Rating: 
Summary: A thriller with real people
Review: Many of the reviewers here have outlined the plot of Law of Gravity, with its many intricate twists. Although the plot is compelling and artfully crafted that's not the strength of this book. Unlike 99.9% of the "thrillers" out there, this one is peopled with real characters--characters who act for their own reasons and who are changed by the events in their lives, including the events in this book.
The disappointment of the reviewers who panned this book can be understood because it was marketed as a courtroom thriller (even the cover art!), but it's not. It is a novel about how tragedy and disappointment changes lives, and about the essence of principle and character that remains. Don't think "Day of the Jackal", think "Crime and Punishment."
One of the best books I've read in the last 5 years.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent second book from a new author. Can't wait for #3.
Review: Nicely drawn characters and a plausible story line that moves along briskly. Combines murder, national security, Presidential politics, personal struggles, and surprise plot twists. This book is as good as anything you'll find in it's genre. Beats most of the better known authors. I enjoyed his first book a lot ("In Her Defense"), and I liked this one even better. Definitely recommend it highly. Hurry up with number 3, Mr. Horn.
Rating:
Summary: Law of Gravity - an excellent 2nd book.
Review: Outstanding book from Mr. Horn, a former law partner of mine. There is a brisk pace and interesting characters. His obvious familiarity with Washington, DC and many years as an excellent trial attorney come through in the novel. He also discloses various facts throughout the book so that everything does not have to be answered in the last chapter. I lost sleep reading it through the night. Well done Steve, I loved In Her Defense and look forward to more.
Rating: 
Summary: A Man with Problems
Review: Philip Barkley is a man with problems. Once a highly respected lawyer with the Justice Department, his truthful rather than politically correct testimony in a high profile inquiry started his fall. His loss of status and the death of his beloved daughter ended his marriage. His subsequent nervous breakdown made him a non-productive drain on the public payroll. When Martin Green, a senior staff member on presidential hopeful Warren Young's Intelligence Committee, a young man with a high security clearance, disappears, Philip, for purely political reasons is asked to work with the FBI. Barkley has the political savvy, the FBI has the resources; a team headed by an attractive young woman with an agenda of her own. The powers-that-be want this case, a possible risk to national security, wrapped up quickly - before it destroys Warren Young's chance at the presidency. As the investigation progresses Martin Green is found dead - complete with a suicide note explaining his disillusionment and claiming sole responsibility for his actions. It looks more and more like he was a spy. But Philip thinks differently. He leaves the Justice Department but cannot abandon the investigation - "you can lose your career, your family, your prestige, even your confidence, but the instincts remain." Following Green's pre-death trail Philip's instincts lead him to more deaths, including the 1955 fall from a rooftop of a young Hungarian immigrant, and to the retired cop who was never satisfied with the suicide verdict. The two men team up to solve a case that spans decades, a case where things are not what they seem.
With the common themes of betrayal and redemption and a middle-aged protagonist with baggage fighting his way through the minefields of national politics, Law of Gravity could have been yet another addition to a long list of legal thrillers. But Philip Barkley is a strong, likable character. The type of man we can all but hope exists in the morass of politics. He's a man of integrity who needs to know the truth and, regardless of his personal losses (and some heavy-duty prescription drugs) he still believes in his instincts and his instincts tell him that Martin Green was not a spy. Something far more sinister is going on. After a slow start, (we know Green is going to be found dead, but when?) Stephen Horn makes this an interesting, even compelling read with any number of unexpected plot twists and turns, a not so predictable character or two, and a final, satisfying twist at the end. Using his recurring theme that the past comes back to haunt us, Horn has added second good book to the to the genre.
Rating: 
Summary: Stephen Horn stumbles with this second effort
Review: Phillip Barkley is a Justice Department attorney who is asked to help in an investigation of a Senate aide who has disappeared. The fear is the aide might have been involved in espionage against the United States. Phillip is teamed with an FBI agent, Blair Turner in the investigation. What follows is a very long maddeningly convoluted tale. After an auspicious debut with IN HER DEFENSE, Stephen Horn returns with his second effort . He has created a very complex novel, which actually takes over a hundred pages to hit its stride. However, just as the book becomes truly exciting, the breaks are put on as the reader is subjected to exposition after exposition in an attempt to explain what just happened. In fact, at least half a dozen expositions are necessary to conclude the novel. Included among the expositions is the timeworn and stereotypic scene of the villain holding the hero captive with a gun while divulging all. It just appears to me that if a person is in immediate danger of their life, they will not spend their final moments trying to solve a murder that really should have nothing to do with them. The repeated expositions are indicative of laziness and made the book truly endless.
