one falls into his lap courtesy of Murphy the dog. Andy spends the book trying to free his client and surviving his wife’s perpetual Christmas music.
I loved the characters in this book. Andy has the sarcastic kind of wit I can appreciate. His cast of characters don’t always operate within the law but they get the job done.
I read this as an audiobook and the narrator was great. He fit the role perfectly.
I received this book as a free ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love David Rosenfelt. An author who writes about dogs and rescues dogs in real life-what's not to love. I have read or listened to all the Andy Carpenter books. I prefer to listen to them because the narrator Grover Gardner IS Andy Carpenter. He narrates well, of course. He wouldn't still be doing this series if he didn't. He has the perfect tempo and inflection and does the Andy snarkiness perfectly. The Andy Carpenter books are courtroom "dramas"-there is as much or more humor than drama. Andy is a reluctant lawyer, taking only certain cases, always involving dogs. This book involves Murphy, a dog adopted from Andy's Tara Foundation who shows up on Andy's doorstep. Returning him home he finds that his owner has been arrested for the murder of his professor. Because he know BJ couldn't have done it, and because Tara (Andy's dog) likes Murphy, Andy takes the case. With the help of his team of his wife Laurie, Marcus Clark, Sam, and Willie, Andy investigates the case in his usual style, of course getting into trouble along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and highly recommend it.

I have said this before and I will say this again. I can not start a new Andy Carpenter book without going to YouTube and playing the theme to Matlock first. That’s a compliment in my eyes because I love Matlock and that’s all I see when I picture Andy Carpenter.

Andy comes home from vacation and finds a dog in front of his house. Upon further investigation, they realized they knew this dog. This was a dog that they had in their rescue that was adopted by a young man named Brian. When Andy and his wife go to return the dog they find Brian’s mom and find out that Brian was arrested for the murder of his college professor.

Andy visits Brian in jail and then replaces his attorney and becomes Brians defense. Once he takes the case Andy and his entourage start investigating. I love all of Andy's crew but my favorite has always been Marcus. Marcus really shines in this one and has a lot of big moments.

This is a courtroom drama filled with a lot of laughs thanks to the sarcastic nature of Andy's personality. This was a fast and fun book that I can not recommend enough.

The More the Terrier (An Andy Carpenter Mystery #30) by David Rosenfelt
Narrated by Grover Gardner
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: October 15, 2024

The More the Terrier is the 30th book in the Andy Carpenter Mystery series by David Rosenfelt. Don’t let the 30 scare you away, you can easily jump into this series at any point and each book is a standalone mystery.

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! I loved seeing how everything comes together.

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!
The narration by Grover Gardner was incredible! He had such a great tone and gets sarcasm! He is the voice I hear when I read these books in a text format.

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 read the other books in the series!

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

I love the Andy Carpenter books, especially with Grover Gardner narrating the snarky, sarcastic main character's latest exploits. Andy gets dragged into another case by a dog, as always, and it's kind of Christmas time. For me, these are easy, mindless listens perfect for my commute or doing yardwork. They're a fun escape!

I have loved all of the books in the Andy Carpenter series. And listening to the audiobooks has just added to the enjoyment. The narrator, Grover Gardner, really brings Andy to life and you get a wonderful view into his sarcastic and snarky attitude ... yet how much he loves his wife, Laurie, his son, Ricky, and his faithful dog companions. (You can’t forget the dogs! Besides Andy’s personal canine companions, there is always a dog that is related to or affected by the situation.) The characters are so well developed and if you have followed along from the first book, you have come to appreciate the various personalities among the gang. The murder mystery is handled well and Andy’s ability to work through or discover clues to present to the jury to ensure that they see the truth is entertaining and sometimes dangerous. Actually experiencing a lawyer handle a case when he no longer wants to work as a lawyer is entertaining. You will find yourself chuckling as Andy’s self-deprecating humor shines through.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

The biggest thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the amazing audiobook.

While Andy Carpenter is a "semi-retired" lawyer who would prefer to never take another case in his life and live off his considerable inheritance, there is one thing he could never say no to - an adorable dog. So when Murphy, the cutest little Terrier mix, shows up on his doorstep basically asking Andy to take his owner's case, there's nothing Andy can do.

Before I get carried away with raving about the book itself, I need to take a moment to rave about the audiobook narration. Grover Gardner is such a gem. He narrates every single character absolutely perfectly. The way that he can change his voice so seamlessly from his "narrator" voice to Andy's sarcastic/annoyed/grumpy tones and then to Lori's placating/easy-going/loving ones never ceases to amaze me. He even brings life to Marcus' wordless grunts. (Trust me, I have listening to another narrator do these same voices and it just doesn't have the same charm!) Would listen to him narrate an instruction manual!

