Customer Reviews

Fatal February

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
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I can't believe this is Barbara Levenson's first book.
The plot has already been summarized, so I'll not repeat was already said.
Fatal February was a little bit of everything---murder/mystery and legal thriller, without the blood and gore of some books in this genre. The author added just the right amount of romance without making it sappy, just a little saucy. Then she sprinkled it with a touch of humor---not the humor of Evanovich, but just the right amount without making it a comedy.
There were some twists and turns and the ending was two thumbs up.
I hope Levenson will continue writing and make this a series.

The word `allegedly' is what gets a great deal of people into trouble. In fact, for a woman by the name of Lillian Yarmouth, the press has already made sure that everyone in the greater Miami area has declared her 100% guilty of stabbing her husband with an antique silver letter opener. The problem? She's not guilty.

Mary Magruder Katz is Lillian's attorney. And when the story first begins, Mary is having one heck of a bad day. All she wanted to do was take her car to the car wash and get home through the ridiculous Miami afternoon traffic. What Mary doesn't count on is being rear-ended by a man in a Corvette whose a real obstinate - yet, handsome - jerk. As the hands of fate will do at times, that small accident escalates into a whole new life for Mary. You see, Mary is an attorney, and the driver of the Corvette - Carlos Martin - just happens to be on his way to a real estate closing. He hires Mary on the spot and throws money at her, as she drives this particular jerk to his closing and does the "attorney" deeds that she was paid for. What she doesn't know, is that this particular real estate closing is slightly against the law.

Because of Carlos, and Mary's complete and utter attraction to the man, she suddenly finds herself without a job, a fiancé, and struggling to start her own private law firm. She is also suddenly sued by her old boss (A.K.A. the fiancé) for "sleeping" with a client, and is being investigated by the Bar. While going through all of this, Mary also has to deal with a new man in her life, some seriously difficult staffing issues in order to get an assistant with a brain, and trying like heck to defend Lillian Yarmouth and discover who, exactly, was the real "letter opener wielder."

From the McMansions (which are now called `Starter Castles') in Miami, to the "Concrete Canyon" where Lillian lives, this author does a fantastic job of showing Miami to the world. The affairs of the heart, as well as the underhanded business dealings, keep the book humorous as well as fast-paced for the reader. And unveiling the real criminal in all these twists and turns is a whole lot of fun!

A wonderful new name in the mystery realm! Readers will love jumping on board for the passion, thrills, and suspense that Ms. Levenson provides!

AFatal February is the debut novel of Mary Magruder Katz, a wise-cracking legal eagle whose life is turned upside down in the carwash. (I'm not just talking about a fender bender here!)

Mary's life is going great: a lawyer in a prestigious law firm, engaged to the partner at the firm with a huge rock--career and professional life just humming along. Then her car is rear-ended by some hot-tempered hottie at the car wash and within the week, Mary has lost her job, her fiance, her ring and been brought up on ethics charges!

That's not even the crime itself in this novel! Along with all that, she has to set up her own law practice and defend a woman accused of murdering her husband in what looks to be an air-tight case.

Her life leaves me exhausted just trying to describe it, much less live it myself. And I loved every minute of it! I loved the absolute abandon of Mary Magruder Katz who often jumps first and then thinks through things later. It makes her moves and the plot so much juicier and really keeps the reader on the edge of the seat. You really never know what's going to happen next.

Another thing to love: Carlos. He is an amazing character and one of those who is so real he just jumps off the page. I am going to delude myself into believing that he is real. What's not to love? Hot Latin temper, great sense of humor, protective, he cooks (!!), and he is head over heels for Mary.

One last thing to love: the author's sense of ease in writing the book. Since I have absolutely no criminal background (either as a jailbird or police), I often get bogged down in books that are too heavy on the procedural stuff. It seems as if when some lawyers or criminal investigators turn to writing, they forget that most of their reading public don't know all the jargon and inner workings and don't bother to explain it. Levenson isn't like that. She explains each step of the criminal and legal proceedings in a way that is easy to understand and enjoy.

Currently, there are only two Mary Magruder Katz books on the marker but I hear number 3 is on it's way. I can't wait!

Mary Magruder Katz, a half Jewish, half Southern Baptist Miami lawyer, has just taken on the case of the year. While defending Lillian Yarmouth on murder charges, she makes a stop at a car wash and proceeds to turn her life upside down. Suddenly she's involved with Carlos, a new and very exciting man, left her old law firm, and finds herself being sued by her former fiance on ethics charges.

