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| Plot Summary of First Degree |
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"
Mysterious, May 2003, 24.95, 230 pp.
ISBN: 0892967544
Paterson, New Jersey attorney Andy Carpenter enjoys the freedom of newly acquired wealth, though the accompanying fame from his previous OPEN AND SHUT CASE makes him a mark for every local felon in the city where Lou Costello was born. Still proving death row inmate Willie Miller innocent was quite a feat, but though bored and able to be selective in choosing whom he wants to represent, Andy selects no clients.
Everything changes when private investigator Laurie Collins informs Andy that someone decapitated and set on fire dirty Patterson cop Alex Dorsey. Laurie once worked for Alex and tried to get him kicked off the force for his illegal dealings, but failed. Many folks on both sides of the law had motive and means to viciously kill Dorsey. However, PPD finds staggering circumstantial evidence that clearly points towards Laurie as the killer. Now motivated to work the judicial system, Andy and his help chase down every lead regardless of how small, but they either turn out dead, dead ended, or find more proof that his beloved client murdered the deserving victim.
FIRST DEGREE is a tremendous legal thriller. This and his previous novel proves that David Rosenfelt is heading for a seat on the Supreme Court of sub-genre authors. The story line is fast-paced whether it is in the courtroom or on the street seeking clues. Even more important is his effortless switching between the legal machinations and the investigation. Still what makes this OPEN AND SHUT novel a winner is the strong, fully developed and personable cast who readers will like so they will root for a not guilty resolution.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of First Degree |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 70%
Misc. Murder Plotlets
- Proving innocence of very obvious suspect
Kind of investigator
- skilled citizen investigator
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Legal Thriller
Yes
Legal Plotlets
- finding out whether someone is really guilty
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- a lawyer creature
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- a little
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- police/lawman
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- revenge
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Northeast
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 1
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
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Click here for more information about this book
David Rosenfelt Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 liz doran
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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