Customer Reviews

The Alibi

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

While my two favorite books by Sandra Brown are The Witness and Exclusive, this book runs a close second in the suspense, with a little bit of romance thrown in, category.

Hammond Cross is a county solicitor with aspirations of becoming the next District Attorney in Charleston, South Carolina. And, he should, because he is honest and ethical -- two traits that should be sought after in this position. Hammond's semi-downfall in this book is his attraction to the beautiful Dr. Alex Ladd who unfortunately is suspected in the murder of Lute Pettijohn, a wealthy, local businessman. Hammond and Alex spend an unbelievable night together and that night of "passion" becomes Alex' "alibi".

Other characters enter into this scenario especially Steffi Mundell -- who wants to be the next county prosecutor, Rory Smilow -- the chief detective and ex-brother in law of the murdered man and Hammond's own father who had some disreputable dealings with Lute Pettijohn himself. While many of the characters could have reasons of their own for killing Lute, the prime suspect is still Alex Ladd. Hammond Cross can't believe this is true and sets out to prove that someone he feels this strongly about could not possibly be a murderer.

Sandra Brown weaves a tale of corruption, romance and tension. You'll be on pins and needles until the conclusion of this novel.

With this book, Sandra Brown has made the jump from romance to ace mystery writer--there's no turning back now.

"The Alibi" is a fast-paced, terrific mystery with more plot twists, red herrings, mysterious would-be murderers, and all-around interesting characters than the law allows. It follows the story of urbane, charming, and gorgeous wunderkind Hammond Cross, whose Charleston, South Carolina family is one of the oldest and most respected in the tight-knit upper-class world he calls his own. He's in line to be the next DA, and rightly so. Then, in one fateful night, his world falls apart.

A woman he knows intimately may or may not have murdered the town's wealthiest and most hated citizen, Lute Pettijohn. Even the reader is not sure whether sophisticated psychologist Alex Ladd has done the deed. There are so many other suspects: the un-grieving widow Davee, whose friendship with Cross goes back to their privileged childhoods; most of Pettijohn's business associates, all of whom hated him--and Cross's own upper-class father.

Cross is in this murder up to his neck. If he successfully prosecutes the cops' key suspect, he is a shoe-in for the DA spot. If he doesn't, he may be brought up on charges of obstruction of justice. Along the way, he has to contend with his own tangled and uncharacteristically personal feelings about the case; his jealous and ambitious partner, the acerbic and unlikeable Steffi Mundell; his longtime nemesis, supercop Rory Smilow; and his own cold, judgmental father.

I thought I guessed the murderer after the first 100 pages. After the next 100, I was positive I was right, and had a smug "I knew it" attitude, just wondering how Brown was going to unravel the plot. Then I wasn't so sure. Then I was turning pages almost faster than I could read. Then I was positively racing to the end. I was wrong about the murderer, wrong about the end, and blown away by the ingenious plot twists that all came about effortlessly in the end. And it even ended with a cliff-hanger that made total and perfect sense.

You want a good read? You want a book that keeps you off the computer and the TV and has you walking into walls? This is it.

The truth is out there! Sandra Brown is not just a writer, she's a ROUNDER. She not only plays the cards, like the pros she plays the people -the reader - page after suspenseful page. The Alibi proves her prowess, and whets her growing fan base for another steamy fast paced read. South Carolina's ambiance is a perfect backdrop for the seedy intrigues of the legal profession. Enter the hero, dignity intact. Enter the heroine whose background is as colorful as Jacob's coat. One night. Sex. Sweaty sheets. Hero's dignity down the toilet. Fingers point to his clandestine lover. Murder! Who pulled the trigger? He can't get her out of his mind. Now she is the prime suspect in Charleston's most nefarious homicide. Everyone wanted Lute Pettyjohn dead. Alex Ladd is in the hot seat, so is the prosecutor, Hammond Cross. Prosecute her? Not what he has in mind. Fully rounded, sympathetic characters leave you wondering. Hold on to your hat. Wild ride included in the cover price. Thank you, Ms. Brown.

Hammond Cross is a sexy Assistant DA in Charleston, SC. He is in a very prominent spot, and expected to take over the top office soon. Hammond has had this planned as everything else in his orderly life. One reckless night, he meets Alex Ladd, and his life is changed forever. After an unforgettable night together, she disappears. When Hammond gets back to his normal life, he is distraught to find out Alex is suspected of murdering a local prominent businessman. If he provides Alex an alibi, that would be career suicide, so he sets out to find out who the real murderer is.

This was a disappointing story. I had trouble buying the love at first sight forgoing all else between Hammond and Alex. The chemistry wasn't there, and the pairing just didn't work, so that made the rest of the story hard to accept. The buildup was lacking, as if a lot of the important steps took place behind the scene. The big reveal at the end was also a let down because there wasn't one.

