Читаем Play Dead полностью

Play Dead

David Rosenfelt. Play Dead
(Andy Carpenter – 6)

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

ACCLAIM FOR DAVID ROSENFELT’S NOVELS

PLAY DEAD

“Riveting… No shaggy dog story, this puppy’s alive with reliable Rosenfelt wit and heart.”

– Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“There is no way you can read this novel without becoming completely caught up in the story. As always, Andy’s offbeat, outspoken personality shines on every page, and the balance of humor and mystery is dead-on.”

– Booklist (starred review)

“Enjoyable… Carpenter continues to amuse and engage.”

– Library Journal

“The customary humor abounds in this entertaining novel.”

– Midwest Book Review

“A steadily absorbing journey through layers and layers of deceit.”

– Kirkus Reviews

“A fun mystery novel… entertaining.”

– TheMysterySite.com

DEAD CENTER

“Entertaining… witty… perfect.”

– Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Enjoyable… entertaining.”

– Portland Tribune

“Rosenfelt is a very funny guy who’s got the gift of glib.”

– Kingston Observer (MA)

“Rosenfelt adroitly mixes drama with humor… Those who like the added complexity of character-driven mysteries will find much to enjoy in this award-winning series.”

– Booklist

“Written with flair and humor… If there aren’t any real-life lawyers as entertaining, as witty, and as willing to tilt at windmills as Andy Carpenter, Edgar^®-finalist Rosenfelt’s engaging hero, then there should be.”

– Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A terrific tale… Fans of the series will enjoy Dead Center.”

– Midwest Book Review

“Witty… cleverly plotted… very enjoyable.”

– About Books

SUDDEN DEATH

“The author handles the material deftly, mixing humor and whodunit but never letting the comedy overwhelm the mystery.”

– Booklist

“Another touchdown!”

– Publishers Weekly

BURY THE LEAD

A TODAY SHOW BOOK CLUB PICK

“Absolute fun… Anyone who likes the Plum books will love this book.”

– JANET EVANOVICH

“A clever plot and breezy style… absorbing.”

– Boston Globe

“Exudes charm and offbeat humor, sophistication, and personable characters.”

– Dallas Morning News

FIRST DEGREE

SELECTED AS ONE OF THE BEST MYSTERIES OF 2003 BY PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“Entertaining… fast paced… sophisticated.”

– MARILYN STASIO, New York Times Book Review

“Suspense just where you want it and humor just where you need it.”

– Entertainment Weekly

“Entertaining.”

– Cleveland Plain Dealer

OPEN AND SHUT

EDGAR^® AWARD NOMINEE

“Very assured… packed with cleverly sarcastic wit.”

– New York Times

“Splendid… intricate plotting.”

– Cleveland Plain Dealer

“A great book… one part gripping legal thriller, one part smart-mouth wise-guy detective story, and all-around terrific.”

– HARLAN COBEN, author of

No Second Chance

“Engaging and likable… The action is brisk.”

– San Francisco Chronicle

Also by David Rosenfelt

New Tricks

Dead Center

Bury the Lead

Sudden Death

First Degree

Open and Shut

For Mike, whom I could never beat

at anything…

And for Rick, whom no one would

ever want to beat at anything.

Acknowledgments

I’m not a big fan of acknowledgment pages; most of the time I refuse to even acknowledge them. I especially hate when authors drop names of famous people as a way to impress the readers, and then go on to tell heartwarming little anecdotes to show how tight the author is with those bigshots.

Not me; that’s not what I’m about. I make my acknowledgments short and to the point, and I don’t go scrounging around for impressive names. I let my literary achievements do my showing off for me. If someone has been helpful or inspirational, I thank them… if not, I don’t. No one gets a free pass.

So, in no particular order, I would like to acknowledge…

Michael Jordan Bill Clinton

Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower Debbie Myers

Jonas Salk

Britney Spears

Clarence and Marlo Thomas Bob Castillo

Babe Ruth

Wolf Blitzer

Wolfman Jack

Stacy Alesi

Gandhi

Jessica and Homer Simpson Little Anthony and the Imperials Derek Jeter