Title: Try Fear
Author: James Scott Bell
Pages: 292
Year: 2009
Publisher: Center Street
My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Ty Buchanan makes his return appearance in this third and final book of the series. He takes the case representing a man charged with DUI. The case looks unwinnable, but from out of nowhere Ty wins the case and gets his client freed. Then, his client is found dead and the brother is arrested for the murder. There is no way Ty can let this go. He is going to find the killer no matter what or who he has to chase down. He is also sticking his toe in the pond of faith…maybe. His relationship with Sister Mary is going in a more than friendly direction on his part, but what about her?
During the course of his legwork, he encounters interesting and dangerous characters such as a street preacher, dirty politicians and the people who are out at night in Hollywood. Ty still has his run-ins with Sister Hildegarde, who would rather see Ty live somewhere besides their quiet community. Sister Mary begins receiving threatening emails and Ty is not going to allow her to be hurt. He vows to discover who her cyber stalker is and bring him down. Can Ty stop this stalker before Sister Mary gets hurt? She has been helping him with his investigations. Could she have developed her enemy this way?
I am sorry to see this series end. Ty Buchanan is a well-liked character in my book. He has a great sense of humor, is well-read and able to give one-line zingers with ease. All three books were well-written and exciting. The short chapters set a quick pace for readers and the snappy dialogue will keep them turning pages quickly to get the next dose of humor or suspense. I read one right after another in the span of four days! Ty’s sense of justice and being willing to defend those who had no one to defend them made him such a likable character to me. These are the first books of this author that I have read, but they won’t be the last! He writes with ease and his knowledge and experience as a lawyer shine through. I plan on reading more of this author’s work in the future. As for this series, it is going on my “keeper” shelf. ( )

Try Fear is about a series character in the Ty Buchanan books they are what James Scott Bell created. When readers enjoy your hero they want him to return. Fiction lovers like protagonists who change, develop and age, over time.
The Try books are narrated in first person and evolve in Ty’s perspective. They are crime classics, with modern settings and scenarios. Ty with his heels up on his desk, puffs on a cigar, sips strong coffee and tells the story in his irony style. There’s tenacity and hope on every page. That’s one of the refreshing aspects in these novels. James Scott Bell’s Christian faith comes through authentically with his Catholic characters. In many ways Father Bob and Sister Mary live out their faith.
This time, what at first seems like a routine DUI case spirals into something much deeper and deadly. Ty needs to keep his wits; but hard to do when he’s attracted to his investigator assistant,—who happens to be a nun. Sister Mary Veritas is dealing with a cyber-stalker that has her in his sights, and Ty is determined to bring down the stalker.
Bell’s clipped dialogue is always crisp; now it’s sharper and wittier, noticeably in the lively chat between Ty and Sister Mary. With not much time to reflect and explore deeply into the characters, Bell throws several hallmark turns. Each successive book in Ty’s series has been better than the last. I enjoyed the suspense in this well done novel. ( )

Ty Buchanan is a fascinating figure. An accomplished trial lawyer he left a reputable law firm after being accused of murder. He ends up providing legal assistance to a Benedictine Community called St. Monica's--where he also lives in a trailer. Quite a comedown for a well-heeled LA lawyer. His legal fees go help Father Bob raise money for a homeless shelter.

After winning a court case for Carl, on a DUI charge, he finds himself defending his brother Eric for murdering Carl. Sister Mary helps out, but is then shot by someone else. The poor girl is also being hounded by an Internet weirdo, who keeps sending her nasty little emails. Ty is able to eventually get Eric off on the murder charge, but finds out there was more to it than met the eye. Eventually, city corruption is uncovered and Sister Mary's predator is unmasked.

All in all, and interesting read for those who are interested in stories about crime and the processes of trial and punishment. ( )

It’s not often that I come across a new to me series that I really like. Frequently I try something and think it’s alright, but not enough to run out and see if my local used bookshop has any other titles in the series. Well, Try Fear is part of a series I checked my local store for before I even finished reading it.

Ty Buchanan is a lawyer who takes on the case of a man accused of killing his brother. His sidekick is a nun who assists him in his inquiries and is generally more accepted by potential witnesses. The main plot deals with Ty’s defense of Carl and his dealings with the principals involved with the case. A sub-plot deals with Sister Mary. She is receiving threatening and vulgar emails from an anonymous sender and Ty uses his connections to try to find the culprit.

The writing is snappy and funny. From page 2:

And then I got a call from Father Bob.
"There's a fellow in jail in Hollywood," he said. "He needs a lawyer."
"Anyone in jail in Hollywood needs a lawyer," I said.
"I mean it. His mother called me, very upset."
"What's he in for?"
"He told his mother he sort of got arrested for drunk driving and telling the police he was Santa Claus."
I cleared my throat. "My dear Father, it is illegal to drive drunk, but not to say you are Santa Claus."
"He was dressed in a Santa hat and, I guess, a G-string. That's what he told his mother, anyway."
I put the Dialogues down on the table. "Are you sure it's a lawyer he needs?"
"His mother says he's been under a lot of strain lately."
"Does he have money to pay a lawyer?"
"His mother does."
"I'm reading Plato."
"She was in tears."
"I would be, too, if my son got busted in a G-string."
"Ty, will you go?"
"To see Santa Claus," I said. "By golly, who wouldn't?"

Chapters are short and allow for a quick read. The plot may not be so believable at times but it did have plenty of twists and was so entertaining that I really didn’t care about believability. Dialogue was fun to read and sometimes the author threw in one of those expressions that are meant to be life lessons but are witty at the same time. From page 16:

If an illusion gets you through the day, big deal. If it puts an ice pack on the groin kicks of life, why not?

As a matter of fact I’m impressed with anyone who can come up with so many witty comebacks in dialogue as this author did.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you like legal thrillers with a lot of wit this one is for you. ( )

Who doesn’t love a good whodunit?

In James Scott Bell’s newest novel, “Try Fear” (Book three of the Ty Buchanan Series); the story begins with a visit to Santa and ends with the smooth jazz of Eric Marienthal. James Scott Bell is to Legal Suspense as Raymond Chandler is to Private Eye dramas.

You had better hold on to your hat though, this novel reads like a movie and you will find yourself waiting for a commercial break along the way, a fast paced legal thriller with memorable quick-wit dialogue that you will find yourself repeating after you’ve finished the book.

The story opens as Ty Buchanan is called to advise and defend Carl Richess in a drunk driving charge. In court on this matter, Buchanan displays his ability in legal maneuvering.

Later, Carl Richess is found dead and his brother Eric is charged with the murder, though Buchanan believes it to be suicide. Still feeling the affect of the loss of his fiancé’ (Try Dying), Buchanan identifies with the mother of the two sons, Kate and agrees to defend Eric in the murder charge.

The case is not an easy one. All the evidence points to his clients’ guilt. Buchanan will need the help of his basketball playing investigator, Sister Mary Veritas, to discover the truth, defend his client and hopefully give the mother one of her sons back.

Adding to the interesting plot are the location descriptions and the laugh out loud dialogue. Set in Los Angeles, there is no want for comic material and the author does a fine job of what one would find on the streets of LA. Portions of the dialogue exchanges could be used in a Comedy Central act with great success.

There are interesting relationship twists, car chases, intrigue and corruption with a little romance also. This is a great read, one I would recommend to those who love a fast paced legal suspense.

Though James Scott Bell previous works are classified as Inspirational Suspense, this series is not. This series is marketed as Mainstream Suspense.

Will you find the key elements that make for a great mainstream suspense novel like profanity, vulgarity, or casual sex? No. Why should you read a novel without such key elements? Because it takes a much more creative mind to weave a story, hold a reader’s attention, and leave a lasting impression without including the easiest of all marketing tactics.