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Theresa MacLean #4
Defensive Wounds
In this fourth novel in Lisa Black's captivating suspense series, forensic investigator Theresa MacLean finds herself embroiled in a case in which everyone has a motive and everyone is a suspect—especially when high-powered defense attorneys start turning up dead.
When Marie Corrigan, a Cleveland defense attorney with a history of falsifying evidence and no shortage of enemies, is found dead in the presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton, most people would agree that she had it coming. Forensic investigator Theresa MacLean is summoned to the crime scene by her daughter, Rachel, who is working the front desk. But even before Theresa enters the room, she knows that she's walking into a forensic nightmare—for crime scenes at hotels, even the most luxurious, are teeming with trace evidence that has been left behind by innumerable guests and may or may not be related to the murder. But what Theresa finds is even worse than she imagined.
Given the positioning of Marie's body, everyone assumes the same thing—that it's a lovers' tryst turned lethal. But large questions remain: How did the killer gain access to the room without anyone's knowledge? And has the scene been staged for their benefit? The little evidence Theresa has is conflicting at best. What's more, a legal convention at the hotel provides an endless list of suspects—and potential victims.
When two more bodies show up in quick succession, each in a similar state, Theresa's investigation takes on a whole new urgency as she fears they may have a serial killer on their hands—a serial killer with a vendetta. But as she searches for the threads that tie the cases together, Theresa begins to suspect that she and her daughter are closer to danger than they realize. And a mother will stop at nothing to protect the life of her child.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2011
97 people are currently reading
792 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Black
291 books576 followersLisa Black spent the happiest five years of her life in a morgue. Strange, perhaps, but true. After ten years as a secretary, she went back to school to get a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Cleveland State University. In her job as a forensic scientist at the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office, she analyzed gunshot residue on hands and clothing, hairs, fibers, paint, glass, DNA, blood and many other forms of trace evidence, as well as crime scenes.
She had her life sorted out just the way she liked it until her husband got fed up with Cleveland snow and moved them to Florida, 1400 miles away from her family and her career. Not that she’s bitter or anything. Now she works as a Certified Latent Print Examiner and Certified Crime Scene Analyst for the city of Cape Coral, Florida, police department.
Lisa has lectured at writer’s conventions and appeared on panels. In her life as a writer she’s a member of Sisters In Crime, Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. In her life as a forensic specialist she’s a member of the American Academy of Forensic Scientists, the International Association for Identification, and the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts. She has had over 1050 hours of instruction in forensic topics and has testified in over 60 trials.
Her book Perish was shortlisted for the inaugural Sue Grafton Memorial Award by Putnam and Mystery Writers of America. Her That Darkness is a #1 Amazon bestseller and Evidence of Murder is a NYT bestseller. Lisa was a Guest of Honor at 2021 Killer Nashville.
She had her life sorted out just the way she liked it until her husband got fed up with Cleveland snow and moved them to Florida, 1400 miles away from her family and her career. Not that she’s bitter or anything. Now she works as a Certified Latent Print Examiner and Certified Crime Scene Analyst for the city of Cape Coral, Florida, police department.
Lisa has lectured at writer’s conventions and appeared on panels. In her life as a writer she’s a member of Sisters In Crime, Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. In her life as a forensic specialist she’s a member of the American Academy of Forensic Scientists, the International Association for Identification, and the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts. She has had over 1050 hours of instruction in forensic topics and has testified in over 60 trials.
Her book Perish was shortlisted for the inaugural Sue Grafton Memorial Award by Putnam and Mystery Writers of America. Her That Darkness is a #1 Amazon bestseller and Evidence of Murder is a NYT bestseller. Lisa was a Guest of Honor at 2021 Killer Nashville.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
October 23, 2011
This probably shouldn't have been the first book of the series to read, but... The mystery - who's killing defense lawyers in a hotel during a defense lawyer convention? - was interesting enough, but I had problems everywhere else in the book. Highlights of those problems? The POV changes from the main character (Theresa) to her cousin for no reason other than it's a really easy exposition shortcut. There's a half-hearted make out scene in the middle of the investigation (calling it the book's "romance" would be a total joke) that seems really out of character for one of the characters. Everyone is sexually attracted to everyone else...just because. The next book's case is so clumsily inserted into this book that it comes off as a blaring afterthought-turned-red herring. And, pet peeve, every few chapters, Theresa points out that "this isn't TV - [insert name of csi test results] take more than a minute." (Although, frankly, after reading some passages, I wished things happened as quickly as they did on TV.) Overall, this felt like more of a first draft, than a fully fleshed out final copy. It's left me zip desire to read the first few books.
