New Tricks

Lots of good things to say: interesting plot, evident love for and understanding of animals, well-presented by reader, I was concentrating with such attention that I really think my driving improved. This was my first of Rosenfelt's work but I would definitely read/listen to another one.

Another WINNER by David Rosenfelt. This series just keeps getting better and better, and that is saying a lot because the 1st one was spectacular! If you enjoy wise cracking characters, animals, great laughs and an even better storyline, you have to read this series.

I've read the whole Andy Carpenter series and love each new one even more than the previous book. Who could not fall in love with wisecracking Andy. All of the recurring characters make me smile or laugh out loud. I would recommend reading the series in order, but it's not necessary. I hate having to wait for the next in the series!

Once again Andy Carpenter has triumphed. His beloved Jessica by his side and loyal Tara on board, how can things get better. And always the twist at the end that you didn't see coming. I highly recommend it.

I love this series. I love the main character. He's smart, he's clever and he's true to the woman he loves even when it becomes long distance. I love the way he 'song talks' with his friend. I love the way he loves dogs. I listened to this one on CD and I love the reader's voice. A lawyer who is independently wealthy, he gets involved with a case sort of pushed on him by a crabby judge as a pro bono. It involves a show dog pup that needs a home and a decision about who will get him since his owner is dead. Before long, our hero finds himself defending the owner's son who is accused of killing his dad for the inheritance. That's just the tip of the iceberg. It escalates into something much bigger.

Andy is a lawyer. His father left him $22 million a couple years ago so he has the luxury of only occasionally taking on cases. He is assigned a pro bono case of deciding on the custody of Waggy, a Bernese puppy. Waggy's owner, Walter, has been murdered so it's up to Andy to decide who gets Waggy ... Walter's second wife, Diana, or his son, Steven (Diana and Steven hate each other). That decision becomes easy when Diana is murdered but harder because Steven is arrested for his father and stepmother's murdered. Steven hires Andy to be his lawyer and it's going to be a tough case to defend because everything points to Steven.

Andy and Laurie have been together for a while and dating long-distance for the last three years since she moved back home to Wisconsin. In addition to temporarily taking care of Waggy and defending Steven, he is also trying to figure out how to make Laurie stay.

This is the seventh book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it. I liked the writing style as it was funny, sarcastic and amusing. It was written in first person perspective in Andy's voice. It is the seventh in the Andy Carpenter series (and the seventh I've read) and it works as a stand alone (so you don't need to have read the first one to know what is going on).

I like Andy. He loves his dog, Tara, and thinks she's the most wonderful dog in the whole wide world, and Laurie. Andy's team is made up of Kevin, his hypochondriac associate who also owns/runs a laundramat, Sam, his accountant who is also a computer hacker who he sing-talks with, and Marcus, an investigator with persuasive reasoning skills. His friends are Vince, the editor of the local newspaper, and Pete, a local police officer, who love taking advantage of Andy's wealth to pick up the tab at restaurants.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2015/12/book-new-tricks-2009-david-rosenfelt.html

The Andy Carpenter series is always fun to read. By now, the main characters are set and their banter (or, in the case of Marcus, lack there of...) is comfortingly familiar. Although he is in no rush to take on a new case, in New Tricks, Andy is pulled into the middle of a murder case when he is called to perform his pro bono duty. The simple matter of deciding who will be rewarded custody of a very happy and energetic pup appropriately named Waggy gets increasingly complex as we seek clues and dodge red herrings. In New Tricks, justice prevails, Tara gains a friend and Andy and Laura make some important decisions regarding their long distance relationship. I look forward to continuing with the series to discover what capers await humans and canines alike!

snark-fest, law-enforcement, lawyers, murder, murder-investigation

The Dog Lawyer returns to drive Judge Hatchet nuts. Again with the dogs, but the energetic puppy is not exactly the client. Two murders are blamed on Andy's client, but there are more murders, the FBI, a premature unfortunate end to a high priced hit man, and lots more of the snarks we expect.
Grover Gardner continues to be the perfect voice of Andy.

