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_lilbey_'s review against another edition
3.0
I thought the story was interesting but the pacing felt slow so it took me longer than expected to get through this one.
monicamjw's review against another edition
3.0
Lescroart's books are generally set in San Francisco, so I am naturally biased toward them! This is the introduction to Lt. Abe Glitsky, who is a great addition to Lescroart's cast of characters. The plot raises the question of what we see when we look at race interactions, violent and otherwise.
slhandy45's review against another edition
4.0
A satisfying story in the pre-cellphone world, yet so much resonance with today's issues. And a high word-per-page density - perfect for a backpacking trip.
bookhawk's review against another edition
3.0
A Certain Justice had a great initial story idea especially when viewed with the events transpiring at the time Lescroart was writing the book. The rush to judgment related to picture that was not what it seemed in the face of racial tension is that inspired premise. The detractors for me were being overly long and not written concisely. There were also a few things that seemed too impractical in the context of the book. Nonetheless, A Certain Justice elicits thinking by readers which makes it a successful venture.
weaselweader's review against another edition
4.0
A gritty, racially and politically motivated, slow burning but intensely heated thriller!
“The African Nation platform is clear,” says a black activist to a black female power politician on a fast track to the presidency.
“… when you say you want a voice, you want representation, the end of oppression, you want the laws applied fairly – who doesn’t? But then you go on to say you want your own separate system, and that just don’t fly. Can’t you see that? The numbers aren’t there, and the numbers drive the dollars. You want to take over a state? Move the people back to Africa? You want a black Israel on some sand in Africa? That what you want?” responds that black politician!
Given a lack of evidence and the clear certainty that a black punk car-jacker would be acquitted if he were brought to trial for murder, San Francisco’s DA drops the charges and reluctantly releases the suspect. But even in San Francisco, a city known for its diversity, tolerance and compassion, that’s a bridge too far. To many, the guilt of the black man who had been arrested was obvious and a conviction for murder should have been a slam-dunk inevitability. A mob of hot-headed white racists, fueled, of course, by generous helpings of alcohol and chest-thumping, lynch an unfortunate black man in response to what they claimed was an outrageous piece of reverse racial inequity.
But one young man in that mob, caught up in the emotions of the moment, knows that what is happening is beyond wrong. During his frantic attempts to rescue the innocent black man from a brutal racial murder at the hands of the now unstoppable mob, a passing journalist’s chance photograph portrays him as the mob’s motivator and the prime mover behind the ugly hanging. The young man is forced to go into hiding and San Francisco is faced with a repeat of Los Angeles Rodney King race riots!
A CERTAIN JUSTICE is not a high speed thriller but it’s definitely gripping. It’s a story motivated by the obvious reality that racism (not to mention misogyny) is a problem that is not a right wing-left wing issue. It’s an endemic problem and the USA would be well advised to read this novel to remind themselves that their society is anything but fair, tolerant, compassionate or post-racial.
And, by-the-bye, A CERTAIN JUSTICE is the debut novel of the now well established Abe Glitsky/Dismas Hardy series. What a great beginning! No wonder I’m a fan.
Paul Weiss
“The African Nation platform is clear,” says a black activist to a black female power politician on a fast track to the presidency.
“… when you say you want a voice, you want representation, the end of oppression, you want the laws applied fairly – who doesn’t? But then you go on to say you want your own separate system, and that just don’t fly. Can’t you see that? The numbers aren’t there, and the numbers drive the dollars. You want to take over a state? Move the people back to Africa? You want a black Israel on some sand in Africa? That what you want?” responds that black politician!
Given a lack of evidence and the clear certainty that a black punk car-jacker would be acquitted if he were brought to trial for murder, San Francisco’s DA drops the charges and reluctantly releases the suspect. But even in San Francisco, a city known for its diversity, tolerance and compassion, that’s a bridge too far. To many, the guilt of the black man who had been arrested was obvious and a conviction for murder should have been a slam-dunk inevitability. A mob of hot-headed white racists, fueled, of course, by generous helpings of alcohol and chest-thumping, lynch an unfortunate black man in response to what they claimed was an outrageous piece of reverse racial inequity.
But one young man in that mob, caught up in the emotions of the moment, knows that what is happening is beyond wrong. During his frantic attempts to rescue the innocent black man from a brutal racial murder at the hands of the now unstoppable mob, a passing journalist’s chance photograph portrays him as the mob’s motivator and the prime mover behind the ugly hanging. The young man is forced to go into hiding and San Francisco is faced with a repeat of Los Angeles Rodney King race riots!
