Hounded: Andy Carpenter    by David Rosenfelt Order:  USA  Can Minotaur, 2014 (2014) Hardcover, CD, e-Book      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Hounded is the twelfth in David Rosenfelt delightful doggy mystery series starring millionaire lawyer/sleuth Andy Carpenter and his colorful and quirky entourage of helpful associates. Rosenfelt's formula works well for consistent reading entertainment. Andy avoids work like the plague, but he can never say no when friends need his help. This time, it's police officer Pete Stanton, who's arrested for the murder of ex-convict Danny Diaz, whom he had befriended and paid as an informant. Pete also asks Andy and his girlfriend Laurie to take in two strays - the deceased's eight-year-old son Ricky and his basset hound Sebastian. It's quite an adjustment for Andy to include a small child in his life, but it goes better than expected, and his dog Tara 'goes with the flow' and welcomes Sebastian. The criminal case is a tougher nut to crack. Apparently Danny Diaz informed on his friend Pete, expressing concerns for his own safety. Other evidence connects Pete to the crime, including drugs found in his home. As Andy builds his case, the author introduces readers to an effective and ruthless assassin who uses a little white pill to take out his victims - autopsy shows a massive heart attack. But what does this have to do with Pete's situation? Andy is sure his friend was set up but why? Does it have anything to do with cases Pete was working on? Andy finds his defense entangled in organized crime, pharmaceuticals and veterinary medicine. There are more deaths before it's all over - and soon Andy's in a killer's sights as well. But all's well that ends well (which it always does in this cozy series) and this episode ends spectacularly well, with big changes in Andy's life. Don't miss it! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews