If I'm Dead

Rachel Knight #1.6

by Marcia Clark

It started with a haunting image: a Ford Explorer, iridescent in the moonlight and alone on a desolate stretch of beach. Its owner, Melissa Gibbons, has gone missing. Her husband says she flew the coop. But Los Angeles Deputy DA Rachel Knight is convinced otherwise: Melissa Gibbons has been murdered.

So begins the confounding case that Rachel must present before a disbelieving jury. A dissatisfied heiress and her philandering husband-- what really happened? The husband has a fiendishly convincing case that Melissa faked her own death and fled. But with the support of her trusty sidekick, Detective Bailey Keller, Rachel pieces together a much more sinister truth.

In this short, standalone Rachel Knight thriller, readers follow our savvy and riotously entertaining heroine through the surprising world of LA crime.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Legal Thriller, Short Stories, Mystery Thriller

45 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 3, 2012

About the author

Marcia Clark is a former LA, California deputy district attorney, who was the lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson murder case. She wrote a bestselling nonfiction book about the trial, Without a Doubt, and is a frequent media commentator and columnist on legal issues. She lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Connie N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1.6 in the Rachel Knight mystery series

This is a brief novella featuring Rachel and Bailey, working on a case of a missing woman whose car has been found on a lonely cliff. An important part of the case is the woman's diary who says that if she's dead, then it must have been her husband. But when some other information comes to light, it seems as though Rachel's case will probably fall through.

[Phyllis]

Who knew? Marcia Clark is a great writer.

[Sherri Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know that old saying be careful what you wish for? Well, it certainly applies here as I have been hoping that I haven’t seen the last of Rachel Knight when I finished The Competition. Marcia Clark fulfilled my wish…in a sense. However, instead of another full-length book, she has given her readers several filler novels that are part of the series, but as I learned If I’m Dead is a standalone.

Taking place between the events of Guilt by Association and Guilt by Degrees, this story involves a case of a missing woman who is likely dead and the resulting murder trial with the woman’s husband as the defendant. Pretty standard Rachel Knight without any surprises or twists that grabbed me the way the other books did.

My Final Verdict: I recommend this book to fans of the Rachel Knight series, which, for me, really showcases Marcia Clark’s talent as an author. Rachel’s success in the courtroom clearly shows to me that Ms. Clark certainly knows her stuff and can hold her own. I’m still holding out hope for another full-length story, but until then there are two more filler stories.

[Les · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a story ripped from 1994 headlines the beautiful wealthy wife is murdered by her philandering jealous husband and her white SUV is found abandoned by the PCH

This is a short book, 62 pages and it moves at lightning pace. It has a clever-ish twist but ends at 62% on my kindle.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I shall look forward to reading this series now. I feel the characters have more to share with me very good story.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having not read the full-length novels penned by Clark, I am, perhaps, missing out on some of the background found in this short story. The story is a quick and abbreviated synopsis of what the reader might expect in one of the three novels, complete with investigation, background interviews, and jury trial. A seemingly murdered (and missing) quasi-socialite leaves behind a husband with little interest in keeping her around. Forensic evidence appears to implicate him n the crime, but with no body, the case is fairly circumstantial. Both sides present their case to the jury and the reader is forced to weigh the evidence, including a compelling diary that all but points to the defendant's guilt. Still, reasonable doubt emerges and it is up to the collected twelve to pass judgement.

The story is a short 30 pages and rushes through the process, acting more as a teaser for interested readers or those with a previous investment in the series. Clark's captivating style pulls the reader into the mix and offers up a great peek into what would surely emerge in a full novel.

Interesting story, Ms. Clark, as I search for a few quick reads before committing to a new list of authors. I am certain to test out some of the longer work on offer soon. Well done and thanks for piquing my curiosity!

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good story but only 20+ pages. Rather disappointing - I expected a full length book.

[Msjodi777 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, short story. Gives good description of what really goes on in a trial. January LaVoy does an excellent job with narration as always. <><

[Dan Fahlgren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable. As a trial procedural, it lacks any sense of a real trial. Rachel Knight apparently tries high profile murder cases on her own, without a trial partner. Only her best- friend/detective sits at counsel table? Inadmissible evidence is the heart of her case. The trial ends with a “dramatic” twist that is the flip-side of an old Perry Mason rerun- the defendant himself (instead of a witness on the stand) snatches victory from the jaws of defeat-for the prosecution - in front of the jury.
Marcia Clark can, and has done much better. (On the bright side, there’s a moment where her alter ego- Rachel Knight— opts to not make a mistake very similar to the major one made in the OJ Simpson case.) looking forward to better stories from Ms. Clark.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great short story starring Rachel Knight. She is a prosecutor in Los Angeles prosecuting a murder case without a body, which is the worse kind! If you like books with a lot of courtroom action, you will enjoy this one. You can read this one in less than 30 minutes but it will whet your appetite for more of Marcia Clark’s books about Rachel Night!

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I'm Dead by Marcia Clark is book 1.6 of the Rachel Knight mystery/legal thriller series set in contemporary Southern California. Rachel Knight is a Deputy District Attorney prosecuting a murder case. The forensic evidence indicates the defendant is guilty. The defense must create a reasonable doubt in the jurors' minds. The story ends with a stunning courtroom trick.

[Mary C Platter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great short story.

