Rating: 
Summary: A LEGAL PULSE POUNDER
Review: As a former trial lawyer William Bernhardt bases his legal thrillers on hard earned data and experience, realities which make his tales all the more exciting. Suspense, masterful plotting, and an au courante subject are elements readers have come to expect from this popular author, and all are found in abundance in his latest novel.Death Row, another in the Ben Kincaid series, tackles criminal appeals and the death penalty. Tulsa is shocked and saddened when a family is ruthlessly murdered in their comfortable suburban home. There is only one survivor to tell the story and identify the attacker - teen-aged Erin Faulkner. As is his wont, attorney Kincaid champions an unpopular cause in his defense of Ray Goldman, a chemist who is accused of the heinous crime. Screaming media headlines and blood curdling details seem to seal the chemist's fate. But, the always perspicacious Kincaid mounts his defense on the dearth of damning evidence and police goof-ups during the investigation. It seems that Goldman will go free until young Erin testifies and points her finger at him. True to his white knuckle writing reputation Bernhardt propels readers to moments before Goldman's walk to the death chamber when a sudden reprieve is announced. It seems that Erin has recanted her testimony to Kincaid, and wants desperately to save an innocent man. Shockingly, Erin cannot even save herself as she is soon found dead; it is believed by her own hand. The cause of her death may be accepted by most, but certainly not by Kincaid. He speculates that the same merciless killer who murdered her family also took Erin's life. But, how can he prove it, how can he find the mysterious killer, and can he do it without losing his own life? Jet propelled action and a topic from today's newspapers combine in this estimable legal pulse pounder. - Gail Cooke
Rating: 
Summary: (3+) My Reactions To a Novel Have Seldom Been So Conflicted
Review: At various times during this novel I was deeply moved, horrified by the violence, completely turned off by a diatribe by the author, marveled at the character development, was incredulous that characters who were so smart could act so dumb, was nonplussed by the unbelievability of some segments of the plot, and continued to read almost breathlessly to see what would happen next. By the conclusion I felt that the title could have been IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - UNLESS YOU'VE BEEN MURDERED OR ARE ON DEATH ROW. As a disclaimer, this is the first book that I have read by this author, so I am not familiar with attorney Ben Kincaid and cannot compare it to Bernhardt's other novels. The basic storyline seems to be that of a typical legal-murder thriller. Ray Goldman was convicted of the horrific murders of his co-worker Frank Faulkner and all other family members except the teenage daughter Erin. Despite Ben Kincaid's successful rebuttal of most elements of the prosecution's case, the heartrending and emotionally powerful testimony of Erin essentially convicted Ray, who seven years later awaits imminent execution. However, as Ben and his partner are about to make their final appeal after a last minute stay of execution (a habeas corpus petition to the federal courts) Erin recants her trial testimony in a meeting with Ben and Christina but is subsequently found dead. Without any corroboration all hope seems lost for the Appeal Court hearing, but the belief of Ben and Christina in Ray's innocence has been reinforced. Thus, they begin the race against time to find some hint of exculpatory evidence. Meanwhile, several other storylines are developed which involve Tulsa Police Officer Mike Morelli (Ben's longtime buddy), Mike's new partner Sergeant Kate Baxter, paroled sex offender Gabriel Aravena and psychiatrist Hayley Bennett. The many intersecting plot elements and the constant misdirection allow for a very satisfying plot development. Be forewarned however; this is no way a police procedural and detective story. Rather it is primarily about the character develpment of the various participants in the drama. Ben and Christina's relationship (or lack thereof) and Mike and Kate's hostility play as large a role in the story as their attempt to save Ray from his date with the executioner. Moreover, while the author's opposition to the death penalty was expected given the subject matter, it is skillfully handled in an understated but very effective and emotionally powerful way. However, the author gets sidetracked into a diatribe against the fast food industry (influenced by his apparent dislike of large corporations in general) that is aggressively pursued in so much more detail than is essential to the plot that I almost lost interest in the story. So, as I stated at the beginning of this review, I am very conflicted. I admire the attempt, and found the basic outline of the plot very clever. And as a reader I really felt like I got to know the characters; however, at times their actions seemed very inconsistent with their intelligence and experience. So, in conclusion I have decided to recommend this book despite what I regard as serious flaws. However, I cannot bring myself to rate it too highly in spite of my satisfaction with its conclusion and the fact that the author nicely tied up all the loose ends. If you decide to read it, given my ambiguity I hope that you will also write a review to let other readers know how you feel.
