Sudden Death

The ending to this one sure was a surprise! I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, with football playing a large role in it. But the characters were as fun as always and the plot was more of a shock than usual. While I am looking forward to the next two books, the formula of the frame-up defense is wearing a little bit thin... I guess these books aren't really meant to be read back-to-back like this.

Another fun and fast-paced courtroom mystery from one of my favorite new authors. This one and First Degree are the best of the bunch. Some of the scenes in Sudden Death jumped out at me and caught me of guard. I love it when that happens in books. Doesn't happen enough.

I first read this as a library book. I keep getting it out and rereading it. It's probably time I bought a copy. It's witty, well plotted and over-all, a pleasure to read and reread and reread and ....

Sudden Death is the 4th book with Andy Carpenter. Andy is a lawyer, but he doesn't have to work because his father left him millions. Andy defends the star running back of the New York Giants, Kenny Schilling, for murder. The victim is Tony Preston a wide receiver for the New York Jets. You will find yourself laughing out loud. There are some sad moments in the book also. David Rosenfelt writes very witty books, and the Andy Carpenter books are the most enjoyable and entertaining books I have read in a long time.

When a mystery writer creates an engaging character with ample opportunity for enticing cases, a series is born and readers await with anticipation each new installment of crime solving. SUDDEN DEATH, by David Rosenfelt, is the fourth mystery that features Andy Carpenter as a crime-solving criminal defense attorney. Both Carpenter and Rosenfelt appear on the way to long and successful careers in the mystery business. Andy Carpenter has a luxury that most lawyers would love to possess. He inherited $22 million from his father, and that bankroll allows him the opportunity to pick not only his clients but his cases as well. In one of his earlier novels he successfully represented Willie Miller, wrongfully convicted of murder. Miller's release and subsequent civil suit continue to make everyone around Andy financially secure. That group includes Miller, Andy's secretary Edna, his associate Kevin Randall, and Laurie Collins, who serves as Carpenter's private investigator and love interest. As the novel opens, Carpenter and Miller are on their way to California to meet with movie producers to discuss a possible film surrounding Willie and his vindication. Prior to becoming an author, Rosenfelt had a career in Hollywood, and the opening scenes of SUDDEN DEATH are an entertaining and humorous look at the West Coast lifestyle. Soon after arrival the wining and dining commences, and within a day Andy and Willie are on a flight back to New Jersey speculating in their minds as to who will portray them in the movie that will chronicle their achievements. But before the casting call can begin, a new client needs Andy's services. Kenny Schilling is a star running back for the New York Giants. Andy meets his new client while he is barricaded in his home surrounded by police officers. Also inside the home is the corpse of Tony Preston, wide receiver for the New York Jets. The evidence appears overwhelming, but Carpenter finds other facts indicating that Schilling was framed. Of course the reader knows that Andy will establish his client's innocence, but how he accomplishes that task makes SUDDEN DEATH great mystery reading. Rosenfelt has two wonderful writing talents that serve him well in the mystery milieu. In addition to Andy Carpenter, a cast of quirky and interesting characters --- some previously introduced in the series, and some who make appearances only in this saga --- are portrayed. All of them are interesting individuals who add to the story and plot development. In SUDDEN DEATH Andy's girlfriend Laurie must decide whether she should return to her hometown to resume her law enforcement career. As both Andy and Laurie wrestle with that dilemma, so does the reader. Caring about characters is what distinguishes good mysteries from mediocre efforts. This series creates characters who readers genuinely care about. Rosenfelt's other ability comes in his creation of courtroom scenes. Many legal-related novels fall apart when they enter the courtroom. Fo