This book has great courtroom drama and a twisting plot that moves swiftly. Interesting surprise ending. Even if you figure out what will happen, you won't be able to guess HOW it happens. Characters are well developed to the point that you find yourself mentally insisting that they do or don't do certain acts.

Share/Like this Review?

Excellent fast paced book. Great and lovable characters. Lots of villains. Very strange ending but overall a great read.

Share/Like this Review?

She gave up her promising law career because she was disillusioned with the profession and how it put politics way before justice. But she is called back with a simple note - - "I need you." Can Barbara get back into the swing of her old life long enough to save an old friend?

Share/Like this Review?

Just the right blend of solid plot, compelling mystery and great courtroom drama. A masterful storyteller.

Share/Like this Review?

Interesting murder mystery by Northwest author. A husband disappears for seven years and then suddenly reappears and is killed. Female lawyer tried to defend wife against the charge of murder.

Share/Like this Review?

Attorney Barbara Holloway receives a call from her father asking her to come home. Frank Holloway has accepted a case defending Nell Kendricks on the charge of murder. Nell's husband, Lucas Kendricks, disappeared nearly seven years ago, leaving her and their son behind. The day Lucas returned home, he is fatally shot. Nell was arrested for his murder. Franks needs Barbara's help on this capital murder case. Barbara needs to start digging into Lucas' whereabouts for the last seven years. Why did he never contact his wife and young son? And who actually killed Lucas?

This is the first book in the Barbara Holloway series. I picked up the audiobook on Audible and thought I'd give it a try. I found the story annoying and tedious. Even though the narrator, Anna Fields, is a favorite of mine, she couldn't rescue this story. The plot seemed muddled and included mathematics and chaos theory. Barbara meets a mathematician and begins a relationship with him. I wouldn't call it a romance since there was nothing romantic about it. The courtroom drama portion of the book was OK, but once it was over, the story just continued...on and on. Honestly, this was 15+ hours of my life that I'll never get back. My rating: 2 Stars.

Share/Like this Review?

Good book.

Share/Like this Review?

Northwest Author

Share/Like this Review?

Barbara Holloway stars as the defense attorney in this mysterious case. Barbara is defending Nell Kendricks, who has been accused of killing her husband. Her husband, Luke, had walked away seven years before with no explanation and no contact since. He arrived back on the scene when Nell was out on a high spot in the woods that was a favorite of hers. Luke showed up on a ledge, happy, saying "watch this!". Then he is shot.

It appears to the prosecution (and others) that the only person who could have killed him was Nell. Her gun was used. She says she did not have it with her but who can vouch for her? Nobody.

Barbara believes her in spite of the mounting evidence. Barb's father is a little more skeptical but knows that Nell needs the best defense and he is no longer able to provide that.

Through twists and turns and a trial that shows Barb to her best advantage, we are kept on the edges of our seats. Did Nell actually do it? What other explanation is there? We learn that Luke had been essentially kept prisoner through psychological and drug management, but that he had found his way out, or might have. He might in fact have been suffering from a mental illness. Naturally, Barbara has to investigate what was going on in this odd research project that involved Luke.

I rather like that the book is long and convoluted. It gave me time to think about the characters and possibilities. What I didn't care for is what I felt was an edge of paranormal. Science fiction, maybe. Others prefer this type writing, and I hope one of them gets this book next.

Share/Like this Review?