Thursday, June 29, 2023

Flop Dead Gorgeous Review

Author: David Rosenfelt
Series: Andy Carpenter #27
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Release Date:  July 4, 2023
Order Link: Amazon

Special thanks to Minotaur Books for an arc.

4 Gorgeous Hearts

Lights, camera, action in bestselling author David Rosenfelt’s Flop Dead Gorgeous, as lawyer Andy Carpenter goes bicoastal to prove an old friend’s innocence.

Review:
Flop Dead Gorgeous is book #27 is the Andy Carpenter series.  Readers will have no issues reading this title without having read previous books as the author does a fantastic job of filling in the history within each book although you're missing out on the introduction and development of several characters if you skip ahead.

In Flop Dead Gorgeous, we once again find independently wealthy, semi-retired lawyer Andy Carpenter pulled back into the middle of a murder mystery.  Actress Jenny Nichols is home for the funeral of her mother when her ex's body is found murdered in the home she's staying in.  Andy's one claim to fame is that he dated Jenny in high school, and he misses no opportunity to repeat this tidbit to everyone in town.  Jenny also owns one of the Tara Foundation rescue dogs named Mamie.  All evidence points to Jenny as the killer, but Andy is convinced she didn't do it.  To prove her innocence, he'll need to reveal the killer's identity.

All the Andy Carpenter books follow a formula - Andy declaring he's retired, someone needing his expertise in the court room and Andy and his support cast investigating the murder on their own.  Having said that, I find each book to be a refreshing read with a murder case to be solved and a client to represent in court.  What I love most about these books is the dogs, of course, but also the mingling of humorous dialogue sprinkled throughout the story.  There are always some laugh out loud moments.  Readers of previous books will love seeing the repeat characters.  A steady pace through a few twists and turns will keep readers turning pages to the final courtroom scene.

Flop Dead Gorgeous is a lighthearted, sometimes funny mystery.  It's the perfect book for a summer afternoon on the porch or at the beach.  There's no way to resist the adorable cover or the title.  I highly recommend it to fans of the series and fans of lighter mysteries.  

Synopsis:
Dog rescue organization the Tara Foundation’s phones are ringing off the hook, and retired lawyer Andy Carpenter is irritated at his newfound popularity. He should be thrilled to find forever homes for so many dogs in need. But these calls are from fans wanting to adopt from the same place famous actress Jenny Nichols—and Andy’s high school girlfriend—got her dog, Mamie. The Miniature French Poodle is now an LA starlight in her own right.

Andy doesn’t hold it against his friend. In fact, he and Laurie have dinner with Jenny while she's in New York filming her next big hit. But after their goodbyes there's a plot twist none of them see coming in the form of Jenny's one phone call. Her co-star is dead, she’s been arrested for the murder, and Mamie's on her own. First, Jenny needs Andy to collect Mamie. Second, she needs him to prove her innocence.

While Mamie becomes reacquainted with Tara, Andy’s golden retriever, Andy digs into the lives of the rich and famous.

No comments: