Dead Center

By: David Rosenfelt

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

If there aren't any real-life lawyers as entertaining, as witty, and as willing to tilt at windmills as Andy Carpenter, Edgar-finalist Rosenfelt's engaging series hero, then there should be.

Carpenter, the Paterson, N.J., lawyer whose wealth allows him to work as seldom as he chooses, is recovering from the loss of the love of his life, Laurie Collins, who has moved home to Findlay, Wis., to become the acting chief of police. When Laurie calls Andy for help after arresting 21-year-old Jeremy Davidson for murders that she thinks he didn't commit, Andy can't resist heading off to Findlay with his faithful dog, Tara.

There's damning evidence against Jeremy, accused of killing two young women, one of whom he was romantically involved with. Andy is forced to pry into the closed society of Center City, home of the victims and a peculiar religious sect called the Centurions.

Dead Center is our Editors' Pick for Mysteries and Thrillers. Find out what else made Audible's Best of 2006 list.

©2006 David Rosenfelt (P)2006 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Finalist, Mystery, 2007

"Written with flair and humor, this is perfect light reading." (Publishers Weekly)
"Those who like the added complexity of character-driven mysteries will find much to enjoy in this award-winning series." (Booklist)
"Grover Gardner's narrative style is clear but low-key, a style that fits Andy Carpenter, Rosenfelt's series hero....His reading perfectly evokes the suspense and drama of a criminal investigation." (AudioFile)

Enjoyable

Although the story line deals with a relatively serious subject, Mr. Gardner once again punctuates the cleverly laced humor, enhancing my enjoyment of this selection.

Good listening

Really enjoy this author. The main character is very likeable, and the plots believable. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story.

Funny, PI-style story

What did you love best about Dead Center?

I'm very forgiving of narrators. For me, usually the story takes over and the quality of the narration fades into the background. I wasn't sure if this was going to happen in the case of 'Dead Center', though. Grover Gardner's reading is very dead-pan. Then, I 'got it'. This novel is your quintessential, cliche PI storyline but with a wealthy defence attorney as the main character. How could you have anything else but a dead-pan, almost monotone, narration? Even the characterisations of the other players in the story seem like he is poking fun at them. It is witty, self-depracating, sarcastic, funny and I chuckled out loud all the way through.

A light-hearted, entertaining listen. Typical of the genre, there is no huge depth to the plot but it did still keep me guessing with red herrings and twists. I was very pleasantly surprised by the experience and would recommend the listen. This is the fifth book in the Andy Carpenter series but the first of them available on Audible and can be enjoyed without having read the earlier books. In fact, I had no idea it was a series until I went looking for other titles by the author. I hope the others will be available on Audible soon, particularly as they are all read by Grover Gardner. I'll definitely be looking for them elsewhere in either print or audio.

What does Grover Gardner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The cliche PI-style monotone and the accent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Just okay...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This story was just okay-not suspenseful at all. Not humorous-I think I chuckled, barely, twice. Luckily it wasn't a long book.

Has Dead Center turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. Just one of those things that happens...

Which scene was your favorite?

None come to mind.

Was Dead Center worth the listening time?

Not for me.

Terrific wiseacre protagonist,read perfecty

If you could sum up Dead Center in three words, what would they be?

Funny, good characters.

Have you listened to any of Grover Gardner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

My first but not last.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reaction, bit it did make me laugh.

Any additional comments?

I got this from Audible promotion. No regrets.

Great

I love mysteries that put a little personal life in so the characters aren't so stiff, Tara the dog, and that he treats her better then most people he knows was great. His ying/yang on his love life. The mystery wasn't bad also.

Great Fun

What did you love best about Dead Center?

The main character is cheeky but appealing with his quirky sense of humor.

What did you like best about this story?

It isn't predictable, yet it is still believable.

What about Grover Gardner???s performance did you like?

A job well done.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The sweetness of the relationship developed along the way.

Andy in Wisconsin

This is a quick listen, throughly enjoyable and shows growth of the character Laurie. Her move from Jersey was sad, but the change in states refreshed Andy abit. I enjoy the Andy Carpenter series and I am glad that I started at the beginning. If you are a dog person, you will enjoy Andy's relationship with his dog Tara...who will live forever.

Another Great Entertaining Listen!

I love the Andy Carpenter books. They not only keep you guessing as to "who done it" but they are funny and entertaining to boot. Being a dog lover, I also love Tara's character; his description of her actions are so real you feel like you are there sitting on the couch with them. If you are looking for a fun, easy to listen to, entertaining book you simply can't go wrong with any of David Rosenfelt's books.

attorney detective with tons of humor and sarcasm

What did you love best about Dead Center?

the humor and sarcasm

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

yes very entertaining

Have you listened to any of Grover Gardner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

equal if not the very best

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the relationship building with Lori

Any additional comments?

plese keep them up i read all the works of both the author and the narrator