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Bury the Lead

by David Rosenfelt

It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a legal-based novel so much. Bury the Lead is a delightful romp told from the perspective of a lawyer, Andy Carpenter. David Rosenfelt has background in law, but in addition his interest and research have added to that – his protagonist Andy Carpenter is like no other lawyer in a mystery series I've read. Mr. Rosenfelt has created a totally believable human being here – based perhaps partly on David Rosenfelt's own penchant for fun and humor. Andy Carpenter is rich, loves dogs, and values justice over winning or the almighty dollar (already unlike most lawyers I know!). Sure, he can afford to, but who cares when every other lawyer is billing their clients for astronomical fees? And so what, if he lives in New Jersey?

Bury the Lead is David Rosenfelt's third novel. The story is told from Andy Carpenter's viewpoint, involving a number of cracks about his admitted ineptitude and fears of reprisal. It's obvious early on that were it not for his inherited wealth, he'd be a struggling lawyer. He's given some of his best friends money to invest, and naturally, their investments climb while Andy's decline. In addition, Andy has started The Tara Foundation, named after Andy's own dog – a female Golden Retriever he seems to treat as if she were human. The Tara Foundation is an organization which allows adoption of its dogs after a stringent application process.

Bury the Lead actually takes off when Andy receives a telephone call from Vince Sanders, editor of the local paper in Paterson. Vince wants Andy to be his lawyer, but is unsure what for. Vince has a star reporter, Daniel Cummings, to whom a serial killer gives his information, telling him where his latest bodies are to be found. Vince has a feeling that something bad is in the air for his protégé, but doesn't know what.

It develops that Daniel Cunningham is suspected by the police of being himself the murderer, and is taken into custody. Andy agrees to represent him. The police, however, have substantial evidence on their side, and it's up to Andy to prove this evidence was planted. Complications arise when Andy discovers that Daniel inherited a fortune when his wife was murdered, even though he was acquitted of the crime himself. Further doubt about Daniel's innocence is not erased when Andy learns that Daniel is actually Vince's illegitimate son.

The remainder of the novel consists of Andy's attempts to gather evidence in favor of Daniel, using his friends to help – in one case, a man who uses song lyrics in his conversation, in another, a computer hacker, and in still another his own girlfriend Laurie, who is a policewoman. There are a number of contacts, including a visit to the head of the mob in New Jersey, a prostitute who almost becomes the next victim, and even a faked attack on Andy himself – just to demonstrate that the killer could off him if he wanted to. When another girl is murdered with all the earmarks of the former slayings while Daniel remains in custody, it then becomes obvious he's innocent, and is set free.

Bury the Lead contains a couple of surprise twists at the end. Just when you think that justice has been served without Andy's influence, he comes up with another scenario which proves correct. This book is exceptional, easy and fun to read, with a protagonist more likeable than any lawyer I've yet seen in fiction.

From the photo on the book jacket as well as his past history, I'd guess that David Rosenfelt isn't the world's youngest mystery author, but he's assuredly found his niche. Mr. Rosenfelt's wit and jocularity are obvious all through the novel – perhaps more so than in his attempts at writing for the big or little screen! And maybe his maturity has only contributed to his sense of the absurd. Whatever it is, David Rosenfelt has this accomplishment well in hand along with his writing.

Alan Paul Curtis

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