Dogged Pursuit is a prequel to David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter Mystery series. After thirty books (yes, I’ve read each and every one of them) you’d think I’d lose my enthusiasm. After all, just how many different plots can Mr Rosenfelt devise? Silly question. When I pick up one of his books I know I can always count on a variety of characters, great dogs, a sense of humor that doesn’t slow down, and a mystery that’s always interesting.

This prequel hits on all cylinders and it’s one of the author’s best. The other books have provided a glimmer of Andy’s life before he became a defense attorney. But this book reveals how his Golden Retriever, Tara, came into his life, along with his decision to move from the prosecutor’s office to his own firm as a defense attorney. Familiar characters are introduced as Andy takes on the case of a young man accused of murder.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dogged Pursuit. It certainly rounds out the series and was quite entertaining. Thank you Mr Rosenfelt. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

This was kind of a fun glimpse into how it all got started. Same lovable cast of characters and same love for dogs, just going back to the formation of the team. It was a fun read.

I’ve enjoyed all the books I’ve read by this author. It was a treat to see Andy’s career at the start, how he meets his team etc. most importantly it shows him adopting Tara. At first I was kind of disappointed that the adopting part felt like it was a random act, but I quickly realized how very “Andy” that was.

I’m curious to see if we get more stories from Andy’s past. This was a lot of fun.

This is book 31 in the Andy Carpenter series. It's more a prequel to the series, as it is all about his first case as a defense attorney. It starts with his adoption of his beloved Golden, Tara and Sonny from the local Dog Rescue society. Tara and the Rescue program are a constant in all 31 books. When he adopts Sonny he discovers that the owner is in jail charged with murder. A great story and as always a good mystery. A stand alone read.

This is a prequel to book 1. I was a little confused at first thinking this was a book I forgot to read but quickly figured out the connection. It wasn’t my favorite book as it takes us back to the beginning of his career and put in the middle of a series, but it was nice to learn about the background of the characters I’ve come to know in the series. Will I stop reading them? Nope cause it’s Andy Carpenter and his wit never dies.

At first I was flummoxed that the story was set back at the beginning of Andy's career. What? But then it all comes clear. This is the story where Andy meets Tara. And Laurie. And Marcus. Andy is still married to Nicole, but their relationship does not look good. When Nicole moves out, Andy decides to finally get the dog he's always wanted, so he goes to the shelter and meets Tara. As we all know, they connect. But Tara is believed to be bonded to another dog that is unavailable for adoption because his owner is in jail. So Andy decides to get a waiver so he can take care of the dog until the man gets out. A man in jail. A dog. I wonder where this is going?
It's fun seeing all the characters when they're young and just meeting. The mystery is fairly predictable, but hey, he's new to this Lawyer for the Defense business. Obviously he has been equally sarcastic since birth, and that's always the best part. Otherwise Marcus would never need to rescue him, and that's always such fun. Maybe not the best, but very enjoyable, and always a super fast read.

David Rosenfelt has brought a fresh perspective to the well loved character of Andy Carpenter. Described as a prequel to the already established Carpenter mystery series, readers get the chance to see where it all began. Andy is only 3 years post law school and has recently moved from the prosecution side, to defense. Looking to help the "little guy" he takes a case that is anything but simple.

By throwing it back, Rosenfelt gets to introduce Andy & Laurie to each other, and give a little more insight into his struggling marriage with Nicole. I found the novel to have the same wit and sarcasm that readers have come to expect from Rosenfelt's works. All in all an enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Publishing for the opportunity to read this novel.

Another great addition to a wonderful series! I love the mystery in this book, and getting to hang with Andy and his dogs is always a comfort for me! The storyline is so well done, it kept my guessing the whole time! I would highly recommend this book to everyone!

Dogged Pursuit – is the newest installment (number 31, can you believe it?) in David Rosenfelt’s endlessly enjoyable Andy Carpenter series. But this one is extra special—it’s a prequel! And what a treat it is to go back to where it all began.

Longtime fans will delight in watching Andy make the leap from prosecutor to reluctant defense attorney—very reluctant, as always—and take on his very first murder case. When Andy heads to the shelter to adopt a dog, he finds Tara, the golden retriever who will become his lifelong companion. But Tara is penmates with a beagle whose owner has been arrested for a deadly car bombing. To keep the two dogs together, Andy needs permission from the alleged killer—Frank Tierney—and somehow ends up defending him in court. One thing leads to another, and suddenly Andy’s surrounded by shady business dealings, a dangerous client, and life-threatening intrigue.

