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Alex Sedaka #2
[(No Way Out)] [Author: David Kessler] published on
When 19 year old Bethel Newton accuses Elias Claymore of raping her, America is deeply divided on the issue in David Kessler's new thriller No Way Out[image]. In his youth, Claymore was a Black power militant, as well as a convicted rapist and escaped convict. But after undergoing a Pauline conversion, he came back to America as a born again Christian to serve out his sentence and reinvented himself as a respectable, neoconservative TV talkshow host.In the face of the new serious charge, Claymore turns to his friend Alex Sedaka for help. Alex is persuaded to share the defence with a law firm appointed by Claymore's insurers and finds himself working with Andromeda ("Andi") Phoenix, whose lesbian lover Gene works at a rape crisis centre.But when Andi makes an issue of the under-representation of African-Americans on the jury, she starts receiving anonymous threats. Meanwhile Alex finds holes in the prosecution case but hits a major obstacle when he comes up against the DNA evidence.Over the course of the trial, Alex must battle his way through jury tampering and a malicious computer hacker to find out who is telling the truth. And while all this is going on, Alex's on-ex-girlfriend, TV reporter Martine Yin, is covering the case. But is she getting too close and putting herself in danger?
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First published March 15, 2004
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About the author
David Kessler
19 books39 followersI was born in the UK and grew up on a council estate in central London.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 9, 2018
I was at the point I did not know what to read. While walking around WHSMITH then I spotted No Way Out. I had never heard of David Kessler, but when I got home and started to read it I found it a real page turner. I would read more books by David Kessler.
July 14, 2010
“No witness. No alibi. No way out…
When 19 year old Bethel Newton accuses Elias Claymore of raping her, America is deeply divided on the issue. In his youth, Claymore was a Black power militant, as well as a convicted rapist and escaped convict. But after undergoing a Pauline conversion, he came back to America as a born again Christian to serve out his sentence and reinvented himself as a respectable, neoconservative TV talkshow host.
In the face of the new serious charge, Claymore turns to his friend Alex Sedaka for help. Alex is persuaded to share the defence with a law firm appointed by Claymore's insurers and finds himself working with Andromeda ("Andi") Phoenix, whose lesbian lover Gene works at a rape crisis centre.
But when Andi makes an issue of the under-representation of African-Americans on the jury, she starts receiving anonymous threats. Meanwhile Alex finds holes in the prosecution case, such as the victim's description of the attacker as well as her own past. But he hits a major obstacle when he comes up against the DNA evidence.
Over the course of the trial, Alex must battle his way through jury tampering and a malicious computer hacker to find out who is telling the truth. And while all this is going on, Alex's on-ex-girlfriend, TV reporter Martine Yin, is covering the case. But is she getting too close and putting herself in danger?”
‘No Way Out’ follows the lives of multiple characters as they come together in defence of previous convicted criminal, but born- again Christian, Elias Claymore.
When I began reading, I was immediately transported into the novel and firmly gripped by an exciting plot and believable, amiable characters – I did not want to put the book down.
The chapters are split into dates and times, while also alternating between characters, which gives the novel a very realistic feeling. The characters were also fantastic. I loved Alex Sedaka right from the beginning; he held the same charm and appeal as Kate Atkinson’s leading character, Jackson Brodie; the strong-minded, caring and protective character with a real sense of justice. I also sympathised immediately with Elias Claymore. I was convinced from the beginning that he was the innocent party, and despite his cruel and reckless past, I instantly liked him. In contrast to this, Bethel Newton, the young girl accusing Claymore of raping her, was a character that I sympathised with in the beginning, but grew to dislike her throughout the course of the novel.
Conversely to this, as the reader is bought more deeply into the plot and the trial, I found myself becoming a little bored at times. This was not due to any fault in the story, but more to do with the depth in which the DNA evidence was described. While it is obvious that David Kessler has researched the topics in his novel well, I found myself skipping paragraphs at a time when explaining the more complicated aspects of the DNA evidence, simply because parts of it were out of my understanding.
However, the ending to the novel was mostly excellent; full of action, danger and plenty of plot twists to keep the reader full of suspense right until the final word. Although a couple of the plot twists were a little predictable, most were not, and this provided the novel with a very exciting ending.
No Way Out is an excellent read, and I look forward to seeing more from this author in the future.
When 19 year old Bethel Newton accuses Elias Claymore of raping her, America is deeply divided on the issue. In his youth, Claymore was a Black power militant, as well as a convicted rapist and escaped convict. But after undergoing a Pauline conversion, he came back to America as a born again Christian to serve out his sentence and reinvented himself as a respectable, neoconservative TV talkshow host.
In the face of the new serious charge, Claymore turns to his friend Alex Sedaka for help. Alex is persuaded to share the defence with a law firm appointed by Claymore's insurers and finds himself working with Andromeda ("Andi") Phoenix, whose lesbian lover Gene works at a rape crisis centre.
But when Andi makes an issue of the under-representation of African-Americans on the jury, she starts receiving anonymous threats. Meanwhile Alex finds holes in the prosecution case, such as the victim's description of the attacker as well as her own past. But he hits a major obstacle when he comes up against the DNA evidence.
Over the course of the trial, Alex must battle his way through jury tampering and a malicious computer hacker to find out who is telling the truth. And while all this is going on, Alex's on-ex-girlfriend, TV reporter Martine Yin, is covering the case. But is she getting too close and putting herself in danger?”
‘No Way Out’ follows the lives of multiple characters as they come together in defence of previous convicted criminal, but born- again Christian, Elias Claymore.
When I began reading, I was immediately transported into the novel and firmly gripped by an exciting plot and believable, amiable characters – I did not want to put the book down.
The chapters are split into dates and times, while also alternating between characters, which gives the novel a very realistic feeling. The characters were also fantastic. I loved Alex Sedaka right from the beginning; he held the same charm and appeal as Kate Atkinson’s leading character, Jackson Brodie; the strong-minded, caring and protective character with a real sense of justice. I also sympathised immediately with Elias Claymore. I was convinced from the beginning that he was the innocent party, and despite his cruel and reckless past, I instantly liked him. In contrast to this, Bethel Newton, the young girl accusing Claymore of raping her, was a character that I sympathised with in the beginning, but grew to dislike her throughout the course of the novel.
Conversely to this, as the reader is bought more deeply into the plot and the trial, I found myself becoming a little bored at times. This was not due to any fault in the story, but more to do with the depth in which the DNA evidence was described. While it is obvious that David Kessler has researched the topics in his novel well, I found myself skipping paragraphs at a time when explaining the more complicated aspects of the DNA evidence, simply because parts of it were out of my understanding.
However, the ending to the novel was mostly excellent; full of action, danger and plenty of plot twists to keep the reader full of suspense right until the final word. Although a couple of the plot twists were a little predictable, most were not, and this provided the novel with a very exciting ending.
No Way Out is an excellent read, and I look forward to seeing more from this author in the future.
July 13, 2010
I won this on first reads!!
I have to say this book started off slow for me. It took about 125 pages before it really started to get good. Then I was hooked. I think I stumbled some on the technical jargon, especially the computer info. The DNA info was less confusing for me, but I could see that confusing some people, too. Some of the twists I saw coming, some I didn't, so that was good. I'm not too sure what really happened at the end, so that was a bit of a detraction. EDIT: After thinking about it, I realized I had forgotten an important detail and that made it clearer to me. I liked the fast pace and all the different angles and plots that came together. Overall a good, fun read.
I have to say this book started off slow for me. It took about 125 pages before it really started to get good. Then I was hooked. I think I stumbled some on the technical jargon, especially the computer info. The DNA info was less confusing for me, but I could see that confusing some people, too. Some of the twists I saw coming, some I didn't, so that was good. I'm not too sure what really happened at the end, so that was a bit of a detraction. EDIT: After thinking about it, I realized I had forgotten an important detail and that made it clearer to me. I liked the fast pace and all the different angles and plots that came together. Overall a good, fun read.
July 7, 2010
Just finished reading this book. Extremely enjoyable and a definite page- turner.
May 10, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book for two reasons first unlike some courtroom books it begins at the arrest and you learn what happens during the trail and second after the trail there are further twists I’ll be checking out further books in the series
July 13, 2010
Love the twists and turns. Very exciting! I couldn't stop reading it. I kept getting angry and then happy and I just had my emotions all over the place. I felt myself running with the characters and I felt as if I were a part of the story itself.
David Kessler put a lot of work into this novel. It is such a different story. I have read nothing like this. I really enjoy David Kessler's writing and I hope that he creates more novels so that I can be captivated again. I will gladly tell my friends to read this. It is somthing that can be read in a shirt time because it keeps you involved.
David Kessler put a lot of work into this novel. It is such a different story. I have read nothing like this. I really enjoy David Kessler's writing and I hope that he creates more novels so that I can be captivated again. I will gladly tell my friends to read this. It is somthing that can be read in a shirt time because it keeps you involved.
July 5, 2019
Terrible book and certainly not for “John Grisham fans”
The plot is ridiculous. The main character (Black) Rapes White women for political purposes, go to jail, escapes jail, goes to Syria, becomes a Jihad, hands himself in to American, does his time, becomes a christian 20 years later a talk show host is then wrongly accused of rape.
The remaining main characters are stereotype in a ridicules way.
I did not finish the book, it was to bad!
The plot is ridiculous. The main character (Black) Rapes White women for political purposes, go to jail, escapes jail, goes to Syria, becomes a Jihad, hands himself in to American, does his time, becomes a christian 20 years later a talk show host is then wrongly accused of rape.
The remaining main characters are stereotype in a ridicules way.
I did not finish the book, it was to bad!
June 12, 2010
LOOKS GOOD!!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
January 12, 2024
I found this a bit tricky. It centres around a trial involving an alleged rape. I often find it difficult to read when men write about rape, especially to the level of detail as in this book. I’m not 100% convinced of the authenticity of the voices of either the victims or the perpetrator in this albeit fictional story.
It’s not a bad book, although there are some plot twists that require some suspension of disbelief. I’m just not sure I like the way the topic was approached.
It’s not a bad book, although there are some plot twists that require some suspension of disbelief. I’m just not sure I like the way the topic was approached.
August 2, 2018
For those who like court-room proceedings and dramas and a nice crime plot. John Grisham fans would like to give this a try.
June 3, 2020
sooo good
August 22, 2021
It's fine. I'm trying to finish the books I had bought years ago, and this was one of them.
April 2, 2025
This was such a terrible book. A white middle aged man writing about SA and racial tensions? No thank you. Pretty sure he only wrote this so he had an excuse to use slurs.
December 24, 2012
Once again, with No Way Out (also called It Started Out Quite Simply), the second book in the Alex Sedaka series, Kessler delivers a taut, compulsively readable thriller that will keep you turning pages while you should be doing other things. This second novel finds Alex Sedaka defending and old client, Elias Claymore after he is accused of rape. Claymore, now a celebrity with a talk show, has a sordid past—having served time for multiple rape convictions. Racial tensions also play a part in this novel from Claymore’s past crimes being racially motivated to present day jury selection tampering which is racially motivated. As he tries to defend his client—who insists on his innocence—Alex has to navigate the murky waters of racial tension. This book is meticulously researched and reads much more like a legal thriller than the first Sedaka novel. The great part is that just when you think that all the action is going to take place inside the courtroom, Kessler changes tacks and brings on the action! As always, the twists and turns just keep on coming. It’s like Harlan Coben multiplied by 1,000. Just like the first book, the writing is smooth and engaging and the pacing is excellent. There are more characters in this one—and each one is complex and interesting. Each one, it seems, is hiding their own scintillating secret. This book keeps the *gasp* shocking reveals coming right up to the last page. I love a book with intelligent and intriguing twists! Kessler definitely delivers.
