Dogged Pursuit: An Andy Carpenter Mystery

October 14, 2025

After three years as a prosecutor in Paterson, Andy Carpenter has grown tired of a system that rarely protects ordinary people. He quits and opens a small, run-down defense practice, eager for a fresh start.

A trip to the local shelter leads Andy to the golden retriever who will become his soulmate, Tara. She is sharing a kennel with another dog, Sunny, and Andy cannot stand the thought of separating them. He asks to foster Sunny as well, only to learn that her owner, Ryan Tierney, has been charged with murdering his former employer. To keep Sunny, Andy must first secure written permission, which pulls him straight into Ryan’s case.

Andy is struck by Ryan’s genuine love for his dog and decides to represent him, taking on both the canine duo and his very first defense trial.

Set before the long-running Andy Carpenter series, this origin story is a treat for longtime fans and an inviting starting point for new readers.