Customer Reviews

Dead Docket

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

 

 

I started this book and could not make it past the second chapter. The prose is stilted and pedantic, with at least one cliche or trite expression employed on every other page. Further, the book is written in the first person perspective of the protagonist, a former cop-turned lawyer-turned law professor. By the third page of the section in which readers are introduced to him, we realize that he is basically a condescending, pompous ass. Incredibly, the small asides that Graham weaves into the prose--presumably in order to allow us to glimpse the mind of the protagonist--have no apparent relevance to the plot. The reader gets the feeling that Graham included these tidbits in a misguided effort to showcase his brilliance. Instead, all he manages to showcase is his mastery of the cliche. Unless you are easily amused and don't mind very poor writing, I cannot recommend this book.

They became lovers in New York City (see MAJESTIC DESCENDING), but while John Delaney is a Big Apple law professor, Katherine Adams is an Atlanta lawyer. They miss one another, but keep in contact though long distance relationships are difficult.

Delaney is excited and sad as he has a professional reason to see Katherine. Delaney is heading to Georgia to settle the estate of the daughter of his father's partner. Apparently Sarah fell off a cliff while camping in Cloudland Canyon in north Georgia Mountains. However, this simple matter turns ugly when Delaney learns O'Connor allegedly stole a file from the US Attorney's office where she worked as a legal intern; the file contained incriminating evidence against crime boss Warren Blendel. John soon realizes that Sarah's apartment was searched and that the FBI has kept a case open involving her and her boyfriend Andre Rostov. Not long after that Blendel's thugs come to Atlanta to bury anyone associated with the evidence. Katherine and John find a tie to his fathers' death as the case spins further out of control.

Throw away your plausibility meter somewhere on the East Coast and the reader will have a great time going along for the ride of an action-packed thriller. The story line is action-packed and feels at times out of control as Adams and Delaney land in one dangerous disaster after another. Filled with twists, fans will appreciate this entertaining but improbable thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Finally a book kept me up all night! I couldn't wait for this followup story because I loved Majestic Descending and this book features the same characters but the story moves even faster. One of the things that held my interest was the realistic dialogue and the dry humor. It was easy to relate to these characters and I wish Delaney was cloned!! I am already wishing for Mitchell Graham's next book. I read somewhere that Dead Docket AND Majestic Descending have both been optioned for a movie. While you are reading you can just imagine Bruce Willis as Delaney - perfect.

I really enjoyed this book. The twists and turns will leave you wondering where you are. The trial and action scenes in particular were just first rate. John Delaney and Katherine Adams make a great team. You can either read this with Majestic Descending or as a stand alone. I'm a big fan of legal mysteries and felt the dialogue and reparte between them really made the story fun. Both of them are witty and tough as nails when its called for. A big thumbs up for the author. This is a perfect summer read.

I read Mitchell's Graham's thriller, Majestic Descending last year and was anxiously awaiting this sequel. It didn't disappoint. Graham is a hidden treasure. I found the story to be fast paced and the characters enjoyable. It was like meeting old friends again. I don't know what the idiot from Publisher's Weekly was thinking when they wrote their review. It's clear he or she couldn't have read the story very closely. Joshua does not turn his back on Katherine as they wrote. She wasn't even in the room when he got there.

I particularly enjoyed the courtroom scenes, which I thought were spot on. Graham is an attorney and he knows how to hold a readers interest without being too technical. What makes this book a standout are the plot twists. Just when you think you have it figured out, Graham reverses direction and takes you on a ride down another alley.

In my opinion Mr. Graham is the equal of any writer out there and I can't wait for his next book.

Mark G.

This book was sent to me in a timely manner and was in excellent condition.

I like legal thrillers as a rule, so I was disappointed that this book didn't deliver. The plot was somewhat rambling and disjointed and I wasn't really engaged by the main characters. I wouldn't recommend it for afficianados of courtroom thrillers.

Publishers Weekly said it better than I could: The book is definitely muddled. The plot seemed forced and I didn't sense that the dialogue was realistic. A disappointing read.