First Degree (Andy Carpenter Series #2)

With his debut novel Open and Shut, David Rosenfelt earned wide and enthusiastic critical acclaim for his unique protagonist, Andy Carpenter. Now both creator and character are back in a new work that combines street-smart wit and nail-biting suspense.

FIRST DEGREE

"I sit at my desk for a while, moving the papers from the right side to the left. That makes the desk look left-heavy, so I move half the papers back to the right. The problem is, with papers now on each side, there's no place for me to put my feet up. So with my feet resting uncomfortably on the floor, I pick up the newspaper and read about the discovery of Alex Dorsey's headless body."

An unabashed animal lover, Paterson, New Jersey, lawyer Andy Carpenter has grown a fast reputation as that rare defender who saves both dogs and humans from Death Row. Thanks to the high-profile success of his last case, he's at the top of every local felon's wish list of attorneys. But despite his newfound fame and fortune, he's suffering from a painful attack of lawyer's block, rejecting every potential client who comes his way. His office is eerily quiet, except for the pen of his secretary, Edna, scratching nimbly across and down the New York Times crossword puzzle, while his soul hungers for a case to sink its legal teeth into.

He's about to get his wish. And it'll be a first-degree kick in the head.

It begins in the asphalt heart of Paterson, with the discovery of a once dirty, now decapitated cop. Then not one but several prime suspects emerge. Drawn into this affair, Andy has things under control…until the last suspect turns out to be none other than Laurie Collins, Andy's lead investigator and the love of his life. Now to clear Laurie, Andy must spring a brilliant yet desperate courtroom trap-before it engulfs them both.

With FIRST DEGREE, David Rosenfelt will rivet you with his storytelling, charm you with his characters, and show you why he's the freshest new voice among today's mystery writers.