List [Paperback]

Steve Martini (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: HEADLINE (HODD) (November 13, 1997)
• ISBN-10: 0515121525
• ISBN-13: 978-0515121520
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Steve Martini was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area. An honors graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz, he holds a law degree from the University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law.

Martini's first career was in journalism. He worked as a newspaper reporter in Los Angeles and as a correspondent at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, specializing in legal issues. In 1974 he entered private law practice in California, where he appeared in both state and federal courts. During his legal career, he worked as a legislative representative for the State Bar of California, served as special counsel to the California Victims of Violent Crimes Program, and was an administrative law judge and supervising hearing officer.

In 1984 Martini turned his talents to fiction, quickly earning positions on bestseller lists. All but his first book spent time on the New York Times Bestsellers list. To date, he has authored twelve novels, including eight featuring his popular lawyer alter ego, Paul Madriani.
In 1996 Undue Influence aired as a four-hour miniseries on CBS, followed by The Judge on NBC in 2001.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STEVE MEETS SIDNEY, September 6, 2003

By 

Michael Butts (Berkeley Springs, WV USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The List (Mass Market Paperback)

It's somewhat hard to believe that the man who has written the outstanding Paul Madriani series is the same guy who pens this spiffy little "potboiler". It reminds me a lot of Sidney Sheldon's forays, but Martini's brisk pace and innate sense of plot and characterization propel this novel into higher ground. The plot revolves around an author/lawyer who after several misfires in writing finds she's written a hit---a big, money-making bestseller. Only problem is, she's an over-40 woman, not incredibly beautiful, and she knows her past flops will prevent any publisher from wanting the book no matter how good it is. She creates a pseudonymn, Gable Cooper, as the author and then sets out to find a handsome hunk to "play the role." In steps incredibly gorgeous hunk Jack Jermayne, a perfect fit to play the role. But, what have we here: murders of author's friend, ex-husband and her friends' vicious ex-husband start to point evidence that Jack may not be what he seems?? Hmm..in typical cinematic fashion, the author flees for her life to seek help from her long-time friend, Spencer.
The climax is appropriately suspenseful and the little "twist" at the end satisfying.
A fun, involving tour de force for Mr. Martini.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The List.....exhilorating!, January 21, 2000

By 

[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: The List (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first Steve Martini book I've ever read. Are all his books this good? I found myself intrigued by the storyline. Abby Chandlis is sick of her job, has been writing a book in her spare time, and decides to try her luck in getting it published. In a twisted and sorted way, she decides to hire a man to pose as the "writer" while she plays his lawyer. In walks Jack Jermaine. In the many twists and turns throughout the story, I found alot of mystery, humor, and yes! even romance, but not too much. This story was exhilorating, to say the least. If you're ready to try your hand at "whodunnit" and to go deep inside the literary world, hold on tight to your copy of "The List" and enjoy the ride! Three cheers for Martini on this well-written and highly entertaining book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Martini with a twist, August 18, 2002

By 

Paul Skinner (Manassas, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The List (Mass Market Paperback)

Steve Martini is the master of the thriller with the last minute plot twist. He weaves together a fascinating, yet believable tale of struggling authors, with seemingly unrelated events happening (death of friend, sinking of boat, etc.). Just as he traps you into thinking you know who the bad guy is - as you are trying to tell the hero's/heroine's to watch out - he throws a wicked curve ball into the plot that leaves your head spinning. And after you see it, you say, "wow, I should have seen that coming, but I got trapped just like the author intended." I found myself going back, re-reading sections where Martini left those clues I had skipped over. You beat me again, Mr Martini, touche'.