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)

What a Hoot!

I loved this book! This is my first exposure to David Rosenfelt and I love him! I plan on listening to the others Audible has (Audible please get more!) and reading the rest in hard copy. This has to be the first time I've laughed out loud so many times in my car while listening to a book. VERY funny! The plot is also interesting. I highly recommend this one - a light, funny, who-done-it read. Get it!

summer fun

This book is a treat for those who love dogs, mysteries, humor, and clever antecdotes. I felt immediately connected to Andy and his wisdom and humanity. I love the dog as well. Bravo!

Great Fun!

I loved this book. My husband and I both laughed out loud at the main character's thoughts and humorous comments. It was also a good story and keeps your attention throughout.

Surprising find

A fine audiobook. Glad I downloaded it. I suppose I should have started with the first book of the series but I didn't have too much trouble figuring out the characters. I'm interested in the rest of the series now. Fantastic narration by Grover Gardener. He really nailed it.

Great Story, Funny Style, Super Reader

This was my first Rosenfelt book, but the combination of a good plot, funny style, and just the right reader, make this book interesting and enjoyable. The author sees the world through a different filter than ordinary folks. I'm downloading another of Rosenfelt's next.

Fabulous

Absolutely fabulous! Witty characters and great story line.

Great Series

David Rosenfelt's character, Andy Carpenter is wonderful. This lawyer/investigator/detective is clever and amusing. The interpretation by reader Grover Gardner is outstanding. Between the drama, chuckles,thrills, and semi frustrated romantic interests, one can't stop listening. The cast of regular characters is unforgettable and, thankfully, Rosenfelt cleverly weaves them into each story in the series. Perhaps most reassuring, Carpenter's neuroses are steadied by his faithful Lab, Tara.

Great Book

I thought this book was great listen couldn't stop. I would give it 5 stars but Im not a big dog lover so I really didn't care for all the commentaries about the dog. The dog portion was a bit too Anthropomorphic for my tastes.

However the naration and story was well constructed and the character was very funny.

Annoying Humor, Groundless Story

Perhaps it was the reader, but I hate a book drowning in sarcasm. The mystery was a silly as the humor.

Dead Center

I just finished reading this and found I still had a smile on my which is a tribute to the author and the narrator.
This book is extremely well written, funny, serious and thoughtful all in one. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will look for more from this author.

There's a new man in my life ...

Meet Andy Carpenter. A lawyer who accidently becomes a millionaire, he likes living in Jersey, eating junk food, drinking in the same bar with the same friends and watching sports. Sounds like a nightmare? No way. Andy also saves abandoned dogs and is romantic enough to leave the mean streets of Jersey for rural midwest Ohio when the love of his life needs him. Grover Gardiner as reader is a bonus, his deadpan delivery of the one liners and self deprecating humour a delight. This is definitely a new man in my life and I want to get to know him better.

Shame about the narrator

Goodish book but the narrator's droll is rather dire and although he is reading it as I am sure the writer wanted it just adds to the monotony. Rather slow paced and this makes it drag.