Read
April 19, 2011No witness. No alibi. No way out…
When 19 year old Bethel Newton accuses Elias Claymore of raping her, America is deeply divided on the issue. In his youth, Claymore was a Black power militant, as well as a convicted rapist and escaped convict. But after undergoing a Pauline conversion, he came back to America as a born again Christian to serve out his sentence and reinvented himself as a respectable, neoconservative TV talkshow host.
In the face of the new serious charge, Claymore turns to his friend Alex Sedaka for help. Alex is persuaded to share the defence with a law firm appointed by Claymore's insurers and finds himself working with Andromeda ("Andi") Phoenix, whose lesbian lover Gene works at a rape crisis centre.
But when Andi makes an issue of the under-representation of African-Americans on the jury, she starts receiving anonymous threats. Meanwhile Alex finds holes in the prosecution case, such as the victim's description of the attacker as well as her own past. But he hits a major obstacle when he comes up against the DNA evidence.
Over the course of the trial, Alex must battle his way through jury tampering and a malicious computer hacker to find out who is telling the truth. And while all this is going on, Alex's on-ex-girlfriend, TV reporter Martine Yin, is covering the case. But is she getting too close and putting herself in danger?
When 19 year old Bethel Newton accuses Elias Claymore of raping her, America is deeply divided on the issue. In his youth, Claymore was a Black power militant, as well as a convicted rapist and escaped convict. But after undergoing a Pauline conversion, he came back to America as a born again Christian to serve out his sentence and reinvented himself as a respectable, neoconservative TV talkshow host.
In the face of the new serious charge, Claymore turns to his friend Alex Sedaka for help. Alex is persuaded to share the defence with a law firm appointed by Claymore's insurers and finds himself working with Andromeda ("Andi") Phoenix, whose lesbian lover Gene works at a rape crisis centre.
But when Andi makes an issue of the under-representation of African-Americans on the jury, she starts receiving anonymous threats. Meanwhile Alex finds holes in the prosecution case, such as the victim's description of the attacker as well as her own past. But he hits a major obstacle when he comes up against the DNA evidence.
Over the course of the trial, Alex must battle his way through jury tampering and a malicious computer hacker to find out who is telling the truth. And while all this is going on, Alex's on-ex-girlfriend, TV reporter Martine Yin, is covering the case. But is she getting too close and putting herself in danger?
February 6, 2014
This book was a good story and with the court room drama a bit like John Grisham books. The DNA data and 'research' was a bit full on and went into a lot of details, I found myself glazing over a bit at this stage (skimmed reading it helps).
There is a couple of very good twists but I did predict what they were half way through the book. A good, easy read (if you don't get dragged under by the DNA facts but this is where I guessed the end). Would recommend for an easy read and would even look out for another David Kessler book in the book exchange store.
There is a couple of very good twists but I did predict what they were half way through the book. A good, easy read (if you don't get dragged under by the DNA facts but this is where I guessed the end). Would recommend for an easy read and would even look out for another David Kessler book in the book exchange store.
August 26, 2010
This was my first book by this author. The plot was interesting and complex and had me on the edge of my seat until the last 20 pages or so. At that point, it got a bit too convoluted and far-fetched. That being said, it was a good read. I will definitely be checking out more titles from this author.
June 12, 2012
This is a thriller, and for that genre, its a very good read. Keeps you on the edge of your seat up to the end with its fast pace and twists and turns. A little predictable and stretched towards the end though. Could have been concluded with more finesse :-)
June 27, 2015
This was not as thrilling as the write ups claimed. The book was very readable and well written but I would have preferred a bit more action. Very thorough on some of the technicalities. I wouldn't go out of my way to read another book by this author.
Read
June 10, 2010Just won on First Reads!
Want to read
June 12, 2010Moving this to the top of the "must read pile" when it arrives!!! Thanks for the free giveaways GOODREADS!!
February 2, 2012
I really enjoyed this. Gets a bit complicated with the characters but thoroughly enjoyed it almost a page turner.
February 29, 2012
The US Kindle edition is now available.
July 22, 2016
An interesting crime and legal thriller which explores some dilemmas around justice and punishment.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews