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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
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    4 out of 5 stars

Not as good as the first but...

I loved it but must admit that it was not as funny and humorous as the first.

Still a very good read.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Andy to the Rescue

Would have preferred a bit more of the law and less of the mystery. Still, I enjoyed following the trail.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Love these

These are great books - I find them humorous- they make me laugh and I enjoy the story lines

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Funny but gritty

Reminds me of a Janet Evanavich book but with more grit and a deeper voice! Excellent!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Totally hooked.

The Andy Carpenter series is sharp, funny and addictive. The pace of the story and the humor keeps you wanting more.

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

Love Grovers voice in the background of my day.

Grover knows how to articulate a tail and David delivers the humor and suspense to my day. Highly recommend series

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

very entertaining

Grover Gardner and David Rosenfelt are an excellent team. The writing is funny in a consistent way and the reader sells it just right. This is not great literature, as I am sure the author would be the first to admit, but you will have infinitely more fun with it than with 100 famous books one could name. The entire series is entertaining, and, even if you aren't a dog lover, even the dog is a vivid character. It doesn't matter that you know Andy Carpenter will win in the end and get the girl, it's the ride that counts, and this is one I'll be happy to take again, ASAP.

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21 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

A lot of fun.

Memorable characters, easy to root for, and well suited to the narrator. Written in a glib, fast-moving first person.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Always a joy!

It's always a pleasure to listen to Grover Gardener reading David Rosenfelt's work. Gardener completely captures the "North Jersey" accent and tempo reflected in Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series, and Rosenfelt's stories are always the perfect mix of humor, mystery, and heart. I listen to a wide variety of books, but I always come back to Rosenfelt, Gardener, and Andy Carpenter (and Tara!) when I just want to listen to something I *know* I'll enjoy.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Absolutely loved it!!!

Funny and thrilling! I really enjoyed it. I will be looking at more books in this series. Great!!

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