Play Dead: An Andy Carpenter Mystery
May 29, 2007
Play Dead opens with the kind of case that seems almost too strange to be real, which is exactly what makes it so appealing. What begins with Andy Carpenter trying to help a dog soon pulls him into a much larger mystery, one involving an old murder, troubling inconsistencies, and the uneasy suspicion that the truth has been hiding in plain sight. Right away, the story has that irresistible feeling that something important has been missed, and Andy is about to make life much more difficult for the people who hoped it would stay that way.
What makes the novel especially engaging is the contrast between Andy’s dry, reluctant voice and the serious danger surrounding him. He approaches chaos with sarcasm, annoyance, and just enough stubbornness to keep digging when common sense might suggest backing off. That gives the story a lively rhythm, blending humor, legal suspense, and investigation in a way that keeps things moving while still letting the mystery grow darker and more compelling.
For readers who enjoy mysteries with wit, momentum, and plenty of personality, Play Dead has all the makings of a very entertaining read. It offers sharp dialogue, rising tension, and a premise that stands out immediately, while still delivering the kind of intrigue that keeps readers hooked. The result feels smart, fast, and full of the canine heart and human trouble that make David Rosenfelt’s work so distinctive.
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.
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