Tag: dogs

REVIEW: The More the Terrier by David Rosenfelt

REVIEW: The More the Terrier by David Rosenfelt

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Andy comes home from a winter trip to an extra dog added to his usual three. But it’s a dog his family fostered at one point, so Andy is able to get Murphy home to his family. Andy doesn’t expect that family to need his services as a defense attorney, but they do.

Murphy’s owner has been arrested for killing a vising professor at his university. They had a public confrontation, and now the prof is dead and BJ is in jail. Andy doesn’t believe BJ is a killer, so he takes the case. The investigation brings Andy’s team into contact with drug dealers and mobsters, but Andy struggles to put the pieces together. And if he can’t figure it out, what happens to BJ?

Review

Another wintery winner from David Rosenfelt! The case here is super twisty, and I was wondering until the very end if Andy was going to be able to figure it all out. I was thrilled to puzzle together most of the solution as I read. When the case is as intricate as this one, the satisfaction of the story is enhanced by figuring some things out on my own.

Andy is delightfully sassy, and his usual team gets to bring a lot to the case – a sting operation, several hacking triumphs, and a grim battle. I loved that the K-Team had a bit more page time in this book.

This is the 30th book in the Andy Carpenter series, and Rosenfelt keeps hitting all the beats. You can read my other reviews from the series here. Series fans should absolutely pick up this satisfying winter addition to the series. Readers familiar with Andy can really read the series out of order without much trouble. Newcomers could start here – my first Andy Carpenter was a Christmas book, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas (♥♥♥♥♥), number 15 in the series – but I do worry that Andy can come across too abrasive if you haven’t followed him from the beginning. Book 31, Dogged Pursuit, will release in the summer of 2025. (Language, references to sexual assault and drug use.)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ – I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Dog Day Afternoon by David Rosenfelt

REVIEW: Dog Day Afternoon by David Rosenfelt

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Marcus Clark has saved Andy’s life multiple times while working as his investigator. So when Marcus asks for a favor, of course Andy says yes. Even if it means doing something Andy would love to never do again – be a lawyer.

Six people were recently killed at a local law office, and Nick Williams is the prime suspect. He’s a young man Marcus has mentored. And Marcus doesn’t believe Nick is guilty.

Nick’s story is hard to believe. But when the team starts digging into it, they find some unexpected developments that make Marcus’s faith in Nick seem well placed. But Andy still has to get a jury to believe Nick – and this case won’t give up its secrets quickly or easily.

Review

This was another fascinating case for Andy and his team. I was able to puzzle some of it out on my own, but there were still some surprises when it was all laid out.

Andy is as sassy as always – one of the primary reasons I love these books. But he really had to dig deep for the solution here. It’s a very satisfying mystery. Series fans will get to see all of the usual folks in action, including the awesome tech team Andy uses. And the dog connection gets a happy ending.

Newcomers could probably start here without too much trouble. I started this series with something like the 9th book in the series, and I had no trouble jumping right in. Sometimes, though, I think Andy might “play” better on the page for folks who have been with him for awhile. For that reason, I think readers should maybe read the first few books in order – after that, you can jump in anywhere without issue. You can see my list of favorite books in the series as part of a review here. This is book  29 in the Andy Carpenter series, and book 30, The More the Terrier, will release in October. (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes

REVIEW: The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Alice and Joe move out of London to a small country village  anticipating the arrival of their first child. One of their early social activities is attending a prenatal class. It’s information the couple is likely to need, and they get to meet other couples on the same journey.

No one expected their second class to contain an unexpected birth – and an unexpected death.  But when the paramedics show up for the former, they discover the latter. And now everyone in the class is a murder suspect.

Review

What. A. Hoot! I love a book that can make me literally laugh out loud, and this one did. Often at passages about Helen, the dog. This is an excellent mystery that kept me guessing until the end, and also a great book that kept me laughing.

The set up for this, with the third trimester pregnant sleuths and their fledgling friendship, was clever and fun. There’s a good bit of birth-related content here, and I enjoyed it from the humor to the worry and anxiety. It all felt so familiar, even though I was pregnant decades ago.

I was thrilled to see that book 2 in the Expectant Detectives, Dead Tired, is scheduled to release this summer. That’s a must read for me. Mystery fans who don’t mind some foul language and/or don’t have sensitivity around pregnancy-related content should absolutely snap this up. It’s such a fun ride!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The Pumpernickel-Daffodil by Galia Bernstein

REVIEW: The Pumpernickel-Daffodil by Galia Bernstein

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

A dog with an impressive pedigree gets a human with whom to do dog shows. The human has a pretty impressive pedigree, too. But together they may make a path all their own.

Review

This was exactly as cute as I expected it to be. The illustrations are darling from start to finish.

I expected the main story – the puppy and the girl do their own thing which flies in the face of tradition. But I expected it to cause trouble in both families. Instead, this is a story of full acceptance. It’s very sweet!

Dog lovers should be sure to check this out. This would make a sweet read aloud, too.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

 

REVIEW: 'Twas the Bite Before Christmas by David Rosenfelt

REVIEW: ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas by David Rosenfelt

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

At the Tara Foundation Christmas party, one of their clients, Derek Moore, is arrested for murder. Derek adopted two dogs from the Tara Foundation – something that gets Andy Carpenter’s legal expertise on Derek’s side. Andy’s also curious because the police call Derek by a completely different name when they arrest him.

Derek was in witness protection because he gave testimony about two gang members for a murder they committed. But now,  one of the gang leaders has been killed – and the evidence is piling up against Derek.

Andy believes Derek is innocent, but proving it could be beyond even his considerable skill and experience.

Review

Another great Christmas-time mystery starring Andy Carpenter. My first ever Andy Carpenter mystery was a Christmas one, and they remain some of my favorites in the whole series.

This was such a satisfying read. I really got concerned that Andy was not going to pull this off – it was a tricky case! All the pieces came together so nicely, though. And in the end I even puzzled out a couple of the reveals on my own. Always a triumphant reading experience! Andy is his usual sassy self here, which I always enjoy. And he gets key help on this case from a surprising source which was a twist I really enjoyed.

I think new readers could start with this story and not have any trouble following the mystery. I don’t know how Andy plays if you don’t already love his sarcasm – but I love it so these are a perfect fit for me. If you enjoy mysteries that are more on the legal side than a cozy (court room drama, police and private investigators, etc.), you should give this series a try. Series fans should of course pick this up to stay current. Book 29, Dog Day Afternoon, will release in the summer of 2024.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Every Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch

REVIEW: Every Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Griffin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The Duke of Woriton, Michael Bromley, likely would never leave his home laboratory and science experiments if he had his way. But his aunt has asked him to watch her beloved poodle, Lancelot, for a few weeks. To keep Lancelot, and his aunt, happy, Michael takes the dog out for regular walks.

Elizabeth Dockering has her own poodle, Galahad. And Galahad is NOT a fan of her primary suitor, Lord Peter Cordray. Galahad is her best protector, but his behavior does get out of hand at times. Like when he runs off at the park and gets tangled with another dog – and that weird Duke of Woriton.

Elizabeth and Michael accidentally trade dogs, but before they can set things right, Lancelot is dognapped from Elizabeth’s home. So naturally, Michael and Elizabeth have to team up to find Lancelot. And the more time they spend together, the more their assumptions about one another are challenged.

Review

This was outstanding! I adored everything about it. The mismatched dognapping was everything I wanted it to be. The main characters had delightful depth that was revealed gradually – to each other and to the reader. The scientific bits were interesting. The whole book is funny.  And the wrap up is supremely satisfying. This was delightful to read – a perfect way to lose myself for a few hours. When I finished I realized I would happily flip back to page one and start again. Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Flop Dead Gorgeous by David Rosenfelt

REVIEW: Flop Dead Gorgeous by David Rosenfelt

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Jenny Nichols is a famous actress. She’s also someone Andy Carpenter dated for a little while in high school – something he likes to drop into casual conversation. The two have stayed in touch and she’s been in town and met Andy, Laurie, and their friends for dinner. A dinner that Jenny’s ex ruins with his barbaric behavior.

So when that same ex is later found in Jenny’s house, murdered, and the police think she’s the killer, she calls Andy. But Andy and his team might be in over their heads on this one.

Review

Another great mystery in the Andy Carpenter series! This one kept me on the edge of my seat almost to the last page. The mystery was twisty and super satisfying in the end.

I loved spending time with Andy and his team in this book. There were several laugh-out-loud moments in this one. Andy’s snark was top notch.

While I always like to enjoy a series in order, I started reading this one mid-series. And I think new readers could absolutely start here. Other than references to Andy and his family and investigative team – who have a long history in the series – the case itself stands on its own.

