Dead Men Don't Play Fetch - Andy Carpenter #33

 

Dead Men Don't Play Fetch is the 33rd Andy Carpenter legal procedural mystery by David Rosenfelt. Released 7th July 2026 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

For current fans of the series, this is a good one. It's full of the same sarcastic, warm humor and the same ensemble cast as previous entries in the series (even the ever-work-avoidant Edna is back on scene). Andy Carpenter is, of course, central to the story and still trying to figure out how to stay retired and avoid working. This is such a long running and consistently well written series that saying it's "more of the same, worked around a different mystery" should be enough of a recommendation by itself. Although it's the 33rd book in the series, the mystery is self contained and the necessary back-story is written in without major spoilers for previous books. I heartily recommend the whole series, but this particular entry is especially strong. 

This is pure comfort reading. It's got a likable protagonist, an engaging mystery, humorous dialogue, and a solid climax, denouement, and resolution. Here's another innocent man framed for a murder he didn't commit. Here's Andy and co. coming to the rescue to help him out of almost impossible legal danger by not only being brilliant in the courtroom, but by figuring out whodunnit and putting the fear of Marcus into the bad guys.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 6 hours and 49 minutes and is expertly narrated by series narrator Grover Gardner who manages to juggle the various accents and characters of all ages and both sexes without problems. The read is definitely enhanced by the narrator. The sound and production quality are high throughout the recording. Mr. Gardner's narration really is a high point of the entire series, and he's got to be one of the best voice actors working in publishing today. 

Five stars for both the text and audiobook versions. All around fun read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.