Before I get started, I must state for the record that this series does contain some non-cozy elements. There are some adult situations (nothing is explicitly described, though) and some adult language. I know that some of you all want to avoid books that contain these things. However, the stories do have a lot of Cozy components.
Andy Carpenter is a defense attorney who lives in Paterson, New Jersey. Andy is not afraid to rock the boat, so to speak, when trying to defend his clients. His courtroom antics do not endear himself to the judges he appears before and probably sometimes push the limits of legal ethics. However, they are often successful.
Andy has a beautiful private investigator, Laurie Collins, working for him. Laurie and Andy on occasion mix professional and personal business together. On the whole, they make a great team who I am sure I would want working for me if I were accused of a crime!
Also included prominently in the series are a number of dogs, first and foremost of which is Andy’s Golden Retriever, Tara. This series makes it very apparent that David Rosenfelt is definitely a lover of dogs. (I haven’t read Rosenfelt’s Lessons from Tara: Life Advice from the World’s Most Brilliant Dog , but I’m guessing that a lot of us dog parents would disagree with Rosenfelt saying that Tara is even more brilliant than our own pups!)
Open and Shut is the story of Andy’s defense of Willie Miller, a death row inmate who Andy’s father had prosecuted successfully for murder seven years before when Andy’s father had been State’s attorney. Andy took on the appeal at the request of Andy’s father who would not go into more detail as to why he wanted Andy to work on the appeal. Andy was reluctant to take on this apparent loser of a case until his father told him, “It would be important to me.”
Andy goes on to explain why he felt compelled to do as his father asked:
There it was, the sentence from which there was no defense. In my family, when you asked a favor of someone, it was acceptable to refuse. But once the person said that it was important to them, it crossed a line and became an absolute imperative. We did not use those words frivolously, and they carried an awesome weight.
Needless to say, the mystery that Andy investigates is complicated and involves a number of secrets which must be revealed with many threads that must be unraveled so that justice may be done.
Open and Shut is a page-turner. Along with the investigation of the mystery and the court room work, the book holds my interest because of the characters, Andy’s terrific sense of humor, and his Golden Retriever, Tara. (Ok, so maybe she is the world’s most brilliant dog!) If you like your mysteries with a bit of humor and more than a bit of an edge, the Andy Carpenter Mystery Series may well be for you too!
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Pat Richardson says
I read his first book and immediately gathered the rest. Enjoyed them immensely.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Pat, I love this series and now my (grown) daughter follows Andy’s exploits as well!
Nancy says
This series is one of my all time favorites. The characters are each so well defined and decent; the humor is abundant; and the plotting is thoughtful. I can’t say enough good things.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nancy, isn’t this series terrific? I forgot to mention that my husband is also reading this series. You are so right about the humor being abundant!
Georgann says
Danna – I have read all of the Andy Carpenter series except a couple of them that had subject matter I did not want to pursue. He is such a likable smart aleck and is a defense attorney with a heart. I read Collared (#16) first, and there was nothing un-cozy about it because they were married. Andy has neat, likable friends and good plots. A couple of the scenes in other books were uncomfortable, but I read fast. I have a question for you: I have almost all of the Miss Silver paperbacks (only missing 2) and all of the Mrs. Pollifax mysteries. Do you know someone who would cherish them? I tried to sell them on Craigslist, no takers. I would just like them to go to a good home. Otherwise it is the Good Will! Also I REALLY love cozies–but smart cozies with some substance to them. I read & loved all Julie Hyzy White House mysteries. Read enough Agatha Christie. Do you have a section on your site for me. I want cozies before the genre became loose. THANK YOU!! ~Georgann
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Georgann, I’d suggest trying Ebay if you have already given Craigslist a shot. That is how I used to buy/sell some of my own old books, before I started reading mostly Kindles.
As for authors to suggest, if you are a big fan of Christie and similar “classic” Cozies, you may try the a list of Authors Similar to Agatha Christie that site readers helped compile a number of years ago. It might qualify as the biggest list of “classic-style” Cozies that the site has at the moment.
Bek says
I think I’ll have to at least try the first one…LOL, I’m not sure if I hope I love them, or hope they’re not quite my cup of tea!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bek, well, I hope you enjoy it, but not too much then I guess!
Bek says
Oh, I bet they end up on the list…I really need to win that sweepstakes and move into a home with room for a 10,000 book library…and enough money to hire a librarian!
Paula Catherine says
I also love this series. The interaction between the characters are often hilarious. I also can’t wait for the next one!
I also read his story of his treck across the country with his canine and human family. He does have a good heart and really cares for all creatures.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Paula, it’s definitely a great series! And Andy’s compassion is definitely one of the strongest qualities for this particular sleuth.
Paula Catherine says
I forgot to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Paula, a happy Thanksgiving to you as well!
Linda MH says
This is a great series–very well written!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone has an amazing day!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda MH, Happy Thanksgiving to you! I love to see how much Andy loves (and relies) on Tara. You can see just how fond David Rosenfelt is of dogs…
suep says
Hi. I love the Andy Carpenter series. There are so many other Cozy Mysteries to choose from. Which do you recommend that are similar in tone (self-deprecating humor and not quite as light as some of the others)? I also like Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness series.
MikeB says
Danna, how do these books fare if read out of order?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MikeB, I think these mysteries are better read in their chronological order. Andy goes through a lot of changes that are better known about a little at a time rather than starting in the middle of the series and not knowing about how he got there.
Sarah R says
I adore this series!! I’m happy to see that you do too :). Do you have any others to recommend that are also witty and warm yet intriguing and somewhat suspenseful? Thank you!!