Bury the Lead

Andy Carpenter is my ideal man: funny, loves sports, smart, caring, rich :). Love reading this series of books and especially like trying to guess who the "bad guy" is...even when I figure out, it does not matter, the fun is in the journey.

The ease in which David Rosenfelt slides in the satriical humor throughout the telling of his story and yet keeps the focus on the telling of the story is absolutely amazing! This is the fourth Andy Carpenter novel that I have read; won't get tired of them any time soon. Hope that Rosenfelt keeps them coming!

This prolific author is an excellent writer. The series including his dog, Tara, are really good. Kind of lite-wt, with a dash of humor that makes it hard to put down. If you're burned out, or just don't like the graphic detrective stories, thia is the book for you. the store.com is my favorite bookstore.

This whole series is great. I find myself chuckling at Andy's humor all the time. Very good story lines and an attorney character you can actually like. I highly recommend the whole series. I think I'm on number 4 or 5 now. But I do recommend you read them in order to get to see how the characters evolve. Each story or case is different, but the players are pretty much the same. Even some nice-not-naughty romance going on.

Women are getting murdered and their hands are cut off. The serial killer has been calling reporter, Daniel Cummings, and giving him the information which he writes about. Vince, the owner of the newspaper where Daniel works, hires his friend, Andy, in case they need legal representation. When the latest victim is killed, Daniel is found near the body and arrested for her murder. It doesn't help that this victim had ties to the mob or that the victims' clothes and hands were found in Daniel's possession. Andy now has to defend Daniel, even though he has his doubts that Daniel is actually innocent.

This is the third book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it. I liked the writing style as it was funny, sarcastic and amusing. It was written in first person perspective in Andy's voice. It is the third in the Andy Carpenter series (and the third I've read) and it works as a stand alone (so you don't need to have read the first one to know what is going on).

I like Andy. He's smart and shifty and recognizes his weaknesses. He loves his dog, Tara. In fact, he and Willie, a former client, have created a dog rescue which Willie runs full-time. Andy gets help from Laurie, his investigator and girlfriend, Kevin, his associate who also owns/runs a laundramat, and Marcus, an investigator with persuasive reasoning skills.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2015/10/book-bury-lead-2005-david-rosenfelt.html

This is Andy Carpenter’s third New Jersey lawyer-comedy and it is fun with a few plot twists to keep things interesting. Andy is aided by his girlfriend (and PI) Laurie Collins and hypochondriac Kevin Randall, a fellow lawyer. As always, Tara, the golden retriever, is part of the scene.

Daniel Cummings, a local reporter, has been chosen by a serial killer to announce his ‘successes’ to the police and his readers. Unfortunately for Daniel, he becomes the main serial killer suspect when the police find out that Daniel’s wife was murdered a few years earlier.

One of Andy’s friends asks him to defend Daniel and of course Andy is reluctant. Eventually, Andy and his team are convinced of Daniel’s innocence and accept the case.

This is a short, lightweight novel with a casual style; Andy doesn’t take life (or himself) too seriously. 3.5 stars

For those readers that have read Andy Carpenter novels, this one has all the same elements. Andy is faced with defending a seemingly "doomed" client charged with murder and with nothing to go on as far as a defense. All the usual characters are present; including Laurie his girlfriend (and his private investigator), Kevin who runs the laundromat, Marcus the unstoppable bodyguard and investigator and of course Tara the dog.

Like all other books in the series before and since what makes this book work is Andy's first person narration and usual side comments that usually mean the opposite of what he actually says out loud. In this one a reporter has been contact by a serial killer who tells him about murders he has committed and some he is committing. The reporter becomes a type of celebrity because everyone wants to read his column. Eventually, something happens to make the police believe that the reporter is in fact the serial killer. They do not believe him that the killer told him all the details he knows, but that he actually did the killings.

Enter Andy and his team to the rescue. As Andy gets more involved he finds that the case may lead to Dominic Petrone (the recurring Mafia Don in these books) and that Andy could put his own life in jeopardy if he says too much.

I would have rated this book higher but it had one of those endings where when everything is resolved it is just too far-fetched. Also, the book is very short (I read it in one sitting). A fun read nonetheless.

Andy Carpenter is a wise-cracking defense attorney who takes on cases to defend hopeless cases- where the prosecution has mountains of evidence, and have their cases already won before even entering the courtroom. The humorous quips and comments that Andy makes in all situations has the reader laughing out loud, frequently. However, this 3rd novel in the series makes the premise seem a bit formulaic. How will Andy get his seemingly guilty client off the hook? The quips and wry observations occur much less frequently, and some of the fun has left the series for me. The ending was definitely a surprise, though, but many minor characters seem to take on more significance in the resolution of the crimes. I think I'll take a short rest from the series, in the hopes that the next volume will seem fresh again after a breather.

Andy Carpenter is a bit bored. Sure he has football on the tube and Tara, the wonder dog extraordinaire, by his side. Then there is Laurie the love of his life. And of course, the fact that he has a cool 22 million in the bank does not hurt either. But, Andy Carpenter is a lawyer and a bored lawyer is never a good thing. What he needs to pull him out of his boredom kicking and screaming is a really good murder and a client to defend on the charge.

He gets that when his "friend" (if one uses the term loosely as he points out) newspaper owner Vince Sanders asks him to represent the paper on a consulting basis. One of the reporters, Daniel Cummings, is being used by a serial killer as a conduit to the police in order to taunt them and further terrorize the population of Paterson, New Jersey and the surrounding area. Vince is uncomfortable that his paper is becoming part of the story as the killer keeps calling Cummings and giving him exclusive details including such things as where the bodies, missing their hands, can be found. Andy agrees to keep an eye on things as Vince asks.

Which gets very complicated very fast when Cummings is found at the scene of the latest murder claming to have been lured there by the killer and then knocked unconscious. This time the victim is a high profile woman by the name of Linda Padilla who among other things, was planning to run for Governor and had a real shot at winning. Before long, it is clear that Cummings knows far more than he ever said, has lied about what he did say, and has created a heck of a mess for himself. Arrested and charged with murder, Cummings is faced with a trial in court and in the media with the odds stacked against him and Andy Carpenter on his side.

This is the third book of the series and continues the author's tradition of providing an enjoyable, albeit not deep, murder mystery read. This book and the series is certainly not chick lit for men (see the Mack Bolan series for that) and character development remains limited as does character insight. In this case it revolves around the fact that Laurie never brings up the idea of marriage something all women from birth are genetically programmed to do. For Andy, who knows they can't help themselves, the fact that Laurie remains silent on the subject drives Andy nuts and this internal dialogue provides much of a secondary storyline for the novel.

Mixed in with mystery and the resulting trial are the occasional humorous comments about the state of the world today. As in other books in the series, the mystery itself is complicated and there are a few twists along the way to keep the reader guessing. At the same time, the twists are limited in scope and not that much of a surprise to reader who have read extensively in the mystery genre.

In short, this novel and series compares favorably to the recent works of Stuart Woods featuring Stone Barrington. Lightweight mysteries where most survive, the bad guys are vanquished, but Andy is a more humble and fun character.

Book Facts:

Bury The Lead

By David Rosenfelt

[...]

Mysterious Press

[...]

2004

ISBN # 0-89296-782-X

Hardback

$24.00 US

Kevin R. Tipple © 2005

David Rosenfelt made a mid-course career change a couple of years ago, jumping from his position as marketing president of Tri-Star Pictures to writing screenplays and novels. It's the latter with which we are concerned here, of course, and it gives us the opportunity to discuss Andy Carpenter, Rosenfelt's fictional creation and the be-all and end-all for his three novels, of which BURY THE LEAD is the latest. Carpenter is a defense attorney, and while he is a bit of a wise guy, he is also one of the more endearing characters in courtroom fiction.
Carpenter is the type of guy who one tends to underestimate. He has a bunch of quirky friends and spends his weekends watching football games (and sustaining occasionally heavy gambling losses on them). His girlfriend, Laurie, is a former police officer, unbelievably low maintenance, and much, much better than Carpenter deserves (believe me, I know the feeling). Carpenter is also in a unique position. While he has an enviable string of acquittals, he is also the beneficiary of a $22 million bequest, which permits him to be what I guess one would call a gentleman lawyer, picking and choosing his cases at will.
His money hasn't gone to his head, however. Carpenter uses his windfall to fund an animal shelter and continues to live in Paterson, New Jersey, which, while not as bad as its reputation might suggest, is more a place where one is from, rather than a place where one currently resides. Yet the beginning of BURY THE LEAD, interestingly enough, finds Carpenter somewhat vaguely dissatisfied with himself. Carpenter, it seems, needs to do some real work, as in trial work.
Notwithstanding this early mid-life crisis, Carpenter is less than thrilled when his friend, Vince Sanders, a local newspaper publisher, hires him to keep Daniel Cummings, Sanders's star reporter, out of trouble. There's a serial killer operating in the North Jersey area and he has chosen Cummings to be his public messenger. When Cummings is found unconscious near the killer's latest victim, however, things take a turn for the worse. It is Cummings who is charged with the murder --- and all of the evidence in the case points directly to him as the killer.
Carpenter suddenly finds himself back in court, trying desperately to defend a client who appears to be indefensible. Marcus Clark, the taciturn private investigator with the somewhat unorthodox methods, is there to help, as is Laurie and Kevin Randall, Carpenter's somewhat nervous law firm associate. Carpenter needs these folks, especially when he finds himself on the receiving end of some death threats. When the case against his client takes an unexpected turn, Carpenter finds himself involved in a case that is much, much bigger --- and much more dangerous --- than he ever could have imagined.
It is to Rosenfelt's great credit that he has with Andy Carpenter created a character who does not fit neatly into the stereotypical model of courtroom fiction defense attorneys. While some of Carpenter's trappings are a bit unusual, his core character is extremely believable. If you have not acquainted yourself with Carpenter and Rosenfelt, now is the time to do so, and BURY THE LEAD is the perfect excuse.
--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

snarky, lawyers, murder, mystery, suspense, twisty

The defense lawyer, the crazed killer, the mob boss, and a whole lot of twists and surprises. Just when things look beyond bad, they take a turn for the worst. Just when you think you know the answers, the questions change. A good read!

I 'discovered' David Rosenfelt about 4 months ago and I have thoroughly enjoyed his books. His writing style is easy to read and often I have found myself laughing out loud.

'Bury the Lead' is not his best work, but it is enjoyable nonetheless. As others have noted, it centers around a journalist that has been receiving tips on murders. The killer (a brutal serial killer that kills his target and then removes the hands of the victim) calls the journalist and tells him about the murder and where the body is...

The Journalist is soon implicated as the actual murder. The police believe that the journalist, Daniel Cummings, faked the phone calls and has actually been behind the murders. Cummings boss, Vince, at the newspaper is a friend of our hero, Andy Carpenter. Carpenter is asked to defend Cummings.

The book had a predictable feel to it for the first half. Rosenfelt has a couple of staples to these three Andy Carpenter books--Andy likes football a lot, he loves his dog Tara, and he is in love with his girlfriend Laurie. Though some of it feels like you have already read it, Rosenfelt has a way to still make it feel enjoyable.

The second half of the book had some unexpected twists and turns. I actually found myself rather surprised at some of the twists and turns. I have been impressed also how Rosenfelt is willing to lose a character (thru death) or to put a character in a rough dangerous position as often as Rosenfelt does and I think that is a plus to his books. The changeup (a baseball metaphor to go with all of Carpenter's football metaphors) is welcomed in this book and it helps keep me the reader a little off balance.

The book is also rather short compared to a lot of other thrillers out there and can be read at a rather quick pace. I liked this latest book and like usual, I will be waiting for his next novel.

Rosenfelt has brought back Andy Carpenter from his sensational novels Open and Shut and First Degree but has left behind the character traits that made those books such exciting fast paced and enjoyable reads. You think legal thriller or courtroom drama and the word boring usually comes to mind but Rosenfelt found the balance between court room chapters and the more exciting outside world for events to happen without losing substance in his previous stories. In Open and Shut and First Degree Andy Carpenter is a funny extremely likeable character, sort of like Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar character, where Carpenter has to think on his feet to avoid either being killed, beaten up or outplayed in the courtroom making wisecracks at his opponents along the way. Unfortunately in Bury the Lead Carpenter has lost his quick wit and is in fact now a pretty boring character which makes Bury the Lead a bit of an effort to stick with and get through.

