Down to the Wire

Whether it's a stand alone book or another in the Andy Carpenter series, David Rosenfelt never fails to entertain me or hold my interest. Chris Turley comes alive in "Down to the Wire" and you'll keep the pages turning to see what happens. I am also looking forward to the release of "Dog Tags" with Andy Carpenter and his dog, Tara. I love this series!

This book is the personification of a page turner. Be prepared to push everything else to the side for David Rosenfelt has crafted an impeccable thriller. All the other reviewers have appropriately detailed the story and suspense. My hope is that Mr. Rosenfelt continues to write stand alone thrillers in addition to the wonderful Andy Carpenter series.

I received this book in the mail when I got home tonight and started reading it right away. It is now 1:44AM and I knew I shouldn't have started it until this weekend because I never can put David Rosenfelt's books down till I finish them. So many twists and turns..I had no idea who was responsible until I was told. Thank you again and I really don't mind not getting much sleep tonight! Please read. You will not be disappointed!

David Rosenfelt has earned a well-deserved reputation as a splendid writer of crime fiction - with seven previous books to his credit. All but one of these books feature Andy Carpenter - the maverick, irreverent, sports-loving lawyer who represents assorted odd defendants and, in the process, solves crimes. A hallmark of the Andy Carpenter books is Mr. Rosenfelt's wry sense of humor; there's a laugh on almost every page. But Mr. Rosenfelt has also demonstrated his ability to write crime fiction of a different sort. Andy Carpenter and his lovable Golden Retriever are nowhere to be found in this second, and newest, stand-alone, "Down to the Wire." But Rosenfelt fans will shed no tears - this new book is a tightly-written, well-told story, featuring a likeable and sympathetic newspaper reporter matching wits with a smart and methodical stone-cold killer who is always one step ahead of his pursuers. There are a lot of twists, turns and surprises, in a combination that will keep the reader in rapt attention from beginning to end. A characteristic of Mr. Rosenfelt's books is that he expends few words describing the color of the sky or the hue of the protagonists' clothing. But not to worry - his books, including this one, provide a good sense of place. The characters, too, are nicely defined and, for the most part, are people we can relate to. "Down to the Wire" is a thoroughly enjoyable book, and a must-read for crime fiction buffs.

Rosenfelt's thriller is immensely engaging, a young reporter on the scent of one great story after another, as Chris Turley's otherwise unimpressive byline suddenly gains national cachet. But over time and at the expense of many innocent victims, a more heinous plot evolves. None of the shocking events that will rivet the country's attention on New Jersey have yet occurred when Turley receives a tip that puts him in position to break a major news story in New Jersey, the bombing of a medical building. A second tip leads to headlines of a political scandal, yet another coup for Turley, son of a famous journalist who was more iconic hero than loving father. The last thing Chris wants is to follow in his father's footsteps. Then a third incident- the discovery of the body of a missing man- not only puts Chris in the spotlight once more, but leads him to suspect the informant, PT, has an agenda of his own, with Chris a critical component. The protagonist is likable, irreverent, possessing just enough confidence and self-doubt to make him the perfect vehicle for the revenge of a twisted mind. Blending old-time reportage with the advances of technology and the usual bureaucratic snarls of state vs. federal law enforcement agencies, Rosenfelt crafts a thoroughly chilling tale, more dead bodies piling up as Chris finds himself the star of the meticulously plotted scheme of a perverse psychopath. The author deftly avoids the pitfalls of predictability, sidestepping the obvious clichés, twisting and turning characters and motives in a mad pursuit that leaves the killer on top and Chris dancing to his every tune. Even law enforcement has a personal face, lending emotional nuance to a manhunt that is thwarted at every turn and better than most. All the world is a stage in Bergen, New Jersey, as a young reporter is thrust into public awareness by his proximity to a killer, but the thrill quickly wears off as random victims die and the final resolution puts the lives of thousands at stake. Written with gritty energy, Rosenfelt's style is more pragmatic than outrageous, more ironic than cynical, as one man holds the country hostage to his demands. Down to the Wire is a thriller worth the read. Luan Gaines/2010.