David Rosenfelt has a devious mind and a wicked sense of humor. His plots are intricate and you never know how they will end. He leads you down one path after another just to find out that you may have known the answer all along. I enjoy Andy Campbell. He has a great sense of humor, even when, or maybe especially when, he is laughing at himself. I love his girlfriend Laurie who can read him like a book. I love his dog, Tara the Golden Retriever. I love the rest of the quirky characters (especially Marcus.) I love how David Rosenfelt loves dogs. I’m on to the next book!

Returning in the latest installment of this series is Andy Carpenter the lawyer that has found himself billed as both the "Lawyer to the Dogs" as well as a dog lunatic. Yes he has represented his fair share of canines and yes he does love dogs especially his own and absolutely he is trying to keep his rescue foundation thriving, but this is not a title he appreciates since he is trying to practice law with clients that do not have four legs. But Andy finds himself again being assigned to represent a dog in a custody case after its owner is unceremoniously murdered in the wrong part of town and his new wife and son are fighting over custody. This on the surface appears to be a simple enough case but of course it is not because that would make Andy's life uncomplicated which it is anything but since he inherited millions, the love of his life, Laurie, moved too many states away and his dog Tara started questioning his every move.

Before the dog in question, a hyper Bernase Mountain Dog and descendant of a Westminster Best in Breed named "Waggy", is even in the car the widow is blown up in her house right after Andy walks out. With a blink of an eye the widow's step son and other litigant for Waggy's custody is arrested by the police for her murder as well as his father's. That would seem enough for anyone to deal with but wait that isn't the half of it as Andy decides the son didn't do it and takes it upon himself to represent him against the murder charges. Of course he still has to keep the dog safe even with the bodies piling up and the distraction of his girlfriend Laurie in town for an extended visit. Before too long though this case becomes even more personal as Laurie is mistakenly shot and critically wounded when the gunman tries to kill Waggy. Andy has so much going on in so many directions that he is having trouble sorting through the good from the evil but Laurie will recover, Waggy will find the right home and Steven his client will get off on the charges. Or so this is how it plays out in Andy's head!

With help from Laurie's investigator Marcus, his partner Kevin and the sprinkling of various branches of law enforcement here and there Andy works through the details to get to the answers which never seem to add up. For every answer there is a wall thrown up that throws off the direction he is pursuing but he however does know that the one common factor is Waggy Nothing seems clear except it all revolves around Waggy and while this dog is valuable due to its lineage is that enough for someone to want it dog dead? Andy doesn't believe it is but trying to figure out the dog's value and get his client off on the murder charges is more than enough for today so let's see what tomorrow has in store.

This book is absolutely a delight from page one. I did not expect to dislike it as mystery's are always fascinating but this angle of man, dog and client is wonderful as well as it is entertaining. I do not believe you need to be a dog lover to fall for Andy and his troop of characters because there is enough for everyone all around with a mystery, a little love angle and some very interesting people who Andy has surrounded himself with. Wonderful does not begin to describe this book and if you don't own it you absolutely should!

[...]

The pun is simply too obvious and alluring to avoid, but with apologies to all, David Rosenfelt's writing is going to the dogs. Rosenfelt is the author of an entertaining courtroom mystery series featuring New Jersey attorney Andy Carpenter, a criminal defense lawyer with a unique law practice. Andy inherited a small fortune from his father. This wealth allows him the independence to practice law when and for whom he chooses, and his small coterie of co-workers includes several unique and talented individuals.

Andy is a dog lover. Previous books in the series have involved canines as central figures in his cases. Even his own golden retriever, Tara, has played a prominent role. In NEW TRICKS, Andy has another canine client, Waggy, a Bernese mountain puppy who he must shepherd through a custody battle in court.

Waggy's custody is the subject of a courtroom battle between the heirs of the recently murdered Walter Timmerman, a multi-millionaire pharmaceutical baron. Timmerman's homicide has caused a rift between his widow Diane and Walter's son Steven, a prime suspect in Walter's murder. After accepting the assignment as guardian of the dog, Andy proceeds to the Timmerman estate to take custody of his client. Shortly after his arrival, an explosion rocks the house killing Diane. Steven is now more than a suspect; he is the defendant in a double-murder case. Fortunately for him, Andy believes he is innocent.

The Carpenter regulars all make appearances in NEW TRICKS. His hypochondriac associate, Kevin Randall, does the heavy legal lifting while fighting off every disease known to man. Edna, his office assistant, makes work avoidance an art form. Every lawyer must have sources in law enforcement and journalism, and Andy has Lieutenant Pete Stanton of the Patterson, New Jersey Police Department, and Vince Sanders, editor of the local newspaper. My favorite of the Carpenter clan is Marcus Clark, the part investigator, part bodyguard who protects Andy during his frequent moments of peril. Marcus is unlike any man, and Rosenfelt's humorous descriptions of this gentle muscleman make for entertaining adventures.

Last, but certainly not least, is the love of Andy's life, Laurie Collins. Laurie served as an investigator for Andy, then a client, and eventually left New Jersey to become chief of police in a small Wisconsin community. Andy and Laurie's romantic relationship has had its ups and downs. Returning to New Jersey for a brief visit, Laurie is shot by an assassin whose intended victim is Waggy. As Laurie's life hangs in the balance, Andy discovers that the case against Steven is far more complex than he originally thought. Rosenfelt always keeps his plots topical, and NEW TRICKS is no exception. There is an interesting discussion of DNA research and technology woven through the novel, which may well prove to be a motive for the murders.

Rosenfelt writes wonderful courtroom scenes, laced with humor and sarcasm. Andy gets away with quite a bit in court, as he often baits prosecutors, judges and police officers. The quirky humor is endearing and enjoyable. Along the way, there are also some unique and unforeseen plot twists and turns. Rosenfelt keeps the action moving both in court and in Andy's personal life. NEW TRICKS is a great read whether you are a fan of the series or a newcomer.

--- Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman

In Paterson, New Jersey, someone murders pharmaceutical VIP Walter Timmerman. A custody battle over the late man's Bernese mountain puppy Waggy pursues between his widow Diana and his son, Steven. A judge directs lawyer Andy Carpenter to represent Waggy's interest.

Andy, who already has a canine roommate Tara, picks up Waggy from Diana. Just after he leaves with the dog, a bomb explodes in Diana's house killing her. The police who already suspected Steven in his father's homicide, arrest him for Diana's murder. He hires Andy to represent him. Soon afterward, Andy's girlfriend, visiting Wisconsin police chief Laurie Collins, is shot while playing with the two dogs; leading to the attorney to conclude someone wants Waggy dead with Laurie accidentally getting in the way.

Having defended canine interests in court before (see PLAY DEAD), defense attorney Andy Carpenter does not blink when he is ordered to serve as Waggy's lawyer. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Andy brings his client home and never slows down even with super spins and twists. Readers will appreciate David Rosenfelt's terrific legal thriller as DNA plays a major role in the attempts to kill Waggy and anyone protecting the canine.

Harriet Klausner

This is a great tale that keeps you guessing until practically the last page. Andy must defend a client he knows for sure is innocent but cannot use any of the proof that his client is innocent because of the way it was obtained. Andy must summon all his witty, retort led courtroom acumen to take other tacks in winning the freedom of his client (Steven). Steven is accused of murdering his father and there is a ton of "circumstantial" evidence linking him to the crime and practically nothing to prove that he didn't do it.

Also, Steven's step-mother is killed and the culprit seems to also want a purebred litter of a champion, pup to also die. Everthing seems to point back to DNA experiments that Steven's father was working on. Such experiments seem to have aroused the interest of the FBI (the author has to always figure a way to get Cindy Spodek into his tales) and an international hitman.

It is up to Andy to get his client off, protect the dog and his own life. To do it he calls on his usual cast of characters (Laurie, Kevin, Sam, Pete and the indestructible Marcus).

The book goes at a fast pace and is hard to put down. Probably the best Andy Carpenter tale since his initial appearance!

Where has this series been hiding? This is my first book by this author and I am going to go back and read all of the catalogue. Normally, I am all about reading series in order, but I picked up right away on all of the recurring characters. The writing is spectacular and you feel like you are watching a movie rather than reading the words.

Andy Carpenter, our hero lawyer who rescues Golden Retrievers is someone you would like to have as a neighbor, well, all except that he tends to bring what little work he has home with him. His girlfriend, Laurie, is shot while she is dog sitting a client. The client is a a Burmese Mountain dog, (Waggy), at the center of a murder. The story brings in details of show dogs, genetics and wonderful courtroom banter. Major snark alert!

There are enough plot twists and unexpected turns to keep any one reading late into the night which happened to me. I think any fan of dogs and murder mysteries with love this one. It did remind me a bit of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and not just because it takes place in New Jersey. The character of Marcus could be related to Ranger. I want more now!

Representing a dog in a custody case would sound unusual for most attorneys, but the way Andy Carpenter’s life is going lately…the unusual is the norm.

Being assigned the case of caring for the untamable Bermese mountain dog should have been easy. He’s cute enough, friendly, likes what most dogs do, one thing though…where Waggy goes death follows. Take for example the fact that his owner died a violent death in a part of town he’d never venture into. The owner’s wife is blown away in her own house and someone close to Andy gets hurt just walking the big puppy dog. Thing is the dog’s owner was not your average dog lover. Walter Timmerman was an eccentric, filthy rich, extraordinary scientist with one big secret. A secret so big the F.B.I. was tailing him. No pun intended. The problem is, Walter’s son is charged with the murder of both his Dad and step-mom. But is it an open and shut case? That’s what Andy’s friends and Andy have to find out.

The author does the unthinkable in this book. He gave fictional life to a lawyer you gotta love. Only happened one other time for me with Paul Levine and his Solomon vs. Lord series. Looking forward to Rosenfelt’s lawyer books to come. Andy seems human and loveable. OMG, what will come next? His website is [...]

Another interesting tidbit is that he and his wife established the Tara Foundation, which has rescued over 4,000 dogs, mostly golden retrievers.

5 adorable dogs out of five
Denise Fleischer
was published on Gottawritenetwork.com
(now known as gottawritenetwork.wordpress.com)
November 12, 2009

Rosenfelt, again has Andy Carpenter up to his usual courtroom antics. This time Carpenter is trying to find the murderer of two people and the attempted murderer of his charge, a Bernese Mountain dog. Using refreshing humor, pure logic and solid determination, Rosenfelt has Andy step by step gain the freedom of his client who has wrongfully been accused of the murders and find the real murderer. Like all Roselfelts novels, I found this one witty while at the same time holding to a great story line. The ending is a surprise and unlike so many other novels I have read, I did not figure out the real murderer until Andy blurts it out the chapter before his epilogue. A good book and worth the read.

... this story line was quite interesting, not your run-of-the-mill reason for murder. As always, the good guy needs defending and the bad guy nearly gets away with it until a last second realization on Andy’s part. A predictable pattern, but I am ok with that.

A fun, twisty mystery. The puppy is an adorable part of the story. The author does a great job of changing things in each book so there isn't a formulaic feel to them. This one starts with a court case over the dog, and evolves into the larger trial. Terrific!

I had never heard of David Rosenfelt's books until I read New Tricks. I am not going to reiterate the story here; all I want to say is that I loved the writing, the characters and the plot was good - though I did pick out the murderer early in the piece - after all, I am also a crime writer!

Three aspects of this novel that I enjoyed particularly, were the excellent dialogue, good humour and the energy. Lots of crime novels are grim and purposeful, the writing dogged. However, this story was engaging, fresh and a delight to read. I shall be looking out for more of Rosenfelt's work.

So many books I have read recently have been awful, so it is a relief to read one that was suspenseful, humorous, and built to a great climax. The dog angle is unique and handled well. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Rosenfelt's works as good authors are hard to find.

David Rosenfelt brings back attorney Andy Carpenter in "New Tricks", his fifth book in the series. Andy, the dog lover that he is, is told by the courts to decide where a cute little puppy belongs. Not an easy task when murder happens and Andy and his sarcastic nature decides to investigate further. His romance deepens with the love of his life Laurie. Rosenfelt has developed a great cast of characters and keeps me entertained and laughing with each new Andy Carpenter story.

High-brow snobs are never going to love books like this: there just aren't enough multisyllabic words or hidden messages to make this worthy in their eyes. However, those of us who read to be entertained are going to be thrilled with this installment in the Andy Carpenter legal thriller series. Andy is back to his wise-cracking ways, he song-talks with his accountant, bugs the judge, and solves a mystery that keep you entertained every step of the way.

Another superb entry in the Andy Carpenter and Tara series. These are highly entertaining novels that contain all the elements I look for in a good mystery: good writing, excellent plots, well developed characters and relationships. Rosenfelt's characteristic humor is always a bonus!

David Rosenfelt brings back attorney Andy Carpenter in "New Tricks", his fifth book in the series. Andy, the dog lover that he is, is told by the courts to decide where a cute little puppy belongs. Not an easy task when murder happens and Andy and his sarcastic nature decides to investigate further. His romance deepens with the love of his life Laurie. Rosenfelt has developed a great cast of characters and keeps me entertained and laughing with each new Andy Carpenter story.

High-brow snobs are never going to love books like this: there just aren't enough multisyllabic words or hidden messages to make this worthy in their eyes. However, those of us who read to be entertained are going to be thrilled with this installment in the Andy Carpenter legal thriller series. Andy is back to his wise-cracking ways, he song-talks with his accountant, bugs the judge, and solves a mystery that keep you entertained every step of the way.

Another superb entry in the Andy Carpenter and Tara series. These are highly entertaining novels that contain all the elements I look for in a good mystery: good writing, excellent plots, well developed characters and relationships. Rosenfelt's characteristic humor is always a bonus!

I have truly loved all prior Andy Carpenter tales (tails?)....However, I found much too much repetition (some understandably necessary for newcomers to the series) but also the novelty of the first three books has worn thin for me. Now it just feels as though the author is following the same outline for each story (all of it becoming rather mundane and tedious). I say all this with a broken heart but I need original stuff to make me happy.

Love the Tara angle in each book and she is a true heroine for many reasons. I do like Andy et al., but I'd like (and HOPE) the next book takes a much different turn so I may go back to my giggling (sometimes raucously) thru a David Rosenfelt book
and look forward to the next in the series.

I have been enjoying the Andy Carpenter series for a while. Always a good story and I love that he always talks about and includes dogs in his story line. This one has quite a twist with the additional dog in the story and this book has a lot of action also. I will continue to read this series. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it is not a life changing kind of book that makes you think or look at things differently. It is strictly written for enjoyment and that is exactly what it does!

I would especially recommend this book to dog lovers and those who enjoy wit and humor in their mysteries. This is the first book I've read from this author and will be looking to see what else he has written. It is a fast read and held my interest 
throughout.

Wealthy pharmaceutical scientist Walter Timmerman has been murdered, and when part-time attorney Andy Carpenter is summoned by the judge on the case, he assumes he's been pegged for a pro-bono defense of the accused. Instead, the judge assigns Andy to represent Timmerman's show-quality Bernese mountain dog (Bertrand II, aka: "Waggy"), in a custody fight between the deceased's second wife and his adult son. When that widow is murdered soon thereafter, Andy finds himself housing the dog *and* defending the new accused -- the son -- in the now double-murder case.

I came to this book new to the author and primed to enjoy the dog-oriented Andy Carpenter series. I came away somewhat disappointed. What opens as an ultra-light, fun read is made tedious by Andy's endless mental mulling of the case, much of which occurs to the reader before it does to Andy. Perhaps the series characters were developed well in earlier installments, but here they are stick figures. The murders are routine, while a far more interesting aspect (the motive) is under-researched and under-developed. And the dogs ... where are the dogs? Alas, they're mostly background, gnawing on bones or accompanying Andy on walks where he mulls more facts and loops them past the reader again.

Rosenfelt's dialogue is good and many scenes are witty; I wonder if I would have enjoyed this book more if I'd read the earlier installments? Thus I strongly recommend that readers new to the series begin with a book other than New Tricks.

His stories are so comfortable to read. His courtroom scenes are believable and so entertaining. It's so nice that he builds on characters from his previous books so that you feel continuity and become immersed in Andy's life and travails.