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Murder in Germantown
A smooth, savvy, sardonic, gay, criminal law attorney, Ravonne Lemmelle has been hired fresh out of Harvard Law School to Savino, Martir and Associates, a large Philadelphia firm. A recently separated, single father of one, with a few acquittals under his belt, he’s got a soft spot for no one, but the law.
On a dark January morning, Wydell James was arrested for killing several people attending a party in Germantown: a section of North Philadelphia. Now he’s in a jail cell with no one to turn too, but his childhood friend, Ravonne Lemmelle.
One thing makes Ravonne feel powerful; forcing prosecutors to dig deep into their legal coffers to sit across the courtroom from him. His investigation turns up more suspects, a new purpose to kill, and Ravonne realizes the power is closer—and more obtainable—than he could ever possibly known. Things become more complex when two people enters his life: his estranged wife and a serial killer.
But Ravonne’s one purpose: an acquittal for Wydell James.
On a dark January morning, Wydell James was arrested for killing several people attending a party in Germantown: a section of North Philadelphia. Now he’s in a jail cell with no one to turn too, but his childhood friend, Ravonne Lemmelle.
One thing makes Ravonne feel powerful; forcing prosecutors to dig deep into their legal coffers to sit across the courtroom from him. His investigation turns up more suspects, a new purpose to kill, and Ravonne realizes the power is closer—and more obtainable—than he could ever possibly known. Things become more complex when two people enters his life: his estranged wife and a serial killer.
But Ravonne’s one purpose: an acquittal for Wydell James.
- GenresMystery
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2012
5 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Rahiem Brooks
31 books126 followersRahiem Jerome Brooks is the breakout novelist and is a member of the Mystery Writer's of America. His debut thriller, LAUGH NOW won 2010 African-Americans on the Move Book Club's (AAMBC) Book of the Year & he earned 2011 AAMBC Author of the Year. LAUGH NOW also the Most Creative Plot at the DMV Expo's Creative Excellent Awards. Rahiem was also nominated at the 2011 & 2012 African-American Literary Awards for Mystery of the Year for Con Test and Murder in Germantown.
Rahiem Brooks worked on a Film/TV certificate program at University of California, Los Angeles; however, he currently studies English at Harvard University.
He permanently resides in Philadelphia, PA. with a manx.
Rahiem Brooks worked on a Film/TV certificate program at University of California, Los Angeles; however, he currently studies English at Harvard University.
He permanently resides in Philadelphia, PA. with a manx.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 14, 2013
MURDER IN GERMANTOWN by author Rahiem Brooks is an excellent read with a great storyline. Once again Author Rahiem Brooks will never disappoint you.
Ravonne is no ordinary guy. Ravonne is a black criminal law attorney that is smooth, savvy, intelligent, driven and gay. Ravonne is a recently separated father, takes care of his son and lives with his lover in Philadelphia.
When a childhood friend Wydell James gets accused of killing several people at a party, he turns to Ravonne for legal eagle assistance. As Ravonne investigates more suspects turn up.
Things become more complex when two people enters his life, his estranged wife and a serial killer. Ravonne has one purpose which is to get his friend Wydell acquitted.
I love the cover of the book, it fit the title perfect. The characters are well developed and believable. The storyline was excellent and kept me wanting to read more.
This book will definite hold your interest until the end. The storyline read like a real court case. This novel will make a great movie script. You will love the ending.
Thank you Author Rahiem Brooks for another well written novel.
Ravonne is no ordinary guy. Ravonne is a black criminal law attorney that is smooth, savvy, intelligent, driven and gay. Ravonne is a recently separated father, takes care of his son and lives with his lover in Philadelphia.
When a childhood friend Wydell James gets accused of killing several people at a party, he turns to Ravonne for legal eagle assistance. As Ravonne investigates more suspects turn up.
Things become more complex when two people enters his life, his estranged wife and a serial killer. Ravonne has one purpose which is to get his friend Wydell acquitted.
I love the cover of the book, it fit the title perfect. The characters are well developed and believable. The storyline was excellent and kept me wanting to read more.
This book will definite hold your interest until the end. The storyline read like a real court case. This novel will make a great movie script. You will love the ending.
Thank you Author Rahiem Brooks for another well written novel.
January 13, 2013
Ravonne Lemmelle is an attorney that is intelligent, driven and gay. Some may not be able to fathom how he is still married to this estranged wife, takes care of his brilliant son and lives with his lover, too.
Ravonne is no ordinary guy.
When a childhood friend gets accused of killing several people at a party, he turns to Lemmelle for legal eagle assistance. Hellbent on an acquittal for Wydell James to add onto his law belt, Ravonne begins digging into the matter, only to have more people surface.
Can the witty attorney get his client a victory without his own lifestyle being jeopardized?
Rahiem Brooks has found his niche in penning mystery novels etched with edgy suspense. He truly can rival the greats and get away with it on his terms. The characters (primary and secondary) are razor sharp, verbage is stimulating and his cover is eye-pleasing.
A recommended read.
Loretta R. Walls
June 12, 2012
I promised I would do this, and as promised, I devoted my weekend to reading Murder In Germantown by Rahiem Brooks. It took me a little over a day to read (hanging with friends and a much needed Sunday afternoon nap kept me from finishing sooner). This is the second novel I've read by Mister Brooks, the first being Con Test. Once again, I was thoroughly entertained. Rahiem grabbed me from the very beginning, and kept me glued to every page on my kindle as I flipped in anticipation. With every page, I wanted to read more. Ravonne Lemmelle's home life and his life in the courtroom received equal attention. I'm not sure what Mr. Brooks has in store for me in his next novel, but if it is anything like Murder In Germantown... well, lets just say I can hardly wait. Job well done, Mr. Brooks.
August 16, 2018
Great Street Fiction...see blog for excerpts and more
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November 19, 2019
Good read. It kept me guessing till the end. Then I was thinking maybe a part 2.
December 9, 2019
I had a hard time finishing this audiobook. That being said, I am going to reverse my usual review format and discuss the narrator before the story. The narrator, Derick Alexander, actually has a nice voice. It is very smooth and deep. He needs to work on his pacing and keeping his words crisp. I found myself rewinding several times because I just could not get what he said. I think he has the potential to be a very good narrator. I hope he finds a good coach to help. I would be willing to try another audiobook narrated by him. I can hear potential in his voice.The production values were decent, better than some I have heard.
Unfortunately I do not think I will try another book by the author, Rahiem Brooks. I found the plot very confusing. I really could not follow the audio book. I purchased the Kindle version of the book after I had completed the audiobook to try to determine what I had missed.
I do not have words to describe the problems in his writing style. Allow me to share three quotes:
“He was never without the Burberry trench, sneer, ethics stamped on his yellowish forehead, or adroit police impracticalities glued to his aura.”
“He violently slammed a paw on the table and caused it to collapse. Everything was all over the floor. He did not want that problem, but it was solely his problem.”
“Of all the drug dealers gathered in the home, Low Down was most qualified to get a handle on the conundrum before it commenced.”
I listened to the audiobook and then read the ebook and I still do not understand what Mr. Brooks trying to communicate in those passages.
I am a huge fan of mysteries, both classics like Agatha Christie and modern like John Grisham. I had hoped I would be discovering a new mystery author to explore. What I found were characters I did not care about and a plot so confused I paid for the ebook to try to figure it out.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.
Story (Plot) 1
Performance 3
Production Quality 3
Attention Holding 1
Unfortunately I do not think I will try another book by the author, Rahiem Brooks. I found the plot very confusing. I really could not follow the audio book. I purchased the Kindle version of the book after I had completed the audiobook to try to determine what I had missed.
I do not have words to describe the problems in his writing style. Allow me to share three quotes:
“He was never without the Burberry trench, sneer, ethics stamped on his yellowish forehead, or adroit police impracticalities glued to his aura.”
“He violently slammed a paw on the table and caused it to collapse. Everything was all over the floor. He did not want that problem, but it was solely his problem.”
“Of all the drug dealers gathered in the home, Low Down was most qualified to get a handle on the conundrum before it commenced.”
I listened to the audiobook and then read the ebook and I still do not understand what Mr. Brooks trying to communicate in those passages.
I am a huge fan of mysteries, both classics like Agatha Christie and modern like John Grisham. I had hoped I would be discovering a new mystery author to explore. What I found were characters I did not care about and a plot so confused I paid for the ebook to try to figure it out.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.
Story (Plot) 1
Performance 3
Production Quality 3
Attention Holding 1
August 20, 2012
This book is awesome!it's intriguing from the very beginning! This is a story of a criminal law attorney Ravonne Lemelle who gets tangled in a wjirl wind of drama that threathens the lives of him and his familyas he attempts to proves his clients innocence.I really enjoyed this book because of the unexpexpected twist. I liked how the story moved ( not slow) The characters and situations are real.if you're are into reading mysteries and thrillers then this is the book for you!
May 22, 2013
A legal thriller like no other. Ravonne Lemmelle is the sort of attorney that I'd like to have on my team if I was to be on trial for my life. That'll never happen, but he seemed to have it all together. Great novel with a lot of suspenseful moments.
February 18, 2015
DNF. Writing was way too poor for me to want to try and get to any real plot.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews