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reneesmith's review
4.0
Interesting mystery; sympathetic, quirky characters. Moral dilemmas. Kept me guessing. (Beware: strong language & disturbing topics related to abuse--so not everyone's cup of tea.)
**Kindle Unlimited
**Kindle Unlimited
melissadelongcox's review
5.0
Anything Marcia Clark has written has been a hit with me, and the second story in Samantha's story was no exception. I am absolutely fascinated by her and now, Another must read. Go pick this up.
Spoiler
I'm finding myself increasingly interested in Dale and his character.marsetta's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Marcia Clark, Thomas & Mercer., and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
For defense attorney Samantha Brinkman, it’s not about guilt or innocence—it’s about making sure her clients walk. But the case of Cassie Sonnenberg touches a raw nerve in Sam that makes it painfully personal.
A savage attack in a suburban home has left a father and son fatally stabbed, and a mother clinging to life. And Cassie, the family’s adopted teenage daughter, is accused of the bloody crime. It’s a tabloid-ready case that has the nation in an uproar—and Sam facing her biggest challenge. But when she learns the murders were sparked by years of sexual abuse, she doubles down to get Cassie exonerated.
Yet, even as Sam probes the secret past of a seemingly happy family, the dark memories of her own tormented life threaten to consume her. And as Cassie’s story keeps twisting at every turn, in troubling new directions, Sam must fight all the harder to separate dangerous lies from the terrifying truth.
This one starts off a little slow and it takes it a while to ramp up but you'll struggle to put it down once it does.
What I liked about this one was that there were a few different story lines surrounding the main one which ties into the first book in the series (Blood Defense) There are also two very strong supporting characters in Michelle and Alex and together with Samantha I felt the flow of the story was strong.
This story has lies and secrets, twists and turns with surprises around every corner. The end result being, it kept me reading on. In fact, as it neared the end I would have dared anyone to try and pry my Kindle from my hands as I cleaned and tidied with the other hand.
I'm looking forward to reading the third installment (Snap Judgement) which is out in August 2017.
To read this and other reviews follow me at https://crimeandmysterybookreview.wordpress.com/
For defense attorney Samantha Brinkman, it’s not about guilt or innocence—it’s about making sure her clients walk. But the case of Cassie Sonnenberg touches a raw nerve in Sam that makes it painfully personal.
A savage attack in a suburban home has left a father and son fatally stabbed, and a mother clinging to life. And Cassie, the family’s adopted teenage daughter, is accused of the bloody crime. It’s a tabloid-ready case that has the nation in an uproar—and Sam facing her biggest challenge. But when she learns the murders were sparked by years of sexual abuse, she doubles down to get Cassie exonerated.
Yet, even as Sam probes the secret past of a seemingly happy family, the dark memories of her own tormented life threaten to consume her. And as Cassie’s story keeps twisting at every turn, in troubling new directions, Sam must fight all the harder to separate dangerous lies from the terrifying truth.
This one starts off a little slow and it takes it a while to ramp up but you'll struggle to put it down once it does.
What I liked about this one was that there were a few different story lines surrounding the main one which ties into the first book in the series (Blood Defense) There are also two very strong supporting characters in Michelle and Alex and together with Samantha I felt the flow of the story was strong.
This story has lies and secrets, twists and turns with surprises around every corner. The end result being, it kept me reading on. In fact, as it neared the end I would have dared anyone to try and pry my Kindle from my hands as I cleaned and tidied with the other hand.
I'm looking forward to reading the third installment (Snap Judgement) which is out in August 2017.
To read this and other reviews follow me at https://crimeandmysterybookreview.wordpress.com/
miajmu's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of twists and turns, better than the first one in the series.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
MORAL DEFENSE
(Samantha Brinkman: #2)
Written by Marcia Clark
2016; Thomas & Mercer (426 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, suspense, legal drama
RATING: 4 STARS
Defense attorney, Sam Brinkman is back and finds herself with another sticky case to defend. Her newest client, Cassie Sonnenberg, a teenager is charged with murder and attempted murder. She is accused of stabbing both her adoptive father and brother, and savagely attacking her adoptive mother. Her mother is clinging to life and is the only one who could clear or damn Cassie. This case is already being aired everywhere and as accusation of sexual abuse and other secrets come out, Sam is no longer sure if she is protecting the innocent or the killer.
While I still miss Rachel Knight, I am now a fan of Sam, though I don’t always agree with her. She is more of a flawed character and as I started this book I found myself relating to her. I also liked the crazy plot as it could be realistic. I will not say too much about the plot as I am always scared I am going to accidentally include a spoiler. Like her last case, Sam is not always sure if her client is really innocent. As she veers between providing a good defense and her own morals, I find that there is where we get to know Sam. I would recommend this book, and series, if you enjoy legal suspense thrillers told from the defense side.
***I received both eARCs from NETGALLEY***
My Novelesque Life
(Samantha Brinkman: #2)
Written by Marcia Clark
2016; Thomas & Mercer (426 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, suspense, legal drama
RATING: 4 STARS
Defense attorney, Sam Brinkman is back and finds herself with another sticky case to defend. Her newest client, Cassie Sonnenberg, a teenager is charged with murder and attempted murder. She is accused of stabbing both her adoptive father and brother, and savagely attacking her adoptive mother. Her mother is clinging to life and is the only one who could clear or damn Cassie. This case is already being aired everywhere and as accusation of sexual abuse and other secrets come out, Sam is no longer sure if she is protecting the innocent or the killer.
While I still miss Rachel Knight, I am now a fan of Sam, though I don’t always agree with her. She is more of a flawed character and as I started this book I found myself relating to her. I also liked the crazy plot as it could be realistic. I will not say too much about the plot as I am always scared I am going to accidentally include a spoiler. Like her last case, Sam is not always sure if her client is really innocent. As she veers between providing a good defense and her own morals, I find that there is where we get to know Sam. I would recommend this book, and series, if you enjoy legal suspense thrillers told from the defense side.
***I received both eARCs from NETGALLEY***
My Novelesque Life
gabschaf's review against another edition
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I didn’t like this book as much as the first in the series. The plot was interesting and I did like the sub-plots, but there was almost too much going on and too many false leads. Read in 3 hours, 30 minutes
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
3.0
Attorney Samantha Brinkman is struggling to make her way in Los Angeles' complex law system. After a recent successful case she is approached to become an advocate for Cassie, accused of the brutal murders of her adopted family, but claiming to be an abused teen. Meanwhile Sam has got herself into a tight corner owing money and/or revenge to two different gangs. Then her recently re-discovered father asks her to look at the case of a cop who may or may not be corrupt.
This is a busy book in terms of complicated plots but is a fairly non-complex read. Clark has much experience or the law business in LA and this sings through in her writing. However the writing itself is rather pedestrian and this makes the book sag at times. What I did like was the way that Sam Brinkman is not a clear-cut heroine, she has some morals but is always looking for the best way out of situation and this is echoed by the fact that the end of the book is neither precise not complete.
This is a busy book in terms of complicated plots but is a fairly non-complex read. Clark has much experience or the law business in LA and this sings through in her writing. However the writing itself is rather pedestrian and this makes the book sag at times. What I did like was the way that Sam Brinkman is not a clear-cut heroine, she has some morals but is always looking for the best way out of situation and this is echoed by the fact that the end of the book is neither precise not complete.
dhilderbrand's review
2.0
So I accidentally started this series with this book. I have very little respect for the main character. It made it hard to read, the story was good... I just couldn't get over Sam - I would have no interest in reading another story where she has a lead. I certainly understand that defense attorneys are complex, make mistakes, struggle with their decisions -as we all do. I don't know if the author based this character on someone she knew -I hope not. YUCK
snowbenton's review
5.0
There is nothing I love more than a sequel that delves deeper into the plots and characters from the first book, and Clark does it here in spades. This was a thrill ride of casework and crime and fantastic sidekicks.
shannond726's review
5.0
Samantha Brinkman is quickly becoming one of my favorite fictional characters, and Maria Clark, one of my favorite writers. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this novel; eagerly awaiting the next installment of Samantha's story.