I couldn't wait to find time to read the book- before work, after work, during commercials during Ali McBeal....great suspense triller with a touch of romance! Cosmopolitan magazine book club pick- enough said!

A one night stand is definitely out of character for upstanding and straight-laced county solicitor Hammond Cross. He's on the fast track to be the next District Attorney in Charleston. But one hot and sultry night at a carnival, he hooks up with a beautiful stranger. Imagine his surprise when Lute Pettijohn, the notorious corrupt tycoon he's investigating is found murdered, and the chief suspect is the woman he just spent his most passionate night with.

To provide Alex Ladd with an alibi would be career suicide. And staying away from Alex is unthinkable. Hammond also has to contend with his conniving colleague Steffi Mundell, who also has dreams of the DA position; police detective Rory Smilow, with whom he has a checkered past; and his overbearing father, who also has a reason to want Lute dead.

Brown is at the top of her game - tossing out tons of red herrings, giving the reader plenty of potential suspects and great secondary characters like Lute's widow Davee. She keeps Alex very ethereal - you keep wondering if her motivations with regard to Hammond are pure. You'll convince yourself of who the real culprit is, only to turn the page and get a huge surprise.

This is another of Sandra Browns murder mysteries,written in her own unique style, with pacy dialogue, a good plot and some exciting sexy bits thrown in for good measure.
One of Charlestons most prominent businessmen, Lute Pettijohn, is found murdered in his hotel suite. Hammond Cross, an ambitious,young Assistant Attorney, is given the case which,if he proves successful in bringing the murderer to justice, would be his final stepping stone to the job of District Attorney.There is no shortage of suspects as Pettigrove was a ruthless and disliked man, but when the main suspect is proved to be a beautiful young phsycologist.Dr Alex Ladd, the story becomes interwoven with leads,red herrings and other people with a real reason for wanting Pettijohn dead.
A good,fast and engrossing read.

Sandra Brown's The Alibi has all the components of a great book-mystery, romance, and caracters that you love to love and love to hate. Since getting the book, I've read it five times, and each time it gets better! I didn't want to put it down, reading well past bedtime. To readers: If you want a good book if you're snowed in, or for anytime of the year, The Alibi is the book to get. Sandra Brown is a very talented writer, and she will become a favorite, especially if this is your first book of hers. I read her previous book, Unspeakable, and I will make all her books part of my collection. In other words-I'm hooked! :)

A friend gave me this book to read and it sat on the shelf for a couple months before I picked it up and started to read it for lack of anything better to read at the time. I really didn't think I would enjoy it but I loved it! It had murder, suspense and romance. Although I found it hard to believe that Hammond could fall in love with Alex in less than a week, it was still a good book. I couldn't put it down until I got to the end and found out who the murderer was. It wasn't until the last 20 pages that I started to suspect it might be who it ended up being. Very well written. I love how Sandra Brown makes her characters so witty. I got a kick out of Davee. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys murder and romance reading.

USA Today describes Sandra Brown as a masterful storyteller, carefully crafting tales that keep readers on the edge of their seats. I absolutely agree with that statement. The Alibi is an intriguing tale of murder, suspense, and emotion and how all these elements affect people in many ways. Lute Pettijohn, a powerful businessman of Charleston, South Carolina is murdered in his brand new hotel building. This earth shattering event confuses the city as they search for the murderer and gives Hammond Cross, assistant district attorney, the biggest case of his life. The night of the murder, Hammond Cross wanders through the countryside to a carnival where he meets an anonymous and beautiful woman. After one night of passion, Hammond wants to know more about the mystery woman who sparked his interests. As the murder investigation continues, the only possible suspect with no alibi is Dr. Alex Ladd, the mystery woman. A shocked and surprised Hammond Cross must continue the murder investigation, maintain a relationship with the suspect, and keep his spot as next in line as district attorney. As the story unfolds Hammond realizes the truth about Dr. Alex Ladd, her alibi, and the real murderer of Lute Pettijohn.

Throughout the story, Hammond Cross realizes his strenghts and weaknesses. As the main character he is an intelligent, well trained, and ambitious man. His main weakness is his heart. Hammond is faced with the problem of losing his job and the case because of a woman he barely knows, and thinks he might love.

Sandra Brown's choice of title was perfect and accurate. Hammond Cross is continually checking suspect's stories, and his alibi, and fearing he might be the alibi for Alex Ladd. The idea of unknown or hidden character alibis made the story interesting and exciting. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone. The characters are well developed, the plot is suspensful, intense, and the ending is completely unexpected. These aspects make The Alibi a wonderful book. The ending alone would make the book a best seller. The ending was a complete surprise yet logical when all the events, facts and dialogue were added up and put together. (This book has taught me to watch what you say because it may come back to haunt you.)