Customer Reviews

Play Dead

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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

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.

I see there are a lot of wonderful reviews of the book which left me thinking "Why didn't I?" If you love Andy Carpenter as much as I do, this is an installment you won't want to miss. I just didn't appreciate it as much as the others. Often the book and the characters read to me very flat and one-dimensional. If this was my first book in the series, I'm not sure I would have wanted to go back and read the others in the series. The ending seemed extremely rushed as to how he figures out what was going on -- almost a giant head scratcher like, huh?

I am anxiously awaiting another installment in the series and hope it brings a return of a warmer reading experience. This story can't be warm just because they saved a dog...

Novel and screenplay author David Rosenfelt presents Play Dead: A Novel, now in a complete and unabridged audiobook version narrated by award-winning voice actor Grover Gardner. Attorney Andy Carpenter is a golden retriever's best friend, and when he dares to appeal a golden retriever's death sentence, he discovers that the gentle dog is a key witness to a murder from five years ago. Andy must put his legal knowledge and persuasive oratory to the test in order to convince a disbelieving judge to accept canine testimony and free an innocent man from jail. At the root of the mystery is a threat to both dog and man, in this sensationally suspenseful audiobook especially recommended for golden retriever aficionados. 6 CDs, 8 hours.

I've read all of Mr. Rosenfelt's books with Andy Carpenter and Tara and have thoroughly enjoyed them! Andy Carpenter is a defense attorney with admitted faults, but he's smart and is in a financial position to pick and choose his cases. His circle of associates, friends and love-of-his-life add much to the stories. The humor never overwhelms the flow and gives his stories extra spice.

Mr. Rosenselt is an obvious dog lover (a positive attribute), and Tara is always a part of Andy's life and the story.

The main character in this book is so witty, I kept laughing out loud as I read it (much to the chagrin of my 15-year old daughter who was in the same room with me, plodding her way thru "Great Expectations" for school.) In addition to the main character, most all of the characters in this book are interesting and quirky. The plot of the story is quick, and the pace is fast. The author spends only enough time on description to set up a scene. Don't look for literary poetic lines here. But the best part of this book is that it is obvious that not only the main character, Andy Carpenter, loves dogs, but so does the author. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs or would just like a fast, fun read.

I loved this book, and would have given it 5 stars. However, near the beginning of the book Andy's long time love gets shot in the "upper thigh which became horribly serious because it happened to severe the Carotid artery, causing massive blood loss." This is anatomically impossible; perhaps he meant the femoral artery, which indeed could be life-threatening. Once I read this error, I read looking sub-consciously for additional errors, but I am please to report that I didn't find any. Shame on David Rosenfelt for letting this slip by (or his editors). He is, in spite of this, a great story-teller, and I thoroughly enjoy his books!

Another solid book by David Rosenfelt! As always with Rosenfelt, he provides a quick and enjoyable read. He did a pretty good job of keeping me guessing. Play Dead is a page turner. Anyone who likes a good murder mystery with some dry wit and man's best friend thrown into the mix should pick up a copy of Play Dead. You won't regret the few hours of escape you get!

What is Grisham Disease, you might be asking? It's when we readers aren't given all the information we need to help have a book make sense until we get to the last chapter, when all the missing details are handily provided. Grisham first displayed this disease in The Pelican Brief, and Rosenfelt shows some signs of it here.

Before we get to the last chapter(s) of this book it was a 5-star effort. Humor, mystery, suspense, and excellent pacing permeate the pages. The characters, though not as goofy as Evanovich's crew, are real and familiar to us long-time readers. The mystery is excellent (too excellent, as we're not give all our info until the book is almost over!).

I love this series, and will be back for the next installment despite my quibblings.