Series fans should definitely pick this one up – and keep an eye out for ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas which will release in October. You can read more about the Andy Carpenter series here as well as the author’s spin-off K-Team series.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

Review: Good Dog, Bad Cop by David Rosenfelt

Review: Good Dog, Bad Cop by David Rosenfelt

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The K-Team – Corey Douglas, Marcus Clark, and Laurie Collins, plus retired K-9 Simon Garfunkel –  have been helping the Patterson Police Department by working cold cases for the city. But this time, Corey is calling an audible and choosing their next case himself rather than picking from ones the chief has pulled for them.

Danny Avery was a detective killed, execution style, in his car. His friend, Jimmy Dietrich, another detective, didn’t work the case, but it never sat right with him. He knew Danny, and his wife Susan. When Jimmy’s body is discovered, along with Susan Avery’s, the quick explanation is murder-suicide. But that never sat right with Corey, especially since the coroner said she couldn’t be certain it wasn’t a double murder instead.

So Corey and the K-Team decide to dig into what really happened to Danny, Susan, and Jimmy. They are determined to finally get the truth for these two Patterson cops.

Review

This was fantastic! The case was super twisty with an ending I didn’t see coming. Other than pauses for interruptions – like my job – I read this from start to finish in one day, and it was so satisfying.

I have read all of Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter books as well as the first three books in this K-Team series. I love them – the cases, the characters, the sass. But reading this book I really noticed – and enjoyed – how different the “voices” are between the two series. I think it would be tricky to create two distinct characters and approaches to mysteries where the setting and many of the core characters are the same. But the K-Team is its own fully fleshed-out series. This is perfectly plotted. Rosenfelt and series fans should not miss this!

I actually think newcomers could start here without too much trouble. The case stands on its own without needing a lot of explanation. The character relationships and history don’t play a huge role in the story, so this should be easy to follow for someone who has not yet tried the earlier books. But once you try one, I think you will want to go back and read the rest of both of these fantastic series!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Doggo and Pupper by Katherine Applegate

REVIEW: Doggo and Pupper by Katherine Applegate

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Doggo is slowing down these days, yet he’s enjoying his quiet life.  But his humans think a puppy will perk Doggo up. When Pupper turns out to be a bit of a handful, the family sends him to obedience school. And Doggo starts to worry it’s taken all of the fun out of Pupper.

Review

When I was building my Holiday Hint List for this year, I realized I hadn’t really tried out many early readers and transitional chapter books this year. We thoroughly enjoyed the author’s Roscoe Riley series when my son was younger, so I decided to give Doggo and Pupper a try.

This was ADORABLE! I’m always so impressed with how authors for this age group manage to tell rich, fun stories with short, simple sentences – and this book is a great example of that. The illustrations are also darling and help tell a sweet story kids and families will enjoy!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great!

REVIEW: Santa's Little Yelpers by David Rosenfelt

REVIEW: Santa’s Little Yelpers by David Rosenfelt

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. ]
(No kids or teen book to review today, so here’s a Christmas-y review to fill in!)

Summary

When he was in jail, Chris started a program where inmates could work with service dogs in training. When he gets out, he continues the work and starts helping at the Tara Foundation. He tells Andy that he was wrongfully convicted based on a lie. But the guy has recently come forward saying he would testify in secret to make things right before he goes into hiding.

Before Andy can set up the testimony, Chris says the guy has changed his mind. He’s furious. Before long, the lying witness is dead. And Chris is arrested for his murder. While Andy wasn’t attached to Chris’ original case, he’s determined to prove Chris’ innocence – of both crimes – and find whoever is truly responsible.

Review

Another fun Andy Carpenter case! I enjoyed how this one played out – I was starting to get worried about Chris’ chances for freedom. This is a tough case! But Andy and his team pushed through to a satisfying resolution.

If you’ve never read an Andy Carpenter mystery before, I feel like the stories hold together well so newcomers can drop in anywhere. My first Andy Carpenter book was a Christmas one, so I have a soft spot for them. What you might miss by starting here – and mainly it’s backstory for Andy and his team – shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the mystery.

I keep coming back to this series for Andy and his team – I love them! Andy’s sass fits my mood every time. And the mysteries always leave me satisfied. Some of my favorites have been Bury the Lead (book 3), Play Dead (book 6), The Twelve Dogs of Christmas (book 15 – my introduction to the series), and Holy Chow (book 25). Book 27, Flop Dead Gorgeous, will release in the summer of 2023. And a new K-Team book, Good Dog Bad Cop, releases in March. Be sure to check them out. (Some language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.