We also get the origin story of how Andy met Laurie—then a tough former cop turned investigator—and how their partnership (and eventual romance) started. Marcus makes a memorable first impression, and yes, someone thought it was a great idea for Andy to cover the tab at the pub.

Rosenfelt delivers everything I’ve come to expect from this series: witty banter, smart plotting, loveable dogs, sharp legal drama, and humor that lands every time. The pacing is fast, the case is compelling, and while the book works beautifully as a standalone, longtime fans will especially enjoy the character backstory and early dynamics.

I listened to the fabulous Grover Gardner on audio—his narration is Andy Carpenter to me at this point—and my husband will read our gorgeous finished hardcover (his preferred format, naturally).

If you’re new to the series, Dogged Pursuit is actually the perfect place to jump in. And if you’re a veteran fan like me, this book will give you all the nostalgic vibes while still delivering a fresh, suspenseful story.

In Dogged Pursuit, the thirty-first book in the Andy Carpenter Mystery series by David Rosenfelt rewinds the clock and takes readers back to where it all began for wisecracking defense attorney Andy Carpenter—and it’s a nostalgic, heartwarming, and cleverly plotted ride. This prequel offers longtime fans a deeper glimpse into Andy’s roots while serving as a perfect entry point for newcomers to the series.

Fresh out of the prosecutor’s office in Paterson, New Jersey, Andy is ready to go solo, disillusioned by a justice system that seems more interested in convictions than fairness. His new office may be a far cry from glamorous, but Andy is full of idealism (and sarcasm) as he launches his defense practice.

Things quickly get personal when Andy visits a local animal shelter and meets the dog who will change his life: Tara, the golden retriever who becomes his closest companion and fan favorite throughout the series. But Tara isn’t alone—she’s sharing a kennel with another dog, Sunny, who happens to be tied to a murder investigation. When Andy learns that Sunny’s owner, Ryan Tierney, has been arrested for killing his former boss, Andy’s instincts (and soft spot for fellow dog lovers) kick in. Before he knows it, Andy has his first client—and two dogs in tow.

The mystery unfolds with Rosenfelt’s trademark blend of legal intrigue, dry humor, and emotional depth. Watching Andy navigate his first solo case is a treat, full of the early missteps and flashes of brilliance that shaped the lawyer readers have come to love. Ryan Tierney’s devotion to his dog adds a poignant layer to the story, reinforcing the series’ central theme: that the bond between people and dogs is both powerful and redemptive.

Dogged Pursuit is more than just a mystery—it’s an origin story filled with charm, suspense, and heart. Whether you’ve followed Andy Carpenter through every case or are meeting him for the first time, this book is a delightful and satisfying read.

This ARC book is complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NatGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

4.5 stars = I loved it! Would re-read.

I am such a series fan, I didn't even read what the story was when I requested this. So I didn't know it was going to be something of an Andy Carpenter origin story until I started reading. What a treat! The case is great with some fantastic surprises. I think this story will work better for readers who have at least read a few of the previous books so you can enjoy all the mentions of series regulars who are new to Andy in this book. Series fans should not miss this! (Language)

Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt goes back in time to the days before Tara comes into Andy's life. After he has adopted Tara and taken on another shelter dog whose owner is in jail, Andy becomes involved in trying to get Sunny returned to his owner and the owner freed from jail. with the change from working as a Prosecutor to working as a Defendant, Andy's life changes in many ways. It is nice to get some backstory on Andy and Tara and all the other characters we are introduced to. This is a very good addition to the series.

I have loved this series so when I started the book, I had to remind myself that we were taking a journey back to when Andy was just beginning his trajectory as one of the funniest, most self aware and clever defence attorneys ever. In fact, he is not with his beloved Laurie and still sort of married to his first wife. He has just rescued Tara and is meeting the crew that helps him solve the murders and keep him above ground. He is going to need all the help he can get.

His client has been accused of blowing up his former boss who fired him recently. These two go way back but the evidence piled up against him seems overwhelming. That is to anyone but Andy and his cohorts. What he discovers is there are so many nefarious layers to this story and the ones who are responsible think nothing of blowing away any impediments to their plans. As usual it is a tense and suspenseful journey that he is able to unravel at the very last moment, Andy never takes a jury for granted and on his first case on the other side of the table, he is even less confident.

