Spinning off a new series from his popular Andy Carpenter mysteries, the Edgar-nominated, Shamus Award-winning Rosenfelt pushes forward Andy's wife, Laurie. Former cop Laurie has been raising son Ricky, but she's eager to get back in the game and shouts "Yes!" when her former partner suggests they form an investigative team with his German shepherd K-9 partner. Of course, the dog is the real star.

In this first in a new series by the author of the "Andy Carpenter" mysteries, Andy's wife, retired cop Laurie, her partner Marcus, and retired K9 officer Corey and his dog buddy, Simon Garfunkel, form an investigative unit: the K team. Their first case comes from a local judge, known for his rectitude in the courtroom and in his private life. For reasons unknown, someone is trying to blackmail him. The K Team swings into action (with occasional assistance and sarcasm from Andy), but very soon people involved in the case begin dying. When the judge himself is found dead of an apparent suicide, the case becomes increasingly dangerous and complex. As a dark conspiracy begins to emerge, the K Team uses creative methods to solve the case, determined to see justice done. VERDICT Fans of the "Andy Carpenter" series will find much to enjoy here, including some cameos from Carpenter himself. [See Prepub Alert, 8/19/19.]—Dan Forrest, Western Kentucky Univ. Libs., Bowling Green

This strong series launch from Edgar finalist Rosenfelt, a spin-off from the author's Andy Carpenter series (Dachsund Through the Snow, etc.), stars Carpenter's wife, Laurie Collins, who has left the Paterson, N.J., PD to form the K Team, which includes a former police colleague of Laurie's and his canine partner. Their first client is Henry Henderson, a judge whose professional reputation is beyond reproach, who has received an anonymous letter advising him that he will be called on to do something that he has already been well paid for and that refusal to play ball will result in exposure. As proof that his adversary means business, Henderson has also received a bank statement someone has created in his name for a Cayman Islands account. The jurist has no idea who's behind the extortion or their motive. The K Team's quest for answers leads them to a cleverly conceived conspiracy and a number of corpses. This is a promising start to what's likely to be a long-running series. 75,000-copy announced first printing. Agent: Robin Rue, Writers House. (Mar.)