Suspicion of Innocence [Hardcover]

Barbara Parker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994

Gail Pettis must put aside her own problems--a failing marriage, a looming custody battle, and a faltering legal career--when her sister, Renee, is murdered. A first novel. 40,000 first printing. $40,000 ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Parker, a former prosecutor, turns in an exhilarating debut that steams with Miami heat. When troubled party girl Renee Pettis is found floating in the Everglades, her wrists slit to the bone, suspicion clings to her older sister Gail, a straight-arrow lawyer more married to her job than to her husband Dave. The resentment and anguish that smoldered between the sisters in life flares anew as drug running, land scams and the theft of a costly artifact bob to the surface. A parallel plot involves two Cuban cousins, one a two-bit vice lord who was Renee's lover, the other a respected attorney who seduces Gail while offering legal advice. The love scenes sink into the breathless lingo of romance novels, and readers may guess where the plot lines will converge, but this sizzling page-turner will keep lamps lit late into the night as it likely surges up the bestseller list.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Gail Connor, an ambitious attorney climbing the corporate ladder at an old Miami law firm, is shaken when her sister Renee's body is found in the Everglades, an apparent suicide. Given Renee's wild lifestyle and history, no one is surprised, but then the police find evidence of foul play. They link Gail's estranged husband, as well as her lover, to Renee's demise; worst of all, Gail herself is their chief suspect. Set among Miami's legal, criminal, and Cuban high flyers, this stylish legal whodunit involves buried artifacts, drug trafficking, and shady politics--in short, all the usual Miami fare. It's a sun-drenched variation on the work of Scott Turow and Patricia Cornwell, whose fans will welcome this newcomer. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 9/1/93.
- Ann Donovan, St. Petersburg Jr. Coll. Lib., Fla.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Dutton; 1st edition (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525937447
• ISBN-13: 978-0525937449
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,030,758 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the better legal thriller writers!, February 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Suspicion of Innocence (Paperback)

I randomly stumbled across this book while browsing the fiction paperbacks at my local library branch. I flipped through a couple pages, thought the writing looked "not bad," so borrowed it as a fast and possibly fun read. I got more than I expected, by far! At first I found the writing a little awkward, the characterizations flat, and the story slow. However, once it started going, things got quite a lot better. It turned out to be quite well-written and had fairly good, fleshed-out characters and a good, well-paced plot. I particularly enjoyed the main character, Gail, who's a good example of a strong female character who fearlessly takes matters into her own hands, even against all the advice of her male friends, relatives, etc. And boy, does she get things done! In the end, I definitely found Ms. Parker to be one of the better writers in this genre (e.g., *much* better than John Grisham, who, although a good plotter, is definitely *not* a good writer). I'm looking forward to reading her other books. Glad I ran across this book! Couldn't put it down once it started going...

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sibling Rivalry And Murder With A Twist In Miami!, October 11, 2003

By 

Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Suspicion of Innocence (Paperback)

Brilliant, powerhouse lawyer Gail Connor is looking to make partner at her upscale Miami firm. Gail's marriage, already on the rocks when the novel begins, finally disintegrates leaving her to juggle motherhood alone, (she has a six year old daughter Karen), along with a career that takes up too much of her time. When her wild, free-spirited sister Renee is found brutally murdered, Gail's career is put on hold as she becomes the prime suspect. There has always been much sibling rivalry between the two, and Gail had always envied Renee's ability to garner favor and claim attention, even though she was the "bad girl," while Gail tried so hard to be the "good" one. Add some fascinating secondary legal cases to the mix, along with a hunky Cuban American defense attorney who has his eyes on the lovely Gail, glimpses of Miami's "old society, old money," alongside the city's darker side and you have the makings of a terrific mystery thriller.

Barbara Parker writes tight, taut prose and surely knows a lot about law and the legal world. Her characters are well defined and very believable, especially Gail Connor. Ms. Connor is not always likable. She is often stressed-out, as we all would be if faced with a failed marriage, a young daughter who is miserable with the sudden changes in her life, a demanding career that doesn't allow for time to cope with family problems, a sister's death and ensuing guilt because of their estrangement, and a murder investigation where all evidence points to her. She is frequently snappish, disagreeable, and not there for her child. Gail has many positive traits also, but what is so refreshing here is that the author gives her heroine normal human frailties - and a human face. One does not always have to like her for the novel to succeed. In fact, one of the reasons the plot is so successful is because the story and characters are so lifelike.

There are roller coaster twists and turns in this tale of old money, old secrets, and family loyalty and betrayal. This is a wonderful beginning to a terrific series. You will want to return not only to read more of Ms. Parker's compelling fiction, but to become better acquainted with the extraordinary cast of characters introduced here. A great read!!
JANA

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The start of a great series!, March 8, 2003

By 

S. Gould "gouldpjaks" (Woodmere, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Suspicion of Innocence (Hardcover)

In this intriguing initial book of the Anthony Quintana/ Gail Connors series Gail is accused of murdering her younger sister. She turns to Anthony for legal and emotional aid. When their relationship develops into a steamy romance Quintana wants off the case but not out of her life. The couple explores the old (WASP) and new (Cuban) Miami communities as they race to solve the murder. The story is well plotted and beautifully told. The main character are compelling. Start with this one and then go on to the rest of the series!