If you love clever courtroom dramas mixed with laugh-out-loud humor, golden retrievers, and a reluctant hero who somehow always ends up saving the day, you’ve probably already fallen for David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter series. This bestselling mystery series now spans 30+ books (and keeps growing), making it the perfect cozy-yet-thrilling escape for dog lovers and legal-thriller fans alike.
Whether you’re a longtime Tara fan (Andy’s beloved golden retriever) or you’ve just discovered the series thanks to recommendations on BookTok, here’s your ultimate, up-to-date guide to reading the Andy Carpenter books in order—plus a few tips on where to start if you’re new!
List of Andy Carpenter Books in Order
The Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt is best read in publication order, as the standalone mysteries build on evolving character arcs. Below is the full list as of December 10, 2025, including upcoming releases. This table includes the book number, title, and original publication year for easy reference.
| # | Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open and Shut | 2002 |
| 2 | First Degree | 2003 |
| 3 | Bury the Lead | 2004 |
| 4 | Sudden Death | 2005 |
| 5 | Dead Center | 2006 |
| 6 | Play Dead | 2007 |
| 7 | New Tricks | 2009 |
| 8 | Dog Tags | 2010 |
| 9 | One Dog Night | 2011 |
| 10 | Leader of the Pack | 2012 |
| 11 | Unleashed | 2013 |
| 12 | Hounded | 2014 |
| 13 | Who Let the Dog Out? | 2015 |
| 14 | Outfoxed | 2016 |
| 15 | The Twelve Dogs of Christmas | 2016 |
| 16 | Collared | 2017 |
| 17 | Rescued | 2018 |
| 18 | Deck the Hounds | 2018 |
| 19 | Bark of Night | 2019 |
| 20 | Dachshund Through the Snow | 2019 |
| 21 | Muzzled | 2020 |
| 22 | Silent Bite | 2020 |
| 23 | Dog Eat Dog | 2021 |
| 24 | Best in Snow | 2021 |
| 25 | Holy Chow | 2022 |
| 26 | Santa’s Little Yelpers | 2022 |
| 27 | Flop Dead Gorgeous | 2023 |
| 28 | ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas | 2023 |
| 29 | Dog Day Afternoon | 2024 |
| 30 | The More the Terrier | 2024 |
| 31 | Dogged Pursuit | 2025 |
| 32 | And to All a Good Bite | 2025 |
| 33 | Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch | 2026 (Upcoming) |
Andy Carpenter Books in Publication Order
- Open and Shut (2002) – The one that started it all
- First Degree (2003)
- Bury the Lead (2004)
- Sudden Death (2005)
- Dead Center (2006)
- Play Dead (2007) – Fan-favorite with an unforgettable dog rescue
- New Tricks (2009)
- Dog Tags (2010)
- One Dog Night (2011)
- Leader of the Pack (2012)
- Unleashed (2013)
- Hounded (2014)
- Who Let the Dog Out? (2015)
- Outfoxed (2016)
- The Twelve Dogs of Christmas (2016) – The perfect holiday read
- Collared (2017)
- Rescued (2018)
- Deck the Hounds (2018) – Another heartwarming Christmas entry
- Bark of Night (2019)
- Dachshund Through the Snow (2019) – Yes, another Christmas one (we’re not complaining)
- Silent Bite (2020)
- Dog Eat Dog (2021)
- Best of Enemies (2022)
- Holy Chow (2022)
- Santa’s Little Yelpers (2022) – The holiday streak continues!
- Flop Dead Gorgeous (2023)
- ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas (2023)
- Dog Day Afternoon (2024) – #28 and still going strong
- The More the Terrier (2024)
- Double Dog Dare (2025) – Brand new as of summer 2025!
- Book #31 – Expected July 2026 (David Rosenfelt shows no signs of slowing down)
Chronological Order = Publication Order
Good news: The series is best enjoyed in publication order. While each book works as a standalone mystery, character relationships (especially Andy & Laurie, the Tara Foundation crew, Willie & Sondra, and Marcus) evolve beautifully over time.
Where Should New Readers Start?
- Die-hard series fans say: Start with Open and Shut (#1). You’ll appreciate Andy’s growth from wealthy, semi-retired defense attorney to reluctant dog-rescuing hero.
- Want to test the waters? Jump in anywhere—the cases are self-contained! Popular entry points for new readers:
- Play Dead (#6) – Often cited as the book that hooked people forever.
- The Twelve Dogs of Christmas (#15) – Perfect if you want cozy holiday vibes with suspense.
- Dog Day Afternoon (#28) – Many say the recent books are the strongest yet.
Bonus: The K Team Spin-Off Series (Same Universe!)
Love Marcus, Corey, and Simon Garfunkel the German Shepherd? Don’t miss the K Team books (in order):
- The K Team (2020)
- Animal Instinct (2021)
- Citizen K-9 (2022)
- Good Dog, Bad Dog (2023)
- The More the Terrier (2024) – Yes, this one crosses over!
Why Readers Can’t Get Enough of Andy Carpenter
- Andy’s sarcastic, self-deprecating narration is pure joy
- Every book features at least one adorable (and usually heroic) dog
- Clever, twisty legal mysteries that never feel overly technical
- Found-family vibes with the best supporting cast in crime fiction
- Perfect blend of humor, heart, and suspense
Final Verdict
With over 30 books and counting, the Andy Carpenter series is one of the most consistently entertaining runs in modern mystery fiction. Whether you binge them in order or cherry-pick the dog-themed titles (we see you, holiday readers), you’re guaranteed sharp wit, lovable dogs, and mysteries that keep you guessing until the final page.
Ready to meet Andy, Tara, and the gang? Grab Open and Shut or your favorite dog-filled title and clear your schedule—you won’t want to stop at just one!
Which Andy Carpenter book is your favorite? Drop it in the comments—let’s talk Tara Foundation rescues and favorite Marcus moments! 🐾
Last updated: December 2025 – Bookmark this page because another book is always just around the corner!
