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Andy Carpenter #5
Dead Center
In Dead Center, we find our beloved Andy carpenter reentering the dating scene ? God Bless him. Surprisingly he's a hot commodity, but that's not necessarily a good thing. His friends are offering up their two cents on his dating life, but of course they know as little about the dating world as Andy. One thing that rings true, whether the ladies he meets are terrific or not, is that the spectra of his longtime love Laurie hangs over his head. Bitter over her departure, he's finding it hard to forgive and forget. She's still the love of his life. Andy's had no contact with her at all, and he can only assume she is back in Findlay, Wisconsin serving in the number two jo on the local police force. Then one day he returns to the office to find Laurie waiting for him. She's arrested a young man for murder and though the evidence clearly called for his arrest, she believes he's innocent. He's the son of her oldest friend and she's come to Andy to find him representation. Andy follows Laurie back to Wisconsin where he must explore a secretive religious community that seems to hold the truth about what really happened to the deceased.
8 pages, Audio CD
First published February 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 600 reviews
November 19, 2017
Thrills, chills, kills, humour, and a Golden Retriever named Tara.
The thrills: after four and half months of being separated from Laurie due to their jobs, Andy receives a phone call from her. A case comes up in Wisconsin where she has been filling in for the Chief of Police. Even though she officially arrested the suspect in a brutal double murder, Laurie isn’t convinced he did it. She asks Andy to come and see if he can help determine the truth. Andy is not thrilled to give up his angst about the separation – until he is thrilled at their reunion.
The chills: it’s a very cold October in Wisconsin. Yes, the air is fresher; yes, the people are friendlier; yes, there are some great restaurants to go to; and yes – Tara is loving it. The other kind of chills come through with a more sinister connotation.
Kills: as they continue to occur Andy is baffled in his efforts to tie these murders to whoever is behind them so his client can be freed. However, there are more curve balls ahead and the plot thickens, pours over the sides of the pan in different directions and just when I thought I had it all figured out – I didn’t. Maybe it was that drip over there . . . . ?
Perfect pacing and Andy’s unique sense of humour combined with crazy glue moments of tension make this a great, entertaining read. I only finished the book a while ago and I’m already missing everyone – including Tara! I am looking forward with great anticipation to #6 in this series.
The thrills: after four and half months of being separated from Laurie due to their jobs, Andy receives a phone call from her. A case comes up in Wisconsin where she has been filling in for the Chief of Police. Even though she officially arrested the suspect in a brutal double murder, Laurie isn’t convinced he did it. She asks Andy to come and see if he can help determine the truth. Andy is not thrilled to give up his angst about the separation – until he is thrilled at their reunion.
The chills: it’s a very cold October in Wisconsin. Yes, the air is fresher; yes, the people are friendlier; yes, there are some great restaurants to go to; and yes – Tara is loving it. The other kind of chills come through with a more sinister connotation.
Kills: as they continue to occur Andy is baffled in his efforts to tie these murders to whoever is behind them so his client can be freed. However, there are more curve balls ahead and the plot thickens, pours over the sides of the pan in different directions and just when I thought I had it all figured out – I didn’t. Maybe it was that drip over there . . . . ?
Perfect pacing and Andy’s unique sense of humour combined with crazy glue moments of tension make this a great, entertaining read. I only finished the book a while ago and I’m already missing everyone – including Tara! I am looking forward with great anticipation to #6 in this series.
August 24, 2021
This is a Legal Mystery, and this is the 5th book in the Andy Carpenter series. I love Andy's character and the dog. The mystery in this book as a weird religious community, and I really enjoyed the mystery in this book. This book does not have a lot of the courtroom settings and legal stuff. This book as more of the trying to find out what happen. I really like the beginning and the ending of this book. There are some twists and turns I did not see coming.
September 22, 2024
4.5 Stars for Dead Center: Andy Carpenter, Book 5 (audiobook) by David Rosenfelt read by Grover Gardner.
Andy Carpenter takes a case in Findlay, Wis., just by chance this is where the love of his life has moved to and has been made the acting chief of police. Andy has his hands full this time trying to help a young man charged with murder.
Andy Carpenter takes a case in Findlay, Wis., just by chance this is where the love of his life has moved to and has been made the acting chief of police. Andy has his hands full this time trying to help a young man charged with murder.
