A Picture of Guilt

Ellie Foreman #2

by Libby Fischer Hellmann

The big news story in Chicago is the murder trial of Johnny Santoro, a dock worker whose girlfriend has been killed. Most Chicagoans are betting on a quick guilty verdict, but Ellie Foreman has doubts about
his complicity--Santoro is strangely familiar to her. Checking back to the outtakes of a video project in progress while the murder took place, Ellie finds evidence that could save Santoro from a lifetime
behind bars. It seems the perfect alibi, but the tape is compromised by radio interference and Santoro goes to jail. Almost immediately, Ellie's world begins to shift: a suspicious vehicle follows her, the Chicago mob shows up, and the FBI wants to question her. She doesn't have answers, but she has questions of her own about the radio transmissions. Everything indicates someone wants something from her, something bigger than the Santoro case. If only she could figure out what it is.... 'A Picture of Guilt' follows Ellie's debut in 'An Eye for Murder.'

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

324 pages, Hardcover

First published May 31, 2003

About the author

Libby Fischer Hellmann left a career in broadcast news in Washington, DC and moved to Chicago a long time ago, where she, naturally, began to write gritty crime fiction. She soon began writing historical fiction as well. Eighteen novels and twenty-five short stories later, she claims they’ll take her out of the Windy City feet first. She has been nominated for many awards in the mystery writing community and has even won a few. Her newest work is MAX'S WAR, her 6th historical saga. MAX, set before and during WW2, It will be released in April, 2024.

Libby began her career as an assistant film editor for NBC News in New York before moving back to DC to work with Robin McNeil and Jim Lehrer at N-PACT, the public affairs production arm of PBS. Retrained as an assistant director when Watergate broke, Libby helped produce PBS’s night-time broadcast of the hearings. She went on to work for public relations firm Burson-Marsteller in Chicago in 1978, where she stayed until she left to found Fischer Hellmann Communications in 1985.

Originally from Washington, D.C.—where, she says, “When you’re sitting around the dinner table gossiping about the neighbors, you’re talking politics”—Libby earned a Masters Degree in Film Production from New York University and a BA in History from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to writing, Libby writes and produces videos, and conducts speaker training programs in platform speaking, presentation skills, media training and crisis communications.

Libby’s best-selling novels have won widespread acclaim since her first novel, AN EYE FOR MURDER, which was nominated for several awards and described by Publisher’s Weekly as “a masterful blend of politics, history, and suspense”.

Libby is known for her portrayal of strong female characters. EYE introduced Ellie Foreman, a video producer and single mother who went on to star in five more novels in a series described by Libby as “a cross between Desperate Housewives and 24.”

Libby’s second series, also six novels now, follows Chicago PI Georgia Davis, a no-nonsense hard-boiled detective operating in the Northern suburbs and beyond.

In addition to her popular series, Libby has also written five standalone thrillers in diverse settings and historical periods that demonstrate her versatility as a writer. Readers will meet young activists during the late Sixties, a young American woman who marries and moves to Tehran, three women forced to make dire choices during WW2, and a female Mafia boss who chases power at the expense of love. And in A BEND IN THE RIVER, she takes a break from her thrillers to write an award-winning novel of two Vietnamese sisters trying to survive the Vietnam war. MAX is the upcoming 6th addition to the loosely-linked series she calls her "Revolution Sagas."

Reviews

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Ellie Foreman series was a little grittier than the first. She's still producing commercial videos for corporations but her clients and the mystery are more tightly intertwined. Of course, there's still her love interest in David with a quick flirt with the FBI agent, who sounds pretty sexy).

I loved the views and history of Chicago and its infrastructure which are integral to the plot and the intense mystery.

Read them in order but not in the dead of night :)

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ellie Foreman is a single mother who makes a living as a freelance corporate filmmaker. On a weekend getaway with her boyfriend, she sees a newspaper clipping of the defendant in a murder trial. It strikes a chord in her memory. When she gets home, she remembers where she saw him and realizes she can alibi him for the night of the murder. For some reason, his lawyer is not excited by the news but puts her stand anyway. The prosecution destroys her. The verdict is guilty. But things go downhill for Ellie fast. It's worse for other people. Witnesses and lawyers are dead suddenly. Ellie knows that her film of the defendant tells more than understands and realizes that unless she figures out what it is, she's next on the hit list. It was interesting but also somewhat contrived. The big terrorist plot didn't make a lot of sense to me. There were too many coincidences that didn't add up. And I wasn't completely sure I liked Ellie, although I think that is deliberate. And I loved how Hellman handled the juvenile arrest issue. Would that it happens like that in real life.

