Play Dead [Mass Market Paperback]

David Rosenfelt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2009

Few can rival attorney Andy Carpenter's affection for golden retrievers, especially his own beloved Tara. After he astonishes a New Jersey courtroom by successfully appealing another golden's death sentence, Andy discovers that this gentle dog is a key witness to a murder that took place five years before. Andy pushes the boundaries of the law even further as he struggles to free an innocent man by convincing an incredulous jury to take canine testimony seriously. It will take all the tricks Andy's fertile mind can conceive to get to the bottom of a remarkable chain of impersonations and murder, and save a dog's life--and his own--in the process.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Edgar-finalist Rosenfelt's riveting sixth legal thriller (after 2006's Dead Center) brings independently wealthy Paterson, N.J., lawyer Andy Carpenter to the defense of a very special domestic violence victim, Yogi, a golden retriever alleged to have bitten its owner. Andy uses the court system to spring Yogi from an animal shelter's death row and adopt him, adding the dog to a small family that includes longtime pet golden Tara. But when the gang goes for a walk that leads to a joyful reunion between Yogi and a woman named Karen Evans, Andy learns Yogi is actually Reggie, presumed dead five years earlier after the conviction of Karen's brother, U.S. Customs Inspector Richard Evans, for the murder of his fiancée, Stacy Harriman. Suspecting Richard's innocence, Andy tackles the case like a dog on a chew toy, undeterred by an intricate web of deception involving a possible government coverup. No shaggy dog story, this puppy's alive with reliable Rosenfelt wit and heart. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* In the sixth Andy Carpenter mystery, Rosenfelt turns his love of golden retrievers into a cracking good yarn. Andy, the New Jersey attorney whose inheritance of $22 million has diluted his work ethic ("I am work-ethically challenged," he tells us), tends to take a case only when it interests him. When he learns that a beautiful retriever is scheduled to be put down after biting its owner, he decides to represent the dog in court. He is successful, but soon his delight at saving the animal's life turns to amazement--or at least bemusement--when he discovers that the dog may be a key witness in a five-year-old murder. There are many ways this novel should have failed (the whole premise is iffy, for starters), but Rosenfelt skillfully avoids every trap into which he might have fallen. There is no way you can read this novel without becoming completely caught up in the story. As always, Andy's offbeat, outspoken personality shines on every page, and the balance of humor and mystery is dead-on. There is nothing else to say about this fine novel, except this: read it as soon as you can. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446614521
• ISBN-13: 978-0446614528
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.2 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Andy refuses to let sleeping dogs lie., June 27, 2007

By 

E. Bukowsky "booklover10" (NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Play Dead: A Novel (Hardcover)

David Rosenfelt's "Play Dead," is another installment in his entertaining series featuring New Jersey-based criminal defense attorney Andy Carpenter. Andy worships at the shrine of Tara, his precious golden retriever. He is also a partner in the Tara Foundation, a canine rescue operation. One day, Andy learns from the manager of the Passaic County Animal Shelter that a golden retriever named Yogi is slated to be put down because he bit his owner, Warren Shaheen. A witness says that Shaheen found the dog several weeks earlier, and never made an effort to locate the real owner. In addition, Warren kicked the dog repeatedly, which may have precipitated the attack.

Andy, who is independently wealthy courtesy of a substantial inheritance, can pick and choose which cases he wants to pursue. Since Yogi's plight touches his heart, Andy decides to go to court to save the dog's life. As a result of the publicity that Yogi's case generates, Andy learns that the pooch's real name is Reggie and that he was a key witness to a murder five years earlier. Richard Evans, a U. S. Customs inspector, was convicted of killing his girlfriend, Stacy Harriman. Her decomposed body washed ashore after she and Richard went sailing off the New Jersey coast. Reggie, the golden retriever, was with them on the boat, but he disappeared until Andy's case made him a media hero. Richard's sister, Karen Evans, comes forward to identify the dog, and she asks Andy to do whatever he can to free her brother.

