This is a fun, easy read. Andy learns that his highly principled father, who was a judge, after dying has left him a multi-million dollar fortune. Andy, of course, can't let it go and wants to find out where the money came from and why his father never spent a dime of it. He starts digging into the past by representing a son of a former defendant who was tried before his father and starts learning things that have been hidden for years. Meanwhile, he's separated from his wife and involved with his investigator. The wife gets shot accidentally in Andy's place causing more guilt for him. Liked the author's writing style and characterizations. jWill read more. ( )

I'm backing up to read all the of early Andy Carpenter books, in order. I had to laugh....I wanted MARCUS in this wonderful perfect start to the series! Andy is Andy right from the beginning or maybe it's the joy in knowing that he just doesn't change as the years go by. David Rosenfelt knew his character right from the beginning. The books are just plain fun to read and I'm SO happy there are so many of them....a huge thank you to the author for continuing them amid his real life of dogs, dogs, DOGS!!!!! ( )

I was ready to quit after chapter 2 but kept with it because of reviews I had read. It improved after that and I felt that it was worth finishing ( )

Since the first book I read in this series was book 12, I thought it might be a good idea to go back to the beginning. I’m glad to have found a good mystery series to recommend to library patrons. My readers’ advisory arsenal is not very well-stocked with mysteries. I can recommend sci-fi and fantasy until people try to run away from me, but I have to think harder about mysteries because I don’t read them as often.
Anyway.
I like these. I enjoy Andy’s voice, and Grover Gardner does a great performance of the character on audio. A self-deprecating, dog loving smart-ass is my kind of character. The mystery kept me guessing, and It made me not want to get out of my car until it was solved. Oh, it wasn’t hard to see who was shady, but I was still surprised when the truth came out about his case and his dad’s photograph. I don’t feel great about his keeping the money, though. No doubt or conflict about keeping it came up at all, which I thought was weird. I also feel conflicted about cheering for his relationship with Laurie over his patching things up with Nicole, but I have to admit I was 100% Team Laurie. I’m glad the author didn’t give Andy an easy out by making Nicole part of her dad’s schemes to get Andy off the case. I wonder how I would have felt if I didn’t already “know” Laurie when I read this.
I recommend this for its humor and characterization, and I thought the mystery was good too. People who like courtroom drama and mysteries featuring lawyers should enjoy. ( )

I read a dog-Christmas-themed book that was apparently number 18 in this series. It was a lot of fun so I thought I'd find book 1 and go from there. This was just as good as Deck the Hounds but I was sad to see there was not as much "dog story" as the latter book. Really fun cozy series, though, and I will continue to read the rest of the series. ( )