Book Review: THE DISAPPEARANCE

By: JF Freedman

From the Back Cover:

He used to relish putting suspects in jail, but in his latest case, Luke Garrison—now a defense attorney—will stop at nothing to save a man accused of murder.

During a sleepover with her two friends, Emma goes missing. The owners of a local news network, her parents have money and power. As the police scour the city, Emma’s father offers a $250,000 reward for his daughter’s safe return. Eight days after the abduction, two hikers find her. Emma has been dead for days.

 After a year’s fruitless search, the police make an arrest, picking up the network’s star anchorman. As Emma’s father brays for blood, Luke Garrison is the only person who dares to stand in his way. Once a merciless District Attorney, Luke became a defender after mistakenly sending a man to the gas chamber. Now he will let no one—not even a bereaved father—rush justice. But is he doing the right thing, or is he fighting to set a killer free?

My Two Cents:

So, I admit some bias, having worked in criminal defense, but I love this book. The courtroom drama is realistic without being too legalistic and potentially losing the reader in trial procedures. The mystery surrounding who kidnapped and murdered Emma intricately weaves clues and suspects, and just when you think you know “whodunit,” there is another revelation that sends the reader back to square one, reanalyzing the evidence.  I really appreciate the personal turmoil Luke went through, and his journey to discover that he was not a “bad guy,” while facing down some personal and professional demons. Of course, behind every good man, is a better woman – and Riva was amazing as Luke’s supportive girlfriend. The evolution of their relationship is also in line with Luke’s acceptance of a changed life, not necessarily a lesser life.  I also love the transition from criminal defense attorneys being the enemies of justice, and shown in a more favorable light…but that may be my own bias coming through again.

This is one man’s journey to take back control of his life, instead of allowing circumstances and mistakes to dictate his future. It is everyone’s story, at some point in their lives, and Freedman does an excellent job showing that a shift in attitude can make all the difference. Sometimes what we believe is the “perfect life” is just a life lesson that leads us to where we need to be.

I give it     and a 

Book Review: Barcelona Skyline

Get to know David C. Hall on Friday!!!

By: David C. Hall

From the Back Cover:

Chicago restaurateur Elso Bari specializes in locating those who don’t want to be found, but in the shadowy worlds of private security and organized crime, it can be hard to distinguish the hunters from the hunted.

Elso Bari runs a restaurant in Chicago, and a sideline in private investigation. A stylish connoisseur of fine wines and gourmet cuisine, he’s also no stranger to the seedier side of city life. His debt to a powerful organization obliges him to investigate the suspicious death of one of its employees, a man with ties to international art trafficking. The trail leads Elso to Barcelona, where he becomes entangled in the hunt for a female contract killer who uses sex as a weapon—and is too smart to be tracked down by just anybody. Elso is comfortable moving in the shadows, but the deeper he delves into the criminal underworld, the harder it is to know whom he’s working for and whom he’s seeking, let alone why. Award-winning author David C. Hall navigates the murky waters of morality and transports the hard-boiled American thriller to the Mediterranean, giving a cosmopolitan twist to this action-packed tale of murder, sex, and betrayal.

My Two Cents:

If someone had told me prior to reading this book that I would become enthralled in a mystery surrounding art trafficking – I would have told them to stop drinking.  Okay, I may have first queried whether there was such a thing...but then I would have laughed. Once I began reading, I was thoroughly sucked into the art underworld right along with Elso Bari.  I loved straight-forward, edgy Elso – the mercenary with a heart. He was just the right balance of caring and hard ass. Mr. Hall brought Barcelona alive, with his knowledge of the good, bad, and ugly of the Mediterranean hotspot.  It was a page-turner from start to finish, and the suspense never waned. The ending left open the possibility of another adventure with Elso, which I am eagerly awaiting.

I give it     and a

Stop by Friday and meet the author, 

David C. Hall!!