Bob Brink

This made for some difficult reading. Although set in 2008, it is shockingly prescient: the focus of the story is the unwarranted, severe beating of a US immigrant by two policemen. I'm sure that rings a very loud bell.

So we're talking racism; but then there's the lawyer, Hiram Garbuncle, (who also happened to be a witness to the event) defending the victim. He's an alcoholic, or a functioning alcoholic as he calls himself, which to me is an oxymoron. An alcoholic doesn't function, he's always drunk. He's also a bit of a slob, as tight as a cat's patootie and generally rather unlikeable. How or why his best friend, or anyone, in fact, sticks by him is beyond me. Even more incomprehensible is how he's still a lawyer: he's wasted most of the time. And, despite his resolve to get justice for the victim, there's a streak of racism running through him too: it's uncomfortable.

A raw subject, a lot of unpleasant characters, some rather clumsy dialogue: nevertheless, you're compellingly nudged to read on. Garbuncle has to dodge death and bullets and suffer tragedy to get justice. Enough to make him sober up, you'd think.

I have to say, for all that (and despite the victim, Alec, morphing momentarily into an Eric (!!!)), I did enjoy this. It moves along apace and despite Garbuncle's unattractiveness, you do find yourself rooting for him. I think the author has been rather clever here. I might have to admit that I'd be tempted to read a Garbuncle sequel!… (mais)

Alec Monceau is a young black man working to support his daughter’s family in Trinidad. His 2008 presidential campaign car bumper sticker to support Barack Obama triggers a violent beating by police officers, that happen to be racists and local Klu Klux Klan members.

In Blood on Their Hands, you follow Hiram Garbuncle, a veteran criminal defense attorney and alcoholic investigating this case ultimately putting his own life in danger. Bob Brink explains every single move in the jury selection, trial, and attempts by the offenders to escape their fate. It is a reason for me to be reading this crime fiction for hours without the feeling to have a fast-paced page-turner in my hands.

The changed opinion and behavior of former racists Garbuncle throughout time, the realistic slang and limited English uttered by Alex Monceau, and the fine mechanics of police officers' side projects, compensate for this.… (mais)

Blood on Their Hands by Bob Brink is a well written engaging mystery. The characters are well written and likeable including Hiram (Ham) Garbuncle. Ham is a racist, messy, lazy, heavy drinking, extremely "thrifty" attorney. He reluctantly takes on a pro bono case for a black/Hispanic man falsely charged with resisting arrest after being beaten by cops. Something Ham learns changes him from being an uncaring, drunken attorney in the courtroom into a determined man who will put himself and his best friend in danger to get the evidence needed to prove his case. This is a fast paced page turned you won't want to put down.… (mais)

Murder and the seedy underbelly of this city associated with the rich and glamorous are showcased in this book written as fiction with a strong ring of truth. The book is based on a real incident with a victim, Rodger Kriger who is a tad shady and the main character, Mitt Hecher, who is a bit of a thug and someone you don't really like but end up feeling for him. Did he really kill Kriger?
I found the characters well written and the book was fast paced and hard to put down at times. Unfortunately it illustrates our imperfect justice system and corruption at all levels. Bob Brink has written an interesting book and a fascinating look at Mitt Hecher's story. This is good read and well worth your time.… (mais)