Evidence of Guilt: A Kali O'Brien Mystery

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Summary: Even in her hometown,Kali can't get away from murder
Review: Attorney Kali O'Brien left her job at a lucrative San Francisco firm to open up a practice in her small hometown. One of her first clients that she agrees to help defend is Wes Harding, accused of murdering a local waitress and the woman's daughter. However, Wes rejects her efforts to assist on his defense team. To add to Kali's frustration, the townsfolk are totally convinced Wes did the crime, especially when the evidence proves he was at the scene. Kali interviews everyone linked to the victim, the alleged culprit, and even remotely connected to the case. She soon learns that the deceased was not just a waitress and that the two deaths might be linked to an incident from the waitress's past. As the clock ticks and she struggles with a cruel prosecutor, Kali realizes that she must pull a rabbit out of the hat very soon. If she fails her client will be convicted of an act he might not have committed. EVIDENCE OF GUILT is a well written mixing of a who-done-it with a legal thriller. Though the story line is fast-paced and interesting, the serpentine curves occur a bit too fast, sometimes confusing readers in the process. Kali remains an interesting character and hopefully more about her personal life will be forthcoming in future novels. In her second novel starring Kali, Jonnie Jacobs has shown that she can write a terrific and intriguing on-going series that will keep readers (including this reviewer) coming back for more. Harriet Klausner

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Summary: Great vacation material - entertaining!
Review: I enjoyed this book so much that I e-mailed the author (her address is in the back of the book) and she responded with a very nice note. I thought this was much better than Sue Grafton's latest. She has good characterizations and the story really holds your attention. If you like Karen Kijewski (sp?) or Sue Grafton, try Jonnie Jacobs! Can't wait until the next in this series!

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Summary: Gripping story with great characters
Review: This is a great book. I loved Kali O'Brien and found the secondary characters, including the angry, closed-mouth man she's defending, fascinating. There is some courtroom stuff, but not a lot. The plot twists are unexpected and clever, yet entirely believable. I read the first book in the series, Shadow of Doubt, and liked it as well. Can't wait for the next one.

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Summary: Grisham, move over
Review: This is the second in a series, and even better than the first (which was excellent.) Kali O'Brien in a complex, but likable, character. The story captured my interest from the beginning and moved swiftly toward a surprising conclusion. Wes Harding is accused of murdering a woman and her five-year-old daughter. He's the town trouble-maker and someone Kali knew when she was in high school. He's unwilling to cooperate in his own defense and is clearly hiding something. The unfolding of Wes's story is as interesting as the solution to the murder. I found all of the characters (including the minor ones) well-drawn, interesting and believable. This is a first rate legal mystery.