Customer Reviews

Sins of the Fathers

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

James Scott Bell's Sins of the Father is a riveting legal suspense novel that grabs you from the opening paragraphs of the Prologue and doesn't let go. Bell creates honest to goodness characters from the 13-year-old shooting suspect, to the lawyer whose working her way back from her own personal Twilight Zone, to the lawyer's assistant you'd love to have as your best friend. An attorney in his former life, Bell draws you into the inner workings of the trial, and keeps you turning pages to discover how he can possibly resolve such an unresolvable case. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.

Plot Storyline: 3 Stars

The premise of this novel, along with its basic plot, was very intriguing. Guilt is assumed from the beginning, due to many eye witnesses, and there is no surprise ending, like the "some look-alike did it" defense. This novel is more about the reasons behind the shootings.

While the novel did keep me interested, as far as a legal thriller goes, it was sorely lacking. Lindy Fields takes the case and is supposedly a great lawyer and advocate for children. However, she does so little research into the boy's life that it is an extremely shoddy defense. In court, she is surprised with information that even the worst defense lawyer could have discovered by simply talking to the boy's school teachers and classmates. All she seems to do to prepare for the case is talk to the boy a couple of times and to his ignorant father.

I didn't realize this was a "Christian" novel until after I started reading it. It was made very apparent only a short way in with several `preaching' interludes scattered throughout. The Christianity moral editorializations were just not woven into the book very well; instead, they were distractions to the story. Lindy did `hire' an investigator. However, her so-called investigator was far more interested in spreading the Word than she was in assisting with the defense.

I did like the way the book showed both sides of the issue by also following the events in the life of one of the victim's mother. Although the message was a bit heavy-handed on the side of the perpetrator, Mr. Bell still managed to give some sympathy for the victims and their families.

The ending was rather trite and simplistic, but satisfying even so.

Character Development: 3 1/4 Stars

Lindy Fields was a very well developed character, giving the impression that she might be starring in future books. Although she didn't appear to be a good lawyer, being far more interested in police corruption than the actual case, she was still a well-rounded person.

The boy who did the shootings was not developed at all. Everything about him is taken on assumption as the author chose to not let him speak much at all during the book. Because of this, I found it difficult to generate much sympathy for him.

The mother of one of the victims was a terrific character. I could definitely empathize with her plight. Her parts could bring me to tears.

Writing Style: 3 1/2 Stars

The writing style was simplistic, but it got the job done. I did not enjoy the way chapters just stopped in tense moments, then the next chapter was from someone else's viewpoint. I realize this was for suspense; however, the suspense was rarely rewarded.

The descriptions were great. The dialogue was fair.

Editing/Formatting: 5 Stars

Both were of professional quality.

Rating: PG-13 for Adult Issues

James Scott Bell's Sins of the Father deals with the subject of random acts of violence committed by children. In this novel, Darin DaCinni opens fire at a little league baseball game and kills several children and one adult. Lindy Fields, a stressed out public defender, takes Darin's case and is suddenly in for the fight of her life.

Lindy must prove that Darin was legally insane at the time of the shooting to get him the treatment he thinks he needs. Meanwhile, the DA Leon Colby has political aspirations and wants to try the kid as an adult and possibly go for the death penalty. The parents of the dead children are also part of the picture, as Mona (can't recall last name) joins a victims rights group, files for divorce from her husband, and questions God.

This is a good book but not as solid as it could have been. School shootings by kids are one of the most tragic events society can face yet I don't think Bell dealt with the effects of it adequately. A lot of the mystery in the novel revolves around DiCinni's past. In real life, anytime a young teenager commits this kind of act, the police and media will be all over the story trying to figure out what kind of kid this is and what would make him do it.

Instead, its up to Lindy Field and her recently turned to God investigator Roxy to find out why Darin did what he did. And the DA Coldy is only interested in a conviction, not in motive.

In a way, Bell doesn't tackle some of the more tragic elements of the shooting, the 6 little leaguers being killed. As a parent, this is THE story of an event like this.

Overall, I have no complaints about the novel. It is a good book and a good companion read with Breach of Promise. Bell is great at writing characters and writing a story about an issue and not making it seemed forced.

The opening scene of this book doesn't slap you in the face, it punches you in the gut and knocks you down for the count. It takes your breath away with a wicked jab. Then the ride gets interesting!

Bell has crafted a superb story--the tale of 3 fathers--in which he deftly demonstrates the power a father holds, what occurs when that power is abused, and what occurs when that power is submitted to God.

Bell's style is a pointed blend of narrative and action in which he unfolds a gripping tale of a child who shoots his classmates. At once, I prepared to dislike the wretched boy but Bell will not permit it. By the end of the novel, I found myself rooting for redemption for this broken child.

While this story is as gripping, emotional, and tense as any I've read, Bell creates this fast-paced, action-packed writ without sacrificing quality and the relational aspect that most "fast-paced" novels are plagued with. One can put up with going 90 miles an hour with hairpin turns and unexpected catastrophe only so long. If, at some point, I don't get to care about the characters, I'm tossing the book back in the bin.

Deftly embedded within the plot is the thread of Biblical fatherhood. Again, Bell shines in vivid clarity when he tells his story. One good father, 2 bad ones--and how destructive that bad ones were. Yet, Bell never dips his literary toes into blaming. He simply weaves the tale based on Biblical teaching, and lets the reader decide. Well, done!

Overall, this is one of the best novels I've read in recent years. I read it in one sitting--simply could not put it down. And, it maintains the standard for a quality message. Bell is one of the few Christian authors today who not only says something but actually has something to say.

Oh my goodness, I couldn't put this book down. James Scott Bell has done it again. There is suspense at every turn of the page. I was mad when I had to stop reading to do something! This book was sooooo good! I've told all of my friends about it. Now I have to catch up on reading my school books, I spent so much of my time reading this one! If you are looking for a great book with an exciting story that can take you away from the world, and effect you , pick up this book. James Scott Bell is one of the best writers I know. Look out Stephen King!

James Scott Bell masterfully weaves the themes of the power of redemption and the triumph of good over evil into the lives of a mother of a murdered son, a defense attorney who teeters between zealousness and a mental breakdown and a former ball playing prosecutor. This book grips your attention from the first page until the ending that is truly a climax. Great read!

When you enter the world of Christian fiction, you know that like with other fiction, you are likely to find a variety of things. Romance, thrillers, mystery and suspense, fantasy, and courtroom legal drama. James Scott Bell is considered one of the best as far as the legal stuff goes, but I was far from convinced when reading "Sins of the Father." This is rather sad, because I've enjoyed what I've read from Bell. Too many baby steps this time around, yet worth the effort.

A teenage boy is on trial for a vicious shooting in the middle of a baseball game, and he now has the wrath of the public's eye. Enter Lindy Field, an attorney with a history for getting the job done, and an attorney who's been double-crossed in her career. Lindy has a past, and this boy, Darren, also has a past. But in the eyes of the public, who really cares? This punk took the lives of children the loved and cherished, and they don't want this killer to ever kill again!

Lindy appears to have enough people on her side, not to mention the people that are out to get her. She has to find a way to make sense of all of this, and to possibly get some answers.

Unfortunately, it seems as though these answers are forced through most of what goes on throughout the pages. Bell put together a good story, but this wasn't his best. It felt like too many baby steps, and in the process, leaving fewer tracks to want to follow. But in saying that, I'm more than willing to see what else Bell has to offer. Every dog has his day, and sometimes fighting the good fight can be a struggle. I just want my next James Scott Bell read to be not so much of a struggle with everything!