Sins of the Fathers [Paperback]

James Scott Bell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 29, 2005

A parent's worst nightmare. A lawyer's biggest challenge. A young boy's life on the line. The unimaginable has happened. A thirteen-year-old boy has fired a rifle into a baseball game, killing several of the kids on the field. Parents are devastated. The townspeople are horrified. When public opinion swells to an enraged cry for justice, an ambitious deputy district attorney sees his opportunity---a sensational trial that will catapult him into the D.A.'s office in the upcoming election. There's just one obstacle: the boy's defense attorney, Lindy Field. To all appearances, the case is a slam-dunk. Convict the killer, make him pay. But it's not that simple. Lindy's young client is unwilling---or unable---to help Lindy defend him. And as the case progresses, it becomes clear that someone doesn't want the truth revealed. As Lindy delves into the haunted world of her client's torment, she finds a spiritual darkness that dredges up her own troubled past. And when dangerous forces close in around her, Lindy must fight for answers not only in the justice system, but in the very depths of her soul.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A parent’s worst nightmare. A lawyer’s biggest challenge. A young boy’s life on the line.

The unimaginable has happened. A thirteen-year-old boy has fired a rifle into a baseball game, killing several of the kids on the field. Parents are devastated. The townspeople are horrified.

When public opinion swells to an enraged cry for justice, an ambitious deputy district attorney sees his opportunity—a sensational trial that will catapult him into the D.A.’s office in the upcoming election. There’s just one obstacle: the boy’s defense attorney, Lindy Field.

To all appearances, the case is a slam-dunk. Convict the killer, make him pay. But it’s not that simple. Lindy’s young client is unwilling—or unable—to help Lindy defend him. And as the case progresses, it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want the truth revealed.

As Lindy delves into the haunted world of her client’s torment, she finds a spiritual darkness that dredges up her own troubled past. And when dangerous forces close in around her, Lindy must fight for answers not only in the justice system, but in the very depths of her soul.

About the Author

James Scott Bell, a former trial lawyer, is the bestselling author of Try Dying, The Whole Truth, No Legal Grounds, Deadlock, and Sins of the Fathers. A winner of the Christy Award for excellence in Christian fiction, he lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Cindy. Visit his website at www.jamescottbell.com.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (March 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310253306
• ISBN-13: 978-0310253303
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #878,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

JAMES SCOTT BELL is a bestselling and award winning suspense writer. He was the fiction columnist for Writer's Digest magazine and has written four popular books for the Writers Digest line: Plot & Structure, Revision & Self-Editing, The Art of War for Writers and Conflict & Suspense. Jim taught writing at Pepperdine University and numerous writers conferences in the United States, Canada and London. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver. He lives and writes in L.A. He blogs weekly at Kill Zone -- www.killzoneauthors.blogspot.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Suspense Never Rests ..., April 12, 2005

By 

C.J. Darlington "Author of Thicker Than Blood... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sins of the Fathers (Paperback)

At first glance, Darren DiCinni is a normal, scrawny teenager - no longer a boy, not yet a man. But looks can be deceiving. This thirteen-year-old has just shot six people to death in cold blood. A slam dunk life-without-parole case? Not to Lindy Field, Darren's young and ambitious defense attorney.

Library Journal calls James Scott Bell "a master of legal suspense", and that's clearly evident in SINS OF THE FATHERS. With a keep-you-guessing plot, witty dialogue, and memorable three-dimensional characters, I tried to savor it and read little bits each day. But by the time I was half-way through, I couldn't put it down. I like that about a book. I also appreciate how the faith element is woven into the plot in unpreachy ways. We discover Christian truths right along with Lindy and company, and we root for her every step of the way.

SINS OF THE FATHERS probably compares closest to Jim's award winning FINAL WITNESS, but with even more depth (and minus the Russian mafia).

The suspense definitely never rests in a James Scott Bell novel ... and neither, apparently, does James Scott Bell. I highly recommend this book to thriller and contemporary fiction readers alike.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I could not put this down!, May 11, 2005

By 

Michael A. Berrier (Carlsbad, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sins of the Fathers (Paperback)

James Scott Bell takes on tough issues and deals with them head-on in this absolutely riveting story. He carries his readers through grueling loss while extracting mercy from places you'd never expect. He manages to evoke sympathy for even the most seemingly unsympathetic characters, and raises questions that need to be asked about our system of justice -- while conveying insightful understanding of the system itself and those who participate in it. This is a story about loss, redemption, justice, and mercy, and I'll never forget its characters. I could not put this book down, and the suspense in the story forced me to finish it in a day. Highly recommended.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous characterization, February 4, 2006

By 

Deborah Raney - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sins of the Fathers (Paperback)

After reading John Grisham's first eight novels (and loving them) I discovered James Scott Bell. Now I'll only read Grisham if I have time after I've finished Bell's latest book. What does he have over Grisham. In a word--characters! Bell brings his people to life in a way few authors are able to achieve. He somehow manages to give a character's entire compelling backstory in one succinct line. Sins of the Fathers is his best yet, though Breach of Promise will always be up there near the top of my list.