FLOP DEAD GORGEOUS by David Rosenfelt
Fiction, Mystery, #27 in series (272 pages)
4****
Blurb: Lights, camera, action in bestselling author David Rosenfelt’s Flop Dead Gorgeous, as Andy Carpenter goes bicoastal to prove an old friend’s innocence. Retired lawyer Andy Carpenter remembers every dog that’s come through the Tara Foundation’s doors, but the most well-known alum of the dog rescue organization that Andy founded in Paterson, New Jersey, may be Mamie. Adopted by famous actress Jenny Nichols—Andy’s high school girlfriend—the miniature French poodle is now practically a starlet in her own right. Andy doesn’t hold it against his friend. In fact, he and his wife, Laurie, have dinner with Jenny while she’s in town filming her next big hit. But after an eventful meal, there’s a plot twist the next morning that none of them see coming: Jenny’s costar is found dead, a knife in his back. It’s not long before Jenny is arrested for the murder and finds herself in need of Andy’s legal services. While Mamie becomes reacquainted with Tara, Andy’s golden retriever, Andy digs into the lives of the rich and famous.
Thoughts: This wasn’t your typical cozy mystery. Most of them have bakers or shopkeepers, or some other amateur sleuth who swoops in to solve the mystery. This one has a criminal defense lawyer and his team on the case in question. That doesn’t make it any less compelling. Especially with this particular lawyer. Andy is supposedly retired, married, and has a foundation to help find homes for dogs. A long time ago, in high school, he dated a girl who has become a famous movie star. And now she’s been accused of murder. While trying to convince everyone he meets that he once dated the gorgeous star.
What I liked: that the “sleuth” is something different than the norm. And that things don’t always go his way. He also has a team already in place—experts to help him. This is definitely not your typical cozy mystery. But it is still light enough to be one instead of a thriller mystery. Also, the dogs are a cute touch.
What I didn’t like: Nothing, really. It’s a good story with a satisfying ending.
Recommendation: For something a little different than the standard cozy, pick this one up.
Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
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