After reading David Rosenfelt's Dog Tags, I had to go back and read more about Andy Carpenter, reluctant defense attorney and ardent dog lover. Open And Shut (#65) is where it all began. This book explains how Andy came to be independently wealthy, acquired a dog, found a brilliant partner, and an attractive lover who works with him as an investigator as he unravels a family mystery.
Andy's father was a successful District Attorney who tried an "open and shut" murder case a number of years ago. Just before he dies unexpectedly, he begs Andy to take on the appeal for Willie Miller, even though he claims he knows that Andy can't win the appeal. The senior Carpenter has recently discovered some information about the original trial that leads to the verdict being overturned. Andy's already on the case when his father dies, but he carries on because his father asked him to, and it's something to keep him occupied as he grieves. Cleaning his father's house, Andy comes across a hidden photo and starts asking questions. Someone is definitely not happy about that. Andy is threatened and beaten up and concludes that his client has been framed. He's not about to stop digging.
Just as in Dog Tags, Rosenfelt uses humor and some ingenious twists to keep the plot moving along. I couldn't put the book down and read it in one sitting. When I reserved the next book in this series, I was delighted to see that he's come out with another installment on order at my library. Yay library!
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