Just Cause (Hardcover)

by John katzenbach (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The criminal mind, racial bias, journalistic ego and the flawed fabric of the American criminal justice system are potent raw materials for psychological suspense master Katzenbach ( The Travelers ) in this riveting, provocative story. Matthew Cowart is lonely since his divorce and bored with writing editorials for the Miami newspaper where he was once an ace crime reporter. Then he receives a letter from a black inmate of Florida's death row, Robert Earl Ferguson, who claims he is innocent of the crime for which he has been convicted, the raping and slashing of a young white girl. On Ferguson's promise to reveal the identity of the real killer, Cowart spearheads a crusade that frees Ferguson and names another inmate, Blair Sullivan, as the murderer. Cowart wins a Pulitzer for his efforts, but his celebration is short-lived. Sullivan gives the reporter a pre-execution confession, and Cowart discovers that he has been duped. Black homicide detective Tanny Brown convinces Cowart to team up against the killer who has outmaneuvered them both. The horror of psychopathic murder and the limitations of the legal system become clear as the pair jousts with the killer on his own turf. Despite some extraneous subplots, the story generally proceeds at a breakneck pace, enhanced by ear-perfect dialogue and complex characterization. Film rights to Warner; major ad/promo.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
YA-- Putting this book down will be a difficult task for any lover of crime tales and mysteries. From the first chapter, the challenge to discover the truth--and what to do with it--is clear and compelling. Miami newspaperman Matthew Cowart is established, successful, and no longer hitting the streets as a regular reporter. When he receives a letter from a death row inmate declaring his innocence and begging Cowart to investigate the case, his reporter instincts resurface and spur him on a course of action that creates the excitement in this well-crafted novel. Cowart discovers unsettling information about which he writes so compellingly that Robert Earl Ferguson is set free. Two detectives, whose work contributed to Ferguson's original conviction, express genuine outrage and frustration that a dangerous, guilty man has been turned loose on an unsuspecting public. Cowart eventually discovers, to his horror, that they were right all along: Ferguson is indeed a serial killer. Stalking the stalker and meting out a primitive justice beyond the reach of lawyers and courtrooms is the focus of the dynamic second half of the book. YAs who have not yet discovered Katzenbach's skill with a yarn will undoubtedly want to seek out his earlier three titles after reading this one.
- Carolyn E. Gecan, Thomas Jefferson Sci-Tech, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 431 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Adult; First Edition first Printing edition (February 6, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399136266
• ISBN-13: 978-0399136269
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,347,817 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful book ruined by a LOUSY MOVIE!, June 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Just Cause (Audio Cassette)

This is almost a perfect book and the only one written by J.K. without a flaw or any illogical defect. But unfortunately, it was made into a horrible bad,bad movie and it made me sick to death of those Hollywood jerks!This is a very touching and very deep story. If you happen to try to find a very good book for your summer and your mind didn't twisted by that terrible movie yet, choose this one from Amazon! You won't regret. But don't read J.K.'s other books if you found that you are intrigued by this one. As a matter of fact, all of the others were so badly written with so many holes,leaks and so many illogic ways of constructing the plots. J.K. is such a talented writer as Carl Hisassen(who became trivial laterly) and Michael Connelly(who becomes better and even great gradually), but his creatitvity of Muse is quite unbalanced. I sincerely hope that he could find some good editors who might candidly and professionally point out those unreasonable and illogic flaws of his books before publishing it

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mind Games and Deceptions, June 4, 2002

By	Untouchable (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Just Cause (Mass Market Paperback)

Miami reporter Matt Cowart receives a letter from Robert Earl Ferguson, a prisoner sitting on Death Row. He says he is innocent of the crime he was convicted for and, after talking to him and doing a little bit of investigating, Matt agrees that Ferguson may have been unfairly treated. He decides to write a story about Ferguson, and its a good story. Heck, its so good that he wins a couple of awards. Not only that, but its convincing enough to get the case reopened.

Butwhat if he got it wrong! What if he was lied to and was manipulated by a killer into helping him be released from prison.

Suddenly, there is doubt in every piece of evidence and every word of a confession so that Matt finds it difficult to reconcile the possible harm he has done. Added to Matts woes is another Death Row inmate, a Hannibal Lector type, who has taken it upon himself to play all sorts of mind games with him. In order to ease his mind and try to minimise any damage done by possibly setting a killer free, he teams up with the detective he virtually accused of being dirty and starts investigating the man he helped acquit.

John Katzenbach is a master at putting his characters through psychological turmoil. Theyre left to wrestle with their consciences as they dwell heavily on the consequences of their actions. Its this inner conflict that dictates the flow of the story and is a remarkably effective tool to build up the feeling of tension. It all adds up to a stunning thriller filled with doubts and blind alleys.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent novel, superb theme, talented prose, February 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Just Cause (Mass Market Paperback)

I was stunned to read the bad reader review of this book -- could it be that the central theme is a bit too difficult for people to comprehend? Theme...yes, IMO this book has a deeply disturbing theme, which has not been recognized by the majority. The disturbing aspect is that a journalist CAN be manipulated; awards are given out based on mistakes; sociopathic serial killers are capable of nothing but murder and deception. The talented Katzenbach writes prose that flies, soars with poetic brilliance; I'd read his work, even if the storyline didn't interest me. I love beautiful prose, even if it's describing gutter-life. Kudos for ALL his books!