Rating: 
Summary: A fun fast read
Review: I had a great time reading "Open and Shut." Rosenfelt's characters are very likable and I enjoyed my time with them. They make mistakes and therefore even in their extraordinary circumstances are accessible and relatable. I'm looking forward to more from Rosenfelt...in the meantime, I think I'll read "Open and Shut" again--and will certainly recommend it to anyone who wants a good time with a book.
Rating: 
Summary: Just An Excellent Book
Review: I haven't enjoyed a book as much since I read Nelson De Mille's "Gold Coast". This author's tongue-in-cheek writing style reminded me of DeMille's. Rosenfelt is very active in Golden Retriever Rescue, and I commend him for including references to rescue dogs in his writing.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read!
Review: I just finished reading this book and wanted to let everyone know how much I enjoyed it. Besides the fact that I laughed out loud all through the book at Andy Carpenter, the main character, I found myself tearing through the book to see who did it, and why. I had ideas about who was connected, but couldn't put the whole thing together right away. So....read this book, it is a laugh and joy, and a good mystery.I don't think I'll wait for paper on Mr. Rosenfelt's next book!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Escape!
Review: I loved this book! Mr. Rosenfelt's book was fresh and fun; I could not put it down and read most of it in one day! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense novels. This will make a great Christmas gift. I cannot wait for Mr. Rosenfelt's next work of fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Let's See If I Remember This Correctly
Review: I read this book about two weeks ago, and it's one of those mystery-crime-court novels that are solidly entertaining while you read them, but are highly evanescent, vanishing quickly from memory like the remembrance of last night's supper. This is one of those typical court room mysteries that I am admittedly quite fond of. You know, the novel where the lawyer takes on an impossible-to-win case, wrings his hands for 100 or so pages, and then, with fingers crossed, enters the courtroom and the trial begins. We, the knowing readers, then read on patiently waiting for the surprise witness to come in and save the day. But, hey, its fun to see our hero lawyer make fools of the judge, the prosecutor, and most of the witnesses. That's what courtroom novels are all about, in my opinion. So here comes Andy Carpenter handling a client who has already been convicted, and is cooling his heels on death row. Do folks think that he has lost his mind for picking up this case? Well of course they do. And there are some folks who go beyond just thinking about it, and try some industrial strength techniques to get him to drop his client. Then there is the matter of Andy's father who dies and leaves him $22 million dollars. Where did dad get that kind of money? Dad mingled with some important, powerful people, and they seem to have taken a strange interest in this case. What's especially good about this formula story is that the author has a good sense of humor. There is a lot of witty dialogue mingled with the usual cunning courtroom antics, spots of violence, and, of course, a love interest. 'Open and Shut' is a cut above average. Good forensic fluff to while away an evening.
Rating:
Summary: Can't Put It Down
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I thought the humor was great and the story was good too. It's one of those "can't put it down" books.
Rating:
Summary: Once Open You Won't Shut this Novel until the Last Page
Review: I recently discovered the brilliance of Rosenfelt by stumbling across the sequel to this book First Degree and was instantly hooked. Note I did read that first so it does maybe taint my opinion of this book as certain key plot developments from this book were given away in First Degree so I would highly recommend reading Open and Shut first.
Open and Shut is a brilliant novel which introduces the sensational character Andy Carpenter. He is a fast mouthed, witty lawyer who talks to automated voices in lifts and carparks and always has some clever comeback to give acquaintances and those he has to deal with. Although I think the character is perfected in his next book, Andy Carpenter is still sensational in this one. He is very similar to Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar character. If you liked this novel check out that series, Myron is a version of Andy in the world of Sport Agents. Anyway back to this novel, Andy's father was a prosecutor and upon his death bed told Andy to look into a case where he successfully put away Willie Miller who is now on death row. Andy does and quickly learns there are lots of secrets by lots of evil men who do not look favourably at a retrial of the man they have framed. What follows is an enjoyable thrill ride where Rosenfelt balances the more interesting outside world with the courtroom resulting in a great read. Buy this and the sequel First Degree as well!
Rating:
Summary: Keep um coming...
Review: I've just completed David Rosenfelt's "debut" novel "Open and Shut"...and can't wait for the next one. I don't ordinarily read mysteries, but it was highly recommended by a friend. I read it in two days...it's a fun read --- the characters are very appealing, especially the central one - Andy Carpenter ...his wry sense of humor is right up my ally...it must be that Jersey thing. Imagine...an attorney with ethics! Keep um coming...
Rating:
Summary: A FIRST RATE first novel ...
Review: If this first novel is an indication of things to come from David Rosenfelt, I am indeed awaiting his next with great anticipation! I was immediately taken in by attorney, Andy Carpenter's, keen wit, humor & sarcasm. I found this book to be a very pleasurable read that kept me turning the pages. The dialogue is crisp and refreshing, as are the characters and suspenseful turns. If you are looking for something fresh in this genre, be sure to grab this one. Once you OPEN it, you won't want to SHUT it until you're done!
Rating:
Summary: fabulous legal thriller
Review: In New Jersey judicial circles, the name Nelson Carpenter is legendary as the former District Attorney earned the respect of the entire state. In Passaic County, Nelson's oldest born, defense attorney Andy Carpenter abuses that reputation that enables him to avoid contempt charges due to his questionable courtroom antics that irritate judges and prosecutors, but frees his clients. Nelson asks Andy to defend Willie Miller in the felon's appeal of a murder conviction that the older Carpenter prosecuted. Witnesses stated that they found the accused standing over the murdered corpse of Denise McGregor and Willie's fingerprints and blood were all over the murder weapon. When Nelson dies while attending a baseball game with Andy, the latter knows he must honor his father's last wish of him. As he begins to become more familiar with the Miller case, Andy is stunned to inherit a fortune and find a seemingly incriminating photo of his dad. Soon someone threatens to kill Andy if he insists on working the Miller appeal. OPEN AND SHUT is a fabulous legal thriller that is at its best when Andy stays on center stage as a loose cannon attorney. When the subplot involves Andy's personal relationships with his wife and his private investigator, it loses an edge though having the sleuth capable of kicking butt is a nice gender bender twist. Overall, the story line is fast-paced providing readers a thrilling ride through the New Jersey judiciary system. Jurors will discover David Rosenfelt's debut is quite appealing and sentence the author to providing more tales starring Andy. Harriet Klausner
| 
