Robert Rotenberg (1) (1953–)

I gotta say, I wasn't expecting much from this novel going in. I've read fewer and fewer legal thrillers lately because, quite frankly, they were boring or unforgivably stupid in both premise and execution (I'm looking at you Mr. John "I used to give a shit about my readers but not any more" Grisham).

But with this novel, I was taken in almost immediately. Rotenberg got to the action quickly, set up the main storyline immediately, and then brought in the key characters cleanly. Were some of show more the cast a touch wooden? Maybe a touch, but it's also a reasonably large cast, so that's forgivable. On the other hand, were most of them well-drawn? Yes.

And the story was immediate and gripping. So, now that I've started with book three in the series, I'll definitely be going back and checking out the rest. If you enjoy legal thrillers, then this is a fantastic author to look into. show less

Rotenberg's last two mysteries were excellent but somehow this one ended up collecting dust, which was a pity because it was even more gripping than the others. Right from the beginning we know who will be charged with murder and the ensuing courtroom drama was intense. The back story involves the election for Toronto's mayor. That the frontrunner is a (former Ontario premier) Rob Ford lookalike is barely concealed. Who said Canadian elections are boring?

With great difficulty, I stopped reading partway through the book and started at the beginning again, in order to read it aloud to my disabled husband. It was one of the best-written books we've shared for a good while.

The characters were distinct, interesting, and believable. Some reviewers have commented that they would've liked more character development. I perceive this as a compliment to Rotenberg, who made the characters so appealing and then left us wanting more! I look forward to show more what I hope will become a mystery/suspense series.

The author used short chapters, alternating between several locations and intertwined story lines. Each chapter ended with a question that made us read on, but usually the next chapter added another question! However, the eventual denouement was satisfying, tied up the loose ends, and made sense.

So many extras were included, beyond the "whodunnit" story: views on life in Toronto from different perspectives of folks not born and raised in Canada, history and use of language, and legal proceedings that (I imagine) were quite realistic.

I eagerly await more from Mr. Rotenberg! show less

This book was a pitch perfect police procedural. Set in a busy and multicultural Toronto, it begins with Kevin Brace, the beloved national radio talk show host, meeting his newspaper delivery person early one morning with bloody hands, telling him that he killed her. And with that, the story is off and running.

There's a huge cast of characters and, to Rotenberg's credit, they are all complex and easy to tell apart. The central crime was well thought through from the beginning and the setting show more atmospheric. There's a lot to be said for a crime novel that provides a roller coaster plot without descending into unbelievability. Toronto is vividly described, the story taking place while the Maple Leafs look like they finally have a shot at the Stanley Cup. I'll be looking for this author's next book. show less