A CERTAIN JUSTICE is not a high speed thriller but it’s definitely gripping. It’s a story motivated by the obvious reality that racism (not to mention misogyny) is a problem that is not a right wing-left wing issue. It’s an endemic problem and the USA would be well advised to read this novel to remind themselves that their society is anything but fair, tolerant, compassionate or post-racial.
And, by-the-bye, A CERTAIN JUSTICE is the debut novel of the now well established Abe Glitsky/Dismas Hardy series. What a great beginning! No wonder I’m a fan.
Paul Weiss
martyfried's review against another edition
4.0
Much of this book was depressing because it show how easily a potential hero can be turned into someone many people want dead by our wonderful trial by media. Innocent until proven guilty is a nice concept, but when everyone assumes you are guilty, it doesn't take much to convict you.
Things were getting so bad that it seemed that nothing would be able to make this story end well - it was truly hopeless. It would have been a miracle to even think the hero would live to get a fair trial.
Fortunately, this was only a book, not the real world, so of course, the miracle comes through in a most unexpected way.
Things were getting so bad that it seemed that nothing would be able to make this story end well - it was truly hopeless. It would have been a miracle to even think the hero would live to get a fair trial.
Fortunately, this was only a book, not the real world, so of course, the miracle comes through in a most unexpected way.
blood_rose_books's review against another edition
3.0
John Lescroart looks what happens when a mob mentality takes over San Fransisco and everyone is willing to condemn a man for being in the wrong place at the wrong time
Kevin Shae really just wanted a night of drinking by himself, but when the pub he is sitting in starts to get rowdy and making racial remarks, Kevin knows it is time for him to leave. He never imagined that the men drinking in the bar would spill out to the street and start a frenzy of events that will change Kevin's life forever. The mob has decided to attack the lone black man and string him up like they used to in the 1960s. The few men from the pub has attracted more people and they all seem to be saying the same thing, Hang Him. Kevin seems to be the only individual who has some sense, he attempts to save him. But Kevin's photograph is taken and this image is immediately misinterpreted by everyone. Kevin has just become San Fransisco's enemy number one. And while some are willing to search for the truth and others are willing to condemn Kevin, one thing is sure everyone is looking for Kevin, but not everyone cares whether he gets turned over alive.
This is the first book that I have read by John Lescroart and I thought it was good, it started off great the first chapter of the mob scene were fantastic, but it was unable to completely hold this fast paced start. This novel was well written and you could tell when Lescroart was in his element of knowledge and the premise of the plot was very interesting and it had everything to make a great thriller novel but I felt that it lacked the suspense that is key in any thriller. I never felt that I was on the edge of my seat as I was reading this book. There points where it should have been suspenseful but the events were never able to get there.
I also found it interesting that the character that is supposed to be the book smart, not street smart character turned out to be the individual that Kevin came to rely on and it was Melonie who had better ideas of how to keep Kevin safe. This did not seem very realistic as Kevin was in the military and you think would know a thing or two about staying hidden. I also could not believe that they decide part way through the book, when everyone in the book is looking for them (and there is a price on Kevin's head) they go out for pizza and the only thing that Kevin uses to disguise himself is a cap. When an individual's picture is plaster all over the news and he is the person who everyone is talking about I think more than one person would recognize them espically with police lining the street. Not very realistic at all.
The political aspect of this book was awesome, very interesting how there were many individuals willing to condemn one man just to further their own political careers. You can tell that Lescroart is in his element when he is talking about law and politics. These were the high points of the book, the interchange between the police department, the D.A.'s office and the elected officials. This is where the decisions in this book are made, whether they are good or bad and it really highlighted the flaws in the justice system especially the one about being presumed innocent until proven guilty.
I liked that Lescroart highlighted that there still an ever present idea of racism within people and that one event can cause a mob mentality where people do loose their own morals and since of right and wrong and that this mob mentality. Also I liked that Lescroart showed how easily people will condemn an individual based upon very little information
I really liked Abe Glinsky as a character, he was everything you want a Homicide Lieutenant to be, he is always after the truth and when events and the evidence do not add up, he has no problem going against the grain of the higher ups and elected official's beliefs in order to make sure that justice is served. I would read another novel with Abe as the main character. I just really enjoyed his detective style.
