Customer Reviews

Extreme Indifference: A Crime Novel

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
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After driving to a deserted area at night to have sex, the two lovers see a naked girl hobbling toward them with a dog choker around her neck as used in sadomasochistic games. The victim is eighteen-year-old college student Amy Lynch, born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She lapses into a coma and is unable to tell the police who abducted her but the handcuffs she wore are traced to United States Federal District Judge Glenn Ballard.

An anonymous tip leads the police to the isolated cabin where Amy was held, a getaway that belongs to the upright and honorable Glenn Ballard. Glenn hires superstar defense attorney Jackie Flowers to represent him. Her job becomes even tougher when Ketamine is found in his medicine cabinet and a video shows him in the cabin with Amy. The judge insists he was framed so Jackie goes to court trying to prove her client's innocence, something she has a difficult time believing.

Stephanie Kane writes legal thrillers that are on a par with John Grisham and Scott Turow. The court room scenes are incredibly realistic, hard hitting and action-packed. EXTREME INDIFFERENCE gives the audience a good representation at how the justice system works with the legal in fighting between the prosecutor, the defense attorney and at times even the judge. The protagonist has overcome dyslexia to become a good defense attorney that readers will admire.

Harriet Klausner

The heroine having dyslexia I thought was a nice twist. This condition is something that most of us can't relate to and don't think about very often. The plot takes some nice turns, especially toward the end and the author does a nice job of weaving multiple people and events together so that each chapter holds some meaning, some clues to the end.

My feeling is this author needs to stretch a little more though. After reading the author bio on the jacket cover, I see she is a lawyer in Colorado who is married to a federal judge. The heroine in this novel is a lawyer in Colorado who represents a federal judge. From this bias come some annoying habits. Too often the author uses legal expressions or slang as a way to impress the reader. Instead, it becomes annoying as none of it is explained. Everything about the read revolves around "lawyering" to the point where the rest of the world is viewed as window dressing. As well, is it really plausible that a federal judge accused of murder would be represented by one "rag-tag" lawyer and her assistant? Fiction is fun, but this seemed unreasonable.

I think the author has some talent, but I would encourage Jackie Flowers, our heroine, to become a more rounded character in future installments.

This book has a great plot and great characters that are vibrantly, totally real. The descriptions of the Front Range locales are perfectly described. I've sat at that exact spot in front of the cereal bowl at the Cherry Creek Mall, sipping a latte...

Stephanie Kane uses her writing talent to take us into the legal world in a way no author has done before. Many have tried, but she has done it. The rarified world of a federal court judge, the tangled political connections of lawyers and bailiffs and police and secretaries -- Kane shows us this world through Jackie Flower's eyes and makes it real.

Don't miss this book. Even though the crime is horrific, there are no overly violent scenes. I never felt I had to turn away -- though I did shudder occasionally! I stayed up late to finish Extreme Indifference and now I'm awaiting Jackie Flower's next adventure with eager impatience.

The hero of "Extreme Indifference" is Jackie Flowers, an attorney whose learning disabilities make reading a chore and driving almost impossible. She reluctantly agrees to represent her former professor (now a federal judge), who is accused of murdering a college student. The case looks like a slam-dunk for the prosecution. But Flowers never gives up, even when she has to drive alone on mountain roads that have as many twists and turns as the plot.

Kane clearly knows her way around the criminal justice system, which is not surprising for a former defense attorney. But Kane's terse, taut style not what one expects from a member of the bar, most of whom twist the meaning of the word "brief" beyond all recognition.

If you like legal mysteries, get this book.

Meanwhile, I'm waiting for the next Jackie Flowers story, and for Hollywood to take notice and realize that she is a perfect character to lead a TV show.

Extreme Indifference is a real page-turner. The characters are well developed, the pace is lively, and the story has a great twist at the end. This is a very entertaining book./

Anyone who likes legal thrillers or just thrillers has to read this. I have followed Kane and her heroine, Jackie Flowers, through Blind Spot, Quiet Time and now the latest. I can safely say that Kane started at a very high plane with Blind Spot and keeps getting better with each new book. This is the opposite from what I am accustomed to, which is either a one-book writer or a writer who writes the same book over and over. Kanes' work is fresh each time; it is unpredictable and it is exciting. Add to this the Jackie Flowers character, the quirky anti-heroine and her side-kick, Pilar, and, like me, you'll be anxiously awaiting the next book.

I'm a huge fan of Stephanie Kane and this is her best book yet! Stephanie Kane's books are so well-written and funny but what really sets them apart from other serial thrillers are the wonderful characters. They are all so multi-dimensional and interesting. Attorney Jackie Flowers has serious learning disabilities that have a profound effect on her everyday life. Driving across town or reading the newspaper are nearly impossible for Jackie. The interesting thing is that her incredible success as a criminal defense attorney is due to these 'weaknesses.' She is actually a much better attorney because she can't do things most people do every day without a second thought. Jackie's young neighbor, Lily, shares some of these same 'shortcomings' and their complex relationship is so compelling. I've never gotten wrapped up in characters in a book like these two. I wonder and worry about them long after I've finished the book! This is a great mystery and thriller and you'll love the characters!

The main character, Jackie Flowers is a well thought-out and totally believable protagonist. I particularly enjoyed the dyslexia twist and the techniques Jackie uses to function in her world. Pilar, Jackie's side-kick, is also a very substatial character and greatly adds to the book. Ms Kane's plot twists are well written and exciting. I very much liked the ex-lover woven throughout the story. This was nicely done and with a light touch.

However, there were several frustrating issues. Firstly, there were too many inside references to legal issues that Ms Kane failed to explain. They almost seemed like inside jokes and frustrate and exclude the reader. There are age specific references that don't add up. For example Jackie compares another character from the book to be as paranoid as President Nixon. I'm ten years older than Jackie and barely processed this.

Another frustrating issue is the fact that the book takes too long to explain that Jackie's problem is indeed dyslexia. As well it's too far into the book before we totally understand why she left the PD office six years ago. Confusing is the reference to Dennis's law firm. Kane needs to just come out and explain this clearly in the beginning. The whole poro trial in which Dennis was somehow involved is way too vague for way, way too long.

After saying all this I will also say I liked the book and look forward to reading Ms Kane's next Jackie Flowers novel.

It is not often you will see a book review written by me, especially for a novel of any sort. However, I felt more than obliged to write this one. You see Stephanie Kane is not only a wonderful writer but also a champion for dyslexics everywhere.

I won't go into details about the book's story or plot those reviews can be read anywhere on the web and are far better than I could ever write. I will go into the hero of the book Jackie Flowers because I seem to have known her all my life.

That last statement may make me sound a bit odd; then again, I have felt odd most of my life. To me, the importance of the underlying story of Jackie Flowers far outweighs the wonderfully entertaining novel.

Jackie Flowers is a attorney that has a brilliance she can't see. Her high confidence in court gives way to little in her private thoughts. Through out the twists and turns of her cases she always prevails. Yet, she would give the credit of her success, to the mistakes of her opponents and lucky breaks. (I know this mindset all too well.)

She has a champion in Pilar Perez her assistant and street tough private detective. Pilar of course, can see Jackie's brilliance. Pilar knows Jackie's successes are nothing compared to her capabilities, so she is constantly prodding Jackie toward bigger and better things. (I have been blessed to know several "Pilars" in my life)

Resiliency is as common a trait of successful dyslexics as is self-doubt. A lifetime of focusing on disability will always leave a hole in one's self esteem. However, resiliency and wit got Jackie thorough law school even though she was barely able to read and write. (Though I am relatively uneducated, resiliency has contributed to my success more than most things I learned in school)

I know Jackie is a fictional character but I want so to reach out to her. If she could only see that in reality, her disability is really the source of her ability. If she could just know that, it is not bad to be different, if she could only see her abilities are all that are really important! (These things I had to learn before I could be truly successful)

I must mention one other unique realism about the book. Jackie's problems reading and writing are not the most troublesome dyslexic challenge she faces. I mention this because if you ask any successful dyslexic they will say the same. (Still reading and writing are the single-minded educational intervention for dyslexia)

I don't know if a fictional character can help dyslexics see them selves in a better light. I don't know if others reading this underlying story will ever know how much they help to disable dyslexics.

Maybe a dyslexic hero will be an inspiration for dyslexic's to read more and that is always good. (That is why I read the book.)

However, some dyslexics might even realize they are far better than they think they are. (It just doesn't get any better than that!)

Bless you Stephanie Kane! All your research and effort to understand dyslexia have opened a window that is truly accurate, combined with a story full of surprises that was a joy to read!

(That "joy" word means allot coming from a dyslexic man)

Stephanie Kane has done it again. I first met Jackie Flowers in Blind Spot and welcomed her back with open arms. Kane's construction of this perfectly wonderful, perfectly flawed, woman draws you in and keeps you there.

A horrendous crime has taken place. Jackie's old college professor is accused and, against her better judgment, she takes the case. The college professor, now a federal judge, displays all the warmth of the South Pole. Jackie has to fight everyone, the judge included, to present a defense.

Jackie and Pilar are a team that have it all. Jackie is dyslexic and works with and around her learning disability in the most creative ways. This book offers insight into this world that really opened my eyes. I've been aware of this disability for a very long time but I now have a better understanding of the challenges in doing little things I take for granted.

The book is well written, the characters well constructed, the mystery is tight and the pace is quick. Be sure to start the book when you've got time - you're not going to want to put it down.