Dog-loving lawyer Andy Carpenter plunges into a high profile murder case in which a rogue German shepherd police dog may be the only hope for its owner, an Iraq war vet and former-cop-turned-thief accused of murder.

Rescuing a golden retriever from euthanasia, wisecracking New Jersey defense attorney Andy Carpenter learns that the dog was involved in a previous owner's murder conviction and is persuaded by the man's sister to reopen the case.

" Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter is at the Tara Foundation's annual Christmas party. The dog rescue organization has always been his true calling, and this is one holiday tradition he can get behind because every dog that's come through the rescue--and their families--are invited to celebrate. This year's party is no exception. But before the stockings can be hung by the chimney with care, homicide detectives ruin the evening. Derek Moore, one of...