Customer Reviews

Wrongful Death

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The trouble with Catherine Arnold's Wrongful Death will be your inability to put it down. For trips, it will be great, because you'll never notice that the airline food tastes like board, that the plane is stuck on the tarmac for hours, and that the big fat guy in the seat in front of you has "reclined" into your lap. But if you're working, you'll begrudge every moment till you return to Arnold's feisty little attorney, Karen Perry-Mondori, as she tries to clear Senator Robert Jameson's name after his suicide. Accused of pedophilia with a video apparently documenting his sexual intercourse with a child, Jameson could find no one--not even his wife Claire--who would believe him innocent. In despair, he takes his own life.

In the light of the recent Senatorial Impeachment hearings, Arnold's story of the wrongfully accused upright Senator and the manipulating of videotaped "evidence" takes on a particularly pertinent resonance.

Arnold's detective, Florida attorney Karen who won't take no for an answer, has herself developed into an even more interesting, complicated character than she appeared in "Due Process" and "Imperfect Justice," which are also five-star reads. You don't have to be a woman to ally yourself with Karen's goals. What you need is an obsession with seeing justice triumph, even if, as is usually the case in real life, it is too little and too late.

Karen Perry-Mondori, defense attorney, is the kind of hero with whom the reader can identify. She is tough without being hard, dedicated without ignoring her personal life. She personifies the ideal professional woman. The plot is intricately drawn and uses the always-popular theme of the "underdog" versus the monied and powerful. There are times when the story dips into the fantastic, but not enough to turn off the reader. Most of the characters are believable, though they sometimes behave in ways the reader may find extreme. It is easy to tell "whodunnit," but we want to read on because we cannot be sure and are curious as to motive and method. Catherine Arnold is not yet a great writer, but if we watch her progress, we may one day find her so.

Her sister-in-law Claire shocked attorney Karen Perry-Mondori with the news that her sibling, US Senator Robert Jameson committed suicide. The ever optimistic Robert always tried to do what is good for the most people, not caring one iota whether he even remained in office. Karen refuses to believe her sibling could kill himself. When she arrives at his home, Claire shows Karen an incriminating video in which the fifty-five year old Jameson is having sex with a child. Claire feels he took his life when even his wife refused to believe his claims of innocence.

Karen cannot accept that her deceased sibling was a pediophile. She pleads with the FBI to look into the authenticity of the tape. She also hires a top team of investigators to ferret who produced such a lie. The tape is traced back to Walter Stockman, CEO of the world's largest communication conglomerate. The amoral Walter uses either blackmail or bribery to rid himself of any opponents. The FBI accumulates enough evidence to obtain an indictment against Walter. However, the road to justice is filled with bumps and detours as the powerful mogul will destroy anyone including Karen who gets in his path.

Karen Perry-Mondori is a great character who embodies the best traits of the modern American woman. She is intrepid, loyal, and honest, serving as a role model. WRONGFUL DEATH is filled with so many Byzantine turns that it is nearly impossible to guess what happens next. Catherine Arnold insures her readers follow a twisting, brilliantly designed story line. This one is a winner.

Harriet Klausner

Be careful reading these reviews, Rosa "Bookworm" gives away the plot twist in her review. People should know better!

How infuriating. Rosa "Bookworm" (below) tells us what a fine story "Wrongful Death" is and then names the guilty party and says how surprised she was at discovering same.

Rosa, learn the fundamentals of reviewing. First and foremost: DO NOT GIVE THE DAMN STORY AWAY.

This is a fast-paced, exciting mystery that keeps you engaged. High recommended to all mystery/thriller lovers!!

I enjoy this novel with great pleasure. Plot was excellent and mother being the killer was a great surprise. Moral dilemma was very real and could feel yourself inside the court room. Good work Catherine Arnold.