July 29, 2022
Good entry in the Andy Carpenter series. Andy goes to Wisconsin to help Laurie with a case. I disagree with one aspect of the story: Tara cannot be the best dog in the world because My affenspincher, Jordy, is. Now there's a dog. I highly recommend the book.
September 29, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I listened to the audiobook and it was fantastic!
I listened to the audiobook and it was fantastic!
September 20, 2015
I have read an awful lot of terrible books lately, so I decided to go back to a series which has never disappointed me, and once again it did not.
Andy Carpenter, Laurie, Marcus, Kevin, Sam et al... are entertaining as always here, the fresh setting of Findlay provides some ripe comedic situations, and while the plot isn't the most innovative, the witty dialogue and clever writing keeps the story zipping along and makes the whole journey an enjoyable one.
Andy Carpenter, Laurie, Marcus, Kevin, Sam et al... are entertaining as always here, the fresh setting of Findlay provides some ripe comedic situations, and while the plot isn't the most innovative, the witty dialogue and clever writing keeps the story zipping along and makes the whole journey an enjoyable one.
November 4, 2019
Another great Andy Carpenter story - a 4 star read and I added another one for his dog! Only on number 5, looking forward to picking up number 6 in this great series!!
December 25, 2023
Beset with the aches and pains associated with old age (and the improper bracing of an iPad), there was a period when I just wanted to read, without writing reviews. I am trying to catch up now.
Often, I was trying to choose books that would keep me entertained, where events moved quickly but didn’t insult my intelligence with lazy writing (overdone plots and stock characters). Strong 4-star novels.
This Andy Carpenter tale met my needs. I’m reading this series out of order but that doesn’t seem to matter much. Andy’s sarcastic wit is as sharp as ever. Tara is as loving and intelligent as ever. I was unaware that Andy and Laurie had separated for awhile as the series progressed, but the “will-they-or-won’t-they” get back together question didn’t seem important in this book; it seemed a foregone conclusion that eventually they would find a way to resolve their differing circumstances.
Laurie is an acting sheriff in Findlay, Wisconsin when she asks for Andy’s help with a situation that is bothering her. She has arrested a young man for a brutal double murder. The evidence against him is strong but she doesn’t believe he did it. In order to assist with the defence, Andy must pair up with a Wisconsin lawyer, Calvin, who shares Andy’s sense of humour.
The murdered girls came from a religious cult located nearby in a self-sufficient town. I did find the description of this cult a bit wacky. It was ruled by the Keeper of the Wheel, who interpreted the word of God by spinning a wheel. Cult members were not encouraged to interact with outsiders and their future marriage partners were decided by a spin of the wheel. This is an extreme parody of religious cults (although admittedly, I find all religious cults to be absurd).
However, the plot has plenty of twists and turns, as per the usual Andy Carpenter novel, and it kept me both amused and engaged as I followed it to the end. There was even a Canadian connection that many Americans might not be aware of but is a well-known scam that occurs all too frequently to the detriment of Canadians.
Often, I was trying to choose books that would keep me entertained, where events moved quickly but didn’t insult my intelligence with lazy writing (overdone plots and stock characters). Strong 4-star novels.
This Andy Carpenter tale met my needs. I’m reading this series out of order but that doesn’t seem to matter much. Andy’s sarcastic wit is as sharp as ever. Tara is as loving and intelligent as ever. I was unaware that Andy and Laurie had separated for awhile as the series progressed, but the “will-they-or-won’t-they” get back together question didn’t seem important in this book; it seemed a foregone conclusion that eventually they would find a way to resolve their differing circumstances.
Laurie is an acting sheriff in Findlay, Wisconsin when she asks for Andy’s help with a situation that is bothering her. She has arrested a young man for a brutal double murder. The evidence against him is strong but she doesn’t believe he did it. In order to assist with the defence, Andy must pair up with a Wisconsin lawyer, Calvin, who shares Andy’s sense of humour.
The murdered girls came from a religious cult located nearby in a self-sufficient town. I did find the description of this cult a bit wacky. It was ruled by the Keeper of the Wheel, who interpreted the word of God by spinning a wheel. Cult members were not encouraged to interact with outsiders and their future marriage partners were decided by a spin of the wheel. This is an extreme parody of religious cults (although admittedly, I find all religious cults to be absurd).
