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VINE VOICEon March 4, 2014
The book is oddly paced. It starts out rolling along well but introducing one barely differentiated character after the last resulting in a good deal of reader confusion. Toward the middle, the book drags down, wanders a bit and then in the last, perhaps 10%, it picks up to a steady fast pace wrapping up nicely. The wrap up is, however, not based on the previous events. Instead, the protagonist stumbles across a document which turns his mental light bulb on allowing him to figure the key mystery. This main character announces he's figured it out but rather than tell the reader, he walks around with it for fifty or so pages revealing all at the very end when it's revealed again to him.
For a book to be engaging, it requires at least one sympathetic and interesting character which is usually the protagonist. In this case, the main character is wholly obnoxious both in speech and in behavior. To the book's credit, the other characters within the book tell the main character that his 'wise cracking' is offensive so curiously the book has a bit of self-awareness that it's annoying but it persists in being so.
The supporting characters aren't interesting nor do the main ones act human. Frex, the book introduces early on two 'gorgeous' females (what else) who excite the main character but who reject him strongly. Then for no particular reason that is discernible, both do a 180 and pursue him. He chooses one who then rejects him again before accepting him again with all these directional changes happening for no apparent reason.
The behavior of the main character, however, is both stupid and, again, annoying. Here are some examples. Some highly trained paid killers are after main character and his entourage. They will and have shot at these folks without warning or mercy. The main guy, armed, get the drop on them, but he doesn't lever his advantage. Instead, he decides it's not sporting enough. Really? In this world?
Soon after he confronts his best friend who he thinks has some information he needs. There is no sporting here has he sucker attacks him, then beats him to a point where one small further shock puts the 'friend' into a catatonic state.
Then once again our hero finds himself about to be murdered by a new flock of baddies again without hesitation or mercy. He again gives good warning that he's not as helpless as he seems - going all sporty again on us. So he takes it easy on merciless paid killers but beats to a pulp his friend who, at worst, got caught in the middle of events.
Maybe your idea of nice reading, but not really mine.
For a book to be engaging, it requires at least one sympathetic and interesting character which is usually the protagonist. In this case, the main character is wholly obnoxious both in speech and in behavior. To the book's credit, the other characters within the book tell the main character that his 'wise cracking' is offensive so curiously the book has a bit of self-awareness that it's annoying but it persists in being so.
The supporting characters aren't interesting nor do the main ones act human. Frex, the book introduces early on two 'gorgeous' females (what else) who excite the main character but who reject him strongly. Then for no particular reason that is discernible, both do a 180 and pursue him. He chooses one who then rejects him again before accepting him again with all these directional changes happening for no apparent reason.
The behavior of the main character, however, is both stupid and, again, annoying. Here are some examples. Some highly trained paid killers are after main character and his entourage. They will and have shot at these folks without warning or mercy. The main guy, armed, get the drop on them, but he doesn't lever his advantage. Instead, he decides it's not sporting enough. Really? In this world?
Soon after he confronts his best friend who he thinks has some information he needs. There is no sporting here has he sucker attacks him, then beats him to a point where one small further shock puts the 'friend' into a catatonic state.
Then once again our hero finds himself about to be murdered by a new flock of baddies again without hesitation or mercy. He again gives good warning that he's not as helpless as he seems - going all sporty again on us. So he takes it easy on merciless paid killers but beats to a pulp his friend who, at worst, got caught in the middle of events.
Maybe your idea of nice reading, but not really mine.
on August 12, 2016
Lou Mason is a lawyer who tries to be smart with one-liners, but more likely to end with egg on his face. Yet, he is relentless in his pursuit of answers. Friendships and loyalty wrestle within him, but it is truth that emerges the victor.
Romance plays a minor role, but not the world of relationships. The intricate web of relationships is cleverly woven into the story and ultimately it is about relationships that govern the characters' responses. For Mason, truth supersedes the value of relationships and his pursuit of truth makes him question even the loyalty of his best friend.
A gripping thriller with sufficient twists which are all cleverly tied up in the end leaving a sense of satisfaction. The characters are believable and the writing crisp. Some clever undercurrents of humor add to am enjoyable read.
Highly recommended
Romance plays a minor role, but not the world of relationships. The intricate web of relationships is cleverly woven into the story and ultimately it is about relationships that govern the characters' responses. For Mason, truth supersedes the value of relationships and his pursuit of truth makes him question even the loyalty of his best friend.
A gripping thriller with sufficient twists which are all cleverly tied up in the end leaving a sense of satisfaction. The characters are believable and the writing crisp. Some clever undercurrents of humor add to am enjoyable read.
Highly recommended
on August 22, 2016
Joel Goldman is an excellent crime/legal writer, and I really like the character Lou Mason. After reading this first book in the series, I was delighted to discover there are more. I am on my way to read another one as soon as I finish writing this review, which should tell you how much I enjoyed it. The plot was stellar, with enough twists and turns to keep me on my toes, a dash of humor thrown in here and there among the bodies, and the denouement (in my opinion) perfect. My only question is: why am I only now discovering a legal thriller writer who is every bit as good as Grisham, Turow, and the other heavyweights in my favorite genre?
on November 14, 2014
I started this book on Thursday for a Saturday book review and finished it on Friday. I was not familiar with Joel Goldman previously. I also am not usually too interested in lawyer novels, with the notable exception of John Lescroart, who I think is the best in the business in that area. The description on Amazon says to think Jack Reacher meets Mickey Haller and you have Lou Mason. There is nothing Reacher or Haller like about Mason. He is much better! He is a lot like Dismas Hardy. I was expecting him to buy part of the bar with Blue at the end of the book. Lou is the junior member of a law firm. When the senior partner ends up dead, he is chosen to be lead lawyer. Think Rocky Balboa. He was put in charge because they thought he was controllable. Things get really complicated and another senior member ends up dead and Mason goes through a series of death defying events. Lou and Sandra, another junior member get fired, and along with Lou's best friend Blue, they set about making things right. There are obvious bad guys and the trick is fitting the pieces of the puzzle together that lead to the local players. Surprises? You are in for more than a fewas you consider and eliminate possibilities. This is an easy 5 stars and I highly recommend it!
on December 29, 2011
Goldman is a lawyer so I suppose the legal issues in the plot are authentic. Beyond that, his writing is full of cliches, his dialog ranges from ho hum to juvenile, and his main character rarely behaves or thinks like an adult - more like a smart ass college freshman. I suspect Goldman writes fast and lets the words spill from his brain with very little attempt at craftsmanship. Comparing him to Michael Connelly is like comparing airplane food to fine dining. No more Goldman books for me.
on March 10, 2016
An interesting 'faux legal' narrative. I say 'narrative' in the old fashioned sense, in that it seems to go on and on, listing all the details and descriptions on the way.
There are times when one loses the way, and that's not so good what with the wealth of characters. I found it confusing at times. Indeed the narrative lost it's way too.
Who did what to whom, and who was suspected, and by whom, and who the unpleasant ones are and why - it really gets tough to maintain an understanding of what's going on.
In itself it's not a bad book, actually quite fun and keeps one occupied; but as a piece of high quality literature, well, it ain't..
There's some lightweight law involved, a bit of policing, the obligatory good ol' guy behind the scenes who knows his way around and can mysteriously find out things, etc, and the beautiful femme fatale cop trying to control the odd baddy.. And somehow our hero finds everything out, clever boy.
Well, you get the idea. Have a read, it'll use up a couple of nights
There are times when one loses the way, and that's not so good what with the wealth of characters. I found it confusing at times. Indeed the narrative lost it's way too.
Who did what to whom, and who was suspected, and by whom, and who the unpleasant ones are and why - it really gets tough to maintain an understanding of what's going on.
In itself it's not a bad book, actually quite fun and keeps one occupied; but as a piece of high quality literature, well, it ain't..
There's some lightweight law involved, a bit of policing, the obligatory good ol' guy behind the scenes who knows his way around and can mysteriously find out things, etc, and the beautiful femme fatale cop trying to control the odd baddy.. And somehow our hero finds everything out, clever boy.
Well, you get the idea. Have a read, it'll use up a couple of nights
on October 25, 2016
Goldman may not be Lee Child or Michael Connelly but that doesn't mean his books are inferior. That's like saying Albee isn't Shakespeare. (No, he isn't.) "Motion to Kill" kept me up 2 nights later than is good for me, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
And yes, I'd put Child and Connelly a step higher on the ladder of literary evolution, but just a step. Whether later books scan master that step is yet to be determined. I'll keep reading his books, even if he drops back a step. Joel Goldman has a secure place on my shelves--and in my Kindle.
I received this book when it was free. It wasn't offered in exchange for a review, I was just lucky. Now that I know his work, I won't worry about whether his future books will be costly. I give the book 4 stars as encouragement, expecting that soon he will be at the 5-star level with the authors named above, and with other superb writers like Ann Patchett and Tana French.
And yes, I'd put Child and Connelly a step higher on the ladder of literary evolution, but just a step. Whether later books scan master that step is yet to be determined. I'll keep reading his books, even if he drops back a step. Joel Goldman has a secure place on my shelves--and in my Kindle.
I received this book when it was free. It wasn't offered in exchange for a review, I was just lucky. Now that I know his work, I won't worry about whether his future books will be costly. I give the book 4 stars as encouragement, expecting that soon he will be at the 5-star level with the authors named above, and with other superb writers like Ann Patchett and Tana French.
on October 8, 2016
Attorney Lou Mason is ordered to destroy incriminating files by a senior law partner, who soon turns up dead in a boating incident. When Sheriff Kelly Holt determines it was murder, it looks like Mason will be the killer's next target. He teams up with Sheriff Holt to help solve the case while trying to avoid getting killed himself. Meanwhile, the killer leaves a trail of bodies through Mason's law firm.
Book 1 of the Lou Mason series is a very readable murder mystery with good characters, although Mason does more sleuthing than lawyering. The conflict scenes are not too outrageous, which gives the book more credibility than a lot of mystery/thrillers I've read. I found the ending challenging to guess who did it. The endorsements on Amazon make this sound like a can't-put-it-down-page-turner, which I found to be a bit overblown. Overall, this was an enjoyable, entertaining story, and I would try more books by this author.
Book 1 of the Lou Mason series is a very readable murder mystery with good characters, although Mason does more sleuthing than lawyering. The conflict scenes are not too outrageous, which gives the book more credibility than a lot of mystery/thrillers I've read. I found the ending challenging to guess who did it. The endorsements on Amazon make this sound like a can't-put-it-down-page-turner, which I found to be a bit overblown. Overall, this was an enjoyable, entertaining story, and I would try more books by this author.
on August 21, 2016
The first book in the Lou Mason series. Lou Mason is a lawyer. He is on retreat that the practice has paid for where he is ask to ID his bosses body. From there the book takes off and has to pulled in and you wont stop reading until you are at the end of the book. I liked Mason wit and his smart mouth. I am going to read the rest of the book in the series.
