Billy Strobe

Rating:
Summary: So, So
Review: Although I thought the book started out with a bang,and I enjoyed the diverse characters (loved Mimi D'Angelo) as well as their wit and sense of humor, it fizzled somewhat in the middle and became unrealistic by the end. The courtroom scenes were not particularly realistic or practical.

However, I really enjoyed the family dynamic between Billy, his sister and mother and would like to have seen the author explore that portion of the story a little bit more. In particular, how Billy resolved the revelations concerning his father.

I must admit that I was somewhat biased against this book. Professionally, I am a public defender and have been so employed for the past 13 years. Unfortunately, one of the greatest myths concerning public defender work is that we are somehow incompetent purely and simply because we choose to represent the lowest of the low.

As is the case in any profession, there are good public defenders and not so good public defenders. There are good private attorneys and not so good ones. Consequently, when I read a novel which perpetuates the myth about public defenders, particularly one written by an attorney, I get somewhat defensive as I know how hard we work and what we endure.

Guilt or innocence aside, Darryl's conviction, as portrayed in the novel, was due solely to the incompetence of his public defender. Billy's reluctance, as portrayed in the book, to request a continuance of Darryl's retrial was based on Billy's fear that the case would end up in the hands of the public defender.

In all candor, I'm not quite sure what could be more incompetent than a business lawyer( Billy Strobe) with no trial experience representing a criminal defendant in a murder case. A case by the way in which the attorney manufacturers and plants evidence.

Rating:
Summary: Right Up There With The Best Of Grisham's Books!
Review: Billy Strobe is a character you won't soon forget and the book is one you won't be able to put down once you start reading it. Martel has risen right to the top of legal thriller writers with this effort. The plot is multi-layered, the characters are very well-developed, the action is non-stop and the description of prison life will make you sure to never want to stray from the straight and narrow. While it could be argued that some of the trial scenes are a bit far-fetched, I personally had no problem with this. If you are in the mood for a legal thriller, or any type of suspenseful book, you'd have to search pretty hard to find a book that will be more captivating than Billy Strobe. I highly recommend this book to you. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Hooked from the start
Review: Billy Strobe is John Martel's best work to date. The characters are fallible and human, the plot complex and interesting. My (admittedly simple) "good book" barometer is whether it keeps me reading into the wee hours. Mr. Martel's latest passed that test with ease. A good, fun read.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting Book
Review: I just finished reading this book and I really enjoyed it. I have read other books by Mr. Martel, and he is just getting better and better. I almost hated it to end because I knew I would have to say goodbye to Billy Strobe. Great character!!
I do have a small complaint though, although really more of a question for Mr.Martel. What happened to the cab and cab driver at the end of the story? For anyone who reads this, you will probably wonder the same thing. Otherwise......great book, great characters, and this is definitely one you should read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent until Billy gets out of jail...
Review: I thought the first 1/3 to 1/2 of this book was fantastic. Unfortunately, I felt that the book really lost a lot of steam once Billy got out of jail. Once the story turned to the usual evil old lawyers vs. new young lawyer plot, I lost a lot of interest. Plus, with Billy juggling work, investigating Daryl's case, chasing 2 women, investigating his father's case, and visiting home and the jail, there just seemed to be too many things going on at once.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent until Billy gets out of jail...
Review: I thought the first 1/3 to 1/2 of this book was fantastic. Unfortunately, I felt that the book really lost a lot of steam once Billy got out of jail. Once the story turned to the usual evil old lawyers vs. new young lawyer plot, I lost a lot of interest. Plus, with Billy juggling work, investigating Daryl's case, chasing 2 women, investigating his father's case, and visiting home and the jail, there just seemed to be too many things going on at once.

Rating:
Summary: Eddie Larges, Retired Trial Lawyer
Review: In this dramatic, deeply layered legal thriller, John Martel uses an absorbing, complex plot with realistic dialogue and characterization to tell a story about harsh reality and personal growth.

Billy Strobe is a young, idealistic man who earns his law degree while serving time in prison for a white collar crime. His primary motivation to learn the law initially is to clear his father's name. However, circumstances occur and Billy befriends inmate Darryl Orton, who teaches Billy prison survival skills. As Billy becomes more familiar with Darryl and his story, he becomes convinced of Darryl's innocence. He vows to work for his freedom despite Darryl's distaste and distrust of lawyers.

By writing the novel in the first person, Martel puts the reader inside Billy's head throughout his transformation from idealistic but fearful dreamer to battle-tested attorney. Initially, Billy did not believe his father could commit suicide following the crimes for which he was accused. As Billy learns what really happened we are there to witness how he resolves the personal conflict the truth creates within him. He applies that experience to his personal pledge to Darryl, creating a very suspenseful challenge.

This story is more than the typical legal thriller. It contains characters who have depth of personality and traits the reader can readily recognize. I loved this story for its obvious legal expertise and its ability to describe an unrelenting pursuit of justice for those who abuse the law. It is recommended for its ability to portray the growth of friendship and the transformation of a mournful, embittered son into a battle-scarred, courageous adult. If you are attracted to legal fiction, you'll be pleased with Billy Strobe.

Rating:
Summary: John Martel- Billy Strobe
Review: John Martel's fourth novel "Billy Strobe" is excellent, a non stop thriller, I found myself unable to put it down, and read it late into the morning, two days consecutively. This is the first book I have read by Martel, and I plan to read all of his work. Really enjoy the way the author wrote this book. Billy Strobe the main character confronts many challenges, from surviving in and out of prison, to trying to prove his father and friend Darryl Orton innocent, finding out who he really is and what he stands for, and who he loves. The reader follows him step by step often wondering what will happen next, the characters are intresting and have alot of depth, the settings such as the prison are painted very realistically,and alot of the time things are not how they seem. Written in the first person, you really feel like your there alongside him, as he continues his quest to find out the truth, whatever the cost. "Billy Strobe" is one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long time, a book I would recommend to anyone who loves legal thrillers, and of course is willing to sacrifice some sleep.

Rating:
Summary: A good one
Review: John Martel's fourth novel "Billy Strobe" is excellent, a non stop thriller, I found myself unable to put it down, and read it late into the morning, two days consecutively. This is the first book I have read by Martel, and I plan to read all of his work. Really enjoy the way the author wrote this book. Billy Strobe the main character confronts many challenges, from surviving in and out of prison, to trying to prove his father and friend Darryl Orton innocent, finding out who he really is and what he stands for, and who he loves. The reader follows him step by step often wondering what will happen next, the characters are intresting and have alot of depth, the settings such as the prison are painted very realistically,and alot of the time things are not how they seem. Written in the first person, you really feel like your there alongside him, as he continues his quest to find out the truth, whatever the cost. "Billy Strobe" is one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long time, a book I would recommend to anyone who loves legal thrillers, and of course is willing to sacrifice some sleep.

Rating:
Summary: Intricate plot with great characters
Review: Written at a fine pace with clever plotting. The prison scenes were absolutely brilliant. I read the last half of this book in five hours last night because there was no way I was going to sleep without finding out the answers.