However, the plot has plenty of twists and turns, as per the usual Andy Carpenter novel, and it kept me both amused and engaged as I followed it to the end. There was even a Canadian connection that many Americans might not be aware of but is a well-known scam that occurs all too frequently to the detriment of Canadians.
June 2, 2020
Typical Andy Carpenter novel, always entertaining, with good characters, and lots of humor.
In this one, there is a strange religious group that is used as a base for some philosophical discussion of religion in general. This one is basically a cult that avoids outsiders, and is ruled by someone who interprets the spin of a sort of roulette wheel that they believe is a message directly from God. Their future marriage partners are decided early on, and they mostly just stick together and avoid outsiders. But then it's presented in a way that makes it sound like any other faith. They believe the wheel is the word of God, much like Christians believe the Bible is the word of God. It's interpreted by their holy man much like Christians, too. In a way, it puts religions in the same light as a crazy cult, and shows that there really isn't much difference. But of course, the various religions won't see themselves in this cult.
In this one, there is a strange religious group that is used as a base for some philosophical discussion of religion in general. This one is basically a cult that avoids outsiders, and is ruled by someone who interprets the spin of a sort of roulette wheel that they believe is a message directly from God. Their future marriage partners are decided early on, and they mostly just stick together and avoid outsiders. But then it's presented in a way that makes it sound like any other faith. They believe the wheel is the word of God, much like Christians believe the Bible is the word of God. It's interpreted by their holy man much like Christians, too. In a way, it puts religions in the same light as a crazy cult, and shows that there really isn't much difference. But of course, the various religions won't see themselves in this cult.
February 23, 2016
Dead Center by David Rosenfelt.
Andy Carpenter and his significant other, Laurie Collins, are separated...but that's soon to change. Laurie is currently the acting Chief of Police in a small town in Wisconsin and she needs Andy's help. There have been two brutal murders of college students. Both these girls lived in a strange cult-like community.
Andy hears Laurie's request and he and Tara are packed and ready to go. Andy is there in no time after alerting his usual back up especially Marcus Clark. The situation Andy finds himself in is not what he's been acquainted with in the past and it's all new territory to him in more ways than one.
I found this book to begin on a slow start for me but the depth and intensity of the mystery drew me into the mystery solving with Andy. Great addition to an extraordinary series.
Andy Carpenter and his significant other, Laurie Collins, are separated...but that's soon to change. Laurie is currently the acting Chief of Police in a small town in Wisconsin and she needs Andy's help. There have been two brutal murders of college students. Both these girls lived in a strange cult-like community.
Andy hears Laurie's request and he and Tara are packed and ready to go. Andy is there in no time after alerting his usual back up especially Marcus Clark. The situation Andy finds himself in is not what he's been acquainted with in the past and it's all new territory to him in more ways than one.
I found this book to begin on a slow start for me but the depth and intensity of the mystery drew me into the mystery solving with Andy. Great addition to an extraordinary series.
April 22, 2021
#5 in series - I read Dachshund Through the Snow awhile ago, just because I have Dachshunds. That was the first book I read by David Rosenfelt and I promptly went back and started the series with #1. I love his Andy Carpenter series. Andy is a lawyer who received $22 million dollars when his dad died, so he only takes cases he is really interested in. He is funny as all get out, and has a great cast of characters to go along with him.
In this book, he travels from NJ to WI to look into a case his former girlfriend asked him to check out. It involves a town in which people have a very strange religion and the utmost privacy. No outsiders are welcome. What is going on then, when 3 teenagers from this town are murdered?
In this book, he travels from NJ to WI to look into a case his former girlfriend asked him to check out. It involves a town in which people have a very strange religion and the utmost privacy. No outsiders are welcome. What is going on then, when 3 teenagers from this town are murdered?
March 8, 2016
Andy and Tara are distressed as Laurie has moved to Wisconsin. Some time later Laurie asks Andy to come and consult on case she feels person arrested is not guilty. Andy runs into a town who religious beliefs are contray to the normal belief. This belief makes in investigation difficult as he not welcome to interview witnesses. There are a number of twists and turns in the story. The ending might surprise you.
August 4, 2024
In Andy Carpenter #5, Andy joins Laurie in Wisconsin to defend/investigate a murder allegation against a young man accused of killing his girlfriend and her friend. This book was a little odd, in that it had a religious 'cult' type of town in WI in which the murder victims lived. It meandered a bit with different subplots and I had an inkling about a reveal I expected but I was totally wrong lol. Andy is funny as always, but this one was not as strong for me. 3.5 stars rounded up.
December 1, 2021
I don’t know if I would enjoy reading the print version of these as much as I do the audio version with Grover Gardner. He is Andy Carpenter! Perfect voice for this wisecracking, millionaire defense lawyer. I may have to try it one day but in the meanwhile I’ll just keep enjoying these. Because the story’s always good and Tara is always a sweetie!
March 5, 2019
Although the premise of the case Andy is working on is a little wacky and some incidents a bit improbable, I still loved the book. Can a plot that has several murders be considered a light, fun read. It’s the way I see this series. It’s because of Andy Carpenters humor and some of the bizarre characters. There wasn’t as much courtroom action, and I missed that. I’m so glad Rosenfelt has written so many of these books. Look forward to more laughs and trying to figure out the mystery!
September 14, 2018
Always a good laugh with Andy Capenter books. In this installment he goes to defend a young client per Laurie's request at her hometown Findlay, WI where she is now Acting Chief of Police.
October 24, 2022
I gave this book four stars but there were things in this book that have been repeated in the last four book - I am hoping that this does not become a pattern if it does I will have to really consider if I want to keep reading.
That being said these are easy reading legal mysteries that well crafted and well plotted. The pacing is perfect and the build up to the finale is quite suspenseful once it gets going. Worth picking up.
That being said these are easy reading legal mysteries that well crafted and well plotted. The pacing is perfect and the build up to the finale is quite suspenseful once it gets going. Worth picking up.
August 19, 2017
At Laurie's request, Andy takes on as a client a young man accused of murdering two coeds, one of whom was his former girlfriend. The evidence against him is overwhelming, which is why Laurie as chief of police had to arrest him. But it didn't sit well with her; hence her plea to Andy to defend him. Andy is easily talked into the case. A religious cult figures in, and something smells to high heaven to Andy. Yet he gets to be in the same town as Laurie, so for Andy, things are looking up. Andy wants to prove his client innocent, but that would mean he would be free to return home. Andy's life seems to be one delemma after another. But he always has Tara, his dog, to come home to, so how bad could it be? Great writing and wonderful characters in a complex plot will keep you turning pages until the end.
September 20, 2008
Andy Carpenter, a New Jersey attorney, travels to Wisconsin to help his ex-lover Laurie Collins, the acting chief of police in her hometown. She has arrested a young man for murder but she believes he is innocent. She wants Andy to represent him as his lawyer.
Andy Carpenter is a unique and very entertaining character! This is the fifth book in the series. This book has it all with its lively, witty dialogue, interesting characters and a well-paced plot. Andy is also a pet lover! Highly recommend.
Andy Carpenter is a unique and very entertaining character! This is the fifth book in the series. This book has it all with its lively, witty dialogue, interesting characters and a well-paced plot. Andy is also a pet lover! Highly recommend.
February 15, 2015
Normally I read a book, think about it overnight, then write a review. I'm not doing that this time as there really isn't much to think about.
This book is mildly amusing, reasonably fast paced & the only interesting character (other than Andy himself)
If you want to read something entertaining by Rosenfelt, read his bio on GR. Now that had me chuckling!
This book is mildly amusing, reasonably fast paced & the only interesting character (other than Andy himself)
If you want to read something entertaining by Rosenfelt, read his bio on GR. Now that had me chuckling!
December 16, 2021
Another satisfying read from this author. I might be biased, but I really enjoy the series a lot. It makes me laugh and I am invested in the outcome of the story relative to the characters going forward.
It makes me want to get the next one. I think that is a testament to the writing and the author's ability to hit the marks on several areas in a story. I will surely keep reading this series. Can't get enough of it.
It makes me want to get the next one. I think that is a testament to the writing and the author's ability to hit the marks on several areas in a story. I will surely keep reading this series. Can't get enough of it.
July 17, 2021
Another fun one with Andy Carpenter. I liked the fish out of water stuff in Wisconsin, and the humor was entertaining as always. The ending was pretty rushed, and I wasn’t a big fan of the weird religion in Center City, but the book was still mostly a winner.
July 20, 2021
This book finds Andy going to Laurie’s hometown to help her with a case. Two girls have been killed and she is sure the boy charged didn’t do it. There is a strange religion that isolates their people so facts are hard to come by.
January 19, 2023
I really am enjoying this series and the narration in the audiobooks is so good. This one has Andy off to Wisconsin where he takes on a case at the request of his lost-love Lori. Some familiar characters follow and Andy and Lori navigate their feelings for each other. I really liked this one a lot!
February 26, 2018
I really enjoy all of the Andy Carpenter stories. And love his dog, Tara!
April 29, 2024
I think this was one the best in the series so far. I laughed out loud multiple times and enjoyed the story line. Such a fun series. 4.5★
November 25, 2022
Continuing to enjoy this series.
March 4, 2022
I continue my abusive relationship with David Rosenfelt. The plot to Dead Center continues predictable patterns. Unlike some Andy Carpenter books, the guilty party should be pretty obvious as soon as Rosenfelt introduces the character. In this case, I want to scream at Andy as he fails to take in the clues. Maybe I am just too accustomed to Rosenfelt's formulas. The writing style remains the same - short crisp and moving the story along at a brisk pace. The journey was enjoyable (as usual) if left a little unsatisfying.
Laurie has left Andy to return to small-town Wisconsin. Andy is moping around New Jersey. Out of the blue, Laurie calls him and asks to assist a childhood friend charged with murder. Andy dances around the issue for several chapters before agreeing to take the case (I hate filler). Andy finds a kindred spirit in Calvin, the lawyer representing the murder suspect. Andy and Calvin share a sarcastic wit; and much of their time together is little more than comedy. The suspect was charged with the deaths of two women. A broken heart is the most likely motive; but Andy feels that the nearby religious cult the two girls belong to has an important role. But he has tremendous difficulty accessing the notoriously closed community. The cult should have provided more fodder for Andy's dark humor and sarcasm; but alas Rosenfelt seems to offer it legitimacy.
Rosenfelt has predictable patterns - dead people who are not dead, false leads, the initial suspect keeping things secret until much later in the story, relying upon the talents of a coterie of superhuman associates, etc. Dead Center does not disappoint. When Rosenfelt spends time describing the physical appearance of a new character, readers should take note that the character will either die or turn out to be the bad guy. Readers familiar with the series should be able to tell which it is. This book does take on a more robotic approach in that readers, who identified the villain early on, see the clues frustratingly faster than Andy. Even with Rosenfelt's characteristic misdirection and false leads, this was an easy one to solve, even if the motives are unclear.
There are some subtle differences between Dead Center and other Andy Carpenter novels. Being set in Wisconsin, Andy does not utilize his normal crew (too much). Superhuman Marcus saves the day on multiple occasions. Superhacker Sam provides data from government files that reveal an important clue. Again, the story takes on a thriller vibe as the chapters get shorter and the action and suspense move faster. Rosenfelt is a talented writer. Also setting this novel apart from others in Andy. For one thing there is more sexual innuendo in this novel than in most others in the series. Not pornographic; but way more than necessary (I hate filler). Then, Andy was less likeable this time too. He begins the novel as a talking head on the news shows where his purpose is to be confrontational and asinine. He does not hide it. He seems to relish it. That is not the usual Andy. He is less pitiful and cowardly than usual - as though Rosenfelt has envisioned another character entirely and then tried to morph it into Andy Carpenter. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, there were hardly any dogs. Tara being Tara does not count!
Overall, this novel has the potential for greatness, but falls short. The biggest problem is filler. Or, maybe because the patterns are so familiar, that the filler was too noticeable. The action was good. The mystery deepened. There could have been more "fun" with the cult and less conjugal visiting involving a frumpy lawyer. As with any and all Andy Carpenter novels, the journey is the best part rather than the complexity of the characters or the concluding drama.
Laurie has left Andy to return to small-town Wisconsin. Andy is moping around New Jersey. Out of the blue, Laurie calls him and asks to assist a childhood friend charged with murder. Andy dances around the issue for several chapters before agreeing to take the case (I hate filler). Andy finds a kindred spirit in Calvin, the lawyer representing the murder suspect. Andy and Calvin share a sarcastic wit; and much of their time together is little more than comedy. The suspect was charged with the deaths of two women. A broken heart is the most likely motive; but Andy feels that the nearby religious cult the two girls belong to has an important role. But he has tremendous difficulty accessing the notoriously closed community. The cult should have provided more fodder for Andy's dark humor and sarcasm; but alas Rosenfelt seems to offer it legitimacy.
