Rating: 
Summary: Long on sermons and bad research, short on action
Review: In short: all the characters are full of speeches and the action is a long time coming and not worth the wait. Politically, I agree with the author's observations about the current abuses and manipulations of our legal system, but for Heaven's sake, come at it with some finesse next time. Also, to really send the novel into the silly, the author needs to shore up some of his research. Case in point, a Glock pistol is not "mostly plastic" and will most definitely not make it through a metal detector save the barrel. In fact, the entire slide/receiver is metal, which accounts for close to a pound of the gun's weight, and will go off like a fire alarm (with or without the barrel)in any metal detector in the world. All in all, an amateur at work. -Mykal Banta
Rating: 
Summary: Easy killing Time Reading This!
Review: In the opening pages of Greg Hurwitz's first in a planned series the reader is introduced to Tim "Rack" Rackley, a deputy U.S. Marshal and Ranger, and his wife Andrea (Dray). Readers' are soon introduced to Rack's partner "Bear" as it is in the opening pages that Rack is informed his daughter was brutally raped and murdered.
Skip forward a couple of chapters, in the interim of which Rack has had a chance to distribute his own justice as his brothers in law enforcement arrange a setting where Rack comes face to face with the killer, who implies another party resposible to the crime. Much to the chagrin of the deputies and marshals Tim braces to this unknown accomplice theory and spares the attacker's(Kindell) life. Then due to the unpredictablity of the justice system Kindell is set free.
This miscarriage of justice sets the stage for Tim Rackley to become acquainted and join The Commission, a group of concerned citizens self-appointed to act as judge, jury and executioner for select cases the justice system has let slip through the cracks.
Hurwitz seems to be setting a trend in his early writing career. Delving deep into the moral quigmire that make up humanity's conscience. In Do No Harm he wrote effectively about the thin lione in Medical professions ethical choices, and in this entry he turns his sights to the legal system. Paramount according to the back blurb about the author has already bought the option for this novel which surprises me not at all. Hurwitz paces the novel frantically with plenty of action and suspense. The characterization between Tim and Dray is excellent. As is the tension between members of the Commission foreshadowing the inevitable falling out. (That wasn't a spoiler as it pretty much is obvious from all other synoses.;))It reads like a novel screaming to head to Hollywood, yet it doesn't skimp on the deeper themes that is the heart of the story. This review would have been 5 stars my minor nit-pick being although Dray was brought to life well, her character could have been fkushed out even better. Otherwise a great summer read to peruse in any season.
Rating: 
Summary: TIGHT AND DISTURBING
Review: It's ironic that I read this book on the day Charles Bronson passed away. Bronson's DEATH WISH movies are taken to new heights in this book by 29 year old Hurwitz. The opening is like a thunderbolt. Rarely does a book start off with such a devastating beginning; I instantly felt great empathy with Tim Rackley and his wife, Dray. We've all heard of those cases where a criminal gets off due to legal technicalities revolvlng around miranda rights, improper search, etc. Some of the most devastating scenes in this book are the ones in which Tim and Dray find their marriage falling apart in trying to handle the grief and vast emptiness in losing their only daughter. When Tim is given the opportunity to kill the known perpetrator, he relents, hoping that a supposed accomplice can be weeded out. From there on, Tim's life turns inside out, and as he joins this vigilante team called the Commission, he finds that there's not such a satisfying feeling in playing God. The twins, Mitchell and Robert, start out wacko, then you end up feeling sorry for them, and then they go ballistic, ending in a tense and suspenseful confrontation. While reading, you know what Tim and the Commission is doing is wrong, but you still want them to succeed. When Tim realizes what has happened to him, he tries to back out, and the fireworks start.
Even though the ending is a little unrealistic, it fills the need to exonerate without condoning Tim's actions.
A very good book, and I Highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Form and Function: A Literary Example
Review: Not being a reader of crime novels (unless the Hannibal Lecter series included in that genre)I came to this book with some resistance. Could a story about killing and violence hold up as a novel for me? Well, in the case of the talented Gregg Hurwitz's THE KILL CLAUSE the answer is decidedly YES. This is an excellent example of what in the art world is an ongoing argument of Form following Function. Does the style justify or validate the subject? It is here that Hurwitz seems to be a master of sorts. And for opening that door of appreciation of a different writing form I am very grateful.The story, well reviewed on these pages, is one of the grisly murder and dismemberment of the young daughter of two law enforcement people (mother Dray is a deputy and father Jim is a US Marshall with an extensive background in special agent type activities). The very clearly drawn focus of the story is how these two cope with their loss and more importantly, how they handle their roles as law enforcers when the temptation is to gut level respond to exterminating the killer. Just how this all happens and how the couple work through the moral dilemmas they face is the crux of this well executed tale. Hurwitz' writing style is terse, succinct, and maintains forward momentum right to the end (for a 'first crime novel experience' and for a 388 page book I was surprised to read it in one day, so involved does Hurwitz keep his readers). He also has the unusual respect for the reader as to use the frequent all-cap abbreviations of law terms, which could leave the reader lost, and usually within the next sentence gently, and in context, state what these foreign terms mean. In all, an excellent tale, though grisly, very well told. A series of crimes and actions are related in a spare, gunshot tattoo writing style that still provides full-blown character and scene descriptions while maintaining the momentum of the story.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping and compelling, you won't be able to put this down!
