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First Degree  By  cover art

First Degree

By: David Rosenfelt
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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Publisher's summary

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)

Featured Article: The Best Cozy Mysteries to Keep You Warm This Holiday Season


We’ve rounded up a list of some of the best cozy mystery audiobooks to help brighten up your winter listening. Here you'll find contemporary and historical cozies, classic whodunits and ingenious heist stories. While varying in tone, plot, and setting, these picks all share an irresistible holiday atmosphere. You'll find snowstorms galore, bakeries full of tasty holiday treats, glittering get-togethers, and picturesque English villages decked out in their holiday finest.

What listeners say about First Degree

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

GreatBook

Thanks for an entertaining series. I can’t wait to hear more of these wonderful books

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Even better than the first one!

I have a huge crush on Andy! And Laurie! I laughed out loud so many times. It’s funny, but also has a great mystery side. I also cried! And his love for dogs just adds to it! Soooooo good!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book!

this is the second one of his I've listened to.! I'm hooked.! now to start a third one:)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent listen

All Andy Carpenter series books are great and worth the listen. I have listened to all books in the series and love them all. The mix of wit, humor and drama are excellent. Just carefull when listening while working out you may laugh while lifting.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • LB
  • 02-08-12

Wonderful smart-alecky story, excellent performanc

What did you love best about First Degree?

I read this series first, and now I am enjoying the audiobooks. The narrator does a good job of capturing the wise-cracking New Jersey protagonist without going overboard into unintelligibility.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Andy is a fantastic character, as lively as Spenser but without the violence and hyper-masculinity. He is as obsessed with his beloved as Spenser is about Susan, but Andy's best-beloved is his dog, Tara, who is vastly less annoying than Susan.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

A touch of Jersey, but not too much.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely delightful series!

This series is a gem! There is wit, laugh out loud one-liners, real development and depth of characters and an incredibly well crafted plot that IS a surprise.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a lawyer crime series that makes you laugh LOUDLY

I love these books. the caring and the off beat characters keep you entertained

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Awesome series

I love this book series. Grover Gardner is the perfect narrator. The stories always hold my attention. I like that it's not predictable.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An Author Who ONLY Writes What I Want To Read!

I love this author! David Rosenfelt wastes no time or words describing unnecessary minutia about the color of the drapes or the thickness of the carpeting or the architecture of a room. He writes about the things that are happening and the thought processes of the characters in the books he writes. That is what books are for. Not to waste a reader’s time and patience describing paint on the wall or the style of furniture in the room. He is a master at weaving his legal murder mysteries and bringing them to a satisfying conclusion. Don’t skip any in these series as they constantly refer to their predecessors. Enjoy!

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