For some reason, I couldn't develop any empathy for the main character in this novel. Despite this, the book was an enjoyable read. It had a number of plot twists that kept one guessing. In the end, everything tied together - including an ironical turn in the epilogue.
A legal suspense novel about a young judge, Richard Quinn, who's reputation is beyond reproach. Because he is held in such high regard, he is the one chosen to oversee a sensational homicide case involving a candidate for the US Senate who shot and killed an intruder that murdered her husband. Some of her story wasn't completely plausible and after further investigation, it was believed that she had set the whole thing up and hired the intruder to kill her wealthy husband and then shot and killed him.
Judge Quinn was compromised when his reputation came into question and he came close to losing his wife and his position in the court. Very interesting set of events!!! Good book.
ISBN 0553580884 - There are few books I enjoy more than those involving cold-blooded murder, and this one says "cold-blooded murder" right on the cover - a match made in heaven? No, sadly. More like a nap made in heaven!
The husband of senate candidate Ellen Crease is murdered in their bedroom. Her immediate response? To kill the killer on the spot, giving her quite a bounce in the polls. Her step-son, however, is certain that she's behind his father's death. Richard Quinn, an almost extraordinarily honest judge, is asked to hear the case, a case that seems tailor-made for a man who will dole out justice to anyone - even another judge.
Lou Anthony investigates the crime. Anthony's a cop who knew Ellen when she was on the force and he's the moral equal of Quinn; he's not about to let the fact that he's friendly with Crease taint his investigation. Various twists and turns, from murder to blackmail, muddy the waters and Judge Quinn, who'd thought his greatest fight would be to save his marriage, finds himself fighting for his life.
There's this weird name thing going on in this book, and it's distracting. Men's names include: Lou Anthony, Leroy Dennis, James Allen, Richard Quinn, Frederick Gideon, Ryan Clark, Jerome Ross, Kyle Fletcher and Art Bradford. Margolin's habit of giving his male characters first names as last names draws attention to that weird pattern and away from the story. The story itself is the sort that is so convoluted, at times, that the reader ought to have no trouble at all staying a step or three ahead of the twists. Not a bad summer read, it's quick, easy and painless... but a bit boring.
- AnnaLovesBooks
Beleaguered Richard Quinn is a judge so ethical that he is willing to risk his own life to ensure that right prevails in his courtroom. But as he discovers when he presides over the trial of tough-talking state congresswoman Ellen Crease, the path to justice is not always clear.
Phillip Margolin's masterful new legal thriller is full of suspense at its finest, with a keen sense of the inner workings of the Amercian justice system, surprising twists and turns--and erotic undertones that can quickly turn deadly...
A riveting new tale of blackmail, betrayal and murder.
