Nominated for the Edgar and Shamus Awards, David Rosenfelt’s debut novel, Open and Shut, was widely praised by readers and critics. Now Rosenfelt returns with a riveting new mystery, First Degree, featuring irreverent and dynamic lawyer Andy Carpenter… When a cop’s body is found burned and decapitated, the last thing Andy Carpenter expected is for a stranger to waltz into his office and admit to the crime. For the wise-cracking millionaire defense attorney suffering from “ lawyer’s block,” the case looks like a no-brainer…until the cops pick up another suspect: Andy’s lead P.I. Laurie Collins, who happens to be the love of his life. Soon Laurie’s facing conviction for the grisly murder and Andy must desperately try to save her. All he had wanted was a case to sink his teeth into. Now he gets one that’s a kick in the head…and the heart.
0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 4 weeks
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
March 1, 2008 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781593163914
- File size: 192339 KB
- Duration: 06:40:42
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Starred review from March 10, 2003
Clever plot twists, deft legal maneuverings and keen wit boost Rosenfelt's accomplished follow-up to his Edgar-nominated debut, Open and Shut
(2002). Newly wealthy and no longer in need of cases to sustain his legal practice, Paterson, N.J., attorney Andy Carpenter is free to pick and choose his clients. The glib, amiable Andy certainly would not choose the character who comes into his office confessing to the grisly murder of corrupt police officer Alex Dorsey. The bad end of a bad cop has almost endless ramifications. After successfully dealing with one complication arising from this surprising visit, Andy is faced with an even worse one when his lover, PI Laurie Collins, winds up accused of Dorsey's murder. As the net of overwhelming circumstantial evidence tightens around Laurie during the judicial process, every lead Andy and his team pursue seems to result in either a death or a dead end. The author adroitly maintains a fast pace while switching gears effortlessly between the courtroom and the investigation. As satisfying as the nuts and bolts of the case are, it's the sheer likability of Andy and the odd assortment of his friends and staff that lifts the story from merely enjoyable to genuinely delightful. Rosenfelt should win a unanimous verdict: first-rate. (May 14)Forecast:On the heels of strong reviews for the author's first novel, plus blurbs from Harlan Coben and Donald E. Westlake, this Mystery Guild Featured Alternate should garner even better sales than those for
Open and Shut.
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