Judgement Calls (Samantha Kincaid Mysteries) [Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Alafair Burke (Author), Betty Bobbitt (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2005 | Series: Samantha Kincaid Mysteries

An apparently simple assault case spirals into a complex web of violence and deception in this bold debut thriller. Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid walks into her office in Portland's Drug and Vice Division one Monday morning to find three police officers waiting for her. A thirteen-year-old girl has been brutally attacked and left for dead on the city's outskirts. Given the lack of evidence, most lawyers would settle for an assault charge; Samantha, unnerved by the viciousness of the crime, decides to go for attempted murder. But as she prepares for the trial, she uncovers a dangerous trail leading to an earlier high-profile death penalty case, a prostitution ring of underage girls, and a possible serial killer. And she finds her judgement - not only in matters of the law but in her personal life - called into question. In Samantha Kincaid, Alafair Burke has created a complex, appealing character - a woman consumed by a sense of justice, who is tough enough to take on a man's world. Seamlessly moving between courtroom and criminal investigation, JUDGMENT CALLS reveals not only an insider's knowledge of the justice system but a fresh new voice in the world of crime writing, and the start of a great new series.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Debut novel by daughter of the great James Lee Burke and one that he can proudly applaud. Quite unlike JLB's own work, but exciting, individual and unreservedly excellent. ... An absorbing, enjoyable first outing. Safe to assume they'll be many more.' -- Philip Oakes LITERARY REVIEW 'Burke is a born storyteller and has created an attractive heroine whom I look forward to meeting again.' -- Susanna Yager SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'A legal thriller with a twist that is stuffed with authentic detail.' YORK EVENING PRESS 'Burke's entry into the world of crime fiction was nver going to be easy. The daughter of possibly the genre's greatest exponant - James Lee Burke - the dagers were bound to be drawn from the start. But to her credit, the former Assistant DA manages to hold her own. Judgment Calls is a smart and savvy legal thriller. ... A chip off the old block.' IRISH EXAMINER 'Burke...handles the various threads of the story with aplomb, her characters are believable, her plotting is right on the buton, and in Kincaid she has created a sympathetic protagonist that I'm sure we'll hear about again.' IRISH TIMES --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Alafair S. Burke is a former Assistant District Attorney in Portland, Oregon. JUDGMENT CALLS is her first novel. She is the daughter of acclaimed crime writer James Lee Burke. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Bolinda Pub Inc; Unabridged edition (March 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1740935535
• ISBN-13: 978-1740935531
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 7.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,897,215 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alafair Burke is the author of "two power house series" (Sun-Sentinel) that have earned her a reputation for creating strong, believable, and eminently likable female characters, such as NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher and Portland Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid. Alafair's novels grow out of her experience as a prosecutor in America's police precincts and criminal courtrooms, and have been featured by The Today Show, People Magazine, The New York Times, MSNBC, The Washington Post, USA Today, and The Chicago Sun-Times. Dennis Lehane has called her "one of the finest young crime writers working today."

A graduate of Stanford Law School and a former Deputy District Attorney in Portland, Oregon, Alafair is now a Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure.

She lives in New York City with her husband and beloved dog, Duffer. She spends too much time on Facebook and Twitter, but has no plans to quit.

Learn more about Alafair at www.alafairburke.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Judgment Calls - and a career in crime writing too, March 25, 2007

By 

Jennifer A. Jackman "Clete Purcell's next gir... (Brisbane, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Judgment Calls (New Blood) (Hardcover)

I decided to read this book solely because Alafair Burke is the daughter of James Lee Burke, the master of the crime genre. Also, it would seem, she is something of a family favourite, JLB having named the daughter of his main character 'Alafair' in his long running Robicheaux series. Alafair Burke has now written 3 Samantha Kincaid novels and looks like writing a whole slew more, so it was a pleasure to give her series a hit out.

Alafair Burke's first offering is set in Portland, Oregon. Her main character, Sam Kincaid, is an assistant DA. This makes the book more a legal procedural and this point of view is very welcome: many of the established series set in law enforcement place their main characters in the police force or as private investigators. The job of the DA's office is to take the work of the police and ensure the evidence is sufficiently kosher to enable successful prosecution.

Living in Australia, I think I have a better idea of how the American justice system works than I do of my own, including the differences in laws between the different states (at least in the states where the crime series I read are set!). I don't know whether this is sad or not, but at least I'm KEEN! Over here we do not have DAs for example, although we do have a Department of Public Prosecutions. I imagine any reader from outside the US has a similar sense of peripheral perception, but we get used to it especially when it comes to good crime series.

This book focuses on Sam Kincaid's involvement in a case where a 13 year old heroin using child prostitue is grievously assaulted and left for dead by 2 men. There is quickly a suspect for Kincaid to prosecute, but the case becomes more complicated when an older and similar murder is revitalised and the spectre of a serial killer begins to materialise.

My main criticism of the book revolves around the plot's clunkiness. I think this is mainly due to the fact that it IS the first in a series, and number one always seems to have these kind of problems. Burke is keen and she knows her stuff and some of it gets quite complicated. However some of the Oregon law enforcement acronyms are not explained and the US justice system does love its acronyms, all slightly different from state to state. I was also champing at the bit about the identity of the second attacker, Burke is mute on this for much of the book.

Further I found some difficulty with the character of Kendra Martin, the 13 year old victim, who was not quite 3-dimensional. Some of the story's importance revolves around the state Kendra was in when the police interviewed her after her attack. She had supposedly been given a shot of Narcan to counteract the effects of the heroin found in her system, something that usually leaves addicts furious and hell bent on only one thing: getting more immediately. She wasn't quite believable as an addict either then, or in her later behaviour. Even after 'only' 9 months of use, she would, I believe, have pursued her drug lifestyle a little more vehemently even after this gruesome attack, especially with the lack of family support Burke creates for her. Kendra is really quite 'tame'.

Outside of that, Burke has created some strong characters; her love interest Chuck who is also a cop on the Major Crimes Unit, her newly widowed Dad, her friend Grace and her dog Vinnie. It must be overwhelming setting up a series and getting all your ducks in a row. The criticisms I have of the book never made me want to put it down, just hope that Burke can iron everything out to keep the series rolling. And it appears she has done just that. I've just picked up 'Close Case' and its a cracker.

I believe Burke's main audience, readers of crime fiction series, will exercise patience with this book and she will pick up other fans as the series gets stronger. I for one welcome her and her character and the setting onto the scene and will be looking out for more of her Sam Kincaid series.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars couldn't finish it., April 16, 2011

By 

4th grade teacher "nanni B" (Central Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Judgement Calls (New Blood) (Paperback)

My niece and I tried to listen to this book when we were driving across the country. Both of us are avid listeners to books on tape but we had to give up after listening to 3 discs. The story didn't capture us in any way. I am not sure if there were too many details or what the problem was. It was just very boring and we had no interest in the outcome.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Judgement calls, September 12, 2010

By 

William Wilkins (Parker, CO United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Judgement Calls (New Blood) (Paperback)

My first book from Alafair Burke, but you can bet I'll be reading ALL of hers starting now. I expected a kind of washed out version of her fathers work, bujt was very pleasantly surprised. She has a fresh style and unique point of view. Women will love it because the "Hero" is a female with loads of character and grit. Men will like it cause it's just great writing and absorbing. Definitely get some of her books. You'll be glad you did.