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Melanie Vargas #4
Notorious
About to take a controversial rap star to trial for a past crime, Melanie Vargas receives an important piece of information from his lawyer. In full confidence, on the steps of New York City's federal courthouse, he tells her that his client may have had ties to a wanted fugitive. Moments later, a powerful car bomb blows the man to pieces, with Melanie only steps away.
As shocking as the murder is, it has other repercussions for Melanie. Her relationship with the victim wasn't strictly professional. While recovering from her breakup with FBI agent Dan O'Reilly, she had become attracted to the charismatic lawyer. But after his death she realizes that she knew very little about him—including the fact that he was married.
Determined to find the killer, Melanie enters a dangerous world of subterfuge and double-crosses, going as far as the glittering lights of Vegas to discover the truth. But the more she digs, the more she finds troubling about her friend. Several people had the motive to end his life.
Meanwhile, the rapper's defense has been taken over by the slickest shark in the business, a man of questionable morals who may have had previous unlawful dealings with his client. But the outcome of the case isn't the only thing on the line. As the sole witness to the murder, Melanie is in danger of losing her own life. And it isn't long before she realizes that she can't trust anybody, not even those closest to her.
As shocking as the murder is, it has other repercussions for Melanie. Her relationship with the victim wasn't strictly professional. While recovering from her breakup with FBI agent Dan O'Reilly, she had become attracted to the charismatic lawyer. But after his death she realizes that she knew very little about him—including the fact that he was married.
Determined to find the killer, Melanie enters a dangerous world of subterfuge and double-crosses, going as far as the glittering lights of Vegas to discover the truth. But the more she digs, the more she finds troubling about her friend. Several people had the motive to end his life.
Meanwhile, the rapper's defense has been taken over by the slickest shark in the business, a man of questionable morals who may have had previous unlawful dealings with his client. But the outcome of the case isn't the only thing on the line. As the sole witness to the murder, Melanie is in danger of losing her own life. And it isn't long before she realizes that she can't trust anybody, not even those closest to her.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2008
8 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Michele Martinez
16 books33 followersMichele Martinez, a graduate of Harvard University and Stanford Law School, was a federal prosecutor in New York City for eight years. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 19, 2025
1⭐️ = Not For Me.
Hardback.
This all felt rather messy to me and I had little engagement. This isn’t the first in the series though, so perhaps it might have something to do with starting this mid- series.
I would have preferred less dialogue, especially at the beginning. I don’t think I’ll be reading another in this series.
Hardback.
This all felt rather messy to me and I had little engagement. This isn’t the first in the series though, so perhaps it might have something to do with starting this mid- series.
I would have preferred less dialogue, especially at the beginning. I don’t think I’ll be reading another in this series.
June 10, 2013
Had 2 slog thru this..won't read any more by
this author.
this author.
May 16, 2012
Notorious is an entertaining legal-centered mystery focusing on prosecuting attorney Melanie Vargas. When the lead defense attorney for rap artist Atari Briggs is assassinated, Melanie vows to bring the assassins to justice along with convicting Briggs on the murder charges that he faces from his life on the streets before becoming a star.
The plot of the book mainly focuses on Melanie's investigations and subsequent witness interviews and periodic court hearings. There is more than enough to keep the book moving along at a brisk pace and Martinez' writing style never becomes tedious as I have found many legal thrillers to be. There are several twists and turns throughout the novel and I found it to be a nice, entertaining read.
I will definitely be reading the previous Melanie Vargas books in the near future and eagerly anticipate future additions to the series. It's always nice to find a new series of books that I can pick up and read for a couple of hours in an afternoon without feeling like I'm wading through something that I really have to put a lot of thought into. The feel of this novel reminded me a lot of a Patterson novel, albeit with less of the suspense and more of a courtroom feel.
The plot of the book mainly focuses on Melanie's investigations and subsequent witness interviews and periodic court hearings. There is more than enough to keep the book moving along at a brisk pace and Martinez' writing style never becomes tedious as I have found many legal thrillers to be. There are several twists and turns throughout the novel and I found it to be a nice, entertaining read.
I will definitely be reading the previous Melanie Vargas books in the near future and eagerly anticipate future additions to the series. It's always nice to find a new series of books that I can pick up and read for a couple of hours in an afternoon without feeling like I'm wading through something that I really have to put a lot of thought into. The feel of this novel reminded me a lot of a Patterson novel, albeit with less of the suspense and more of a courtroom feel.
February 4, 2021
Melanie Vargas and Lester Poe walk out of the restaurant where they’ve just eaten. She’s a hotshot prosecuting attorney; he’s a defense attorney who is looking for a plea bargain for a client. He’s considerably older than Melanie, but she hasn’t had any mattress action for so long he looks like the kind of guy who could keep her distracted for a good while. As they agree to meet again and he draws closer to his car, she notices the dark-skinned man walking the dog staring at Poe with a ferocity she notices immediately. That’s when the guy points a cell phone at Poe’s car, and the car turns into a blown jigsaw puzzle. The explosion killed Lester Poe and left Melanie temporarily deafened and stunned.
Thus begins a journey that will take Melanie into the world of rappers, crooked attorneys, vendetta killings, and a circumstance in which someone moves to take her life.
The most fascinating subplot here is that of a mousy young southern girl who comes to work in Melanie’s office. Her actions do much to move you closer to the edge of your reading surface, whatever it is.
This appears to be the final book in the series, and I’ve enjoyed the entire series.
Thus begins a journey that will take Melanie into the world of rappers, crooked attorneys, vendetta killings, and a circumstance in which someone moves to take her life.
The most fascinating subplot here is that of a mousy young southern girl who comes to work in Melanie’s office. Her actions do much to move you closer to the edge of your reading surface, whatever it is.
This appears to be the final book in the series, and I’ve enjoyed the entire series.
December 29, 2017
I enjoyed this story but I'm not sure it was good enough to propel the author onto my "must read" list. It was well plotted but somehow wasn't as gripping a read as I would have liked.
October 2, 2021
Good read, well done!
September 12, 2010
Notorious
By Michelle Martinez
http://www.michelemartinez.com/books.htm
Reviewed by Zulmara Cline
Michelle Martinez, a former Legal prosecutor from New York, writes wonderful legal thrillers starring Latina protagonist, Melanie Vargas. Melanie is everyone's mother, daughter, ex-wife, and girlfriend, and yet, she is like no one we have ever met before. The skill with which Michelle is able to weave a tale with a Latina protagonist that avoids stereotypes and pigeonholing is masterful. Melanie is a character with depth and intelligence who breathes a bit of Latino cultural values and ideals in her life.
As a workaholic single mom, Melanie is determined to hunt down the killer of her latest budding love interest. She witnesses his murder minutes after leaving him at the courthouse steps and realizes that as the only witness, she is also vulnerable and may not be allowed to live. In this fast paced thriller, we follow Melanie through the twists and turns of solving the mystery. Michelle is masterful at weaving a tale that is well thought out and planned as we follow Melanie step by step in solving the crime.
Throughout the novel, we learn more and more about Melanie as person, loving her and wanting to know more and more about how she will resolve the many complications in her life, as she resolves yet another mystery.
Michelle has done a wonderful job of building on the first 3 novels and delivering more depth and understanding of her character and her life. Melanie, literally, becomes your comadre next door and you find yourself rooting for her success at every turn. A fun and informative read that should interest readers of many different genres.
About the Author:
Michele Martinez served as a federal prosecutor in New York City's Eastern District which included much of the gang infested areas of Brooklyn and Queens. Her specialty, narcotics, dealt with some of the most notorious drug dealers from Southeast Asia, Mexico, and local kingpins. Having jurisdiction over the biggest narcotics organizations in the world, Michelle had seen it all and then some by the time she left to become a full time writer. In her writing, she shares an insider's knowledge of the real world of crime and law enforcement that add a level of thrill and suspense to her novels. She builds strong believable characters that allow the reader to get learn a thing or two about the criminal underground, while enjoying a fun, fast paced read.
Questions:
1. Crime fiction written from a woman's point of view is a rarity, how well does Michelle do with this genre?
2. This is the 4th book that stars Melanie Vargas, have you read the first three, Most Wanted, The Finishing School, and Cover-up? How do they compare?
3. Being a single mom and a detective in New York requires Melanie to do quite a balancing act, how well is she able to balance the two important roles in her life?
4. Melanie is not a stereotypical Latina, but she is a typical Latina…what is the difference?
5. Michelle is a master at the plot twist, what was your most memorable plot twist in Notorious?
Quote:
For so long, nothing had been ordinary. (115)
Opening Line:
The man Melanie Vargas was talking to would die violently in a matter of minutes.
By Michelle Martinez
http://www.michelemartinez.com/books.htm
Reviewed by Zulmara Cline
Michelle Martinez, a former Legal prosecutor from New York, writes wonderful legal thrillers starring Latina protagonist, Melanie Vargas. Melanie is everyone's mother, daughter, ex-wife, and girlfriend, and yet, she is like no one we have ever met before. The skill with which Michelle is able to weave a tale with a Latina protagonist that avoids stereotypes and pigeonholing is masterful. Melanie is a character with depth and intelligence who breathes a bit of Latino cultural values and ideals in her life.
As a workaholic single mom, Melanie is determined to hunt down the killer of her latest budding love interest. She witnesses his murder minutes after leaving him at the courthouse steps and realizes that as the only witness, she is also vulnerable and may not be allowed to live. In this fast paced thriller, we follow Melanie through the twists and turns of solving the mystery. Michelle is masterful at weaving a tale that is well thought out and planned as we follow Melanie step by step in solving the crime.
Throughout the novel, we learn more and more about Melanie as person, loving her and wanting to know more and more about how she will resolve the many complications in her life, as she resolves yet another mystery.
Michelle has done a wonderful job of building on the first 3 novels and delivering more depth and understanding of her character and her life. Melanie, literally, becomes your comadre next door and you find yourself rooting for her success at every turn. A fun and informative read that should interest readers of many different genres.
About the Author:
Michele Martinez served as a federal prosecutor in New York City's Eastern District which included much of the gang infested areas of Brooklyn and Queens. Her specialty, narcotics, dealt with some of the most notorious drug dealers from Southeast Asia, Mexico, and local kingpins. Having jurisdiction over the biggest narcotics organizations in the world, Michelle had seen it all and then some by the time she left to become a full time writer. In her writing, she shares an insider's knowledge of the real world of crime and law enforcement that add a level of thrill and suspense to her novels. She builds strong believable characters that allow the reader to get learn a thing or two about the criminal underground, while enjoying a fun, fast paced read.
Questions:
1. Crime fiction written from a woman's point of view is a rarity, how well does Michelle do with this genre?
2. This is the 4th book that stars Melanie Vargas, have you read the first three, Most Wanted, The Finishing School, and Cover-up? How do they compare?
3. Being a single mom and a detective in New York requires Melanie to do quite a balancing act, how well is she able to balance the two important roles in her life?
4. Melanie is not a stereotypical Latina, but she is a typical Latina…what is the difference?
5. Michelle is a master at the plot twist, what was your most memorable plot twist in Notorious?
Quote:
For so long, nothing had been ordinary. (115)
Opening Line:
The man Melanie Vargas was talking to would die violently in a matter of minutes.
August 5, 2016
I'm being kind giving this book 3 stars. This prosecutor "Melanie Vargas" bumbles through her investigations of who killed her friend, possible love interest, and mentor..and the only reason she still has a job is because of friendship with the judge and people around her.
When info kept leaking she never thought about "who's new in the office" who hasn't proven themselves. So she lets herself be sent off to a wild goose chase in Vegas..
Her boss had to show her inconsistencies in information this girl was getting for phone records. Then once she realized it was the emotionally damaged new girl, Jennifer, instead of feeding her bogus information to pass along, she puts her on the spot to be "wired" when the poor girl simply has no emotional strength to pull off the duplicity. Jennifer, the mole, knows the "defense attorney" is evil and a killer but can't help herself.
All the bad guys died in the end.. after Melanie gets a coworker killed.. but no thanks to her efforts.
Her baby seems like a prop... She's got a great babysitter.. but hardly sees her child.
A broken romance from the past.. guy comes back and wants to be with her.. but she seems to think "tomorrow is promised" and puts him off (he should run for his life if in this series she continues to miss clues and gets those around her killed)
When info kept leaking she never thought about "who's new in the office" who hasn't proven themselves. So she lets herself be sent off to a wild goose chase in Vegas..
Her boss had to show her inconsistencies in information this girl was getting for phone records. Then once she realized it was the emotionally damaged new girl, Jennifer, instead of feeding her bogus information to pass along, she puts her on the spot to be "wired" when the poor girl simply has no emotional strength to pull off the duplicity. Jennifer, the mole, knows the "defense attorney" is evil and a killer but can't help herself.
All the bad guys died in the end.. after Melanie gets a coworker killed.. but no thanks to her efforts.
Her baby seems like a prop... She's got a great babysitter.. but hardly sees her child.
