Unleashed

By: David Rosenfelt

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

Audie Award Winner, Mystery, 2014

Andy Carpenter's accountant, Sam Willis, receives a surprise call from Barry Price, a friend he hasn't spoken to in years. Barry needs Sam's financial acumen and Andy's legal expertise. But when Sam almost runs over an injured dog on the way to Barry's house, he can't drive off without waiting for help. By then, Barry's taken off on a private airplane headed to who-knows-where. Soon after they learn that Barry's plane has crashed, and they come to the terrifying realization that Sam was also supposed to have been killed on that plane. Barry was in far more serious trouble than either of them knew, and for Sam and Andy, the trouble is only beginning.

©2013 Tara Productions, Inc. (P)2013 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"An exciting intrigue story of twists, turns, and the rehabilitation of a loyal canine friend, Unleashed (audio) is a treat for mystery lovers and dog lovers alike!" ( The Midwest Book Review)

Over Too Soon

Once again, another fun and lively Andy Carpenter novel with all our favorite characters. The thing in David's novels that always leaves me wanting more is all the humor they contain. I end up laughing out loud at many inappropriate moments. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes their suspense mixed with laughter. There's no better author in this genre and this is still my favorite series by far.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Didn't see that coming

While all the Andy Carpenter books follow a similar pattern there are always enough differences and surprises to keep it interesting. Unleashed is no exception. Add in several off the wall characters as well as Andy's snarky humor and it's still one of my favorite series. Unfortunately it was done all too soon and now I have to wait until the next installment.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Rosenfelt and Gardner do it well again

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

The whole series of Andy books should be heard by all. I would recommend this book to all of the Audible Universe.

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

Actually it took me two days to finish listening. The plot, characters, language as pronounced by the narrator were outstanding. Andy never gets old.

Any additional comments?

I can not wait for the next book.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Not one of the best, but still good reading

First a confession - I think the Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt is just plain terrific. This comes from a person who has been reading mysteries - starting with Sherlock Holmes - for 6 decades. I've read literally thousands of mysteries, and I put Andy Carpenter and company right in the top group. Good writing, good characters, interesting mysteries, an ensemble cast - just as important in a book series as in any form of entertainment - and wit. Love the wit. This one seems a little less together than usual - which still makes it a must read - don't pass it by - but do get all the others as well.

And Grover Cleveland the reader - I could write a sonnet about his reading of this series. Absolutely perfect. Doesn't miss a beat, and I can't imagine anyone else speaking with Carpenter's voice. He is 10 stars out of 5 - one of the very best combinations of reader and story I've heard - did I forget to mention how many mysteries I've heard on audio books (including, for those young'uns amongst us, on tape?} hundreds - not as many as I've read in book form, but plenty.

Unfortunately, David Rosenfelt seems hellbent on writing non-series mysteries and they are really not good. They lack everything that makes the Carpenter series terrific - the writing is stale and unsure, the mysteries are either transparent, or so contrived they are annoying, and the characters are made of cardboard. I applaud efforts to grow and expand - but I really do wish his publishers would do him the courtesy of not publishing these books until he gets a grip on writing them. Meanwhile, better he spend more time writing Andy Carpenter books, instead of what he did here, which was dash one off quickly. This is obvious when reading it - but even then it beats the non-series books by miles. And it beats quite a number of other mystery books by even more miles.

I challenge anyone to read 2 Andy Carpenter books - saying this to be on the safe side, I was hooked after reading one - and not become a fan.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Rosenfelt / Gardner just keep getting better.

Unless you missed out on the Humor Gene, you will love every entry in Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series -- each one more than the last. If you have not yet listened to an Andy Carpenter novel, and are thinking of purchasing "Unleashed," I would suggest that you first listen to its predecessors, starting with "Open and Shut." Although Rosenfelt does a good job filling in needed backstory with each novel in the Andy Carpenter series, you will miss out on some of the fun if you jump into the middle of the series -- and Andy Carpenter 𝙙𝒆𝙛𝙞𝙣𝒆𝙨 the word "fun." This series loosely falls into the "legal thriller" genre, since Andy Carpenter -- despite all of his hilarious shenanigans -- is, in fact, a brilliant defense attorney; and these novels do feature action heroes, scary predicaments, and bad guys galore. They also feature brilliant courtroom scenes that will both entertain and impress you.

If you love dogs, then Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series is required reading for you. In fact, 𝙖𝙡𝙡 of Rosenfelt's novels will fall into that category -- particularly his stand-alone novels, in case you lack the Humor Gene, because they have more serious plots, still featuring dogs. Yes, Rosenfelt loves dogs unconditionally, inordinately, and obsessively, including them prominently in all of his novels. In fact, it speaks profoundly to his writing skill that I -- not a dog lover -- love his novels, dogs and all (until he says something bad about cats, that is, which he never does).

If you are a sports-loving couch potato, then Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series is required reading for you; because brilliant legal genius Andy Carpenter is also a sports-loving couch potato. I hope that no future character in this series forces Andy to choose between football and dogs, because that would put Andy into an untenable situation. (I think that he would choose dogs.) Again, Rosenfelt's excellent writing and plotting skills even overcome 𝙢𝙮 complete ignorance, apathy, and distaste for all spectator sports. I couldn't tell a football from a baseball bat, wouldn't know a sports star if he rode up on a bicycle, and have never owned a television; yet still I love Rosenfelt's novels: That shows how well he writes.

Get it? You can't go wrong with "Unleashed."

13 of 14 people found this review helpful

Fun read; good mystery, hokey ending.

I enjoy the recurring characters, and this followed the usual pattern of earlier books in the series. I like Andy Carpenter's sense of humor, but I'm sure it is not for everybody. This is a better mystery than most, but I found the ending contrived. Still, it was a fun read (listen).

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Worth waiting for this book to come out!

This was one of the best, and I have enjoyed all the Andy Carpenter series. There is a little bit of everything a good mystery should include, but without the graphic, unnecessary foul language so many other American writers dump in. Thanks, Rosenfelt!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Twistiest Yet!

If you like Andy Carpenter told through Grover Gardner's tongues... Yes tongues... There's a different one for every character... and you're charmed by Tara... And... and... plots that twist like a Golden Retriever at play... This book's perfect. I'd say it's Rosenfelt's best in this series but...damn... I say that every time!

Warning, start the Andy Carpenter books with "Open & Shut"... You'll thank me for the advice.

14 of 16 people found this review helpful

Another new plot and fun listen

Rosenfelt does it again! I listened to almost the whole book on a long plane ride. I never tire of Andy Carpenter's sarcasm and Grover Gardner's narration.

In this episode there is a major conspiracy underway, lots of deaths in attempts to cover loose ends, and someone close to Andy is accused and held for a murder. Andy's usual entourage is here, too. Everyone joins in to see that justice is served and the bad guys are thwarted.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Self Deprecating Humor and Mystery Novel

Oh one cannot help but just love the Andy Carpenter series. This series has darling smart dogs, lawyers, judges, cops, investigators, murder, mystery, money, humor, sports, love and sex (millionaire Andy can never get enough from the love of his life, Laurie). The stories are set in Patterson, New Jersey, Andy's childhood home.
Grover Gardner is the perfect narrator, he makes Andy Carpenter come alive; his pitch, cadence and pace make this series a must listen. Mr. Rosenfelt, we await your next Andy, Laurie, Tara and friends story.

13 of 15 people found this review helpful