4 stars = Great! Might re-read.

A great mystery in this long-running series. I really enjoy Andy's sarcasm and sass, and I like watching him and his team puzzle through a twisty case. I enjoyed beating Andy to the solution this time around, although there were still some surprises for me in the end.

Readers of this series could easily pick this book up out of order and have no issues following the story. I think it helps to read the first few in order so you can get a sense of Andy and of his team, but after that, the stories stand alone very well. (Language)

Andy Carpenter is once again dragged kicking and screaming into doing some actual work—this time at the request of his strong and silent buddy, Marcus. He agrees to defend a young man accused of killing a bunch of people in a law office, a job that does not endear him to his friends on the police force. The only things in the accused’s favor are his love of dogs and Marcus’s vote of confidence. As with all books in this series, this story is entertaining and told with humor. This one has more drama than usual, along with excellent courtroom scenes and a solid ending. I won’t hesitate to read the next in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for a digital advance review copy.

Once again, despite his desire to retire his law practice, Andy Carpenter is presented with a case he can't refuse, and lucky for us! This time he really can't refuse - the request comes from Marcus, and if you know the books, you understand why. Marcus is one scary dude - but luckily he's on Andy's team and Andy owes him his life multiple times over. Marcus' friend Nick has been accused of a heinous mass shooting in a law office, where 6 men and women were killed. This has all the usual elements of this series - humor, a good mystery, the usual cast of characters (that now feel like old friends) surrounding Andy, and of course a dog to be rescued.
When I started the series I read the first one or two. Then I found the audiobooks and there was no going back - Grover Gardner narrates each one to perfection. It's one of those instances of the perfect marriage of material and narrator. I recommend this book (and this series) - and highly recommend the audio version.
Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

3.5 stars

In this 29th book in the Andy Carpenter series, the Paterson, New Jersey attorney represents a man accused of mass murder.

*****

Ever since he inherited a large fortune, defense lawyer Andy Carpenter takes very few cases. Instead, Andy prefers to hang out with his wife Laurie, son Ricky, and dogs Tara (a golden retriever), Hunter (a pug), and Sebastian (a basset hound). Andy also likes to watch sports; help run a canine rescue operation called 'The Tara Foundation'; schmooze with his friends at Charlie's Sports Bar; and so on.

On the rare occasions Andy takes a case, he assembles his team, one of whom is private investigator Marcus Clark. Marcus is known for two traits: he's the toughest guy on the planet; and he doesn't talk much, usually just grunting and nodding. Marcus has had Andy's back on innumerable occasions, so when Marcus speaks up and asks Andy to take a case, Andy agrees. It seems Marcus mentors young men who've gotten into trouble, and one of his 'wards', Nick Williams, is being accused of mass murder.

Nick, a handyman/cleaner, has been employed at a personal injury law firm called Moore Law. One day, when Nick is absent from work, a masked man walks into Moore Law and shoots six people. Two survivors, a lawyer called Sally Montrose and a paralegal named Laura Schauble, say the killer resembled Nick, with a hook tattoo on his arm and distinctive striped sneakers. When the murder weapon is found in a dumpster near Nick's home, with Nick's print on the gun, the police figure 'case closed.'

Nick's story is that he was abducted on the morning of the murder, and held in a room somewhere. Later, when the kidnappers released him, Nick was told to turn himself in to the police.

Andy knows the district attorney has a very strong case, and he'll have to hustle to prepare a compelling defense. So Andy assembles his squad. This consists of lawyer Eddie Dowd - who's great with paperwork and filings; accountant Sam Willis - a computer hacker extraordinaire; office manager Edna - who goofs off more than she works; and The K-Team, a private detective firm consisting of Marcus Clark as well as other PIs, including: Andy's wife Laurie, an ex-cop; Corey Douglas, also an ex-cop, and Corey's police dog, Simon Garfunkel. This time, Sam Willis also recruits reinforcements for computer searches, an elderly couple called Eli and Hilda Mandelbaum. This is a real bonus because Hilda makes unbelievably great rugelach.

As Andy prepares Nick's case for court, he interviews the survivors at Moore Law; relatives of the victims; clients who got big personal injury settlements; and more. Andy comes to suspect that Moore Law was a party to fraudulent claims, and it seems he might be right, because people start trying to kill him. Of course Andy eventually figures out what's going on.....but is it soon enough to save Nick?

The Andy Carpenter books are formulaic, but fun. Andy is a sarcastic quipster whose frequent wisecracks make him unpopular with cops, prosecutors, and judges, but VERY popular with fans of the series.

In one amusing passage, Andy - who's in the habit of discussing the case with his dog Tara - records this exchange:

" 'Tara, what do you think I should do?'

She turns towards me and gives her cute head tilt; no one tilts their head as cute as Tara. But she's giving me a message, she's saying, 'What are you asking me for? I told you not to take the case.'

I can't say I'm thrilled with her attitude, but Tara doesn't beat around the bush."

I always enjoy these cozy mysteries, and I'll keep reading them as long as David Rosenfelt keeps writing them.

Thanks to Netgalley, David Rosenfelt, and Minotaur books for a copy of the manuscript.

First, I have to say I have met Rosenfelt at book signings several times, and he is in real life as funny as his character Andy Carpenter. He is also a dog rescuer, especially of older dogs. So when Andy talks about his golden retriever, Tara, believe that love.
The 29th book in the series and as wonderful as the previous 28!!. I have read and listened to each one. Not only are they funny, but the mysteries are so good, I rarely figure out the villains.
All our favorite characters are here, and Marcus plays a very important role, which will make all his fans happy.
As Andy follows every clue, we are right there with him. A particularly funny scene happens in an art museum, and he really carries the joke to an absurd conclusion.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC . This is my honest review.
Read this series! If this is your first book, don't worry, explanations will clue you in, it is just more fun to start at the beginning.

Book #29 in the wonderful Andy Carpenter series. I have read everyone and enjoyed them and so have the many friends and relatives with whom I have shared these books. You could read the books as stand alones, but you'd miss out on the history that has been shared by this varied crew of super heros. Since 2002, David Rosenfelt has been on my automatic read list. If you love the Stephanie Plum series or the Kinsey Millhone series, you will love Andy Carpenter.

In DOG DAY AFTERNOON, a young man working hard to save money to adopt a dog from the Tara Foundation, is accused of mass murder. As hard as Andy works to not work, he cannot say no when Willie asks him to help. So Andy and crew find themselves in the middle of another murder investigation where the crime seems to have no motive. Rosenfelt gives us the clues, but he's very good at suddenly throwing out every clue they have and solving the crime while the police are looking the other way. Another 5 easy stars.

Dog Day Afternoon is another pleasant mystery with reluctant attorney Andy Carpenter and a myriad of supporting players. Marcus is Andy’s muscle, who keeps his personal life, well, personal. Until now. He brings a defendant, Nick, to Andy who seems to have the deck stacked against him.

Most of Nick’s office is murdered in a single assailant mass shooting. Nick disappears for days beginning the day of the shooting. The shooter revealed a tattoo on his arm that looks exactly like Nick’s as well as wearing Nick’s brand of shoes. Andy eventually believes Nick’s story of strangers kidnapping and framing him for murder. But how will he convince a jury?

Dog Day Afternoon is slightly different than most of the books in this series. First of all, there is no mafia at all in this one, which is a welcome change. Second, dogs are mostly used as background rather than as an integral part of the story. I truly missed this part of the book. However, it is still an enjoyable summer read. 4 stars!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

Dog Day Afternoon is the 29th (!!!) Andy Carpenter legal procedural mystery by David Rosenfelt. Released 2nd July 2024 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

For current fans of the series, this is a good one. It's full of the same sarcastic, warm humor and the same ensemble cast as previous entries in the series (even the ever-work-avoidant Edna is back on scene, taking a break (permanently?) from planning her wedding). Andy Carpenter is, of course, central to the story and still trying to figure out how to stay retired and avoid working. This is such a long running and consistently well written series that saying it's "more of the same, worked around a different mystery" should be enough of a recommendation by itself. Although it's the 29th book in the series, the mystery is self contained and the necessary back-story is written in without major spoilers for previous books. I heartily recommend the whole series, but this particular entry is especially strong.

This is pure comfort reading. It's got a likable protagonist, an engaging mystery, humorous dialogue, and a solid climax, denouement, and resolution. (This one is *particularly* exciting and I was honestly a bit afraid of how it would play out - I sometimes think that the Mr. Rosenfelt puts the characters in impossible situations and then tries to figure out how they'll manage to get out of them). I adore Andy's supporting team, especially Marcus in this installment, and he's getting more speaking parts and active roles instead of just being the muscle; and it's a good change to see his character development.

The audiobook has a run time of 7 hours and 13 minutes and is expertly narrated by Grover Gardner who manages to juggle the various accents and characters of all ages and both sexes without problems. I found myself grinning and laughing along several places with the wonderful narration. The read was definitely enhanced by the narrator. The sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.

