Odwet (original: 2003; edição: 2005)

One of the best crime thrillers I have ever read. The story line is excellent and very effectively written. No spoilers here. Nothing I say about the story line beyond what might be in descriptions on the book jacket or online would I consider “innocent” in spoiling the reading process. Suffice to say that I really did not want to put the book down, as the author effectively keeps you engaged throughout. Highly recommended. I look forward to reading additional materials by the author. ( )

C.J. Townsend is a prosecutor in the DA's office in Miami, Florida, several years after she had been raped and mutilated in her former incarnation as Chloe Larsen. As a member of a task force investigating a probable serial killer, C.J. is early on the scene when a man is picked up with a body in the trunk of his car.

It is when this man is arraigned that she recognizes him as her rapist. And she begins a trip down retribution lane that disturbed me.

***You may not want to read any further until you've read the book***

C.J. knows that if she admits to the DA that she knows this man as her rapist then the case will have to be taken out of that office and be assigned to another, less competent one. He could go free. She also has not told anyone of her rape and prefers to keep it that way. She chooses not to tell. The ends justify the means.

Later, other awkward situations arise and she makes essentially the same choice: to flout the law in pursuit of a better ending. Much later, near the end of the trial, crucial evidence comes to light just at the right time, assuring a conviction. Does she question the convenience? No. She is blinded by her own sense of justice. And she gets away with it.

I was disturbed by the arrogance of her choices. If the truth had come out it's possible the man would have gone free and not been able to be tried again. An ethical attorney would never have done what she did, regardless of personal history. C.J. is not a person I'd want on my side. ( )

A real page turner! I read this in 4 days! I couldn't put it down! And this is the author's first book. Because the author is an attorney, it really gave an inside look at a county prosecutors job. The main character, Chloe, starts out in law school. She is brutally raped and left for dead. Twelve years later she ends up prosecuting him in court. Very suspenseful! ( )

A good beach or airplane read. What happens when a woman must confront a man who sadistically and brutally raped her a decade ago. He's now graduated to gruesome serial killings and she's the prosecutor from hell. It's a good, workable hook, but there's very little art in what turns into a typical cat and mouse piece. Of course, there's the decent, metrosexual cop to reassure her that love is possible, as well as his lovable Latino sidekick. The author doesn't do much with location--South Florida--and there's a huge chunk of life missing in the main character's arc. The courtroom scenes are ok, with one question looming over the procedings: is anyone going to divulge that the defendant raped the prosecutor? The dialogue is one of the better things here. ( )

From Amazon:

C.J. Townsend is a brilliant prosecutor known for keeping her cool even when trying the most horrific cases. The latest: an accused serial killer who savors cruelty and considers murder an art. But this case is different. C.J. recognizes the suspect. She knows what he’s capable of. After all these years, she still has the nightmares to prove it. Now she’s walking the fine line between justice and revenge. Even C.J. isn't prepared for where it will take her.

My Thoughts:

This is the first book by this author that I have read...but it won't be my last. The book is good on so many different levels. It's a thriller that'll have you turning the page, it's a courtroom drama, that'll really suck you in, and it's got some twists and surprises that make it worth the effort all alone. You really feel the characters pain, frustration and anger. There are a few loose ends in the story but overall it is an excellent read. ( )