Play Dead: A Novel
by David Rosenfelt
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Book Summary Information
Author: David RosenfeltEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-05-29
ISBN: 0446582417
Number of pages: 308
Publisher: Warner Books
Book Reviews of Play Dead: A Novel
Book Review: "Pizza dog's here!"
Summary: 5 Stars
PLAY DEAD is David Rosenfelt's sixth book starring his freewheeling, rule-bending New Jersey defense attorney Andy Carpenter. And it's one of his best. PLAY DEAD kicks off with Andy finding out that a golden retriever named Yogi is about to be put down for biting its owner. Andy, having a soft spot for golden retrievers (himself the owner of the glorious Tara), isn't about to let that happen. He goes to court and successfully reverses Yogi's death sentence. And that's that, right?
Wrong. It turns out that Yogi is supposed to have been dead for five years now. Yogi's real name is Reggie, and the actual owner is Richard Evans. Here's where it gets good. Five years ago, Evans was convicted of killing his girlfriend on his private boat, with Reggie believed to have been thrown overboard. Evans has spent the past half decade in incarceration. But, now, Reggie's sudden re-appearance calls to question the events surrounding the murder. Reggie, Andy supposes, might even be the key to finding out what really happened. When Richard's sister Karen asks him to prove her brother innocent, Andy caves.
It won't be easy, naturally. First, Andy and his oddball team have to present probable cause in order to get the case re-opened, and then there's that little thing of actually winning the re-trial. If that's not enough of a challenge, certain outside forces aren't willing to play nice (the mob, the U.S. Customs, an unknown federal government agency). And it's not enough that Andy finds his phone being tapped; now thugs are taking potshots at him.
In the light legal thriller genre, I hang my hat(s) on Paul Levine and David Rosenfelt (Paul Levine's Solomon Vs. Lord series, by the way, rocks mightily.). Both authors excel in balancing tongue-in-cheek with courtroom suspense. In PLAY DEAD Rosenfelt tops Levine just a tad with Andy's unprecedented and off-the-wall act of putting a dog on the witness stand ("The defense calls Reggie Evans."). And, somehow, Rosenfelt manages to pull it off, making the somewhat implausible plot seem logical (I don't really see real life lawyers getting away with half what our hero gets away with). Andy Carpenter, irreverent and maybe even a bit of a physical coward, continues to ingratiate himself with the reader. Work-ethically challenged and wealthy as sin, Andy can pick and choose his cases. That he'd take on the underdog cause of a convicted murderer, primarily because he owns a golden retriever, probably says everything there is to say about Andy.
For suckers of romance, there's ample sighting of Andy's Wisconsin Sheriff paramour, Laurie, who becomes concerned with Andy's case and flies in to Jersey on a makeshift vacation. Seems that long-distance thing is working out well for these two. For now. For quirkiness, the rest of the regulars are also here, including the monosyllabic and intimidating P.I./bodyguard Marcus, Andy's sarcastic cop buddy Pete, that computer hack Sam Willis (who often challenges Andy in a song quote-off), and Andy's hypochondriac law partner Kevin. Oh, and let's not forget the wondrous golden retriever Tara, who runs Andy's world and is magnanimous enough to share her home with Reggie.
I've always come away with a good feeling after finishing an Andy Carpenter book, and it's no different with PLAY DEAD. It's a whodunit which is perplexing enough (although it's one of those mysteries which'll have you slapping your head later and thinking, "Dang, I should've seen that coming." I didn't see it coming). The courtroom scenes leave you enough of Andy being Andy (although, he doesn't quite grandstand as much as he has in prior books). Not to be a Pollyanna, but this really ends up being a feel-good and heartwarming story. Especially if you love dogs. If you're into skullduggery, there's a far-reaching conspiracy which seeks to stump Andy at every turn. And, if you're just in this for a good time, well, then, Andy's snarky commentaries and observations will keep you on the smirky side of life.
Next to finally, chalk up the high-spirited Karen Evans as a very winning character. Dare I hope she'll become a recurring character? She was certainly hanging out enough in Andy's workplace.
Finally, check out Rosenfelt's acknowledgement page. It's a hoot.
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