Book ~ "First Degree" (2004) David Rosenfelt

From Goodreads ~ No one can separate defense attorney Andy Carpenter from his golden retriever, Tara, and she returns his affection, standing loyally beside him through every investigation, no matter how dangerous or puzzling - and he is about to be confronted with one of his most difficult cases yet. 

 When a cop's body is found burned and decapitated, the last thing Andy expects is for a stranger to waltz into his office and admit to the crime. For the wisecracking millionaire attorney suffering from "lawyer's block," the case looks like a no-brainer, until the cops pick up another suspect: Andy's lead P.I., Laurie Collins, who happens to be the love of his life. 

Soon Laurie's case is looking bleak and Andy is becoming increasingly desperate. All he had wanted was a case to sink his teeth into. Now he gets one that's a kick in the head ... and the heart. 

Andy has been taking a breather for the six months since he won Willie Miller's retrial.  Then a man is arrested when a cop's body is found burned and decapitated.  A stranger tries to hire Andy in case he needs legal representation because he says he is really the murderer.  Andy turns him down but it compels him to offer to represent the man he now knows is being falsely accused.  As Andy and Laurie, his lead investigator and girlfriend, start to do the groundwork, the charges are suddenly dropped and Laurie is arrested for the murder.

Laurie used to be a cop and worked with the murdered cop and had brought to light that he was a dirty cop.  The cop received just a slap on the hand which prompted Laurie to quit and open shop on her own.  With all the evidence mounting against Laurie, Andy has to do whatever he can to keep her out of prison for the rest of her life.

This is the second book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it.  I liked the writing style as it was funny, sarcastic and amusing.  It was written in first person perspective in Andy's voice.  It is the second in the Andy Carpenter series (there are 13 as of July 2015) and it works as a stand alone (so you don't need to have read the first one to know what is going on) ... my plan is to get eventually caught up on the series and read others by this author.

I liked Andy.  He's smart and shifty and recognizes his weaknesses.  He loves his dog, Tara.  Laurie had a more passive role in this book since she was under house arrest.  Willie, his client, is a hoot and no doubt we'll see more of him in future books.