Anna L. (annalovesbooks) reviewed on
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
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