[Beccy Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from TBC Reviewers request- Thank you
This is the second book in the Ellie Foreman series and her character has developed since the first. Overall I enjoyed the book I found it well paced and easy to read, it was a page turner Libby had created a story that you find yourself drawn into you feel that you need to know what happens next.
Thank you

[David Highton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent enough thriller but it needs a complex construct to get our commercial video producer lead character to be drawn into the plot. Narrative flows well, good pace.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Ellie Foreman series, "A Picture Of Guilt", from author Libby Fischer Hellmann is another amazing read. This yarn opens with Ellie and her daughter Rachel visiting West Virginia, along with her boyfriend David Linden. A harrowing experience on the white water rapids Ellie and Rachel are ready to go home. Meanwhile David has met a royal Sheik, Abdul. David and Abdul begin a business relationship. Back home near Chicago, Johnnie Santoro is on trial for the murder of his girlfriend Mary Jo Bosanick. It's pretty much a slam dunk for the prosecution. However, Ellie realizes she's seen Johnny far away from crime at exact time of murder. Running to testify for defense, Ellie is met with a huge surprise. Her personal and professional lives become muddled after testifying for Santoro who is easily convicted. Soon the FBI thinks Ellie is dealing with the Mafia. Ellie must battle disingenuous FBI agents, arsonists, and suspected terrorists galore. An exciting read, it was so hard to put down. Story within the plot was exceptional. The twists and turns molding story really gave the book a lot of jump. A very enjoyable read as all of author Libby Fischer Hellmann's books have been to date. She is a writer that spins a very good story. The amazing characters from the story really help add to the story telling. Built with depth and life the characters add a nice dimension to the book. Now one of my very favorite writers, Libby Fischer Hellmann, is an amazing story teller. If you haven't already discovered her books do yourself a favor and track one down. I'd highly recommend "A Picture Of Guilt" for those you enjoy a really good mystery/ thriller. 5 stars out of a possible 5 stars. Don't miss this one for sure !

[Beverly Laude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie Foreman is a single mother to a 13 year old girl named Rachel. She is also a video documentarian. When she sees the photo of accused murderer Johnny Santoro, she knows that she has seen him before. When she realizes that she has a video tape of him that could prove his innocence, she has to act on her conscience.

I did find Ellie to be rather annoying at times and I just wanted to slap her or shake her to make her see reason! But, that seems to be the case with a lot of the heroines in these types of books.

The writing is very good and the story moves at a fast pace. The addition of Ellie's relationship problems and the growing rebellion of Rachel against her mother add another dimension to the story that keeps it from being just a thriller.

Some parts of the story seem a little contrived and I found it hard to believe that the FBI would allow Ellie's involvement in the highly dangerous situation at the end. But, all in all, it was a timely, well written thriller. I enjoy Ms. Hellmann's books a lot and will continue to read and/or listen to them when I have the chance.

[Pam Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The big news story in Chicago is the murder trial of Johnny Santoro, a dock worker whose girlfriend has been killed. Most Chicagoans are betting on a quick guilty verdict, but Ellie Foreman has doubts about his complicity--Santoro is strangely familiar to her. Checking back to the outtakes of a video project in progress while the murder took place, Ellie finds evidence that could save Santoro from a lifetime behind bars and testifies at his trial. It seems the perfect alibi, but the tape is compromised by radio interference and Santoro goes to jail. The bodies start piling up and Ellie's world begins to shift: a suspicious vehicle follows her, the Chicago mob shows up, and the FBI wants to question her. She has questions of her own about the radio transmissions. It seems that someone wants something Ellie has, but she has to figure out what it is they want.

This is a good series, and the author keeps you involved in the story. I wish she had continued the series It looked like it was going to end with 4, but she did surprise everyone with a new one 11 years after the last one.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part of this book was the narration, the character voices are dynamic and clear and the delivery helped me keep listening to the story.

