Customer Reviews

Final Paradox: The Second in the OSGOODE TRILOGY

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Harry Jenkins believes his client, Norma Dinnick, an eight-seven-year-old widow, is balancing on a very thin line between reality and insanity. Norma calls Harry with the intention of rewriting her will, and is convinced that Archie Brinks, the executor of her estate, is trying to poison her by substituting her arthritis medication. He wants her money and the share that her deceased husband had hidden years before. She's determined to change her will, naming her goddaughter, Bronwyn (a friend's daughter), sole beneficiary and Harry as her executor. She firmly believes that George Pappas, Peter Saunderson (Bronwyn's gay husband), Archie Brinks and others are after the Elixicorp share she believes is rightfully hers.

But the share isn't - nor does it belong to any of them, for years ago, fraud and deceit were commited against high-class Torontonians, having them believe that Elixicorp was developing medication to prevent memory loss. Millions were invested, and without that share, the money is out of reach for all. Before his death, Arthur had hidden the money. After being threatened by Robert Hawke and George Pappas, he commited suicide rather than face a horrific, torturous death by their hands, and left specific instructions for Norma.

But Norma's mind is no longer what it used to be, as she 'sees' and `talks' with her husband and David, her lover, and believes there are bad tenants residing above her when, in fact, the apartment above her own is completely empty. And now Harry's stuck in the middle, while more and more, the men who are supposed to be finding the hidden share are turning up murdered.

Meanwhile, Harry's love-life is at a crawl. Divorced from his wife, Harry has fallen in love with Natasha. One minute, she is warm and inviting, and the next, she's cool and withdrawan. And Harry doesn't understand why.

Again, another great mystery. Ms. Martin knows how to create a complex plot(s). While I did find that there were too many characters and sometimes hard to keep track of them, each one plays a particular role, and all working for George Pappas, all after the same thing; the missing Elixicorp share. So complex a story, let this be a word of caution: while an excellent tale, this novel is by no means a light read. This is not a book you can pick up and finish in a few short hours, even if it is only a 268-page Trade Paperback. It needs and deserves your complete attention. Way to go, Ms. Martin! Can't wait to start A Trial of One, Book #3!

The second in a trilogy, The Final Paradox continues the story of Harry Jenkins and the cast of characters surrounding his life and his quest to do good. Character development continues to be a strength of the author and you really care about what happens to everyone in the book.The book flows beautifully and Ms.Martin paints a perfect picture of old Toronto and it inhabitants as well as the high stakes world of medical research and fund raising. Issues of concern to all of us as we age are expertly woven through the story and are presented with the author's expertise and is must reading for everyone. Can't wait for the next installment..

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (2/07)

Years ago a company called Elixicorp developed a pill that claimed to stave off memory loss and to restore damage all ready done. Harry Jenkins is an honest lawyer filled with integrity. George Pappas talked wealthy people in Toronto to invest in the company. Five million dollars was raised but the money was never seen again. The shares are much like buried treasure.

Harry Jenkins' client calls him to change her will. When he arrives at her home he doesn't see the witty, intelligent eighty-seven year old Norma Dinnick that he's always admired. In her place is a woman that is on the brink of madness. She's delusional and paranoid. She thinks someone is trying to kill her.

As the story continues it takes some bizarre twist and turns. Fraud is uncovered concerning the shares of Elixicorp. The shares are suddenly valuable to everyone, especially to George Pappas, who has mob ties. The plot continues with murder and suicide.

There is a long list of characters to keep up with in this book. I finally made a list so that I could keep them straight - Arthur, Archie, Harry, Norma, David, George, Paul, Roger, and Bronwyn. I've probably missed a few. Mary E. Martin has interwoven the lives of these characters into an intricate plot. My only criticism was that it was too many characters. Ms. Martin is a talented author with great ability to spin a tale. This is not light reading. It's not a book you can sit down with and finish in one day. I found this book to need a lot of concentration time. That is not meant as a criticism but as a compliment. "Final Paradox" is not fluff reading. I recommend it to those that enjoy a good mystery.


Received book free of charge.

Norma Dinnick is sure that the named executor of her estate is trying to poison her, or else he's in league with the upstairs tenants to drive her mad, all in a bid to ensure she doesn't change her will. When she requests Harry Jenkins do something about both the will and the upstairs tenants, he discovers that Norma may be on the brink between lucidity and madness - there are no upstairs tenants.

In a bid to forestall Archie (the executor), and protect his client's safety, Harry follows her instructions and files claim against Archie and the others pursuing a claim on some valuable shares. Unfortunately the motion sets of a chain of events ending up with murder in open court and the reappearance of an acquaintance from Harry's past. Now Harry must help sort out Norma's tangeled memories if he hopes to track down the shares - and protect her life.
Final Paradox, the second volume in the Mary E. Martin's Osgoode Trilogy, once again sees honest lawyer Harry Jenkins up against lawyers willing to twist the legal profession for their own gain. Like Conduct in Question, the book which introduced Harry, what sets Final Paradox apart from other legal thrillers is Harry's personal struggles and development. Readers will enjoy Harry's challenges in running his small law practices, intergenerational conflicts with his junior, his difficulties of dealing with an aging parent, and his burgeoning relationship with Natasha.

Unfortunately the central mystery in Final Paradox feels convoluted and contrived, while the villains are not nasty enough to fully engage reader in the action. Natasha is too enigmatic in this outing and readers may be left wondering why Harry doesn't just walk away. While entertaining, Final Paradox is shadowed by the much stronger Conduct in Question. Hopefully the next in the series will provide a better showcase for Martin's delightful Harry Jenkins.