Rating: 
Summary: Lightweight entertainment
Review: Andy Carpenter is a criminal defense lawyer. A rich one, by way of inheritance. A serial killer - identified as such on his second murderer - is "terrorizing" New Jersey. Carpenter is retained by the editor of the local paper because one of his reporters has been chosen as the "messenger" of the serial killer. Daniel Cummings, the intrepid reporter, is discovered at the scene of the latest murder, promptly arrested, indicted and brought to trial. Andy Carpenter, uncertain of his client's guilt or innocence, must defend him.
Ho hum. Rosenfelt engages in one surprise plot twist after another in an attempt to breathe life into his story. It doesn't work. I derived no excitement from this tale because the surprises were simply too convenient, too clearly nothing but inventions existing only to push the story forward.
Rosenfelt isn't a bad writer. Andy Carpenter has a bit of life to him, but he's no one I missed after reading the last page. The other characters are paper-thin.
On the whole, not an awful read, but not a very engaging one either.
Jerry
Rating: 
Summary: An Enjoyable Read
Review: After reading Mr. Rosenfelt's first two books, I couldn't wait to get this one. I enjoy the witty and humorous Andy Carpenter and his group of friends/co-workers. I read many legal thrillers and this is an enjoyable change. A good novel to read whether resting in the hammock or riding in the subway. I couldn't get enough and it was over before I knew it. What will Andy Carpenter's next adventure be?
Rating:
Summary: An Enjoyable Read
Review: After reading Mr. Rosenfelt's first two books, I couldn't wait to get this one. I enjoy the witty and humorous Andy Carpenter and his group of friends/co-workers. I read many legal thrillers and this is an enjoyable change. A good novel to read whether resting in the hammock or riding in the subway. I couldn't get enough and it was over before I knew it. What will Andy Carpenter's next adventure be?
Rating: 
Summary: Lightweight Entertainment
Review: David Rosenfelt is an easy author to like. His prose is light, casual, and witty, neither pretentious nor self-important. Kind of like Rosenfelt's defense lawyer-hero, Andy Carpenter, who stars again in "Bury the Lead". Andy is back with the usual cast of supporting characters: girlfriend/PI Laurie Collins, "Law-dromat" owner and hypochondriac Kevin Randall, and of course Tara, the golden retriever. "Bury" is again set in the northern New Jersey suburbs that Rosenfelt knows so well ("The Giants and the Jets play football in Jersey, yet they deny its existence, referring to themselves as `New York'"). Daniel Cummings, a high profile reporter with some baggage, is chosen by a fiendish serial killer as a conduit to the police, but soon finds himself as the number one suspect. Carpenter and team are initially reluctant, but eventually are convinced of his innocence and take on Cummings' defense. What follows is a relatively lightweight plot that, just when starting to stretch and fray around the edges, moves along quickly enough satisfy all but the most critical cases of A.D.D. There are a couple of twists to hold mild interest, but not so much as to make this a novel you'll remember three months from now. But Rosenfelt's likeable cast and breezy pace more than compensate any weaknesses in the action, and a surprisingly light tone, despite the rather gruesome subject matter, is a refreshing twist in itself.I suspect that the first-time Rosenfeld reader may find "Bury the Lead" somewhat more enjoyable than will the Rosenfelt veteran, as the Andy-Laurie-Tara act begins to wear a bit thin on this the third installment. Nonetheless, "Bury the Lead" is a credible and entertaining effort, well worth the time. One word of caution: at 272 pages of large print, this is a short read - don't plan on using it for filler on too long a flight.
Rating:
Summary: Lightweight Entertainment
Review: David Rosenfelt is an easy author to like. His prose is light, casual, and witty, neither pretentious nor self-important. Kind of like Rosenfelt's defense lawyer-hero, Andy Carpenter, who stars again in "Bury the Lead". Andy is back with the usual cast of supporting characters: girlfriend/PI Laurie Collins, "Law-dromat" owner and hypochondriac Kevin Randall, and of course Tara, the golden retriever. "Bury" is again set in the northern New Jersey suburbs that Rosenfelt knows so well ("The Giants and the Jets play football in Jersey, yet they deny its existence, referring to themselves as 'New York'"). Daniel Cummings, a high profile reporter with some baggage, is chosen by a fiendish serial killer as a conduit to the police, but soon finds himself as the number one suspect. Carpenter and team are initially reluctant, but eventually are convinced of his innocence and take on Cummings' defense. What follows is a relatively lightweight plot that, just when starting to stretch and fray around the edges, moves along quickly enough satisfy all but the most critical cases of A.D.D. There are a couple of twists to hold mild interest, but not so much as to make this a novel you'll remember three months from now. But Rosenfelt's likeable cast and breezy pace more than compensate any weaknesses in the action, and a surprisingly light tone, despite the rather gruesome subject matter, is a refreshing twist in itself. I suspect that the first-time Rosenfeld reader may find "Bury the Lead" somewhat more enjoyable than will the Rosenfelt veteran, as the Andy-Laurie-Tara act begins to wear a bit thin on this the third installment. Nonetheless, "Bury the Lead" is a credible and entertaining effort, well worth the time. One word of caution: at 272 pages of large print, this is a short read - don't plan on using it for filler on too long a flight.
Rating:
Summary: Wisecracking defense attorney Andy Carpenter is back!
Review: David Rosenfelt made a mid-course career change a couple of years ago, jumping from his position as marketing president of Tri-Star Pictures to writing screenplays and novels. It's the latter with which we are concerned here, of course, and it gives us the opportunity to discuss Andy Carpenter, Rosenfelt's fictional creation and the be-all and end-all for his three novels, of which BURY THE LEAD is the latest. Carpenter is a defense attorney, and while he is a bit of a wise guy, he is also one of the more endearing characters in courtroom fiction. Carpenter is the type of guy who one tends to underestimate. He has a bunch of quirky friends and spends his weekends watching football games (and sustaining occasionally heavy gambling losses on them). His girlfriend, Laurie, is a former police officer, unbelievably low maintenance, and much, much better than Carpenter deserves (believe me, I know the feeling). Carpenter is also in a unique position. While he has an enviable string of acquittals, he is also the beneficiary of a $22 million bequest, which permits him to be what I guess one would call a gentleman lawyer, picking and choosing his cases at will. His money hasn't gone to his head, however. Carpenter uses his windfall to fund an animal shelter and continues to live in Paterson, New Jersey, which, while not as bad as its reputation might suggest, is more a place where one is from, rather than a place where one currently resides. Yet the beginning of BURY THE LEAD, interestingly enough, finds Carpenter somewhat vaguely dissatisfied with himself. Carpenter, it seems, needs to do some real work, as in trial work. Notwithstanding this early mid-life crisis, Carpenter is less than thrilled when his friend, Vince Sanders, a local newspaper publisher, hires him to keep Daniel Cummings, Sanders's star reporter, out of trouble. There's a serial killer operating in the North Jersey area and he has chosen Cummings to be his public messenger. When Cummings is found unconscious near the killer's latest victim, however, things take a turn for the worse. It is Cummings who is charged with the murder --- and all of the evidence in the case points directly to him as the killer. Carpenter suddenly finds himself back in court, trying desperately to defend a client who appears to be indefensible. Marcus Clark, the taciturn private investigator with the somewhat unorthodox methods, is there to help, as is Laurie and Kevin Randall, Carpenter's somewhat nervous law firm associate. Carpenter needs these folks, especially when he finds himself on the receiving end of some death threats. When the case against his client takes an unexpected turn, Carpenter finds himself involved in a case that is much, much bigger --- and much more dangerous --- than he ever could have imagined. It is to Rosenfelt's great credit that he has with Andy Carpenter created a character who does not fit neatly into the stereotypical model of courtroom fiction defense attorneys. While some of Carpenter's trappings are a bit unusual, his core character is extremely believable. If you have not acquainted yourself with Carpenter and Rosenfelt, now is the time to do so, and BURY THE LEAD is the perfect excuse. --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Rosenfelt has done it again!
Review: I have read all of Mr. Rosenfelt's books and I must say he has become one of my favorite authors. I was in the process of moving when this book came out, so I had to wait to read it, and it was well worth the wait. I thought I had the story figured out, a couple of times, but I was wrong both times. I also must say, I spend a lot of time laughing out loud when I read Mr. Rosenfelt's books. So pick this up, read and enjoy. I look forward to the next one.
Rating:
Summary: too short
Review: I loved this book except that it was too short -- took only a few hours to read. Although the plot was good, with some surprises, adn the writing mostly very entertaining, as in the previous 2 books, I want more texture, more depth in the characters. Of course, I know that short books probably sell better, but zI hope rosenfelt gives us more next time.
Rating:
Summary: Another Winner!
Review: I was not disappointed with Rosenfelt's new book. Like the previous two, it was a fast and very interesting read with a good plot twist. This is not Robert Ludlum material- but if you're looking for a good weekend/beach type read, this is it. Love his writing style- reminds me of Nelson De Mille's style in "Gold Coast". I'm also a Golden Retriever Rescue volunteer, so I love the way the author gets the word out.
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Fun Read from David Rosenfelt!
Review: Read David's first two books and couldn't wait for this one! Just finished it last night, and am happy to say it's another winner from this fun writer. I really enjoy his witty style of writing & dialogue, and can't read thru the pages fast enough to get to the next plot twists & turns. I highly recommend the book - it's the perfect poolside/beachside read...or for the long flight to wherever you're going. Bonus - you'll probably find yourself trying to "song-talk" too!
|