Rosenfelt has predictable patterns - dead people who are not dead, false leads, the initial suspect keeping things secret until much later in the story, relying upon the talents of a coterie of superhuman associates, etc. Dead Center does not disappoint. When Rosenfelt spends time describing the physical appearance of a new character, readers should take note that the character will either die or turn out to be the bad guy. Readers familiar with the series should be able to tell which it is. This book does take on a more robotic approach in that readers, who identified the villain early on, see the clues frustratingly faster than Andy. Even with Rosenfelt's characteristic misdirection and false leads, this was an easy one to solve, even if the motives are unclear.
There are some subtle differences between Dead Center and other Andy Carpenter novels. Being set in Wisconsin, Andy does not utilize his normal crew (too much). Superhuman Marcus saves the day on multiple occasions. Superhacker Sam provides data from government files that reveal an important clue. Again, the story takes on a thriller vibe as the chapters get shorter and the action and suspense move faster. Rosenfelt is a talented writer. Also setting this novel apart from others in Andy. For one thing there is more sexual innuendo in this novel than in most others in the series. Not pornographic; but way more than necessary (I hate filler). Then, Andy was less likeable this time too. He begins the novel as a talking head on the news shows where his purpose is to be confrontational and asinine. He does not hide it. He seems to relish it. That is not the usual Andy. He is less pitiful and cowardly than usual - as though Rosenfelt has envisioned another character entirely and then tried to morph it into Andy Carpenter. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, there were hardly any dogs. Tara being Tara does not count!
Overall, this novel has the potential for greatness, but falls short. The biggest problem is filler. Or, maybe because the patterns are so familiar, that the filler was too noticeable. The action was good. The mystery deepened. There could have been more "fun" with the cult and less conjugal visiting involving a frumpy lawyer. As with any and all Andy Carpenter novels, the journey is the best part rather than the complexity of the characters or the concluding drama.
March 30, 2015
A good one but not a great one. I love the Andy Carpenter series because Andy is a lawyer and acts like one. This book was geared more toward Andy the investigator. There was no courtroom trial. Andy's ex lover, Laurie, called him for help from Wisconsin. He packs up and moves to Wisconsin assuming he might take a case and when he decides to take the case, the alleged killer commits suicide, or does he? The actual defendant, Jeremy Richardson is released. The end.
The story line of the small private town of Center City is brilliant. The religion they practice is perceived more like a cult, or not. I liked the idea, and just like the plane in the story, it crashed. Andy sat in a small town 10 miles away from Center City in Fulton, Wisconsin for a few months with Laurie and all he did was walk Tara around town a lot, watched his pro football games, ate, and made love to Laurie often. He used Kevin, Marcus, Sam and various other characters from around the small town of Fulton to do most of the work since there is no trial. During the investigative work of two University students who died with multiple stab wounds, more people die as Andy and his brood get closer to the truth of Center City and it's private religion. A wheel that makes choices for them.
In this book, however, I smiled as Marcus was brought into the picture to protect Andy. I don't think I paid much attention to Marcus in the previous books as much as I did in this one. I like him very much. A non-verbal, introvert who loves classical music and fiercely loyal to Laurie and Andy. Big and mean looking too. I love how people react to him at first site.
Sam is ever the loyal computer wiz that gathers all the information Andy needs and even hacks into data bases if necessary.
Kevin, Andy's partner in the firm was going to get married but his girlfriend refused and he ends up in Wisconsin, helping Andy with paperwork in the investigation.
I found myself not liking Laurie very much in this book for some reason. She was almost manipulative, using Andy for his skills and his body and then was ready to let him go again and resume her perfect life as acting Chief of Police in her town. I like Laurie and I love Andy and these two sound like they should be together, but they should really move on. Must be nice to have a few million dollars and say "Hey, lets have a long distance relationship and see how that goes". *rolls eyes*
Sorry David, I just didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would.
The story line of the small private town of Center City is brilliant. The religion they practice is perceived more like a cult, or not. I liked the idea, and just like the plane in the story, it crashed. Andy sat in a small town 10 miles away from Center City in Fulton, Wisconsin for a few months with Laurie and all he did was walk Tara around town a lot, watched his pro football games, ate, and made love to Laurie often. He used Kevin, Marcus, Sam and various other characters from around the small town of Fulton to do most of the work since there is no trial. During the investigative work of two University students who died with multiple stab wounds, more people die as Andy and his brood get closer to the truth of Center City and it's private religion. A wheel that makes choices for them.
