Scan barcode
jansbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
As a crime story, this one had all the good elements I like. A strong character in Samantha Kincaid, a suspect that while it makes sense they are guilty there are still questions, secondary characters that are interesting and an ending that makes sense. There are clues throughout the story as to guilt or innocence, but until the end I was still unsure. Another series to add to my list.
baanfire's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marie_gg's review against another edition
3.0
http://mariesbookgarden.blogspot.com/2015/11/judgment-calls.html
Confession: I acquired this book somewhere solely because it was based in Portland. I love to read books set in my hometown.
It was a solid mystery/thriller, by the daughter of famous writer James Lee Burke. Deputy DA Samantha Kincaid is a solid character. Sometimes the book veered a little too far into legal wonkiness, which led me to think "I COULD NEVER BE A LAWYER"! Far too many obscure legal procedures and technicalities.
I might read more of her to see where she goes as a writer...and where Samantha Kincaid goes as a character.
Confession: I acquired this book somewhere solely because it was based in Portland. I love to read books set in my hometown.
It was a solid mystery/thriller, by the daughter of famous writer James Lee Burke. Deputy DA Samantha Kincaid is a solid character. Sometimes the book veered a little too far into legal wonkiness, which led me to think "I COULD NEVER BE A LAWYER"! Far too many obscure legal procedures and technicalities.
I might read more of her to see where she goes as a writer...and where Samantha Kincaid goes as a character.
katjanem's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
nscoll's review against another edition
3.0
Good first novel with realistic American justice system feel. 3 and a half stars
geeeburns's review against another edition
Lighting does not strike twice in the Burke family.
vanessakm's review against another edition
2.0
Alafair Burke has another series about a detective in NYC (Ellie Hatcher) that I like well enough. Not ground-breaking but enjoyable. This is the first book in her previous series about an ADA in Portland. If you really like legal procedurals, you might like this book. As a bonus, the heroine is likable and all of the legal descriptions seem accurate-which makes sense as Burke was previously a prosecutor in the Northwest and is now a law professor at Hofstra. She's also the daughter of mystery novelist James Lee Burke.
But if, like me, you find detailed descriptions of trial preparation and the rules of evidence a little tedious and the heroine pleasant but lacking in any kind of dramatic tension, you might find yourself pushing to get thru a chapter, and suddenly realize this is miles from anything on the list of books you have to read before you die, and decide your leisure reading time could be better spend elsewhere.
This was Burke's first book (or one of her first) so she has improved. This series may have improved as it went along.
But if, like me, you find detailed descriptions of trial preparation and the rules of evidence a little tedious and the heroine pleasant but lacking in any kind of dramatic tension, you might find yourself pushing to get thru a chapter, and suddenly realize this is miles from anything on the list of books you have to read before you die, and decide your leisure reading time could be better spend elsewhere.
This was Burke's first book (or one of her first) so she has improved. This series may have improved as it went along.