I know that in many murder mysteries it's vital for the lead character to go places they wouldn't normally be allowed to go, but this book took it too far for me to believe it was possible. The FBI agent was a total push over giving into Ellie all the time and this does not come across as realistic.

Honestly, I didn't really like Ellie, she came across as self involved and a bit of a drama queen. She needs a good reality check, the world does not revolve around her.

I don't think it helps that I haven't read book one. There were definite spoilers and I got the impression that the relationship dynamic would make more sense if I had the history that I'm assuming is in the previous book.

There were some interesting twists, and I don't regret reading it, but I'm also not going to look for more in the series.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

My eighth read/ listen from author Libby Fischer Hellman. So many books, so little time to read. I was given a book by the author and after having read it I decided to read more by this author. I'm glad I did. I'm a character reader, I get into the characters, their story, who/what they are. The author does a great job of developing Elle Foreman quickly & thoroughly. The significant characters in her writing are developed similarly along the way. Outstanding read! What other blurbs can I use to describe these books? This book is in all senses of the word, a thriller, from beginning to end. That’s it, no more spoilers from me though if there are more books about this character I can not wait to read them. Oh well, buy the book, read the books, get into a good author and some good characters as I have. I have to mention the outstanding job the narrator did, she became the voice of Elle Foreman! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Bikram · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the author, in exchange for an unbiased review.

What I liked about the book / Narration -
Narration by Nan McNamara was the best part of the book. It kept me listening to the story, even though I wasn't getting much out of the story. The different character voices and range of emotional voice deliveries made for a pleasant listening experience.

What I disliked about the book -
I didn't quite get into the story or found it interesting. The central character lacked much of any depth and seemed rather one-dimensional. The case wasn't all that thrilling and it failed to intrigue me. The situations felt way too implausible / far fetched. Maybe it just wasn't for me.

[Jan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Picture of Guilt by Libby Fischer Hellmann pulled me in from the very beginning. This book is a standalone listen, and has the character of Ellie Foreman as the primary character. I loved the imagery in this book, and was pulled in by the twists. I really enjoy how the author incorporates photography terms into the background of the story. I had not guessed the killer, and love that when it happens in a book. I found the narration by Nan McNamara to be great. I enjoyed her eloquent voice and thought she added to the suspense. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. The potential of domestic terrorism happening is part of this book, and well written. I loved the clues the author wrote in this story.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-paced and seriously suspenseful mystery . The plot is somewhat contrived with some highly unlikely actions, mostly involving Ellie finding herself in places and situations that in reality would never occur, but nothing that a little suspension of disbelief doesn't remedy.

The characters are well developed and interesting. Nan McNamara gives them distinct and appropriate voices. It's a good match of narrator with story. I like this series.

NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Victoria Haugen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story! I really like Ellie, she's awesome! I thought the characters were well-developed and enjoyed the storyline, full of action & suspense ! All the ups & downs, twists & turns, it's everything a good mystery should be. Loved the story, loved the narration. Now want to read more! :)
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seeing a clipping of a man accused of murdering a young woman, strikes a cord for Ellie where had she seen him. A few days later she does remember and calls the prosecutor saying she had evidence that it couldn’t have been him. Being called as a witness wanting to do the right thing. The ordeal was terrible and humiliating for her. The prosecutor didn’t seem like he was really interested in helping his client. Ellie feels like there are missing pieces, will she be able to uncover them. Good

[Edie Baylis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A somewhat gritty, yet easy read in this second book in the Ellie Foreman series. I haven't read the first book, but this reads well as a standalone as the character development and description is very good.
The book is well-written, with an interesting plotline, even if it sometimes becomes a little hard to warrant that certain things would occur that way in real life.
Very much worth a read.

[Sheryl Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good intrigue

This book kept me guessing with all of its twists and turns. At first it looks like things are going one way but they end up in a completely different direction. The relationships in this book keep it interesting. Ellie is constantly challenged to be a better person. When death comes near she takes a good hard look at what's important.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through the tbc group and it was a great read. Its part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed the book. Very well written.

[Lis Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to read the Ellie Foreman books wildly out of order, which is hard on any series where there is ongoing character development and relationships change over time. And I continue to enjoy them immensely anyway. In this one Rachel is still only thirteen, Ellie's ex is still operating largely on resentment and entitlement, and she and David are maybe starting to realize that they have to work on their relationship if they want it to last. Mac, her director, has not yet demanded that she promise never to get involved in anything every again.

