Rating: 
Summary: A Real Page Turner - You Won't Put This One Down
Review: Susan Sloan has written a gripping legal thriller. There has been a horrific bombing at the Seattle Family Services Center killing and maiming many innocent men, women and children. The police think they have the person responsible for this terrible crime in custody - but do they really. Dana McAuliffe, defense lawyer, undertakes the representation of Corey Latham, the accused bomber. Thus, unfolds a compelling story that makes you feel as if you are a part of the jury sitting if judgement of Corey.This is one of the best legal thrillers I have read in sometime. I could not put it down. Hopefully, Ms. Sloan has her next novel underway. I can't wait.
Rating:
Summary: Susan Sloan has done it again!
Review: Susan Sloan has written another book that had me reading the last two pages over and over again to be sure that I had read it correctly. She is the master of surprise twists, that is for sure. "Guilt by Association" remains my favorite of hers, the ultimate suspenseful thriller. From the very first page, I was pulled into this story and the intensity never let up. I hated to put the book down to attend to the necessary chores of daily living! And when I finished, I was sorry that I no longer had this book to look forward to. No need here to go into another synopsis, because other reviewers have ably done so before me. Sloan's characters are fully fleshed out, as is her plot. She never got preachy about the abortion issue but presented a balanced view. At times I found the politics/policies a little confusing as each "side" tries to present its case in the best light. If you get this book, be sure to put aside a good chunk of time to read it, because you will not be able to put it down!
Rating:
Summary: Susan Sloan has done it again!
Review: Susan Sloan has written another book that had me reading the last two pages over and over again to be sure that I had read it correctly. She is the master of surprise twists, that is for sure. "Guilt by Association" remains my favorite of hers, the ultimate suspenseful thriller. From the very first page, I was pulled into this story and the intensity never let up. I hated to put the book down to attend to the necessary chores of daily living! And when I finished, I was sorry that I no longer had this book to look forward to. No need here to go into another synopsis, because other reviewers have ably done so before me. Sloan's characters are fully fleshed out, as is her plot. She never got preachy about the abortion issue but presented a balanced view. At times I found the politics/policies a little confusing as each "side" tries to present its case in the best light. If you get this book, be sure to put aside a good chunk of time to read it, because you will not be able to put it down!
Rating:
Summary: Wrenching look at the aftermath of an act of terror.
Review: Susan Sloan, in her latest novel, "Act of God," courageously tackles some enormously painful, sensitive and controversial issues. She deals with the bombing of a clinic where abortions are performed, and she graphically portrays the devastating consequences of this horrendous act. She also touches upon how the issue of abortion is cynically manipulated by both pro-life and pro-choice groups as a way to gain both publicity and political power. However, "Act of God" is not merely a polemic in the guise of a novel. It is one of the most exciting, suspenseful and "edge-of-your-seat" legal thrillers that I have read in years. Dana McAuliffe is a partner in a prestigious Seattle law firm, and she is given the task of defending Corey Dean Latham, a young naval officer who has been arrested for the bombing of the Seattle Family Services Center. Although Dana worries that the pressure and the controversy surrounding this high-profile trial will adversely affect her both personally and professionally, she takes the case. Little does she know that the Latham trial will test her legal expertise tremendously and it will also have devastating consequences for her and her family. Although "Act of God" is over five hundred pages long, Sloan's pacing is impeccable and the story moves along quickly. She quickly and deftly sets up her large cast of characters, including the bombing victims, the lawyers, the judge, and the members of the jury. Sloan gives the reader glimpses into the minds and the hearts of the various players in the case and this gives the book great human interest. Her courtroom scenes are exciting and authentic. As you wait for the jury verdict, I guarantee that you will find it difficult to put down this book, and I also promise you an ending that will cause your heart to skip a few beats. "Act of God" is a sharply written, timely and riveting tour de force, and I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Wrenching look at the aftermath of an act of terror.
Review: Susan Sloan, in her latest novel, "Act of God," courageously tackles some enormously painful, sensitive and controversial issues. She deals with the bombing of a clinic where abortions are performed, and she graphically portrays the devastating consequences of this horrendous act. She also touches upon how the issue of abortion is cynically manipulated by both pro-life and pro-choice groups as a way to gain both publicity and political power. However, "Act of God" is not merely a polemic in the guise of a novel. It is one of the most exciting, suspenseful and "edge-of-your-seat" legal thrillers that I have read in years. Dana McAuliffe is a partner in a prestigious Seattle law firm, and she is given the task of defending Corey Dean Latham, a young naval officer who has been arrested for the bombing of the Seattle Family Services Center. Although Dana worries that the pressure and the controversy surrounding this high-profile trial will adversely affect her both personally and professionally, she takes the case. Little does she know that the Latham trial will test her legal expertise tremendously and it will also have devastating consequences for her and her family. Although "Act of God" is over five hundred pages long, Sloan's pacing is impeccable and the story moves along quickly. She quickly and deftly sets up her large cast of characters, including the bombing victims, the lawyers, the judge, and the members of the jury. Sloan gives the reader glimpses into the minds and the hearts of the various players in the case and this gives the book great human interest. Her courtroom scenes are exciting and authentic. As you wait for the jury verdict, I guarantee that you will find it difficult to put down this book, and I also promise you an ending that will cause your heart to skip a few beats. "Act of God" is a sharply written, timely and riveting tour de force, and I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: The author really hooked me from page 1-all I know is I couldn't put the book down-outstanding in all categories, including the courtroom action-kept me guessing until the very last page-very little distracting, trivial information included in the 500+ pages which made the book even more readable-she is now #1 on my list for legal thrillers, by far surpassing John Grisham, who pales by comparison-hope she has another one in the works!(By the way, I very rarely give 5 stars-I'm a tough grader-read 2-3 mystery/thrillers a week,and recently there have been plenty of the "same old, same old" 2-3 star forgettable books, but not this one!)
