Leader of the Pack

By: David Rosenfelt

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

Over the course of his legal career, Andy Carpenter has lost a few cases. But that doesn't mean he forgets his clients. Andy has always been convinced that Joey Desimone, a man convicted of murder nine years ago, was innocent and believes that Joey's family's connections to organized crime played a pivotal role in his conviction. While there isn't much Andy can do for him while he serves out his prison sentence, Joey suggests that he check up on Joey's elderly uncle. He'd rather not, but as a favor to Joey, Andy agrees to take his dog, Tara, on a few visits.

The old man's memory is going, but when Andy tries to explain why he's there, it jogs something in the man's mind, and his comments leave Andy wondering if Uncle Nick is confused, or if he just might hold the key to Joey's freedom after all this time. Andy grabs on to this thread of possibility and follows it into a world where the oath of silence is stronger than blood ties, and where people will do anything to make sure their secrets are kept.

©2012 David Rosenfelt (P)2012 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Monday morning will be a killer

Any additional comments?

Andy is as simple as it gets. He admits his dislike for work and I find his sense of humor to be fantastic. We listen together (spouse and myself) and it just kills me when our schedules turn and I must wait to begin listening again. We hold on to each word and laugh out loud with Andy's antics. The crimes are being described more graphically and this might not thrill some listeners. What I like most about David Rosenfelt's books are the real human traits of Andy, Lori, Pete and Sam. They have funny things to say and they don't take everything too seriously. Some of the plot is stretched too strange to be real, but this is why it is called fiction. I think the best part to the Andy Carpenter series is the "feel good" approach to daily life. A body needs laughter as much as air, water, food and shelter.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Andy Carpenter at his best!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

David Rosenfelt is a well educated man with a blue collar heart for sports dogs. His books astound me in his knowedge of legal matters, which I find very interesting. His stong suit is a really good story salted just right with humor, This is a very good listen with Grover Gardner at his best. I don't have trouble sleeping until I start one of David's books, I can't turn off my iPod. The best thing I can say is all David's Books are fun & captivating. If you enjoy a "who done it" that is also very enjoyable & entertaining you will not go wrong with this latest episode of David's best characters. I seldom rate a 5, this one was to me.a 5.
John T. Wagner

What other book might you compare Leader of the Pack to and why?

"Leader of the Pack" is another fun trip with a somewhat lazy lawyer, Andy Carpenter, that has been so much fun in many of David's Books in the past, such as "Dog Tags". While the characters are mostly the same David's Books are not a series by which you need to read in a special order. You can try any of David's Books & not be lost. Theey are all a lot of fun with great plots. The humor David uses is very much like my own. Perhaps that is why I never miss a new offering. He is just plain good & fun.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

Grover ranks among my favorite narators. He can change voice to effectivily match the situation. Grover adds much to my enjoyment of David's Books. It takes a "Full House to beat this pair"!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This Book made me laugh much more than usual. One has to experience it to grasp my meaning. David, a person I do not know personally, impresses me as "the perfect person to have a beer & a chat with. He is an all American.

Any additional comments?

You will not waste a credit on "Leader of the Pack". Give David a listen! Careful, Andy Carpenter & company are addicting! John

12 of 13 people found this review helpful

Rosenfelt and Gardner do it again; smooth as butta

This is about the seventh book in the Andy Carpenter series, and by now we have come to know the loosely-formed family around Andy. Each case he takes on is interesting, and he always finds ways to tell us things about his dog, Tara, and his dog rescue foundation, The Tara Foundation, run by a guy he sprung from prison on a trumped-up charge. The current case takes Andy into mob territory, which is common for him, despite the fact that he paints himself as something of a schlemiel. What initially looks like two local murders turns into something extremely larger. The very end of the book is another twist of our expectations, which I have come to appreciate from Rosenfelt. Grover Gardner can simply do no wrong. No matter what the subject, he has one of the friendliest, most comfortable voices around, and it is always a pleasure to listen to him. These books are not great literature, and they are not meant to be: they are fun. Period. They may be a bit formulaic, but if you like the formula, as I do, then that just doesn't bother. I also like the quirk that Andy is wealthy and doesn't have to work, meaning that each case he takes on has to grab him in some way. If I won the lottery, as people say, this is what I would do with my life. Turning the books into mass-market successes is the icing on the cake.

18 of 21 people found this review helpful

Every installment in the series is a joy!

This series fits the lawyer/crime/mystery parameters.
The main characters each have a history and make contributions to current cases.
The tone is light hearted and sarcastic. Grover Gardner narrates this perfectly.

I have enjoyed every one and often listen to them as a a break between deeply disturbing books.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Extra good Andy Carpenter book

Where does Leader of the Pack rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Among the very best.

What did you like best about this story?

Strong plot, very humorous dialogue,

Have you listened to any of Grover Gardner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Gardner was born to narrate this series, and he outdoes himself in this reading,

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

The usual excellent Andy Carpenter

Would you listen to Leader of the Pack again? Why?

Possibly although I almost never listen to a book more than once.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Leader of the Pack?

I thought that Andy solved the dilemma of a guilty client quite well.

Have you listened to any of Grover Gardner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to the entire series. This is excellent as they all are. I feel that it is Andy Carpenter telling the story. Gardner is terrific.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely

Any additional comments?

This is my favorite series of books. I only wish that each book was longer and that there were more of them.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Gotta Love a Guy who Loves Dogs!

The Andy Carpenter series is a delight. I just spent most of August listening to them in sequence and I could not be happier. The writing is both fun and well crafted. Andy's self deprecating voice is well portrayed by Grover Gardner, who also does a great job with the other characters. Rosenfelt has written a series with characters who seem real getting into interesting, dangerous situations, doing serious work while having fun all at once. The plots are woven neatly and credibly. I'm looking forward to the next one.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Andy Carpenter Is Back!

What made the experience of listening to Leader of the Pack the most enjoyable?

David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter - complete with all of his accompanying characters - is back, and reader Grove Gardner makes all of them come alive. Carpenter, the wise-cracking attorney with Tara (the wonder dog), is back on an old case (he'd lost) and geared up for battle (thanks to his protector, the ever-present Marcus Clark). You're always entertained by Andy & Co., and there are few readers better than Mr. Gardner. Boffo!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

an irresistible series

Ok maybe not five stars in the grander scheme of literature, but I have downloaded so many stinkers lately and rosenfelt and this delightful series never fail..remember when stuart woods was good? This series has that feel

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

glad Andy is back

The books are same old same old type of Andy Carpender story, love my dog, love my girlfriend and get an innocent guy off. Lots of humor, wit and fantastic read by Grover, yeah.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful