Customer Reviews

The Law of Revenge (Niagara Large Print)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Wonderfully written story of southeastern Kentucky and east Tennessee. Ms. Collins book is a pleasure to read. I am from her hometown, but have not had the opportunity to meet her. She describes the people of Applachia in a way that only an insider could. I hope to read many more of her books in the future.

I was constantly amazed at the fresh insights on Appalachia I got from this book. It's not just married cousins and moonshiners. The characters were compelling, and it was easy to emphathize with them. The twists of plot kept me up reading late into the night. Great vacation read when you have time to race through to find out what happens next. I hope to see the character, Alma Brashears, in another novel.

I love to read legal dramas and this one is one of my favorites. You can tell the author researched the legal system but didn't feel the need the drown the reader in legal jargon to prove it. The character developement is great, and I think Alma is a deep character with many facets and a well develooped personlity, not the sterotypical business woman coming back to the small town after being in the big city. Overall this book is interesting and envolved from cover to cover with an interesting twist at the end. I can't wait to read Collins' next novel.

If you're from Kentucky, this book speaks to you in extra ways, but for anyone who has escaped the past and thought never to look back, Alma and her homecoming will have resonance. Collins' writing about her Appalachian characters and landscape hints at a strange magic I hope we'll see more of in future books, as well as spinning a great suspense yarn.

A book that is so very typical of people living in appalacha and gives realistic decription of characters in the last decade as well as how difficult a way of life is to change. Outstanding characters with tremendous suspence in every chapter.

This book offered an easy to read, enjoyable view of a stagnant culture. The author was able to paint a picture of a culture unchanging over time, where the members repeatedly relied on their culturally specific morals and values that are not congruent with the morals and values of the mainstream American culture. A wonderful insight into a mostly unexplored culture. Being Applachian and living in the area, I enjoyed the book very much. I look forward to more insights from Ms. Collins!

Wonderfully written from one who knows her mountain and small farming people of appliachia

Nobody looking at chic Alma Bashear, a San Francisco corporate attorney, would ever guess that she comes from Contrary, Kentucky, a dying town that rarely appears on any map. Although she successfully has shed all outward appearances of her white trash heritage, she never emotionally recovered from the gang rape she suffered led by the son of the town's most influential family. Even though the nightmare occurred over fifteen years ago, Alma has never returned to her hometown. ...... Unfortunately, Alma cannot stay away from her hometown when her brother Vernon needs her to defend him against the charge of killing the town's leading executive. The prosecutor is one of the individuals who raped her and he plans to use the case to further his political ambitions. However, this time Alma meets him on her terms. He tries to double cross her in an out of court settlement. Alma does not get mad; instead she plans to get even for more than just his dirty dealing. ..... Like Sharyn Crumb, Tess Collins captures the atmosphere of Appalachia and the essence of its hill people with a tenderness, vividness and accuracy that is positively brilliant. Watching the heroine's metamorphosis from a fish out of water to a person comfortable with her roots seems natural and well written. This novel is an inspiring work that happens to also be first class legal procedural. ......Harriet Klausner

The romantic plotting is rather predictable, and there isn't awhole lot of what I normally think of as "mystery," butCollins describes Appalachian scenery and relationships with a realistic mixture of detachment and affection. The character developments are done well, particularly Alma's as she discovers that she has become one of those spoiled rich girls she despises so much and struggles to salvage the tatters of her integrity.

The book is more of a trial drama than a murder mystery, but that in conjunction with the colorful characters and the mountain backdrop would make the story a fine movie.

Tess Collins has both captured the environment of the rural mountain people and values. She knows about the folks she writes about. The focus on the law is straightforward without the jargon that usually creeps. I loved it and look forward to her next effort. ...Ben Davis