Rating: 
Summary: First rate
Review: Author Bernhardt usually writes an interesting story, but
this effort is among his best, and he has risen to a higher
level of suspense and drama. The story essentially involves the hero's attempts to block
an execution he feels isn't supported by the evidence, and
his hopes soar when the main prosecution witness visits him
to recant her testimony, and he prepared the paperwork to get
the case before a federal judge. But as quickly as his hopes soared, they are dashed as the recanting witness turns up dead. Before she can repeat her
story to anyone else. Ben's whole office gets involved, and his partner Christina plays a more important role than usual, and they begin delving
into the whole background of the case. The murder that is at
the base of the planned execution was especially horrible, and
everyone involved, as well as much of the public, remembers it all too well, and those memories cause Ben and his staff much
trouble as they try to save a man's life. The defendant's job as a food chemist allows us to see a new
side to our food and restaurant industry, and Bernhardt has done
a nice job of presenting such useful information in the context
of his legal thriller. Very, very interesting story, and this is a book any reader of
thrillers will want to grab and read.
Rating:
Summary: Best Kincaid novel yet!!!
Review: Bernhardt is at the top of his form in Death Row, a suspenseful and, yet at the same time, delightfully entertaining read. The whole gang is back, of course, with Christina now as his partner/lawyer - a nice touch, but when will Ben and Christina ever have a date? It's about time that Mike Morrelli, Ben's cop buddy, gets a bigger role in this book. He's a great character and should be more fully developed. Bernhardt hit a home run with this mixture of one part serial killer, two parts condemned innocent man, and three parts fun with the characters. I immensely enjoyed this book more than any other since Steward Woods' last book.
Rating:
Summary: Superb Addition to Ben Kinkaid's Case File
Review: Erin Faulkner is a survivor. In the harrowing preface to William Bernhardt's latest legal thriller, she survives the horrific massacre of her entire family and subsequently claims to be able to identify their masked killer by the sound of his voice. Despite corroborating evidence that is highly circumstantial at best, her testimony damns Defense Attorney Ben Kinkaid's client, chemist Ray Goldman (one of her father's business associates), and he is sentenced to death. Seven years later, that sentence is about to be carried out as this complex and utterly gripping story begins. The principal players in the Faulkner tragedy including Erin assemble at the prison. Still desperately fighting to prove his client's innocence, Ben manages to pull-off a last-minute stay of execution. His hopes for a successful appeal rise when Erin comes to his office to confess that she had been pressured into testifying by the DA and now wants to recant her identification of Goldman. Before she can do so, she is murdered. Detectives Mike Morelli and Kate Baxter of the Tulsa PD catch the case. Now Kinkaid's only chance to save Goldman's life is to work with them to establish a connection between Erin's death and those earlier killings by reexamining all of the circumstances surrounding the Faulkner murders. With time running out and a monster on the loose, Ben's associate Christina comes to a startling conclusion that alters the entire thrust of their investigation and puts her in deadly peril before a heart-stopping turn of events allows justice to be served both inside and outside of the courtroom. William Bernhardt is a superb craftsman. He has a rare and wonderful talent for devising intricate plots and creating believable characters who consistently capture and hold his readers' attention. It is absolutely possible to enjoy every new addition to this best-selling series as a stand-alone read, but caveat lector! following in Ben and his friends' footsteps can be addictive. "Death Row" is an exceptionally engrossing entry in Ben's casebook, and I had a hard time putting it down.
Rating:
Summary: Un-put-downable...Gripping and suspenseful.
Review: Erin Faulkner is a young woman struggling to forget the brutal violence inflicted upon her as a teenager. When Erin was fifteen she was raped, tortured, and forced to watch her family be brutally killed. But Erin is a fighter and she escapes the nightmare of being held captive in her basement. Determined to stop the monster who did this she works closely with the police in capturing a suspect, unfortunately Erin must make a hasty decision, one that will send an innocent man to death row. Oklahoma attorney Ben Kincaid has defended monsters before, but none so vicious as Ray Goldman, the man accused in the Faulkner family massacre. Ray swears his innocence, but the evidence is overwhelming, and Erin's testimony seals his fate for the death penalty. For years Ben has fought to overturn the verdict with no such luck, until...minutes before the execution, Erin recants her testimony. Erin explains to Ben that she felt pressured to make the statement of Ray's guilt, and now, years later, she is not sure if he was the killer. Ben races to get a judge to hear Erin's new claims, except Erin turns up dead...victim of an apparent suicide. Ben knows Erin didn't commit suicide, she was murdered...by the madman who slaughtered her family. Plan on staying up all night reading 'Death Row' because you will not be able to put it down until the last page has been turned. With a gripping plot, interesting characters, and loads of shocking plot twists the novel speeds along like a runaway train, picking up speed with each new development, until everything ties together in a shocking climax. William Bernhardt is one of the best authors of legal suspense novels, and his Ben Kincaid series gets better with each new entry. Fans of the series, or fans of fast-paced, well written novels should dive into this one. Nick Gonnella
Rating:
Summary: A Folksy Thriller
Review: I am a long time fan of Bernhardt's books and was not disappointed in this one. Most of the subplots were eventually relevant, although some either needed more connective development or total elimination. The strength of the novel is in the development of the relationships and we can clearly see the complexity of each individual and their impact on the total picture. Stressing the human, softer side of the legal process, this was a very listenable book and one that translated well from reading to hearing.
Rating:
Summary: Good guys finish first
Review: Oklahoma attorney, Ben Kincaid, is back. This time he is trying to win a reprieve for a death row prisoner whose case he lost seven years earlier. Time is not on Ben's side. Industrial chemist, Ray Goldman was convicted of a the brutal slaying of a fellow coworker's entire family, except a fifteen year old daughter who was left to die chained to the basement floor. The daughter survived the ordeal and was the star witness in the prosecution case. Seven years has passed, now Erin Faulkner wants to recant her testimony. Before she is able to do so to anyone but Ben, she is murdered. Ben Kincaid is a do-gooder at heart. He likes to help the downtrodden and the helpless. He is always one step away form bankruptcy. He is really an anti-lawyer kind of lawyer and a very likable character. The first chapter of this book was very graphic and extremely hard to read. The plot itself was suspenseful and a lot of twists to it. There was a good secondary story between homicide detective partners, Mike Morelli and Kate Baxter. Overall, a good book that sometimes got a little too preachy about the fast food industry. Fast food lovers beware-this might not be the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Good but not great!
Review: One of my favorite writers, I think the plot is a little too weak this time out, although the writing is up to Bernhardt's usual standards, and the pace keeps the plot from bogging down too often. Still amazed Ben hasn't hooked up with his gal friday yet, seems way overdue, oh well, maybe next time out.
Rating:
Summary: Ben Kincaid does it again!
Review: Reading William Bernhardt is always a treat. Seeing the mix of characters in the office and Ben Kincaid's sometime low self-esteem make for a believable and engaging lawyer and his firm. (Didn't actually know they existed!) There is the usual tension between Ben and Christina. There is the goofiness of Loving that adds humor in just the right spots and, of course, there are the last minute heriocs that always come with a twist. This is a good book and I am already looking forward to seeing Ben in action again. Mr. Bernhardt: You don't write quickly enough!!!
| 