Review: Not usually given to superlatives, let me start this review by stating that Gregg Hurwitz' 4th novel, "The Kill Clause" is the best book that I've read in the past year! The plot takes off like a rocket from page one and never loses steam. The story revolves around the brutal murder of the young daughter of law enforcement officers, Tim and Dray Rackley. As the Rackley's deal with a parent's greatest nightmare, things become even worse when the alleged murdered is set free because of a violation of his 4th Amendment rights during his arrest. Tim is so distraught over this turn of events, that he considers taking the law into his own hands. As he comtemplates this action, Tim is approached by an unusual band of vigilantes known as The Commission. Each member of The Commission has suffered a great personal loss along the lines of the Rackleys. And, in each of their cases as well, the perpetator has gone free because of some legal technicality. Without giving away too much of the plot let me just say that the anguish that Tim feels over the loss of his daughter pales in comparison to the guilt that he begins to feel as he becomes the hit man for The Commission. This very human story tests the depths of many emotions, especially the relationship that a husband and wife have to deal with after a loss of this magnitude. Hurwitz has done another outstanding job with his character development in this novel. The members of The Commission are unique in their own fashion and extremely interesting. There were a number of scenes throughout the book that I read at a blur because the action was so intense. Numerous graphic scenes definitely make this powerful book one that is not for the faint of heart. Bravo to Mr. Hurwitz on his latest creation and attention all Hollywood execs: This would make a dynamite film! The screen play is practically written already. I can't wait to see what Hurwitz writes next! HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!
Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 stars
Review: See synopsis above. First I'd like to say that Gregg Hurwitz has put together a well rounded thriller. Hurwitz's lead character Tim Rackley has lost his young daughter to a brutal murder. What Hurwitz has done well is portray the pain that Rackley feels. The emotional dilemmas involved with the loss of a child hits close to home to anyone with a child. Along with the strong emotions there are ethical problems that are portrayed in the story concerning vigilanteism. Right or wrong? With the novel also comes plenty of action. Put all together, you get a great story that will keep you entertained. It might make you mad or it might make you happy, either way it will make you think.
The only negative I have is with the character of Rackley. I did not care to much for him. Maybe because of his views or because of his hypocrisy. Recommended
Rating: 
Summary: Not a surprise ending.
Review: Sorry folks. I can't whole-heartedly endorse this book as everyone else has. I am scrupulous about reading cover to cover. This seemed to weave for hours, and finally I cheated myself and read the last chapter or two. And the ending I was expecting was there. Not a big surprise. After reading the end, I wasn't sorry I skipped the 100+ pages in the middle. He could have wrapped up a whole lot faster for me.
Rating:
Summary: Signs of Brilliance but Still Inconsistent
Review: The beginning of this book was so powerful in dealing with the emotions and agony of the parents dealing with the death of their daughter, that as a new father I had to put it down for a while. An amazing if not disturbing start. The rest of the book was a good read but his main characters tend to be smart people who make some really inconsistently dumb decisions. Other than that, I enjoyed the story and the ending was creative. I do look forward to reading Gregg's books in the future. This was definitely worth the time.
Rating:
Summary: This fine novel will keep you awake and thinking
Review: THE KILL CLAUSE begins in the midst of a tragedy, perhaps the worst personal tragedy the mind can comprehend. On her seventh birthday Ginny Rackley is abducted, raped and brutally murdered. The first chapter opens with her parents, Tim and Dray Rackley, receiving the news and continues with an unblinking description of their reaction to the permanent horror that has entered their lives. A suspect is almost immediately arrested and the case appears to be open and shut, until a surprise revelation destroys the prosecution's case. The result is that a monstrous murderer walks free. Tim and Dray are both members of law enforcement --- Tim is a U.S. Marshal, Dray is an L.A. County Sheriff --- and the horror of their loss is multiplied by the fact that the system they are sworn to uphold has set the murderer of their only daughter free. Tim and Dray seem to freefall through life while grief and sadness cause their marriage to slowly but inexorably self-destruct. Things begin to change, however, when Tim is approached by an enigmatic man with a mysterious offer that gives Tim the opportunity to set things right. Tim is offered membership into the Commission, a shadowy group of five men and one woman, all professionals in their respective fields, all of whom have watched the murderers of loved ones go free. The Commission seeks to right judicial wrongs by executing murderers freed by the legal system --- and one of the individuals targeted by the Commission is Ginny's murderer. The Commission appears to be the ideal check and balance to a court system that seems to punish the victim and protect the criminal. Nothing though is as simple as it appears, and the Commission seemingly hides the darkest, most terrible secret of all. THE KILL CLAUSE is loaded with moral dilemmas. Some (including this reviewer) may find the ending not to be entirely satisfying, but the ultimate aim of this fine novel is not simply to entertain but to get the reader thinking about the consequences of stepping outside the system in order to obtain a measure of justice that otherwise is denied. If that was indeed Hurwitz's intent, he has succeeded. THE KILL CLAUSE will keep you awake and thinking --- both while you read it and after you finish it. --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub from Bookreporter.com
Rating:
Summary: From Start to Finish - A Winner
Review: The Kill Clause is about that dirty little thought some of us have when some one does something really bad to you or others and then gets away with it through a quirk of fate, a loophole in the law or some other maddening reason. In this case the young daughter of a US Marshall (Tim Rackley)has been brutally murdered. The perpetrator is quickly caught and in a chilling confrontation with Rackley, alludes to the possibility that he was not acting alone. Through mishandling of the investigation, arrest and entry of the perps house by the police, he goes free
and it is not long after that Rackley is contacted by a member of The Committee. The Committee is a vigalante group who plan to right wrongs such as has happened to Tim. They all have a story to tell about how they have been victimized by "the system" and they have developed the ability to investigate potential miscarriages of justice and if they decide that the case warrants it, to carry our vengance. Rackley is the missing link to their plan. They need an executioner. How he is turned from a law enforcement officer to a vigilante enforcer and how he deals with this contradiction in his life and his continuing investigation in to who killed his daughter is compelling reading that you will not want to put down. If you are looking for a mind twister and a book that will make you think, this is about as good as it gets.
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