Play Dead

Starred review from February 26, 2007
Edgar-finalist Rosenfelt's riveting sixth legal thriller (after 2006's Dead Center
) brings independently wealthy Paterson, N.J., lawyer Andy Carpenter to the defense of a very special domestic violence victim, Yogi, a golden retriever alleged to have bitten its owner. Andy uses the court system to spring Yogi from an animal shelter's death row and adopt him, adding the dog to a small family that includes longtime pet golden Tara. But when the gang goes for a walk that leads to a joyful reunion between Yogi and a woman named Karen Evans, Andy learns Yogi is actually Reggie, presumed dead five years earlier after the conviction of Karen's brother, U.S. Customs Inspector Richard Evans, for the murder of his fiancée, Stacy Harriman. Suspecting Richard's innocence, Andy tackles the case like a dog on a chew toy, undeterred by an intricate web of deception involving a possible government coverup. No shaggy dog story, this puppy's alive with reliable Rosenfelt wit and heart.

Starred review from April 1, 2007
Fortunately for his fans, Rosenfelt's protagonist, New Jersey defense attorney and dog rescuer Andy Carpenter ("Open and Shut"), continues to amuse and engage in the sixth title in this successful series. This time, Andy not only employs his smarts to save a dog on Death Row but proceeds to use this canine as his key witness to save an innocent man. The case involves Richard, who allegedly threw his fiancé e and her dog overboard after bringing them aboard his boat one night. Richard was discovered unconscious, his fiancé e's body was washed ashore, and the dog was never founduntil now. It will be up to this golden retriever and Andy to set Richard free, if only Andy can survive the sudden attacks on his life. Andy's relationships, his wit, his love for his dog, and a plot that twists and turns make this enjoyable read essential for any public library. [See Prepub Mystery, "LJ" 1/07.]Marianne Fitzgerald, Severna Park, MD

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from April 1, 2007
In the sixth Andy Carpenter mystery, Rosenfelt turns his love of golden retrievers into a cracking good yarn. Andy, the New Jersey attorney whose inheritance of $22 million has diluted his work ethic ("I am work-ethically challenged," he tells us), tends to take a case only when it interests him. When he learns that a beautiful retriever is scheduled to be put down after biting its owner, he decides to represent the dog in court. He is successful, but soon his delight at saving the animals life turns to amazementor at least bemusementwhen he discovers that the dog may be a key witness in a five-year-old murder. There are many ways this novel should have failed (the whole premise is iffy, for starters), but Rosenfelt skillfully avoids every trap into which he might have fallen. There is no way you can read this novel without becoming completely caught up in the story. As always, Andys offbeat, outspoken personality shines on every page, and the balance of humor and mystery is dead-on. There is nothing else to say about this fine novel, except this: read it as soon as you can.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)

July 30, 2007
Gardner's breezy, slightly sarcastic delivery is just what's needed for Rosenfeld's breezy, slightly sarcastic mysteries featuring multimillionaire New Jersey lawyer Andy Carpenter. The yarns, told in first-person, present tense by the attorney, often have the feel of standup comedy routines, and this latest is no exception. (“She wanted to get me before I went to work,” Carpenter says of an early wakeup call. “She must think I'm a dairy farmer.”) Happily, Gardner possesses a comedian's timing and knows exactly where the laughs are. The plot centers on a golden retriever that was thought to have perished at sea five years ago along with its murdered mistress. Following the animal's lead, Carpenter winds up constructing a new defense for the man imprisoned for the murder. Gardner's vocal interpretations of the other characters all sound a little like him. This is appropriate, since, after all, Carpenter is supposed to be the one telling us this witty, well-plotted, highly entertaining shaggy dog story. Simultaneous release with the Warner hardcover (Reviews, Feb. 26).