Rating: 
Summary: A Particularly Good Legal Thriller
Review: In her debut novel, Alafair Burke introduces us to Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid in an excellent start to what promises to be a very enjoyable series. And the news is good because the second book in the series is already in the works.Sam Kincaid agrees to take a case that looks like it could be poison from the start. A 13-year-old prostitute and heroin addict has been raped, severely beaten and left for dead by a couple of men. Even though the girl can positively identify one of her attackers, the fact that she's a prostitute and may have been under the influence of drugs at the time will mean the jury may be unsympathetic to say the least. Sam puts a case together regardless and pretty soon the evidence begins building and the case looks stronger all the time. It's only halfway through the trial that things begin to go wrong and the case doesn't look quite so clear cut after all. This really is a particularly good legal thriller and the fact that it's a debut novel only makes it all the more commendable. Through Sam we are stepped through the legal procedure as seen from the D.A.'s perspective. This could have been quite tedious and boring, but in this case, the telling was anything but. As for the mystery, I thought it was very well constructed, complete with a clever twist or two at the end.
Rating:
Summary: A Taut Detective Story with Intelligent and Witty Dialogue
Review: Initially, I was drawn to this book by its setting --- Portland, my hometown. I like the feeling that comes with knowing a place intimately. That way, it seems that I somehow have an edge over the average reader. Along with the comfort of familiar street names, buildings and cafes, however, Ms. Burke demonstrates a meticulous knowledge of the inner workings of prosecutors and courtrooms. She should, having spent years as a deputy district attorney right here in Multnomah County. Ms. Burke's depictions of how the law works, with all its frustrations and flaws, are dead-on accurate --- with the possible exception of her belief that only rookie cops aren't fat. (I owed that objection to my husband, retired from the department after 26 years.) Ms. Burke handily reveals some gaping holes in our legal system. Some of its failings shine from the pages and you're left to wonder how victims --- especially young ones like in JUDGMENT CALLS --- deal with the imperfections. I could see how choosing not to press charges might look more attractive than facing the horror of testifying before a room full of invasive media, gawkers and general trial oddballs. In this case, thirteen-year-old Kendra Martin has been viciously raped and left for dead in the Columbia River Gorge, a scenic area a few short miles from the city center. The details are so gruesome that even Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid winces when she hears them. The three major crime detectives that bring the case to Kincaid don't need to argue very much to induce her to fight to make this one stick. The victim, given mug photos, confidently identifies her attacker. Even her body language says she's sure. The suspect is quickly arrested and, in an unusual turn of events, pushes for an exceptionally speedy trial, insisting he's innocent. While the physical evidence convinces Samantha she has a solid case, she faces an uphill battle with her victim. Kendra's background isn't exactly squeaky clean, and she is no naïve child. She turned to prostitution in order to support her drug habit. In addition, her mom isn't the best role model, with a shoplifting charge or two to her name. But the viciousness of the attack dictates the need to put this guy away. That, plus the threatening phone calls and a Toyota Tercel that Ms. Kincaid thinks is following her, make her more determined than ever. In the course of investigating this crime, Samantha stumbles onto evidence of a web of crimes that appear linked to Kendra's attack. The possibility of a serial killer sends her trial into a tailspin and mobilizes the full force of the police department to uncover the truth. Alafair is definitely James Lee Burke's daughter, no doubt about it. She pens a taut detective story with intelligent, witty dialogue and moves it along roller coaster style. While she may lack dad's polish --- polish that comes with vast experience and practice --- with her talent, she should have many years to work on it. For now, we can eagerly await another Samantha Kincaid mystery, due to hit shelves in the spring of 2004. --- Reviewed by Kate Ayers
Rating: 
Summary: promising debut
Review: JUDGMENT CALLS marks the debut of Alafair Burke, daughter of famous crime writer James Lee Burke. The plot involves Samantha Kincaid, an assistant DA in Portland, who's prosecuting a brutal rape/attempted murder. The case looks airtight, but then a possible link to a serial killer arises, as does the possibility that Samantha's lover (a cop) may have put an innocent woman in jail. Much of the book details the legal maneuverings around the rape case, and there's quite a bit of description of legal procedures that will be familiar to anyone who has seen a couple of episodes of Law & Order. At times I thought the book dragged, but I enjoyed being in the company of these characters and the final plot twist is genuinely exciting. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Rating: 
Summary: Alafair Burke Pens A Winner!!
Review: Judgment Calls, the debut effort from Alafair Burke, is a book that is difficult to set down. Readers are introduced to Samantha Kincaid, a young prosecutor navigating through the judicial system in search of justice for the teenage victim in a brutal rape case. Ms. Burke, through colorful descriptions, interesting character development, and a tight, riveting plot, takes the reader on a memorable ride from the start to finish of a criminal case from the prosecutor's perspective, a perspective that has not been explored much by other crime/mystery writers. Ms. Burke appears to have a very bright future in this genre and this reviewer is definitely looking forward to future books featuring Samantha Kincaid.
