Snap Judgment

Title: Snap Judgment
Author: Marcia Clark
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Series: Samantha Brinkman Book 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Snap Judgment" by Marcia Clark

My Speculation:

We now have another book 3 'Snap Judgment' delivered to us well-written by this author in the Samantha Brinkman series. There will be some fascinating characters as we have Samantha, her legal staff, Michelle Fusco [Michy], Alex Medrano. Let's not leave out Sam's father, Dale Pearson, who was an LAPD Detective and other supporting intriguing cast that give us one heck of a good read. As we read in this series, there will be a who-dun-it as Sam represents a client who was the father of a murder victim, and working for a drug lord, a mobster who has show more 'something on her.'

Be ready for a little bit of it all as Sam dives into a case full of 'family secrets, past betrayals, ad multiple motives for murder.' It was a sheer delight seeing how this lawyer will 'maneuver around and turn the facts to her advantage.' One thing I did notice from the series was that this lawyer loved 'Patron Silver.' Ha Ha! Also, be ready for another long read that will keep you reading for a minute. Still, if one can hang in there, you will get a good read where this lawyer, Sam, will stay within the law. Where you get some twisting and a little implausible turn, but in the end, quite a satisfying story. show less

This is the third of three in Clark’s series featuring criminal defense attorney Samantha Brinkman. Samantha is not my favorite female protagonist. A damaged soul due to a childhood history of abuse, I have empathy for her but her professional ethics…and those of people around her…are quite sketchy.

There are two storylines. The first about the deaths of two college students is multi layered, with twists revealed as the novel progresses. The second involving a criminal known to Samantha from her past is a bit of an intrusion and I think dragged the pace of the book.

For those who like a good mystery/legal thriller albeit without the courtroom scenes, this will make an enjoyable read.

At 463 pages, Clark offers us a fairly lengthy legal thriller. Like most legal thrillers, the focus is on the resolution of the confusing puzzle rather than on a shootout or other physical battle. The best part of the novel is the relentlessness of the driving plot. It is not consumed with describing everything in poetic imagery but on Irving together the answer to a riddle by meeting again and again with witnesses and constantly brainstorming.

In it, Clark touches on issues such as online harassment, media involvement in criminal cases, revenge porn, child sexual abuse, and human trafficking.

It is a legal thriller without a Perry Mason courtroom scene of revealing cross-examination and the lawyer character is a bit ethically show more challenged. Not all of the story is realistic. And, at times, it slipped into chick-lit. But the plot moves forward aggressively enough that such issues can be forgiven in the interest of an exciting plot.

Thank you to Thomas and Merced for providing this ARC. show less

When you pick up a Marcia Clark book, you know what you are getting. You get an interesting story with some likable characters, and if you are lucky, some unique plots and twists. I enjoy reading her work, it is clean, enjoyable writing - obviously written by an attorney. This latest installment in the life of private defense attorney Samantha Brinkman looks at two murders, but are they? Do appearances reflect the facts? Very interesting story here, making in an enjoyable read.

I won this kindle edition in a GOODREADS giveaway.