Customer Reviews

Prime Witness (G K Hall Large Print Book Series)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I am a bit puzzled at the negative reviews of this book. This is the one that started me on the path to becoming a Steve Martini fan. Granted this isn't his best courtroom thriller, but it is STILL above just about anything written by the incredibly over-rated John Grisham. But let's not judge this book based on other authors. The storyline is well-plotted, and very engrossing. The forensics used to trace the evidence to the so-called perp's is not only interesting, but very entertaining and informative as well. It has been many years since I picked up this novel, and I STILL have very fond memories of how much I enjoyed it. I think one of the best things about this book is how it kept you in the dark as to whether or not the 3rd murder was a copycat or not. Give it a shot, it's not literature, but it IS a fun read.

Reading this book is like being stuck at a table with a number of lawyers at a social event...they're alright on their own but, get them in a group, talking shop, and they're the most boring people possible to anyone outside that legal circle. A serial killer is loose in a university town, killing couples in a vile, ritualistic fashion, when the bodies of yet another couple are found, supposedly killed in the same way. Paul Madriani is working as the town's temporary Chief Prosecutor when Andre Iganovich, a Russian immigrant, working as a security guard at the University, is arrested and charged with the murders. The details of the investigation and eventual solving of the crime is, no doubt, absolutely right, but to anyone who doesn't work in criminal law, the legal minutiae is not only beyond the comprehension of the untrained mind, but is deadly dull into the bargain.

Prime Witness kept me glued to my seat for several evenings. For about 380 of the 400 pages, it is a real page turner. In the second book in the Paul Madriani series, our hero ends up being the District Attorney of Davenport county, a small rural county in which several serial murders have been committed. When the killer is caught, Madriani feels there is another murderer, probably a copycat at work. From there the book keeps a steady pace and the pages begin to turn themselves until about page 380. Then, all of a sudden Steve Martini must have either run out of steam, or maybe he just wanted to get the book over with. The end seems unbelievable and just comes too quickly. Still worth reading though.

I made the mistake of reading this immediately after polishing off Compelling Evidence (the 1st one in the series; Prime Witness is the 2nd). Steve Martini's verbal tics and catch-phrases started to grate after I ran across them over and over again. That said, I found it an entertaining read, especially the courtroom scenes. Martini brings those vividly to life, and the constraints of the setting mean that his wilder flights of plotting fancy are kept (mostly) under control while we're safely in court.

Which brings me on to another of my grumbles about this book: the characterisation is way over the top. We meet too many characters who are either angelic (for instance Sarah, Madriani's sentimentally idealised daughter) or totally and one-dimensionally given over to wickedness. And as for the judges and their goings-on outside the courtroom... well, I had to laugh at the Grand Guignol implausibility. It makes for an irritatingly self-righteous authorial voice.

Despite all that, I'll be reading the next in the series - but not until I've had a break from Martini, and the chance to forget some of his more annoying mannerisms.

I have refrained from reviewing Steve Martini's books even after consuming a slew of them, mistakenly believing his work will speak for him.

It appears not!

For those who doubt his ability, and are content to take potshots, I recommend Prime Witness.

When a killer who was on the lam is caught over the border in Canada, there is relief in the community that the murderer has been caught. Now they want justice--justice for the the spate of double murders that took place over a period of months. Enter Paul Madriani and Adrian Chambers.

Paul has been appointed temporary DA of Davenport county, and is the lead prosecutor in this case; Adrian, his arch-enemy, will be defending Iganovicth, the alleged killer.

Getting Iganovitch convicted could be the least of Madriani's woes, because he must deal with a possible copycat killer, the quicksand of county politics, two backstabbing justices, and an adversary for whom hitting below the belt is akin to a pat on the back.

Paul Madriani's hope in all this is to find the elusive Prime Witness.

The book finishes on a high note; with a conclusion that leaves you with the stark reality: you've been following the wrong scent.

This book lacks the courtroom drama other books in the series have: That might be because Paul is playing in the wrong team--according to Harry Hinds. Instead there is a greater emphasis on the legal process.

I love the brief descriptions of the Coconut and the Prussian, the colorful painting of Chambers; the other characters enliven the story. I do have misgivings about the level of estrangement of Paul's wife.

Like most books in this genre, this one is simply written, though unlike many others, of which I could name a few, this one is highly entertaining.

The Prime Witness is definitely worth a peek.

It was well-enough written. I did not like, however, that 15/16ths-ish of the book built up 'bile' at injustices: these were addressed in what little space was left. For me, that aspect was overdone. 3.5 if I could.

Martini's books were handed down to me. I WILL start reading the next one in the Madriani series: they're interesting enough.

Fast reading book with many turns and a surprise ending. An amazing look into the legal system and how it can be worked.
Kc

I had already read this book in PB but wanted a 1st edition HB. I was able to find it online and ordered it. It is a little shelf weary but otherwise in great condition. I would order from them again. Thanks.

I found "Prime Witness" to be a great read for my first venture into the writings of Steve Martini. Paul Madriani, acting as the temporary Chief Prosecutor, finds himself up against long time arch-enemy, Adrean Chambers, who is the defense attorney for the Russian suspect Andre Iganovich.

The plot, well written and developed, starts with a series of double murders committed by a so called "serial killer" who is thought to be the Russian emigrant Iganovich. The investigation and the trial are all part of a well thought out and developed plot line, with explosive confrontations between the legal parties, and a totally unexpected and utterly surprising ending. Well worth the time and effort to read. Martini at his best!!

E.J. Walden, author of "Operation Snow Owl"

I first got interested in Steve Martini after watching The Judge, an interesting movie that had some nice courtroom scenes for which I am always a sucker. I had already purchased Prime Witness in audio so decided to make it my chores listening. I enjoyed it. Several characters pop up who were in The Judge. This one is unusual int hat Paul Modriani, Martini's protagonist plays the role of district attorney, rather against his will and he is thrown into the middle of a case that pits him against an old antagonist. No point repeating the plot, that's available everywhere.

Some reviewers have downgraded this book because of the level of detail supplied in the investigation. That's the kind of stuff I like. I especially enjoyed the courtroom and lawyerly battles using obscure features of the law in an attempt to gain the upper hand in the battle to gain the advantage.

One negative, I thought, was the side plot that involved threats against Modriani's wife. I thought that was unnecessary and not well explicated. The ending is perhaps a bit preposterous; nevertheless, solid entertainment.