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David Rosenfelt

Biography

David Rosenfelt

David Rosenfelt is the Edgar-nominated and Shamus Award-winning author of more than 20 Andy Carpenter novels, including ONE DOG NIGHT, COLLARED and DECK THE HOUNDS; its spinoff series, The K-Team; the Doug Brock thriller series, which starts with FADE TO BLACK; and stand-alone thrillers including HEART OF A KILLER and ON BORROWED TIME.

Rosenfelt and his wife live in Maine with an ever-changing pack of rescue dogs. Their epic cross-country move with 25 of these dogs, culminating in the creation of the Tara Foundation, is chronicled in DOGTRIPPING.

David Rosenfelt

Books by David Rosenfelt

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter is relieved to be headed back to Paterson, New Jersey, after a week-long family vacation in the Adirondacks. He's ready to settle in at home with his three dogs. But when they arrive, there is an extra dog awaiting them, as well as one anxious dog sitter. Andy recognizes Murphy, who the Carpenters fostered before the dog went home with BJ Bremer. BJ wanted to learn all he could about caring for Murphy, which made Andy like him immediately. When Andy goes to take Murphy back to the Bremers, though, he finds BJ's mother in tears. It turns out Murphy ran off after BJ was arrested for murder. Andy had hoped for a quiet Christmas vacation, but he likes Murphy’s family and his golden retriever, Tara, likes Murphy, so he can't resist getting involved. With nothing to go on but BJ's dog-loving character, proving his innocence would be a Christmas miracle.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter is at the Tara Foundation’s annual Christmas party. The dog rescue organization has always been his true calling, and this is one holiday tradition he can get behind because every dog that’s come through the rescue --- and their families --- are invited to celebrate. This year’s party is no exception. But before the stockings can be hung by the chimney with care, homicide detectives ruin the evening. Derek Moore, one of the foundation’s best foster volunteers, is arrested for murder. Andy discovers that Derek --- whose real name is Bobby --- is in the witness protection program after giving evidence against his former gang. The police believe Bobby murdered a member, but Bobby swears to Andy he didn’t do this.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

The Tara Foundation has been retired lawyer Andy Carpenter’s calling, even as he is pulled into representing clients in court. His investigator, Marcus Clark, has been at his side for a long time. Even though they've known each other for years, Marcus keeps his personal life a mystery. So it’s a shock when Marcus arrives at the Tara Foundation with two strangers in tow. It turns out that Marcus takes disadvantaged young men under his wing. He gets them jobs, a place to live, and a chance at a different life. One of the young men, Nick Williams, instantly falls in love with one of the dogs, Daisy. When there’s a mass shooting at Nick’s work, leaving six dead, all signs point to Nick. Marcus asks Andy for help. Despite Nick's troubled background, Andy trusts his friend and takes the case.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Retired lawyer Andy Carpenter remembers every dog that’s come through the Tara Foundation’s doors, but the most well-known alum of the dog rescue organization that Andy founded in Paterson, New Jersey, may be Mamie. Adopted by famous actress Jenny Nichols, Andy’s high school girlfriend, the miniature French poodle is now practically a starlet in her own right. Andy doesn’t hold it against his friend. In fact, he and his wife, Laurie, have dinner with Jenny while she’s in town filming her next big hit. But after an eventful meal, there’s a plot twist the next morning that none of them see coming: Jenny’s costar is found dead. It’s not long before Jenny is arrested for the murder and finds herself in need of Andy’s legal services.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Corey Douglas’ former mentor, Jimmy Dietrich, had his whole identity wrapped up in being a cop. When Jimmy retired three years ago, his marriage quickly deteriorated, and he tried --- and failed --- to get back on the force. Jimmy was left to try to adjust to life as a civilian. Not long after, two bodies were pulled from the Passaic River: a local woman, Susan Avery, and Jimmy Dietrich. With no true evidence available, the deaths went unsolved and the case declared cold. This didn’t stop the whispers: an affair gone wrong...a murder-suicide committed by Jimmy. Corey never believed it. With this case, the K Team has the opportunity to find the real murderer and clear Jimmy’s name.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, are surrounded by holiday cheer. It’s even spread to the Tara Foundation. The dog rescue organization, not used to having puppies, has their hands full with a recent litter. Eight puppies are a lot to handle, and Andy is relieved when his co-worker, Chris Myers, agrees to foster them. Myers, a newer employee at the Tara Foundation, did time for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. When Myers discovers a key witness against him lied on the stand, he goes to Andy to ask for representation in getting the conviction overturned. Myers thinks they can have this wrapped up by Christmas. But when the witness is murdered, and Myers is arrested for the crime, things go from bad to worse.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

