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canada_matt's review against another edition
5.0
Every author needs their niche. Rotenberg has found his, writing legal dramas (with courtroom trial), much like some of the better work of Grisham and Michael Connelly. What sets Rotenberg apart is his use of Canada (Toronto specifically) to really bring the stories home for me. While I sit through much of the US courtroom drama in many a book, or description of US or European cities, Rotenberg makes us Canadians proud by setting his books in Canada and using its Canadiana (Timmy's, the double double, 'eh', and even the victory-plagued Toronto Maple Leafs) to bring the story alive. He adds in the small nuances that show the differences between the Canadian and American systems of law and courtroom etiquette. This does help brighten the story and its plot, but set in any city, Rotenberg would have a hit on his hands.
The story follow his usual framework, advancing through the months of the investigation and pushing its way into the courtroom, where a full-on trial decides what will come of the evidence. Many of the characters pursue their own personal lives as they do their duties, sometimes intertwining with one another, but they never lose sight of the task at hand. I feel that some authors use their books (particularly ones with a legal angle) to push their opinions on a certain aspect of the law. Rotenberg appears not to do this, choosing instead to let the actors go through their motions and see what floats to the top.
I have always enjoyed Rotenberg's books and will keep doing so for as long as he publishes them. His use of Toronto does bring the story home and I do chuckle as he has to explain terms (double double) to those who may not be ensconced in the lingo.
Kudos Mr. Rotenberg. A fabulous book with a great story!
The story follow his usual framework, advancing through the months of the investigation and pushing its way into the courtroom, where a full-on trial decides what will come of the evidence. Many of the characters pursue their own personal lives as they do their duties, sometimes intertwining with one another, but they never lose sight of the task at hand. I feel that some authors use their books (particularly ones with a legal angle) to push their opinions on a certain aspect of the law. Rotenberg appears not to do this, choosing instead to let the actors go through their motions and see what floats to the top.
I have always enjoyed Rotenberg's books and will keep doing so for as long as he publishes them. His use of Toronto does bring the story home and I do chuckle as he has to explain terms (double double) to those who may not be ensconced in the lingo.
Kudos Mr. Rotenberg. A fabulous book with a great story!
canadianbookworm's review
4.0
This is the third book in the legal mystery series based in Toronto. The first was Old City Hall, followed by The Guilty Plea. We have Detective Ari Greene and Officer Kennicott back, and they both get a good share of the action both on the case and in their personal life. Another character we see back is criminal lawyer Nancy Parish.
As the book begins, Nancy is about to leave for a long-awaited vacation in Mexico. But downtown, at a Tim Hortons, a tragic situation unfolds. The jealous ex-boyfriend of one of the employees is just out of jail and she is worried he will show up, confiding in a co-worker. As she leaves at the end of her shift, her fears are realized and her ex and his friend appear as her new boyfriend arrives to pick her up. Shots are fired and a small boy is hit in the head. Security cameras pick up some of what has happened, but not the defining actions.
As the police arrive and try to make sense of things, those involved run. It is one of those, the ex-boyfriend's friend Larkin St. Clair that is Nancy's long-time client. And his picture is now on the front page of the paper. As Nancy fights to defend Larkin, and the police try to figure out what really happened at the coffee shop, the new Crown Attorney takes on his first murder case.
Giving us real insights into the legal and police worlds, Rotenberg has also taken on what seems to be a more common criminal situation today, the involvement of the innocent bystander. With the recent Eaton Centre shooting and College Street shooting, we see how more and more often criminals choose busy public places when carrying out their deadly intentions.
The writing is great, Rotenberg seems to get better and better with each book. I know he is a hot author at my library and this new release will only raise his profile further.
As the book begins, Nancy is about to leave for a long-awaited vacation in Mexico. But downtown, at a Tim Hortons, a tragic situation unfolds. The jealous ex-boyfriend of one of the employees is just out of jail and she is worried he will show up, confiding in a co-worker. As she leaves at the end of her shift, her fears are realized and her ex and his friend appear as her new boyfriend arrives to pick her up. Shots are fired and a small boy is hit in the head. Security cameras pick up some of what has happened, but not the defining actions.
As the police arrive and try to make sense of things, those involved run. It is one of those, the ex-boyfriend's friend Larkin St. Clair that is Nancy's long-time client. And his picture is now on the front page of the paper. As Nancy fights to defend Larkin, and the police try to figure out what really happened at the coffee shop, the new Crown Attorney takes on his first murder case.
Giving us real insights into the legal and police worlds, Rotenberg has also taken on what seems to be a more common criminal situation today, the involvement of the innocent bystander. With the recent Eaton Centre shooting and College Street shooting, we see how more and more often criminals choose busy public places when carrying out their deadly intentions.
The writing is great, Rotenberg seems to get better and better with each book. I know he is a hot author at my library and this new release will only raise his profile further.
jillann's review
5.0
Great mystery series set in Toronto, the third in the series. It is part police procedural and part courtroom drama with crisp writing and great characters. I can't wait for the next one!
pgchuis's review
4.0
I enjoyed this the most of the three I have read. Funny how Daniel Kennicott seems to have to slip over in every novel.
emilymelissabee's review
3.0
I loved reading Toronto in this book. It felt tactile and familiar to me. The writing can be clumsy, but it's enjoyable.
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