Audio Book Review: Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt

This is another quick, fun legal mystery that I enjoyed.
Dachshund Through the Snow $2.99
Written by David Rosenfelt
Narrated by Grover Gardner

Run Time 6h 43min
Featured in: Christmas
Release Date: October 1, 2019
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Crime, Detective, Mystery, Fav Series
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.5.

This Christmas, lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, can’t say no to helping young Danny and his dachshund, Murphy.
Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his wife, Laurie, have started a new Christmas tradition. Their local pet store has a Christmas tree, where instead of ornaments there are wishes from those in need. One poignant wish leads Andy to a child named Danny, whose selfless plea strikes a chord. Danny asked Santa for a coat for his mother, a sweater for his dachshund, Murphy, and for the safe return of his missing father.
It turns out Danny’s father doesn’t want to be found, he’s on the run after just being arrested for a murder that took place fourteen years ago — a murder that Danny’s mother swears he didn’t commit.
With his trademark humor and larger-than-life characters — including a police officer and his K-9 partner, Simon — Rosenfelt never fails to deliver as Andy and his eccentric crew dash to reunite a family in time for Christmas.

Review:
Andy Carpenter, sardonic, would-be retired lawyer, treats Christmas with the same disdain he treats most things and people other than his wife, son, and dogs. His wife, Laurie, on the other hand, is an avid Christmas fan. This year she begins a new tradition picking a “wish tag” from a Christmas tree at the local pet store. The wish is from a child named Danny who has asked for gifts for his mother and dachshund, and for the safe return of his missing father.

Laurie isn’t quite sure how she can meet the third request. But the next day they learn that Danny’s father has been arrested for a murder that occurred fourteen years ago. Andy isn’t crazy about taking on a murder case, but Laurie thinks they can help. First Andy has to finish a case that involves a police dog, Simon, who needs to retire with his canine handler, Corey, another friend of Laurie’s.

As usual, Andy pulls in his investigation team, soon to include Corey and Simon. The crew includes Laurie as an investigator, a research lawyer, Hike, who always adds his negative opinion and view, and Sam, the accountant and computer genius. And of course, the hulking bodyguard, Marcus.

The crime scene is old and does give up many clues. Andy wouldn’t have much to go on until Marcus announces that someone has been following him. Then bodies begin to pile up. Now Andy just needs to tie the bodies to the true killer if he wants to get a not guilty verdict for Danny’s father.

I always enjoy the legal procedures and unraveling of the crime in these stories. The dogs always add a sweet element to the intrigue. I like that the stories are self-contained although I suggest starting at the beginning to get to know the characters. I recommend this story and the series to fans of mysteries and legal procedures.

Audio Notes: Grover Gardner does a great job with the narration of this series. He provides good voices and captures the snarky personality of the primary character. I definitely enjoy listening to this series.

Source: Chirp January 2021 $2.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

My other Andy Carpenter Series reviews.

#NetGalley Book Review: Silent Bite: An Andy Carpenter Mystery (An Andy Carpenter Novel Book 22) by David Rosenfelt

This is another satisfying win and read in the Andy Carpenter Series.
Silent Bite: An Andy Carpenter Mystery (An Andy Carpenter Novel Book 22)
by David Rosenfelt

File Size : 2556 KB
Print Length : 299 pages
Publisher : Minotaur Books (October 13, 2020)
ASIN : B084M1ZNNJ
Genre: Crime, Detective, Mystery, Fav Series
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, are finding that all is not calm or bright in Silent Bite, the latest Christmas mystery in this heartwarming series from bestselling author David Rosenfelt.
Lawyer Andy Carpenter can finally take a breath; he’s back on dry land after a family Caribbean cruise forced on him by his wife, Laurie, to get into the Christmas spirit. Of course the family’s first stop is to the Tara Foundation, the dog rescue organization that has always been Andy’s true passion.
But when Andy arrives, his partner, Willie Miller, needs his help. Willie’s old cellmate, Tony Birch, has been arrested for murder. Andy doesn’t necessarily believe in Tony, but Willie does. And Andy believes in Willie, which is why Andy decides to take the case.
Once again David Rosenfelt puts readers in the Christmas spirit in a tale that is equal parts mystery and holiday cheer.

Review:
As an independently wealthy criminal attorney, Andy Carpenter still considers himself as a semiretired lawyer and he isn’t seeking new clients. Andy doesn’t rouse himself much unless it has to do with dogs. And Christmas is no exception as he leaves all the decorations and shopping to his wife, Laurie. Shortly before the holiday, Andy’s friend, Willie, a former client and his partner in their dog rescue foundation, asks Andy to do him a favor – represent Tony Birch, a former cellmate, recently accused of revenge murder.

Tony has a rough past, having served time after being wrongly accused of murder as a young man and leader in a gang. Another gang member who testified against Tony has turned up dead and the police were quick to charge Tony. Andy isn’t positive that Tony is innocent, and he isn’t sure Tony is telling him everything which is a major problem. Still, Andy doesn’t want to disappoint Willie and Tony has the unwavering support of his dog, Zoey.

Andy begins to pull together his usual team when he learns that his second attorney is off in South Carolina getting married! The recommended replacement, Eddie, a big guy and retired football player who speaks in sports terms, is introduced to the team. Laurie and another retired cop, Corey (with wonder dog Simon) are the investigative team, Sam is the computer information hacker and Marcus, as always is the big, scary muscle.

When a second member of the gang is found dead the case gets stronger against Tony. But Andy is always ready to search out alternative suspects to create reasonable doubt. This time his search takes him to local crime gang boss, Luther, who was also the head of the group that oversaw Tony’s ‘boyz’ gang. Andy exercises his usual snark and twists in court, stepping on the edge of propriety and finding more clues than expected.

As normal, I enjoyed the characters and the mystery. The story is told by Andy in first person with his usual self-deprecation and dry wit. I often listen to this series on audio and I could hear Andy’s voice in Grover Gardner’s deep narration. My only disappointment with this episode was that, even with the dog on the cover, the dogs didn’t play that much of a role. This might be read as a standalone as each story has its own mystery to be solved. Still, I recommend reading at least the first couple stories of the series to get the character history. And they are fun reading too.

Source: 8/25/2020 Received from Publisher and NetGalley. This qualifies for my 2020NetGalley goal.