Rating: 
Summary: Sordid tale of a priest accused of murder.
Review: "Criminal Intent" is the latest entry in William Bernhardt's Ben Kincaid series. Ben is a criminal defense attorney in Oklahoma who is shy in social situations, but he is a barracuda in the courtroom. Assisted by his partner, Christina, a flamboyant lawyer who started out as his legal assistant, Ben defends anyone he believes in, even if the defendant cannot afford to pay his legal fees. As a result, Ben's firm is often in the red, and the patience of his loyal and underpaid staff is sometimes strained to the breaking point.This time, Ben is defending an Episcopal priest named Father Daniel Beale, who is on trial for murdering one of his female parishioners. Father Beale is also suspected of murdering two other women in his congregation. Ben has known Father Beale since childhood, and the lawyer is convinced that Father Beale is incapable of murder. Unfortunately for the priest, he has a reputation as a hothead, and he was heard threatening the victim before she was killed. It seems that the priest has always been a political radical. His views on abortion and homosexuals are much too progressive for his conservative parishioners, and the homicide victims all wanted Father Beale ousted from his post. Ben is determined to save Father Beale, and he hopes to uncover the identity of the real murderer. As always, Ben Kincaid is a sympathetic character, and a champion of the underdog. However, this novel is one of the weakest books in the Kincaid series. Bernhardt loses his focus with the myriad characters and the convoluted plot lines that he unsuccessfully attempts to juggle. Although one of the trademarks of this series is the light bantering among the members of Kincaid's firm, the jokes this time around are somewhat forced. Worst of all, as the book progresses, the narrative becomes more and more unbelievable, and the ending is extremely weak and illogical. Bernhardt throws in a host of messages about the fallibility of man, the need for tolerance and forgiveness, and the inequities in the criminal justice system. However, the story never coalesces into a coherent narrative, and as a mystery, "Criminal Intent" falls flat. I recommend this book only for diehard Ben Kincaid fans, but I fear that even they may be disappointed after finishing this unimpressive novel.
Rating:
Summary: Sordid tale of a priest accused of murder.
Review: "Criminal Intent" is the latest entry in William Bernhardt's Ben Kincaid series. Ben is a criminal defense attorney in Oklahoma who is shy in social situations, but he is a barracuda in the courtroom. Assisted by his partner, Christina, a flamboyant lawyer who started out as his legal assistant, Ben defends anyone he believes in, even if the defendant cannot afford to pay his legal fees. As a result, Ben's firm is often in the red, and the patience of his loyal and underpaid staff is sometimes strained to the breaking point. This time, Ben is defending an Episcopal priest named Father Daniel Beale, who is on trial for murdering one of his female parishioners. Father Beale is also suspected of murdering two other women in his congregation. Ben has known Father Beale since childhood, and the lawyer is convinced that Father Beale is incapable of murder. Unfortunately for the priest, he has a reputation as a hothead, and he was heard threatening the victim before she was killed. It seems that the priest has always been a political radical. His views on abortion and homosexuals are much too progressive for his conservative parishioners, and the homicide victims all wanted Father Beale ousted from his post. Ben is determined to save Father Beale, and he hopes to uncover the identity of the real murderer. As always, Ben Kincaid is a sympathetic character, and a champion of the underdog. However, this novel is one of the weakest books in the Kincaid series. Bernhardt loses his focus with the myriad characters and the convoluted plot lines that he unsuccessfully attempts to juggle. Although one of the trademarks of this series is the light bantering among the members of Kincaid's firm, the jokes this time around are somewhat forced. Worst of all, as the book progresses, the narrative becomes more and more unbelievable, and the ending is extremely weak and illogical. Bernhardt throws in a host of messages about the fallibility of man, the need for tolerance and forgiveness, and the inequities in the criminal justice system. However, the story never coalesces into a coherent narrative, and as a mystery, "Criminal Intent" falls flat. I recommend this book only for diehard Ben Kincaid fans, but I fear that even they may be disappointed after finishing this unimpressive novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Somebody shoot me! Please!
Review: As soon as I saw that this book was available, I whipped out my credit card and ordered it. Last year Final Round was published, and during a similar lull of common sense, I ordered that one, too. I thought why not wait for Ben, Christina, Loving, and Jones to return to form? Consequently, when I saw Criminal Intent was in the stores, I leaped for it. Mistake.
If anyone needs a vacation and a little down time, it's Mr. Bernhardt. He's a fine writer, and I imagine a nice chap. His earlier books were somewhat captivating. However, his last two attempts have been subpar even for a struggling hack.
