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Parker Stern #1
Corrupt Practices: A Parker Stern Novel
A Los Angeles church, considered by some to be a powerful cult, charges Rich Baxter with embezzling millions. Rich reaches out to former colleague and star trial attorney Parker Stern to come to his defense. Parker despises the cult, but he hasn’t entered a courtroom since developing severe stage fright after his mentor, Harmon Cherry, committed suicide. Rich claims that Cherry did not kill himself—he was murdered by someone connected to the church. At first, Parker doesn’t believe it . . . until disturbing events force him to question what’s really happening. As the case takes an unexpected turn, Parker surprises himself and agrees to take on the church. But to represent his client and uncover the truth he must overcome his own long-buried secrets.
356 pages, Board book
First published January 1, 2013
46 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Robert Rotstein
9 books119 followersRobert Rotstein is an entertainment attorney with over thirty years experience in the industry. He’s represented all of the major motion picture studios and many well-known writers, producers, directors, and musicians. He lives in Los Angeles, California.
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International Thriller Writers
Mystery Writers of America
Member:
International Thriller Writers
Mystery Writers of America
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
September 26, 2018
Robert Rotstein storms onto the scene with this sensational legal and courtroom thriller that is sure to keep the reader hooked until the final page turn. Parker Stern was once a successful lawyer working in a mid-sized firm. When his mentor—who happened to be the senior partner—committed suicide, everything fell apart and the lawyers scattered. Now, one of his former colleagues has been charged with embezzlement from a major L.A. church, one that some would call a powerful cult. While Stern has not set foot in a courtroom for quite some time, he agrees to take the case, only to have his client commit suicide while awaiting trial. If this were not enough, Stern has taken on teaching a law seminar at one of the local colleges, where he meets one of the keenest legal minds he’s come across for some time, with the curious name of Lovely Diamond. With the embezzlement case soon becoming a legal battle with the deceased’s estate, Stern will need all the help that he can get and turns to his students to cobble together aspects of the case, as Lovely takes the lead. Holding onto an inner hatred for this cult, Stern will do everything in his power to find the loopholes to show that the embezzlement is coming from within the hierarchy of the organization and that these deaths are anything but self-inflicted. He will have to turn to someone he vowed never to contact in order to learn some of the inner workings of the church, but even that might not be enough. Juggling a highly controversial First Amendment case as well, Stern forges ahead, blindly, into the courtroom and refuses to stand down until justice is served. Rotstein has so much to offer and stuns readers with his ability to weave such a strong legal tale. Highly recommended for those who enjoy novels that take the law and put it through its paces!
I recently discovered Rotstein when reading another of his standalone legal pieces, which pulled me right in. I found that his writing was not only believable, but took me on that journey inside the courtroom where few writers have been able to effectively sell a legal thriller. The story is full of complexities as well as nuances that keep the reader coming back to learn more, while providing a handful of strong characters to guide the way. Parker Stern is so much more than a great legal mind in this piece. From his early years as a child film actor to his debilitating stage fright in the courtroom, he shapes the novel in so many ways. Fuelled by his hatred for not only the lawyers on the opposite side of the courtroom, but also the organization that saw his childhood destroyed, Stern will stop at nothing to use the law to enact revenge, however he can. His legal maneuvers are surely something that will keep the reader entertained, while they marvel at his passion for the law. There are a handful of other characters who shape the story, none more than Lovely Diamond, the third-year law student whose passion for the underdog cannot be downplayed. With an interesting backstory of her own, it was only a matter of time before she and Stern would find themselves working alongside one another, in ways no one could have expected. Her passion for helping and determination to get to the root of the legal argument propels the narrative forward and keeps the reader intrigued throughout. The story of this book is anything but simple, yet Rotstein makes it easily palatable without watering down the arguments. The reader is in for quite the ride and will surely find something that suits their fancy, with a number of legal and personal issues coming to a head simultaneously. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second novel to continue this wonderful journey through the law and how the courtroom is the unpredictable battlefield.