A broken romance from the past.. guy comes back and wants to be with her.. but she seems to think "tomorrow is promised" and puts him off (he should run for his life if in this series she continues to miss clues and gets those around her killed)
Read
October 9, 2009This book is a cross between a thriller and "chick-lit" but doesn't seem to pull off either terribly well. It doesn't have enough brains and suspense to be a satisfying thriller and has too much to be just a trashy brain-off novel. The author also seems to feel that the best way to wrap up plot lines is by killing off the charachters. Yet none of the characters who are killed are developed deeply enough that you feel any real emotion over them. Most of the characters feel like stereotypes to me. The naive small-town girl gone bad, the gruff bad-ass undercover agent with the heart of gold, the shyster lawyer who is more concerned with money than justice, the rap mogul who traded his street cred for music business power, etc.[return][return]While I'll freely admit that this is not a genre I usually read much of, I've read better examples. Patricia Cornwell is one author who I think writes in a similar genre, but develops characters more fully, and has enough real-world information to make those characters believeable rather than simple stereotypes.[return][return]Overall, it's a quick read, and fills a role as mindless entertainment, but not something I'd choose to read on my own.
May 19, 2010
This was one of the books my sister sent me for Christmas is a big box of books. I had never heard of Michelle Martinez. This is her fourth novel. Michelle was a graduate of Harvard University and Stanford Law School and was a federal prosecutor in New Your City for eight years. This crime novel features Melanie Vargas a tough, sexy, smart federal prosecutor in NYC who gets involved with a case of a famous rap star.
She gets tangled up in several murders and in a lawyer who is not what he seems. She finds she can trust no one. I was a fast read and surprisingly well written. Good summer read.
She gets tangled up in several murders and in a lawyer who is not what he seems. She finds she can trust no one. I was a fast read and surprisingly well written. Good summer read.
December 13, 2008
Martinez clearly knows her milieu. She writes from experience which helps her develop strong characters. The plot was true to life but a little clunky. It was still a decent read although if I could give it two and a half stars I would. Why? The ending tied things up to neatly and easily as well as letting one of the characters completely off the hook. Wait. That is how life is sometimes, you know, that weasel of coworker who gets away with murder but doesn't have to do anything but blow smoke up the bosses ass. I read another of her books.
May 8, 2010
This is a good and enjoyable read. A female lawyer ready to prosecute a man finds out that the man may have ties to a fugitive. The man is blown up right in front of her. She has a history with the man and realizes that she does not really know him well. She determines to pursue his death and therein lies the rest of the story.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
July 9, 2008
About to bring a famous rap star to trial for murder, Melanie Vargas becomes the sole witness when a car bomb kills the rapper's lawyer. Her career and her safety are on the line, but so is her heart. A lot of people wanted him dead, and as Melanie zeroes in on the answer, she finds she can't trust anybody -- not even those closest to her.
June 8, 2009
Good read - non-stop action, was a page turner for me. Not much into legal story-lines but this wasn't detailed legal, just enough to be realistic and not heavy on the rap story line either (that's a good thing) which was my worry. The author is a former lawyer and uses that knowledge quite well for her storyline along with current news of the times (terrorism, drugs and celebrities, etc.).
April 18, 2008
It was OK. What my friend Martha would call a "one-night stand." - pure escapist, strong female protagonist which I like, I'd read another of this author's...esp on vacation when I want something to breeze through.
May 31, 2009
Hispanic Book Club - Las Comadres' Book Pick for March, 2009. Similar to Linda Fairstein, both set in NYC with high level women lawyers working closely with law enforcement.
August 27, 2008
Enjoyable tale with mystery elements. Follows the legal world (prosecutors/govt agents and defense teams) related to a high-profile celebrity trial.
March 1, 2009
A pretty good read about a drug dealer and his attorney involved in murder and mayhem.
March 4, 2009
Thought it was okay in beginning but then got bored and never finished it.
August 4, 2009
Melaine Vargas #4
June 10, 2010
I liked it until the end!! I hate when characters get killed off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 27, 2011Not bad. I like this author and he novels but this one lacked something. All of the loose ends were tied up way too easily in the end but the plot did keep me going.
September 3, 2013
Liked this enough to start at the beginning of the series
Read
January 5, 2016Found this book in a garbage room disowned by the previous owner and it became my treasure after I finished reading it. Page tuner.
Read
August 2, 2011loved it!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews