I’ve been a huge fan of this series since it began and love the fact that this book is a flashback to how Andy got Tara and met Laurie and Marcus. As usual, the writing is fantastic and laugh out loud funny. Highly recommended.

In this very enjoyable prequel to the Andy Carpenter series David Rosenfelt takes us back to Andy’s beginnings as a defense lawyer. Having switched from being an attorney for the prosecution, Andy now has to handle his first murder trial from the other side, and of course all of the evidence is stacked against his client.

It was interesting seeing Andy start his career and meet Tara, Laurie, and Marcus. As with the rest of the series the book is well written and fast paced. It was hard to put down.

When Andy met Tara....and Laurie.

What a delight to go back in time to meet a younger but no less snarky Andy Carpenter in his first true murder defense trial. Even better, we get to spend some time getting to know his father, a renowned prosecutor, Nelson Carpenter. I liked their easy, trusting relationship where, even knowing his father wished Andy hadn't moved to the defense table, he's there 100% for Andy. Nelson even turns out to love dogs, noting that the only reason they never had a family dog was due to Andy's mother's allergies.

Even as a long time Andy Carpenter fan, going back and meeting Tara for the very first time was also delightful. Never mind Andy walked into the shelter looking for a small dog. Tara had him with their first look. It goes almost without saying that a dog, Tara's then kennel buddy Sonny, was involved in Andy taking the case of Ryan Tierney, Sonny's owner, who has been charged with murder. Blowing up a car kind of murder. Yikes. Sonny is under a legal hold until after the trial, however, and a waver is needed before the shelter can release Sonny to anyone but Ryan. Needless to say, since Andy seems to feel it is only right to keep Tara and her canine friend together, Andy visits the jail to get the waver and finds himself with a client. Thus begins the fun.

As usual, this case if far, far more complicated than the norm. I won't detail the plot further but will hint that it involves, let's see, hit men, shady business practices, potential suspects who keep getting themselves killed, life insurance scams, mob action, federal agents, and....well, you get my drift. Besides the younger Andy, we get our first meeting with investigator extraordinary Laurie Collins and discover Andy has friends himself on the police force, even if he does have to pick up their tab at meals. We also "almost" get to meet Marcus, he of incredible protective skills and that's touching the surface. I say "almost" meet because while Andy doesn't get to meet him in person, Marcus plays a major role in the story. Oh, and I can't forget Sam, Andy's accountant who seems to harbor dreams of being an detective. Andy usually seems to keep him tethered to the computer, which is where Sam's formidable hacking, er, computer research skills usually play a vital role. It's interesting to see how they manage to incorporate Sam's discoveries legally, let's just say. That said, who knew Sam had skills at breaking into cargo trucks?

Bottom line, a fun, entertaining read with lots of laughs and remarkable insight into the courtroom and investigative processes. As always,, I marveled at Andy's then young courtroom skills and ability to use humor, personality, and, yes, snark as weapons for the defense.There's a fine line between pushing too far and irritating the judge and making his point, all of which Andy tip-toes along skillfully. I've told friends occasionally that the reason I know what news people are talking about at times on court cases, you know, all that legal terms, is because I've picked up some legal vocabulary from this series, in fact. Rather amazingly, author Rosenfelt weaves this all together skillfully while sharing the ongoing marriage woes of Andy and then wife Nicole. I admired Rosenfelt's delicate touch with this, even while introducing Laurie. He shows the mutual respect and love Andy and Nicole share, albeit now firmly heading along different paths with different goals. Let's just say, it would have been easy to portray Nicole as a spoiled rich girl but Rosenfelt don't take that shortcut and, instead, presents her as a sympathetic character. Speaking of sympathetic characters, Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for giving me this early spin on the time machine back to meet the younger but already charmingly snarky Andy and some of those who play such a huge role in his status as a reluctant attorney who is always trying to retire.

An enjoyable addition to the series that takes a bit of a different view- it is Andy’s first case, his origin story if you will. Just as great as David Rosenfelt’s other work !

This is an excellent book to introduce the newcomer into the series or to fill in any gaps the current reader of the series may have about how everything in the series came to be. In this book, Andy Carpenter leaves working as a public defender to open his own practice. He stops by the local rescue mission to look at available dogs to adopt and meets his famous Tara. There is an instant connection, so he adopts Tara. There is another dog with Tara, with whom she has been attached. Andy finds out this dog belongs to a man, accused of a horrific murder. Andy accepts this man as his first client. As the story progresses, the reader is introduced to the various members of his team. It is interesting to see how everyone comes into his life and his team. Meanwhile, Andy works through his first case as a private attorney.

I enjoyed reading this book. As a regular reader of this series, it was great to get background on the members of his team and how they got there. I also enjoyed watching the bond between Andy and Tara develop and grow. The story covers Andy’s work on the trial as well as the trial itself. As always, Andy works hard for his client, with the help of his team. If you enjoy the series as I do, I highly recommend this book, as it will fill in gaps as well as provide another look at Andy the lawyer and his beloved Tara. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt is listed as book 31 in the Andy Carpenter Mystery series. I originally thought it was the next book in an incredible series, but it's actually a prequel. There isn't a better place to start!

I thoroughly enjoyed the backward look a t how Andy chose to go from working as a prosecutor to opening his own law practice as a defense attorney. Having read many of the books in the series, I found myself really enjoying reading about how he built his team. Each person he picked felt like meeting old friends again.

At first I was a bit concerned by the thought of reading this, because typically this would have been the first book I read, but it turned out to be a great experience! As far as mysteries go, you can't go wrong reading any of the books in this series. They are all well done and neatly wrapped up by the end.

Score another one for David Rosenfelt. Dogged Pursuit is the prequel to the Tara series, answering the question of how Tara came to live with him, he met Laurie and the rest of his slightly mismatched team, and began defending, um, the underdog.

My first book read in the series but will not be my last. Andy is a lawyer, and decides to get a dog. When he finds one, a beautiful golden retriever, she has befriended another dog, whose owner will become his next client. Enjoyable, and love the snark. Would recommend.

If there's a bad Andy Carpenter book out there, I haven't read it and I've read the whole series. This is a great entry, as it takes us back to Andy's first days as a defense attorney and his first murder case. Plus the backstory on how he found Tara. I was a little surprised at Andy's level of sarcasm, competency, and ability to solve cases right out of the gate as a defense attorney, but he evidently was a prosecutor first. Plus a nice visit with Andy's dad too, and Andy's first wife! And an indication that someone named "Marcus" was helping, though Andy didn't get to meet him in this book.

If you are new to Andy Carpenter, this is a great place to start as the characters will reveal themselves over the next books and you'll come to love them all. This series is a great escape for a weekend read. Always a good mystery with a twist or two, great character development over the course of the series and, of course, Tara herself.

Always a great ride. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest opinion. Five stars for the book itself, not necessarily the genre.

Back to the beginning of the partnership between Tara and garrulous (and snarky) defense lawyer Andy Carpenter. If you've never had a chance to laugh and solve an Andy Carpenter mystery, this is a wonderful place to start. Here is where he establishes his law practice after leaving the assistant prosecutor role and opens up his office above the fruit stand in Paterson New Jersey. He is married to a wealthy woman who does not like his change in status and wants him to join her father's prestigious law firm. He has a friend on the Homicide squad, Pete Stanton, who recommends a private investigator or two, his bored accountant with a computer hacking addiction is down the hall from his office, and he manages to acquire a client with some very dangerous people who do not want him acquitted. Another excellent read!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected e-galley from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Available Jul 01, 2025
I have already preordered the audio narrated by the talented Grover Gardner! (Print copies walk away from my shelves!)
#DoggedPursuit by David Rosenfelt #AndyCarpenterBk32 @stmartinspress @minotaur_books
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What a treat! Dogged Pursuit, book #31 of David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter Mystery series, is a prequel! For the first time, readers of the beloved series can see how 30-year-old Andy handles his first case as a defense attorney, after spending a few years as a prosecutor. Andy has been married to Nicole for a year, but she is having a hard time dealing with the potential danger of Andy's profession and a much different lifestyle than she had enjoyed as the daughter of wealthy parents. Obviously, it will be a long time until Andy becomes wealthy enough to be able to take on--or not--only those cases that pique his interest or are presented by his friends.

It's fun to see how former police officer Laurie and Andy meet, and how Marcus joins the team. (We don't actually see or hear Marcus in this book, but his indomitable presence and unmatched skills as a bodyguard are well in evidence.) Sam, the accountant who is also an expert at obtaining needed information and evidence in not-so-legal ways, figures prominently in this story, as he does in the entire series. When Andy wants to hire an office administrator, he is told a woman named Edna is a dynamo, and I couldn't help but yell, "Nooooo, don't do it!"

