Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
ACCLAIM FOR DAVID ROSENFELT’S NOVELS
“Riveting… No shaggy dog story, this puppy’s alive with reliable Rosenfelt wit and heart.”
“There is no way you can read this novel without becoming completely caught up in the story. As always, Andy’s offbeat, outspoken personality shines on every page, and the balance of humor and mystery is dead-on.”
“Enjoyable… Carpenter continues to amuse and engage.”
“The customary humor abounds in this entertaining novel.”
“A steadily absorbing journey through layers and layers of deceit.”
“A fun mystery novel… entertaining.”
– TheMysterySite.com
“Entertaining… witty… perfect.”
“Enjoyable… entertaining.”
“Rosenfelt is a very funny guy who’s got the gift of glib.”
“Rosenfelt adroitly mixes drama with humor… Those who like the added complexity of character-driven mysteries will find much to enjoy in this award-winning series.”
“Written with flair and humor… 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 hero, then there should be.”
“A terrific tale… Fans of the series will enjoy
“Witty… cleverly plotted… very enjoyable.”
“The author handles the material deftly, mixing humor and whodunit but never letting the comedy overwhelm the mystery.”
“Another touchdown!”
A
“Absolute fun… Anyone who likes the Plum books will love this book.”
– JANET EVANOVICH
“A clever plot and breezy style… absorbing.”
“Exudes charm and offbeat humor, sophistication, and personable characters.”
SELECTED AS ONE OF THE BEST MYSTERIES OF 2003 BY
“Entertaining… fast paced… sophisticated.”
– MARILYN STASIO,
“Suspense just where you want it and humor just where you need it.”
“Entertaining.”
EDGAR® AWARD NOMINEE
“Very assured… packed with cleverly sarcastic wit.”
“Splendid… intricate plotting.”
“A great book… one part gripping legal thriller, one part smart-mouth wise-guy detective story, and all-around terrific.”
– HARLAN COBEN, author of
“Engaging and likable… The action is brisk.”
New Tricks
Dead Center
Bury the Lead
Sudden Death
First Degree
Open and Shut
For Mike, whom I could never beat
at anything…
And for Rick, whom no one would
ever want to beat at anything.
I’m not a big fan of acknowledgment pages; most of the time I refuse to even acknowledge them. I especially hate when authors drop names of famous people as a way to impress the readers, and then go on to tell heartwarming little anecdotes to show how tight the author is with those bigshots.
Not me; that’s not what I’m about. I make my acknowledgments short and to the point, and I don’t go scrounging around for impressive names. I let my literary achievements do my showing off for me. If someone has been helpful or inspirational, I thank them… if not, I don’t. No one gets a free pass.
So, in no particular order, I would like to acknowledge…
Michael Jordan Bill Clinton
Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower Debbie Myers
Jonas Salk
Britney Spears
Clarence and Marlo Thomas Bob Castillo
Babe Ruth
Wolf Blitzer
Wolfman Jack
Stacy Alesi
Gandhi
Jessica and Homer Simpson Little Anthony and the Imperials Derek Jeter
Susan Richman
Wayne and Fig Newton Puff Daddy
My Daddy
My Mommy
Alex Trebek
Various Rosenfelts Golda Meir
The Barbara sisters: Bush, Streisand and Walters Nelson Mandela
Ozzie Nelson
Ozzy Osbourne
Les Pockell
Kevin Costner
Kevin Federline Robin Rue