November 2, 2011
What fell a little short...First, this is not a fast-paced thriller. Second, there is not a sizzling romance to add to the interest. Third, I felt the characters weren't developed sufficiently to connect to them.
What this book does offer is an onion-like approach to solving the murders of three defense attorneys killed while attending a convention at the Ritz. Layers of evidence, motive, and opportunity are peeled back at an alarmingly slow pace to ultimately reveal the murderer.
It is the job of our forensic investigator, Theresa MacLean, to find and examine the evidence that will lead to the arrest of the killer. When her daughter becomes a likely target, the urgency to find the murderer heats up.
Although not at the top of my "to read" list, the plot is interesting if you can keep reading through the slow sections.
I received a copy of Defensive Wounds from the Early Reviewers Program
What this book does offer is an onion-like approach to solving the murders of three defense attorneys killed while attending a convention at the Ritz. Layers of evidence, motive, and opportunity are peeled back at an alarmingly slow pace to ultimately reveal the murderer.
It is the job of our forensic investigator, Theresa MacLean, to find and examine the evidence that will lead to the arrest of the killer. When her daughter becomes a likely target, the urgency to find the murderer heats up.
Although not at the top of my "to read" list, the plot is interesting if you can keep reading through the slow sections.
I received a copy of Defensive Wounds from the Early Reviewers Program
March 6, 2013
This author, at least as evidenced by the two novels I've read so far, has a hilarious resentment against television crime dramas. Which is a not uncommon trope in this genre--an easy way to add a little real-world zing to a population of characters generally rendered in the mid- to late-blooming stages of caricature. A cold blue eye, a hard certainty, and a cigarette clenched grimly--but get back, Marlowe, coz this damey watches CSI, and she thinks it's SILLY.
Not the worst; you read these things with pretty big grains of salt, right? You just want to disappear out of your head for a little while, that's what these books are for. Of course they're going to be a little stupid; they are so sure of themselves. They are like any closed circle of signs and symbols--transparent and interdependent. That's why it is so cozy in here, huddled around the autopsy table.
She just hammers that shit home like every two pages. "It's sooooo easy ON TV," someone bristles shrilly. "Oh well ON TV they would have had this all wrapped up," someone else spits venomously. "ON TV it's all in the computer, the MAGIC TV COMPUTER," a third person chimes in, tearing out her eyes and leaping from the window, a droll cigarette clenched grimly in her hardened jaw.
Anyway n really a bd.
These books are placed in Cleveland, where she used to work, but now she lives in Florida! So I hope she will locate a book there, for o how I love to read of my swamp, no matter how dopey the tropes.
Oh wait the other thing is an almost baffling hamhandedness when it comes to metaphor. Her character is thinking about oh no what if I have to adopt this cat, what will my cat think. She says that when the cat had to deal with her bringing a dog home, that was one thing--the dog was "a hangnail" but another cat would be "a bullet to the brain"?? I mean . . . yeah okay that's a metaphor. That's using figurative language, technically nothing wrong there. But what? What.
All that pettiness aside, I'll read the next one. I'm sticking with two stars, though. I liked it, but only because it was okay.
Not the worst; you read these things with pretty big grains of salt, right? You just want to disappear out of your head for a little while, that's what these books are for. Of course they're going to be a little stupid; they are so sure of themselves. They are like any closed circle of signs and symbols--transparent and interdependent. That's why it is so cozy in here, huddled around the autopsy table.
She just hammers that shit home like every two pages. "It's sooooo easy ON TV," someone bristles shrilly. "Oh well ON TV they would have had this all wrapped up," someone else spits venomously. "ON TV it's all in the computer, the MAGIC TV COMPUTER," a third person chimes in, tearing out her eyes and leaping from the window, a droll cigarette clenched grimly in her hardened jaw.
