Rating: 
Summary: High Crimes - against the reader
Review: Joseph Finder's High Crimes begins with an interesting setup: a successful, high profile attorney and Harvard law professor and her husband of a few years, a successful independent broker and financial advisor, are at dinner with their daughter (her's by a first marriage) when he is approached by federal agents who attempt to arrest him - after identifying him by a name she does not recognize. To her horror and surprise, he flees and she is told that he is wanted for a murder that happened years before when he went by a different name and had a different life - as a member of Special Forces. To oversimplify what happens, he is captured and brought to trial - but in a closed military court. She, of course, winds up representing him, with the help of a young Army JAG attorney and an ex-army middle aged black attorney who has a bone to pick with the military style of justice. What saves the book from being simply an ordinary courtroom drama are the strange conventions of military justice and the background plot of top secret skull-duggery.However, as a thriller it is so predictable that one almost cringes. Knowing that she is in danger, the heroine still allows herself to be lured into a one-on-one meeting with a mystery man who asks to meet at a remote mountain restaurant (on a road barely wide enough for two cars to pass). Get the picture? Know what is coming? Unfortunately, this kind of all too predictable kind of plotting is typical of this story. Even the main question of whether or not her husband is really innocent is easy to predict early on given the heavy hints and deliberate attempts to divert the reader's attention from obvious things. The conclusion, intended I am sure as a kind of shocking blend of the multilayered betrayal of The Spy Who Came In From The Cold and the quick twist of Presummed Innocent, falls flat because it is so convoluted and because it is not really a surprise. We see it coming and we know it won't be pretty. I isn't. And the ending leaves all the human and emotional questions - reqarding the daughter, Claire's work and the scale and import of the 'set up' - completely unanswered. I finished this book only because I was stuck on a train with nothing else to read. I hope the upcoming movie is better, but the character of the husband will have to be more believable than he is in the book for it to work. Anyone who finishes this book and really trys to make sense of the conspiracy that is supposed to be at the root of the action will have plenty to puzzle over, but little to comprehend.
Rating: 
Summary: A real page turner - I couldn't put it down!
Review: This is the second of Mr. Finder's books that I have read. Now I want to read the others. I thought this was a wonderful book. I kept changing my mind about Tom (or Ron). Was he guilty, or not? That kept me reading! This is definitely worth the time - READ IT!
Rating:
Summary: Power Couple powered up
Review: Things are perfect in Claire Chapman's world, so you know an enormous fly is about to land in the ointment of her life: her perfect husband Tom is arrested for a 13 year-old massacre of 87 civilians in Latin America - a crime he says he didn't commit. It's a real comedown after a magazine has asked Claire and her husband to feature in their article on Power Couples. Good thing she's a hotshot lawyer and teaches at Harvard Law School. Despite her talents, Claire has her work cut out: Tom was in the military when he was supposed to have killed the innocents, and in civilian life, as in war, the military don't take prisoners. Despite a few flaws this is an excellent legal thriller. Claire is a bit too perfect to be believable (although she can't cook) - and one wonders how Tom kept his former life and identity secret from his wife of three years, as well as the rest of the world. Nevertheless, the courtroom exchanges, the web of deceit spun by Government agencies and a stand-out, unexpected ending make this a dark and exciting read.
Rating:
Summary: Many Surprises
Review: If you are a fan of the late, great author, Alaister McLean, then this book is for you. Surprises at every turn, superb courtroom dialogue, compelling arguments from both the prosecution and defense all make this book a fun read, and it will not insult your intelligence. The spoiled and somewhat selfish little girl was an uncomfortable distraction for me, but I could see why she was written into the story. (She is a wonderful argument for some "loving" corporal punishment). Please don't stop reading just because you think the ending has arrived, because the final page packs quite a revelation.
Rating:
Summary: QUICK PACED AND GOOD FROM THE START
Review: This is my first book I have read by Finder. I understand that he has another one on the way. And you know, I plan to be at the bookstore for the release. This book was an outstandingand it will be keep you wondering about the main character until the end; DON'T MISS THIS ONE. IT IS A SURE FIRECRACKER OF A GOOD BOOK. YOU ARE HOOKED IN, LINED UP. YOU WILL BE IN A HURRY TO FINISHED. DON'T MISS THIS
Rating: 
Summary: A very well written book.
Review: I really enjoyed the delightful mix of drama, suspense, and action in this novel. I thought it was very well written and I had never heard of this author before. Claire Heller Chapman is an outstanding character, with plenty of spunk and smarts, but we could have done without the irritating little six year old daughter, I'm not sure what she had to do with it all. Her character description and dialogues made me think the author was not very familiar with children of that age group. Overall, I think the child should have been left out. Also, my paperback version of this book was missing pages 149 - pgs 180! It's a brand new copy - but given to me by someone as a gift, so I cannot return it. The author did so well with the writing and flow of the story though, I was able to keep on reading and not feel like I missed too much. Without those missed pages and the little girl, I would have rated this book five stars.
Rating:
Summary: This amazing book was so good, I couldn't put it down.
Review: The setting of Boston and parts of the east coast made the book all the more realistic and the charactors are relatable to anyone. This book was so intense, I was always wondering what would be next. From the first page the book picks you up and peaks your curiosity until after it is over and you're still in awe. It was quick paced and intriguing. It is definately one book not to miss!
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, quick, a fast read and exceptional.
Review: I enjoyed reading this book--mystery thrillers are my favorite topic. It was exceptional and entertaining --not based on complete military law--but nonetheless, fictional. It's a must read for those mystery thriller buffs.
Rating:
Summary: Very well written
Review: I enjoyed this book and read it quickly. Easy to read and very interesting. I enjoyed the main charactors very much.
Rating:
Summary: It'll keep you guessing
Review: An excellent quick and easy read. Even at the end I wasn't really sure what was going to happen. Engrossing, terrifying.
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