First Degree

David Rosenfelt's debut novel, Open and Shut, was nominated for the Edgar and Shamus awards and was widely praised by listeners and critics. Rosenfelt returned with this riveting mystery, First Degree, featuring irreverent and dynamic lawyer Andy Carpenter.

When a policeman'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 private investigator, Laurie Collins, who happens to be the love of his life.

Soon Laurie is 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.