Regina C. (flyinggems) reviewed 'Twas the Bite Before Christmas (Andy Carpenter, Bk 28) on + 471 more book reviews
Book 28 in the Andy Carpenter series
Very easy to figure out all the pieces to this mystery.
Andy Carpenter
1. Open and Shut (2002)
2. First Degree (2003)
3. Bury the Lead (2004)
4. Sudden Death (2005)
5. Dead Center (2006)
6. Play Dead (2007)
7. New Tricks (2009)
8. Dog Tags (2010)
9. One Dog Night (2011)
10. Leader of the Pack (2012)
11. Unleashed (2013)
12. Hounded (2014)
13. Who Let the Dog Out? (2015)
14. Outfoxed (2016)
15. The Twelve Dogs of Christmas (2016)
16. Collared (2017)
17. Rescued (2018)
18. Deck the Hounds (2018)
19. Bark of Night (2019)
20. Dachshund Through the Snow (2019)
21. Muzzled (2020)
22. Silent Bite (2020)
23. Dog Eat Dog (2021)
24. Best in Snow (2021)
25. Holy Chow (2022)
26. Santa's Little Yelpers (2022)
27. Flop Dead Gorgeous (2023)
28. 'Twas the Bite Before Christmas (2023)
29. Dog Day Afternoon (2024)
30. The More the Terrier (2024)
31. Dogged Pursuit (2025)
32. And to All a Good Bite (2025)
Very easy to figure out all the pieces to this mystery.
Andy Carpenter
1. Open and Shut (2002)
2. First Degree (2003)
3. Bury the Lead (2004)
4. Sudden Death (2005)
5. Dead Center (2006)
6. Play Dead (2007)
7. New Tricks (2009)
8. Dog Tags (2010)
9. One Dog Night (2011)
10. Leader of the Pack (2012)
11. Unleashed (2013)
12. Hounded (2014)
13. Who Let the Dog Out? (2015)
14. Outfoxed (2016)
15. The Twelve Dogs of Christmas (2016)
16. Collared (2017)
17. Rescued (2018)
18. Deck the Hounds (2018)
19. Bark of Night (2019)
20. Dachshund Through the Snow (2019)
21. Muzzled (2020)
22. Silent Bite (2020)
23. Dog Eat Dog (2021)
24. Best in Snow (2021)
25. Holy Chow (2022)
26. Santa's Little Yelpers (2022)
27. Flop Dead Gorgeous (2023)
28. 'Twas the Bite Before Christmas (2023)
29. Dog Day Afternoon (2024)
30. The More the Terrier (2024)
31. Dogged Pursuit (2025)
32. And to All a Good Bite (2025)
Stephanie S. reviewed 'Twas the Bite Before Christmas (Andy Carpenter, Bk 28) on + 169 more book reviews
Alas, I am afraid my interest in this series has waned. I've read at least nine in the series, not all in order, and my absolute delight in the first 2 or 3 has slowly faded with each subsequent book. This last one was disappointing on many levels and I believe it's the last straw for me.
First, the title is misleading, in that it really had nothing to do with Christmas. Christmas, of course, gave hero Andy Carpenter a chance to complain about eggnog, complain about the need to buy gifts, complain about everything the holiday entails. Worse, though, he flouted his selfish (not comedic, not charming, just selfish) choice not to buy gifts for Laurie or Ricky (when she bought her own gift for herself from him, he of course gleefully brags of his own generosity). Sigh. So predictable, and so unlikeable at the same time. By this volume (28th in the series), Andy has morphed from loveable schlub to flat-out spoiled brat. Enough already.
The mystery also had nothing whatsoever to do with the holiday. The book turned out not to be a light romp that the title implied (to me, at least), which made it unsatisfactory reading the week leading up to Christmas. The crimes involved murder and smuggled drugs, street gangs and organized crime bosses, and lots of unsavory events.
I would probably have read another few of this series despite this book being so, well, un-Christmassy--because I really used to enjoy the mysteries and fun tone created by the author--if only hero Andy Carpenter hadn't gotten so completely on my last nerve. So I'm done.
** Two stars only.
First, the title is misleading, in that it really had nothing to do with Christmas. Christmas, of course, gave hero Andy Carpenter a chance to complain about eggnog, complain about the need to buy gifts, complain about everything the holiday entails. Worse, though, he flouted his selfish (not comedic, not charming, just selfish) choice not to buy gifts for Laurie or Ricky (when she bought her own gift for herself from him, he of course gleefully brags of his own generosity). Sigh. So predictable, and so unlikeable at the same time. By this volume (28th in the series), Andy has morphed from loveable schlub to flat-out spoiled brat. Enough already.
The mystery also had nothing whatsoever to do with the holiday. The book turned out not to be a light romp that the title implied (to me, at least), which made it unsatisfactory reading the week leading up to Christmas. The crimes involved murder and smuggled drugs, street gangs and organized crime bosses, and lots of unsavory events.
I would probably have read another few of this series despite this book being so, well, un-Christmassy--because I really used to enjoy the mysteries and fun tone created by the author--if only hero Andy Carpenter hadn't gotten so completely on my last nerve. So I'm done.
** Two stars only.
I don't care how many lame jokes and impossible situations defense lawyer Andy Carpenter gets himself into; it is always a fun read. I love being swept along with the reluctant Andy (whining all the way). It is a Christmas party at the Tara Foundation when Pete Stanton calls Andy and tells him to come outside. They want Andy to bring out one of the celebrants, Bobby Klaster. Andy knows him by another name and is confused.
Years ago, Bobby was in a gang that turned to murder. He exited the gang by testifying in the trial and joining the Witness Protection Program. I was stunned to learn that the state WPP is wimpy; they relocate the person within the same state, only giving him a new identity. Federal WPPs are moved to another state with more perks than the state model.
Bobby is accused of murdering a former gang member. Of course, the gun is found in his home, along with blood in his car trunk. When the police discover Bobby's past, they look no further for a suspect. Crime boss Joseph Russo, Jr. appears, helping Andy and his case. Of course, the plot moves predictably, but I don't care; I love the crazy dogs, especially the Basset Hound. Marcus Clark is in full swing with his fists while Andy cowers in the background.
This is a long-running series about a reluctant lawyer and his dog foundation. Sit back and enjoy another wild story with Andy and all the usual suspects. The laughs start on the first page and continue till the end.
Years ago, Bobby was in a gang that turned to murder. He exited the gang by testifying in the trial and joining the Witness Protection Program. I was stunned to learn that the state WPP is wimpy; they relocate the person within the same state, only giving him a new identity. Federal WPPs are moved to another state with more perks than the state model.
Bobby is accused of murdering a former gang member. Of course, the gun is found in his home, along with blood in his car trunk. When the police discover Bobby's past, they look no further for a suspect. Crime boss Joseph Russo, Jr. appears, helping Andy and his case. Of course, the plot moves predictably, but I don't care; I love the crazy dogs, especially the Basset Hound. Marcus Clark is in full swing with his fists while Andy cowers in the background.
This is a long-running series about a reluctant lawyer and his dog foundation. Sit back and enjoy another wild story with Andy and all the usual suspects. The laughs start on the first page and continue till the end.
