Barb's Book Reviews: Review of "Hounded: An Andy Carpenter Mystery" by David Rosenfelt

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Review of "Hounded: An Andy Carpenter Mystery" by David Rosenfelt

In this 12th book in the series, defense lawyer Andy Carpenter, who'd rather play with his dog than work, represents a cop accused of killing a confidential informer. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

New Jersey defense attorney Andy Carpenter - who's wealthy enough to take very few cases - agrees to defend his friend Pete Stanton, a cop accused of murdering Danny Diaz.

Diaz, a police informer, allegedly snitched about Pete selling drugs and was shot in his home, leaving behind his son Ricky and dog Sebastian.

Pete was observed at the scene of the crime and drugs were found in his apartment, so things look dark for him.

Andy looks into the case with his live-in investigator girlfriend Laurie.....

…..and a cadre of assistants, including a bone-breaker tough guy,

a computer whiz,

an accountant, etc.

They soon find that some kind of conspiracy involving the deaths of several people from "natural causes" seem to be tied to the Diaz killing.

Meanwhile, Ricky and Sebastian move in with Andy and Laurie (and their dog Tara) while the cops look for the boy's absent stepmother who left the home a while back.

The book reminded me of 'Perry Mason' novels, being partly investigation and partly courtroom scenes, all well-written and compelling.

In addition, Andy is a wise-cracking funny guy, and the humor in the book was an added bonus.

An enjoyable mystery, recommended for all fans of the genre.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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Leading up to and during World War II, some Jewish children in Europe were hidden with Christian families, or in convents, or in monasteries, or in churches, etc., to protect the youngsters from the Nazis. The idea was for Jewish survivors to retrieve the children after the war. Author Jennifer Rosner, who did extensive research on the subject, and interviewed many people, addresses this topic in her fiction book 'Once We Were Home.' I heard Rosner speak about her novel, and she emphasized the difficult situations that sometimes arose from secreting Jewish children (which only saved a tiny percentage of Jewish kids, by the way). Some 'foster parents' came to love the children as their own and vice versa; some church organizations baptized the children and refused to return them; some Jewish kids came to think of themselves as Christian; etc. For the decimated Jewish population, getting these children back after the war was of paramount importance. Jewish survivors would use bribes, payoffs, lawsuits, or even kidnapping to bring the kids home. Some children were reunited with European families, and some were taken to Israel, to live on kibbutzim. Rosner, who has a Ph.D. in philosophy, observes there wasn't always a 'right thing to do,' as shown in this novel. ***** There are several 'displaced' characters in 'Once We Were Home.' Roger: During World War II, Roger is a smart, inquisitive French schoolboy living in the Convent Sainte Marie de Sion. Roger likes to write stories; enjoys sharing jokes and riddles with his best friend Henri; goes to prayer services morning and evening; attends the convent school; and has a favorite teacher, Sister Brigitte, who encourages Roger to ask questions. Roger's sponsor, a woman named Madame Mercier, tells Roger his Jewish parents took the 'wrong road' and arranges for the boy to be baptized. Roger doesn't comprehend what the 'wrong road' is and wonders about his Jewish family. When World War II is over, Roger's aunt wants him back. The church, determined to save Roger's soul, sends him on the run with a monk, who takes Roger over the snowy mountains (on foot) to Spain. Meanwhile, Roger's aunt petitions the church and the courts again and again and again......

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Barb's Book Reviews

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Review of "Hounded: An Andy Carpenter Mystery" by David Rosenfelt

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