MUZZLED is the 21st entry in David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter mystery series, and it seems clear that his many fans hope it’s the first of at least 20 more.

The protagonist in the series, Andy Carpenter, is one of the most charmingly devilish characters in the world of legal mysteries, and he’s also one of the funniest. Andy might be viewed as the Don Rickles of defense attorneys; he’s a genius of insult humor. But unlike Rickles, Andy’s main target is himself. With his hilarious self-deprecating comments, he willingly exposes himself as a coward, a meanie and a downright jerk. However, he’s also a most lovable character. As he bravely places himself in dangerous, even life-threatening situations, he admits that he’s scared to death while, for example, shakily clutching a loaded pistol while dealing with a murderous villain, as he does in MUZZLED.

"MUZZLED boasts all the uniquely humorous characters and characteristics of the entire series... [It is] every bit as involving, gripping and entertaining as the first 20."

As usual, the unfolding of the novel’s plot begins with Andy’s big heart and sense of justice forcing him to take on the case of a man wrongly accused of murder. Alex Vogel has suspiciously escaped unscathed from a boat that has exploded, killing two of his business partners. Their company has been working on the development of a mysterious drug that is soon to be introduced to the world via a stock market IPO. Everybody but Andy believes that Vogel, a munitions expert, blew up the boat with the express intent of murdering his two partners --- though nobody knows exactly why this respectable (and dog-loving!) man would commit such a dastardly act. So Andy decides that he must defend Alex, thereby getting himself inextricably involved with shady characters, the Russian Mafia and assorted other villains.

MUZZLED boasts all the uniquely humorous characters and characteristics of the entire series: the wonderfully wacky and weirdly eccentric members of Andy’s investigative team and staff; the frustrated cops, lawyers and judges who have to cope with his antics and insults; and villains who are sly, smart and arrogant but who, in the end, can never quite match the hero’s off-the-wall brilliance.

If you’ve never read an Andy Carpenter mystery, start with MUZZLED, and treat yourself to an enjoyable, laugh-inducing --- and, by the way, suspenseful --- good time. And if you’ve already read earlier entries in the series, rest assured that you’ll find this one every bit as involving, gripping and entertaining as the first 20.