Anyway n really a bd.
These books are placed in Cleveland, where she used to work, but now she lives in Florida! So I hope she will locate a book there, for o how I love to read of my swamp, no matter how dopey the tropes.
Oh wait the other thing is an almost baffling hamhandedness when it comes to metaphor. Her character is thinking about oh no what if I have to adopt this cat, what will my cat think. She says that when the cat had to deal with her bringing a dog home, that was one thing--the dog was "a hangnail" but another cat would be "a bullet to the brain"?? I mean . . . yeah okay that's a metaphor. That's using figurative language, technically nothing wrong there. But what? What.
All that pettiness aside, I'll read the next one. I'm sticking with two stars, though. I liked it, but only because it was okay.
November 23, 2012
Lots of forensic stuff, lots. Sometimes more than you want. Cops, dead attorneys, daughter of the CSI lady, all at the Ritz Carlton in Cleveland. Then a sealed juvenile record, grieving mother, and at least 15 connections from 47 clues, all of which (spoiler) end up having almost no bearing on the final outcome. Oh, and a bit of romance on the rise while the mystery unfolds.
Decent escape for listening while I was knitting, but I really do prefer more honest crime based complexity and if not that, then at least more complex characters. Either Agatha Christie stuff or for characters one of the Scandanavian crime writers.
This is paperback grocery store stuff
Decent escape for listening while I was knitting, but I really do prefer more honest crime based complexity and if not that, then at least more complex characters. Either Agatha Christie stuff or for characters one of the Scandanavian crime writers.
This is paperback grocery store stuff
June 3, 2017
This is the first Lisa Black I've read. The detective is Theresa MacLean and this is her fourth appearance in Black's forensic crime novels.
The story kept me turning the pages. I was intrigued by the details and I love that Black is actually a former forensic scientist. Bringing in that knowledge gives a lot of credibility to the story. But I must not be seeing clearly enough here...why defensive wounds? Hmmm...
The first 80% of the book, to me, was more dynamic and "tighter" while the end felt like she may have been making up facts around her plot. If that makes sense.
The story revolves around a convention at the Cleveland Ritz full of defense attorneys and there is A LOT of emphasis placed on this crowd being the bottom feeders of society basically. But even if that rings true with the police and the detectives, I am still finding it hard to swallow the level of hate. I mean people were "happy" to see someone die? That threw me off from the beginning...the thought of someone enjoying another's death and they weren't the bad guys. In fact, they were supposed to be the good guys. Maybe this happens, maybe.
Overall, I am totally looking forward to reading my next Lisa Black novel; I imagine I'll read them all! Her writing is already so terrific on just her fourth work and I think by now - in 2017 - she's got like 20. So the 3.5 stars aren't more because I just know she'll get better.
The rest I have to say will include spoilers though. spoiler:
But she did put together quite a complex story with a good cast of characters that despite the aforementioned problems, I am looking forward to reading their next case!
The story kept me turning the pages. I was intrigued by the details and I love that Black is actually a former forensic scientist. Bringing in that knowledge gives a lot of credibility to the story. But I must not be seeing clearly enough here...why defensive wounds? Hmmm...
The first 80% of the book, to me, was more dynamic and "tighter" while the end felt like she may have been making up facts around her plot. If that makes sense.
The story revolves around a convention at the Cleveland Ritz full of defense attorneys and there is A LOT of emphasis placed on this crowd being the bottom feeders of society basically. But even if that rings true with the police and the detectives, I am still finding it hard to swallow the level of hate. I mean people were "happy" to see someone die? That threw me off from the beginning...the thought of someone enjoying another's death and they weren't the bad guys. In fact, they were supposed to be the good guys. Maybe this happens, maybe.
Overall, I am totally looking forward to reading my next Lisa Black novel; I imagine I'll read them all! Her writing is already so terrific on just her fourth work and I think by now - in 2017 - she's got like 20. So the 3.5 stars aren't more because I just know she'll get better.
The rest I have to say will include spoilers though. spoiler:
But she did put together quite a complex story with a good cast of characters that despite the aforementioned problems, I am looking forward to reading their next case!
February 26, 2017
An easy read mystery/detective story.
