Customer Reviews

Cold Justice

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

 

 

As this novel of exquisite suspense begins, San Francisco lawyer Kali O'Brien has been stood up for dinner by her friend Anne. And then she gets the shocking news that Anne has been murdered in an apparent copycat killing. Anne's murder is eerily similar to the crimes for which the so-called Bayside Strangler, Dwayne Davis, has recently been executed. Both Anne and Kali helped prosecute Davis 8 years earlier. When a second, and then a third victim, turns up in short order, the heat is on and a team is put together to investigate the new murders and ensure that an innocent man was not executed. The plot is wickedly clever and the tension never lets up as Kali takes a leading role in the investigation and becomes a target for this diabolical killer.

I have only recently discovered Ms. Jacobs's Kali O'Brien series, and I am thoroughly hooked. She now definitely tops my list of favorites.

I don't think I'll summarize the book because the other reviewers have already done a great job of that. But I've got to say this is my favorite Jonnie Jacobs book so far. If I remember correctly Jacobs' last books were first person viewpoint, from Kali O'Brien's point of view. Cold Justice is third person view point and it told things from not only Kali's perspective but from other characters as well. I felt this gave the reader better knowledge on the other characters' motivations. The only thing that I have a problem with is that Jacobs's minor characters (anyone besides Kali) tend to change with each book. I hope she continues some of the new minor characters in Cold Justice into her next book because they could make for some interesting developments.

Was Dwayne Davis The Bayside Strangler? He was convicted of 2 of the 5 murders and has recently been executed.

Then Anne Bailey was found murdered. She had worked in the DA's office with Kali O'Brien on the Bayside Strangler case. Kali finds out her friend has been killed and notifies Owen Nelson, DA and candidate for governor, about the slaying because Kali is concerned there are things about Anne's death that are similar to the Bayside Strangler murders. Both Kali and Anne had worked with Owen on that case.

Owen is concerned that publicity of this could kill his run for governor. So he asks Kali to come back to his office and discreetly assist the detectives on this case.

When there are more murders, the press makes the connection and it can no longer be kept quiet. Kali assists the 2 detectives and ends up in danger. Uncertain of who the dangerous one is, she starts accusing those closest to her.

I always like this series. This author is one of my favorites. She has another series as well with a suburban housewife as an amateur sleuth that I love.

I was a little hesitant to read this book as I was afraid it would be filled with gruesome details and be a scary read. That is not the case. The information is presented in a way that you know the danger and type of killing, but it is not dwelled upon.

I recommend this book and both of her series.

Jonnie Jacobs' Kali O'Brien legal mysteries just keep getting better and better and this is the best yet, placing her in the top ranks of legal thriller writers.
The difference is this book fully develops all, even the minor characters, showing especially the heartaches behind the everyday face. Kali is particularly likeable, wearing her feelings on her sleeve, and when her good friend, Anne Bailey, is brutally murdered in a style reminiscent of the since-executed Bayside Strangler, whom Kali and Anne helped convict, there is the dual question of finding a murderer who enjoys taunting the police and finding out whether an innocent man has been convicted. Another murder quickly follows, then the killer drops a note suggesting Kali is the next victim. Kali, whose legal skills, tenacity and spunk are a lot better than her personal choices with men, straightens out everything except a budding romance which she decidedly un-straightens.
Forever or for the next book? Only Jonnie Jacobs knows. But we eagerly await the answer, and the next book.

Kali O'Brien brings to Cold Justice what Dismas Hardy brings to John Lescoart's books. She is a former prosecuting attorney turned defense attorney who struggles with the dilema of defending clients who may be guilty but still entitled to defense. Her personal life is shattered with the murder of her friend, and her new love interest in Cold Justice appears to have little in common with her besides an intense chemistry which may well work into future books.

When Anne Bailey, Kali's friend is found brutally murdered in what appears to be the same style used by the Bayside Strangler, Kali along with others in the DA's office in San Francisco, begin to question if the right man had been executed over a year ago. Kali had helped prosecute Dwayne Davis, the Bayside Strangler who had been found guilty of killing several women. Suddenly eight years later women are again dying in the same manner used by the Bayside Strangler. Had they executed the wrong man, or was a copycat killer at large?

This was my first Jonnie Jacobs but I will quickly catch up with the other books in this series. Cold Justice was a good read that kept me turning pages from cover to cover.

If I have only 2 days to live, I know for sure that this is the one book I have to read before I go. The best book I have read so far. Usually books take me about 2 weeks to finish, but I couldn't put down this one. I had to run between classes so I could get to my class and start reading again. The only book I could not put down, not only to go to the bathroom.

I would recomend this book to anyone who wants to see what life is all about!! :)

Cold Justice is an engrossing story with likable, well-developed characters and enough plot twists to keep me guessing until the end. Kali works with the district attorney's office on a string of murders that are similar to the murders committed by a man she helped convict. Did the put away (and execute) an innocent man or are these copycat murders? As the killings continue, it becomes clear that whoever is doing them has inside knowledge. I am not a fan of serial killer books, but this one focuses less on the killer (we're never inside his head) than on the investigations into the crimes and the struggles of the characters. There is also a creepy guy who shows an interest in Kali and a nice, buddying romance. A perfect summer (or anytime) read.

I never really enjoyed reading but and I do not like flying, however whenever I travel the best way to take my mind off the flight is by reading a book. I grabbed this book by chance and am so glad I did. Now I have been hooked on all of Jonnie Jacobs' Kali O'Brien series. Whenever I pick one up it is soo hard to put down. Even when I do my mind is constantly thinking of what happened and I can't wait to continue reading I recently bought all of the hardcovers and am about to read her latest one "The Next Victim." After I finish that I am going to start from the beginning and read the earlier ones since I started in the middle with "Cold Justice." For someone like me that does not usually like books, this book is a must read.

I truly enjoyed reading this book. I like the character development and pace. HOWEVER - and this is a "biggie" for me - I was able to figure out who the real culprit was almost from the moment the character was introduced - the author made the mistake of revealing too much about this person's physical discription and the vehicle they drove - plus there was "motive". Perhaps I've read WAY to many mysteries and watched too much "Perry Mason" as a kid. The author did an excellent job of allowing for many "possibles" which sometimes made me think "maybe it's so and so??" - but alas when the identify of the killer was uncovered I was NOT at all surprised. This is the first of Ms Jacob's books that I've read and will most likely try another. I DO like the character Kali - she's very real.

I've been reading the Kali O'Brien series since the beginning, and Jonnie Jacobs just gets better and better with each book, even though each time I think she can't top the last one. Cold Justice is fascinating, suspenseful, un-put-down-able. Jacobs weaves many points of view into a taut, seamless narrative that pulls you deeper and deeper into peril. This is an intelligent thriller that doesn't depend on lame coincidences or stupid behavior on the part of the characters for its effects. The characters, even the minor ones, are real people. Now, if only there was a new Kate Austen (Jacobs' other series) to read, I would be perfectly happy.