Customer Reviews

Old City Hall: A Novel

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

... I believe it would be more accurate to describe this as a low key legal procedural or a mystery. A celebrated Canadian radio host, Kevin Brace, confesses to killing his wife in their Toronto apartment. But, once he's done confessing he refuses to say another word - nothing to the investigating detectives and not even a word to his attorney, Nancy Parish.

As an eclectic Canadian reader and a lover of legal thrillers and mysteries, I confess I was looking forward to Robert Rotenberg's debut novel with considerable relish. But I'll have to admit that the quality of the mystery was spotty and I felt that the eventual courtroom drama just wasn't worth the reading.

However, if you're looking for a novel that will definitely give you a fine flavour of the culture, the geography and the feel of Canada's largest city, I have to give OLD CITY HALL two thumbs up on that count. If the truth be told, I have to admit that I only live about 50 kilometres down the highway from where most of Rotenberg's story took place, but I definitely felt transported. Every inch of the road, every street scene and every event in the story right down to the hopeless futility of being an eternally unfulfilled Toronto Maple Leaf hockey fan resonated with absolutely accuracy and completely conveyed me into the life of downtown Toronto.

Two stars for the story line, four stars for the setting and we'll call it an enjoyable three star read that is well worth the time of an out of country reader looking to sample life in Canada's largest city on the printed page.

Paul Weiss

Somehow the cover of this book interested me as I walked through the library. I read the first paragraph and I was taken. I could not put it down. The characters were all so interesting. It seems like Mr Rotenberg has thought of these folks for a long time and was anxious to give them life.

The plot moved around some. It began to unwind slowly, but as the book progressed the action sped up. I do not want to give away the story but pay attention to the side characters.

Also the court room scenes were insightful. One can tell Mr. Rotenberg was a trial lawyer. He showed what was going on in a very clear manner.

The ending was a little convuluted but I did not mind it because I did not want it to end.

Fantastic first novel. Even the "minor" characters came to life and the plot unfolded in a captivating way ... couldn't put the book down. One of the best books I've read in some time. I can't wait for his next novel!

This is a terrific book. It's got a rich cast of characters - created with such insight into human nature that they seem like people you know. The plot is inventive and multi-layered. This is not your usual "Just the facts M'aam" linear mystery. It's a mystery for smart people. I loved it.

Old City Hall is a legal mystery - calling it a thriller would be pushing it. Toronto radio talk show host Kevin Brace is accused of murdering his wife and to all involved it appears to be an open and shut case - which of course it isn't.

There is an interesting - but at times overdeveloped - cast of characters, starting with the accused talk show host, who refuses to speak; his conscientious but at times confused defense attorney; the fastidious and proper prosecutor; the hard working homicide detective; and even the retired Indian engineer who "discovered" the crime. And the mystery itself has enough twists and turns to keep it engaging.

This reader had problems with the pacing of the story. We spend time inside each of the above characters' heads - and that's the short list - so much so, that it impedes the storyline. (The reader is privy to such musings as wardrobe selection, feelings about the opposite sex and driving techniques to name a few, and although some are poignant, even humorous, the sheer number of them becomes mind-numbing.) Because of this the storyline doesn't begin to unfold until 150 pages into the book, which then makes the conclusion rushed as the reader catches up on clues and what actually "happened".

An OK book. My guess is that this author may follow Michael Robotham's lead and his next books will use the same cast of characters but switch the narrative perspective. I'll look for the next one but I won't be rushing out to buy it.

Robert Rotenberg's first novel, Old City Hall, is a good, but not great work. He writes well about the city of Toronto and it's citizens, particularly the ethnic pieces that have come together to make Toronto one of North America's most cosmopolitan cities. And his story is fine, but not written as well as a more experienced writer might have done. I think Old City Hall is a good, strong 4 star, I just can't give it 5 stars. Maybe his next book will get up to 5. This one, however, is a good start and a good read.

Kevin Brace, a popular Canadian talk show host, meets his newspaper delivery man with blood on his hands and the words, "I killed her." His common law wife is found dead in the bathtub with a stab wound to the chest. He then refuses to speak to anyone, including his attorney, as the investigation and the trial proceed.

This book was a bit sluggish for me. Much of it was predictable. A great deal of time was spent on character development and architectural discussion, and this is where Mr. Rotenberg's literary strength lies. I feel that this was very well done considering there were what I would consider several main characters, whom I really liked. All in all it was an enjoyable book but probably not enough so that I would purchase another of Mr. Rotenberg's novels.

Kevin Brace, a popular Canadian talk radio DJ meets his newspaper delivery man at the door one morning and says "I killed her." Brace's wife is indeed dead, found stabbed in the chest, lying in the penthouse bathtub. Brace is arrested and charged with her murder, but is he guilty? Perhaps the biggest mystery of all is why he refuses to talk - not to the police, not to his cellmates, not even to his attorney.

The story is told from multiple perspectives - including the case detective and policeman, a newspaper reporter, and the Crown (prosecuting) and defense attorneys - in alternating chapters. None of these folks stand-out as the protagonist. We get to know each person's role in the Brace case, and at the same time are given background information into their professional and personal connections and relationships. Like the characters in the best Richard North Patterson books (the ones in the middle of his career) and John Lescroart's Hardy/Glitsky series, any one of these people could star in his/her own future novel. Or they could continue to appear as an ensemble cast. This is Robert Rotenberg's first novel (you'd never guess) and I hope he's planning on creating a series. I'd like to spend time with these folks again.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. There are a few loose threads I would have liked to have seen tied up and not all of the characters are fully developed. However, in general, the story is tight and fast-paced, the people are interesting and diverse, and the Toronto setting is rich and a refreshing change of pace.

"Mr. Singh opened his mouth to speak. But before he could say a word, Mr. Kevin leaned closer. `I killed her, Mr. Singh,' he whispered, `I killed her.'" (Page 6)

For newspaper delivery person Mr. Singh, formerly the chief engineer for Indian Railways and a very precise man in word and deed, the idea that Mr. Brace killed his wife is a bit of a shock. So too it will be for all of Canada when word spreads. That shocking confession that December morning at the door of condo 12A located in the Market Place Tower in downtown Toronto will have repercussions all across Canada.

The confession, arrest and eventual first degree murder charge for the host of "The Dawn Treader" a nationally syndicated radio show is huge. Lost in the media hysteria and the investigation by the Police is one key fact that only his defense attorney knows. Her client, after uttering the statement above, totally clammed up. It isn't surprising he won't talk to the Police as he is a very smart man. But, he won't talk to her either. It is hard to defend a client who will only communicate in writing and barely wants to do that.

For Crown Attorney Albert Fernandez, who is also very precise in his word and deed, the case should be a slam dunk. Brace confessed with his wife's blood literally on his hands and the detail oriented Mr. Singh will make an excellent witness. The only thing left to do is document the investigation and prepare for the other side to offer a plea deal. Too bad his bosses will refuse any deal and want the case to go all the way to send a message to the voting public.

This debut novel by Robert Rotenberg, a criminal lawyer living in Toronto, is incredibly good. Along with the complex characters noted above there are many more as the actions and life of Mr. Kevin Brace touch many characters. The city and culture of Toronto, Canada also quickly becomes a real breathing character as the various fully formed personalities in this gripping novel introduce you to a Toronto very different from the city you see on television occasionally.

The result is a complex and powerfully good book that is difficult to give justice to in a review. With guidance from author Douglas Preston and many others, Robert Rotenberg has crafted a complex mystery with plenty of courtroom drama and twists that take readers on a grand adventure.


Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2009

We loved this book because it was fun to read. Details are so well written that it is easy to visualize the story. The characters are well developed, believable, and the ending isn't predictable. You don't have to be Canadian or a Maple Leafs fan to get the humor. Hope to meet Greene and Kennicott again and again. They get into your bones like old friends.