Fiction

I’m addicted to reading David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter suspense legal thriller series.

Out of the 32 books in this series alone, I’m currently reading book #8, Dog Tags. Which I spend at least two hours in bed at night happily curled up with my two pups and kitty. Every book has been a unique and delightful page-turning story, which is my end-of-the-day mental health therapy in these otherwise emotionally painful times.

Like the author (and me), Andy Carpenter is an passionate dog lover. Rosenfelt’s writing style of deep scrutiny, fine legal details, and self-deprecating, warm-hearted humor is a rare, yet serendipitous mix. As is his difficult-to-write first-person, present-tense narration and dialogue, which easily transitions into occasional third-person, past-tense when focusing on other characters. (As an author of medical-legal thrillers, I can appreciate how challenging it is to create flow with this dramatic switcheroo effect, especially in fiction. And it’s the reason I save first-person, present tense for my memoirs.)

Here’s a reviewers’ synopsis on the main — and very lovable — character:

“Andy Carpenter is a hard working criminal lawyer as well as a sports fan who has a gift for gab. He is an animal lover who saves both dogs and men from death row. His Golden Retriever Tara helps him solve cases and win courtroom battles in this amazing legal thriller series. David Rosenfelt is an incredible author who has received various nominations for his good writing skills over the years.”

I highly recommend Rosenfelt’s books to anyone who needs to escape to a kinder, gentler world of puppylove. Especially if you’re an animal lover and/or sports nut.

Love the picture and wise words, hermetic. In fact, one of my pups, a Mini Saintberdoodle, looks much like the pup in the photo.