Reading Order
Andy Carpenterseries.seoTitleShort
Start with Open and Shut and continue through all 31 books in the listed reading order.
About This Series
The Andy Carpenter series, crafted by author David Rosenfelt, is a captivating collection of legal thrillers that follow the adventures of a witty and often humorous defense attorney. Known for its engaging storytelling and clever plot twists, this series effectively blends the genres of mystery and legal drama, making it a unique offering in the realm of crime fiction. Rosenfelt's prose is infused with a lighthearted tone that keeps readers entertained while tackling serious themes of justice and morality.
This series is worth reading for its rich character development and the exploration of complex legal dilemmas. Fans of courtroom dramas and dog lovers alike will find themselves drawn to Carpenter's quirky personality and his deep affection for canines, as he often finds himself entangled in cases that resonate with his love for dogs. Ideal readers include those who appreciate a mix of humor and suspense, as well as anyone looking for an engaging escape into the world of legal intrigue.
To fully appreciate the character arcs and story progression, starting with Book 1, "Open and Shut," is essential. Each book builds upon the last, weaving a narrative that is both cohesive and satisfying. While the series does not feature prequels or spin-offs, the chronological order ensures that readers can follow Andy Carpenter's evolution as a lawyer and a person.
Although no thought leaders have specifically recommended the Andy Carpenter series on GurusReads, it appeals to a wide audience of mystery enthusiasts and legal thriller fans. Readers who enjoy a blend of humor, heart, and legal intrigue will find themselves captivated by Andy Carpenter's escapades, making this series a must-read for anyone seeking a delightful and engaging literary experience.
Start Here
Start with Open and Shut
Book 1 by David Rosenfelt • Published 2002
Defense attorney Andy Carpenter is asked by his father, a legendary ex‑D.A., to handle the death‑row appeal of Willie Miller, then watches his father die suddenly and inherit an unexpected fortune. A decades‑old photo...
Complete List
Andy Carpenter reading order
Ends with And to All a Good Bite
- 1
Book 1:Open and Shut
David Rosenfelt • 2002
Defense attorney Andy Carpenter is asked by his father, a legendary ex‑D.A., to handle the death‑row appeal of Willie Miller, then watches his father die suddenly and inherit an unexpected fortune. A decades‑old photo...
- 2
Book 2:First Degree
David Rosenfelt • 2003
When a corrupt cop is found decapitated, Andy Carpenter turns down the man who confesses and instead agrees to defend his investigator—and new love—Laurie Collins, who’s suddenly charged with the crime. To clear her,...
- 3
Book 3:Bury the Lead
David Rosenfelt • 2004
Andy agrees to protect Daniel Cummings, a young reporter being used as the mouthpiece for a serial killer who phones in taunting clues. When Daniel is caught near the latest victim’s body and evidence piles up, Andy m...
- 4
Book 4:Sudden Death
David Rosenfelt • 2005
New York Giants star running back Kenny Schilling is charged with killing a rival Jets receiver, and the media frenzy makes Andy Carpenter’s defense the case of the season. Digging into the violent world behind profes...
- 5
Book 5:Dead Center
David Rosenfelt • 2006
Andy leaves Paterson for small‑town Wisconsin when his ex‑girlfriend Laurie Collins, now acting police chief, begs him to defend a young man accused of killing two college students. The trail leads to an insular relig...
- 6
Book 6:Play Dead
David Rosenfelt • 2007
After Andy saves a golden retriever from being euthanized, he learns the dog is actually Reggie, believed dead years earlier in a notorious murder case. Convinced the wrong man went to prison, Andy reopens the file an...
- 7
Book 7:New Tricks
David Rosenfelt • 2009
Andy is appointed temporary guardian of Waggy, a Bernese mountain dog at the center of a bitter inheritance fight between a murdered businessman’s son and his glamorous widow. When the widow’s home explodes and the so...
- 8
Book 8:Dog Tags
David Rosenfelt • 2010
A one‑legged ex‑soldier and his German shepherd, Milo, are caught at the scene of a killing tied to a murky incident in Iraq. Andy takes their case and soon finds himself mired in military secrets, terrorist rumors, a...
- 9
Book 9:One Dog Night
David Rosenfelt • 2011
Six years after a deadly arson, recovering addict Noah Galloway is arrested and all but resigned to punishment—until he reveals he once owned Andy’s dog, Tara. Feeling indebted, Andy digs into the old fire and uncover...
- 10
Book 10:Leader of the Pack
David Rosenfelt • 2012
Andy has always believed Joey Desimone, a client with mob family ties, was wrongly convicted of murder. A visit to Joey’s aging uncle shakes loose a cryptic comment that hints at hidden evidence, sending Andy into a w...
- 11
Book 11:Unleashed
David Rosenfelt • 2013
Andy’s accountant, Sam Willis, is summoned by an old friend who hints at something too dangerous to discuss on the phone. After Sam stops to help an injured dog and misses a private flight that later crashes, Andy rea...
- 12
Book 12:Hounded
David Rosenfelt • 2014
Called to a crime scene by cop friend Pete Stanton, Andy finds a murdered ex‑con, the man’s young son, and a loyal basset hound upstairs. When Pete is charged with the killing, Andy defends him while protecting the bo...
- 13
Book 13:Who Let the Dog Out?
David Rosenfelt • 2015
A shepherd mix named Cheyenne is stolen from the Tara Foundation and later found guarding the corpse of her dognapper. What looks like a simple revenge killing pulls Andy into a tangle involving stolen diamonds, a mis...