In Bury the Lead Andy Carpenter is asked by his friend and newspaper owner Vince Sanders to legally protect his paper and his star reporter Daniel Cummings from the fact that a serial killer is using Cummings as his mouth piece to the world. Dragged early from an airport pickup Carpenter finds Cummings in the company of police officers who found him unconscious in a park with the freshest victim and naturally think he is more than just the killer's mouthpiece.

Another light, fun mystery. This series is light and playful, which is amazing, given the number of brutal murders that occur. Andy is a clever lawyer surrounded by great supporting characters and always with a generous amount of humor built into the Tory. On to book 4.

Third in the Andy Carpenter, defense lawyer in New Jersey series. When a serial killer begins calling a local newspaper reporter with details of the killings, the city is in thrall watching the story unfold. When the reporter is found at the scene of the fourth victim with a head injury, the apparent victim of the killer, things get tense. When it's learned that the murdered woman is a high-powered political watchdog, and some of the reporter's statements don't ring true, he's suddenly arrested for her murder, and Andy's on board as his defense attorney.

Although I am not a fan of "lawyer books" or courtroom dramas in general, I really like this series! The book is well-plotted with plenty of twists, turns and red herrings, although I have to admit I had one of those "that's the bad guy!" moments when the person in question was introduced, I had no idea how or why the killings were done, and I doubted my gut feeling a few times along the way. You gotta read to the end of these books, that's for sure! Well done.

I just started reading the Andy Carpenter Series recently and I can't put them down. I have always loved courtroom drama but these have so much excitement and more important humor they are great. David Rosenfelt's use of humor makes this a wonderful suspenseful series. I am on book number 6 and I can't believe I had never heard of him before. He is one of my favorite authors now! I only suggest you read the series from the beginning because the characters will make more sense and you will come to know them as family. LOVED this book!

I have really gotten hooked on this series...the writing is funny and stories usually pretty good. Of course there is much repetition in the plot, i.e. never a chance of winning the case, but always does! Some danger to himself , Andy the lawyer, and often unexpected danger to other main characters!! But if you want an easy read, with lots of funny asides, this is your book. Also if you're a dog lover, you'll like Andy!!!

David Rosenfelt's "Bury the Lead" features New Jersey criminal defense attorney, Andy Carpenter, a man who is independently wealthy, thanks to a substantial inheritance. Although he is a capable lawyer, Andy admits that he is a bit of a wimp. For instance, Andy's girlfriend, Laurie, a former cop, can easily disarm a hardened criminal while Andy stands by carrying her purse. However, what Andy lacks in machismo, he makes up for in sardonic humor and legal savvy.

As a favor to a friend, Andy takes the case of Daniel Cummings, a newspaper reporter who is suspected of brutally killing and mutilating a series of women while pretending to be the killer's confidante and liaison. Cummings passionately proclaims his innocence even though there is enough physical evidence to earn him a seat on Death Row. Andy rallies his troops, including Laurie, Marcus, a powerfully built investigator with a frightening demeanor, Andy's associate, Kevin, and computer hacker, Sam, to find exculpatory evidence that will bolster the defense's case.

Andy fights valiantly in the courtroom against Tucker Zachry, an ambitious and high-powered prosecutor, but he soon realizes that unless he comes up with something new, his client will be convicted. In the course of his investigation, Andy meets some intimidating members of the New Jersey mob, including a savage hit man, and he soon deeply regrets his complete lack of fighting expertise. "Bury the Lead" is filled with deliciously sarcastic riffs on everything from the stupidity of skydiving and the inscrutability of women to the state of nirvana that can be reached by watching endless games of football while petting one's beloved dog. There is also a sweet subplot about Andy's growing attachment to Laurie, who shows few signs of wanting to make their relationship permanent.

David Rosenfelt knows how to effectively balance comedy and tragedy. Although this book is laugh-out-loud funny, the mystery is not only deadly serious, but also complex, intriguing and unpredictable. "Bury the Lead" is that rare legal thriller that is amusing, stylish, and compulsively readable.