Rating:
Summary: Stunning suspense---perfect warm-weather reading!
Review: The explosion reads like a real-life story and you ache for all the victims. The relationships between the female lawyer, her best friend, and her family feel genuiune. These could be people you know, especially with recent events in the news. The suspense and plot twists are skillfully done; you're never sure which end is up and who the "good guys" are. The author successfully demonstrates that there are no black-and-white issues; each side of the story holds weight. This title should climb the bestseller lists in the tradition of John Grisham. Spread the word to all your book friends. And bravo to you, Ms. Sloan!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent...A MUST read!
Review: The Seattle Family Service Center is a landmark. The Center's health facilities have catered to a wide range of city people; from feeding the homeless, providing day-care services for working parents, to providing complete gynecological services including abortions, that's why it comes as a great shock when, on a chilly afternoon, a bomb goes off killing hundreds of men, women, and children. The city is stunned, and the mayor wants answers. After a few weeks of investigating, the police come up with their first (and only) suspect, young Navy officer Corey Latham. Attorney Dana McAuliffe is a partner in a very prestigious law firm, and was a patient of the Center for many years so imagine her surprise when her senior partners approach her and ask if she will take on the defense of Corey Latham. Outraged, Dana wants to turn down the case, but after meeting Corey she has her doubts about his guilt. It seems the police have rushed to judgment with Corey for one reason only...his wife had an abortion without his knowledge, and after she told him about it he became very angry. Dana does not believe this information proves her client's guilt so she takes on the case and begins her own investigation. After looking into several (shady) corners of this case, Dana realizes everything is not what it seems, and the further she probes, the further the media exposes every aspect of the case, as well as bringing to light things from Dana's personal life. With her life spinning out of control, Dana begins a battle with an unknown assailant hell-bent on using her as a pawn in a vast conspiracy that reaches far past the courtroom. 'Act Of God' is not only an excellent page-turner, but a novel of a very controversial topic. The plot takes off on page one, and does not let up for 500 pages more. Every character in this novel is well-drawn, and the plot twists come fast and furious. You will not only stay up late to find out the answers to this perfectly plotted mystery, but also to find out what will become of the main characters. Everything in this novel works, from it's hot topic, to it's heart racing suspense. Susan Sloan is the author of two previous best-sellers; 'Guilt By Association', and 'An Isolated Incident' both of which happen to be two of my favorite all-time novels. This time around Ms. Sloan raises the stakes with a legal thriller that not only thrills, but makes you think. I can't recommend this novel highly enough, at a whopping 530 pages I finished it in one sitting, and was sad to see it end. Buy this book, you will not be disappointed. A MUST read!!! Nick Gonnella
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Legal Tale
Review: When it comes to books I'm a bit of a sexist. Yeah, I can admitt it. When scanning down the racks at my local bookstore and I see the name of the author is female, I usualy keep scanning. Not that I haven't tried. Yet often when I decide to take the chance to read a female author I struggle through the book trying to relate with the characters.
I really can't tell you why I picked up this book. Not only my horribly sexist outlook on reading but the fact that the last two books I read on the subject of abortion were at best mediocre. Both books were full of cliche situations and took them selves way to seriously.
Then I read Susan R. Sloan's Act of God. What instantly impressed me was the humor of the novel. Often when author's take on such a sensitive subject they try to handle in with sensativity, henceforth a dry and humorless tale. Here Sloan attacks the situation with an almost Hiaasenesque flare which borders on over the top. Yet the humor doesn't overshadow the seriousness of the situation.
The other thing I really liked about the book was the courtroom scene. More and more of our legal thrillers have turned into lawyer as detective stories, never really entering the courthouse. When they do actually try a case rarely does it ever play out to its natural conclusion. Usually some big secret is revealed and the defendents life is never place in the hands of the jury. Here Sloan takes us step by step through an exciting trial with to likeable adversaries.
Whatever your take is on this subject matter, I recommed reading this book. Maybe I have finally found the female author I can relate to.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Legal Tale
Review: When it comes to books I'm a bit of a sexist. Yeah, I can admitt it. When scanning down the racks at my local bookstore and I see the name of the author is female, I usualy keep scanning. Not that I haven't tried. Yet often when I decide to take the chance to read a female author I struggle through the book trying to relate with the characters.
I really can't tell you why I picked up this book. Not only my horribly sexist outlook on reading but the fact that the last two books I read on the subject of abortion were at best mediocre. Both books were full of cliche situations and took them selves way to seriously.
Then I read Susan R. Sloan's Act of God. What instantly impressed me was the humor of the novel. Often when author's take on such a sensitive subject they try to handle in with sensativity, henceforth a dry and humorless tale. Here Sloan attacks the situation with an almost Hiaasenesque flare which borders on over the top. Yet the humor doesn't overshadow the seriousness of the situation.
The other thing I really liked about the book was the courtroom scene. More and more of our legal thrillers have turned into lawyer as detective stories, never really entering the courthouse. When they do actually try a case rarely does it ever play out to its natural conclusion. Usually some big secret is revealed and the defendents life is never place in the hands of the jury. Here Sloan takes us step by step through an exciting trial with to likeable adversaries.
Whatever your take is on this subject matter, I recommed reading this book. Maybe I have finally found the female author I can relate to.
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