Meet Waggy, a pivotal character in New Tricks (#144), David Rosenfelt's "Lawyer to the Dogs" Andy Carpenter mystery series. Andy's nemesis, Judge Henry "Hatchet" Henderson, has called him in for a pro bono assignment to sort out just who will get custody of Waggy, a hyperactive Bernese mountain dog puppy. His former owner Walter Timmerman has been murdered. Timmerman also happened to be an extremely wealthy entrepeneur and scientist whose trophy wife and son are disputing Waggy's ownership and fate as show dog or pet. It seems like a fairly straightforward legal matter for Andy to handle - until he's almost killed in a bomb blast at the Timmerman mansion where he's gone to pick up Waggy.
Suddenly Andy finds himself taking care of a puppy that never stops, a new human client to defend against a double murder charge, and a case where the clues just don't add up. When his long-time girlfriend Laurie is shot while playing with Waggy and his golden retriever Tara in his own yard, and Andy is facing the very real possibility that he might lose her, things become very, very personal in his pursuit of this case.
Rosenfelt includes his trademark plot twists and witty dialogue in this outing. He also does a better job of wrapping up the loose plot ends more satisfactorily than in Play Dead (See my post of 12/26/11.) Laurie's brush with death provides a key turning point in her relationship with Andy. Look for strong, silent Marcus (Laurie's scary investigator friend!) to play a key role in this book. And Waggy? It looks like his owner will be spending a fortune in doggy chews for the foreseeable future.
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