About a year ago, Rachel Morehouse came to retired lawyer Andy Carpenter’s Tara Foundation looking for a companion. In her 60s and recently widowed, she wanted a senior dog that also needed someone. Andy took a liking to her, Rachel took a liking to Lion, an older Chow Chow, and the rest is history. That is, until Rachel calls Andy begging for a favor: If Rachel dies, will Andy take care of Lion if her stepson cannot? Andy agrees, no questions asked, and promptly forgets about it...until he receives a call from Rachel’s estate to attend her will reading. Which is where he meets Rachel’s stepson, Tony, who is promptly arrested for his stepmother’s murder. And he wants Andy to prove his innocence.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

The Paterson Police Department has created a cold case division, and they want to hire the private investigators known as the K Team to look into the crimes. After all, Corey Douglas and his K-9 partner, German shepherd Simon Garfunkel, recently retired from the force. Plus, another K Team member, Laurie Collins, used to be a cop as well. Their first cold case hits home for the K Team. A decade ago, at Laurie's 10th high school reunion, two of their friends simply…vanished. With no leads, the case went cold. As the team starts to delve deeper into the events leading up to that night, the pieces start to come together. But someone wants to stop them from uncovering the truth behind the disappearance, by any means necessary.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Christmas has come early to the town of Paterson, New Jersey, in the form of a snowstorm that dumps two feet of snow on the ground. Lawyer Andy Carpenter likes snow, but it can cause problems for the walks he takes his dogs on every day. When Andy’s golden retriever, Tara, goes to play in the snow and instead discovers a body, Andy ends up on the phone with the local newspaper editor. The murder victim is Mayor Alex Oliva, who had an infamous relationship with the newspaper. Last year a young reporter published an exposé, and Oliva had him fired for libel. Now, the young reporter --- and prime suspect --- is in need of a lawyer. Andy agrees to take the case, though it’s not looking good this holiday season.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his wife, Laurie, enjoy walking their dogs, Tara and Sebastian. When out for one of their strolls, their simple ritual isn’t so simple anymore. Across the street, a man is mistreating his dog. Three things happen at once: Andy yells, Laurie runs to stop the abuse, and so does a closer passerby, who so thoroughly beats the owner that both are arrested when the cops arrive. Andy scoops up the dog and takes him to the Tara Foundation, the dog rescue organization that’s always been his true passion. Meanwhile, at the police station, the passerby is identified as Matthew Jantzen, and he’s wanted for murder. Andy and Laurie are struck by the fact that Jantzen, a man on the run, would nevertheless intervene to help a dog, and decide to find out more.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Corey Douglas and his K-9 partner, a German shepherd named Simon Garfunkel, are recently retired police officers turned private investigators. Along with fellow former cop Laurie Collins and her investigating partner, Marcus, they call themselves the K Team. Their latest case gives Corey a chance to solve "the one that got away." Corey knew the murder victim from his time on the force, when he was unable to protect her in a domestic dispute. Now, he is convinced the same abusive boyfriend is responsible for her murder. With some help from Laurie’s lawyer husband, Andy Carpenter, the K Team is determined to prove what the police could not. What they uncover is much more sinister than they could have imagined.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Lawyer Andy Carpenter can finally take a breath; he’s almost back on dry land after a family Caribbean cruise forced on him by his wife, Laurie, to get into the Christmas spirit. Andy can’t wait to get back to the Tara Foundation, the dog rescue organization that’s always been his true passion. But before the boat even docks, Andy gets several calls from his partner, Willie Miller. He needs to see Andy as soon as the Carpenters are back on solid ground. When Andy arrives home, he finds that all is not calm or bright, and Willie needs his help. Willie’s old cellmate, Tony Birch, has been arrested for murder. Andy doesn’t necessarily believe in Tony, but Willie does. And Andy believes in Willie, which is why Andy decides to take the case.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Andy Carpenter is a lawyer who would rather not practice law. He'd prefer to spend his time working with the Tara Foundation, his dog rescue organization, and be with his family and his two dogs, Tara and Sebastian. But when a friend asks him for a favor that involves both dogs and his lawyerly expertise, he can't say no. Andy's friend, Beth, has found a stray that seems to have belonged to a murder victim --- in fact, the man and two of his colleagues died in an explosion a few weeks ago. But when the murdered man contacts Beth, asking for his dog back, Andy knows there must be more to the story. The man claims his life is in danger, and that's why he disappeared.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Corey Douglas and his K-9 partner, Simon Garfunkel, have recently retired from the police force. Not ready to give up the life yet, they come up with a proposal for fellow former cop Laurie Carpenter and her investigating partner, Marcus. Laurie and Marcus --- who help out Laurie’s lawyer husband, Andy, on cases --- have been chafing to jump back into investigating on their own, so they are in. They call themselves the K Team, in honor of Simon. Their first job as private investigators comes to them from Judge Henry Henderson, who is being blackmailed and extorted, and he doesn't want to involve the police. He needs the K Team to figure out why.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his wife, Laurie, have started a new Christmas tradition. Their local pet store has a Christmas tree, where instead of ornaments there are wishes from those in need. One poignant wish leads Andy to a child named Danny, whose selfless plea strikes a chord. Danny asked Santa for a coat for his mother, a sweater for his dachshund, Murphy, and the safe return of his missing father. It turns out Danny’s father doesn't want to be found; he’s on the run after just being arrested for a murder that took place 14 years ago --- a murder that Danny’s mother swears he didn’t commit.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Truman, a healthy French bulldog, was dropped off at the veterinarian’s office days ago with instructions to be euthanized by a man everyone thought was his owner. But now the owner is nowhere to be found. Defense lawyer Andy Carpenter is furious. Who would want to euthanize a perfectly healthy dog with no explanation? He is willing to whisk Truman away to the Tara Foundation, the dog-rescue organization that is Andy’s true passion. They will find a home for Truman. But thanks to Truman’s chip, it’s discovered that the man wasn’t Truman’s owner at all. Truman's real owner has been murdered. It’s now up to Andy --- with help from his loyal sidekick Tara, Truman and the rest of the gang --- to solve this case.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Defense lawyer Andy Carpenter is reluctant to take on any more cases. He’d much rather spend his time working for his dog rescue organization, the Tara Foundation, than find himself back in a courtroom. However, when a truck carrying over 70 dogs from the South to the rescue-friendly northeast turns up with a murdered driver, Andy can’t help but get involved. He is eager to help the dogs, many of whom come to the Tara Foundation while awaiting forever homes. The accused just happens to be his wife Laurie’s ex-fiance --- her tall, good-looking, ex-Marine ex-fiance. Even with dozens of cases behind Andy, this one may prove to be his most difficult.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

