An Andy Carpenter Mystery, Book 31
From the publisher:
In Dogged Pursuit, David Rosenfelt takes readers back to the start of this beloved series as Andy Carpenter begins his career as a defense attorney in Paterson, New Jersey.
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Andy Carpenter has spent the three years since graduating law school working as a prosecutor in Paterson. But having seen how the system never looks out for the little guy, he leaves to start his own practice as a defense attorney. His office might be a little bit of a dump, but he’s excited to make a change.
Andy goes to the shelter to adopt a dog, where he meets his beloved golden retriever, Tara, for the first time and feels an immediate connection. The shelter is crowded and Tara’s been sharing space with a dog named Sunny; Andy hates to break them up and so asks to take Sunny, too, but since there’s a pending criminal case involving the owner, he’ll need to get written permission for temporary possession.
Andy discovers that Sunny’s owner, Ryan Tierney, has been arrested for the murder of his ex-boss. But he takes an immediate liking to Ryan and his clear dedication to his dog, and ends up with his first case along with the two dogs.
This prequel to the long-running and perennially popular Andy Carpenter mysteries is a gift for fans and a terrific entry-point for newcomers.
While I haven’t read every book in this series, I actually started at the very beginning—when Open and Shut quite literally fell into my hands while I was working the library book drop. I was immediately hooked by David Rosenfelt’s voice, his passion for dogs, and his dedication to fighting for the little guy. He’s never let me down since. This prequel to the series was a fun and satisfying read, offering a glimpse into Andy Carpenter’s roots in both defense law and dog rescue.
Andy begins his career after law school in the prosecutor’s office, just like his father before him. But a few years in, he realizes his heart lies in defending those who can’t afford proper legal representation. So, he quits and opens a modest solo practice, renting a rundown office above a fruit market and waiting for clients to walk through the door.
His wife, the daughter of the governor and very much a product of high society, is less than thrilled with his career switch. Their relationship is crumbling, and she’s moved out. Looking for companionship, Andy heads to the local animal shelter and meets Tara—the world’s greatest Golden Retriever. She’s in a kennel with a beagle, and the two seem bonded. But when Andy inquires about adopting both, he’s told the beagle belongs to a man recently arrested for murder. Until the man is acquitted or gives permission, the beagle has to stay.
Andy, who could use both a dog and a client, goes to meet the man who is accused of blowing up a car and killing three people, including the boss who just fired him. The man agrees to let Andy temporarily take the beagle, and Andy agrees to take the case. While the prosecution sees it as an easy conviction, Andy is determined to uncover the truth. The more he learns about his client, the more convinced he becomes of his innocence.
This book also introduces many beloved characters: Laurie, who becomes Andy’s investigator and more; Marcus, his silent but deadly bodyguard; Sam, the quirky accountant down the hall who turns into his go-to tech guy; and Pete, the homicide detective Andy keeps well-fed at Charlie’s, the sports bar that doubles as his second home. We also meet Andy’s first wife and learn why that relationship unraveled. And, of course, we get the heartwarming origin story of his beloved Tara.
Rosenfelt brings a unique voice, sharp wit, and deep love for dogs to every book he writes, and that’s what makes this series such a consistent pleasure to read. He also rescues Goldens and other large dogs and wrote a nonfiction book, Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, and 3 RVs on Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure, about moving from California to Maine with all 25 of his dogs. (That is not a typo!) He started the Tara Foundation, a dog rescue, and he keeps the dogs that are too old and too sick to be placed in homes. I met him when I convinced him to include my library in his book tour, and he was covered in dog hair, a perpetual state for him. At the time, he had 34 rescues in his home, and once compared his home office to a civil war battlefield, with all the bodies (dogs) covering the entire floor. He also makes every book tour a fundraiser for local animal shelters. There is a special place in heaven for a man who has rescued so many dogs (over 4000 at last count) and shares his passion with the world.
I loved this book!
7/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
DOGGED PURSUIT by David Rosenfelt. Minotaur Books (July 1, 2025). ISBN: 978-1250324511. 288p.
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