I will not go into detail concerning the story line, which I found to be uninteresting, but will say that the dialogue is sophomore-ish at best. Ben has become a Boy Scout. And maybe that's all right. Maybe we need more of that in our society. The problem as I see it is that we have R-rated audiences reading G-rated mysteries. Fitting for prep school perusal, but not very exciting for folks who have read books written for the more adult population. This book belongs in the juvenile section of the local library right next to Bambi and the Black Stallion. Realistically, I just couldn't quite swallow this latest serving. Sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Somebody shoot me! Please!
Review: As soon as I saw that this book was available, I whipped out my credit card and ordered it. Last year Final Round was published, and during a similar lull of common sense, I ordered that one, too. I thought why not wait for Ben, Christina, Loving, and Jones to return to form? Consequently, when I saw Criminal Intent was in the stores, I leaped for it. Mistake.
If anyone needs a vacation and a little down time, it's Mr. Bernhardt. He's a fine writer, and I imagine a nice chap. His earlier books were somewhat captivating. However, his last two attempts have been subpar even for a struggling hack.
I will not go into detail concerning the story line, which I found to be uninteresting, but will say that the dialogue is sophomore-ish at best. Ben has become a Boy Scout. And maybe that's all right. Maybe we need more of that in our society. The problem as I see it is that we have R-rated audiences reading G-rated mysteries. Fitting for prep school perusal, but not very exciting for folks who have read books written for the more adult population. This book belongs in the juvenile section of the local library right next to Bambi and the Black Stallion. Realistically, I just couldn't quite swallow this latest serving. Sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: A pleasant diversion on a hot summer day
Review: CRIMINAL INTENT by William Bernhardt Ballantine Books, 2002 $23.95 0-345-44173-7 Ben Kincaid, a defense attorney in Tulsa, is asked for help by a friend. A priest, Father Beale, known to Ben since childhood, is accused of murder when two of his parishioners are found dead. One of them was found dead on Father Beale's desk. Ben is now in a position to defend Father Beale against these charges and possibly save his life. However, there is more than meets the eye with the priest and these surprises very much threaten Ben's defense. William Bernhardt is quite adept at writing the courtroom thriller. Most of the action does, in fact, occur in this arena. The trial, itself, propels the book forward as the well sketched characters battle it out. A conclusion that highlights a flaw in the legal system, is a bit unsettling. However, the book is a pleasant enough diversion on a hot summer day.
Rating:
Summary: A pleasant diversion on a hot summer day
Review: CRIMINAL INTENT by William Bernhardt Ballantine Books, 2002 $23.95 0-345-44173-7 Ben Kincaid, a defense attorney in Tulsa, is asked for help by a friend. A priest, Father Beale, known to Ben since childhood, is accused of murder when two of his parishioners are found dead. One of them was found dead on Father Beale's desk. Ben is now in a position to defend Father Beale against these charges and possibly save his life. However, there is more than meets the eye with the priest and these surprises very much threaten Ben's defense. William Bernhardt is quite adept at writing the courtroom thriller. Most of the action does, in fact, occur in this arena. The trial, itself, propels the book forward as the well sketched characters battle it out. A conclusion that highlights a flaw in the legal system, is a bit unsettling. However, the book is a pleasant enough diversion on a hot summer day.
Rating:
Summary: A good legal thriller.
Review: Defense attorney Ben Kincaid has faced heinous crimes before, but none with the intensity of the one he is about to face. Kincaid has helped Father Daniel Beale before, saving the priest from ruin due to his renegade values and violent temper, but now Father Beale is faced with murder. The brutal murder of a female parishioner of the church has occurred, and it's no secret that Beale and the woman hated each other, but lack of evidence halts the case until another woman is found murdered and Beale is caught over the body with blood on his hands. Kincaid is not sure what to believe, even though Beale swears his innocence, but instinct tells Kincaid to investigate and find the killer. To Kincaid's surprise he is faced with the discovery of the priest's many secrets, as well as the lies buried within the walls of St. Benedict's, but in his heart he knows he must keep digging to bring a killer to justice. As Kincaid's journey presses on he must face the ultimate evil, an evil so unexpected he will question all he has believed in his faith. 'Criminal Intent' is a very good legal thriller. The writing is crisp and clean, the plot sharp and suspenseful, and the surprise ending exciting. Combining legal thrills, controversial religious themes, and murder 'Criminal Intent' succeeds on being an enjoyable read. Fans of William Bernhardt's previous novels will enjoy his latest, and new readers of the Kincaid books will rush out and purchase earlier novels in the series. Nick Gonnella
Rating: 
Summary: Ben Kincaid & Friends Just Keep Getting Better
Review: First, and most important, this is a cracking good story, with surprises right up to the end. Even if you have never read anything about Ben Kincaid before, you can start with this one and enjoy it tremendously, but it is all the more fun if Ben, Christina, Jones, Loving, and the others are old friends. William Bernhardt created several likable and interesting series characters in addition to Ben Kincaid, and as the series has progressed, some have ben dropped and some have been added. In "Criminal Intent," Paula, one of the more recently added characters, marries Jones, but, as you might expect, their wedding is marred by murder. One of the mysteries is the lack of any fingerprints on the presumed murder weapon other than those of Father Beale, who is charged with the murder. Ben is unshakably (and correctly) certain that Father Beale did not murder anyone, but the D.A. is absolutely determined to convict him. Ben comes up with an ingenious explanation for the lack of fingerprints, but misses an obvious possibility that I was expecting, because Bernhardt himself didn't think of it until I mentioned it in an e-mail to him. (I found the address of Bernhardt's web site on page 390 of the paperback edition.) The observations Father Beale tells Ben about on pp. 384-5 may (one hopes) lead to developments in the next novel, "Death Row," that we fans of Ben and Christina have been hoping for for some time. A very welcome development in the most recent Ben Kincaid novels, especially including this one, is an involvement with social issues. Bernhardt doesn't preach; he just presents a situation involving controversial ethical choices, and lets that situation speak for itself. Your conclusion, or mine, may or may not agree with Bernhardt's, but we are almost compelled to reconsider our thoughts and conclusions, and possibly to modify some of them. I suspect that some of the reviewers who didn't like this book were discomforted by the need to think critically about the situation presented. But if, like me, you find food for thought an invigorating bonus, you will now find it in the more recent mysteries of William Bernhardt, as well as those of Miriam Grace Monfredo, and some of those of Tony Hillerman and Judith Jance, all of which I highly recommend. Thank you, William Bernhardt. I am looking forward to many more of your novels.
Rating:
Summary: Ben Kincaid & Friends Just Keep Getting Better
Review: First, and most important, this is a cracking good story, with surprises right up to the end. Even if you have never read anything about Ben Kincaid before, you can start with this one and enjoy it tremendously, but it is all the more fun if Ben, Christina, Jones, Loving, and the others are old friends. William Bernhardt created several likable and interesting series characters in addition to Ben Kincaid, and as the series has progressed, some have ben dropped and some have been added. In "Criminal Intent," Paula, one of the more recently added characters, marries Jones, but, as you might expect, their wedding is marred by murder. One of the mysteries is the lack of any fingerprints on the presumed murder weapon other than those of Father Beale, who is charged with the murder. Ben is unshakably (and correctly) certain that Father Beale did not murder anyone, but the D.A. is absolutely determined to convict him. Ben comes up with an ingenious explanation for the lack of fingerprints, but misses an obvious possibility that I was expecting, because Bernhardt himself didn't think of it until I mentioned it in an e-mail to him. (I found the address of Bernhardt's web site on page 390 of the paperback edition.) The observations Father Beale tells Ben about on pp. 384-5 may (one hopes) lead to developments in the next novel, "Death Row," that we fans of Ben and Christina have been hoping for for some time. A very welcome development in the most recent Ben Kincaid novels, especially including this one, is an involvement with social issues. Bernhardt doesn't preach; he just presents a situation involving controversial ethical choices, and lets that situation speak for itself. Your conclusion, or mine, may or may not agree with Bernhardt's, but we are almost compelled to reconsider our thoughts and conclusions, and possibly to modify some of them. I suspect that some of the reviewers who didn't like this book were discomforted by the need to think critically about the situation presented. But if, like me, you find food for thought an invigorating bonus, you will now find it in the more recent mysteries of William Bernhardt, as well as those of Miriam Grace Monfredo, and some of those of Tony Hillerman and Judith Jance, all of which I highly recommend. Thank you, William Bernhardt. I am looking forward to many more of your novels.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Legal Thriller From the Best Legal Thriller Writer
Review: I can't understand why more people don't know about and read William Bernhardt. He is the best of the legal thriller writers and I think this is his best book yet. I know Bernhardt has a very loyal cadre of fans, but it seems as if so much is said about Grisham and Margolin and others. Bernhardt is a much more interesting, more exciting writer. I love his lead character, Ben Kincaid--a more human lawyer than some of the tough-guy stereotypes of other authors. His books always have a sprinkling of humor, which I appreciate, and are always filled with twists and turns--one big surprise after another. His last two books--Silent Justice and Murder One--have been more mature and shown more writing style, and this new one--Criminal Intest--is his best yet. What's more--this book is very timely, given that it involves a priest accused of a horrible crime. If you haven't read William Bernhardt before, do yourself a treat and check out Criminal Intent and find out what you've been missing.
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