Customer Reviews

The Halls of Justice

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

 

 

Gruenfeld is one of those rare writers who achieves a major triumph on his first outing (IRREPARABLE HARM) and then just keeps getting better. THE HALLS OF JUSTICE is a beautifully written, relentlessly compelling and suspenseful tale of the law spinning out of control, peopled with fascinating characters, profound insights and delicious twists and turns. The last chapter is a knockout, and seems to come out of left field, but a quick review reveals that Gruenfeld practically shouted the ending out to us dozens of times throughout the book. To have pulled off this feat is a tribute to the kind stunning skill and craft that comes along all too rarely.

Along those lines, I must say that, as a female, I found the description of a rape in the very first chapter difficult to read. But what amazed me was that there is virtually no graphic depiction at all: what is happening is almost completely inside the reader's head, and nothing scares us more than our own imaginations. This brilliant feat of evocative writing is truly remarkable, as is the extraordinary outrage Gruenfeld manages to stir up in us as the rest of the story proceeds. He is probably better at writing about women than any other male writer (and most females, as well), and that ability reaches a major peak in this book.

Why Gruenfeld isn't better known is a complete mystery to me; I feel like I found a genuine diamond of a novelist among much of the roughage that passes for literature these days. I can hardly wait until his next book.

This book starts out with a really great idea. A sleasy character involved with the drug community rapes two women, twins, and gets away with it on a technicality. Then, a woman fitting the twins' description shoots him in a restaurant in front of numerous witnesses. Can the prosecution prove beyond a reasonable doubt which ONE of the twins did it?

The problem I had with this is the supposed shocker evidence that pops up (I won't ruin the ending for anyone who has not read this). It was such a shock to the defense and if this high priced lawyer is supposed to be so smart, then why is it that I knew where the prosecution was going with it long before he did? That and the big revelation at the end tying up the loose end as to why the rapist got off in the first place was not really that surprising to me either.

Finally, I really wish that someone (his editor maybe??) had told Mr. Gruenfeld that if someone doesn't care, they COULDN'T care less. His main character must have said five times that he "could care less" and each time I had to cringe. Sorry... real pet peeve of mine.

This book is okay if you're between books or are going to the beach where you can read and not worry about missing any details that will render you unable to solve the big mystery on your own.

Gruenfeld is one of those rare writers who achieves a major triumph on his first outing (IRREPARABLE HARM) and then just keeps getting better. THE HALLS OF JUSTICE is a beautifully written, relentlessly compelling and suspenseful tale of the law spinning out of control, peopled with fascinating characters, profound insights and delicious twists and turns. The last chapter is a knockout, and seems to come out of left field, but a quick review reveals that Gruenfeld practically shouted the ending out to us dozens of times throughout the book. To have pulled off this feat is a tribute to the kind stunning skill and craft that comes along all too rarely. Along those lines, I must say that, as a female, I found the description of a rape in the very first chapter difficult to read. But what amazed me was that there is virtually no graphic depiction at all: what is happening is almost completely inside the reader's head, and nothing scares us more than our own imaginations. This brilliant feat of evocative writing is truly remarkable, as is the extraordinary outrage Gruenfeld manages to stir up in us as the rest of the story proceeds. He is probably better at writing about women than any other male writer (and most females, as well), and that ability reaches a major peak in this book. Why Gruenfeld isn't better known is a complete mystery to me; I feel like I found a genuine diamond of a novelist among much of the roughage that passes for literature these days. I can hardly wait until his next book

This guy just flat out writes well. This is the third book of his that I've read, and although it's not his absolute best, it's still a very good read. The book is actually deserving of 3 1/2 stars.

style is dense, yet compelling. narrator spends half the time on introspection, slowing the pace to explain his thinking. the one-upmanship in legal strategies becomes as tedious as reading commentary on a sports event. the main character's ruminations come off more like polonius than hamlet. still, worthwhile reading.

About 75% of this novel takes place in the courtroom. If you love well done trial scenes this is the book for you. The technical aspects of the trials seemed quite complex at times, but were always interesting. I was amazed that the author, who doesn't seem to have a law degree, was able to write so convincingly about the legal world. The author even varied from the usual protagonist stereotype of "tall, dark and handsome." His hero prosecutor, is short, dumpy and not handsome at all. The first thing I did after reading the book is to come to this website and order all the other Gruenfeld novels.