Silent Bite

Edgar finalist Rosenfelt’s entertaining 22nd mystery featuring semiretired defense attorney Andy Carpenter (after Muzzled) finds Andy and his family returning home to Paterson, N.J., after a Caribbean cruise, which he didn’t particularly enjoy, when he gets a call from Willie Miller, his friend and partner in the Tara Foundation, a dog-rescue operation. Willie wants Andy to defend Tony Birch, who was paroled from prison three years earlier following a manslaughter conviction. Tony has since been on the straight and narrow, recently taking over the shop where he worked as a mechanic after the owner retired. Now evidence is stacking up against Tony for the murder of a former associate of his who testified against him at his manslaughter trial. The fatal shooting of another former associate of Tony’s raises the ante. Andy steps into the courtroom to defend his client with the sublime self-assurance of Perry Mason. Loads of dog lore and Andy’s gripes about things that get under his skin add to the fun. This long-running series remains as fresh as ever. Agent: Robin Rue, Writers House. (Oct.)