Deck the Hounds

Criminal defense attorney Andy Carpenter's charitable impulse toward a homeless man and his dog snowballs into a major legal crisis in this holiday-themed mystery. When the pair Andy helped are later attacked on the street, his compassionate wife Laurie insists they take in both man and canine. Their new houseguests seem harmless enough until Andy inadvertently reveals the man's identity during a media interview, exposing him as a fugitive wanted for murder. The homeless man claims complete innocence and ignorance of the charges, leaving Andy to untangle a two-year-old case while navigating his usual mix of skeptical wit and reluctant heroism.

Grover Gardner brings his seasoned expertise to this eighteenth installment of Rosenfelt's popular series, delivering Andy's sardonic observations and internal monologues with perfect comedic timing. Gardner's narration captures the attorney's reluctant involvement in each escalating crisis, while seamlessly shifting between the colorful supporting cast that populates Andy's world. His steady pacing allows the mystery elements to build naturally while preserving the humor that defines these novels. The audio format particularly enhances Andy's first-person storytelling style, making listeners feel like confidants in his investigative process.