Doug Brock hasn't had it easy since getting shot in the line of duty as a New Jersey state police officer. Between the amnesia and having to solve two murder cases, it hasn't been the most restful recovery. But now an old case of his has resurfaced, and it’s up to him to retrace his steps --- steps he can’t remember --- to solve it. Eighteen months ago, Walter Brookings was shot through the heart. With no clear motive and no similar murders, the investigation stalled and became a cold case. When another man is murdered in the same fashion and the ballistics come back as a match, Doug begins to reinvestigate and starts to question his own actions from the previous investigation.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

After getting shot in the line of duty, New Jersey state police officer Doug Brock has been busy trying to rebuild his life. His greatest hope is to continue his recovery with the help of an amnesia support group. But it isn’t until fellow support-group member Sean Connor approaches him that Doug realizes the trouble is just beginning. Sean has found in his attic what can only be called a scrapbook of a murder victim --- even though he has no recollection of the girl’s identity, or his role in her life, whatsoever. Doug agrees to help Sean, and convinces the authorities to open what was believed to be a cold case...only to discover his own personal connection to the victim. Now Doug is suddenly questioning everything he thought he knew about Sean, the girl and himself.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Andy Carpenter doesn’t usually stop to help others, but seeing a dog next to a homeless man inspires him to give the pair some money. Soon after, man and dog are attacked on the street. The dog defends its new owner, and the erstwhile attacker is bitten but escapes. The dog is quarantined, and the man, Don Carrigan, is heartbroken. In a matter of days, Don and his dog Zoey are living above Andy’s garage. It turns out that Don is wanted for a murder that happened two years ago. Don not only claims he’s innocent, but that he had no idea he was wanted for a crime he has no knowledge of in the first place. It’s up to Andy to exonerate his new friend, if he doesn’t get pulled into the quagmire first.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Lawyer Andy Carpenter’s true passion is the Tara Foundation, the dog rescue organization he runs with his friend, Willie Miller. All kinds of dogs make their way to the foundation, and it isn’t that surprising to find a dog abandoned at the shelter one morning, though it was accompanied by a mysterious anonymous note. But they are quite surprised when they scan the dog’s embedded chip and discover that he is the “DNA dog,” which helps renew the search for a missing child. Goaded by his wife’s desire to help a friend and fellow mother, and Andy’s desire to make sure the real kidnapper is in jail, Andy and his team enter the case. But what they start to uncover is far more complicated and dangerous than they ever expected.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Defense lawyer Andy Carpenter takes on a cold case when the suspected murderer turns out to be the man who saved his beloved dog.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Andy Carpenter’s long-time friend, Martha “Pups” Boyer, takes in stray puppies that the local dog rescue center can’t handle, raises them until they’re old enough to adopt, and then finds good homes for them. With Christmas just around the corner, one of Pups’ neighbors has just reported Pups to the city for having more than the legal number of pets in her home under the local zoning laws. Andy happily takes Pups’ case, and he feels confident in a positive outcome. Who could punish someone for rescuing puppies, after all, especially at Christmastime? But things get a lot more complicated when Randy Hennessey, the neighbor who registered the complaint against Pups, turns up dead.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Lately, defense lawyer Andy Carpenter has been involved in a county prison program where inmates help train dogs the Tara Foundation has rescued to make them more adoptable. One of the prisoners Andy has been working with is Brian Atkins, who has 18 months left on a five-year term for fraud. Brian has been helping to train Boomer, an adorable fox terrier the Tara Foundation rescued from a neglectful owner. But one day, Andy arrives at the prison to discover that Brian has used Boomer to make an ingenious escape. The next day, the man on whose testimony Brian was convicted is found murdered. Brian is caught and arrested for the crime, though he forcefully protests his innocence.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

