Dog Day Afternoon

Dog Day Afternoon is the twenty-ninth book in the Andy Carpenter series. For long time fans of the series, each book feels like a good old-fashion homecoming with lots of hugs, laughter and catching up on the latest family gossip. Series regulars – Marcus, Corey, Laurie, Sam, Eddie, Eli, Hilda, and the dogs – appear in significant roles in each book, working together like a well-oiled machine.

And yet, for new readers to the series, each book stands alone with just enough background included to welcome you into the fold where you’ll enjoy a remarkable story. Chances are, once you read one, you’ll join the fan club and come back for more.

A mass shooting at a law firm leaves six dead with two eyewitnesses making reluctant accusations against a fellow, well-liked employee, Nick Winter. The fact that Nick disappeared for several days during the time of the murders adds fuel to the prosecutor’s case against him. Marcus is a mentor to Nick and firmly declares his innocence to Andy as he asks Andy to defend him. It’s well known that Andy’s a wealthy retired lawyer trying, with little luck, to remain retired and that he finds it impossible to turn down requests to take on cases when he believes the person is falsely accused – and therein lies the problem with Nick’s case. Andy doesn’t believe he has a snowball chance in the down yonder of proving Nick’s innocence, but unable to refuse Marcus, he caves and accepts the case. With a lack of evidence to exonerate his client, Andy knows the only way to prove his innocence is to find the real killer, so Andy calls in his team and with Nick’s court date looming closer, they roll up their sleeves, put on their detective hats and go in search of the truth. 

Author David Rosenfelt’s ability to continuously render fresh, engaging plot lines with complex cases, engaging characters and hilarious dialogue in fast-paced whodunnit’s is a testament to his amazing ability as a storyteller. Dog Day Afternoon is a delightful addition to the series with a heavy dose of courtroom drama, fraud, conspiracy, laugh aloud banter, family and lovable dogs to fawn over. Andy’s long walks and talks with one of his dogs, Tara, are not to be missed nor are his visits to the dog rescue organization he started, Tara’s Foundation.

Dog Day Afternoon is a riveting, engrossing mystery with an abundance of heart. While there’s a big side of lighthearted fun and humor woven throughout, to mistake this book and series for anything less than a tautly plotted, beautifully written mystery with an intriguing, complex murder mystery to be solved would be a mistake. Being a huge fan of audiobooks, I jumped at the chance to listen to this one. As always, narrator Grover Gardner gives a killer performance as he lends his voice to this iconic cast. In my eyes and ears, he IS Andy Carpenter!

Dog Day Afternoon is a highly addictive, immersive mystery that’s impossible to put down once you begin. Fans of mysteries and courtroom dramas will enjoy this one.