Customer Reviews

Billy Strobe

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just finished reading this book and I really enjoyed it. I have read other books by Mr. Martel, and he is just getting better and better. I almost hated it to end because I knew I would have to say goodbye to Billy Strobe. Great character!!
I do have a small complaint though, although really more of a question for Mr.Martel. What happened to the cab and cab driver at the end of the story? For anyone who reads this, you will probably wonder the same thing. Otherwise......great book, great characters, and this is definitely one you should read.

I became a Martel fan after reading "The Alternate", but was not prepared for the level of excellence that this book presents. The off the wall beginning and ongoing plot twists are told with a humor and humanity that leave you reluctant to leave the story. Billy Strobe is a thoroughly original, totally engaging character,a sort of a cross between one with the strength, resolution and intelligence of "The Firm"'s protagonist, touched with a bit of the naive quality and integrity of a Forrest Gump.
The characters are well drawn, sympathetic and real, and the plot rolls.
I finished this one and turned it over to my wife, saying here you go,lucky you.

John Martel's fourth novel "Billy Strobe" is excellent, a non stop thriller, I found myself unable to put it down, and read it late into the morning, two days consecutively. This is the first book I have read by Martel, and I plan to read all of his work. Really enjoy the way the author wrote this book. Billy Strobe the main character confronts many challenges, from surviving in and out of prison, to trying to prove his father and friend Darryl Orton innocent, finding out who he really is and what he stands for, and who he loves. The reader follows him step by step often wondering what will happen next, the characters are intresting and have alot of depth, the settings such as the prison are painted very realistically,and alot of the time things are not how they seem. Written in the first person, you really feel like your there alongside him, as he continues his quest to find out the truth, whatever the cost. "Billy Strobe" is one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long time, a book I would recommend to anyone who loves legal thrillers, and of course is willing to sacrifice some sleep.

A book with more twists and turns than the streets of San Francisco, which is the setting for this latest John Martel thriller. A must read for all John Martel fans and anyone else with an interest in the legal thriller. I've read them all and this is probably Martel's best book to date.

Written at a fine pace with clever plotting. The prison scenes were absolutely brilliant. I read the last half of this book in five hours last night because there was no way I was going to sleep without finding out the answers.

Billy Strobe is a character you won't soon forget and the book is one you won't be able to put down once you start reading it. Martel has risen right to the top of legal thriller writers with this effort. The plot is multi-layered, the characters are very well-developed, the action is non-stop and the description of prison life will make you sure to never want to stray from the straight and narrow. While it could be argued that some of the trial scenes are a bit far-fetched, I personally had no problem with this. If you are in the mood for a legal thriller, or any type of suspenseful book, you'd have to search pretty hard to find a book that will be more captivating than Billy Strobe. I highly recommend this book to you. Enjoy!

In this dramatic, deeply layered legal thriller, John Martel uses an absorbing, complex plot with realistic dialogue and characterization to tell a story about harsh reality and personal growth.

Billy Strobe is a young, idealistic man who earns his law degree while serving time in prison for a white collar crime. His primary motivation to learn the law initially is to clear his father's name. However, circumstances occur and Billy befriends inmate Darryl Orton, who teaches Billy prison survival skills. As Billy becomes more familiar with Darryl and his story, he becomes convinced of Darryl's innocence. He vows to work for his freedom despite Darryl's distaste and distrust of lawyers.

By writing the novel in the first person, Martel puts the reader inside Billy's head throughout his transformation from idealistic but fearful dreamer to battle-tested attorney. Initially, Billy did not believe his father could commit suicide following the crimes for which he was accused. As Billy learns what really happened we are there to witness how he resolves the personal conflict the truth creates within him. He applies that experience to his personal pledge to Darryl, creating a very suspenseful challenge.

This story is more than the typical legal thriller. It contains characters who have depth of personality and traits the reader can readily recognize. I loved this story for its obvious legal expertise and its ability to describe an unrelenting pursuit of justice for those who abuse the law. It is recommended for its ability to portray the growth of friendship and the transformation of a mournful, embittered son into a battle-scarred, courageous adult. If you are attracted to legal fiction, you'll be pleased with Billy Strobe.

I have read all of Martel's book except Partners and I agree with the professional reviews that this is his best one yet. Billy is a complex character who has an innocence that you don't see very often in modern fiction.

As with all of Martel's books, there are enough twists and turns to keep you up past your bedtime trying to figure out who did what to whom and if they are actually going to get caught.

Becasue Martel is a San Francisco based attorney, there are a lot of familiar references to popular Bay Area spots that native Californians will appreciate.

I loved it and would recommend it to anyone!

love reading with the authors being lawyers themselves,I feel a real authentic touch is afforded. Moved well, prison life discribed well, for some reason toward the end things seemed to slow, maybe it was me. Ending was fine. I will look forward to reading his other books in the future.

Well paced novel. The humanity of the character draws you in to identify with the protagonist. The plot keeps things moving, worth the time all in all.