While everyone seems to adore Lillian and can't imagine that she'd ever kill her husband, it doesn't appear that her family is anxious to clear her name. And the evidence Mary uncovers makes things look even more dire for Lillian. It will take quick thinking and legal savvy to outwit the prosecutors and get Lillian off the hook.

Carlos is a distraction all his own, and their new relationship sizzles. A powerful man with friends on call whenever he needs them, he is determined to woo Mary. But sometimes duty calls, and she reluctantly concedes that work must come first.

Fatal February is the first in the Mary Magruder Katz series by Barbara Levenson. A humorous, light-hearted, and romantic mystery, it's just the right combination for an enjoyable read. I'm adding this new series to my list of favorites.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Miami criminal defense attorney Mary Magruder Katz agrees to defend Lillian Yarmouth, accused of stabbing to death her womanizing husband Gary in their affluent home in Coconut Grove; she was hired because her brother did the Yarmouth's will. The mixed breed Southern Baptist Jew finds a unique way to obtain a new client. Her car is hit from behind by obnoxious wealthy developer Carlos Martin at the car wash. When he learns she is a lawyer he hires her to help close a $6 million dollar deal.

Attracted to one another, Carlos and Mary make love in her office. However, her tryst is seen by her boss who is also her fiancé Franklin Fieldstone; he fires her as his future wife and from his firm, and files an ethics charge to the Florida State bar for having sex with a client so he can keep the firm from trouble. Feeling a bit of guilt but more euphoric, Carlos helps Mary set up her own practice even as she defends herself to the legal review board while also preparing Yarmouth's defense.

This is a fun legal thriller starring a feisty heroine who is not afraid to speak out when her rights even as simple as being pushed from her spot in the car wash due to extra money passing hands occur. The trial of Lillian is well written though some aspects of the defense are portrayed as discussions between Mary and Carlos, for instance obtaining Lillian's release. That technique is a bit passive, but also allows a relationship between the lawyer and the builder to develop. Fans will enjoy this engaging tale of a life ruined and rebuilt starting and ending with the car wash blues.

Harriet Klausner

This book is refreshingly entertaining, and does not make you wait chapters for something to happen. The author keeps the pace moving very well. Unlike many other works these days, there is not page after page of descriptions that appear to be no more than page fillers. The author gives you just enough description to mentally set the scenes, then moves ahead with the action. The sub plots fit very nicely into the main story and don't have the reader going through mental gyrations to figure out what is happening.

I look forward to reading more work by this author.

Barbara Levenson is a cross between Janet Evanovich and John Grisham. Fatal February is funny, intriguing and easy reading. Its setting is a showcase for the best, and worst, of Miami's legal system. We can't wait for her next book!

This is a book you won't be able to put down until it's finished. Mary Magruder Katz is a delightfully spicy and clever criminal defense attorney who finds herself defending a woman accused of murdering her husband in a crime of passion. In the midst of all the action, however, it's Katz's own passionate escapades that keep the pages turning. A must read for lovers of mystery books that also make you smile. I'll be on the look-out for Levenson's next effort.

Attorney Mary Magruder Katz has agreed to defend Mrs Lillian Yarmouth on 1st degree murder charges. Lillian is accused of stabbing her tycoon husband Gary Yarmouth with a silver letter opener. Mary becomes a detective as she searches for witnesses to defend her client. She uncovers that Mr Yarmouth has a mistress whom fast becomes her #1 suspect as the true murderer. As Mary delves into the lives of the Yarmouths she finds her own life turned upside down,she is engaged to a man she doesn't really know much less Love, but meets Mr Right at a carwash as he crashes into her. Mary becomes the prey to the real killer as she digs further into the lives and goings on of the Yarmouths. Her tires are slashed,her home invaded and several attempts are made on her life. Meanwhile Mary finds herself falling deeply in love with Marco, who comes to her aid at each attempt to halter her defense for Lillian's life. This book is full of twists and turns, a very good read.

Barbara Levenson's first book, Fatal February, is really a fun and entertaining read. The story has unexpected characters who make an ordinary day into an extraordinary one. Mary Macgruder Katz is a bright, strong-willed attorney who doesn't compromise on her clients' cases or on her new love interest. The unexpected twists in this book keep the reader interested until the end and leaves them wanting more. Can't see what Ms. Katz gets herself into next! Barbara's excellent description of Miami and South Florida are very accurate and inviting.