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.

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.

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.

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

I should have tried this series sooner!!!!

This is a really good series. I don’t know why I’ve resisted trying it, for some reason I just didn’t take it seriously. Well I stand corrected. This is a super legal, mystery, suspense seriles. The protagonist is Andy Carpenter. He’s an attorney who doesn’t like practicing law. He has a rescued Golden Retriever named Tara who he believes is the best most wonderful dog on the planet. He prefers to spend time with her!

I am now on book eleven and this series has a definite formula and it works. In each of the books a dog is either directly or indirectly involved in a criminal case or is the catalyst to the protagonist taking on a new client. The books all have twisted endings and never seem to end up in the direction you’re originally lead. The stories are believable and the plots are plausible.

Grover Gardener does a wonderful job narrating. This is the same narrator who does Stephen King’s The Stand.
This series is VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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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

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.

You know what you're getting

David Rosenfelt has been writing the same book for some time now. I imagine his computer comes equipped with a background program, so that he can overlay the new plot over the basic narrative. Everything in the background is the same - the types of jokes. characters, dialogue.

And yet, Grover Gardner is such a good narrator and the cookie-cutter story goes down so easily, I bought another one of the same thing. Have a spine and pass on it, unless you want something to drift off to sleep on.

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.

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!

Love Andy and Tara

Would you consider the audio edition of Leader of the Pack to be better than the print version?

Never read any of the print versions to me Grover Gardner is Andy Carpenter. My favorite characters are Andy and of course Marcus.

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

None this is just one really great story, with a real twist at the end NO SPOILERS FROM ME.

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

Grover Gardner is one of my favorite narrators, he does characters and emotions really well. You always know who's speaking.

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

I love this series, I've listened to many of the first few several times already. I know I'll listen to this again. There's not enough hours in the day to listen and do my job too. (sad to say)

Any additional comments?

I hope more Andy Carpenter books will be written, with Grover Gardner doing the narration.

Well plotted and full of humour and Tara

I love, love these books full of great plot twists, excellent dialogue, lots of humour and Tara. And all wonderfully narrated by Grover Gardener…, I’ve now listened to all on audible and would love to know when audible will release those books not currently available- books 14, 15 etc….

Another Andy Carpenter Hit!

Another lovely book written by David Rosenfeld. with a nice slightly different and surprising ending. A great read/listen and highly recommended !!