It is rare that a series carries on for thirty books. Well, that's rare in itself. But it is rare that it reaches thirty books without taking a serious dive in plot, in character development, in really everything. But the Andy Carpenter series remains strong. I loved The More the Terrier, in which Andy Carpenter defends BJ Bremer, a college student, to whom Andy once provided a rescue dog, Murphy, on charges of murdering his professor. While I did figure out the ending fairly early on, it was never tedious to listen to the characters figuring everything out. I loved going through the motions of the case, of Andy's superstitious verdict waiting, and perhaps most of all, the incessant whining about all things Christmas - especially the music! The Christmas books have become my favorite in this series. I am a Lori. I love all things Christmas. But I still get such a kick out of Andy being thoroughly annoyed with his Christmas-loving wife.

So very much looking forward to the next book in this series. Highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys mystery, courtroom drama, humor, dogs!!, found-family, great characters, and impeccable narration.

When reluctant defense attorney Andy Carpenter is presented with a stray dog, he (or, more accurately, his son) recognizes it as a terrier his family once fostered. Upon returning the dog to his home, Andy discovers that its owner has been arrested for murder. The young man’s attorney doesn’t inspire confidence in Andy, so he decides to take over the case.

This installment in the series (which, like others with a Christmas-related name or cover, takes place near Christmastime, but isn’t really Christmas-y in nature) has all of the intrigue, drama, and wit that I’ve come to love from these books. The pressure that Andy feels when someone’s life is in his hands is high in this book, and I appreciate his sense of justice. His defense case felt a lot weaker and more muddled than normal, though it’s understandable, given what he had to work with. In the end, I was a little surprised by the way the case and investigations went, based on what I’m used to from this series, which tends to be formulaic (in a good way). Rosenfelt has a way of changing up the formula enough to keep the books from becoming mundane, but this was a little less clean in the end. I might even say that it’s been my least favorite in the series so far, but I still enjoyed it and am rating it 4 stars, so that should tell you how much I’ve loved the rest of the series (I’ve only read 1/3 of the series so far).

This series has become something of a comfort read for me. Or more accurately, a comfort listen, since, though I’ve enjoyed the books from the first one I read, once I started at the beginning with the audiobooks, it amplified my enjoyment a lot. Therefore, receiving an ARC of the audiobook was a real honor. I highly recommend this book (especially the audio) for fans of mystery, crime fiction, and courtroom dramas, and though there are some over-arcing storylines throughout the series, you don’t really need to start at the beginning (though I’d still recommend it).

This was my first Andy Carpenter mystery and I loved it. The style used to tell the story was different and held my attention. I enjoyed the bits of humor that showed through and thought Andy and his team were really great working together. I enjoyed the mystery but kind of chuckled to myself at the ending. I had made a guess much earlier in the book of who might be the killer but then the story was more about who didn't do it and how many other sinister possibilities there might be for who did it so I kind of forgot about making a guess and I didn't think we'd ever know the truth. I was surprised to finally know how things went down and to learn that I actually guessed correctly in my early speculation when there was no obvious clues to point the way.
I enjoyed the narrator and felt his reading enhanced the story. This was a fun murder mystery.

Sex: no
Language: yes
Violence: yes

This thirtieth installment of the Andy Carpenter series is like catching up with an old friend. Andy still doesn't want to practice law but he cannot say no. Student BJ Bremer is framed for murder and, as always, there are machinations (and dogs) galore.

I always enjoy these books. They are not amazing literature but I always enjoy them and they always scratch the itch I have. The narrator is great and consistently does a wonderful job.

Audiobook/Mystery: I chose this from Netgalley because my elderly aunt loves the grumpy Andy Carpenter and we could listen to this in the car together.
I always thought it would be fun to be a grumpy old woman, but after my 81 yo aunt moving in with me, I no longer feel that way. As the reader, we hear his inner monologue, which is debbie-downer. It gets old quick. I guess because I live with it everyday. Any is also an officer of the court and, for the second time in two books, gets someone killed.
My aunt liked the book, but she didn't understand a lot of it because she is a Luddite. She understands nothing about the Internet, IP addresses, nor the Meta verse. My grumpy aunt liked grumpy Andy.
As far as the mystery, plot, etc , it was okay, but not spectacular.

David Rosenfelt is one of my favorite authors and I love every single book in the Andy Carpenter series. The More the Terrier is no exception. It offers a high-quality who-done-it-mystery with Andy's fantastic sarcasm and humor. I love the wonderful repeating cast of characters who feel like old friends on this book, #30 in the series. He never disappoints and the stories always deliver. The audiobook was the best and I appreciate that Rosenfelt uses the same narrator for the series as well.

Available October 15, 2024 Audiobook 9h 45m Grover Gardner narrator

The verdict is in. It's another win for David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series. Rosenfelt even manages to do a sort of cameo in his own book, though he may not approve of Andy's review. Grin.

While some reviewers keep saying the series uses the same ol' formula, it works. What's that ol' cliche? Don't fix what isn't broken? In this case, Rosenfelt still offers up fun, satisfying reads each time. Not only is the whole gang here, even the work adverse Edna, but the humor and snark and character's relationships are solid and each contributes to the story in their own ways. Some, such as the tales of Sebastian's avoidance of walks are played for laughs while the human side of the suspects are revealed and make us genuinely glad Andy took on another Christmas holiday case. And, yes, Sebastian is a dog. There's always a dog....or many. In this case, Murphy, a former rescue of Andy's Tara Foundation (a real life rescue organization started by Rosenfelt and his wife), even helps kick start Andy's very much unwanted case. Although he's been trying to retire for years, I hope Rosenfelt keeps him working for a long, long time.