Kudos, Mr. Rotstein, for a sensational start to this series. I will have to continue exploring the life of Parker Stern and how you shape him through the three novels you have written.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I recently discovered Rotstein when reading another of his standalone legal pieces, which pulled me right in. I found that his writing was not only believable, but took me on that journey inside the courtroom where few writers have been able to effectively sell a legal thriller. The story is full of complexities as well as nuances that keep the reader coming back to learn more, while providing a handful of strong characters to guide the way. Parker Stern is so much more than a great legal mind in this piece. From his early years as a child film actor to his debilitating stage fright in the courtroom, he shapes the novel in so many ways. Fuelled by his hatred for not only the lawyers on the opposite side of the courtroom, but also the organization that saw his childhood destroyed, Stern will stop at nothing to use the law to enact revenge, however he can. His legal maneuvers are surely something that will keep the reader entertained, while they marvel at his passion for the law. There are a handful of other characters who shape the story, none more than Lovely Diamond, the third-year law student whose passion for the underdog cannot be downplayed. With an interesting backstory of her own, it was only a matter of time before she and Stern would find themselves working alongside one another, in ways no one could have expected. Her passion for helping and determination to get to the root of the legal argument propels the narrative forward and keeps the reader intrigued throughout. The story of this book is anything but simple, yet Rotstein makes it easily palatable without watering down the arguments. The reader is in for quite the ride and will surely find something that suits their fancy, with a number of legal and personal issues coming to a head simultaneously. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second novel to continue this wonderful journey through the law and how the courtroom is the unpredictable battlefield.
Kudos, Mr. Rotstein, for a sensational start to this series. I will have to continue exploring the life of Parker Stern and how you shape him through the three novels you have written.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
July 19, 2013
For those of you wary of celebrity book blurbs, you can trust Sue Grafton on this one. Corrupt Practices is terrific. As an attorney myself, I'm usually a harsh critic of legal thrillers, but Rotstein doesn't strike a single false note in this compelling story of a former child actor turned lawyer who becomes the victim of paralyzing stage fright following the death of his mentor. The courtroom scenes are both riveting and authentic, but it's the sympathetic protagonist and well-drawn, utterly believable characters that lift this novel above the standard plot-driven fare. Which isn't to say that Rotstein doesn't do plot well, too. The twists and turns come at an unhurried but satisfying pace as Parker Stern and his rookie team of law students battle a powerful religious cult in a case where secrets abound and their victory, let alone survival, seems anything but assured. Not just for legal junkies, Corrupt Practices is a splendid read that had me turning the pages until late into the night. More Parker Stern, please!
June 10, 2013
Corrupt Practices is a fast paced and entertaining novel with an end that is unforgettable (in a great way). Rotstein's protagonist, Parker Stern, is a talented trial attorney who suffers from debilitating stage fright whenever he sets foot in a courtroom following the shocking suicide of his former mentor, Harmon Cherry. However, Stern must face his fears when he is asked to prosecute a cult-like church who Stern thinks is behind recent tragic events.
Corrupt Practices is an exciting novel that is filled with intelligent twists and surprises that will keep readers turning the pages. The novel ends with a climatic finish that contains a "shocker" for an ending.
A well crafted plot with prose that rival Turow, Corrupt Practices is a must read for mystery/thriller fans.
Corrupt Practices is an exciting novel that is filled with intelligent twists and surprises that will keep readers turning the pages. The novel ends with a climatic finish that contains a "shocker" for an ending.
A well crafted plot with prose that rival Turow, Corrupt Practices is a must read for mystery/thriller fans.
December 21, 2020
Interesting and complicated plot. Superb character development. And a great twist at the end. If not for the odd secondary case that strangely ended unresolved and the gratuitous sex scenes, I would have given this a five-star review. Not fast-paced, but the courtroom drama was well-written.
February 13, 2020
Robert Rotstein puts some other "lawyer novel" authors to shame, hands down! Intricately constructed, complex, riveting - a cerebral treat to read.
"Corrupt Practices" has lawyer Parker Stern take on the Church of the Sanctified Assembly (no doubt a reference to the Church of Scientology) in a case of murder, embezzlement, cover-up. The books pages practically turn by themselves.... another "must read" author!
"Corrupt Practices" has lawyer Parker Stern take on the Church of the Sanctified Assembly (no doubt a reference to the Church of Scientology) in a case of murder, embezzlement, cover-up. The books pages practically turn by themselves.... another "must read" author!
