Violent Crimes

After reading 3 of Mr. Margolin's books, one might get the idea he likes lots of bodies cluttering up the landscape. This one is no different. The problem with having so many bodies is eventually we run out of characters. In this case, the murderer seems to be a minor character until enventually nobody else is left. The story itself is taught and moves along at a rapid pace. There are no pages of endless, mind-numbing details. I shall read more of this author.

Violent Crimes (An Amanda Jaffe Novel)
By: Philip Margolin
Published By: Harper Collins
Copy Courtesy of Reading Room Early Review
Reviewed By: tk

Dale Masterson is a wealthy lawyer who’s firm represents coal and oil companies. Like some lawyers Dale has made a few enemies along the way including his estranged son Brandon. Dale’s wife Veronica arrives at home to find Brandon running across the lawn heading for his car. When she tries to talk to him, he refuses to stop and a good amount of blood is on his shirt catching her attention, Veronica knows that something is very wrong. Once she enters the house though nothing seems to be out of place. After putting her purchases away, she heads to Dale’s den only to find Dale dead….
Amanda show more Jaffe is called in to be Brandon’s attorney. He says he killed his father. She knows he’s lying, but now she has to prove it. Then who murdered Dale if Brandon isn’t quilty? Hopefully Amanda will find the killer before he finds her.

I have to be honest here. The plot was tight. The suspect list was long enough to be interesting. Yet for some reason I feel like the story fell a little short. I liked it, and found it did hold my attention long enough to finish. Or maybe my expectations were to high. Either way I wanted more. More twists and turns, more suspense, it was missing something. I just not sure what I was looking for.

It was a good story and I may read it again to see if I change my thoughts on it. If your looking for a somewhat simple who done it, this is for you. You may be able to guess the members involved, maybe not. It is worth the read and I hope you enjoy.

3.5/5 show less

I enjoyed reading this suspense novel but on a scale of the most thrilling works, it is not. The plot is tight and the characters are well developed. The excitement was not there for me. It is a short work and quick to read. My thanks to the author and The Reading Room for a complimentary copy.

I find this book an entertaining quick read. It is also my first book by Phillip Margolin.

There was really little mystery as to who the bad guy was. But no matter, the fun was the lawyer/cop putting the pieces together.

I definitely cannot get enough Amanda Jaffe. Margolin is a fantastic storyteller.