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Summary: Great book!!!!
Review: I really wanted to sneak and read the ending---cuz I wasn't sure that i could read fast enough. Best book that I've read in months. Thanks Mr. Martel.
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Summary: Impressive ... but predictable
Review: I recently finished my first book by John Martel (which I bought based on the excellent reviews it has received on Amazon). I agree with other reviewers that it was a good book with very entertaining courtroom scenes, but it did have some weaknesses. The functioning psychotic "alternate juror" was just too crazy to act so rational and hold up so well during critical periods in the book. In addition the romances, relationships and tidy ending had me wanting something more creative from such a talented author. I will definitely read Mr. Martel's next book, but I hope he does a better job at keeping me guessing.
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Summary: A Great Read
Review: If you enjoy a reading cocktail of one half law,one quarter mystery and 2 jiggers of intrique(Mafia style) and a splash of intensity, this is the book for you. As late as the last sixty pages I could not fathom the final outcome. This is the first book of Mr Martel's that I have enjoyed, I certainly look forward to reading more, if they are even close in interest as this one, I know it will not be a mistake.
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Summary: If you like legal thrillers, this is the one for you.
Review: In "The Alternate," Martel brings you into the world of a high-profile trial and never lets you go. Unlike many practioners of the genre, he doesn't stint when it comes to sudden plot turns and unpredictability--you feel like you're in the hands of an expert, but an EXCITING expert. Like a great Hitchcock film, the peripheral characters are just as interesting and engaging as the central characters. Check this out.
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Summary: A legal thriller by a real lawyer.
Review: John Martel's new legal thriller, The Alternate, is obviously the creation of a top-notch lawyer. Unlike most of the genre, the procedures and courtroom scenes radiate authenticity. The psychological and political insights are fascinating. This is a real find.
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Summary: trial groupie
Review: legal potboiler where fatal attraction meets the godfather in a schmaltzy way. despite a solid framework - pretrial prep, trial and retrial- the interjection of an overly used plot device - the brilliant psychopathic serial killer- dooms the story to a trite finale.
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Summary: Compelling Courtroom Drama
Review: Martel's story of an ex-congressman, connected to the mob, who goes on trial for the murder of his beauty queen wife, grabs the reader on the opening page, but slowly eases its grip as the story predictably unfolds. Defense atty. "Bear" Dickson and Asst. D.A. "Amazing Grace" Harris are well developed and believable. Down on her luck actress, Amanda Keller, is a disturbing portrait, even if the character comes off as a little over the top. Good read, with a couple of surprises, but not all the loose ends are tied up.
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Summary: Page Turner!
Review: Now I'll have to read John Martel's first two novels. I couldn't put The Alternate down! It was obviously written by an extremely experienced trial lawyer. I enjoyed a complex plot and sophisticated writing style that other legal thrillers lack. The characters were well-developed and believable. I'll look forward to reading Martel's first two novels this summmer...
Rating: 
Summary: Why did I buy this in Hardcover?
Review: OK, I liked Martel's first and I need diversion. But this was so muddled and incredible that it was a diversion trying to read it. Push-button characters. leaden words and a ridiculous "plot.'' Not to mention a villain who's portrayed as incredibly stupid but keeps getting away with it. Come on! You can do better than this.
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Summary: Interesting read but one MAJOR flaw
Review: The Alternate certainly has an interesting plot with lots oftwists and turns. I found enjoyed Amazing Grace and Bear believable, but some of the others were weak.What really concerned me about this book was the fact that Martel obviously didn't do enough research when it comes to Huntington's Disease. When a DNA expert comes in and looks at the blood of the accused, she finds he has Huntington's Disease. From the age of onset to the symptoms to the length of the disease this novel was riddled with mistakes. I found it frustrating that such a well educated, well employed person would be so lacking in doing the basic research since nowadays it's easy to find information online about this disease. I live with this disease every day through my husband, and I think Martel did the entire HD community a great injustice by not doing his homework. While the story was entertaining and basically well written, that one flaw made me wonder if I should read other books by this author. Carmen Leal Author of Faces of Huntington's A book about Huntington's Disease...
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