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I decided not to put this one on my currently reading list. I had been reading so many heavily emotional books lately, I just wanted to escape to a series that felt familiar and cozy.

Premise: Upon returning home from vacation, Andy Carpenter finds himself greeted by 4 dogs. Having only 3 dogs, the family is a bit confused, until they recognize that the cute terrier is Murphy. Murphy is a sweet rescue they took care of before he was adopted by a mom and her teenage son, BJ.

So, what was Murphy doing at their home? As it turns out, BJ is currently in custody for the murder of a visiting University professor. Knowing that anyone who loved dogs as much as BJ did, Andy decides to defend him. Because a dog-lover like BJ has to be innocent. Right? And, that is the best reason for a deserved defense by Andy Carpenter.

So, if BJ didn’t do it, who set him up and why? And, why would anyone kill a University professor? And, who paid for BJ’s original attorney who just wanted him to plead out and doesn’t seem to listen to his own client’s cries of innocence?

What is really going on here?

Readers are immediately re-introduced to Andy’s team. Sam Willis an accountant and computer whiz; Corey Douglas, an ex-cop and a partner in Andy’s wife, Laurie’s investigative firm; Simon Garfunkel the retired-police dog; Laurie, Andy’s wife and a retired cop; Eddie Dowd, a fellow attorney; Edna, Andy’s do-nothing secretary; and, Marcus a man of few words, who you never want to be caught in a fight with at any time, but appreciate if he is the one defending you.

And, there is always opportunity to appreciate the author’s sense of humor when Andy shares within his narrative��

“I’m in bed watching a football game with the sound off, and Laurie is reading a new book by her favorite author, David Rosenfelt. I don’t get it; I tried reading one and it was like sucking sawdust through a straw.��

And then he has Andy say��

“Can I turn out the lights?��

To which Laurie replies��

“I just want to read a few more pages. I love this guy.��

For anyone new to this series, please start at the beginning with “Open and Shut.�� And, for more information on why I love this series, go to my reviews of “New Tricks�� and “Leader of the Pack.�� In both, I give background on Andy Carpenter, our main protagonist, and all the reasons why anyone would want to adopt this as their new favorite series.

As readers get more into the story, they learn about the victim and his “habits.�� Could this be a contributor to his death? Or, was his research important enough for someone to kill him? Mostly, what could be gained by his death? And, could any of this put Andy Carpenter and his client’s life in danger?

With this series typical sense of humor, twisty plot, surprise ending; and, compelling characters, Rosenfelt delivers another fun and engrossing story for readers/fans.

Open and Shut �� Review here: /review/show...
New Tricks �� Review here: /review/show...
Leader of the Pack �� Review here: /review/show...