No way I can even begin to detail the plot. It's wide reaching and there is a lot going on. Like what? Well, it isn't just dog walking. Let's see, there's a shady lawyer, computer viruses, drug trafficking, mob involvement, including Russians, potential witnesses dying, and, well, more. Much more. Andy's frequently humorous commentary carries us along into and out of danger and into the courtroom where Andy's antics are well known. Maybe it was just my own more serious frame of mind during the fraught days leading to another national election, but Andy himself seemed more prone this go-round to vent about the pressures of the mountain of work ahead for both him and his investigative team, particularly on cases like this that can lead to a quite young man going to prison for the rest of his life. For all his snark, Andy takes his job seriously.

In any case, if you like mysteries and courtroom dramas, not to mention dogs, with a healthy pinch of humor and snark, this is the book for you. I was lucky enough to get the audio version and absolutely adore Grover Gardner as a narrator. The text flows and you feel like you really are hearing Andy's thoughts and the story from him. Just as importantly, the relationships between the various characters are solid. Each is likable and well-fleshed out and that includes the dogs. You'll see why Sebastian is one of my favorites as you read. You'll like them all. Well, the good guys anyway. They all get their moments and even those new to the series will quickly sort them out and fall into feeling like this is ol' home week. Many, many twists and turns, not to mention suspects, none of whom are easy to prove did it instead of BJ/Brian, the young man originally arrested. You'll also come away with a better feel for how investigation done right should operate albeit Andy's crew probably has a far bigger budget than the average police jurisdiction. Thanks #MacmillanAudio for allowing me this sneak peek into Andy's holiday gone amuck. Not of any particular significance to anyone but me but I note this is my 700th review for #NetGalley, too, so a win for me, too. Glad I got to share it with Grover Gardner and Andy's associates.

Review of “The More the Terrier”

By: David Rosenfelt

Available October 15/2024

Check it Out on Goodreads!!

Disclaimer: Please note that I received an Audio ARC from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

⭐☆☆☆☆ (Rating System Below)

As someone who jumped into The More the Terrier without having read the earlier Andy Carpenter books, I had high hopes, but unfortunately, this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The writing style was repetitive and overly simplified, with lines similar to the effect of, “I had no idea what was going on, so I asked what was going on” popping up far too often. It made the dialogue feel forced, as if the author was trying too hard to spell things out for the reader.

The plot itself wasn’t much better. It relied on the outdated “I’m old and confused by technology” trope, which made it feel like it was stuck in the past. At this point, this kind of joke feels tired, and in a modern setting, it just doesn’t hold up well. The mystery surrounding BJ’s arrest for murder wasn’t particularly gripping, and there wasn’t much suspense to keep me hooked.

While I appreciated the dog-centric elements of the story, which added some charm, the overall pacing felt slow, and I found myself losing interest. By the halfway point, I seriously considered not finishing the book. All in all, it wasn’t a terrible read, but it didn’t do enough to keep me fully engaged. If you’re a die-hard fan of Andy Carpenter, you might enjoy it more, but for me, it fell flat and I generally would not recommend this read.

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*Star Rating Guide*

⭐

The writing style didn’t appeal to me.

The characters didn’t resonate with me.

I pushed myself to the limit to avoid DNF’ing.

I wouldn’t suggest this book to anyone I’m acquainted with.

⭐⭐

The book was passable, but it won’t stick in my mind.

Although I didn’t abandon the book, my mind wasn’t fully immersed in the story.

I discovered that it was easy for me to stop reading it and not feel compelled to continue promptly.

When everything was said and done, I was unsure of my immediate opinion on this book.

⭐⭐⭐

If someone is actively seeking a book in this general premise, I would suggest this.

While it was good, I don’t think I’ll ever pick up this book for a second read.

If it were part of a series, I’d probably venture into the next book.

Reading it was time well-spent.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was brilliant.

I had the urge to keep reading and turn to the next page.

The book stayed on my mind for days after I finished it.

I highly recommend this book to everyone.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was actively engaged in wanting to finish reading this book.

My thoughts are consumed by this book after completing it.

I want to have a physical copy as a trophy that I can display on my shelf.

I felt a strong connection and investment while reading this book, would definitely recommend.

It has been a while since I spent time listening to a David Rosenfelt book and enjoying Andy Carpenter’s trademark humor and commentary and his discussions of the case with his dog, Tara. As usual Grover Gardner is Andy Carpenter and I felt like I was really listening to Andy. Once again this is a complicated and well plotted mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. While this is book #30 it can easily be listened to as a standalone as all of the players are explained simply and without dragging down the current story. And the mystery itself begins and ends in this book. So, if you love a good mystery, watching how a defense attorney works and thinks, and enjoy dry humor and wit (and of course dogs). Then you will definitely want to check out David Rosenfelt if you haven’t already.