New Jersey state police officer Doug Brock has been after infamous criminal Nicholas Bennett for years. When Bennett kills someone close to Doug, Doug's investigation --- and his life --- starts spiraling out of control. It isn’t long before Doug is found in a hotel room, shot and in critical condition. When Doug finally awakens from his coma, he has no memory of the case, or even the last several years of his life. But the pull of what he might have discovered is too strong, and he finds himself immersed in a desperate search for truth once again, regardless of the danger.

by David Rosenfelt - Essays, Nonfiction

David Rosenfelt's loyal readers of the Andy Carpenter series are familiar with Tara, the golden retriever sidekick. Many also got to know Tara from DOGTRIPPING, David's nonfiction book about becoming a slightly nutty dog rescuer and the dog that started it all. Here, finally, is a book all about the inspirational canine who taught David everything he knows. Well, he did know how to tie his shoes before he met and came to love Tara, but that's about it.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Lawyer Andy Carpenter's true passion is the Tara Foundation, the dog rescue organization he runs with his friend, Willie Miller. So it's frightening when Willie calls him to say the alarm has gone off at the foundation building, and there's clearly been a break-in. It turns out that a recently rescued dog has been stolen. Andy and Willie track the missing dog to a house in downtown Paterson, New Jersey. Sure enough, they find the dog...standing right next to a dead body. Could it be a coincidence? Or could the dog theft somehow be connected to the killing?

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

After getting a mysterious phone call from a good friend, policeman Pete Stanton, Andy Carpenter appears at the scene of a crime, where the body of ex-convict Danny Balfour has been discovered. It isn’t long before Pete himself comes under suspicion for Danny’s murder, and he needs defense attorney Andy to represent him…and to find out what really happened in Danny's house that day.

written by David Rosenfelt, read by Grover Gardner - Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

After getting a mysterious phone call from a good friend, policeman Pete Stanton, Andy Carpenter appears at the scene of a crime, where the body of ex-convict Danny Balfour has been discovered. It isn’t long before Pete himself comes under suspicion for Danny’s murder, and he needs defense attorney Andy to represent him…and to find out what really happened in Danny's house that day.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

Years ago, Katie Sanford’s husband was convicted of the murder of Jenny Robbins but then died in prison. The tragedy is brought up again in the wake of a hurricane that has just wreaked havoc on their quiet Maine town. Since its founding, Wilton has had a quaint tradition of creating a time capsule every 50 years, and the storm unearthed the most recent capsule. Someone predicted Jenny’s death, as well as 11 other tragedies, which are still occurring even long after the death of Katie’s husband.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Andy Carpenter’s accountant, Sam Willis, receives a phone call from Barry Price, a high school friend he hasn’t spoken to in years, pleading for help with something too frightening to discuss on the phone. Barry needs Sam’s financial acumen and Andy's legal expertise, but by the time Sam makes it to Barry's house, Barry has already taken off on a private airplane headed somewhere. They soon learn that Barry’s plane has crashed and come to the terrifying realization that Sam was also supposed to have been killed on that plane.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

Judge Daniel Brennan is only days away from achieving a seat on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals bench when he’s brutally stabbed to death. When one tip leads New Jersey policeman Luke Somers to Steven Gallagher, Luke is instantly glorified for solving the case. Chris Gallagher raised his brother almost single-handedly; certain that Steven is innocent, he won’t rest until he sets the record straight.

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Mystery

Andy Carpenter is a lawyer who never forgets his clients. So when he gets a phone call from Joey Desimone, a man convicted of murder nine years ago who he always believed was innocent, Andy figures he owes him one. This is how Andy finds himself visiting Joey’s elderly uncle at his rest home. Is it possible that the old man holds the key to Joey’s freedom?

by David Rosenfelt - Fiction, Thriller

Jamie Wagner is a young lawyer who is happy to be flying under the radar at a large firm. But the case of Sheryl Harrison, who murdered her husband and has a teenage daughter in desperate need of a heart transplant, turns Jamie’s world upside down.