A defense attorney is found murdered at the Ritz hotel and an investigation is launched which uncovers suspects with ties to a previous crime. A few good twists and turns are introduced before the final showdown reveals the actual murderer.
Ultimately, a good, quick, weekend read.
A defense attorney is found murdered at the Ritz hotel and an investigation is launched which uncovers suspects with ties to a previous crime. A few good twists and turns are introduced before the final showdown reveals the actual murderer.
Ultimately, a good, quick, weekend read.
March 4, 2014
Theresa gets a call that a murder has happened at the Ritz-Carlton. Attorney, Marie Corrigan was murdered. No one really sheds a tear for Marie. Everyone thought she was a major "B" including Theresa. At first Marie's death seems like a sexual act gone wrong but when another attorney ends up dead, it is up to Theresa to uncover the truth before it is too late.
Another book marked off my TBR pile. Sorry I did not read this book sooner. I really like Theresa. She is smart and calls the shots in a male driven job. I was impressed by how she solved the murders. While at the same time trying to be a good mother to her teen daughter. I have to admit that I could have cared less about the victims but the crime itself in why the lawyers were murdered had me really intrigued. To be honest, I was trying to solve the murder before Theresa did. I failed. However when it was all revealed I was like "I did not see that coming". This is always a good thing when it comes to a murder, mystery, suspense novel. You want to be surprised and it is nice when this does happen. So often a lot of books in this genre can become very predictable.
Another book marked off my TBR pile. Sorry I did not read this book sooner. I really like Theresa. She is smart and calls the shots in a male driven job. I was impressed by how she solved the murders. While at the same time trying to be a good mother to her teen daughter. I have to admit that I could have cared less about the victims but the crime itself in why the lawyers were murdered had me really intrigued. To be honest, I was trying to solve the murder before Theresa did. I failed. However when it was all revealed I was like "I did not see that coming". This is always a good thing when it comes to a murder, mystery, suspense novel. You want to be surprised and it is nice when this does happen. So often a lot of books in this genre can become very predictable.
October 18, 2012
Theresa MacLean could be the most assuming, tunnel-visioned investigator out there in detective novel-land. I saw the murderer coming a mile away, she didn't. Maybe because it was the 1 character she befriended?
March 4, 2013
This was a very slow read, and I couldn't help being bored for almost the entire book! This was my first book from this author, and I'll probably try one more.
October 8, 2019
Whenever I go to the library, I make a point to pick up a book by an author or two I’ve never heard of. Usually, it’s a fail but every once in a while, I hit on a good one. I recently tried ‘Defensive Wounds.’
This was the first book I’d read by Lisa Black.
Now, before I give up on a book I’ll give it about 75-100 pages. I made it to page 38.
This book was boooooring. I understand the author’s background is forensic pathology. However, this read not like a novel but like a textbook. She used jargon that only forensic pathologists would know—but didn’t explain it. In other sections, she explained too much.
I mean, let’s be honest. Is it me or is 38 pages a bit excessive to only cover the crime scene??? The author went over and above. 38 pages describing the furniture, the position of the body, the carpet, the hotel, the bedspread, the bathroom.
ENOUGH!!!!
We get it. They found a body. Can we move the story forward? There’s detail and then there’s just filler.
It was never explained what the protagonist does. Is she a cop or part of CSI? If that was explained, I missed it.
I also found it confusing that the author kept referring to people by different names. The main character’s partner was named Frank. Sometimes he’s referred to as Frank, sometimes as Powell. Unless, that was a different person. It wasn’t clear.
Also, the MC cant remember one guy’s name. She think it’s Nelson when it’s really Neil. Call me silly but a ‘detective’ who cant remember a name isn’t a good thing.
To me, the breaking point came at page 38. There are 2 guys—2 grizzled, big city detectives. Over the course of their career, they’ve seen a lot of blood. A lot of crime scenes. A lot of bodies. The story takes place in Cleveland! Yet, these 2 tough detectives see a dead woman—one says ‘Yuck’ and one says ‘Eek.’
OMG. Really???? Yuck??? Has anyone over the age of 8 ever actually said ‘yuck?’ Joe Friday never said yuck. John McClane never said yuck. Martin Riggs never said yuck.
This book was downright awful. One star is too many. How this got published is beyond me
This was the first book I’d read by Lisa Black.
Now, before I give up on a book I’ll give it about 75-100 pages. I made it to page 38.
This book was boooooring. I understand the author’s background is forensic pathology. However, this read not like a novel but like a textbook. She used jargon that only forensic pathologists would know—but didn’t explain it. In other sections, she explained too much.
I mean, let’s be honest. Is it me or is 38 pages a bit excessive to only cover the crime scene??? The author went over and above. 38 pages describing the furniture, the position of the body, the carpet, the hotel, the bedspread, the bathroom.
ENOUGH!!!!
We get it. They found a body. Can we move the story forward? There’s detail and then there’s just filler.
It was never explained what the protagonist does. Is she a cop or part of CSI? If that was explained, I missed it.
I also found it confusing that the author kept referring to people by different names. The main character’s partner was named Frank. Sometimes he’s referred to as Frank, sometimes as Powell. Unless, that was a different person. It wasn’t clear.
Also, the MC cant remember one guy’s name. She think it’s Nelson when it’s really Neil. Call me silly but a ‘detective’ who cant remember a name isn’t a good thing.
To me, the breaking point came at page 38. There are 2 guys—2 grizzled, big city detectives. Over the course of their career, they’ve seen a lot of blood. A lot of crime scenes. A lot of bodies. The story takes place in Cleveland! Yet, these 2 tough detectives see a dead woman—one says ‘Yuck’ and one says ‘Eek.’
OMG. Really???? Yuck??? Has anyone over the age of 8 ever actually said ‘yuck?’ Joe Friday never said yuck. John McClane never said yuck. Martin Riggs never said yuck.
This book was downright awful. One star is too many. How this got published is beyond me
November 19, 2017
"Ding dong the witch is dead!"
It's definitely not a good time to be a defense lawyer at the convention being held at the hotel... Love this series and I will have to say, I found myself quite nauseous as the techs collected fibers, latent prints and other unmentionables from the rooms. I'm serious, I'm thinking twice about wanting to stay in a hotel ever again. Lisa Black gets right down to the details of crime scenes and I'm always learning something new.
Okay, I thought at first, there was a group of individuals tag teaming and disposing of the lawyers who represent scum... personal offenses, then I thought it's one client, one case that all the lawyers had their hand on... but which victim was it, which crime was so personal and of course, the crimes also had a revenge feeling to them... a pissed off wife, a lover slighted... and then maybe, it was just an underworld sleazy sex thing... Holy buckets... my brain was everywhere trying to solve it... that group ideal stuck in my head though... I had angles galore.
Good story, wicked angles, deep emotional betrayal from multiple corners. Webs of deceit, dirty secrets and a justice system that needs an overview (we have too many loopholes).
It's definitely not a good time to be a defense lawyer at the convention being held at the hotel... Love this series and I will have to say, I found myself quite nauseous as the techs collected fibers, latent prints and other unmentionables from the rooms. I'm serious, I'm thinking twice about wanting to stay in a hotel ever again. Lisa Black gets right down to the details of crime scenes and I'm always learning something new.
Okay, I thought at first, there was a group of individuals tag teaming and disposing of the lawyers who represent scum... personal offenses, then I thought it's one client, one case that all the lawyers had their hand on... but which victim was it, which crime was so personal and of course, the crimes also had a revenge feeling to them... a pissed off wife, a lover slighted... and then maybe, it was just an underworld sleazy sex thing... Holy buckets... my brain was everywhere trying to solve it... that group ideal stuck in my head though... I had angles galore.
Good story, wicked angles, deep emotional betrayal from multiple corners. Webs of deceit, dirty secrets and a justice system that needs an overview (we have too many loopholes).
September 6, 2018
Crime scene specialists spend time collecting, cataloging and examining evidence. This book sticks with that to the point of boredom. When not bogged down with Theresa's method of evidence collection and examination, the reader is wants to scream at do to her attempts to protect her daughter.
Theresa could have had a conversation with her college age daughter, outlined why she thought a her new boyfriend was a bad idea, had an honest adult exchange. Nope.... she rants and raves at her daughter and soon finds herself at the home of girl the boyfriend was acquitted of killing when he was juvenile. She then does the unthinkable and has a conversation with the the dead girl's mother. Nope not a smart move and it will come back to bite her in the end.
Theresa could have had a conversation with her college age daughter, outlined why she thought a her new boyfriend was a bad idea, had an honest adult exchange. Nope.... she rants and raves at her daughter and soon finds herself at the home of girl the boyfriend was acquitted of killing when he was juvenile. She then does the unthinkable and has a conversation with the the dead girl's mother. Nope not a smart move and it will come back to bite her in the end.
January 31, 2021
This was a interesting story... Defense attorneys are at a convention at Cleveland Ohio, they are staying at the Ritz hotel/ convention center when three of the lawyers come up dead. Alot of forensic science goes on collecting clues to find the killer.
I had a couple of suspects on my radar and one of them happened to be the one, so wasnt to hard to figure out. There was some interesting twists and turns in the story that kept it intriguing til the end. Reminded me alot of the CSI shows.
Enjoyed this story and would read another by this author
I had a couple of suspects on my radar and one of them happened to be the one, so wasnt to hard to figure out. There was some interesting twists and turns in the story that kept it intriguing til the end. Reminded me alot of the CSI shows.
Enjoyed this story and would read another by this author
May 8, 2017
4th in series. I so enjoy Theresa the forensic scientist. She's still in Cleveland solving crimes with her cousin. This time, defense lawyers are dying at a convention in town and while no one is sad about it, there seems to be a tie in with 2 other murders from the past...a teen who was killed and her supposed killer got off and is now seeing Theresa's daughter and the 1st wife of a high profile obnoxious defense lawyer. Love how these stories are just long enough to finish in a few days!
January 4, 2018
2011. Read by Kirsten Potter. Theresa LacLean #4. Theresa MacLean is a Cleveland forensic scientist. She has a daughter, Rachel. Rachel has a summer job working the front desk at the Rita-Carlton. There's been a murder; Rachel calls her mother. The hotel is hosting an attorney convention; the murdered victim was an attorney. And then there a two more similar murders, two more attorneys . How are these people tied together and why murder?
July 25, 2018
Below average crime novel entry. The overall story is good enough but the writing is uneven and not particularly interesting. Not horrible, but there are several hundred other books that are more worthy of your attention.
The author is from Cleveland, Ohio (my hometown) and there are so many small--and unnecessary--mentions of the city that it just becomes distracting. It was a probably a good trick in her first novel to get noticed in her hometown but now it's just unnecessary.
The author is from Cleveland, Ohio (my hometown) and there are so many small--and unnecessary--mentions of the city that it just becomes distracting. It was a probably a good trick in her first novel to get noticed in her hometown but now it's just unnecessary.
May 7, 2021
I liked the premise of murders in a hotel—hard to do forensics in such a place, where so many people pass through. But I didn’t enjoy this book. The investigators were downright ugly about the victims and one of the mysteries was laughably predictable. It took some effort to keep pushing through to finish it. Also, if the characters went up to the observation deck one more damn time, I was going to scream!
July 30, 2018
Enjoyed this story of a forensic examiner very much. I found it in large print, so that made it even better. Someone is killing off defense lawyers at a convention. Three are killed before the killer is found and arrested.
October 26, 2022
Liked the narration. Borrowed this book from the library. Very interesting info about gathering forensic evidence from a murder scene in a hotel. That part makes a person never want to stay in any hotel room. I’m going to put it out of my mind.
March 13, 2017
Takes place in Cleveland. Three bodies in all. They are all connected. The way the bodies were scanned was interesting. A lot of tension.
June 28, 2017
I like this author and want to read more of her books.
March 19, 2018
earlier novels were more exciting!
July 19, 2018
Clever and likable characters.
March 7, 2019
Another forensic detective type book. It was okay but it didn't really grab me.
March 7, 2021
A bit slow during unnecessarily technical descriptions of forensic testing.
June 28, 2021
Nice fast read! Good plot. Forensic scientist working out of Cleveland. I'll look for others in the series.
August 11, 2021
Good book
August 10, 2022
Some twists and turns - enjoyed the storyline.
June 9, 2023
This was a great whodunit. Who’s killing defense attorneys?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews