Book Review: Play Dead

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

Play Dead     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
David Rosenfelt
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Legal Setting   Dogs
Series: Andy Carpenter # 6
Warner Books, 2007, 308 pps.

There is an old saying “Every Dog Has His Day” but for a dog to have his day in court is just not heard of in legal circles. Yogi/Reggie, a Golden Retriever, does have his day in court since he has the privilege of having Andy Carpenter as his attorney.

Yogi is sentenced to death according to the local laws. He has bitten his owner and therefore cannot be adopted by a new owner. When Andy Carpenter meets Yogi he reminds Andy of his dog Tara so much that he feels he must save Yogi’s life and the campaign begins. The book is not just about saving the life of a dog. It turns out that Yogi was previously called Reggie and his previous owner is now in prison for killing his girl friend as well as Reggie. Since dogs don’t have nine lives and Reggie is very much alive Andy thinks that Reggie may be able to save Richard Evans, his previous owner.

Andy pulls in favors from his friends in his quest for justice for Richard Evans but it is pretty tough going. Laurie even comes in for a visit and offers her assistance. Laurie is currently living in Findley, Wisconsin. Andy and Laurie are trying to make their long distance relationship work.

Richard’s sister Karen has been praying for the day that her brother will be found innocent and be released from prison. It seems that there are as many people working towards keeping Richard in prison as there are working to get him out.

Andy Carpenter is always funny and his courtroom tactics add a lot of excitement to the story. This is another wonderful addition to the Andy Carpenter series.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM