"Tremendous legal thriller"
Paterson, New Jersey attorney Andy Carpenter enjoys the
freedom of newly acquired wealth, though the accompanying
fame from his previous OPEN AND SHUT CASE makes him a mark
for every local felon in the city where Lou Costello was
born. Still proving death row inmate Willie Miller
innocent was quite a feat, but though bored and able to be
selective in choosing whom he wants to represent, Andy
selects no clients. Everything changes when private investigator Laurie Collins
informs Andy that someone decapitated and set on fire dirty
Patterson cop Alex Dorsey. Laurie once worked for Alex and
tried to get him kicked off the force for his illegal
dealings, but failed. Many folks on both sides of the law
had motive and means to viciously kill Dorsey. However,
PPD finds staggering circumstantial evidence that clearly
points towards Laurie as the killer. Now motivated to work
the judicial system, Andy and his help chase down every
lead regardless of how small, but they either turn out
dead, dead ended, or find more proof that his beloved
client murdered the deserving victim. FIRST DEGREE is a tremendous legal thriller. This and his
previous novel proves that David Rosenfelt is heading for a
seat on the Supreme Court of sub-genre authors. The story
line is fast-paced whether it is in the courtroom or on the
street seeking clues. Even more important is his
effortless switching between the legal machinations and the
investigation. Still what makes this OPEN AND SHUT novel a
winner is the strong, fully developed and personable cast
who readers will like so they will root for a not guilty
resolution. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted May 17, 2003
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