Judgment Calls
By Alafair Burke
- Release Date: 2004-05-04
- Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Description
In Judgment Calls, a seemingly simple assault case spirals into a complex web of violence and deception in this bold debut thriller from Alafair Burke.
Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid walks into her office in Portland's Drug and Vice Division one Monday morning to find three police officers waiting for her. A thirteen-year-old girl has been brutally attacked and left for dead on the city's outskirts. Given the lack of evidence, most lawyers would settle for an assault charge; Samantha, unnerved by the viciousness of the crime, decides to go for attempted murder. But as she prepares for the trial, she uncovers a dangerous trail leading to a high-profile death penalty case, a prostitution ring of underage girls, and a possible serial killer. And she finds her judgment—not only in matters of the law but in her personal life—called into question.
In Samantha Kincaid, Alafair Burke has created a complex, appealing character—a woman consumed by a sense of justice, who is also tough enough to take on a man's world. Seamlessly juxtaposing courtroom scenes with those of criminal investigation, Judgment Calls reveals not only an insider's knowledge of the criminal justice system but a fresh new voice in the world of crime writing.
Reviews
Not for everyone
2By AzflwrThis subject matter was too graphic detailing violent sexual crimes against a young girl. Reading the first couple of chapters was all I could stand.Very good.
5By Longhorn5555Ok, I’ll admit that I read my first Alafair Burke book simply because I recognized the name from all of the incredible James Lee Burke novels. But frankly my expectations were low. I suspected another “famous author’s kid tries to pen a novel.” Boy was I wrong! Ms. Burke was a former prosecutor, clearly intelligent, and writes a great book. I’ve read two back to back, and both were highly enjoyable. It’s clear that she has her own totally different, but thoroughly enjoyable, style of writing. Well done, Ms. Burke. Well done! I’m looking forward to working my way through all of your other books.Read like a LSAT review class
3By Guzin1It being a few decades since my criminal/constitutional law classes, Burke read like a refresher review class, maybe a hair too technical for some. Seemed as though the story got a little lost in the legal details, the interpretation of which didn't read at all like the mindset of prosecutors I'd encountered. Regardless, with the exception of Burke's need to pepper her protagonist's comments with what is obviously Burke's personal political position (i.e. anti-bush, anti-Fox commentary that felt forced, but hey, it's her book and her chance to vent) I enjoyed the story overall. I'll continue to read her books, but wish she'd leave the unnecessary and unbecoming personal political jabs aside.
