Rating: 
Summary: Engaging and mildly interesting
Review: "Flat Lake In Winter", a legal 'thriller' set in the Adirondack Mountains, is told through the eyes of its protagonist, Matt Fielder. Fielder is a New York defense attorney hiding out from the world in a self-constructed log cabin in the woods, when he is called to a case regarding a double homicide allegedly committed by the grandson, Jonathon Hamilton, a mentally-challenged man of 30. The narrative of this novel is aptly described by the title of the book, flat and unemotional, like a lake in winter. The details are related in an almost monotonous voice, dry and unfeeling. The storyline itself, though mildly engaging, was mostly unbelievable, right down to its anticlimactic ending.
Rating: 
Summary: This Author Is A Real Find!
Review: Because I read three or four books a week, it is rare that I find a book thoroughly engaging in both substance and style. The style is unusual and fascinating; the author does not "write" in the usual sense. Klempner CONFIDES. It is as if you were sitting in a chair across from this author as he tells you the story, complete with "inside information" and amusing asides. In fact, the first paragraph of the book begins this process and I was captivated by the author's intimacy with the reader. The plot is not very original but it is solid. The ending is a heart-tugger, completely in line with the aauthor's style. I will definitely read anything Klempner writes; reading his book has made me a fan and a friend of his.
Rating:
Summary: This Author Is A Real Find!
Review: Because I read three or four books a week, it is rare that I find a book thoroughly engaging in both substance and style. The style is unusual and fascinating; the author does not "write" in the usual sense. Klempner CONFIDES. It is as if you were sitting in a chair across from this author as he tells you the story, complete with "inside information" and amusing asides. In fact, the first paragraph of the book begins this process and I was captivated by the author's intimacy with the reader. The plot is not very original but it is solid. The ending is a heart-tugger, completely in line with the aauthor's style. I will definitely read anything Klempner writes; reading his book has made me a fan and a friend of his.
Rating:
Summary: This Author Is A Real Find!
Review: Because I read three or four books a week, it is rare that I find a book thoroughly engaging in both substance and style. The style is unusual and fascinating; the author does not "write" in the usual sense. Klempner CONFIDES. It is as if you were sitting in a chair across from this author as he tells you the story, complete with "inside information" and amusing asides. In fact, the first paragraph of the book begins this process and I was captivated by the author's intimacy with the reader. The plot is not very original but it is solid. The ending is a heart-tugger, completely in line with the aauthor's style. I will definitely read anything Klempner writes; reading his book has made me a fan and a friend of his.
Rating: 
Summary: flat book in winter
Review: I live in the Adirondacks and practice criminal law in a small upstate community. I have represented accused murders,below average (dull normal) defendants and have experienced some successes and failures in my efforts on behalf of my assigned clients. I read about this book in the NY Times but was reluctant to read it because I don't find Grisham of any interest. In this effort the premise is very interesting and in a general sense the author's writing style can sustain one's interest. Moreover the outcome is an excellent twist. My problem with the book is that the characters are not well developed. The prosecutor, judge, private investigator, social worker and convict brother were characters essential to the plot but in reality we learn only a few essentials about these people who could have been richly developed. The author's efforts deserve four stars as he is completely accurate in his portrayal of how the system works in our Adirondack landscape. Although the novel suffers a bit I read it to pass the time during a dark, cold and icy winter weekend. It's a quick read that you might like to try if your snowed in
Rating:
Summary: Fastmoving story, beautifully read
Review: Richard Rohan reads this complicated story about a sensational murder case in a sparsely populated area of the Adirondacks, where killing is usually confined to the slaughter of moose, deer or fish. In books on tape a lot depends on the reader. A fine reader can make a poor book sound good. Rohan's an excellent reader.When authorities are called to the scene of a spectacularly gruesome murder of an elderly couple by their retarded grandson, Jonathan Hamilton, they immediately assume that he's the perpetrator. The assumption is seemingly verified by his confession when taken into custody. As the story unfolds, though, the actions of those authorities come under question. Evidence such as blood on Jonathan's forehead and hands and bloody footprints solidify opinions against the young man. Matthew Fielder, a big-city criminal defense lawyer drop-out, especially trained to handle "death cases," is assigned to defend Jonathan and the more he learns about the case, the more he's convinced that Jonathan is innocent. The battle lines are drawn and both sides go for the jugular as the trial commences, its fury fed by the media into a frenzy. A chilling story, laced with legal detail and feisty, memorable characters, FLAT LAKE IN WINTER is just the tale to see you through a quiet, fall evening. Klempner's legal fiction compares pretty favorably with Grisham's.
Rating:
Summary: Great suspense novel, gripping.
Review: The best of his books. His writting has matured, great story line and charactor development.
Rating:
Summary: Great suspense novel, gripping.
Review: The best of his books. His writting has matured, great story line and charactor development.
Rating:
Summary: An okay read
Review: There is lots of interesting information in this novel about the preparation for a trial carrying a possible death penalty. that's the non-fiction part. The fictional part of the book is kind of dull and the defense lawyer character is stupifyingly dumb when it comes to the opposite sex, making it difficult to believe he can handle the seriousness of his client's problems. The final payoff/twist in the plot is sketchy at best and not very satsifying after a long wait.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging and mildly interesting
Review: Well written suspense story with many intriguing legal details. However, the ending in which all the loose ends are very quickly and too neatly tied in a neat package spoils the over-all effect.
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