Reversible Error (Signet) [Paperback]

Robert K. Tanenbaum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1993 | Series: Signet

Assistant D.A. Butch Karp, his tough-as-nails lover, Marlene Ciampi, and three maverick cops track a serial rapist and a ruthless killer through the streets of New York City. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Manhattan Assistant D.A. Butch Karp and his colorful crew (Immoral Certainty, 1990, etc.) return for their fourth 70's-set end run against Gotham's worst--this engrossing time out, against a serial rapist and a murderous conspiracy reaching far into the halls of power. Once again, Tanenbaum, now a Beverly Hills councilman, draws deeply on his own past tenure in Karp's post, tracing with bedrock authenticity the A.D.A.'s internal conflicts as he is asked by a trusted top cop to cover up an investigation into a rash of drug- dealer killings (the work of a vigilante cop whose exposure will tear apart the NYPD?) and at the same time is wooed by a cabal of fat cats to run for the post of D.A. Expertly counterpointed to Karp's political tightroping is the suspenseful police street-hunt for the killer, focusing on a trio of Harlem-based cops whose extralegal tactics (including simulated torture) Tanenbaum describes with vibrant grit. And in a major subplot rife with 70's period detail and legalistic flourish, Karp's pregnant fianc‚e, Marlene Ciampi, goes after a smug serial rapist who graduates to murder. Then Karp learns that the cabal backing him for D.A. may be behind the killings, looking to score millions in drugs by eliminating their competition; the cops begin to fear that their own lieutenant is the killer--until he's kidnapped by the cabal; and Ciampi's case takes a bizarre turn as a corrupt judge springs the rapist. Can a series of Karp-engineered stings and a last- minute rescue attempt bring the scales of justice back into balance? You can smell the Big Apple starting to rot as Tanenbaum bores into its mealy core for another uncommonly intelligent legal/cop entertainment. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“You can smell the Big Apple starting to rot as Tanenbaum bores into its mealy core for another uncommonly intelligent legal/cop entertainment.” —Kirkus Reviews

 

“[Reversible Error] blends dirty politics, women’s rights, sadism, murder, and betrayal with skill and style.”  —Orlando Sentinel

 

“Sizzles and explodes . . . a gut-wrencher that takes Tanenbaum to the summit!”  —Booklist

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Signet (June 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451175190
• ISBN-13: 978-0451175199
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #439,990 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert K. Tanenbaum is one of the country's most successful trial lawyers -- he has never lost a felony case. He has been homicide bureau chief for the New York District Attorney's Office and deputy chief counsel to the congressional committee investigations into the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Most recently, he has taught Advanced Criminal Procedure atthe University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law. His previous works include the novels Escape, Malice, Fury, Hoax, Resolved, Enemy Within, and Absolute Rage and two true-crime books, The Piano Teacher: The True Story of a Psychotic Killer and Badge of the Assassin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Under Every Stone, Lurks a Politician, August 1, 2002

By 

sweetmolly (RICHMOND, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reversible Error (Signet) (Paperback)

Robert Tannenbaum captures the hard grit and the reality of civil service (whether it be city, state or federal) like no other. The offices are drab, your superior may be a smart politico but absolutely inept in the office h/she holds, the paperwork takes precedence over the doing the job, and you always and forever Cover Your Backside. Theoretically, the police department "serves" the District Attorney's Office. In reality, the Chief of Detectives superintending five divisions of detectives is a far, far, bigger honcho than an Assistant Attorney General Bureau Chief who has a total staff of ten.

The life expectancy of New York's drug lords has been unexpectedly shortened in the past few months. Five kingpins have been murdered. At one level, this is not a cause for consternation; after all these creeps are not pillars of the community, right? What is disturbing is the slickness of the crimes, and there is a suspicion that a rogue cop might be at work cleaning up the city on his own time and in his own way. As the highly secret investigation proceeds, corruption is uncovered at higher and higher levels. But where to go with the information?

Butch Karp, Assistant DA Bureau Chief and Marlene Ciampi, a lawyer on his staff and his fiancée are a marvelously realized pair. He is moody, filled with angst, cynical but still loaded with integrity. She is a firecracker, witty, fast tempered with an off-the-wall sense of humor. Some of their exchanges are priceless. Marlene (rightly) regularly gets fed up with the Great Man's moody silences and frequently galvanizes him with explosions of mirth, temperament, fury---whatever it takes. This is one of the most strongly written duos of the mystery genre.

While the situations ring true, the action is somewhat predictable. You know who will still be standing at the end, unlike Jeffery Deavers who does away with your favorite character when you least expect it. "Reversible Error" (somewhat oddly titled in honor of a subplot) always keeps your interest but doesn't give you that irresistible urge to peek at the last page.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another winner by Tanenbaum, February 21, 2005

By 

Judson T. Hanson "spock30540" (South Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reversible Error (Hardcover)

This is the second Tanenbaum novel I've read in recent months and is definitely another winner in my book. I love a good legal thriller and this has all the req. elements: good plot, well developed characters and it all wraps up neatly at the end.

I will definitely be back for more.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great series with fascinating characters, December 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Reversible Error (Signet) (Paperback)

My idea of a great mystery series is one that has compelling characters and a believable environment. Well, this series definitely has it. It's as interesting in its own way as the Nero Wolfe books - you can't read just one.