Reviews

A Matter of Life and Death is the fourth novel in the Robin Lockwood series. Robin is a Portland lawyer who got through school working as an MMA fighter. She now works criminal law and is very good at what she does. The courtroom is not her only arena but she will investigate on behalf of her client to get to the truth. In this story Robin meets a boxer named Joe Lattimore who is down on his luck and gets framed for two murders. One of them being the rich wife of a local corrupt DA turned Judge. When the system is stacked against her client can she really get to the truth and save an innocent man?

This was an enjoyable book. Like any crime series there is a formula to the story and this is no exception but in this one you know Joe is innocent from the get go making it more interesting. You even know who is behind the wife's murder so it is just a matter of finding out how it came together and seeing if Robin can get the evidence in time. There are many female lead crime novel series out right now but what I like about this one is that Robin Lockwood is not only smart but capable of taking care of herself.

straffangirl's review against another edition

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mysterious slow-paced

3.5

annieb123's review against another edition

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4.0

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

A Matter of Life and Death is the fourth Robin Lockwood legal mystery by Phillip Margolin. Due out 9th March 2021 from Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 320 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a well written action filled plot driven legal mystery with an insider's view to much of the legal process, including high stakes cases (capital murder, in this case). Robin Lockwood and co. are back and they're as committed to justice as in the previous books. The story contains several subplots which intertwine more and more closely as the book progresses toward the final satisfying climax and denouement.

The protagonist is intelligent and tenacious (she's a former MMA martial artist - so something of a badass in addition to being a lawyer). The author includes some legal procedural content and background notes which I found fascinating (he's a former trial lawyer also, so seems to know what he's talking about).

The language is R rated for cursing, mild on-page sex, and descriptions of murder. Nothing that is egregiously graphic or NSFW. Nothing here which will scandalize other commuters or co-workers.

Four stars. Well written and an enjoyable read. I would recommend it to readers of legal procedurals and modern murder mysteries.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

ndschmidt's review

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.0

amylowe's review against another edition

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mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

joey1914's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

kylieeason's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this book!

Robin Lockwood is one badass attorney, and I pray to everything if I’m ever falsely accused of a crime I get a lawyer like Robin.

A very large nod to Philip Margolin for his little transgender awareness character!

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