Product Description

Andy Carpenter gains possession of an adorable Bernese puppy whose owner was brutally murdered. Few can rival Andy's affection for dogs, and he will do whatever it takes to insure that this little pup doesn't fall into the wrong hands. However, his playful new friend is valued by several people, many of whom are willing to resort to violence to get what they want. It will take more than Andy's usual courtroom theatrics to save this dog, including a little help from his beloved golden retriever, Tara. Andy soon discovers that anyone around him is in danger, including his long-time girlfriend Laurie, and he will have to muster all of his wits to save those he holds most dear.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17562 in Books
• Published on: 2009-08-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780446505871
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. In Rosenfelt's excellent seventh legal thriller to feature Paterson, N.J., defense attorney Andy Carpenter (after Play Dead), Andy takes on another canine client—Waggy, a Bernese mountain puppy, who's somehow connected to the murder of Walter Timmerman, a semi-titan in the pharmaceutical industry. Andy represents the dog in a custody battle between Diana, Walter's widow, and her stepson, Steven, who's a suspect in his father's shooting. Shortly after Andy picks up Waggy from Diana, she dies in a bomb explosion at her house. When Steven's arrested for Diana's murder, Andy agrees to represent him. After Andy's police chief girlfriend, Laurie Collins, who's visiting from Wisconsin, is shot and wounded while playing with Waggy and Tara, Andy's golden retriever, Andy realizes Waggy was the real target. Rosenfelt injects this clever installment with courtroom twists, a peek into some scary DNA research and a romantic surprise. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
On PLAY DEAD
"Riveting...alive with reliable Rosenfelt wit and heart." (Publishers Weekly (starred review) )

"A taut thriller full of whiplash plot twists and wisecracking dialogue." (Entertainment Weekly )

"A cracking good yarn...Andy's offbeat, outspoken personality shines on every page, and the balance of humor and mystery is dead-on." (Booklist (starred review) )

"A funny, warm-hearted mystery, NEW TRICKS moves quickly and playfully - almost puppylike-through mounting crimes, a long-distance love affair and a secret science project that threatens to thwart [Andy] Carpenter's best efforts. Three Stars." (People )

About the Author
DAVID ROSENFELT is the former marketing president for Tri-Star Pictures and lives in Southern California. For more information, visit his website: www.davidrosenfelt.com.

Customer Reviews

Back to basics
This was a quick easy, laugh out loud, fast read. I've already passed my copy along, I hope that it is not too long a wait for Andy's next adventure.
Loved this new book, it was back to Andy Carpenter whose sarcasm I just love.

Bow-bow... My Lord
Reviewed by Narayan Radhakrishnan for Rebecca's Reads (7/09)

Andy Carpenter has had a few strange clients over the years as a maverick defense attorney. But never in his wildest imagination did Andy think that he would get himself a client like Waggy. Waggy is a young mountain dog pup who is at the centre of a custody battle between its owner's second wife and her stepson (son of the deceased). It all starts with the strange murder of a pharmaceutical bigwig named Walter Timmerman. And now the little puppy is the centre of attraction. The judge orders handing over the temporary custody to Andy. The day he collects the canine from Diane Timmerman she is murdered in a bomb blast. The opposite party, Steven Timmerman is accused of the crime and he asks Andy to represent him.

Andy now has his hands full. However, he gets the full co-operation of his best friend- the golden retriever Tara, who helps Andy raise Waggy. Help also comes in the form of Andy's girlfriend police officer Laurie Collins. But when she also becomes a potential target of an assassin, Andy begins to realize that humans are not the targets, but the canine is.

What deadly secret does Waggy hold and why is everyone hell-bent to kill him? With twists, double twists, triple twists and quadruple twists- the novel ends in a hilarious finish that's well....pure Rosenfeltish.

I enjoyed "New Tricks" by David Rosenfelt a lot. With the legal thriller arena being dominated by serious action oriented novels by Grisham, Turow et al we occasionally need works like "New Tricks" so as not to take ourselves too seriously. Rosenfelt has taken this admirable decision and has carved out a neat niche for himself in the world of legal thrillers.

I highly recommend this book.

NEW TRICKS is a great read whether you are a fan of the series or a newcomer
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