If you like a little snark in your mysteries and enjoy courtroom shenanigans, Andy is your boy. Five purrs and two paws up.

David Rosenfelt introduces Andy Carpenter in this prequel to his adventures, Dogged Pursuit. Andy has gone from the prosecutor's office to defense and his first case is a murder suspect that he has to defend. Andy adopts a dog from a shelter whose owner is in jail accused of murder. Andy adopts Tara, the dog, and her companion Sonny. Dangers from his case cause his wife to leave him, but he assembles his winning defense team. The murder victim owned a shipping company which he put into danger of dissolution due to needing a huge loan that he got from a loan shark. Andy thinks the trucks are also shipping illegals. What could go wrong? Read and enjoy the circus of misadventures and a resolution of the murder case which will get his client out of jail.

Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt is a fantastic prequel that brilliantly reintroduces readers to the beloved Andy Carpenter, capturing the early days of his journey from prosecutor to defense attorney. The story is packed with Rosenfelt’s trademark warmth, sharp wit, and engaging legal drama, all set against the backdrop of Paterson, New Jersey. Meeting Tara, Andy’s iconic golden retriever, for the first time adds a heartwarming touch that longtime fans will cherish.

What makes this book stand out is how effortlessly it balances a compelling mystery with humor and genuine emotion. Andy’s character shines as he navigates his first big case while juggling the chaos (and comfort) of two shelter dogs. Whether you’re a series veteran or a newcomer, Dogged Pursuit offers an accessible, entertaining, and heartfelt introduction to one of mystery’s most lovable protagonists. A true 5-star read!

DELIGHTFUL!

Fans of the Andy Carpenter series (like myself) will devour this fun and fascinating prequel, DOGGED PURSUIT! David Rosenfelt rewinds, taking us back to the beginning at the start of his law career in Passaic County, New Jersey, and his beloved golden retriever, Tara.

Now, do not be confused, as yes, there is a beagle on the front cover, not Tara the golden retriever; however, there is a story here that includes the Beagle when Andy picks Tara, and a new client accused of murder.

About...

At age 31, Andy has always wanted a dog, but growing up, his mom claimed to be allergic (or so she said-now deceased). Then there was law school, and he spent the last three years working as a prosecutor in Paterson after graduating. His dad, Nelson, was the chief prosecutor (now retired).

Andy, taking a break from his wife, Nicole, who is not thrilled about him not going to work for her father (Senator and wealthy) while he insists on hanging out his own law office shingle from prosecutor to defense attorney.

Living in Franklin Lakes, NJ, near Paterson, where he grew up, he makes a life-changing decision to visit a shelter. There, he forms an instant bond with Tara, the beautiful golden retriever. (whom we all have loved over the years).

But there's a twist-he also meets Sunny, a beagle (Tara's mate). So he wonders if he can take Sonny along with Tara temporarily, setting the stage for a heartwarming and unpredictable journey.

However, there is a stipulation. The Beagle belongs to Ryan Tierney, a man involved in a criminal case (accused of murdering his ex-boss) and needs to obtain his permission to keep him until he is released.

This leads Andy to visit him in jail and ultimately to represent him, as he is now on the other side of the law, working for the defense.

This leads to a wild roller coaster ride.

My thoughts...

I LOVED this charming and enjoyable prequel (#31), learning about how the popular and adorable Golden Retriever, Tara, came into Andy's life.

In addition to the fun, inspiring, and charming cozy mystery, there is a suspenseful murder legal case, and a long-time fan's introduction to characters we will meet in the series.

As a massive fan of the series, author, and Tara, I was delighted to find out how they met one another.

I am a lover of golden retrievers (the best dogs in the world). I miss my Golden Duke, whom I got when he was 6 weeks old, and had him for 15 glorious years. I miss him every day, and I never could bring myself to get another dog after that. Best dog ever!

PS I am glad the author keeps Tara alive (no matter the age) which he addresses. I wish we all could do the same in real life.

A must-read #31 in the series prequel for fans! Additionally, if you haven't read David Rosenfelt or the Andy Carpenter series, you are missing out. A gratifying, heartwarming series. Check out his books, his inspiring story, and all his excellent work with dogs.

Audiobook...

As a bonus, fans will flock to the audio, featuring a favorite popular narrator, Grover Gardner, who elevates the story with his sense of humor and engaging voice, delivering an outstanding performance. It would not be Andy Carpenter without him. I highly recommend the audiobook and series. Makes me want to go back and read/listen to all the ones I missed.

Recs...

DOGGED PURSUIT is for fans of David Rosenfelt, the Andy Carpenter series, dog fiction, legal, humor, and cozy mysteries.

I want to extend a special thank you to Minotaur Books for providing an advanced reading copy and to Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy, both courtesy of NetGalley. Your support is greatly appreciated and has allowed me to share my honest thoughts with my readers. #MacAudio2025

Blog review posted @
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@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 1, 2025
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“Dogged Pursuit,” by David Rosenfelt (Minotaur, 288: pages; out now), is a prequel to Rosenfelt’s long-running Andy Carpenter series, with a tongue-in-cheek twist. The plot finds a younger Andy, still wrestling with his first marriage and newly working as a defense attorney, meeting the people who will become his team for the first time. The twist: Andy also adopts his beloved golden retriever, Tara. Read the authors’s note for an explanation of this deliberate anachronism.

Reviewed in brief in print and online for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S DOGGED PURSUIT ABOUT?
Andy Carpenter has recently left the Prosecutor's Office to become a defense lawyer. He's rented an office, helped one client, and...well, that's it. His wife is leaning on him to take a job as a corporate lawyer (and her father can get him such a position), but his heart isn't in it.

He has decided it's past time for him to get a dog after years of wanting one—so he goes to a shelter, falls head over heels with one, and adopts her. The shelter tells him that his new dog (Carpenter fans know Tara very well at his point) has bonded with the dog she shared a run with. So he offers to adopt her, too. That can't happen because her owner is in jail awaiting trial. They assure him that if he can get a release from the owner, he can take the dog.

Carpenter fans know at this point that this will be Andy's first client. People new to the series will probably know this, too. Rosenfelt isn't playing his cards close to his chest here.

And, hey, what do you know? That's exactly what happens. The trick is that Andy's new client is charged with multiple murders—that of his old friend and boss who fired him two weeks previously, and the two people he was giving a ride home to (so they wouldn't drive after drinking at a corporate party).

The circumstantial case is pretty strong—almost too strong. No one that Andy talks to at his client's old company could believe he'd be capable of such a thing. And he really seems to care about his dog. Which is enough for Andy to dive in.

He just needs evidence on his side, an investigator to do some work for him, and a clue about how to defend this particular client. But that'll come, right?

THE PREQUEL-NESS
I was surprised when I saw this was a prequel. I don't know that I ever stopped and wondered, "How did Andy get started in the business?" Particularly as early in his career that book one, Open and Shut, isn't that far into his career and really serves just as well as an origin story.

That said...this is a really good novel, a solid prequel, and a treat for fans of the series. Let's take a quick glance at some of the series regulars we meet here:

* Tara. You don't have an Andy Carpenter book without his best friend. Their meeting goes beyond a meet-cute, and watching their relationship blossom is great. Honestly, the rest of this list isn't necessary, as long as Rosenfelt nailed this one, and it's no surprise that he did.
* Sam. Sam gets a little more "screen time" here than he typically does. This is a-ok with me, Sam's great. We get some seeds planted for a lot of what we see from this accountant/hacker in the future. What we don't get—and this is the biggest problem with this book—is the song talking. I get that he and Andy have grown out of it by later books (as odd as it is to think of Andy maturing). I miss it, but I can cope (as well as grumble about it). But they're not there yet. Something that so characterizes their relationship in the first few books should be here now.
* Laurie. Andy meets and hires Laurie here, a wonderful decision on his part. It's totally platonic, Rosenfelt shows us that Andy is a stand-up guy on that front (as he continues to be). Given where their relationship ends up, I have to give Rosenfelt a lot of credit for keeping it professional. Laurie struggles some (as I think she continues to do for quite a bit) with working for the defense—not as much as say, Harry Bosch does (although she wasn't working for the PD as long as Bosch did). And that's good to see, but her adaptability and smarts are on full display.
* Pete. Pete and Andy aren't as friendly as they will one day be. It's actually nice to see them approach bonding, and the beginning of Andy picking up Pete's tab.
* Nelson Carpenter. We don't get to see a lot of Andy's father before his death, so it was really nice to see the healthy relationship here. It's hard not to like this guy, and you can see why he was such a legend in the legal community in the area.
* Edna. Andy hasn't hired—much less met—Edna at this point, but she's mentioned to him a few times as someone he should hire. Reading what Andy is told about her, and what we know about her, is one of the best chuckle-generators of this novel.
* Nicole. This has to be the trickiest one in the book—the relationship is doomed, we all know this. But neither Andy nor Nicole is ready for it to end. Rosenfelt has to show the crumbling, without showing the last straws—as those straws are still to come. And man...I liked Nicole. I enjoyed seeing her bond with Tara. I liked seeing her interact with Andy; she seems like a pretty good match for him.