This book is not an easy read, but not for the wrong reasons. The dialogue and the plot can make an individual think way beyond what an easy read would. If you are looking for something more in a thriller novel than just sitting on the edge of your seat, then you will enjoy this book. For me I just wanted a little bit more suspense in the novel, but I would read another novel by Lescroart.
Enjoy!!!
Kevin Shae really just wanted a night of drinking by himself, but when the pub he is sitting in starts to get rowdy and making racial remarks, Kevin knows it is time for him to leave. He never imagined that the men drinking in the bar would spill out to the street and start a frenzy of events that will change Kevin's life forever. The mob has decided to attack the lone black man and string him up like they used to in the 1960s. The few men from the pub has attracted more people and they all seem to be saying the same thing, Hang Him. Kevin seems to be the only individual who has some sense, he attempts to save him. But Kevin's photograph is taken and this image is immediately misinterpreted by everyone. Kevin has just become San Fransisco's enemy number one. And while some are willing to search for the truth and others are willing to condemn Kevin, one thing is sure everyone is looking for Kevin, but not everyone cares whether he gets turned over alive.
This is the first book that I have read by John Lescroart and I thought it was good, it started off great the first chapter of the mob scene were fantastic, but it was unable to completely hold this fast paced start. This novel was well written and you could tell when Lescroart was in his element of knowledge and the premise of the plot was very interesting and it had everything to make a great thriller novel but I felt that it lacked the suspense that is key in any thriller. I never felt that I was on the edge of my seat as I was reading this book. There points where it should have been suspenseful but the events were never able to get there.
I also found it interesting that the character that is supposed to be the book smart, not street smart character turned out to be the individual that Kevin came to rely on and it was Melonie who had better ideas of how to keep Kevin safe. This did not seem very realistic as Kevin was in the military and you think would know a thing or two about staying hidden. I also could not believe that they decide part way through the book, when everyone in the book is looking for them (and there is a price on Kevin's head) they go out for pizza and the only thing that Kevin uses to disguise himself is a cap. When an individual's picture is plaster all over the news and he is the person who everyone is talking about I think more than one person would recognize them espically with police lining the street. Not very realistic at all.
The political aspect of this book was awesome, very interesting how there were many individuals willing to condemn one man just to further their own political careers. You can tell that Lescroart is in his element when he is talking about law and politics. These were the high points of the book, the interchange between the police department, the D.A.'s office and the elected officials. This is where the decisions in this book are made, whether they are good or bad and it really highlighted the flaws in the justice system especially the one about being presumed innocent until proven guilty.
I liked that Lescroart highlighted that there still an ever present idea of racism within people and that one event can cause a mob mentality where people do loose their own morals and since of right and wrong and that this mob mentality. Also I liked that Lescroart showed how easily people will condemn an individual based upon very little information
I really liked Abe Glinsky as a character, he was everything you want a Homicide Lieutenant to be, he is always after the truth and when events and the evidence do not add up, he has no problem going against the grain of the higher ups and elected official's beliefs in order to make sure that justice is served. I would read another novel with Abe as the main character. I just really enjoyed his detective style.
This book is not an easy read, but not for the wrong reasons. The dialogue and the plot can make an individual think way beyond what an easy read would. If you are looking for something more in a thriller novel than just sitting on the edge of your seat, then you will enjoy this book. For me I just wanted a little bit more suspense in the novel, but I would read another novel by Lescroart.
Enjoy!!!
harvio's review against another edition
4.0
- a fast-paced legal thriller
- Booklist review: "With not one, two, or three, but four major homicides combining into one political and legal nightmare for San Francisco..."
- Publisher's Weekly review: "Lescroat keeps a sharp eye on both the big picture and the individual views of a multitude of well-drawn characters."
- murder mysteries simmering beneath a complex layer of political manoeuvring
- not a bad read at all
- Booklist review: "With not one, two, or three, but four major homicides combining into one political and legal nightmare for San Francisco..."
- Publisher's Weekly review: "Lescroat keeps a sharp eye on both the big picture and the individual views of a multitude of well-drawn characters."
- murder mysteries simmering beneath a complex layer of political manoeuvring
- not a bad read at all
scottk1222's review against another edition
4.0
This book drew me in from the very beginning. I would actually have to stop myself from telling the main character(I forgot his name )To just turn himself in before things got out of hand. Very capivating and a great page turner.