Rating: 
Summary: An unusual twist!
Review: I had never heard of Jilliane Hoffman, but bought "Retribution" based on a book store review. I wasn't disappointed. The novel tells the story of a high-powered prosecutor who has pulled her life together after a decades-old brutal rape and slashing, only to find herself face to face with her rapist again when he is accused of a string of serial murders. Having changed her name and her looks, "Chloe", now CJ, wonders if he recognizes her. She must decide whether to remove herself from the case to avoid a conflict of interest, or stay in and fight to put him away forever. Ms. Hoffman gives an inside look at the struggles of a victim of violence and how it affects every aspect of their life. There is nice "love interest" in the story also, which helps to break the unrelenting tension of this novel. The twist at the end is somewhat expected, but still keeps the reader riveted until the very end. I wondered if any other readers noticed that the sewing up of the details left a little room for suspicion that there could be a sequel to this novel? ****WARNING SLIGHT PLOT GIVEAWAY INT THIS PARAGRAPH*** I wondered about the anonymous caller, who is revealed near the end. Of course we know HOW he knew was Bill Bantling was doing, but wasn't he supposed to report what he knew? Also, if he didn't because he was insane and had other plans for the future, how could he so completely copycat Bantling's crimes? How do we know for sure that it was Bantling he was copycatting?*****Overall, a GREAT read, I couldn't put this book down, the courtroom drama was great, the characters were solid and human, and I look forward to Ms. Hoffmans's next offering.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book!
Review: I recently met Jilliane Hoffman at a book-signing in Ft Lauderdale, and bought the book as a result of her talk. It is very well-written, and the storyline is complex, yet rewarding. Ms. Hoffman knows a lot about the law and uses that knowledge very comfortably in the book. The characters are real. The plot is totally surprising. The ending is explosive, shocking, and highly original. You spend the entire novel thinking it's "retribution," solely, that Chloe knows who her attacker is and is going after him, and maybe it is retribution, but suddenly it's something else entirely! Ms. Hoffman told us she has already written the screenplay, and it will, undoubtedly, make a fabulously entertaining movie. Right now, it is a fabulously entertaining novel, and I highly recommend it. Can't wait for her next book!
Rating:
Summary: HORRIFIC--BUT COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!
Review: Normally this kind of book[about serial killers] is not my cup of tea---BUT---the teaser put out about this book---interested me enough to buy it--I wasn't disapointed--each night I waited til everyone was in bed--shut off the TV--and started to read--before I knew it--it was 2pm and time to go to bed--I could hardly wait for the next night when I could read again--It took me 3 nights to read it and it left a profound impact on me.
It has to be about the best book I have read in a long time--and one that I plan to read again, in the near future.
Rating:
Summary: Far-fetched? Perhaps, but...
Review: Aren't the majority of fictional thrillers? If they weren't-- if they were just your average, run-of-the-mill stories of everyday life-- would any of us read them? Most of the popular suspense-style authors I read would fail if held to a "plausibility" test. I don't read a book because I want a completely realistic story. I read it to be excited, frightened, surprised, entertained... "Retribution" did all of that and more. All I ask is that the author follows through, answers most questions that arise while reading (for a satisfying finish), and does not stray too far into the realm of ridiculous and/or impossible. Do they stay true to the story? Or do they come out of nowhere with some big finish that makes no sense, simply going for surprise/shock value? I believe the end of "Retribution" is a perfect finish to what the author was setting up the entire book. To go back and re-read it, you would not find any flawed logic, any cheating with character or plot... so it did not strike me as an illogical conclusion by any means. Every once in a while, I take a chance on a new author, and I am usually disappointed. Not this time. I thought Ms. Hoffman did an outstanding job with this book in so many ways, like really setting up and following through with the initial crime (rather than giving us a 5-page prologue or leaving the reader to merely glimpse the past via character flashbacks). Not a dull moment to be found (in that sense it reminds me of Harlan Coben books.) She has made it onto my "must-read" list, and I'll be recommending her to all my friends-- that is, the ones who can handle the graphic nature of this book, because it really is disturbingly detailed-- another plus, in my opinion. In fact, I liked this book better than most of the books I've read lately from my favorite, best-selling authors. Wow!! A rare find... I hope to be enjoying Ms. Hoffman's books for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Hope she writes another soon
Review: I loved this book it was fast paced and had some wonderful surprises. Her talent and the abilty to keep you guessing has only got to improve with the next book. would love to see this caracter come back
Rating: 
Summary: Refried fava beans
Review: When I heard the hype about this book I was suspicious and borrowed it from a friend rather than plunk down good money. Wise move. This has got to be one of the worst debuts I've ever seen and I read a couple mysteries a month. Cardboard characters? Try Saran Wrap. Lazy plotting? This woman's main cultural reference seems to be teen slasher flicks. It takes a really talented writer to make a serial killer story fresh, and this one is as stale as old fava beans. (a clown mask? puleeze!) And the ending is so dumb I laughed out loud. A part of me feels sorry for the author because I don't see how she's ever gonna live up to the big bucks and hype over this book. She had a "good" concept (ie Hollywood book) here at least. She won't have that crutch next outing. If there is one. Can't believe a publisher paid seven figures for this tripe.
Rating:
Summary: absolutely outstanding thriller
Review: Wonderful, wonderful book. The characters are interesting, the plot twists are completely unexpected, and I couldn't put it down ! A truly macabre bad guy, a wonderful cast of attorneys and police officers, and a great expose of the flasw in the legal system... Can't wait to read more from her....
Rating:
Summary: Everything it was hyped up to me and more!
Review: This author is on her way to one of the best. The book was everything I hoped it would be. Exciting, edge of your seat, plus great story. I noticed I was also holding my breath in this book. This is what I call a thriller. Can't wait until her next novel.
Rating: 
Summary: It was okay...
Review: but I certainly didn't think it was as exciting and page turning as the other reviewers did. It wasn't bad, but it certainly wasn't great. Perhaps a beach read in paperback. If you can stomach the types of murder in this book (very brutal and graphic), then I strongly suggest the "In Death" series by J. D. Robb. This series is fantastic for murder mystery, but with much more developed plots and character emotion and involvement.
Rating:
Summary: Excellet!
Review: This book was read by my book club and boy was I glad! What a page-turner! Great plot, characters, and writing. I was a little put off by some of the scenes, but overall the effect was worth it. Also recommended: The Da Vinci Code, Bark of the Dogwood, The Secret Life of Bees
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