#DogDayAfternoon – Rosepoint Publishing

Rosepoint Reviews-August Recap

Just when we had a stretch of mild weather, beautiful temps for everything I wanted to do outside, I went grocery shopping. A few days later, I came down with Covid—whichever variety is currently going around, I guess, and a few days after that, the CE came down with it. Here we’ve gotten all through ’20, ’21, ’22, and ’23, then got caught. Definitely laid me low for two weeks and then another two weeks still lacking any energy and short on stamina. Fortunately, our son didn’t catch it for another few days, so he was able to see we had something to eat. Well, I covered that saga in my reviews posted both the eleventh and the thirteenth.

Also fortunate that our son was able to double down and take care of his own dog, a mini-Aussie-Jack Russell and ours as well. Punkin is always careful to make sure Cooper remembers the house is hers, but Cooper made herself at home early on. Cooper (Remember the puppy?) It is a year last August our daughter surprised us with her. I was missing Frosty so much—but more than that—the joy and companionship a dog brings to the household. Cooper grew into approximately 35 lbs of exuberant and energetic watch dog and indefatigable ball retriever. She tries so hard to talk, but I haven’t quite understood a word yet.

So obviously, not a lot of activity on the blog in August, although I did get some reading done. I’m still getting books from NetGalley as well as author and publisher requests, and my local library. Two novels were given a DNF this month (not included in the list below), one from the CE and one from myself and both at just about 25%. Just didn’t click with either of us, totally unusual. As always, links on titles are to our reviews that include purchase or source information.

Rosepoint Reviews - August Recap

The Blind Devotion of Imogene by David Putnam
On Wahoo Reef by Tim W Jackson
The Broken Truth by Reavis Wortham (CE review)
Zephyr Trails by Nicki Ehrlich
Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee
Echoes of Memory by Sara Driscoll (audiobook)
Big Love and War Horse by Shallen Anne Chitwood
Hillbilly Elegy by J D Vance (audiobook)
Dog Day Afternoon by David Rosenfelt (audiobook)

Favorite Book of the Month

I really enjoyed Hillbilly Elegy but waffled on five stars. The CE gave The Broken Truth five stars, so I must bow to his choice.

**Favorites for August – The Broken Truth by Reavis Wortham**

My Reading Challenges page…

Reading Challenges page—at this point woefully behind schedule and forced to reduce the Goodreads Challenge from 150 to 130. The CE is reducing his reading and reviewing and I still owe two reviews to Goodreads.

Love my new subscribers—welcome! Thank you to those of you who continue to monitor, read, and comment on my posts. I appreciate you!

Enjoy Your Sunday

An Andy Carpenter Mystery #29

Book Blurb:

Paterson, New Jersey’s favorite reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter returns in Dog Day Afternoon, the next mystery in this fan favorite series from National Bestselling Author David Rosenfelt.

Retired lawyer Andy Carpenter has run the Tara Foundation—the dog rescue organization named after his beloved golden retriever—for years. It’s always been his calling, even as Andy’s pulled into representing clients in court. His investigator, Marcus Clark, has been at Andy’s side for a long time. Even though they’ve known each other for years, Marcus keeps his personal life a mystery.

So it’s a shock when Marcus arrives at the Tara Foundation with two strangers in tow. Turns out Marcus takes disadvantaged young men under his wing, gets them jobs, a place to live, and a chance at a different life. And they want a dog. Andy’s specialty. One of the young men, Nick Williams, instantly falls in love with one of the dogs, Daisy.

When there’s a mass shooting at Nick’s work, leaving six dead, all signs point to Nick. Marcus, who’s never asked Andy for anything, asks Andy for help. Despite Nick’s troubled background, Andy trusts his friend and takes the case.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.

My Review:

Yes, it’s time for another Andy Carpenter legal mystery narrated by one of my favorites, Grover Gardner—who is Andy Carpenter personified. I just have to hear that voice and I see the man. (Andy may need to walk his dogs a little longer.)

You’ll remember by now, since this is one of my favorite series, that Andy Carpenter has been trying to retire from being a defense attorney for years. He no longer needs to work but is heavily involved in the dog rescue organization he created with a partner, a former client. He has three dogs in his own family dynamic, each with very different personalities, levels of energy, and contributions to the storyline.

And then there is Marcus, who never known for his verbosity, suddenly seeks Andy’s help in the defense of a disadvantaged young man he helped get the job where there has now been a mass shooting. Marcus knows he couldn’t have done it, Nick is a dog lover.

I love the complexity of the installments. They are multi-layered and twisty, and you never know where the storyline is heading. These narratives are never simple. Andy has his usual crew besides Marcus, including Sam and his wife Laurie. Each character adds an authentic touch to the crew that helps with his investigation and legal proceedings.

Along the way, just in case things are getting heavy, are the usual banter, snide remarks, and casual snarky observations.

While the author follows his successful format pattern, the characters are well drawn and relatable, balance each other well, and the stories work as standalone. This is absolutely a series you’ll opt for the audiobook as Gardner’s narration is always a hoot and just too much fun. (Of course, it helps that the author has penned his signature sense of humor.)

The novels are always well-paced and, of course, I love the inclusion of the dogs. Each of the installments is engaging and entertaining.

This last book in the series I read in October 2023, Book 28, was ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas” and I loved it. I’m thinking we’ll soon have one for Christmas 2024. I’m looking forward to it.

I downloaded a copy of this audiobook from my local well-stocked library. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Animal Fiction, Traditional Detective Mysteries
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
ASIN: B0CH1D7WJF
Listening Length: 7 hrs 13 mins
Narrator: Grover Gardner
Publication Date: July 2, 2024
Source: Local Library (Audiobook Selections)
Title Links: Dog Day Afternoon [Amazon-US]
Amazon-UK
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

The Author:

David Rosenfelt, a native of Paterson, New Jersey, is a graduate of NYU. He was the former marketing president for Tri-Star Pictures before becoming a writer of novels and screenplays. “Open And Shut” was his first novel; “First Degree,” his second novel, was named a best book of 2003 by Publishers Weekly. He currently lives in Southern California with his wife and 35 dogs.

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Website

The Narrator:

Grover Gardner’s narration career spans twenty-five years and over 550 audiobook titles. AudioFile Magazine has called him one of the “Best Voices of the Century” and features him in their annual “Golden Voices” update. Publishers Weekly named him Audiobook Narrator of the Year for 2005. His recordings have garnered 18 “Golden Earphones” awards from AudioFile and an Audie Award from the Audio Publishers’ Association.
http://grovergardner.blogspot.com/