The book contains everything we love about an Andy Carpenter legal mystery, including an impossible challenge, the step-by-step procedure to exonerate his client, fascinating courtroom scenes, lovable dogs and, of course, Andy's signature snark and humor. If you haven't read the series yet, this is a good place to start. And if you are a devoted Andy Carpenter fan, you will appreciate this look into Andy's origin story. It's a quick read and a highly satisfying one.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Dogged Pursuit is a precious prequel to the beloved 'Andy Carpenter' series. David Rosenfelt has crafted a terrific tale which takes place shortly after Andy moved to the dark side of the legal system. The reader gets to enjoy the adoption of Tara and the first trip to Charlie's. We also get to meet the legendary prosecutor, Nelson Carpenter. I really enjoyed the the father and son moments. Of course, it's an Andy Carpenter book so that means there is a wrong which needs to be righted. What an entertaining first case it proves to be. Sam Willis is already right down the hall from Andy's office and eager to help. However, Andy needs an investigator and we learn it was Pete Stanton who recommends Laurie Collins. Thankfully, for the series, Andy listened. Marcus Clark is mentioned, but he stays in the background for this case. It's an engaging mystery and, since it's Rosenfelt, it's a lot of fun too. This is another winning addition to a great series. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, & NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

When I downloaded David Rosenfelt’s upcoming Andy Carpenter legal thriller I knew I was in for a few hours of highly enjoyable reading. He never disappoints. Dogged Pursuit flashes back to Andy’s early career change from prosecutor to defense attorney. Andy, approaching 30, is married to the beautiful and charming Nicole. She and others are not happy that Andy has decided to move over to the dark side of the legal profession. Defending criminals is not her idea of a suitable career, particularly in her social circle. After considerable thought Nicole decides she needs time away from Andy to think about her and Andy’s future. Andy, always a dog lover but kept from having one due to his late mother’s dog allergy, decides it’s time for him to get a dog. He tells his animal shelter friend he wants a small dog but when walking by an animal run holding a beautiful golden retriever he changes his mind and returns home with Tara, the canine star of the series.

In addition to Tara, Andy wants to foster Tara’s dog run mate, a beagle named Sonny whose owner, Ryan Tierney, is in jail awaiting trial for murder. Andy needs Ryan’s written permission to release Sonny from the animal shelter. He receives permission and after looking into Ryan’s case reluctantly commits to serve as his defense attorney. A major murder defense case requires more than a single attorney so Andy enlists his tax guy/computer savant, Sam, and ex-cop, Laurie Collins, to his team. Laurie brings along her friend, Marcus Clark, for investigating and protection as needed.

Starting with the question of why Ryan would want his log-time friend and boss dead, the owner of a small trucking company, Andy and his team begin looking into the business, its finances, and investors. Their efforts uncover shady business partners, illegal goods being moved across the country, and a group of evasive witnesses. Andy’s investigation leads to a hefty body count as possible suspect after suspect meets their maker. Andy is also a target and narrowly escapes serious injury and a murder attempt. It’t now time for the trial. Andy’s real strength is in the courtroom. He can handle all witnesses with ease and wit, counter opposing counsel’s arguments with logic and facts, and somehow keep his courtroom behavior just short of crossing the line the judge has established. The team keeps working on the case providing Andy with new information that he works into his defense. For a first murder case Andy has had his hands full but deals with it like a veteran defense attorney. His new career is off to a great start.

I’m delighted that David Rosenfelt was inspired to write this prequel. I enjoyed reading about early Andy Carpenter days and learning how he met many of the characters that have been a big part of his and Tara’s journey. Laurie, Sam, Marcus, Pete, and Edna have played important roles in the many stories. Rosenfelt brings humor, snappy dialogue, and a well conceived plot that will keep the reader turning pages well past a reasonable hour. Dogged Pursuit is a great place to introduce yourself to the Carpenter Chronicles.

You know it's going to be a great day when a new David Rosenfelt book shows up on your Kindle. Dogged Pursuit surprised me right from the start—it’s a kind of prequel to the Andy Carpenter series, taking us back to Andy’s very first murder case, back when he was still married to his first wife, Nicole.

As always, the story opens with a murder and an arrest, setting the stage for a delightful whodunit. We get to meet all (well, almost all—no Vince!) of Andy’s familiar cronies, including his first encounters with Laurie Collins and Marcus. Most importantly, we finally get to meet Andy’s father, Nelson Carpenter, the former district attorney.

And of course, there are the dogs. No Andy Carpenter book would be complete without them. Since this is our introduction to the Andy we know and love, the first dog we meet is none other than Tara—the magnificent, almost human canine who, as Andy says, “could also send her to the deli to bring in sandwiches; and give her the keys to go gas up the car. She’s that smart.”

As Andy digs into the murder of Stephen Pearson and two of his employees, his own life is put at risk. He hires Laurie Collins as his investigator, and together they work to prove the innocence of their client, Ryan Tierney.

David Rosenfelt has once again delivered a satisfying, funny, and fast-paced read. It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon—filled with twists, heart, and the dry humor fans have come to expect.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Very Enjoyable Prequel To The Very Enjoyable Andy Carpenter Series!

Dogged Pursuit is the prequel to the always enjoyable Andy Carpenter series in which Andy adopts his very lovable dog, Tara, and in which he accepts his first case as a defense lawyer (after working for years as a prosecutor).

Having read the first eleven books in this series in which I’ve been a big fan, I for whatever reason haven’t read any of the many other books in this series. So, when given the opportunity by the publisher and NetGalley to preview and review Dogged Pursuit, I snapped it up (pardon the pun).

I've said it before and I'm saying it again now after finishing Dogged Pursuit that no matter what limitations David Rosenfelt might possibly have in his life, his ability to tell a consistently good, suspenseful and humorous story isn't one of them. With Dogged Pursuit, Rosenfelt continues to be one of the best among today's mystery writers. This stems from his ability to provide interesting plots, credible courtroom drama, lots of humor and well-developed major and minor characters. In particular, wise-cracking Andy Carpenter, is a character that stays in your mind even after you finish the book.

I’m back to being a loyal fan of this series and look forward to going back to hanging out with Carpenter and his "crew' in his legal adventures that I missed. Plus, his dog, Tara, is one I wish I had.

4 1/2 stars rounded up to 5 stars

#Dogged Pursuit # NetGalley

As a fan of legal thrillers and a lover of dogs, David Rosenfelt’s novels are always appreciated and enjoyed immensely! This book is particularly interesting because it gives the readers some background on most of the continuing characters in all of his novels — including Tara. Once again, the book includes a lot of humor (mostly Andy’s thoughts and comments about himself) along the way to preparing a defense for a client who Andy believes to be innocent despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. This book is recommended for all devotees of this genre and I thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

In Dogged Pursuit we finally have Andy Carpenter’s backstory. And even apart from the development of the plot, it is fun and funny to meet his usual gang before they were his gang. I’m assuming there will be more to this backstory, since we haven’t yet met Marcus or Edna in person. Nor has Andy, given that he has repeated that a friend told him Edna was “a dynamo.” In this book, Andy is married, more or less, to Nicole, the daughter of one of his father’s high powered friends. He has made the switch from being a prosecutor to being a defense arrorney. Nicole is not much in favor of this decision, and when the first case he lands results in an attempt on his life, she leaves for the protection of her family. Andy is defending Ryan Tierney, accused of blowing up his former boss and two former coworkers in a car bombing. All the evidence seems to point to his guilt, but knowing Andy as we do, he starts putting the slimmest of clues together to try to absolve his client. Aiding in his quest is the newly hired investigator, Laurie, who is not only good at her job, but to whom he is guiltily attracted. This was a very entertaining way for us to continue to love the Andy Carpenter series, and I look forward to the next one, and his meeting Edna the dynamo.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Dogged Pursuit.
I love this series and this new edition is a departure from the typical series plot. This novel takes the reader back to the beginning of Andy Carpenters career as a defense attorney.
This is a fun book and Rosenfelt has a wonderful sense of humor that you cannot resist.
This novel introduces how Andy met Tara who is his faithful companion - a golden retriever.
A man is accused of murdering three people in a Car bombing and all the evidence against him is pretty solid. Andy agrees to take his case.
Andy who now is on his own as a defense attorney must now be a lawyer for a defendant who may be guilty but he takes his case.
There are many twists and turns in this story and a satisfying conclusion.
Another hit and a really good read. 5 star rating.
A

Dogged Pursuit is another fun Andy Carpenter book, technically book 31. However, it is a prequel that gives us the backstory to Andy’s first murder trial as a defense lawyer. We meet his accountant, Sam, learn how he met Laurie, hear a hint about Marcus, and best of all, we experience the best decision Andy makes when he adopts Tara. The story has the requisite self-deprecating sense of humor, many twists and turns, and a surprise at the end I didn’t see coming. Each book can be read as a standalone but in my opinion, it is more fun to read all of them. If you are just starting out with this series, I do suggest you start with Dogged Pursuit. I love these books!

Taking us back in time, Andy has taken on his first murder case, just met Laurie and has yet to buy a coffee maker for his office - all because he adopted Tara. Wonderful!