Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt

Open and Shut

by David Rosenfelt

Whether dueling with new forensics or the local old boys' network, irreverent defense attorney Andy Carpenter always leaves them awed with his biting wit and winning fourth-quarter game plan. But Andy prefers the company of his best friend, Tara, to the people he encounters in the courtroom. Tara, a golden retriever, is clearly smarter than half the lawyers who clog the courts of PassaicCounty. However, just as it seems Andy has everything figured out, his dad, New Jersey's legendary ex-D.A., drops dead in front of him at a game in Yankee Stadium. The shocks pile on as he discovers his dad left him with two unexpected legacies: a fortune of $22 million that Andy never knew existed . . . and a murder case with enough racial tinder to burn down City Hall. Struggling to serve justice and bring honor to his father, Andy must dig up some explosive political skeletons-and an astonishing family secret that can close his case (and his mouth) for good.

I am not usually someone who likes reading about lawyers and courtroom dramas.  My years watching Law and Order was strictly for the investigation and the hunky cops in uniform.  I decided to read Open and Shut purely because of the fact that there is a dog character and the author is obviously an animal lover(I mean...27 dogs?!  Holy cow).  I was quickly hooked by the first few pages.  Andy Carpenter is a sarcastic lawyer who often crosses the lines to make a point in the courtroom and he will do anything to save his clients.  He bends the rules a lot.  But beneath all that he is still a pretty nice guy who sometimes takes his payment in melons.  You really have to love him.  He's like My Cousin Vinny, only a much better lawyer. 

I was intrigued by the plot and I couldn't put the book down. There is a lot of mystery, a lot of humor, and some pretty intense courtroom scenes that never get dry or boring. It was a perfect blend of everything. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.