Customer Reviews

Sleight of Hand: Library Edition

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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Kate Wilhelm (born 1928) is a versatile and skilled writer who has produced stunningly compelling fiction. Wilhelm's first novel was published in 1963, and her works, which include award-winning short stories and novellas, range from science fiction to fantasy to mysteries to legal thrillers.

'Sleight Of Hand' is the ninth novel to feature defense attorney Barbara Holloway. In each of these courtroom thrillers, Ms. Holloway uncovers the truth and fights, sometimes against great odds, for justice. In the earlier novels, Ms. Holloway provides community legal services, meeting clients in a small neighborhood café in Eugene, Oregon. These early novels reveal Barbara Holloway to be an independent and crusading lawyer who will accept murder defense cases that no one else wants.

In this book Wally Lederer, a former pickpocket, is accused by a childhood friend of the theft of a valuable antique. Since the statue is later found in the owner's house, a 'theft' cannot ever be proven. Even thought there is never any evidence that Lederer had further contact after leaving his friend's house days before the murder, Wally is still arrested for the murder of statue's owner.

Readers wanting the best introduction to this author's work should look elsewhere. Several elements are weak in this volume:
- Not much is at risk, nor is the risk very believable. Holloway's client does not face the death penalty. Based on the evidence, it is simply not credible that Lederer would ever have been arrested for murder. Statements by the defendant's wife and others about the danger of conviction do not ring true.
- Any chance for real courtroom drama is subverted by the prosecution's extremely weak case. Barbara's closing argument only reinforces the obvious conclusion that her client should never have been charged.
- The moral quandary Barbara faces is sketchy and not compelling. Barbara knows who killed the victim, and is so confident she will gain acquittal that she never seriously considers using the identity of the real killer (who has diminished capabilities) as part of her defense.
- Barbara's difficulties in having a meaningful and continuing relationship with her boyfriend are not explained. Readers of previous books may remember some of her issues, but there is little in this book to explain her flight from intimacy.

As always, there are significant pluses to the author's work:
- Readability and continuity are good. You are never left scratching your head wondering where some plot element or statement came from.
- Frank Holloway's relationship with his daughter Barbara is insightfully portrayed, although their interactions are a minor focus of the work.

I am a huge fan of Ms. Wilhelm. If you enjoy courtroom dramas, I recommend that you start with one of her early Holloway novels. ('For the Defense,' aka 'Malice Prepense,' from 1996 is a good choice). Kate Wilhelm's earlier works are more masterfully plotted and much more suspenseful and compelling. Both you and the author deserve a better introduction than this particular book offers.

I agree with the other reviewer that this is not the place to start reading this series. But I'm not good at taking my own advice; this is only the third Barbara Holloway book I read. Fortunately, one of the others I read introduced her on-and-off boyfriend so I could at least follow that. But I really should go back and start reading the series from the beginning.

But I disagree with the other reviewer's claim that the ethical dilemma was not credible. I found that dilemma one of the most interesting parts of the book. Her decision not to reveal her knowledge of the real killer was completely understandable from a compassionate point of view but completely violated her ethical duty to her client. And I don't think the fact that her client wasn't facing the death penalty made the risk of losing his case any less compelling.

I definitely recommend reading this book, but it would be better to have read a number of the earlier books before this one. I intend to read the whole series.

Without getting into every detail, I enjoyed reading this book. It was easy reading without a million characters to remember and a good story line. Out of all the Kate Wilhelm books I have read this is one of the better.

Twice he was caught thieving; the first time he received probation but the next time he served hard time in the state pen for five years. When he was released his wife Meg was waiting for him but Wally Lederer knew if he ever committed another crime she would walk out on him He went on to make a good life for himself and his wife using his unique skills as an entertainer. One night at the casino he meets a childhood friend Jay Wilkins who invites him and his wife over for a drink.

They accept the invitation and when they arrive, Wally sees Jay is preoccupied about his missing wife. Wally is later accused by Jay of stealing a gold horse statue valued at $30,000. Wally goes to lawyer Barbara Holloway for advice she tells him to sit tight. They later learn that Jay was murdered and the police believe Wally was the culprit; the motive is that if Jay could make his case, Wally would have gone to prison for a long time. Before the trial starts, Barbara has evidence that will exonerate her client but she refuses to use it and prays she can get a not guilty verdict at his trial.

The protagonist realizes in SLEIGHT OF HAND that justice and the law do not go hand in hand; she is unsure of herself and angry at a system that could incarcerate the innocent. Many readers won't agree with the choice the protagonist makes unless they need a lawyer to extract them from such a mess. The trial is fascinating as Kate Wilhelm known for her exciting legal thrillers, has written a memorable tale.

Harriet Klausner

This is one of the better Barbara Holloway Books..you will find it a good read

She as done it again! Just plain excellent. I am always left with the feeling that I am part of Barbara and Franks world. They are so real to me. Kate please write faster..............I can hardly wait.