DOGGED PURSUIT

5 stars out of 5

For at least a half-dozen years, I've bemoaned the fact that I found this wonderful series late in the game; I've read only the most recent six, and this is the 31st. More's the pity; but I'm also not one to go back and read dozens of books that came before the one with which I started. That doesn't mean, though, that I'm not interested in how it all began. Well, that itch has now been scratched. This installment basically is a prequel to the others - answering a ton of questions as well as being a doggone good book all on its own.

As it begins, former prosecuting attorney Andy Carpenter is nearing 30 years of age, newly married and, according to his retired highly regarded prosecutor father, heading for the dark side to start his own firm as a defense attorney in Paterson, New Jersey. Readers are introduced to Tara, Andy's lovable golden retriever (and, I assume, the force behind the dog rescue Tara Foundation that keeps Andy busy in his retirement years). We're also introduced to Laurie Collins, who serves as his bodyguard (but who followers of the series know comes to play a much different role in future books).

Tara the dog, in fact, is directly responsible for the beginning of this tale. When Andy goes to the shelter to look for a small-ish dog for himself, he finds her and loses his heart. But when he sees that Tara and her shelter companion, Sunny, seem inseparable, he can't resist taking them both home. Problem is, Sunny isn't up for grabs; his owner, Frank Tierney, is in jail, awaiting trial for the murder of his former boss. Unless Frank gives the go-ahead, Sunny must stay right where he is.

Not wanting that to happen to the poor pup - and a bit curious about Frank's situation - Andy visits him in jail (Frank, that is). One thing leads to another, and poof - Andy has taken Frank's case - and as he soon learns, a difficult case to win it will be. Frank meets all the requirements for conviction: he has means, motive and opportunity - some of which has been documented by the very capable prosecution. But for whatever reason - maybe Frank's penchant for dogs - Andy is pretty sure they're barking up the wrong tree and his client is innocent. Proving that, however, will be a challenge for his entire team, and ultimately put his own life in danger.

All of this, of course, is laid out for readers like me to enjoy right up to the end - and enjoy it I did. Many thanks once again to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get my eyes on a pre-release copy. Series lovers, heads up - this one's a don't-miss. And it seems to me to be a great beginning for those who want to start reading a wonderful, thoroughly entertaining series.

Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt (Minotaur Books, July 2025); 288 pp.

WESTPORT

4 stars out of 5

This, the second in the former FBI director's series featuring U.S. Attorney Nora Carleton, takes her from her high-stakes, high-pressure New York job to posher-than-posh Long Island Sound, where she's been named lead counsel at Saugatuck Associates, the world's largest hedge fund. Joining her is her young daughter, Sophie. The hedge fund leaders are a quirky bunch, but they seem to like and appreciate Nora - especially one friend, Helen Carpenter, who recruited her - so all's right with the world.

Until it isn't. One not-so-fine day, a fisherman finds a dead body in a canoe, and it's Helen. Of course, Nora is devastated; but when evidence puts Nora in the role of prime suspect, she - together with her New York friend and investigator, Benny Dugan - realize that someone is out to get Nora as well by framing her for Helen's murder.

Nora's work with Helen included sleuthing in hopes of determining who, if anyone, inside the company has been using top-secret company information to make lucrative trades on his or her own, thus undercutting the company's profits. Beyond that, though, there apparently was more - much more - to Helen than met Nora's eye. In fact, she'd been collecting "dirt" on all the firm's top brass - giving more than one person at the firm good reason to want her dead and gone.

The investigation offers plenty of action that ensured my reluctance to put the book down; that said, it was fairly easy to make an educated (and ultimately accurate) guess early on as to the culprit's identity. I was also a little annoyed at Nora's actions near the end - a bit uncharacteristic in my mind - but overall it was a well-crafted adventure I thoroughly enjoyed. I certainly look forward to seeing more of Nora, Benny and (hopefully) a couple of other intriguing characters. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review this one. Well done!

Westport by James Comey (Mysterious Press, May 2024); 351 pp.

SNAP JUDGMENT

5 stars out of 5

Just like its two predecessors, I loved this book. So much, in fact, that I really hope the author reconsiders the three-book series and brings readers more tales about super-cool but flawed attorney Samantha Brinkman.

For those thinking about diving in, I will say the water will be more comfortable if you start at the beginning (Blood Defense followed by Moral Defense). I had no trouble following the goings-on in any of the books including this one, but I'm also sure I got far more out of each one just because I read the one that came before. And lest I forget, many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review (as was the case with the first two books as well).

This one begins as college freshman Alicia, daughter of well-known attorney Graham Hutchins, is murdered. Not long before that, she dumped her abusive boyfriend Roan - and apparently he retaliated by posting online extremely personal photos she'd taken of herself for his eyes only. Nothing screams payback more than a spurned lover, so it's not surprising that Roan is considered the prime suspect. But then Roan is found dead - an apparent suicide. His mother insists he was murdered, though, and the coroner's report is inconclusive. Alicia's father had every reason to avenge his beloved daughter's death, so he suddenly finds himself in the crosshairs of the police.

Samantha, better known as Sam, knows Graham; when he calls for help, she agrees despite not really wanting to get involved in the case (he's a well-heeled customer and she's having a tough time paying the bills, so she can't afford to say no). Soon enough, she and her tech-savvy, hunky investigator Alex are up to their eyeballs in pot-smoking college students, secret lives of the rich and famous and pulling out every trick in their bags (some legal, some not so much) to ferret out evidence sufficient to get their client off the hook. In fact, one of the most interesting components of this series is being privvy to the legal goings-on inside and outside a courtroom - told through the eyes of someone who knows (we all remember the infamous trial of former NFL star O.J. Simpson, at which the author was the lead prosecutor, don't we )?

As if that weren't enough, Sam gets a very unwelcome visit from a big-time gangster from her past (and from past books in this series). He's privy to one of Sam's big secrets, and he's not above calling in a chit now and again when it suits his purpose. This time, he wants Sam, with help from her police officer father Dale, to locate the only witness to a murder committed by one of his relatives. Sam is convinced that her success will mean certain death for the witness, who's set to spill the beans at that relative's trial. But if she refuses, it just as certainly will mean her own death - so saying no just isn't an option.

Can she juggle both cases and come out a winner (or at least still alive)? Everything is resolved in the end, but of course I won't reveal how it all plays out. Now, the only question for me to ask is can we have more of Samantha? Please?

Snap Judgment by Marcia Clark (Thomas & Mercer, August 2017); 462 pp.

CORRUPTED

4 stars out of 5

This is the third in the author's Rosato & DiNunzio novels, I believe, but it's a first for me. And I must say that overall, it just didn't quite grab me. In fact, I waffled between 3 and 4 stars for my rating - but I rounded up just because I didn't not enjoy it. 

As I said, I'm not familiar with either Bennie Rosato or her law firm partner, Mary DiNunzio; and after reading this, I still don't know much about the latter, who is pretty much a DiNoShow in this one. Bennie takes front, center and side stage as she takes on as a client Jason, who's been charged with the murder of a guy he's hated since middle school. Back then, Bennie defended him when, at age 12, he was sent to a juvenile detention center after getting into a fight with the kid he's now believed to have murdered. Professionally bruised and convinced that she wronged him back then by failing to get him out, she's hell-bent on making sure she doesn't drop the ball this time around.

Complicating things is the murdered guy's uncle, Declan, with whom Bennie had a brief fling (think just one weekend) during that first case that left her madly in love. Claiming family responsibilities, though, he bailed, breaking her heart. Now that her client is charged with the murder of his nephew 13 years later, he makes it clear he's in no mood to get cozy again (unless, of course, she drops the client she believes is innocent). Somehow, she musters up the courage to tell him no (personally, I'd have told him to put his ultimatums where the sun don't shine, but maybe that's just me).

Actually, both court cases - the second one involving a murder trial - make for very interesting reading; it's the sappy romance part that pretty much turned me off. Hunky appearance notwithstanding, I just couldn't warm up to Declan - and most of me fervently hoped she wouldn't take him back in the end (of course, my lips are sealed as to whether or not that happened). All in all, this is a pretty good book, but it's nowhere near the top of my favorites list.

Corrupted by Lisa Scottoline (St. Martin's Press, October 2015); 433 pp.

NAKED GREED

4 stars out of 5

This is the 34th novel about the life and loves of super-rich New York lawyer Stone Barrington. Although I enjoyed it more than some of the others over the past couple of years, I must note that I read it almost in one sitting - and on a day I was cooking dinner for friends, no less. In part, that's because it's just 320 pages; it's also because even when something happens that borders on action, no one gets the least bit worked up and it's easy to breeze through without fear of missing anything important. At times, in fact, the "excitement" happens when both parties hang up the phone.

Case in point: A typical conversation, as Stone - who apparently has become the target of mobsters - is warned to hole up in his fortified mansion.

"If I can't go out, then maybe I should have a dinner party. I don't do that often enough."  

All rightee, then. But don't misunderstand; such is the author's style, and - Lord help me - I've rather come to enjoy the laid-back way the characters approach day-to-day life, even when murder happens and friends' lives are threatened. This one begins as Stone is introduced to a man looking to do business in New York, with guidance from Stone's prestigious law firm, Woodman & Weld. Turns out, though, that the man is encroaching on the established territory of a few criminals - and they don't take kindly to the situation.

That's when the action - if you want to call it that -  begins, highlighted by a few murders, friends with bullseyes on their backs, anticipation of delivery of a fancy new airplane and [mercifully brief] reports of Stone bedding just about every eligible female he encounters including - be still my heart- a self-described "sex addict." The ending is gobsmackingly abrupt, leaving unfinished business that I suppose will be continued in the next book. On the plus side, since the last few were published within a few months of each other, I don't expect to wait long to find out.

Naked Greed by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, July 2015); 320 pp.

HOT PURSUIT

3.5 stars out of 5

Welcome to the 33rd book featuring filthy rich, impossibly well-connected female magnet Stone Barrington (or as I've taken to calling him, Stone Yawnington). Once again, the dialogue and action are ho-hum, but then that's the usual pattern. Maybe I've simply grown accustomed to it, but I was surprised to find I actually enjoyed this one more than the last two - or three or four, almost all of which failed to rate higher than three stars.

It gets off to same old, same old, with prominent attorney Barrington taking ownership of a fancy new private jet and bedding at least two beautiful women all in the first couple of chapters (I'll give him points, however, for sticking with older, more experienced women for the most part instead of the youngest, blondest, beauty-pageant wannabes). One of those women is a pilot, who provides the requisite training for Barrington before he can fly his new machine solo.

This, in turn, ushers in the first storyline: she's moved to New York, Barrington's home base, in large part to get away from a menacing former boyfriend who has a criminal background and apparently is intent on keeping her in his possession. In fact, wherever she lands, he turns up; now, he's got Barrington in his sights as well. 

At the same time, a trio of potential threats to international security have turned up to wreak as-yet-unknown havoc, posing problems for Barrington's long-time friend and now U.S. President Kate Lee (who recently was elected to replace her husband, Will, in the Oval Office). In one totally implausible early-on happening, another of the author's well-known characters, Holly Barker, now serves the President as a top adviser - and hires a young assistant almost literally from off the street on a gut feeling. Immediately, the young woman gets top security clearance world-wide and is given a major role in solving the security issue. Come on, now - I know the powers-that-be in Washington, D.C., have more than a few problems these days, but I refuse to believe it's that easy to land a job that puts you within whispering distance of the commander-in-chief of the U.S. Armed Forces. 

Chapters switch from one storyline to the other, with Barrington playing a role in each - if only by listening to someone on the phone during dinner or while in bed with one of those women and repeating what he was told on the phone to the person he's with after he hangs up (who in turn repeats it to someone else - it's at those times that the Yawnington angle rears its boring head, and unfortunately, they happen way too often throughout the book). Still, everything gets resolved satisfactorily and in relatively good fun - well, make that almost everything; as usual, there's at least one dangling issue that no doubt will carry over to the next Barrington book.

And yawns notwithstanding, no doubt I'll be reading that one as well - if only to see what wine goes best with sauteed foi gras.

Hot Pursuit by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, April 2015); 352 pp.

IN GOOD FAITH

4 stars out of 5

This is the second book in the series featuring Joe Dillard, who started as a criminal defense attorney in the first, An Innocent Client. This time out, he's switched to the dark side; burned out by his experiences defending guilty clients, Joe has accepted a job in the prosecutor's office. He'll make less money, but the opportunity to make amends for getting all those baddies off, he believes, will make up the difference.

He learns early on, though, that the office is no bed of roses; he's forced to work with another attorney who's at best a bumbling idiot, but the guy is related to the boss's wife and therefore enjoys free rein. At first, Joe is assigned to a rape case that is similarly complicated; the accusation is against an "upstanding" businessman who's a pillar of the local rural Tennessee community. While that's evolving, a family of four is brutally murdered. In short order, a retired high school principal and his wife meet a similar fate, and the evidence (and a witness) point to two young men and a young woman, all of whom are Satan-worshippers.

The young men are captured, and it's up to Joe to make sure they get their due (for one, that's execution, but not for the other one, who's a juvenile and thus ineligible for the death penalty under Tennessee law). There's insufficient evidence, though, to reel in Natasha, the young woman believed to be at the very least the instigator of the grisly murders if not the killer herself. She remains on the outside  looking in, making everyone involved worried that before long, she'll stop looking and start acting. And with Satan as her guide, life for everyone involved in the case soon could become a living hell.

Events move along at a rapid pace, prompting me to carve out extra time to get it finished. If I have a complaint, it's that the ending seems a little too contrived (and admittedly, the Twilight Zone aspect turned me off a bit). The epilogue wrapped up all the loose ends in a neat and tidy fashion - but again, a bit too quickly for my liking (and, IMHO, some of those ends were a little too important to warrant such short shrift).

As I said in my review of Pratt's first Dillard book, I'm happy to find a new-to-me series I can turn to when I'm looking for something easy to read and/or to fill in the gaps between release dates of books by my favorite authors. Although this one may be a tad less enjoyable to me than the first one, it certainly didn't dampen my enthusiasm for the series. On to the next!

In Good Faith by Scott Pratt (Phoenix Flying Inc., December 2013); 384 pp.