In this book, however, I smiled as Marcus was brought into the picture to protect Andy. I don't think I paid much attention to Marcus in the previous books as much as I did in this one. I like him very much. A non-verbal, introvert who loves classical music and fiercely loyal to Laurie and Andy. Big and mean looking too. I love how people react to him at first site.
Sam is ever the loyal computer wiz that gathers all the information Andy needs and even hacks into data bases if necessary.
Kevin, Andy's partner in the firm was going to get married but his girlfriend refused and he ends up in Wisconsin, helping Andy with paperwork in the investigation.
I found myself not liking Laurie very much in this book for some reason. She was almost manipulative, using Andy for his skills and his body and then was ready to let him go again and resume her perfect life as acting Chief of Police in her town. I like Laurie and I love Andy and these two sound like they should be together, but they should really move on. Must be nice to have a few million dollars and say "Hey, lets have a long distance relationship and see how that goes". *rolls eyes*
Sorry David, I just didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2019
Dead Center (the fifth Andy Carpenter novel) by David Rosenfelt is different than the others I have read in the series. Love interest, Laurie Collins, has left New Jersey and moved to Findlay, Wisconsin where she has become the chief of police in her hometown. Andy is trying to get over her when she calls and asks for his help because the suspect she has arrested doesn't really feel to her like the murderer of two young girls from a neighboring town even though all the evidence points to him. Stuck between trying to accept the fact that she has left him, and wanting to see her again and reignite their romance, he goes to Findlay, thus leaving all the usual cast of his novels behind. (He of course does take Tara, his beloved dog.)
Wisconsin is cold and unwelcoming, but he makes friends with Calvin Marshall, the attorney he is helping defend the boy, Jeremy Davidson, but he (Calvin) as well as another boy who probably knew what had really happened, Eddie, are also killed. Fortunately, Jeremy is in prison and could not contribute to these two additional deaths. Both of the two dead girls, Elizabeth Barlow and Sheryl Hendricks, as well as Eddie, come from the neighboring town of Center City which is the center of a cult, Centurions (their city is the center of the universe) which excludes outsiders. Their reclusive and mysterious ways make Andy think the murder must be backed by the higher-ups of that cult. After the deaths of Calvin and Eddie, Andy realizes his own life may be in danger so he does send for one of his "crew," Marcus Clark, the least realistic of the bunch (In fact I have been reading early books in the series, to try to identify just who and what he is, but apparently missed his entry into the series). Marcus does of course manage to protect Andy and the other people who are not yet dead in his own mysterious way.
Andy meanwhile spends far more time as an investigator than lawyer (little actually happens in court), and several of his hunches lead him into trouble, but not to the conclusion he suspects. He and Laurie make up and decide on a long-distance romance, each visiting the other when they have a chance.
It was an interesting story, and certainly does not follow the usual pattern. The role of the cult is unusual, the role Andy himself played was different. I enjoyed reading it, but it is not my favorite in the series.
Wisconsin is cold and unwelcoming, but he makes friends with Calvin Marshall, the attorney he is helping defend the boy, Jeremy Davidson, but he (Calvin) as well as another boy who probably knew what had really happened, Eddie, are also killed. Fortunately, Jeremy is in prison and could not contribute to these two additional deaths. Both of the two dead girls, Elizabeth Barlow and Sheryl Hendricks, as well as Eddie, come from the neighboring town of Center City which is the center of a cult, Centurions (their city is the center of the universe) which excludes outsiders. Their reclusive and mysterious ways make Andy think the murder must be backed by the higher-ups of that cult. After the deaths of Calvin and Eddie, Andy realizes his own life may be in danger so he does send for one of his "crew," Marcus Clark, the least realistic of the bunch (In fact I have been reading early books in the series, to try to identify just who and what he is, but apparently missed his entry into the series). Marcus does of course manage to protect Andy and the other people who are not yet dead in his own mysterious way.
Andy meanwhile spends far more time as an investigator than lawyer (little actually happens in court), and several of his hunches lead him into trouble, but not to the conclusion he suspects. He and Laurie make up and decide on a long-distance romance, each visiting the other when they have a chance.
It was an interesting story, and certainly does not follow the usual pattern. The role of the cult is unusual, the role Andy himself played was different. I enjoyed reading it, but it is not my favorite in the series.
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