Review: Dog Tags

Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Andy Carpenter represents a German Shepherd after he has witnessed a murder and is about to be put down in a animal shelter. It turns out that the dog, Milo, and his owner have somehow been put in the middle of something bigger than they anticipated.

A good read.

Review: Unleashed

Unleashed by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another Andy Carpenter winner. In this episode people are being killed and Andy and his associates have to discover what is happening. It starts with a small plane that crashed and a man had died. Eventually they determined that he didn't die due to the crash. Over time different people are being accused and arrested, but it is up to Andy to figure out what is actually happening. Of course there is another golden retriever involved named Crash. Crash was hit by Sam's car, one of Andy's associates and subsequently taken in by Sam who adores him, even to the point of cooking and baking  special food for him.

A good read.

Review: Court of Killers

Court of Killers by William Bernhardt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Quite an entertaining story, but not quite as up to the mark as the first book in the series, The Last Chance Lawyer.

Four men are found baked to death in an oven in an old bakery which is owned by the mayoress of the city. She is brought up on charges and Dan Pike and his firm are hired to defend her.

Its a bit of a dog's breakfast actually and the actual killer is found out in just the last few pages without an actual build up or suspicion of who it might be.

Review: Dear Committee Members

Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Epistolary. Written completely in letters, mostly LOR's, letter of recommendation.
The English department is under attack, literally crumbling after funding cutbacks not to mention a construction crew refurbishing the Economic department’s floor and filling the air with dust, and probably asbestos, to be breathed in by those poor saps unable to scamper off to other environs.

Meanwhile a beleaguered and aging English professor continues to write out letters of recommendation to current and former students looking to parlay their degree into work at the local paintball arena or as unpaid interns. 

It’s wry look at the state of liberal arts education, writers workshops and some inside baseball about the publishing industry. Professor Fitger is an old school grump with a love for the written word but no patience for fools, himself included. A fun diversionary read.

Review: Play Dead

Play Dead by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another Andy Carpenter winner. This time Andy is called to see a Golden Retriever that is due for euthanasia and he makes the quick decision to become the dog's lawyer and take it to court. This starts a domino affect when a girl recognizes the dog as belonging to her brother, who is in prison for murder and the dog was believed to have died as well.

A real page turner. Always looking forward to the next Andy Carpenter installment.

Review: New Tricks

New Tricks by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A terrific story. This time Andy is defending a man accused of murdering his father. One of the main issues seems to be a puppy named Waggy, who is quite a lovely handful. While Andy is working on defending the son, Tara is doing double duty with rearing Waggy.

Lori is visiting Andy and during her visit takes a bullet meant for Waggy. Luckily she comes out of her coma and Andy is able to help her recuperate. This horrible incident seems to bring both Andy and Lori to the realization of what really is important and are making new plans for their future.

Review: Dead Center

Dead Center by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Andy Carpenter is back in the dating scene but with odd results. Meanwhile, Lori, his true love who moved away back to her home town in order receive a promotion has called him to come and defend a young fellow who is charged with the murder of two young girls. Lori doesn't think this young fellow is guilty and wants Andy to defend him. The murders, which quickly multiply are revolved around a small town called Century where the citizens are involved in a type of religious organization that call themselves Centurians. In this organization the people are told from the time they are five years old how their lives will go, who they will marry and when, etc. Andy is interested in this and believes that the murderers are involved in this cult in some way and sets out to discover the truth. 

An excellent read.