Hounded

In Edgar finalist Rosenfelt’s heartwarming 12th Andy Carpenter mystery (after 2013’s Unleashed), the DA and his partner, Laurie Collins, agree to foster eight-year-old Ricky Diaz, a murder victim’s son, and his dog, Sebastian. Then Andy’s friend and respected Paterson, N.J., police captain Pete Stanton is arrested for killing Ricky’s father, Danny, an ex-con turned police informant. Danny had reported Pete for dealing drugs, and the case solidifies when investigators find $100,000 worth of heroin in Pete’s home. Pete believes that several apparently natural deaths are really contract murders, and Andy, certain that Pete is being framed, plans his friend’s legal defense while searching for the killer. Meanwhile, Laurie asks Andy to consider adopting Ricky and Sebastian, who have adjusted to life with them and their dog, Tara. Despite a few plot holes, this is an entertaining, feel-good read, populated with Jersey gangsters, ruthless criminals, and likable protagonists. Longtime fans and new readers alike will be charmed by wise-cracking, canine-loving Andy. [em]Agent: Robin Rue, Writers House. (July) [/em]