So when she sees a picture of an accused murderer in the newspaper, and she realizes that as part of a shoot at the harbor she has a picture of him somewhere other than the site of the murder at the time of the murder, none of the "don't get involved" advice has nearly the strength it gets later in the series. I mean, what could go wrong?

She does her civic duty, takes the videotape to the defense attorney (figuring at this point, with the trial about to start, the police won't be interested in new evidence for the defense), and testifies at trial. Unfortunately, the tape has some RF damage that she can't account for, and the prosecutor pretty much takes her apart. They guy is convicted anyway.

Even more unfortunately for Ellie, that's just the beginning. The prosecutor made her look unprofessional, she's now attached to a bit of controversy, and it turns out someone else is much more unhappy about her finding that tape than the prosecutor was. No one wants to hire her right now. Everyone assures her it will pass, but right now she can't get the work she depends on.

When she starts to suspect she's being followed, things start to get scary.

When the murdered woman's best friend tracks her down, claims that she (the friend) is being followed because she knows more than she told at the trial, and is shortly thereafter killed in a car crash, Ellie becomes convinced she needs to solve the crime(s) herself, while those around her, who care about her safety, think it's proof she should have kept her mouth shut, and maybe ought to take a vacation out of town for a while.

But that's not the Ellie we have, or will, come to love. She knows something is wrong, and she needs to set it right. She keeps digging. David is frustrated enough that she's taking risks when all he wants to do is keep her safe. He loves her, he values security, and he wants to keep Ellie safe--how can Ellie possibly find this confining? But it gets worse when her digging connects to a client of his...

It's a satisfyingly complex mystery, and Ellie, David, and even Rachel, at that awkward age of being aa new teen, are all going through some important emotional growth and challenges here.

Very much recommended.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author, and am reviewing it entirely by my own choice.

[Kathleen Hagen]

A Picture of Guilt, by Libby Fisher Hellman, a-minus, Narrated by Beth Richmond, Produced by Books in Motion, Downloaded from audible.com

Ellie writes and produces training films and other films for corporations. Ellie, who doesn’t pay much attention to the news, sees a Chicago Tribune article about a man who is on trial for murdering his girl friend. Ellie knows she’s seen him somewhere, and finally realizes that she saw him passed out in a park while they were filming for a documentary. In fact, he is on their film. When she checks out the film, she realizes that there is a lot of distortion or radio interference, but the pictures of the man are still clear enough. The log showing time and place of the pictures indicate that they were taken at the same time period in which the murder took place for which he is on trial, and she realizes that the pictures might be an alibi for him. She turns them over to a defense lawyer, and she ends up having to be a witness at the trial trying to prove his alibi. The prosecution makes mincemeat of her on the stand, and she goes home convinced that she will let things go. But she finds she’s being blacklisted by her corporate clients for having participated in the trial with pictures taken during a shoot. And other people won’t let the matter rest either. She is followed, and all kinds of people, from the FBI to some suspicious characters try to get close to her. She realizes that they want something from her, and she finally realizes that they want the copy of the tape she still has with the picture on it, but they want it to find out about the radio wave interference seen earlier in the tape. This is a page-turner thriller with some angst thrown in for Ellie as Rachel acts up in typical teenage fashion. This is a good book.

[SOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another, well- written look into the life of Ellie Foreman, free-lance documentary producer, and her family, as Ellie is, once again, pulled, inadvertently, into a series of strange and frightening situations as she attempts to help prove the innocence of a man accused of murder. Her well intentioned involvement repeatedly puts her into danger. While she's busy trying to do the right thing, her 13-year-old daughter is hitting teenaged rebellion, complicating Ellie's life. In the end, Ellie's perseverance and cleverness saves the day and many lives.

This was a very enjoyable listen. Nan McNamara's narration brought all the characters to life. If I have any complaints about her work, it's that while the story takes place in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, Ms. McNamara, it seems, isn't from there. At times, she mispronounces street names. She's also not Jewish, and that, at times, shows in her pronunciation of Yiddish words Those are minor complaints.

I really enjoyed listening to this. I have spent much time in the Chicago area and can envision many of the places in which this story takes place. That always helps make it more real.

I found this book so enjoyable that I bought several others by Ms.Hellmann, and I look forward to listening to them in the future.

I received this book as a gift from the author. Her generosity in no way influenced my opinions on this audio book.

[Ice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The divorced mother and producer of documentaries and training films belatedly realizes that outtakes on one of her features may furnish an alibi for a Chicago dock worker about to go on trial for the brutal murder of his girlfriend.

To her credit, her decision to come forward is reflexive, though she's unprepared for the battering she takes on the witness stand-or for the jury's rejection of her evidence. Ellie's good deed results in even more punishment when she begins to lose clients concerned that her disclosure of the footage evinces scruples in possible conflict with her duties to them. These professional difficulties prove to be secondary when she realizes that the bodies piling up are all connected with the murder trial.

Ellie's detective skills consist of little more than intelligent persistence, coupled with luck. While the struggles with such people as her rebellious teenage daughter, her aging father and her dependable but overprotective boyfriend humanize her, their resolutions are all too predictable.

[lynne fireheart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reads very much the same as Eye for Murder: simple style, lack of detail, rather cardboard characters, but a plot that isn't too obvious and has a few red herrings thrown in. I do enjoy the glimpses of Jewish life, even if it's just a mention of schul or of attending Mar Mitzvahs.

One small problem I had was one of those little asides where we are privy to the thoughts running around in Ellie's head, and this time she said something like "I buckled the seat belt, although I really didn't need to, it's not like there was traffic that time of day..." So she only needed to be buckled in during rush hour? I didn't get it, and I'm one of those people who buckle up before even starting the car, y'know? So that little but of the book was *so* wrong.

The rest of the book? Also like its predecessor: ultimately, it's throwaway beach/airplane read. I'll not bother with any more of this series.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing "An Eye For Murder" book 1 of my Ellie Foreman box set I was more than happy to delve right in to another book in this series. "A Picture of Guilt "took me back to Chicago , but in a side of Chicago that most civilians never get to see, corruption, terrorism and graft. Ellie has a knack for trying to do the right thing and ending up on the wrong side of both the good guys and the bad guys! Once again I enjoy the attempt to balance family life against Ellie's need for success on all fronts...business, love, and being right! Ms. Hellmann and her team need to be commended for their research and fact finding. I always walk away from one of her novels gaining a little bit of inside and knowledge about a new subject...this book was radio waves, terrorism and an inside look at Chicago. Thanks for a great book.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I originally tried to read this book immediately after the first Ellie Foreman book, which was fantastic. I couldn't get into the plot then, and I think I was comparing it too much to the first story in the series. This time around, it was a much faster paced read. I like Hellmann's later character, Georgia Davis, better than Ellie. I find Ellie to be overly dramatic and self-centered. I found myself constantly being disappointed by her behavior in this story, and her wild leaps from a minor clue to a crazy conspiracy theory. However, the plot was interesting and the supporting characters are great. Hellmann also does a great job with the setting.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of Libby's wonderful mysteries - as with the others I have read, it is a quick read because it is fast paced and interesting with great twists. The setting is the Northshore of Chicago, so if you are from Northfield or surrounding areas, you will get a kick out of knowing all the settings and will see that some of the characters have the names of people you know (she put my name on a character in one of her books after I won this honor at our school benefit!). Even if she wasn't my friend, I would recommend her books - they are great reads!

[jhanami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve just been to Chicago so I was excited to pick this up and get another flavour of this fabulous city. I haven’t read the first in the series but found this to be an enjoyable, entertaining read, a good mix of easy chic flic style relationship and family parts and sinister murder mystery plot.
Some elements of the case and Ellie’s involvement take some suspended belief, but the story is well-written and flows along nicely so I didn’t really mind.
It was ideal to while away some hours on a transatlantic flight!

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and entertaining read. My biggest quibble is that I knew the direction the story was heading far earlier than I should have, but in retrospect, that may be because I read so many books in this genre and not because of any particular tells in the story. The developments in Ellie's relationship with David and the tensions with Rachel seemed especially believable. Looking forward to the third book in the series.

[kenneth h. robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing Convoluted Plot and Characters to Empathize With

Covering different locations and characters differently motivated with murder and mystery mixed in. A great read I could put down without finishing it.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading these in order they were written...liked this one slightly better than the first. Won't say too much because my friends will be reading it soon!

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed language and how characters are described