MARCUS
In a couple of the more recent books, I've wondered if Marcus is losing a bit of what made him such a fun character for the readers because we've learned more about him. Is the mystique gone? Is he on the verge of becoming just another member of Andy's circle?

That question gets set on the back burner for a while—phew—because in this prequel, Marcus is all mystique. Nothing but mystique and mystery.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK OF DOGGED PURSUIT?
Okay, let's set aside all the fun of the prequel stuff. How's the mystery, the case, the resolution?

Those are just what you want. Andy's not the cocky, flashy trial lawyer he will become. But you can see it on the horizon. He's nervous—in and out of the courtroom. He's not prepared to meet with some of the truly nasty characters he needs to—or the threat they can represent.

There are plenty of twists and a revelation or two at the end that are just satisfying.

There's not a huge conspiracy with international implications afoot. There's some criminal activity around the murders that Andy runs across—but it's not at the heart of the book.

There are some truly good lines (particularly involving Andy's cowardice and lack of ability to defend himself—always a good place for Rosenfelt to return to). The momentum carries you right along, right up to the surprises at the end.

Throw in Andy and Tara's relationship? You've got a solid book.

I strongly recommend this book to people who've read Andy Carpenter in the past (even if you've taken a break for whatever reason). If people have seen my glowing posts in the back and haven't wanted to dive into a series of 30 mid-stream, this is a great place to jump on board. If people have never seen a thing I've written about this series before—this is a great place to jump on board, too. Really, there's no one that I wouldn't recommend this book to. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and I think you will, too.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley—thanks to both for this. I apologize for the tardiness.

Dogged Pursuit is the 31st entry in the Andy Carpenter Mystery series by David Rosenfelt but, interestingly, it is really a prequel. Andy had just switched from Prosecution to defence lawyer and he adopts his first dog, Tara. While in the shelter, Tara had bonded with another dog, Sonny, so he offers to adopt him as well but he is told that Sonny’s owner, Ryan Tierney, is incarcerated awaiting trial and has not released his dog for adoption. He is charged with the fire bombing of a car which led to the deaths of three people. Andy visits him in prison to discuss Sonny’s adoption and, in the process, he finds himself, albeit reluctantly, taking over his first big case as Ryan’s defence attorney. And all of this leads to Andy’s hiring of Laurie Collins as investigator.

Andy Carpenter mysteries are always great fun and Dogged Pursuit is no exception. There is an interesting mystery with plenty of twists and turns and action with Andy facing death threats as he navigates the new territory of defence. And, as always, there is a nice touch of dry humour running through it. For anyone who is a long time fan of the Andy Carpenter Mysteries, we finally get to see how it all began and, for anyone who has never read one, this is a great introduction to a very entertaining series. Loved it!

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

Dogged Pursuit is the thirty-first book in the Andy Carpenter series but it really is a prequel focused on Tara's origin story. It was fun to see how Tara and Andy first met. That pup sure has a knack for finding dead bodies in the park.

Andy is a young lawyer who recently made the shift to defense attorney after a few years in the prosecutor's office. Recently separated, he decides a dog will give him some purpose in an empty house. He sees Tara and is immediately smitten. She shares a kennel with Sunny, who is at the shelter while his owner faces murder charges. Andy agrees to foster Sunny and takes on Frank as his first client.

This is a great book to start with if you are interested in the series. The Andy Carpenter series always has a complicated murder trial (usually with some mob ties), a lot of snark from Andy, and some great dogs.

Thank you St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
#DoggedPursuit #NetGalley