Andy Carpenter is a politically-correct (except when it comes to sports and vegetarianism) yuppie lawyer who runs a rescue mission for dogs and dates a woman who can beat him up. He doesn't practice much law, only handling cases that interest him. He can do this because he's independently wealthy, having come into some $22,000,000.00 through no fault of his own.

As Andy whiles away the hours doing whatever he pleases, a serial killer stalks the women of his community, strangling them, taking their clothing, and cutting off their hands. When a local reporter gets arrested for the murders on seemingly ironclad evidence, Andy takes the case as a favor to a friend. Aided by an ensemble cast of recurring characters (this is the third book in a series), Andy seeks to free his client, find the real killer, and watch as much football as possible. The plot takes a number of Byzantine twists and culminates in a climax which is something of a mixture of Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler.

The writing is brisk and immediate, being done in the first person and the present tense; the humor is fast-paced; and the courtroom narrative is completely out of touch with reality. During the trial, which begins with the prosecutor giving an opening statement that should have resulted in a mistrial, Andy spends almost as much time watching sports and cavorting with friends as he does defending his client. Despite the author's apparent unfamiliarity with the inside of a courtroom, the plot sweeps you along to the deus ex machina climax.

I could not help but compare this mystery to John Maddox Roberts' SPQR series. Roberts brings Ancient Rome to life, Rosenfelt does the same for present-day Patterson, New Jersey. Roberts surrounds his protagonist with an ensemble of remarkable, interesting characters, Rosenfelt surrounds his protagonist with an ensemble of remarkably shallow characters. Roberts' plots begin slow and accelerate to a breakneck pace and an exciting conclusion, likewise for Rosenfelt. Lurking in the background of Roberts' stories are the Machiavellian Julius Caesar and Pompey, the mob boss Dominic Patron does the same for Rosenfelt's story. I prefer Roberts' Ancient Rome to Rosenfelt's Patterson, New Jersey, but I find Andy Carpenter sufficiently interesting to want to read the rest of the series.

Excellent suspense with plenty of Andy's brand of humor to ease the tension now and then. I recently discovered this series and have started at book one, intending to read them in order and watch the character development in the master hands of the author. This is book three and worth your time even if you don't want to read the whole series.

Come on-who wants a story where everything and everybody is perfect. Stale characters and predictable outcome. This was the first book by Rosenfelt that I read and I'm not that impressed. Too much telling and not enough showing-this is taught in writing 101. Who cares that Andy watches football all day-does he ignore his dog while he sits on a couch. I will go back and read his first book. BUT-when you scream at a book as you are reading about how lame the prose is-that's not a good sign.

This series is a quick, easy read. The character is wealthy and does not need to represent anyone, but he gets bored sometimes and takes a case or as in this situation takes one to help a friend. He is very witty and fun to read. His supporting characters include a dog which always is a plus for me. He also owns half a dog rescue operation which is another plus. He has a lover who lives in part of the week and they are both happy with that arrangement. the courtroom scenes are interesting and the stories have twists and no loose ends. Good series.

Rosenfelt succesfully follows up his first two novels, Open And Shut and First Degree, with Bury The Lead. Rosenfelt has become one of the freshest voices among today's mystery writers due to his ability to provide interesting plots, credible courtroom drama, lots of humor and well-developed major and minor characters. Andy Carpenter, the main character who is a wise-cracking suburban New Jersey defense attorney, is one that stays in your mind even after you finish the book and is one that I'm looking forward to 'hang out' with in his future legal adventures. Plus, his dog, Tara, is one I wish I had. The only factor that keeps me from giving Bury The Lead a 5-star rating is being able to guess who the murderer is a bit too easily; although figuring out the motive for the murders will, I think, keep you guessing. Despite this very minor criticism I highly recommend Bury The Lead when you're in the mood for a fast-paced, easy read. However, you might want to first consider reading Open And Shut and First Degree, which I think will further your appreciation of Bury The Lead.

I am slowly reading the Andy Carpenter books as I like the humor and easy read. Andy loves for dogs is shown throughout the series. I like is feelings about working. Marcus is an interesting character as all of them. In this case a serial killer is killing woman and cutting their hands off. Andy's client is the son of his friend Vince. Exploring the events Andy's team began to find some strange things happening. The ending will surprise you as it did me.

