Deck the Hounds

I loved, loved, loved this book and the entire Andy Carpenter series. Getting a new Any Carpenter mystery is like opening a Christmas present and finding that it is exactly what you wanted, which is especially appropriate for this book because it takes place at Christmas time. And although it deals with an important subject, the plight of homeless veterans, it is, as usual, laugh out loud funny. The story begins when Andy runs into a homeless man with a dog and being the dog lover that he is stops to give him a donation. When he reads about the dog biting someone and being placed in the local shelter he gets involved by rescuing both the dog and the veteran. When Don, the veteran, is arrested for murder Andy takes the case and what started out as a simple murder investigation takes many convoluted twists and turns. This is Andy Carpenter and David Rosenfelt at their very best and I will now start counting the days until the next Andy Carpenter book becomes available.

David Rosenfelt’s writing in the Andy Carpenter series makes me laugh out loud. A lot. Andy is an irreverent millionaire who loves his wife, son and dog shelter, and sometimes his friends. What he doesn’t like is being a lawyer who inevitably takes on new cases, as he would prefer to stay retired. Andy meets a homeless man and his dog on the street, then the next day he sees on the news the man was attacked and his dog bit the assailant. As it’s approaching Christmas Laurie decides the best thing to do is to help the man get his quarantined dog back and give him shelter and food. When Andy and the homeless man, Dan Carrigan, are written up in a human interest story, Dan is quickly arrested for committing a murder. Now Andy, Laurie and the gang must defend his innocence. This is another solid addition to the Andy Carpenter series, especially the NY parking quips. I highly recommend.

I am a big fan of David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series. I read all of the early ones and would read every one he publishes except, well, I’ll be honest: The ebooks got expensive and my local library didn't carry them. I cheered when NetGalley offered his latest, Deck the Hounds (Minotaur Books 2018) and was lucky enough to grab a free copy. By now, in the series, Andy is married with an adopted child and two (three?) dogs to round out his family. When he sees on TV that a homeless Iraqi vet who he knows mostly through the soldier's dog has been arrested for murder and his dog placed in a shelter, likely scheduled to be euthanized, Andy can't sit by and allow that to happen. Though he rarely practices law anymore, and then only for innocent defendants in a case that appeals to him (a family inheritance left him wealthy), this case qualifies. It doesn't take long to realize this vet is being framed and Andy is his only hope of vindication.

As with all of Rosenfelt's books, this is filled with humor, clever quips, and feel-good events that make you wish there really was an Andy Carpenter and that all dogs lived in his house. Here are a few examples:

"... reaching his hand through [the cage] to gently pet the dog. It’s not that difficult because the dog seems equally anxious to make the connection and is lying right up against it..."
xx
"Two seconds in Marcus-time is an hour and a half to anyone else" [refers to Andy's investigator].
My only complaint, and one that didn't hurt the rating, is that Rosenfelt spent a smidgeon too much time reviewing past activities. Even at my age, I do remember events longer than five pages but maybe others don't. So, really, it's OK. Just calling this out. Overall, this--as with all of his books--is a delightful read that I hated to put down even to eat dinner.

This review will be published don my blog, WordDreams, Oct. 4th

It’s almost Thanksgiving and lawyer Andy Carpenter is on his way back from his office when he encounters a homeless man and his dog huddled together on the sidewalk. Andy has always been in the habit of giving to the needy so he hands the man cash and a gift card to a local pet store for his dog. The man’s response is so respectful and intelligent that Andy wonders what could possibly have happened to such an obviously bright person to put him on the street.

While watching television with his wife and son on Thanksgiving day, he sees a news report about a homeless man attacked on the street and how his dog bit the assailant and realizes that it’s the same man he encountered the previous day. His wife and son both agree that they should offer the man and his pet a place to stay over the holiday season. Because the dog bit the assailant, she was placed at the local animal shelter until it’s proven she doesn’t carry rabies. Andy goes to the shelter and finds that the man hasn’t left the dog’s side since she was caged. Using his plentiful resources, Andy gets the dog freed from the shelter and brings her and her master home with him. But what begins as a holiday of cheer and goodwill toward man soon becomes a case of murder with the homeless man as the perpetrator. Andy and his wife don’t believe they’re new friend can possibly be guilty and now they’re on the case to keep him from jail and, quite likely, a death sentence.

Fast paced and riveting, Deck the Hounds keeps you turning pages until it’s exciting conclusion. Don’t start this one after dinner or you’ll be reading until after breakfast!

I just finished the 18th book in the “Andy Carpenter” mystery series and I want to sit down and read it all over again! Mr. Rosenfelt is one of my all-time favorite authors as I have read and enjoyed the entire “Andy Carpenter” and “Doug Brock” series (I would probably read the phone book if he wrote that). Andy Carpenter is an independently wealthy lawyer who doesn’t want to practice law. He would rather watch sports and spend time with his family, wife Laurie and young son Ricky, and his beloved dog Tara. When he does take a case, Laurie who is a former police officer, works as his investigator. Andy offers money to a homeless man, a former veteran, Dan Carrigan. After he learns that Dan was attacked, he offers him the use of the apartment above their garage. When he happens to mention Dan’s name to one of his police friends, Dan is arrested for murder…a murder he did not commit. Now, Andy doesn’t want to take the case, any case, but he calls “his team” together and the investigation begins. I would love to relate the entire story to you, but you really need to read it for yourself. Mr. Rosenfelt’s writing is clever, engagingly sarcastic (down-right funny at times) and the words seem to flow so effortlessly. His characters are amazing, instilled with the same engaging qualities as his writing. If you enjoy a complex yet easy to follow (and humorous) mystery then you should be reading this series. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

