Flop Dead Gorgeous by David Rosenfelt Narrator: Grover Gardner
Series: Andy Carpenter #27
Published by Macmillan Audio on July 4, 2023
Source: NetGalley
Genres: Mystery, Legal
Length: 8 hrs 15 mins
Pages: 272
Format: Audiobook
Purchase at Bookshop.org or Audible
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Lights, camera, action in bestselling author David Rosenfelt’s Flop Dead Gorgeous, as lawyer Andy Carpenter goes bicoastal to prove an old friend’s innocence.
Dog rescue organization the Tara Foundation’s phones are ringing off the hook, and retired lawyer Andy Carpenter is irritated at his newfound popularity. He should be thrilled to find forever homes for so many dogs in need. But these calls are from fans wanting to adopt from the same place famous actress Jenny Nichols—and Andy’s high school girlfriend—got her dog, Mamie. The Miniature French Poodle is now an LA starlight in her own right.
Andy doesn’t hold it against his friend. In fact, he and Laurie have dinner with Jenny while she's in New York filming her next big hit. But after their goodbyes there's a plot twist none of them see coming in the form of Jenny's one phone call. Her co-star is dead, she’s been arrested for the murder, and Mamie's on her own. First, Jenny needs Andy to collect Mamie. Second, she needs him to prove her innocence.
While Mamie becomes reacquainted with Tara, Andy’s golden retriever, Andy digs into the lives of the rich and famous.
I have to admit that the reason I listen to the Andy Carpenter series is that Grover Gardner narrates them. He has such a distinctive voice and it works so well with Andy’s sarcasm and humor. I’ve never read on of the series in print, and I have no desire to stray from the audio versions.
This time around Andy is defending hometown girl turned Hollywood star, Jenny Nichols. And of course, Jenny has a dog, Mamie, who she adopted through Andy’s rescue program. She is accused of killing her former boyfriend, current co-star, Ryan Griffin.
Andy, of course, wants to get a “not guilty” verdict but the evidence is not in their favor. So he and his team get to work on trying to figure out who really killed Ryan and why. They uncover a lot in their digging including money laundering, organized crime, Interpol’s most wanted, cybercrime, drug trafficking, and murders. Even with all the complications, I did manage to guess who the killer was, which is honestly a bit disappointing since I don’t try too hard.
Yes, Rosenfelt has a formula, but it works. Flop Dead Gorgeous is clever and funny and has some adorable dogs.
About David Rosenfelt
Rosenfelt graduated from New York University and then decided to work in the movie business. After being interviewed by his uncle, who was the President of United Artists, he was hired and worked his way up the corporate culture. Rosenfelt eventually became the marketing president for Tri-Star Pictures. He married and had two children during this period.
Rosenfelt left the corporate industry and wrote screenplays for movies and television. He turned to writing novels and has become quite successful. In 1995, he and his wife started the “Tara Foundation” which has saved almost 4,000 dogs. He is a dog lover and supports more than two dozen dogs