Acts of Malice (Nina Reilly)

Rating:
Summary: Not Bad, But Not Enticing Enough To Try Another
Review: Although the book was a fast read, there were too many negative points for me to try another in the Nina Reilly series. A summary of my main points of contention: way too much dialogue and not enough descriptive action; unbelievable 'love story' that leads to an intense coupling and a tragic loss; the assistant, Sandy, is unsympathetic and annoying rather than inscrutably intuitive or compassionate; and the villain was far too immature in his actions and verbiage to provide real suspense. Back to Fairstein, Kava and Coulter...

Rating:
Summary: Fine plot - bad psychology
Review: I admit: this is a fast reading novel, exciting and full of suspense. And I enjoyed reading it. But there is a major flaw: its psychology. It is not really conceivable that the lawyer of the alleged murderer falls in love with her adversary, the lawyer who represents the prosecution. In the courtroom they fight against each other using more or less unfair methods and tricks. Then they go to bed and do not speak a single word about the case. The characters of the alleged killer's wife and his father - among others - are not credible in their action and motivation either.

But if you do not mind this, you can read a novel with a fine plot and in addition a well worked out setting that shows more realism than the characters.

Rating:
Summary: A lot of soap opera, a little legal thriller
Review: I listened to this book as an abridged book on tape and I'm hoping some of the problems I have with the book were really due to the abridgement.

Problems:

1. her son Bob - he never speaks. He never does anything but be the perfect son who never, ever does anything wrong while mom sometimes spends outrageous hours out of the home. Watch out for this kid - he's going to be trouble!

2. Her son Bob says nothing, nothing at all about mom getting married to a man she just started re-dating while he's off on a trip to Germany (apparently unplanned since the tapes bring it up as he's packing the day before).

3. I don't know about you, but I think it would be pretty unethical to start dating the prosecutor during your defendent's murder trial.

4. The book spent much more time on the character's conflicted feelings (not conflicted about how this affair would affect her client's case, mind you, just hot and bothered about dating this man again)and not much on the case. If the story had focused, a 3 hour book on tape would have lasted about an hour. That means I was listening to 2 hours of romance novel on tape! Aaaargh!!



Rating:
Summary: Acts of Misery
Review: I'm a mystery reader but this book was horrible. I mean the plot was thin, their were cardboard characters, and overall nothing in the book revolved around a mystery. It focused more on the main character's (Nina) love life than an actual mystery. It was like a romance novel revolved around a mystery. I was disappointed and I am still disappointed I can't believe I waste time and energy reading this book. It was so boring I found myself scanning and skipping pages just to get through it.

Rating:
Summary: Another sure-fire bestseller!
Review: Nina Reilly's got her hands full this time with impossibly handsome client, Jim Strong, an expert skier accused of stomping his brother to death. Vacillating between relief when the facts seem to exonerate Jim and terror when the evidence seems to call into question his version of the events, Nina faces her toughest challenge yet - defending a man she's not sure is innocent. To complicate matters, Nina falls in love with Collier Hallowell, a man whose professional survival may well depend upon his winning the very case Nina can't emotionally afford to lose.

A page-turner from start to finish, ACTS OF MALICE proves Perri O'Shaughnessy to be a master of intrigue and suspense and one of the best of America's contemporary mystery writers. This fifth book in the Nina Reilly series gives the readers what they've come to expect from its talented writer: a rip-roaring good read.

Rating:
Summary: A ripping good read!
Review: The O'shaughnessy sisters have done it again in this legal thriller that has more to offer than just court room twist and turns. Lawyer Nina Reilly is represtenting the owner of Tahoe's largest ski resort against the charge of murdering his brother. The story balances Reilly's life between work and personal--raising a 16-year-old son as a single mom and finding time for romance. Well written with good character development, I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good mystery. I just finished another interesting book: "A Tourist in the Yucatan" mystery/thriller.

Rating:
Summary: Inconsistent
Review: Well written, a quick read. The court drama and mystery of her client keeps you, but what is truly unforgettable is the story with Nina & Colin, a must read.

Rating:
Summary: Cliche
Review: With a Perri O'Shaughnessy novel, one can rest assured that two heads are definitely better than one!
The Nina Reilly Series introduces the reader to Nina Reilly, the new kid on the block just trying to survive, not only in her chosen profession of the law, but in her family life as well. Throughout the novel Nina's experiences are believable, complicated and life altering. I totally enjoy all the characters in the book lending support to Nina and one in particular, Nina's -- more than just a secretary - Sandy - who somehow seems to help Nina keep afloat.
Additionally, the series shows compassionate writing with a closeness for family and friends.
Repeat characters are a favorite read for me and when I pick up one of the Nina Reilly series, it's like have old friends in the house, a little older and a little wiser with each book and each situation but the same dedication and loyalty. The authors have a a true knack for realistic story telling and realistic conclusions.
I thank the authors.

Rating:
Summary: FEISTY, FIGHTIN', FEUDIN', FUN AND FAMILY
Review: With a Perri O'Shaughnessy novel, one can rest assured that two heads are definitely better than one!
The Nina Reilly Series introduces the reader to Nina Reilly, the new kid on the block just trying to survive, not only in her chosen profession of the law, but in her family life as well. Throughout the novel Nina's experiences are believable, complicated and life altering. I totally enjoy all the characters in the book lending support to Nina and one in particular, Nina's -- more than just a secretary - Sandy - who somehow seems to help Nina keep afloat.
Additionally, the series shows compassionate writing with a closeness for family and friends.
Repeat characters are a favorite read for me and when I pick up one of the Nina Reilly series, it's like have old friends in the house, a little older and a little wiser with each book and each situation but the same dedication and loyalty. The authors have a a true knack for realistic story telling and realistic conclusions.
I thank the authors.