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Summary: Trial Law proves entertaining once again!
Review: A great book, wonderfull read with believable people. One dissapointing note was that there were no surprises like in his "Dissappearance" book. I found myself actually getting frustrated because the clues were staring at Luke Garrison in the face but he didnt see them. Perhaps it was the authors intention. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it and look forward to another book by Freedman
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Summary: Righteous lawyer investigates botched DEA raid
Review: A stellar performer as both prosecutor and defense attorney, Santa Barbara lawyer Luke Garrison, enjoying a recent happy marriage and new fatherhood, fights nightmares over the act of heroism which opens J. F. Freeman's "Above The Law." When an old friend asks him to investigate the murder of a drug dealer during his escape from custody after a botched DEA raid in rural northern California, Garrison is reluctant but his wife convinces him it will banish his demons. While Garrison sympathizes with DA Nora Ray, the old friend whose promising life has badly fizzled, her sexual advances force him to shut her out of the progressing investigation. Gathering evidence from high officials and ruthless gang leaders, uncovering old secrets and new, Garrison puts together an explosive and controversial case and tries to keep any surprises from developing in his orchestrated prosecution. While at times overwritten, the story is absorbing, sparking new interest with a succession of twists and turns. Freedman ("The Disappearance," "Key Witness") also explores legal ethics and conflicts between a lawyer's obligation and the truth. Garrison, while sometimes overly self-righteous, demonstrates both lawyerly zeal and conscience in an interesting mix.
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Summary: Good But Predictable!
Review: Above The Law is worth reading -- interesting plot, strong characters and fast-paced. However, unlike most of J.F. Freedman's legal thrillers, his latest effort provides few real surprises, as most of the attempted plot "twists" are apparent and predictable well in advance of when the author reveals them in the story. As other reviewers noted, one of the most exciting parts of the book is its opening sequence, although it has little relationship to the "real" story being told. Above The Law is a book that deserves to be read, but you might want to consider taking it from the library instead of buying it.
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Summary: Couldn't put it down............
Review: and didn't want to either! This book pulled me in and just got better and better! I've read two other novels by J. F. Freedman (Against the Wind and Key Witness)...they are all fabulous! His writing is straight-forward, engaging and utterly compelling. In this particular novel, you really start to feel like you know the main character, Luke Garrison, and the plot just thickens and thickens as he investigates a botched DEA raid, as a special prosecuter, brought in by an old law school chum, Nora Ray. Nora may have had ulterior motives for involving him, the reader begins to think, as we witness a very aggressive woman go after what she wants! Luke is very happily married with a young child and does not want to take any risks....he's been burned in the past and has learned his lesson! The story twists and turns but never goes off course......Freedman brings together moral and legal ethics with a good mix of real human spirit. His characters are sensible, likeable people, and his story-telling simply brilliant! I recommend this book to everyone!
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Summary: Couldn't put it down............
Review: and didn't want to either! This book pulled me in and just got better and better! I've read two other novels by J. F. Freedman (Against the Wind and Key Witness)...they are all fabulous! His writing is straight-forward, engaging and utterly compelling. In this particular novel, you really start to feel like you know the main character, Luke Garrison, and the plot just thickens and thickens as he investigates a botched DEA raid, as a special prosecuter, brought in by an old law school chum, Nora Ray. Nora may have had ulterior motives for involving him, the reader begins to think, as we witness a very aggressive woman go after what she wants! Luke is very happily married with a young child and does not want to take any risks....he's been burned in the past and has learned his lesson! The story twists and turns but never goes off course......Freedman brings together moral and legal ethics with a good mix of real human spirit. His characters are sensible, likeable people, and his story-telling simply brilliant! I recommend this book to everyone!
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Summary: Wow
Review: Great book, couldn't put it down. A must read for anyone who likes unpredictible endings!
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Summary: Freedman excellent as always!
Review: I have read all of Freedmans novels, and they are consistently of a much higher quality than many other more popular authors. For whatever reason he doesn't seem to get the recognition that he deserves. He should be a "top 10" author, but for whatever reason you never really hear much about him.Above the Law is another winner. Freedman creates rich, interesting characters who are also flawed and believeable, rather than the typical one-dimensional and perfect characters that appear in so many other books. He also writes excellent descriptions about people and places, giving lots of detail without bogging down the story. The plot is fast paced and exciting without a dull moment. Above the Law also examinines many legal and moral issues, adding another dimension to an already fantastic book. A well written, absorbing tale that you should not miss.
Rating:
Summary: CC01
Review: I have read both "Above the Law" and "The Disappearance" by J.F. Freedman and enjoyed them both. It is a must get for anyone who enjoys a great suspense and action novel. J.F. Freedman gives Luke Garrison a name and a face as he describes what all is happening. I would suggest it to anyone...
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Summary: A "The Disappearance" Fan Who Feels Cheated
Review: I just finished reading my second novel by Mr. Freedman, which I hate to say is a huge letdown in quality and plotting from the other work I read, "The Disappearance". In my opinion Mr. Freedman is making the same mistake Steve Martini made by delving into so-called "govenrment conspiracies" rather than letting his main character prosecute or defend normal, realistic crimes like he did in "The Disappearance." On top of that, Freedman's villians and plot twists are so predictable they leave little for the reader to be surprised or care about. One final note for Mr. Freedman, if you introduce a new character over halfway into the novel, your reader knows that this person is involved in the conspiracy and is there to only tie up the many loose ends left open by your not so careful plotting. One final, final note --- the opening scene of the novel in which the main character goes to buy a motorcycle ( which has absolutely nothing to do with the last 90% of the novel) was much more interesting than the rest of the plot.
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Summary: You expect us to believe that -- well, it is called fiction.
Review: I listened to the unabridged tape and then checked the hardcover at the library. How come, during the Grand Jury hearing, the DEA bad guy is shown a receipt for bullets he bought and the receipt has HIS NAME ON IT but, when we get to the trial the defense attorney makes the gun shop salesman who remembers the DEA guy buying the bullets look like a dodo and the SUPER PROSECUTING ATTORNEY never introduces as evidence the receipt for the bullets with the DEA guy's name on it? And worse, the whole book is based on a prisoner's miraculous escape from a secure trailer and handcuffs. The DEA is looking for some clue as to how the guy got the cuffs off and escaped but can't find a legitimate explanation. Finally, at the end of the book, the perpetrator admits to having sneaked in through a "secret" door in the trailer. Does the author really think we should believe the DEA wouldn't have gone over that trailer and found that "secret" door when they were desparate for some explanation that would absolve them from blame? Come on, J. F.! That's cheating!
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