Book Review: Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt – A Legal Mystery with Heart and Hounds

Dogged Pursuit is a smart, engaging legal mystery featuring a dog-loving defence lawyer whose first case brings danger, heart, and unexpected twists.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for reaching out to me with the ARC of Dogged Pursuit. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

In this prequel to the beloved Andy Carpenter mystery series, Andy leaves his job as a prosecutor in Paterson after becoming disillusioned with the justice system, opting instead to open his own humble defense practice. While visiting a shelter to adopt a dog, he instantly bonds with a golden retriever named Tara and tries to take her kennel-mate, Sunny, as well—only to discover Sunny’s owner, Frank Tierney, has been arrested for murder. Drawn to Frank’s genuine love for his dog, Andy takes on his case, launching both his defense career and a new chapter in his life with two dogs by his side. This origin story is a treat for longtime fans and a perfect starting point for new readers.

My Thoughts:

What a lovely surprise Dogged Pursuit turned out to be. Though it’s not my usual genre, I genuinely enjoyed this prequel to David Rosenfelt’s long-running Andy Carpenter mystery series. As someone new to the series, I found it to be a welcoming entry point—an engaging read with a great balance of humour, heart, and suspense.

In Dogged Pursuit, we meet Andy Carpenter just as he’s stepping away from a short-lived career as a prosecutor in Paterson. Disillusioned by a system that often fails the underdog, he makes the bold decision to switch sides and launch his own defence practice—much to the disappointment of his respected, hard-nosed prosecutor father.

Andy’s first case quite literally walks into his life when he visits an animal shelter to adopt a dog. There, he meets Tara, the golden retriever who becomes his beloved companion. Noticing Tara’s bond with another dog named Sunny, Andy wants to adopt both. But Sunny’s situation is complicated—his owner, Frank Tierney, is in jail, accused of murder. Andy needs Frank’s written permission to temporarily care for Sunny, and that’s how he finds himself face-to-face with the man who becomes his first client.

Despite the seemingly damning evidence against Frank, Andy sees something in him—maybe it’s his clear love for his dog, or maybe it’s just Andy’s natural instinct to fight for the underdog. Either way, Andy takes on the case, and what follows is a fast-paced legal mystery filled with shady characters, calculated risks, and a few twists along the way. Andy puts not just his career, but also his safety and marriage on the line in pursuit of justice.

What stood out most to me was Rosenfelt’s clean, purposeful writing. The pacing was spot-on, with short, punchy chapters that made the book hard to put down. Andy’s dry wit and obvious affection for dogs made him a very likeable character, and I especially appreciated that the story kept things engaging without relying on graphic violence—something I’m always wary of when stepping into mystery novels.

Final Thoughts:

Dogged Pursuit was a smart, entertaining read that might just have me dipping further into the Andy Carpenter series. Whether you’re already a fan or brand new to Rosenfelt’s work like I was, this book is an enjoyable and accessible legal mystery with a big heart—and two great dogs.

A Similar Book You May Enjoy:

Nobody’s Fool by Harlan Coben