It's easy to tell Christmas begins with #DeckTheHounds by David Rosenfelt. Fans of the 'Andy Carpenter' series will love this latest gift of a novel. Rosenfelt never fails to entertain and this is truly one of the best adventures he has crafted. People would volunteer for jury duty if trials were like the one in this book. I always appreciate the laugh out loud moments and this book is full of them. This is the best present you can buy the readers in your life. #NetGalley

snark-fest, dogs, pets, rescue, ptsd, lawyers, law-enforcement, murder-investigation, private-investigators, action

Take a wisemouthed lawyer who can afford to take semi retirement by only representing innocent clients while supporting an animal shelter, add in that his wife is no longer law enforcement but works as his private investigator and more and you have the baseline for this convoluted mystery. There are many other people who help Andy find out what the truth really is and make it courtroom admissible, and then there's the complex man who is accused of the first murder and becomes Andy's client. Lots of twists and turns in the plot and the characters certainly are, but there's no need for spoilers or an attempt at a summary. I found it to be a real brain grabber and was surprised to find that it is the most recent in a series! At no time does the reader feel lost or as if missing background info.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

It’s always a treat to read an Andy Carpenter book. In this Christmas mystery Andy is once again reluctantly drawn into a mystery involving a homeless man and his dog.  

All of the books in this series have great dialogue and interactions between the characters.  And, they all have a decent mystery to keep the action rolling.  But, Deck the Hounds is even better.  The wit and dialogue is tip top and the mystery itself is very satisfying and just complex enough to keep you reading.

Even though it is an easy and fast read, you’ll definitely enjoy the time you spend with Andy Carpenter, his team of sleuths, and of course, the dogs. As always, the cover is beyond cute and only adds to the enjoyment of the book. 

Thank you, Mr Rosenfelt, for continuing to bring Andy to life.  I’m already looking forward to your next book!

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

Suspense, Smartassery, and an Extension on Christmas

I really like Andy Carpenter, not only because he's compensating for being a wealthy lawyer by running a dog rescue charity, but, also because he's such a wiseguy. With a well-developed cast of characters, the dialogue won my heart from the beginning. But honestly, it wasn't much of a contest. This is a highly entertaining book.

The author has adeptly taken such sobering topics as veterans with PTSD and homelessness and blended them into a weirdly light-hearted murder mystery. Deck the Hounds is part of a series, but not having read the previous books didn't hamper my enjoyment one bit. I loved it!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview Deck the Hounds by David Rosenfelt.
Another Hit!!!! Andy Carpenter is an attorney in New Jersey - he is charming, witty, and can be quite the "jackass" when he wants to be - He is one of the best characters in fiction today.
Rosenfelt takes the reader on another roller coaster ride - An army veteran is charged with murder - the police find his DNA, he has a history of violent behavior, and he is homeless. On the surface he appears to be guilty as charged, but Andy Carpenter doesn''t think so and will prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. As usual, the Andy works with the evidence which is overwhelmingly not in his client's favor. As usual, Andy will "piss off" as many cops, good guys and bad guys as possible. The plot is excellent and will keep you guessing till the end.
The usual cast of characters join Andy in this case and again, as usual, they add comedy and conviction to the plot.
This series just never disappoint - Rosenfelt is just so good. When you laugh out loud, literally, reading the Andy Carpenter series because it is written in such as way that the characters come alive.
I would love to see NETFLIX or AMAZON pick this series up and put it on TV - that's how good it is.
Another hit for David Rosenfelt and fans of this series will not be disappointed at all - 5 STARS!!!!

Andy Carpenter, do-gooder and defense attorney extraordinaire, sees a homeless man and gives him some cash and PetsMart gift card, not realizing the man will end up being a client soon enough. Because, according to Laurie, it's Christmas! Throw in a pregnant pooch, Andy's crack team and you've got a very Merry Christmas indeed!

This is the 18th installment of the Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt and still going strong! I'll drop what I'm reading to catch up on Andy and his friends everytime!

It’s Christmastime, and Andy and Laurie invite a homeless veteran with a pregnant canine companion to stay in their garage apartment. It seems like a good idea, until Don is arrested for murder. Of course, Andy takes his case because he believes his client is innocent, but the question remains: who killed the wealthy businessman, and left Don’s hat there to incriminate him? Humor, great characters, and an exciting plot makes this latest Andy Carpenter mystery a must-read.

Just when you decide that your family will do something special for Christmas, the homeless guy you meet on the street to take home is wanted for murder. Does Christmas continue or is it time to say “nice knowin’ ya” ? This is the story of a great family, a happy one with a wife who likes Christmas so much she extends it from Thanksgiving to the end of January. Her husband is afraid the whole neighborhood will think they are nuts or maybe find out they’re nuts. Funny, funny guy. A semi-retired lawyer and his family decide to help a homeless guy for Christmas except…the guy turns out wanted for murder.

I laughed all the way through this book and that was because of the way the author portrayed the main character, Andy. This is the 18th book in a series called “An Andy Carpenter Mystery”. I’m not sure I’m correct in calling this a series but you can find the books numbered many places online. None of that matters. What does matter is this is such a fun read. Andy Carpenter is as much a smart mouth as Harlan Coban’s Jack Reacher. What adds even more fun to the read is the sarcastic asides from Andy. I love sarcastic. There are quite a few characters involved in Rosenfelt’s story. I had no problem keeping them straight and I liked all of his main characters. I liked them because he defined them well enough to allow me to make that decision.

A well-written book with a clean flow that makes it an enjoyable read.

***This book was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are definitely my own.

This is another great book in the Andy Carpenter series. You always love the characters and the interaction between them. I love the humor and the dogs. This is a feel good book and I loved it