I like the characters from the Andy Carpenter series, and there are some good bits of humor scattered throughout.
The style has gotten a little blunt this go 'round though; Not to mention that he blew it on the plot about halfway through. So ... There are a couple flaws that could be forgiven but the blowout is:

Spoiler: the blowout is that they get into phone GPS data to show that a contract killer was at a murder scene before Andy's PI arrives and is framed. Yet no one thinks to use that PI's GPS data to prove that he didn't leave with the bag of evidence and come back. ( )

3.35 I’m up-to-date on this mystery spinoff series, though I read the installments out of order. Read my full review here. ( )

This spin-off from the Andy Carpenter series follows the "K-Team", private investigators who work with Andy Carpenter on his cases, but also investigate cases of their own. In "Animal Instinct" Corey Douglas and his sidekick, canine partner Simon Garfunkel, decide to independently investigate the murder of a woman who he believes was a victim of domestic violence. Naturally, the entire K-Team volunteers to help. When Corey is arrested for the murder of the man he accused of domestic violence, Andy Carpenter steps up as his attorney. In order to prove Corey innocent, they must unravel a complex mystery involving cyber crimes, insurance fraud and murder. The book is filled with Andy Carpenter's trademark humor. An engrossing read! ( )

The K-Team on the job again; this time to save one of their own.
“Animal Instinct” finds Simon and the K-Team on the job again in this, the second book in David Rosenfelt’s series about – what else – dogs, crime, criminals and the people and dogs who catch them. Did I mention dogs? “Animal Instinct” unfolds in the first person narrative by Corey Douglas, the person owned by Simon Garfunkel, retired Paterson police German shepherd. (Anyone who has read Carpenter’s books knows that I did not make a mistake, the dogs own the people.) Alternate chapters in third person allow readers to learn what participants do not know. Douglas is troubled; the victim in a domestic call he took while on the Patterson Police force is brutally murdered, and he feels guilty about not having helped enough at the time.
When there are other deaths, Douglas’s quest for redemption is viewed by the police as revenge and vigilantism; he is arrested for murder. Enter Andy Carpenter, Laurie Collins, and Marcus Clark to the rescue. Of course, anyone who loves dogs as much as Corey does is sure to be innocent, but this story is about the journey, even though readers know the ultimate outcome. The case is complicated; people lie for a reason, and unfortunately lots of them are lying. There are many layers of intrigue, complexity, and an assortment of possible additional victims and perpetrators. All this must be reconciled before Carpenter can determine the real killer.
Readers do not pick David Rosenfelt’s books because they wonder if Andy Carpenter will save the day; they absolutely know that from page one. Rosenfelt’s books are loved by readers because they know that at the end, (the actual, absolute, very last minute) the questions will be answered, the unexpected will be explained, good will triumph, the hero will win, and the dogs will live happily ever after. (Okay, so Andy is anti-hero, but the dogs will always be fine.) The stories are well constructed, filled subtle and sarcastic humor, with plenty of suspense and unexpected twists and turns. In the end, both readers and characters are happy, satisfied, and eager for more.
I received a review copy of “Animal Instinct” from David Rosenfelt and Minotaur Books. Sign me up for the next installment ( )

Private Investigator and former police detective Corey Douglas gets caught up in a dangerous situation dating back to his cop days. Years before, he had responded to a call about domestic violence, reported by a neighbor who heard screaming. The couple involved denied there was a problem. But Corey made no bones about wanting to hold the abusive boyfriend accountable for what he had done. Now, the girl is dead. Feeling responsible for not arresting the boyfriend years before, Corey wants to nail him for her murder. What Corey doesn’t know is that he is only seeing the surface of the water; strong currents run deep, and they threaten to pull him down before all is said and done. Corey is drawn into the miasma of death and corruption as the bodies pile up. It will take all the members of the K Team and Andy Carpenter to pull Corey’s butt out of the fire this time. Readers of David Rosenfelt’s novels have come to expect nothing but the best from him, and this thriller certainly lives up to that high standard. Highly recommended. ( )