Rating: 
Summary: Terminally putrid
Review: Ms. Burke should apologize to the souls of the trees that gave their lives for this pap. If 10% of what James Lee Burke has had rubbed off on this kid, it might have been salvagable. This book is marred by (among other things): stock characters lifted from a rejected script Steven Bochco used to line his cat box; a hackneyed, overworked plot; dialogue like no people ever spoke; and truly cringeworthy prose. It beats my previous low-water-mark for a novel by a non-writer, which was Chuck Scarborough's "Aftershock". I guess Ms. Burke figured with the (likely) interesting cases she's seen and Dad's brain to tap, she could become the latest, greatest lawyer-novelist. I think this is just the sort of bravado Frank Sinatra, Jr., felt.
Rating:
Summary: first in a new series
Review: Portland, Oregon, Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid, is trying the case of a man who raped and sodomized a young girl who supported her growing heroin addiction with bouts of prostitution. As she is preparing for her straightforward attempted murder trial , it takes some bizarre twists involving child pornography rings, a possible serial killer, and corruption in the DA's office. There is a secondary story involving her on again/off again relationship with her first love Chuck Forbes. Chuck, the son of a former governor, is now detective on the Major Crime Team. Alafair Burke is former deputy district attorney and is now a law professor at Hofstra School of Law, so she is knowledgeable about her subject matter. The characters were multi-dimensional and well developed. The plot of this story was pretty good, but tended to be slow at times due to the lengthy explanations of the legal process. One annoyance in the book was the liberal use of acronyms. There were too many and it slowed down parts of the story even more. This is a good start to a promising series, but it could have been better if it were better paced.
Rating:
Summary: Poor Example of Publishing Nepotism - Boring & Bad
Review: There are two reasons why this book was published. Alafair Burke's daddy is the first one, and a near total lack of imagination from Henry Holt is the second. This book is yet another story penned by a lawyer wanting to be the next Grisham or Margolin, and the result is pretty bad. The characters are two-dimensional, the plot predictable, and the storyline listless. There is nothing scary, thrilling, insightful or remotely interesting in this book. What Alafair does manage to do is hit all the important bullet-points to catch a bored and overworked editor. She has the secretly bad cop, the fiesty best friend, the dedicated lawyer with the fragile heart, and of course, the serial killer. Her lack of talent reduces even the most potentially exciting scenes into something from the Batman TV show from the 1960's. She was even smart enough to add sexual molestation of a girl, which as all readers know is the "plot du jour" for substandard writing. It was embarrassing to see the writers in Henry Holt's stable laud this book on the dust jacket. After reading the book myself my opinion of these writers has diminished, or I am leaning to dismissing them as shills. The mystery genre, and its daughter, the legal thriller, is suffering from an excess of these books that follow the same bland formulas found in Harlequin romances. It is time for a fresh voice and inspired ideas to take the genre forward, and Alafair Burke does not even come close to having this talent. It is a shame neptism has allowed her to take the place another, gifted writer might use. Nothing works right in Jedgment Calls. Don't waste your time with this book.
Rating:
Summary: compelling and enthralling legal thriller
Review: Thirteen years old Kendra Martin turns tricks to fund her heroin habit. Two johns pull her into their car, beat her, sodomize and rape her. They leave her for dead in an isolated park. Two Samaritans find her and call 911. The emergency room doctors save her life. After she recovers she identifies one of the perpetrators as Frank Derringer, an ex-con out on parole who is supposed to stay away from underage girls as the condition for his continued freedom. Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid goes against the advice of her immediate superior and decides to charge Derringer with numerous felonies that will put him away for a long time. At first her case looks solid but Frank's defense attorney makes such a compelling argument that a serial killer committed the crime that her boss and his superior force her to drop out of the prosecution. Samantha isn't willing to let the case slip away from her and see justice perverted so she starts her own independent investigation, an action that almost gets her killed. Alafair Burke, the daughter of well renowned crime thriller writer James Lee Burke, has inherited her father's talent for writing a compelling and enthralling novel. This legal thriller has plenty of action scenes, surprises and courtroom scenes so readers will find themselves thoroughly enjoying JUDGMENT CALLS which is, as hard as it is to believe, the author's debut novel. The protagonist has a vulnerable side that will endear her to readers as well as a bulldog tenacity that allows her to do her job in spite of overwhelming odds. This reviewer can't wait for the second Samantha Kincaid legal thriller. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Terrible
Review: This book was one of the worst I have ever read. The characters were not developed and the plot was slow moving resulting in a very boring story. All-in-all it was a waste of time and money.
Rating:
Summary: A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Review: This may be the first novel for Alafair (I love that name!) Burke, but she is no novice at writing a gritty,fast-paced, witty page-turner. It must be in the genes! Protaganist, Samantha Kincaid(a Portland DDA) is entirely likeable & this book leaves you wanting more of her, not to mention her old-flame & current Portland detective, Chuck Forbes. I am pleased to know that this is the first in a "Sam Kincaid" series & I eagerly look forward to the next installment!
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