Five stars for both the text and audiobook versions. All around fun read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I don’t know how much more I can gush over David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter series other than to say I grab up new entries and devour them like a golden retriever going after a pup cup. The only thing I like better than reading one is listening to the audiobook, read by “Grover Gardner,” or so he says — I think that’s really the voice of Andy Carpenter himself. (Read this one. May listen later.) “Dog Day Afternoon” is just right, as they all are. My only complaint is that Rosenfelt hasn’t yet invited me to meet his (real-life) dogs.

This series is one I always look forward to reading and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s like getting together with old friends who happen to love dogs and solve murders. This story involves a calculated mass murder by one of the employees. Of course, it isn’t what it seems and Andy has to take this case because Marcus asks him to do it. If you have read any of this series, you are aware that Marcus rarely talks and never to Andy. It was great getting to know Marcus in this story line.

At the moment I finished this book, I would have given it three stars instead of four but in retrospect, I cannot punish an author for my frame of mind, which given that I had just gotten a knee replacement, was exceedingly poor. In fact, I chose this particular book because it was light and fast (less so for me than normal under the circumstances). I have the Kindle version and the audio, though I listened to more of it than read because of my attention span which was better with audio, a tribute to the author who managed to keep my attention.
This novel involves a retired lawyer who lives in New Jersey who runs a dog charity. A friend of his, Marcus, asks the lawyer to defend Nick who is charged with a mass killing at his place of employment. The case starts out looking bleak for Nick but our protagonist figures out whodunit, of course.
It is hard to distinguish this series from many other similar cozy mysteries except that the dogs are more of a backdrop than in some (versus an integral part of the plot). In fair disclosure, I will say this is book 29 and I have not read any of the others. However, this book will definitely make me pick up future ones and perhaps check out some of the past ones. It was a pleasant distraction from my pain!
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

In the book Dog Day Afternoon, author David Rosenfelt continues his bestselling Andy Carpenter Mystery series. Once again Andy is coming out of retirement. And this time its to help his long time investigator, Marcus Clark. Clark rarely says much and is secretive about his personal life. But Clark takes disadvantaged young men under his wing, gets them jobs, a place to live, and a chance at a different life. But when one these young men, Nick Williams, is accused of a mass shooting at his work place, Andy is asked by Marcus to help. How can he say no? But what is really going on at Williams work? And who is telling the truth? This was a great 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.

David Rosenfelt has certainly hit his stride with the Andy Carpenter series. I am always amazed as to how he keeps his plots and characters fresh after so many novels. In Dog Day Afternoon, Andy is once again asked to defend a client as a favor to his friend, Marcus. The accused is on trial for murdering 6 random people in an office building. However the defendant doesn't remember the incident, or the days surrounding the crime. He believes he was kidnapped and drugged, and possibly being set up to go down for the crime. Now it is Andy and company's job to dig down to the truth and find out who the actual killer is; preferably before jury deliberation.

I always say these novels are for those who enjoy watching The Lincoln Lawyer tv series on Netflix, A savvy, and dry humored lawyer who has made it his mission to save dogs and people from injustice. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this novel.

The cover had me expecting more dog in this but okay. LOL there was a golden retriever pup, but she wasn’t prominently in it. However, I did find the story itself really compelling and caught my interest. The premise itself is rather glum, especially given the American landscape currently and gun violence— Nick Williams is pinned for the murder of six of his coworkers in an office shooting. This suspicion is casted by one of the survivors who noted the shoes, use of her nickname, and tattoo on the arm. However, Nick was kidnapped and actually wasn’t at the scene of the crime. So what is going on? Lawyer Andy Carpenter takes on the case, knowing Nick to be a good guy, and uncovers a huge secret of the law firm and what really was responsible for the shooting orchestrated. My favorite bits were the court scenes. I always love hearing the line of questioning and the responses as usually they are trying to back someone in a corner. It’s like that scene from Legally Blonde with “how can you be washing your hair if you just got a perm?” Lol

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the copy for review!

Thank you St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books for allowing me to read and review Dog Day Afternoon An Andy Carpenter Mystery on NetGalley.

Published: 07/02/24

Stars: 5

This is the 29th book in the series of which I have read only a handful randomly. I was introduced to Andy and the gang in last year's Christmas story. I am a fan. However, I am not able to binge read the series for every reason I love -- I find senseless in large doses -- the sense of humor and sketchy backgrounds and multiple personalities of the cast with the common denominator a love for dogs. This works for me 2-3 times a year; eventually I could read them all, eventually.

This installment was delightful. Of course there is murder, mayhem, laughs and family time.

There is also a warmth in the familiarity of the characters. This time they felt real.

I would gift these to young readers moving to adult books, grandparents, elderly, etc. I like that I could have read these out loud to residents in a nursing home.

4.5 stars!

The gang is back to represent a young man Marcus has been mentoring, who is accused of killing six people at the law office where he worked.

Nick is likable, and while at first Andy isn’t quite sure he believes him, he takes him on because Marcus asks him to.

This had me turning the pages frantically, trying to figure out who could have possibly done it if not Nick, and the ending really did surprise me. I suppose I should have seen that coming, but I didn’t!

I love the whole crew, and also really enjoyed Hilda and her babka having her moment in the spotlight! Also liked learning a bit more about Marcus, although he still keeps his words to a minimum.

Dog Day Afternoon is the 29th installment in the long-standing Andy Carpenter series. And while this is my first novel from the series, I had no problems reading it as a standalone.

The novel follows main protagonist Andy Carpenter as he navigates his role as a defense attorney. There’s a lot of court procedural narrative so it does come across as long winded at times. However, it moves along nicely due to Carpenter’s snarky sense of humor which I enjoyed.

Because of the long-standing nature of the series, the characters didn’t come across as anyone noteworthy. I would probably have to read the earlier novels to get a feel for all of the characters. But for what it’s worth, I liked the main character, but I could have used more background information on the other players.

Though the novel appears to be a dog-centric series, the dogs play a very minor role in the story. But that’s okay since there was enough action to keep me engaged. And the surprising finale made for a great read. Four stars.

I received a DRC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

Dog Day Afternoon is book 29 in the Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt.
As always the narration is compelling.
I enjoy revisiting these characters and dogs!
The characters rally together and I especially enjoy the way Rosenfelt chose to end this book - it definitely makes for a surprise and adds to my excitement for the next book in the series. This is a great addition to the series and the plot holds some genuine surprises in its twists and turns.
With his usual charm, humor and intelligence, Andy is certainly up to the task.

Thank You NetGalley and Minotaur Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

(4.5 / 5)

When defense attorney Andy Carpenter is asked by his mysterious and stoic associate Marcus to defend a man who is accused of a mass murder at a law office, Andy agrees, perhaps less reluctantly than normal. Though the accused man's alibi is a bit sketchy, Andy begins to uncover a complex conspiracy that could possibly prove his client's innocence...if only he could understand it enough to use it.

I have not read all of the books up to this point, but I've read enough to know that Marcus has been a background kind of guy for most of the series. For him to be more involved is an interesting change for this book, which is important this far into a series. One of the things I've always enjoyed about these books is the variety of characters Andy uses in his investigations, which grows a little here and there. Marcus was always the comforting protective presence who had little personality, which I never felt detracted from the books. Here, though, we see a little bit of character development, yet not so much that Marcus doesn't remain a bit of a mystery.

These books are normally in 1st-person perspective, but there are bits here and there from 3rd-person to show the reader things that Andy doesn't directly see. I don't know when this started in the series (or if it was new to this boo), but it threw me off at first. I think that's just because I have recently been going through the series from the beginning and have not encountered this yet. The only complaint I really had was that the conspiracy started to get a little convoluted and difficult to follow, with a lot of names that I struggled to remember. It all came together well in the end though. And Carpenter's trademark wit and sarcasm are in full force in this book.

This series has become something of a comfort read for me, so receiving an ARC of the newest book is always an honor. I highly recommend this book 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).

I have read every Andy Carpenter book and love the intriguing stories, the continuing and unique characters, and the humor. I always wanted a bit more about Marcus Clark and I got my wish with this new title. Marcus, one of retired lawyer Andy Carpenter’s investigators, never asks for anything, but is always there to save Andy’s life. This time, Marcus needs a favor for one of the teens that he mentors (I had no idea that Marcus mentored teens, but it fits!). The teen, Nick Williams, has been accused of murdering six people in the law office where he worked. There is evidence that it could have been Nick, but he has an unusual alibi that will definitely not hold up in court…at least not until Andy can prove it. His team begins the investigation as Andy alternately offends and angers those he will subpoena, but that is really just Andy’s charm. Just when you think someone will finally stop Andy’s “questioning”, Marcus is there to end the threat! Were all six people targeted, or if not, which one and why? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)