This legal-thriller-cum-amusing-background series, featuring the talented but not so enthusiastic defense attorney Andy Carpenter, once again demonstrates his love of canines. The plot starts off with Andy representing a German shepherd, Milo, being held in the dog pound under police guard, with Andy seeking a bail hearing. It seems that the dog is owned by Billy Zimmerman, an ex-cop who lost his leg while serving in Iraq and is now accused of murder. In fact, Andy gets to represent both master and dog before it’s all over.
As the story develops, in order to survive after his return from Iraq and not being able to get his old job back as a Paterson, NJ, detective, Billy had trained the dog to jump up and snatch valuables which he could then convert to raise funds to survive. One night, Billy and Milo observe someone handing over an envelope to another person. Milo snatches it and runs away, later burying it. Meanwhile, the man who handed over the envelope is shot and killed. Billy, who had served under the man in Iraq, is accused of his murder.
Andy is begged initially to free the dog from the pound, and as that case develops he takes on Billy’s as well. Complication upon complication then compound the plot, with all of the usual characters in the series, plus the dog, playing vital roles in what has become the trademark characteristic of an Andy Carpenter trial: a hopeless case to somehow salvage, and often a national catastrophe to prevent. The novels are always written with humor and a light touch, and this entry is no exception. Recommended.
