1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sober Justice, September 15, 2009
This review is from: Sober Justice (Mike Connolly Mystery Series #1) (Paperback)
Excellent book by Joseph H. Hilley. Needed this book to complete the series and was delighted to find it in excellent condition. Great service - quick shipping.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Poor characterization and strange spiritual twist outweigh strong writing and pacing, March 27, 2009
This review is from: Sober Justice (Mike Connolly Mystery Series #1) (Paperback)
On a hot, sticky evening in Mobile, Alabama, Avery Thompson witnesses a brutal murder. Two days later, Mike Connelly is pulled out of a drunken stupor long enough the be informed that he will be representing Avery Thompson, who has been framed for the murder that he witnessed. The victim is Peyton Attaway, a lawyer for a powerful local firm.
Mike Connelly is a 58 year old, divorced drunk. His daughter hates him and, when he sober enough to actually drive home, he lives with a stripper. But, Connelly is still somewhat competent, and goes to work unraveling the threads that hold the frame on Thompson together.
This is the first book to feature Connelly and also the first book I've read by Hilley. I found a lot to like. Hilley excels at pacing, moving the plot forward from one scene to next. Hilley spends a lot of time showing the action instead of telling, but the novel also could have used some more introspection from the third person point of view narrator. There were a few scenes where I wondered what had exactly happened and could have used a little explanation by Connelly.
In all my reviws, I try and point out some negatives in order to not appear biased. Unfortunately, there are few big negatives that really hurt his book. Connelly is a drunk for a reason. He's really hurt his family. His wife tolerates him, and his daughter hates him. In the book, Connelly beats the alcholism that had held him down. Yet Hilley misses his chance to create a character I'd truly care for. Only one scene focuses on what caused Hilley to take the path that led him to where he was. In fact, none of the characters seem real to me and it felt like there had been a book before this one that contained all the back story I wasn't getting. It's a fine line to draw, because Hilley's writing style and pacing are a strength too. He never lingers too long on one scene, but I still feel there could have been room for more. My biggest complain of the novel is the spiritual aspect. I just don't think it fits. It is something I've never seen in a Christian novel other than someone like Ted Dekker, where you expect something different to happen. I just don't beleive the two spirtiual events that occur fit in with a legal thriller. Just my opinion. Read and judge for yourself. The jury is still out on whether or not I will continue to read the other four books in the Mike Connelly series.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Move Over, Grisham!, May 29, 2005
This review is from: Sober Justice (Mike Connolly Mystery Series #1) (Paperback)
Move over, John. This is a page-turner from 1st-time novelist, Joe Hilley. The plot turns and twists and the interesting characters kept me up at night -- 'til I could reach the surprising end. Can't wait to read Hilley's next one.
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