The women in North Jersey are panicking because a serial killer is on the loose, a sociopath who strangles women from behind with a scarf and then cuts off their heads. His victims have been an elderly grandmother, a prostitute and a businesswoman. A reporter on Patterson's local newspaper Daniel Cumming is the only person who the killer communicates with and he has become a part of the story as much as he reports it.
Daniel's editor, Vince Sanders, is overjoyed because the circulation of the paper is rising at a fantastic rate but something is bothering him so he calls lawyer Andy Carpenter to represent the paper and Daniel. When the killer informs Daniel where to find the next victim, he races to the area but he gets hit on the head and loses consciousness. When he awakens the police treat him like a suspect and after they find two hands and scarves with blood on it, they arrest Daniel. Vince begs Andy to represent his reporter and he acquiesces even though he isn't sure Daniel is innocent.
There are many surprising twists in this exciting legal thriller which the author handles with panache and a sense of stark realism. The characters are off beat originals especially the protagonist who has inherited $22 million dollars yet his idea of a good time is spending a day watching football, playing with his dog and having fun with his significant other. He is a high profile lawyer who usually wins cases but this one means calling in favors. The ending is a surprise that readers will think about for a long time.
Harriet Klausner

One of my favorites from this series. It really kept me guessing all the way through. While I always enjoy the characters in this series, the mystery is what pushed this over the top for me. Excellent!

Three women in the New Jersey are brutally murdered, strangled, with their hands cut off to further complicate the crime scene. The murderer has chosen a journalist, Daniel Cummings, as his contact, refusing to communicate with anyone else. Cummings acts as a liaison with the police until the last murder, when the journalist is arrested, charged with the killings and without an alibi.
Against his better judgment, attorney Andy Carpenter agrees to defend Cummings, even in the face of damning physical evidence. The case has all the earmarks of defeat, as Carpenter struggles with complex clues that lead directly back to Cummings. Sure, lawyer Andy Carpenter is rich enough to pick his cases and glib enough to offer a smart remark in every other paragraph, but I wasn't riveted by this mystery. An eccentric group of characters from ex-cons to hookers and mob figures spice up the menu, but Rosenfelt uses humor in an avoidance of a tight and suspenseful story.
There is a following for this writer's work; readers who enjoy the recent James Patterson novels, for instance, will enjoy this author. It's a matter of personal taste. Although I didn't find Bury the Lead particularly suspenseful, many readers will enjoy the caustic remarks that are Carpenter's penchant. Luan Gaines/2004.

Andy Carpenter is a criminal defense lawyer. A rich one, by way of inheritance. A serial killer - identified as such on his second murderer - is "terrorizing" New Jersey. Carpenter is retained by the editor of the local paper because one of his reporters has been chosen as the "messenger" of the serial killer. Daniel Cummings, the intrepid reporter, is discovered at the scene of the latest murder, promptly arrested, indicted and brought to trial. Andy Carpenter, uncertain of his client's guilt or innocence, must defend him.

Ho hum. Rosenfelt engages in one surprise plot twist after another in an attempt to breathe life into his story. It doesn't work. I derived no excitement from this tale because the surprises were simply too convenient, too clearly nothing but inventions existing only to push the story forward.

Rosenfelt isn't a bad writer. Andy Carpenter has a bit of life to him, but he's no one I missed after reading the last page. The other characters are paper-thin.

On the whole, not an awful read, but not a very engaging one either.

Jerry

This is the third in David Rosenfelt's series, and it is just as enjoyable as the first two.

Andy Carpenter is a great narrator if you're looking to be entertained, and don't give a hoot about what each person is wearing, how the food the characters are eating is prepared, or what the decor of a room looks like. The text is lean and humorous, and the story twisted enough to keep you guessing a little bit, while not so twisted that the experienced mystery reader will have trouble finding the clues.

Kudos to Mr. Rosenfelt for another engaging entry, and bravo for keeping the book under 300 pages. Not every book needs to be lengthy, especially when it is as entertaining as this one.