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Jimmy O'Brien Mystery #1
Guilty or Else
When Ernesto Rodriguez, a blue collar gardener is arrested for the savage murder of a senator’s beautiful secretary, ex-cop turned lawyer Jimmy O’Brien is brought in. But Jimmy isn’t asked to defend the man. The judge wants Rodriguez put away fast. No trial, cut a deal with the D.A. twenty-five to life.
Launching his own investigation, Jimmy must navigate a labyrinthine course of corruption and conspiracy with danger lurking at every turn. From the suburbs of Los Angeles to Sacramento to Las Vegas, the trail runs boiling hot with greed and violence. With help from his PI friend Sol Silverman, Jimmy tries to find the answers to questions that may save his life and free an innocent man.
Was the senator having an affair with his secretary and did he kill her to keep it quiet? Why is the local mob having Jimmy followed? And why has the judge told Jimmy to plead Rodriguez GUILTY OR ELSE?
Launching his own investigation, Jimmy must navigate a labyrinthine course of corruption and conspiracy with danger lurking at every turn. From the suburbs of Los Angeles to Sacramento to Las Vegas, the trail runs boiling hot with greed and violence. With help from his PI friend Sol Silverman, Jimmy tries to find the answers to questions that may save his life and free an innocent man.
Was the senator having an affair with his secretary and did he kill her to keep it quiet? Why is the local mob having Jimmy followed? And why has the judge told Jimmy to plead Rodriguez GUILTY OR ELSE?
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2004
19 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Sherratt
10 books12 followersJeff Sherratt is the author of the acclaimed Jimmy O'Brien mystery series. His newest book, DETOUR TO MURDER (2010), is published by ZOVA Books and is the first in the Jimmy O'Brien film noir mystery series.
Jimmy O'Brien's latest exploits are chronicled in EXPECTATION TO MURDER (2010), an exclusive e-book released on July 5, 2010.
Soon after its release, his first novel, THE BRIMSTONE MURDERS (2008) became the bestselling book of all time for Echelon Press. The second, GUILTY OR ELSE (2009) was nominated for the Left Coast Crime Panik Award. Jeff has written nonfiction articles for corporate newsletters and his short stores have been published in H2O Magazine and the anthology, THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT. He is a past board member of Sisters in Crime/LA, and currently a member of Mystery Writers of America.
Jeff has been a speaker at many book events including libraries, various California prisons, and he was the guest speaker at the prestigious Southern California Writers Conference.
He is currently working on his fourth Jimmy O'Brien novel, CYANIDE PERFUME. Jeff lives in Newport Beach, California with his wife, Judy.
Jimmy O'Brien's latest exploits are chronicled in EXPECTATION TO MURDER (2010), an exclusive e-book released on July 5, 2010.
Soon after its release, his first novel, THE BRIMSTONE MURDERS (2008) became the bestselling book of all time for Echelon Press. The second, GUILTY OR ELSE (2009) was nominated for the Left Coast Crime Panik Award. Jeff has written nonfiction articles for corporate newsletters and his short stores have been published in H2O Magazine and the anthology, THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT. He is a past board member of Sisters in Crime/LA, and currently a member of Mystery Writers of America.
Jeff has been a speaker at many book events including libraries, various California prisons, and he was the guest speaker at the prestigious Southern California Writers Conference.
He is currently working on his fourth Jimmy O'Brien novel, CYANIDE PERFUME. Jeff lives in Newport Beach, California with his wife, Judy.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 29, 2012
I loved this book. I become entranced with mysteries with the Earl Stanley Gardner, Raymond Chandler and Agatha Christie. Sherratt writes in the same style as these tried and true writers. The story is set in the seventies and it is a typical noir mystery. The only criticism I have is that O,Brien is trying to prove his client's innocence and he keeps getting distracted by other issues. Granted, it turns out that those issues are very pertinent to the story, but I almost forgot there was a murder to be solved. This is book one in the Jimmy O'Brien series and I'm starting on book two, The Brimstone Murders as we speak. I can't wait to see what will be going on in this one. If you are a true mystery fan, don't miss this series. You'll be sorry if you do.
April 14, 2011
I'm on a roll....another great story by Jeff Sherratt ! Keep 'em coming! The details are so simply put, they actually let you use your imagination. I often find myself driving around a certain area of the city an imagine "Jimmy's Office", or drive by the Police Station and imagine something that just happened....or maybe driving down Florence Avenue where Rocco's was (now something else), and seeing the cliental going in and out. Yeah, it's awesome to be able to actually put yourself into a book like that. Really cool! Something many kids nowadays can't relate to.....
December 7, 2015
First Time
This is the first time I have read anything from is author and about his main protagonist Jimmy O'Brien and I must say I was truly impressed. A nice fast paced thriller and mystery that made me like all the characters involved and along with the authors writing style made it such an easy read. Yes, I will add this series to my collection of other series.
This is the first time I have read anything from is author and about his main protagonist Jimmy O'Brien and I must say I was truly impressed. A nice fast paced thriller and mystery that made me like all the characters involved and along with the authors writing style made it such an easy read. Yes, I will add this series to my collection of other series.
April 3, 2011
I've come to really enjoy the Jimmy O'Brien series and want to read more. It's great to read a book that is centered in your hometown (Downey)...you start to think of the places you've been or what was once there. It's like an old school detective novel.
April 27, 2012
The story takes place in the 1970s and it was fun to read thins tale that sticks to that time period. The absence of personal computers, Internet and cell phones can really change the underlying story line. Fun.
May 1, 2012
Good little mystery.
Read
August 13, 2012Very well written. Enjoyable
April 4, 2013
Nice fast paced mystery with very movie like charecters
May 11, 2013
I quite liked the protagonist, Jimmy, and ended up reading the next couple of books in the series, too. Nice 70s atmosphere and engaging narration.
June 25, 2013
Really Good. K.
September 15, 2013
Like this author's work....
October 23, 2016
Quick read
Not bad. Not too much mystery but enough to hold your attention. Good book to read while you wait in doctors office.
Not bad. Not too much mystery but enough to hold your attention. Good book to read while you wait in doctors office.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews