Twenty-seven books in! I read Flop Dead Gorgeous in May, and already have started the book coming out in October, Twas the Bite Before Christmas. That is how much I absolutely love this series by David Rosenfelt.

Lights. Cameras. Action. Why is that? First of all, Andy should stop saying he is retired, because he takes case after case. In this case, he is defending an ex-girlfriend, and she is a movie star and comes with all of the glitz and glamour. Of course she has a dog, a dog she has adopted from Andy's organization, The Tara Foundation.

This Andy Carpenter series ties in with his spinoff series, The K Team, so not only do we have Andy's wife Laurie, there are Sam, a computer whiz; Marcus, his security guard; and ex-cop Corey, the latter two you see a lot of with Laurie in the K Team books. Oh, it was so nice to see Edna in this book. I remember when I was binge reading the series in January how averse Edna was to work, and I simply adore her. Fabulous continuity, but enough of a backstory for first time readers of a book in this series.

As per his regular style, Andy does more than take on his newest client, he also investigates the murder she is being accused of. Considering the victim died in her kitchen makes this no easy feat. With his usual charm, humor and intelligence, Andy is certainly up to the task.

You absolutely have to love Andy's love for dogs, as well as to how Laurie feels about them as well. I hated for this book to end, especially since I had it as an audiobook ARC expertly narrated by the talented Grover Gardner, but I also got the October title as an eARC and am reading it now.

I have no idea how I missed this series at the beginning but I am thrilled to be reading each book as it comes out as David Rosenfelt has written an addictive series.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Classic Andy Carpenter
David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter series is renowned with readers like me because of their humor, but Flop Dead Gorgeous opens with a gripping scene that reminds us that this is also a legal thriller, and Andy fights the bad guys in addition to cracking jokes.
Never fear, though; when narrator Andy takes over, the fact that he is defending Jenny Nichols, a woman he dated in high school who is now a Hollywood star, from the charge that she murdered her costar does not deter him from entertaining his audience. His wry wit is very much in evidence, making me smile and guffaw enough that my long-suffering husband suggested that I might want to read in another room.
There are more murders, leading Andy to fear for his family’s safety. He gives his usual stellar performance in court, though, irritating the judge and the opposing counsel before (spoiler alert!) he wins an acquittal for his client, whom he also dated in high school.
The plot was a bit thin if the reader is in analytic mode, but plot is not the reason one reads Andy Carpenter. His fans will find plenty to enjoy and even a few scenes with dogs, both Andy’s dog and Maisie, a rescue dog that Jenny, who Andy dated in high school, adopted from Andy’s shelter .
If you have not read this series before, I would recommend you begin with the first book, Open and Shut, which will give you the context. After that you can enjoy Andy’s antics in any order; there is not a loser in the bunch.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.

David Rosenfelt again, has written another marvelous story of a murder with the same compassion and warm characters of his other novels. His books can't miss!!

What is there not to like about any book written by David Rosenfelt?! I love his books - quick read, entertaining, funny, loveable characters and a fun mystery to round it all out..

Book Title: Flop Dead Gorgeous
Series: Andy Carpenter #27
Author: David Rosenfelt
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur Book
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: July 4, 2023
My Rating: 4.5 rounded up
Pages 272

This novel is #27 in the Andy Carpenter series and #21 for me! Although I am reading this, I have listened to many of the audiobooks in this series as I just love narrator Grover Gardner. author. David Rosenfelt has a great wit and I can totally hear Mr. Gardner ‘dead pan’ voice while reading this!

Andy Carpenter stories are always entertaining~ true they are formula driven ~ in addition to dogs; there will be courtroom drama (which I love and am never disappointed!), a surprising twist, and hopefully a Victory dinner!!!

If you are new to Andy, he is semi-retired as he came into a large inheritance. He typically only takes cases if there is a dog involved. He always has and needs help from friends and family: Laurie – his wife and Marcus- his bodyguard

In this story Andy reminds us-as well as everyone in Patterson, NJ multiple times that he dated beautiful and talented movie star Jenny Nichols in high school. Additionally there is another connection as she adopted a miniature French Poodle named ‘Mamie’ from the Tara Foundation shelter. Mamie was turned in to the foundation when her owner died. Jenny fell in love and took her back to Californian.
Jenny is currently in Patterson, as her mother died and she is in town for the funeral and is also getting her mother’s home ready to be sold.
She agrees to have dinner with Andy, Laurie and a few friends. However, Ryan her ex shows up at the dinner and makes a scene
Later that night, Jenny finds Ryan dead in her mother’s house.
Now Jenny is accused of his murder and, of course, retired from being a lawyer Andy steps up to be her attorney.
We know that Ryan wasn’t a model citizen and there are more than likely many suspects.

Will Andy and his assistants Laurie, Marcus, Sam, Corey, and Vince as well as fur buddies Tara, Hunter, and perhaps even Sebastian -the low energy basset hound, find the real murderer before Jenny is convicted and sent to prison?

Now it is your turn ~ you have to read to find out!!
This is one of the best ~ perhaps ‘The Best’ Might be because I just finished and it is fresh in my mind but I loved it!
Author, David Rosenfelt did not Disappoint!

Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur Books for this GREAT early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 4, 2023.

Attorney Andy Carpenter is very wealthy and retired, but it seems something always comes up that touches him personally and he absolutely must be involved in their defense.

This time it really is personal, as the accused is an old high school flame, now a well-known movie star, Jenny Nichols. When back in Paterson, she adopted a mini-poodle from Andy’s Tara Foundation.

Andy has an amazing team of investigators, including his wife, an ex-cop and her K-Team. All work beautifully to round out an all-star cast of characters you come to know and love.

If Jenny didn’t do it, who did? Each well-developed character gets to shine, including the dogs—and we do love the dogs!

Andy is full of his snarky sense of humor as they weave through threads, twists, and misdirections.

These stories aren’t simple, they develop layers of complexity. I was surprised at the courtroom outcome this time. I don’t ever remember such a development before, but author Rosenfelt always presents a new wrinkle.

Remarkable this is Book #27 and can still be fresh and unique. I’ve read or listened to most of this series and often fall back on an audiobook I might have missed. I love the banter, the investigation, and the courtroom footwork. This is one of my favorite series!

Thank you for introducing me to my new favorite writer. I have already been noting which of his books I will read next. Flop Dead Gorgeous follows the usual formula of lawyer gets murder case and must defend his client . The usual discovery and research period begins followed shortly thereafter by the trial. In the end the trial is over as and the verdict is reached. In the end justice is served. The difference with this novel is the way it is written. David Rosenfelt infuses the story with humor that makes it a refreshing style and fun to read. I can hardly wait to read another one of his books.

I don't think David Rosenfelt can write a bad book. Flop Dead Gorgeous was fun and entertaining and a pleasure to read. Andy Carpenter just can't retire, even though he tries. He is reunited with a rescue dog from his dog rescue organization and the dog's owner, a girl he "dated in high school" (a phrase important to the story) who is now a famous actress. She is in town to get away for awhile and while she is there finds herself accused of murder. Of course Andy has to again unretire and take the case with the help of his wife and associates, a group of wonderful characters. The snappy dialogue and entertaining courtroom antics never disappoint. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read a good mystery with a smile. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this for my honest review.

Flop Dead Gorgeous by David Rosenfelt
This is an Andy Carpenter mystery. I have not read any previous books in this series and it can be read as a stand alone.
A famous actress and high school friend, Jenny Nichols, is living in a NJ town while making a movie in NYC. After a dinner that Andy hosted, she finds her costar’s body in her kitchen. She is arrested for murder and Andy represents her. The DA thinks it is a slam dunk but Andy knows Jenny and does not believe she has done it. But to prove it, he and his team must find the killer.
Andy has an interesting group who helps him solve cases including his golden retriever, Tara.
I enjoyed the cast of characters. There is humor and charm in this novel; I look forward to reading more.

dogs, courtroom-drama, teamwork, animal-rescue, animal-shelter, law-enforcement, lawyers, laugh-out-loud, murder-investigation, murder, verbal-humor, snark-fest, fast-pace, thriller, actors, New Jersey, Hollywood, friendship, family, situational-humor*****

Andy's old girlfriend from high school is in town and she is a well known movie star. If any publicity is good publicity, she gets a lot of it because she is charges with the stabbing death of her less than stellar leading man (with a past). The investigation takes an interesting turn when Andy has to take a trip to Hollywood at the same time as Ricky is out that way with a class trip! Another fun read!
This series can easily be read out of order or just drop in anywhere and have a good read while laughing your sox off! This is NOT an unbiased review! I love the Andy Carpenter and K-Team books! The stories are imaginative, somewhat plausible, totally engaging, and off-set reality.
Andy Carpenter is a wise-mouthed 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 these convoluted mysteries. There are many other people who help Andy find out what the truth really is and make it courtroom admissible (The K-Team). The mysteries are always intriguing, and I cackled my way through the whole thing (again)!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I will definitely get the audio when it comes out.

Andy and his team are on the case again. Friend and actress Jenny is accused of murder and the evidence is damning. Can wise cracking Andy pull a rabbit out of his hat or will Jenny be convicted?

Very formulaic - until the end. If you can make it thru the not-quite-up-to-par rest of the book, the end is satisfying. (Not enough about the dogs, though, if that's what you read David Rosenfelt for, as I do.)

As a dog lover, I love nothing better than reading a mystery involving dogs. David Rosenfelt writes two series about dogs that leave me slobbering for more. I always enjoy his sarcasm and his love for dogs shines through. His stories are entertaining and the characters, human and canine, are so loveable. Readers who like Spencer Quinn or W. Bruce Cameron will snap this book up.

If you like to laugh occasionally while reading a mystery, pick up one of David Rosenfelt's. I've read all of his Andy Carpenter mysteries (of which "Flop Dead Gorgeous" is one) and all of his newer series, "The K Team." Andy is a self-proclaimed retired lawyer who loves dogs and who comes out of retirement when someone needs a defense attorney.

It's not enough for Andy to get his client off. He always wants to find out who murdered the victim and why.

In this volume, a Hollywood star who went to high school with Andy is back in town and her ex-boyfriend is murdered. She is charged with the crime and Andy knows she just couldn't have done it.

If you enjoy Janet Evanovich or Spencer Quinn, David Rosenfelt may soon become one of your favorites as well.

Retired lawyer Andy, and his group, help to solve the murder of an actor. The one on trial is Jenny, a well known actress who Andy used to date back in high school. A good story, and like the one liners. Reminded me a bit of Perry Mason and Sam Spade rolled into one. Would recommend.

Attorney bumbles into a murder defense of a Hollywood starlet whom he dated in high school. His snarky humor is amusing and this is a very fast, entertaining read. Pay close attention to the clues and you can solve the case. My thanks to the author and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this entry in the series

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!