The More the Terrier

by David Rosenfelt

To read this book as a stand alone, you really only need to know two things. Both the author David Rosenfelt and the protagonist Andy Carpenter are crazy about dogs, particularly rescue dogs. Also, you will soon find out that Andy Carpenter is a crack, trying to retire lawyer in New Jersey who seems not to need money but maintains a small office above a fruit stand and a team of specialists to help him with investigations. Marcus is a man no one would want to mess with. Andy’s wife Laurie is a former cop. He also has a computer specialist on his staff along with others who can do research, act as bodyguards, etc. 

Andy’s passion for dogs and justice intersect in The More the Terrier when a dog Andy formerly fostered finds his way back to Andy’s house. When he tries to return him to Brian, the young man who adopted him, Andy discovers Brian has been jailed for murder and has a lawyer with a dubious funding source. The prosecutor claims it is a clear case of guilt. Andy can’t imagine Brian doing anything violent, and the case is anything but clear cut. Throw in Russian gangs, professors who write secretive software, multiple other deaths and kidnappings, and a girl whose avatar was sexually attacked on metaverse. What emerges is no proof that Brian is innocent, but lots of criminal types who could have tried to frame him. It’s up to Andy to figure it all out if Brian is not going to spend the rest of his life in prison.

I like a good mystery, one that takes thought to figure out, a puzzle. This novel ranks high in that category, but my favorite aspect is Andy’s dry wit. He is able to insult and move on without the other person being able to figure out how to respond. Although there is a lot of planning, there is also action. All of his team are players; they do their jobs well, giving input as appropriate, but when all is said and done, Andy takes responsibility for the results and feels the pressure of doing what is right while helping his client. Andy has three dogs who are family and so are mentioned a lot. Murphy, Brian’s terrier, kicks off the story and is there when the plot comes full circle and resolves. The author says of Murphy: “…perky is pretty much his default position. Murphy is the type of dog that brightens up every room and car he is in.” The author’s love of dogs shines through in his books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery, Fiction

Notes: 1.#30 in the Andy Carpenter Mystery Series, but can be read as a standalone. I have only read a few in the series, but I found background information was not needed to enjoy them.

    2. Clean in all aspects

Publication: October 15, 2024—St. Martin’s Press (Minotaur Books)

Memorable Lines:

I can’t understand why anyone would want to barrel down a frozen mountain at high speed on two narrow ironing boards, carrying a couple of sticks and dodging trees and other lunatics out on the same mountain.

She is counting on me to give her back her son. That pretty much defines the word pressure.

Winter is coming to an end; the weather people are saying we won’t be getting any more snow. That means we’re heading for a few pleasant weather days before the mosquitoes start arriving. They’re probably making travel plans now.