- 14
Book 14:Outfoxed
David Rosenfelt • 2016
Through a prison dog‑training program, Andy befriends inmate Brian Atkins and his fox terrier, Boomer. When Brian stages a clever escape with Boomer’s help and soon after is seen fleeing a double homicide, Andy takes...
- 15
Book 15:The Twelve Dogs of Christmas
David Rosenfelt • 2016
Andy happily agrees to defend his friend Pups Boyer, who fosters litters of puppies and is cited for having too many dogs just before Christmas. When the complaining neighbor turns up murdered and Pups becomes the pri...
- 16
Book 16:Collared
David Rosenfelt • 2017
An abandoned border collie dropped at the Tara Foundation turns out to be the long‑missing “DNA dog” from a notorious kidnapping in which a baby and family pet vanished. With the dog back and the old conviction in dou...
- 17
Book 17:Rescued
David Rosenfelt • 2018
A truck hauling more than seventy rescue dogs north arrives with its driver murdered and Laurie’s ex‑fiancé, an ex‑Marine, accused of the crime. As Andy juggles marital unease and a courtroom fight, he must protect bo...
- 18
Book 18:Deck the Hounds
David Rosenfelt • 2018
During the holidays, Andy befriends a homeless man and his dog outside a restaurant, only to see the man later accused of killing a wealthy neighbor. Investigating out of sheer stubbornness, Andy uncovers a scheme bui...
- 19
Book 19:Bark of Night
David Rosenfelt • 2019
Andy’s vet reveals that a healthy French bulldog, Truman, was dropped off with instructions to be euthanized by a man who wasn’t his owner. When Truman’s real owner is found murdered, Andy takes in the dog and follows...
- 20
Book 20:Dachshund Through the Snow
David Rosenfelt • 2019
A Christmas wish tree leads Andy to Danny, a boy who asks Santa for a coat for his mom, a sweater for his dachshund, and his missing father’s return. When the father is arrested for a fourteen‑year‑old murder, Andy ta...
- 21
Book 21:Muzzled
David Rosenfelt • 2020
Andy agrees to help when a friend finds a stray tied to a fatal yacht explosion that supposedly killed a tech entrepreneur and his colleagues. After the “dead” man contacts her asking for his dog back, Andy realizes s...
- 22
Book 22:Silent Bite
David Rosenfelt • 2020
Fresh off an unwanted Caribbean cruise, Andy is pulled into defending Glenn Anson, an old cellmate of his partner Willie, who’s been arrested for murder. As he digs, Andy finds links to organized crime, past loyalties...
- 23
Book 23:Dog Eat Dog
David Rosenfelt • 2021
On a routine dog‑walk with Tara and Sebastian, Andy and Laurie witness a man savagely beating his dog and a stranger stepping in with equal force. When that stranger, Matthew Jantzen, is arrested and revealed to be wa...
- 24
Book 24:Best in Snow
David Rosenfelt • 2021
After a heavy snowstorm in Paterson, Tara uncovers the body of the city’s controversial mayor. A young reporter who once wrote a damaging exposé on him becomes the main suspect, and Andy steps in to defend the journal...
- 25
Book 25:Holy Chow
David Rosenfelt • 2022
A year after placing an older chow, Lion, with recently widowed Rachel Morehouse, Andy is asked to take the dog if anything happens to her. When Rachel is murdered and her stepson is charged, Andy must untangle family...
- 26
Book 26:Santa's Little Yelpers
David Rosenfelt • 2022
The Tara Foundation is overrun with an unexpected litter of puppies, happily fostered by new staffer Chris Myers—a man who once went to prison for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. When a key witness against him is...
- 27
Book 27:Flop Dead Gorgeous
David Rosenfelt • 2023
Andy’s high‑school girlfriend Jenny Nichols is now a famous actress whose tiny poodle, a Tara Foundation alum, is practically a celebrity. When a fellow actor is murdered on set and Jenny is arrested, Andy shuttles be...
- 28
Book 28:Twas the Bite Before Christmas
Ellen Riggs • 2020
Right before Christmas, a grieving, loudmouthed donkey demands room at the inn and refuses to stop singing the blues. His arrival coincides with a holiday murder, forcing Ivy, Keats and friends to decode his message b...
- 29
Book 29:Dog Day Afternoon
David Rosenfelt • 2024
Andy discovers that his taciturn investigator Marcus quietly mentors at‑risk young men, and brings two of them to the Tara Foundation to adopt dogs. When a mass shooting at one boy’s workplace leaves him accused of th...
- 31
Book 31:Dogged Pursuit
David Rosenfelt • 2025
Set before the main series, this prequel finds Andy Carpenter quitting his job as a prosecutor and opening a tiny defense practice. A visit to a shelter introduces him to golden retriever Tara and beagle Sunny—and to...
- 32
Book 32:And to All a Good Bite
David Rosenfelt • 2025
Two years after a deadly office‑building gas explosion, the owner blamed by survivor Jeff Wheeler is found murdered, and Jeff is arrested. Remembering Jeff’s courage in saving a dog named Rufus, Andy takes the case, t...
Quick Answers
Andy Carpenter FAQ
What is the best order to read the Andy Carpenter series?
The recommended reading order is the numbered order shown on this page, starting with Open and Shut.
How many books are in the Andy Carpenter series?
There are 31 books currently listed in the Andy Carpenter series on GurusReads.
Where should I start with the Andy Carpenter series?
New readers should start with Open and Shut, the first book in the reading order.
Is the Andy Carpenter series complete?
Based on the publication years we have, the series appears possibly ongoing and spans releases from 2002 to 2025.