May 20, 2016
RATING: 3.5
Parker Stern has always delivered a riveting performance in the courtroom. However, his career suffers a devastating blow when he becomes victim to severe stage fright after the suicide of his mentor, Harmon Cherry. Although he is calm enough when asking questions during a deposition, he experiences severe anxiety to the point of passing out when in the courtroom. Now he mostly spends his time at a coffee house owned by his friend and former legal colleague, Deanna Poulos. Through another lawyer friend, he has a part-time job as a lecturer at a local law school.
But stage fright isn’t the cause for his hesitation when another former colleague, Rich Baxter, asks Parker to represent him when he is charged with the embezzlement of millions of dollars from a church who was at one time his main client. Rather, Parker despises the Church of the Sanctified Assembly and has in the past refused to work on any case associated with them. It’s only after Rich also commits suicide that Parker musters up the courage to get back in the courtroom, relying on Deanna and other friends to help him when his anxiety overwhelms him.
The spate of suicides also seems strange, and Parker is certain that the Assembly is behind them. He uses the talent available to him—his friends and the three students in the class that he is teaching—to prepare for the case and to untangle the Assembly affairs. Against the school rules, he has become involved with one of the students, Lovely Diamond, who has a sharp mind. Unfortunately, at one time, she was also a porn actress which Parker finds difficult to accept.
Certainly, a lawyer with stage fright is a unique protagonist but Rotstein has succeeded in making Stern an intriguing figure, possibly because the author has decades of experience as an attorney. Although Parker is skilled as a lawyer, he is extremely vulnerable because of his past associations with the Assembly and the fact that his mother serves as one of the elders of that church. Although Rotstein does a good job with the legal topics, I found his treatment of sexual topics to be jarringly crude at times. The book was also written in the present tense, which felt awkward to me.
Parker Stern has always delivered a riveting performance in the courtroom. However, his career suffers a devastating blow when he becomes victim to severe stage fright after the suicide of his mentor, Harmon Cherry. Although he is calm enough when asking questions during a deposition, he experiences severe anxiety to the point of passing out when in the courtroom. Now he mostly spends his time at a coffee house owned by his friend and former legal colleague, Deanna Poulos. Through another lawyer friend, he has a part-time job as a lecturer at a local law school.
But stage fright isn’t the cause for his hesitation when another former colleague, Rich Baxter, asks Parker to represent him when he is charged with the embezzlement of millions of dollars from a church who was at one time his main client. Rather, Parker despises the Church of the Sanctified Assembly and has in the past refused to work on any case associated with them. It’s only after Rich also commits suicide that Parker musters up the courage to get back in the courtroom, relying on Deanna and other friends to help him when his anxiety overwhelms him.
The spate of suicides also seems strange, and Parker is certain that the Assembly is behind them. He uses the talent available to him—his friends and the three students in the class that he is teaching—to prepare for the case and to untangle the Assembly affairs. Against the school rules, he has become involved with one of the students, Lovely Diamond, who has a sharp mind. Unfortunately, at one time, she was also a porn actress which Parker finds difficult to accept.
Certainly, a lawyer with stage fright is a unique protagonist but Rotstein has succeeded in making Stern an intriguing figure, possibly because the author has decades of experience as an attorney. Although Parker is skilled as a lawyer, he is extremely vulnerable because of his past associations with the Assembly and the fact that his mother serves as one of the elders of that church. Although Rotstein does a good job with the legal topics, I found his treatment of sexual topics to be jarringly crude at times. The book was also written in the present tense, which felt awkward to me.
June 7, 2013
Fantastic! I just couldn't put it down!
August 25, 2013
Enjoyed this book a lot. If you like James Grippando, Brad Meltzer you should enjoy this author. Looking forward to his next book.
July 3, 2013
This is a very impressive first novel. I would unhesitating recommend it to everyone but some of the language and descriptions of sexual activity may not be to everyone's taste.
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September 6, 2025
This novel was just OK. I could never warm to the main character Parker. Actually the guy was incompetent and totally lost. I still could not understand why he lost his mind in a courtroom. I will give him credit for dropping his girlfriend Lovely at the end of the book. She was quite disgusting. And the author could have left out some of the sexcapades and descriptions of his sexual encounters that brought nothing to the story. The courtroom drama was decent but a bit unbelievable. A lot more legal fiction out there that is so much better. I'm guessing there will be a sequel but not sure if worth the time.
January 20, 2018
This was an excellent legal thriller that kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen. It helps that I really, really liked the main character and was rooting for him, although I didn't like the way the ending left me hanging. I just checked and learned that there are two more books featuring this character, so I'm going to go and look for them.
October 20, 2020
3.74 on GR is about right. Nothing real real exciting going on. It, though, is not your typical story about a man having an affair. The best part....is when the truth comes out. Just surprising/unreal!! Excellent! Not a waste of time but not the best book on the totem pole.
August 6, 2022
Abandoned after 100+ pages because the writing was awful. Interesting characters and plot, but writing was worse than what I normally read. A friend loaned it to me because she enjoyed it. I’ll be wary next time!
October 12, 2019
Great story, great characters.
March 9, 2023
Not well written (so much first-person present tense), but an engrossing plot, and maybe 1.5 dimensional characters.
July 25, 2024
The storyline was interesting and the novel moves along at a good pace. But the ‘stage fright’ affliction is really hokey and did not serve any useful purpose.
February 20, 2017
The downfall of great plots and ideas rendered into self-published books is the lack of an editor's very fine and stern hand. And the overabundance of superfluous detail always seems to rear its ugly head. What I liked about the story was the author's take on religious cults and I will stop there on that. What disappointed me is there was simply not enough about them. A sub plot woven in seemed to unravel without reason; but the author's legal details were very well used and as he appears to be planning a series of "Parker Stern" novels - he will most likely improve or get a better editor. The device of the main character's long hidden secrets has become pro-forma - I am hoping now that he moves on and that Attorny Stern broadens his client list. I like the Los Angeles setting of the story and I wish him a bright future. Read it - new authors need our support. (And self publishing costs money - hope is that a big house will pick it up - good luck Mr. Rotstein)
June 17, 2013
Parker Stern is a talented lawyer who's been crippled by sudden stage fright. The shock of his boss's suicide left him almost unable to enter a courtroom, much less perform his duties facing a judge. But when one of his old colleagues hires him as his defense attorney, Parker has a hard time refusing. Rich Baxter is accused of stealing millions of dollars from the Church of the Sanctified Assembly, a cult-like organization that Parker himself has a rocky history with. And when Rich turns up dead in his cell the same day he's to appear in court, Parker becomes suspicious. Rich's own father insists that the man didn't kill himself, words strangely echoed by Parker's dead boss's wife with regards to her own husband's death. The connection between the two - The Assembly.
Rotstein's debut is an intriguing and layered mystery. Parker Stern is a great character and as we learn more about his connections to the Assembly, it becomes clear that this group is about as bad as bad can get.
The characters around Stern also get decent "screen time" so to speak. His student, Lovely Diamond, and his old colleague Deanna in particular. Diamond is tackling a controversial case involving freedom of speech, a case that Stern almost reconsiders allowing the student to take on when he realizes just how complicated it really is. What's more, she has a connection to Stern that is revealed further into the story as well.
I have to say, this has been a pretty great reading week! While I wouldn't necessarily categorize CORRUPT PRACTICES as a true one-sitting read (it's a bit meaty for that), it's definitely an up-all-nighter like MOA P. Readers who enjoy Michael Connolly's Mickey Haller series will enjoy Parker Stern. Even if legal thrillers aren't your top go-to, you're going to love Rotstein's debut. This is the first in a new series and I for one will be anxiously awaiting the next installment.
Rotstein's debut is an intriguing and layered mystery. Parker Stern is a great character and as we learn more about his connections to the Assembly, it becomes clear that this group is about as bad as bad can get.
The characters around Stern also get decent "screen time" so to speak. His student, Lovely Diamond, and his old colleague Deanna in particular. Diamond is tackling a controversial case involving freedom of speech, a case that Stern almost reconsiders allowing the student to take on when he realizes just how complicated it really is. What's more, she has a connection to Stern that is revealed further into the story as well.
I have to say, this has been a pretty great reading week! While I wouldn't necessarily categorize CORRUPT PRACTICES as a true one-sitting read (it's a bit meaty for that), it's definitely an up-all-nighter like MOA P. Readers who enjoy Michael Connolly's Mickey Haller series will enjoy Parker Stern. Even if legal thrillers aren't your top go-to, you're going to love Rotstein's debut. This is the first in a new series and I for one will be anxiously awaiting the next installment.
August 15, 2013
From my blog
4 1/2
I prefer standalone novels but I am so happy this legal thriller will be a series. I loved the main character Parker and look forward to more court room drama. All the characters were interesting, conniving in their own way, they added to the suspense.
Parker takes on a case representing an ex colleague against a church, The Sanctified Assembly, which sounds more like a cult that loves power. Parker hates everything to do with the Church of the Sanctified Assembly and doesn't want anything to do with them but decides to take on the case.
A friend gives him a teaching job in hopes of helping him get over court room stage fright. He uses his students to assist with the research and the case and they help him get in touch with the basics again. Everyone that gets involved realizes they are putting their lives at risk, is it worth it.
This book will have you staying up well past your bedtime or waking to continue on because your so engaged you can't relax enough to go to sleep, a page turner to say the least. The secrets were incredible, a great executed thriller.
The title Corrupt Practices is perfect, is the legal system corrupt or the church, I bet you won't figure this one out. There are so many brilliant secrets, just layered on, you can't get enough, you will enjoy this thrill.
I look forward to more Parker Stern.
A favourite quote
Religion can be very similar to an embrace. And you can't really explain an embrace. But there are people who comfort me with just a hug." Grinning slightly, she tilts her head toward her father. "If that same person hugged you, you'd probably recoil in disgust. But the trick, with both people and faith, is to find what will comfort you. We all need a divine embrace."
4 1/2
I prefer standalone novels but I am so happy this legal thriller will be a series. I loved the main character Parker and look forward to more court room drama. All the characters were interesting, conniving in their own way, they added to the suspense.
Parker takes on a case representing an ex colleague against a church, The Sanctified Assembly, which sounds more like a cult that loves power. Parker hates everything to do with the Church of the Sanctified Assembly and doesn't want anything to do with them but decides to take on the case.
A friend gives him a teaching job in hopes of helping him get over court room stage fright. He uses his students to assist with the research and the case and they help him get in touch with the basics again. Everyone that gets involved realizes they are putting their lives at risk, is it worth it.
This book will have you staying up well past your bedtime or waking to continue on because your so engaged you can't relax enough to go to sleep, a page turner to say the least. The secrets were incredible, a great executed thriller.
The title Corrupt Practices is perfect, is the legal system corrupt or the church, I bet you won't figure this one out. There are so many brilliant secrets, just layered on, you can't get enough, you will enjoy this thrill.
I look forward to more Parker Stern.
A favourite quote
Religion can be very similar to an embrace. And you can't really explain an embrace. But there are people who comfort me with just a hug." Grinning slightly, she tilts her head toward her father. "If that same person hugged you, you'd probably recoil in disgust. But the trick, with both people and faith, is to find what will comfort you. We all need a divine embrace."
June 21, 2013
There are at least two things a successful mystery novelist must have in hand, a good story and the ability to write a good story. Author Rotstein has both in considerable degree. He also has extensive experience in the field in which he writes. Parker Stern, once a top litigator for a major Los Angeles firm of attorneys, has developed a bad case of stage fright. It is so bad he can hardly make himself go into the courtroom, much less give an opening argument. His condition came on him at the same time his mentor, major partner in the law firm is found dead under less than ideal conditions. After the death of Harmon Cherry two years previously, Parker Stern worked no more.
As the novel opens Parker Stern is teaching a course to third year law students and hanging out with a former partner of the dissolved firm. When one of the former lawyers in the firm is arrested for murder and financial crimes, Parker is importuned to take the case. Knowing he has an impossible situation and how he deals with his stage fright is one thread that leads readers into and through the story. There are several others, some of which lead to startling revelations, others that lead to steamy sex and still others that provide considerable food for reader contemplation.
The first person writing is first rate the characters are fully drawn, and the fine plots are all very well handled. The author’s background as an experienced entertainment lawyer serves the story and readers well. I look forward to many more adventures with former child actor and now re-rising attorney, Parker Stern.
September 17, 2016
I read plenty of mysteries involving criminal law attorneys, general practice attorneys but don’t usually get a mystery that involved a church that was actually a cult. Corrupt practices by Robert Rotstein, primarily a Los Angeles attorney with the story expanded well beyond Los Angeles in location. Parker Stein had been a child actor, cheated out of his earnings by his mother who became involved in the Church of Sanctified Assembly. But the story was not as simple as that. He took on the case against one of his fellow attorneys in the law firm because he realized that his client was not the kind to commit murder and could be a victim of a frame-up. Yet he not only has to find out the truth of what happened but he has had stage fright in trial, ever since the suicide of the man who took him under his wing in the firm, Harmon Cherry. To show that Harmon Cherry is innocent, he has to show what really happened instead.
Robert Rothstein keeps you reading with Parker Stein’s personal problems, his feelings of inadequacy, inability to form deep relationships and in this book, you learn the reason why he has these problems. The details of the cult and the lengths that the leaders went to control their members will also keep you reading.
I really like the variety of the characters in this story and the flawless transitions between Parker Stern and the way that Parker Stern was able to push himself to investigate and do court appearances even though he was consumed by his fears.
I highly recommend this book to all legal mystery lovers.
Robert Rothstein keeps you reading with Parker Stein’s personal problems, his feelings of inadequacy, inability to form deep relationships and in this book, you learn the reason why he has these problems. The details of the cult and the lengths that the leaders went to control their members will also keep you reading.
I really like the variety of the characters in this story and the flawless transitions between Parker Stern and the way that Parker Stern was able to push himself to investigate and do court appearances even though he was consumed by his fears.
I highly recommend this book to all legal mystery lovers.
December 27, 2013
Corrupt Practices is one of those mysterious books that somehow manages to find its way into my hands without me having the slightest idea on how it got there, LOL. I don't usually read legal thrillers and the cover certainly didn't jump out at me. And yet...there I was on the train to work turning to the first page.
Unfortunately, I'm still not sure whether I'm happy about it.
There were definitely some great qualities to Rotstein's work -- let's start with those. The mystery, murder case and the actual trial itself -- those we're the page turners for me. Those were the aspects of this book that had me wanting to find out more and unable, at times, to put the book down. I enjoyed solving the mystery alongside our protagonist, Parker Stern, and wondering whether I was right along (I was not, lol).
But, on the downside, there were moments when the book went waayyy to slow -- delivering you information you already knew. I really don't like it when authors feel the need to hit you over the head with certain points of their story.
I also found Parker's character to be borderline unbelievable. When we first meet him, he suffers from severe stage fright when placed in a courtroom -- talk about your can't-even-talk stage fright. But there are times during the trial itself that there is not a hint of that fear. The author tries to justify why this happens, but I just found it hard to believe.
Overall, 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. It just wasn't for me.
Unfortunately, I'm still not sure whether I'm happy about it.
There were definitely some great qualities to Rotstein's work -- let's start with those. The mystery, murder case and the actual trial itself -- those we're the page turners for me. Those were the aspects of this book that had me wanting to find out more and unable, at times, to put the book down. I enjoyed solving the mystery alongside our protagonist, Parker Stern, and wondering whether I was right along (I was not, lol).
But, on the downside, there were moments when the book went waayyy to slow -- delivering you information you already knew. I really don't like it when authors feel the need to hit you over the head with certain points of their story.
I also found Parker's character to be borderline unbelievable. When we first meet him, he suffers from severe stage fright when placed in a courtroom -- talk about your can't-even-talk stage fright. But there are times during the trial itself that there is not a hint of that fear. The author tries to justify why this happens, but I just found it hard to believe.
Overall, 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. It just wasn't for me.
July 2, 2013
It's been a long time since I've read a legal thriller. After reading Corrupt Practices by Robert Rotstein, I have to say John Grisham has some competition.
Some legal thrillers can be very formulaic. You have a case and then you have to solve it before time runs out. Character depth is usually pretty weak. That isn't the case here. In this book, there is a complex case to be solve but there are so many layers to not just the case but the character themselves.
Parker Stern has a really bad case of stage fright. Following the suicide of his mentor, Harmon Cherry, Parker no longer has the confidence or the emotional fortitude to enter a courtroom. Instead, he spends his days at a local coffee shop owned by his former colleague and sometime lover Deanna Poulos. Life and the legal scene are passing him by, but a complex case and a formidable enemy will force Parker to face his fears.
Read the rest of my review at: http://www.asiturnthepages.blogspot.c...
Some legal thrillers can be very formulaic. You have a case and then you have to solve it before time runs out. Character depth is usually pretty weak. That isn't the case here. In this book, there is a complex case to be solve but there are so many layers to not just the case but the character themselves.
Parker Stern has a really bad case of stage fright. Following the suicide of his mentor, Harmon Cherry, Parker no longer has the confidence or the emotional fortitude to enter a courtroom. Instead, he spends his days at a local coffee shop owned by his former colleague and sometime lover Deanna Poulos. Life and the legal scene are passing him by, but a complex case and a formidable enemy will force Parker to face his fears.
Read the rest of my review at: http://www.asiturnthepages.blogspot.c...
Read
July 14, 2013A Los Angeles church, considered by some to be a powerful cult, charges Rich Baxter with embezzling millions. Rich reaches out to former colleague and star trial attorney Parker Stern to come to his defense. Parker despises the cult, but he hasn’t entered a courtroom since developing severe stage fright after his mentor, Harmon Cherry, committed suicide. Rich claims that Cherry did not kill himself—he was murdered by someone connected to the church. At first, Parker doesn’t believe it . . . until disturbing events force him to question what’s really happening.
As the case takes an unexpected turn, Parker surprises himself and agrees to take on the church. But to represent his client and uncover the truth he must overcome his own long-buried secrets.
Rich is killed in prison and the money from the church is found - Parker's mother helped - a believer in the church. Deanna is also murdered, and Grace is found. Manny is the murderer.
Parker is able to go into a courtroom again and he and Lovely get together.
As the case takes an unexpected turn, Parker surprises himself and agrees to take on the church. But to represent his client and uncover the truth he must overcome his own long-buried secrets.
Rich is killed in prison and the money from the church is found - Parker's mother helped - a believer in the church. Deanna is also murdered, and Grace is found. Manny is the murderer.
Parker is able to go into a courtroom again and he and Lovely get together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2014
This is a terrific thriller!! The characters are intriguing, multifaceted and described with a panache that only a keen observer with a passion for the beautiful complexity of human behavior can master. A seasoned fan of mystery books and a huge fan of Columbo, I usually manage to figure out who did it wayyyy before the book ends. Seesh. This book completely surprised me. Bravo! My bows and curtsies to you, Robert Rotstein. I already dove in to Reckless Disregard: A Parker Stern Novel and cant wait to spend more time in the company of Parker Stern.
July 22, 2013
“Corrupt Practices” is an okay title for Los Angeles lawyer Robert Rotstein’s legal thriller, but a better one might have been “Death and Desolation.” In the novel’s opening scene, Harmon Cherry, co-founder of the Macklin & Cherry law firm, puts a Glock 22 in his mouth and blows his head off. (Or was this somehow murder?) Without him, his firm implodes, and one of its ex-partners is accused of stealing millions from a religious cult. He’s tossed in jail, where he hangs himself from a water pipe. (Or was he murdered?)Read the review: http://wapo.st/16V04Bl
October 27, 2013
Interesting story. Parker Stern legal career has tanked due to stage fright but only in the courtroom. Out of work, he gets a call from an ex-colleague who wants to hire Parker. Parker ends up working for the ex-partner's farther. The case : take on a cult -- a super church. It is a wild ride to the end and it reminds one of another large religion that to some appears to be secretive organization that demands loyalty. It has all the twists and turns of a movie with some neat courtroom scenes.
June 21, 2014
I thought it interesting that some reviews said this book was fast paced, when I myself sometimes felt like things were plodding along, particularly at the coffee shop. Some interesting characters but I have to wonder if Stern is a one-trick pony. So much of the drama in this was fueled by his personal issues and story, which wove into other characters. Where does he go from here? I liked the book overall, but haven't decided whether or not to check out the second one. Might have to think about that.
August 31, 2013
Corrupt Practices is a legal thriller starring Parker Stern, who is asked to defend his old colleague Rich Baxter, who has been charged with embezzling millions of dollars from the powerful cult-like organization, the Church of the Sanctified Assembly. This is a fast-paced, suspenseful story full of intriguing legal happenings, colorful periphery characters, death, deception, and corruption. An enjoyable read, sort of a John Grisham-light.
May 8, 2015
It's been a little while since I've read a legal thriller but boy did this captivate! Parker Stern is such an interesting character and his SoCal professional and personal world was so well-developed I really escaped into it for the read. The case he takes on in this debut novel is fresh and compelling. I look forward to the next!
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