Rating:
Summary: fantastic crime thriller
Review: Phillip Barkley was a whistle blower in a city that puts politics above truth so now he spends his days in the justice department in the Appellate Division writing briefs. After three hospitalizations after the death of his daughter and a job that is going nowhere, all Phillip wants to do is quit and open up his own law office in a small and quiet Oregon town. His boss promises him a place in US Attorney's office in the Portland office if he will investigate the disappearance of Martin Greer. Martin is a senior staffer for the Intelligence Committee-headed by Warren Young, the party's candidate in the upcoming presidential election. Warren wants Young on the case because he's known as an honest man and he wants his office cleared of any charges if Martin turns out to be a spy. Although evidence points in that direction Phillip thinks there's another agenda going on and he's going to uncover it even if it costs him his new job, his sanity and even his life. This is a thrill a minute chiller written by an author who has the same magic touch as John Grisham. The protagonist is a man struggling to pick up the pieces of his life after the death of his daughter and readers will have an immediate feeling of empathy for the man. His need to seek out the truth no matter who gets hurt is his most endearing quality- but one that gets him in trouble many times over. LAW OF GRAVITY is a fantastic crime thriller. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Superb and Realistic Thriller
Review: Quite simply one of the best political thrillers I've read in years. As someone who is tired of trite, contrived plots, here is a book that shines with realism and originality. Set in the Senate and Justice Department, this is one of the most accurate and vivid stories to come from this well-worn setting. This assessment is from someone who has been there, done that. The dialog is riveting and realistic; the characters' motivations very much like what makes the non-fiction versions tick. And if you're shocked by what you read about the jungle of political Washington portrayed in this book, maybe it is time to wake up!
Rating:
Summary: Superb and Realistic Thriller
Review: Quite simply one of the best political thrillers I've read in years. As someone who is tired of trite, contrived plots, here is a book that shines with realism and originality. Set in the Senate and Justice Department, this is one of the most accurate and vivid stories to come from this well-worn setting. This assessment is from someone who has been there, done that. The dialog is riveting and realistic; the characters' motivations very much like what makes the non-fiction versions tick. And if you're shocked by what you read about the jungle of political Washington portrayed in this book, maybe it is time to wake up!
Rating:
Summary: What a nice surprise
Review: The old standby mystery writers, Parker, Crais, Lehane, George to name a few, don't often surprise you. You expect good; you get it. Once in awhile though you pick up a book with an author you haven't read. Such was my experience with Mr. Horn, and to his credit, I now put him in the above list.
I like the 2 main characters. Barkley is a wimp. Sure, life got on its hind legs and gave him a beating. Yes. Sad. Teary. But it's time to get over it. You know. Move on. But Barkley is a mess. Anti-depressants, sleeplessness, and talk about your flight risks? Barkley's packed and ready to go to (???) Oregon.
Agent Turner of the FBI on the other hand is a self absorbed witch, out for herself, motivated not just for success but for victory.
Martin Green is a Jewish assistant in the Senate searching for illicit campaign funding. And suddenly he discovers . . . something. We don't know what. But he is hastily accused of treason, and then kills himself. Barkley for the AG's office and Turner for the FBI are assigned to investigate. Turner sees Barkley as an impediment and wants to dump him. Barkley couldn't care less. Except . . . .
In his prozac stupor, Barkley thinks it's odd that Green killed himself because he remembers that while at college, Green spoke out harshly over the suicide of a friend saying that it was the coward's way out and solved nothing. So Green's suicide makes little sense to Barkley.
That's all he has to go on.
I can't tell you how magnetic the book was. And I am pleased by the reviewers who say that the prior book, "In Her Defense," is even better. I picked that up last night. Merry Christmas to me. 5 Stars. Excellent stuff. I'm a fan of Mr. Horn.
Rating:
Summary: Finished in one Five hour Night
Review: This book was so good that I stay up till l:00a.m. just to finish
it. Stephen Horn is a great story teller. I love the fact
that it takes place in the first person. You will not reget
reading this book. It is a non stop thriller. I cannot wait
for his next book.
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