Customer Reviews

The Midnight Before Christmas

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After having read all of Bernhardt's Justice books, I knew this would not be a boring story. I was not disappointed. It's a fast read, and hard to stop after the first thirty or so pages. Part of it is predictable (in a good way), but the end twist, I must confess, I didn't see it coming. Nice story to gear up for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have to recommend it.

This is a short book that only takes a couple of hours to read, because you just want to keep reading it. It is full of suspense and also a little tear may come at the ending. It is centered around Christmas Eve and the happenings of an Attorney, Mom, Son & Ex Husband. The outside says Holiday Thriller and I would have to agree with this description. This was published in 1998 so should be easy to find at the libary or used book store. Mr. Bernhardt is an attorney, so I am sure that the items about the law are pretty true.

Christmas is meant to be a time of happiness, togetherness, peace, joy and harmony. But it isn't true in this story of treachery, deceit, abuse, crime and conspiracy. Seven year old Tommy is caught in the middle of all the action. Bonnie and Carl, his mom and dad are divorced and Bonnie retained custody of Tommy. When Christmas time is imminent, all Carl wants to do is spend time with his son. But Bonnie doesn't allow it, figuring that he might abuse them again. Carl therefore uses his rage to try and get to see Tommy. He breaks into the house, punches out Bonnie's boyfriend, destroys property and knocks out a neighbor. Fearing more attacks in the future, Bonnie decides to hire an attorney, Megan. Megan defends Bonnie for a while, until she finds things suspicious. Bonnie doesn't turn out to be the good mother she appears to be and the story takes a devious plot turn. Megan uncovers the real story from Carl, the ex-cop/husband. The truth is that Bonnie and her new boyfriend, Frank, are partners in the scheme to get to Carl's three million-dollar trust fund. Through many action filled, suspenseful scenes, all Carl is trying to do is get his boy back for Christmas. He soon encounters more than just that. Bonnie and Frank use Tommy as the bait, in order for attempts to kill Carl and obtain his money. The Midnight Before Christmas was a very good, entertaining, suspenseful, action filled book. It began with action and continued with action throughout. There wasn't a part anywhere. The book took you on a thrill ride and made you believe. Therefore, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a non-stop action thriller.

I love this book it made me believe in the miracle of Christmas! The main character was strong and fascinating and really and angel of mercy! Just when you think you know where this book is going it changes it course. I think this man is an excellent writer and hope to read more books by him!

Another tense, face-paced, exciting, suspenseful, delightful morsel with a wonderfully surprising ending!

Does this mean a new series with Bonnie and Carl?

William Bernhardt is definitely my favorite writer, and this was the perfect christmas gift!

On Christmas Eve in Oklahoma City, ex-cop Carl Cantrell beats up one man, viciously knocks down another person, and violently rages at his ex-wife Bonnie because he insists on seeing his seven-year old son, Tommy. Though he tries to forcibly enter her home, Bonnie refuses to allow him to see the child because she fears that Carl will abuse him as he has done before. Carl blames all his troubles on Bonnie and not the alcohol that has cost him his law enforcement position. Carl vows to see his son over the holidays or no one will ever see the kid alive again.

Because of his harassment, Bonnie turns to lawyer Megan McGee for relief. She tells the attorney that the local police offer no solution because they still consider Carl one of theirs. However, it turns out to be too late to obtain a restraining order because Carl has calmly taken Tommy from the Villa Veronica Day Care. Even though they may rescue Tommy this time, Megan knows that she is dealing with a serious lunatic who has the protection of his former peers at least until something horrendous happens to the boy.

THE MIDNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS is a taut thriller that focuses on every nurturing parent's worse nightmare. The relationship-based story line is tense and exciting as the terror grows in counterpoint to most of the townsfolk celebrating the holiday season. The characters are first rate, but it's interesing to observe the lack of loving affinity between the victim and his tormentor. William Bernhardt, renowned for his wonderful Ben Kincaid legal thrillers, scribes a fantastic Yuletide novel that should elate fans who get off on a non-stop family drama.

Harriet Klausner

This story is about a man named Carl. He wanted to see Tommy, his son, for Chritmas Eve but he can't because his ex-wife, Bonnie, got total custody of Tommy. Carl had to find out a way to see his son, so when Bonnie wasn't at the daycare center, Carl got Tommy. Bonnie wasn't there because she had to get a restraining order for Carl not to go by Tommy. When Bonnie found out that Carl had taken Tommy, Bonnie and her lawyer, Megan, went out looking for them and they found them. So Carl took off so the cops didn't get them but he had to go to the hospital because he broke his arm. So when he was an explosion and he ran out of the hospital. When the lawyer found out that Bonnie was trying to kill Carl she was on Carl's side. When Bonnie called Carl on the cell phone she was prentending to be Tommy and she said that he was getting hurt so Carl went to the house with the lawyer and Bonnie had a gun in her hand so Megan knocked it out of her hand and the cops came and got Bonnie. So Carl went home with the lawyer and his son for Christmas.

I would say that the book was okay but there could be more exciting.

After having read all of Bernhardt's Justice books, I knew this would not be a boring story. I was not disappointed. It's a fast read, and hard to stop after the first thirty or so pages. Part of it is predictable (in a good way), but the end twist, I must confess, I didn't see it coming. Nice story to gear up for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have to recommend it.

Have read several of Bernhardt's book and I think this is one of his best. Megan McGee is approached by Bonnie Cantrell who wants protection from her ex-husband, Carl Cantrell. She says that Carl has beaten her before and is afraid he will kill their seven year old son. Megan does what she can but she begins to wonder if Bonnie is telling her the truth. The story takes many twist and turns. It will hold your attention, it is short and a quick easy read. Carl tries to get his boy back, he is shot, but by whom? The ending is great and makes you think. A good book.

All I can say is that this short pleasant story focus the intrigue on the behavior of the characters, (the different members of a typical family) and its plot, fast paced and plenty of action also gives room for some reflections about the meaning of Christmas and the relationship between parents and their children. Finally, after a sudden turn of events disclosing the nature of the mystery, the suspiciously obvious ending comes naturally.