First Degree

By: David Rosenfelt

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Nominated for the Edgar and Shamus Awards, David Rosenfelt's debut novel, Open and Shut, was widely praised by listeners and critics. Rosenfelt returned with this riveting 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.

Crack another case with Andy Carpenter.©2004 David Rosenfelt (P)2008 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Rosenfelt should win a unanimous verdict: first-rate." ( Publishers Weekly)
"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." ( Publishers Weekly)

Entertaining!

David Rosenfelt (author), Grover Gardner (reader) & Andy Carpenter (wisecracking lawyer) -- and Tara (his golden retriever) -- are fast becoming my favorites. I just wish two of his other books in the catalog weren't abridged. In this unabridged book, Carpenter is surprised when he has to defend his girlfriend from a murder. Very entertaining.

Fun read!

Loved the story, and the reader made it even better! If you like dogs, mystery and a little romance, it's a winner.

Kept my attention

Very good. Stayed up well past my bedtime to finish it up. The story is a little over-the-top but fun nonetheless.

Can you figure it out before a death sentence

The plot gives the clues but it's hard to but them together before Andy Carpenter and his colleagues. Very good. Lots of twists and turns.

Great listening

This book is part of a series. Excellent story, good listening and good narration. I highly recommend this book along with the others in the series of 6.

KW

This time it's Laurie

Love Carpenter series. Wish he'd write more. Performance perfect. If you like Myron Bolitar and Parker's Spenser you will love Andy Carpenter

Love the Andy Carpenter series

Mr. Rosenfelt is a very entertaining writer and includes his passion for dogs in his works. The Andy Carpenter series are right up there with the most entertaining books I have listened to. At times the humor and wit that is interjected into the book has me laughing out loud. My wife and I have listened to all of the series at least twice. I find the audio books even more entertaining than the paper version due to the excellent reading of Mr. Grover Gardner. To me, the voice inflections and totally believable portrayal of the wisecracking Andy are without the best that they can be. To me, Mr. Gardner IS Andy Carpenter and could not easily be replaced by any other reader. I find myself actually envisioning how Andy and all of the characters look and believe me there are some entertaining and unusual characters in the series. When I listen to these books I get totally engrossed and find myself traveling inside the books covers. I highly recommend this series.

As usual a good story read by a great reader

What did you love best about First Degree?

There were many twists that kept me wanting to read more to find out who really

Which character – as performed by Grover Gardner – was your favorite?

Markus, by far was the most interesting man of few words.

Any additional comments?

The reader is excellent. I feel that Grover Gardner tells a story rather than reads a book. I can imagine sitting near him and listening as he recounts what seems to be a true story. He doesn't do voices much but is a true story teller.

Book 2 is better than book 1!

Wow!!! Still my kind of books. I love this author. David Rosenfelt has my vote for ..... for being Pure Entertainment in a box, 👌🏼 And Grover Gardner knows how to deliver that Entertainment! They are a fantastic duo!

continuation of the first book

the performer made the book better than it would have been if I read it silently. there were predictable moments as well as surprises. I hate torture and electric shock. both of these elements were in this book. I will still read book 3.