Rating: 
Summary: Fun, but again little depth...
Review: I love Andy Carpenter. He is hard character not embrace. But former movie exec David Rosenfelt again writes a screenplay. It is a bit deeper than his first novel, but most of the characters and plot lines are flimsy. It is quick read and Andy keeps it funny. However, if you like the character type, you are much better off reading William Lashner's books about similar character. Not a bad book, but not worthy in my mind of consideration of great legal thrillers.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining and well-paced...
Review: I read too much and too often. I picked up this book and was not familiar with Rosenfelt's previous work. I was hooked from the first page.
There are many detective books that rely on humor that often falls flat. This is not the case. Many times, as I read into the night, I found myself laughing out loud and then quickling stifling that laughter so as not to wake up my wife.
The lead character, Andy Carpenter, is engaging and enjoyable. You find yourself wanting him to meet up with different people to see how he reacts and what he is thinking about.
The plot is smooth, interesting and entertaining. It is also enjoyable to see how Carpenter is going to handle new evidence or how he is going to figure out the answers. I enjoy Evanovich's books, but I find Rosenfelt's plot, characters and situations to be even better. When you read this book, you will get good action, great lines and a good, albeit short, read. You will not be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Clever, Thrilling, Entertaining
Review: I was pleasantly surprised to realize that FIRST DEGREE contains most of the elements that I enjoy in a legal thriller. Protagonist Andrew Carpenter, a newly made millionaire, is an intelligent, self-deprecating, likeable attorney "with enough sarcasm to dream about(using)a sarcasm patch".After months of refusing several potentially lucrative cases, Carpenter finds himself choosing to defend a small-time drug dealer accused of murdering a lieutenant on the Paterson New Jersey Police Force. Circumstances move rapidly as the charges against the defendant are dropped and re-filed against Carpenter's girlfriend, ex-cop Laurie Collins. The first half of this fast-paced legal thriller is used to set up the case. Rosenfelt introduces the characters with clever dialogue and literary devices. Carpenter and one of his friends engage in song-talking, manipulating their conversations so they can use the lyrics of popular songs to express themselves. Don't get the wrong impression though. FIRST DEGREE is much more than sarcasm and clever dialogue. Once the case is developed, Rosenfelt masterfully takes us to trial to watch and listen as Carpenter does his job to defend the falsely accused and embarrass the prosecution with a cleverly lain trap. There are thrilling moments with a theme of attorney privelege and Carpenter's responsibility toward the defendant and those he asks to help him. Rosenfelt has created a character that readers will want to follow and read more about. He has created a winner.
Rating:
Summary: Worthy follow up to predecessor
Review: I wish there were 1/2 stars to include in ratings, and that I could give this book 31/2, but I rounded up instead of down. Rosenfelt's first book was a pretty hard act to follow -- his experience as a screenwriter is evident. This would be a great series for Dennis Leary. I particularly liked the consistent references to sports which Rosenfelt has more than a passing knowledge of and which he has passed onto his character. The mystery at the center of the book is not as compelling as that in the first book, but I look forward to reading the third and wait for more to come.
Rating:
Summary: First Rate Thriller
Review: I'd never heard of Rosenfelt before picking this one up but I'll be actively looking for his other work after this masterpiece thriller. You think legal thriller or courtroom drama and the word usually boring comes to mind but Rosenfelt has found the balance between court room chapters and the more exciting outside world for events to happen in for the story to lose no substance. Andy Carpenter is a funny extremely likeable character, sort of like Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar character, where Carpenter has to think on his feet to avoid either being killed, beaten up or outplayed in the courtroom making wisecracks at his opponents along the way. Dean Koontz style Rosenfelt gives Carpenter a loyal lovable golden retriever by his side as well.
After a man confesses to the murder of Carpenter's girlfriend's arch enemy Carpenter faces an ethical dilemma of what to do as an innocent man faces trial. Oh and the innocent man also is a guy much hated by his girlfriend and ex cop Laurie. Much to the disgust of Laurie he decides to represent the guy but quickly learns this is only the start of his nightmare as Laurie also faces charges for the brutal murder. You won't be able to put this one down.
Rating:
Summary: The dog makes it all worthwhile!
Review: Other reviews have described the plot of First Degree: a bad cop gets killed and lawyer Andy Carpenter must clear his girlfriend Laurie, who has been framed for the murder. There are some plot twists -- a false confession and a possibility that the corpse might belong to someone else -- but for the most part, it's more of a light-hearted romp than a "legal thriller." I was hooked when I read the opening, realized Tara was a dog and discovered the "grand opening" was for a dog park. And I kept reading, as I wanted to know how the end would turn out. Some books are strong on character or atmosphere. First Degree is a book of plot. Laurie, the girlfriend who was framed for murder, never became three-dimensional for me. The hero with "lawyer's block" was fun to read about -- like a guy who's fun for a date but not necessarily a relationship. What kept the book from five-star quality was the element of luck. Andy Carpenter's co-counsel just happens to know a Lieutenant Colonel in the army -- someone who can open all sorts of doors as well as files to secret information. And Andy has inherited a huge amount of money. Since the OJ trial, we've all learned that money can influence the outcome of a trial. The story behind the crime seems a little contrived as well. Framing an innocent victim and setting up red herrings is difficult and time-consuming. Few murderers go to all that trouble. The final confrontation is satisfying and well-done, but I think the real winner turns out to be Tara the dog. In a nice subplot, Carpenter wins a judgment for a man falsely accused of a crime. There's a humorous twist when we learn what he does with the money. Like the rest of the book, it's satisfying in a feel-good way, fun to read about and just on the edge of plausible.
Rating:
Summary: Don't miss this fast & funny legal thriller
Review: The Edgar Award nominee for his first novel, Open & Shut, has penned another winner. Andy Carpenter, loveable lawyer (no, that's not an oxymoron,) is back and suffering from a severe case of "lawyer's block." When you've inherited $$$ million dollars, it takes away your incentive to represent any old criminal who walks through the door. But things change when a cop of questionable ethics is killed. The same cop, Alex Dorsey, that Andy's lover, PI Laurie Collins, turned in when she was on the police force. Then a man strolls into Andy's office, confesses, and asks Andy to represent him. Meanwhile the police have arrested someone else, someone Laurie is sure is innocent. One suspect after another fizzles out until Laurie becomes the chief suspect. Circumstantial evidence abounds, and Andy finally has a client he can get behind. It's personal now and the stakes have never been higher as Andy has to find the real killer and exonerate Laurie. Somehow the laughs keep coming as tension mounts and the bodies pile up, no easy feat but a sure testament to Rosenfelt's skill. This fast, funny read will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you wanting more.
Rating:
Summary: Sequel Time: First Degree
Review: This second book from Author David Rosenfelt finds lawyer Andy Carpenter dealing still with various events of the first book titled "Open And Shut." I am not going to explain those events or how they figure into the back-story of this book and thereby ruin this book for those so inclined to read it. Suffice it to say that this is a series and therefore this book should be read after the first. It has been six months as this novel opens and Andy's notoriety while fading somewhat seems to be bringing him clients that he does not want. This is especially true of one perspective client, Mr. Geoffrey Stynes. Andy wants to believe his clients are innocent and in a few minutes the strange Mr. Stynes not only makes Andy afraid for his own life, but completely shatters the illusion of innocence by confessing to the gruesome murder of Alex Dorsey. Alex Dorsey was a very crooked cop who apparently had connections in high places, which allowed him to get away with various activities for years. The discovery of his decapitated and burned beyond recognition body as well as the hunt for the murderer has been a major media story. Even if it weren't for the intense media coverage, Andy would know about the case thanks to his lead investigator and love interest, Laurie Collins. Laurie knew Alex was dirty and turned him to Internal Affairs. Soon she was labeled a "rat" as everyone in the Department knew what she had done. Her life as a Police Officer went downhill and when Alex Dorsey got essentially cleared of the charges; Laurie resigned in disgust several years ago. Andy isn't about to defend a confessed killer and that reason along with others, causes him to turn the case down and refuse to defend Stynes. Within a matter of days, Laurie is suddenly arrested and charged with murder in the death of Alex Dorsey. Andy begins to investigate in order to defend Laurie, secure in the knowledge that she didn't do it, and begins to have major problems. Not only is he unable to locate the strange Mr. Stynes because it seems that he doesn't exist, but what little he does find out makes it clear that Laurie as well as Andy are victims of an elaborate frame. A frame that may prove impossible to break as various parties at distance from the case begins to die. David Rosenfelt writes with a witty sarcastic style using various one-liners while at the same time weaving an intense thriller. His first book "Open And Shut" was very good and most of the characters involved in that book are back again in this one. His books are split between the ongoing mystery as well as courtroom drama and while he makes fun of Perry Mason style moments, he does have a few that border on the edge of that kind of situation. At the same time, his writing style gives depth and breadth to the characters and brings the major as well as minor characters to life. His books, including this one, are not peopled with stock characters but instead feature real characters that are fully drawn and evolving throughout the course of each intense book.
| 