Andy's support staff includes Kevin Randall, his associate and a confirmed hypochondriac, Edna, his slothful secretary, and Marcus, his taciturn and intimidating investigator and bodyguard. Andy's girlfriend, Laurie Collins, is chief of police in Findlay, Wisconsin, and the two are making a valiant effort to maintain their long-distance relationship.

This novel is trademark Rosenfelt. It is filled with snappy dialogue, and Andy, the narrator, can always be counted on to deliver sarcastic quips and put himself down with self-deprecating humor. His best friends and beer buddies include Lieutenant Pete Stanton of the Paterson Police Department and newspaper reporter Vince Edwards, who take turns helping and Andy and teasing him unmercifully. Sam Willis is an accountant a computer hacker who can find arcane information about almost any topic or person.

Unfortunately, Richard Evans's case is anything but a slam dunk. Andy must demonstrate to a judge's satisfaction that a new trial is warranted in a matter that was settled half a decade ago. In addition, someone tries to kill him Andy a result of his effort to free Evans, and powerful individuals in the United States government have taken an unhealthy interest in Andy's activities. "Play Dead" is smoothly written, and it features engaging characters, amusing and well-crafted courtroom scenes, and a plot that is engrossing if somewhat far-fetched. This is a light and breezy summer read that is a must for lovers of shaggy dog mysteries.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fun legal thriller, May 19, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Play Dead: A Novel (Hardcover)

In Paterson, New Jersey affluent attorney Andy Carpenter only accepts cases that interest him since he inherited millions. When he learns that Yogi the golden retriever is going to be executed for allegedly biting his owner, Andy who loves dogs especially this breed, provides a community service by representing this death row canine in this capital case. The court gives Yogi to Andy.

As he walks his dogs, Yogi recognizes a nearby woman. Karen Evans explains that Yogi is actually Reggie, who belonged to her brother, former U.S. Customs Inspector Richard Evans convicted of murdering his fiancée, Stacy Harriman five years ago; Karen thought Reggie was dead. Unable to resist as he witnessed the love between Karen and Reggie and assuming that Richard and Reggie would be even stronger, Andy decides the canine's former owner would not cold bloodedly kill someone he allegedly loves. Andy also thinks he has the key eye witness to the homicide, Reggie. He decides to represent Reggie's former human pet and like a pit bull keeps untangling a conspiracy cover-up that smells government in nature.

Although it sounds like a dog lover fluff legal thriller, PLAY DEAD is a terrific tale due to the eccentricity of Andy who chases the truth like male dogs chasing a female in heat. The story line is fast-paced as Andy sniffs out clues trying to affirm his theory that Richard is innocent. Fans will appreciate this five bark novel starring an unconventional hero with an even more unusual eye witness.

Harriet Klausner

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Close to being too cute, August 9, 2007

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Play Dead: A Novel (Hardcover)

First Sentence: "Andy, you're not going to believe this."

Attorney Andy Carpenter's love of gold retrievers leads to his taking on a case. Richard Evans is serving life in prison for supposedly murdering his fiancée, dumping her body, as well as his dog, overboard from the boat they were on and then attempting suicide. But five years later, the dog turns up alive and Richard's sister convinces Andy to look at the case. When someone tries to shoot Andy, he's even more convinced the pieces just don't fit.

Andy is a delightful character, surrounded by other delightful characters; sometimes almost too much so. Fortunately, it is interesting legal cases, particularly the first one in this book, and trial information that saves this book from being cute. The premise is close to being over the top, but Rosenfelt walks that fine line with the skill of an aerialist. At any point where they story might start to wander off, the action picks up and takes you down a new road. Being from there, I always enjoy his descriptions of New Jersey and the wryness in his character and dialogue are perfect. This was not my very favorite of all his books, but I did definitely enjoy it.