Title: Moral Defense
Author: Marcia Clark
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Series: Samantha Brinkman Book 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Moral Defense" by Marcia Clark

My Speculation:

"Moral Defense" was one 'riveting mystery, thriller, and suspenseful' read that will keep you interested, turning the pages to see what was coming next for Samantha Brinkman as she is solving one psychosomatic case. The story had several plots with many twists and turns that will keep the reader wondering what was going on. I believe that a lot of what was going on in this story had a personal effect on what was happening in Sam's own life. Look for a tale of lots of lying and cheating as it seems to be all over the place in this long well-told read. Well, all is left to say is you must pick up the good read to see how this author will bring out this exciting story. ( )

Please note that this review spoils events from Samantha Brinkman #1

I was really intrigued by the first book in the Samantha Brinkman series. Maybe because Clark ends it with a surprising revelation that had my mouth hanging open. In Brinkman you have someone that even though they are a defense attorney, has no qualms about making sure the bad guys (even her own clients) get brought to justice.

Samantha is still dealing with the fallout of her actions in the last book. She is trying to do her best to keep a former client and somewhat friend out of trouble after the drugs she took of him come due. She is also trying to persuade another client that she does not know why his son had a mix-up that sent him off to his death while in death. While juggling this, Samantha is also dealing with a new case that involves a teenage girl who is the only one left alive after a home invasion goes wrong.

Samantha is brisk, hard as nails, and does not suffer fools lightly. She has her best friend Michelle who also works for her, and a new investigator Alex. Samantha after finding out about her mother and her real father in the last book, has cut off any interaction with her mother, but is trying her best to get to know her father, Dale.

We definitely know because of what happened to Samantha as a kid that she is still dealing with the fallout from that. There are multiple references to her nightmares and not sleeping. At least Clark has the character acknowledging that she's not 100 percent.

That said, Samantha is pure anti-hero material. I don't have much more to say than that honestly. I don't know if you can root for her because of her actions in book #1 and even her actions here. I do like the ending to the book. But the cliffhanger aspect just goes to show that Samantha is walking a dark path that is probably going to get those around her killed.

I did like the legal aspects of this book. Clark obviously knows her stuff. And she explains things to you in Samantha's voice that keep you engaged and not bored. Clark also has great commentary on women in today's world one one comment about looks really got me while reading. With everything that happened in the most recent US election, I would say yes looks/clothes did play into things. How many times did someone hear that Hillary Clinton sounded shrill or had on an ugly pantsuits?

Back to this book, the flow was good in parts, but did get a bit fouled up here and there. That's because besides the two previous cases rearing their ugly heads, Samantha has a new case, and then is asked to look into something by her father. There was seriously at least three books worth of plot happening here. It would have been fine to hold one of them off. Or at least to focus more on the new case.

Clark has the city down flat. I always thought of Los Angeles as some sparkly place, but Clark shows the underbelly and the place that regular people live, and I have to wonder why anyone stays.

As I said, the ending was a bit of a cliffhanger, and I honestly don't think I will keep reading this series. I will definitely check out Clark's work in the future though. ( )

This was a good story. I like the defense perspective, but I'm not a huge fan of the main character. ( )

Attorney Samantha Brinkman is struggling to make her way in Los Angeles' complex law system. After a recent successful case she is approached to become an advocate for Cassie, accused of the brutal murders of her adopted family, but claiming to be an abused teen. Meanwhile Sam has got herself into a tight corner owing money and/or revenge to two different gangs. Then her recently re-discovered father asks her to look at the case of a cop who may or may not be corrupt.

This is a busy book in terms of complicated plots but is a fairly non-complex read. Clark has much experience or the law business in LA and this sings through in her writing. However the writing itself is rather pedestrian and this makes the book sag at times. What I did like was the way that Sam Brinkman is not a clear-cut heroine, she has some morals but is always looking for the best way out of situation and this is echoed by the fact that the end of the book is neither precise not complete. ( )

Attorney Samantha Brinkman does things that certainly cross the line professionally and ethically – like getting her despicable clients killed. While she justifies her actions based on their horrific behaviors, she is definitely not an upstanding member of the bar. However, I do enjoy the twists and turns her basic cases involve, so I did enjoy this book despite the questionable ethical missteps by Brinkman. ( )