It's very nice to read a short story that has a beginning, middle, and ending that grasps you and keeps your attention. No thought of being a waste of time. Recommend.

[Brigitte · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't usually read e-books and didn't realize this was not a novel, but perhaps a short story or novella. Still cute plot, but disappointed in that it was so very short as I read it in an hour (if that)!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Marcia Clark books & enjoyed this as well. However, didn't realize I purchased a "novella." Felt like it was just getting started when it was done (because it was)!
I'll continue to read her books as I really enjoy her characters & she tells a good story.

[gwen graves · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have been a great court room thriller

I was disappointed to find out how short the story was. With more background and even more about the two main characters, the wife and husband, it would have been a really great story.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Not terrible. Short novella but it didn't leave me wanting anything longer or anything more from this author. I don't expect much character development or plot in a novella but this was merely a short trial with a dramatic conclusion.

[Darlene Adams-Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh at best

This was most definitely not on of her better reads. Very short and lacks anything gripping. I felt it didn't hold my attention. No true suspense like her other writings.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

A very good interesting short story. Read it in about an hour and was not too heavy Would recommend it

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Short Story

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but sweet

Good story
Believable
Love the storyline
She always gives a good and unpredictable ending
Enjoy her characters in all of her books

[Stanley]

She actually got paid for that?

[ChelleBe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good quick read

[Katherine "Kj" Joslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich short story in the Rachel Knight series. This is a re-read after I picked up the first book and loved it this time. (Now that I am invested in the characters.)

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this short story to be a bit flat- very descriptive, and honestly maybe too much detail for a short story....

[Mrs T J Giles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short story a missing woman assumed murdered, a Court case guilty or not guilty verdict, tense, great characters. Page turner. Gripping. Quick. 4* kindle.

[Moniek Baars · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ik trapte er weer in: haar korte verhalen zijn echt niks aan. De romans, daarentegen zeker wel! Maar deze had ik moeten laten liggen.

Een rechtszaak die onze deputy DA Rachel Knight met twee vingers in de neus zou moeten winnen krijgt een rare wending als de advocaat voor de verdediging een getuige in discrediet brengt. Omdat zij de zus is van de slager van de buurvrouw etc., waar ze in Amerika heel gevoelig voor zijn. Ineens is de jury op de hand van de man die zijn vrouw vermoord zou hebben. Zo'n rare rechtszaak zonder lichaam.

Voor het slotpleidooi zit ons Rachel bij te komen op haar kamer als een collegavriendin haar een armbandje komt brengen, haar juju, voor geluk. En inderdaad: Rachel wint. Door iets heel erg raars. Ik lees nooit meer een kort verhaal van Clark. Een dikke speurdersroman misschien nog wel eens, maar dat is dus anders.

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a book

This was not a book but was a short w, one you could read in any magazine. I will not waste my time or money on another of her stories.

[Emma Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some­times there’s no way to get my eight-​month-​old daugh­ter Jes­sica to nap other than to put her in our Free­hand mei-​tai baby car­rier and go for a walk.

The prob­lem with that is that it’s kind of bor­ing. So I thought…what if I down­loaded some audio­books and lis­tened to them while I pace around the neigh­bour­hood? And that’s how I ended up lis­ten­ing to Mar­cia Clark’s If I’m Dead. I like Rachel Knight books, and am inter­ested in how the Spe­cial Tri­als divi­sion of the DA’s office works (almost like a police-​lawyer combination).

First, the story: Melissa Gibbons-​Hildegarde, the social activist daugh­ter of multi-​millionaire Gib­bons fam­ily, is miss­ing. Her car has been found aban­doned, and evi­dence has found a drop of blood match­ing her DNA as well as evi­dence of a fight in the garage and a mar­riage gone wrong. But with­out a body, can D.A. Rachel Knight prove that there WAS a murder…and that the victim’s hus­band, gold-​digging pseudo-​activist Saul Hilde­garde is to blame?

This was the per­fect story to lis­ten to while Jessie napped. At just over an hour and a half long, I fin­ished it in two naps. It’s com­pelling enough to keep me inter­ested, and yet since it pri­mar­ily takes place in a court room, there aren’t any thrilling car chases or life-​and-​death crises that kept me so enthralled that I couldn’t pay atten­tion to where I was walk­ing. It was clever and an excel­lent stand-​alone story (mean­ing, it’s a cheap intro­duc­tion to the Rachel Knight series if you want to test it out and see if it’s for you) but also a nice bridge to the new book (which I will be review­ing in May).

I liked Jan­u­ary LaVoy as a nar­ra­tor. She has a pleas­ant, low-​pitched voice that car­ried well and sounded just right for a high-​profile lawyer. She has a nice read­ing style and was able to mod­ify her voice enough to sig­nify another character’s dia­logue with­out mod­i­fy­ing it so much that it sounded fake. I also like her because she was on Law & Order: Spe­cial Victim’s Unit, which links up fairly nicely with the Rachel Knight series (and one of my favourite shows).

I would def­i­nitely rec­om­mend this, either as an ebook or an audio­book. If you do decide to lis­ten to it rather than read and you’re not already an Audi­ble sub­scriber, check out the Book Girls spe­cial Audi­ble deal to get a free audio­book when you sign up for a free trial!

[Dewayne Stark · Rating 2 out of 5]

The SUV that belonged to Melissa is located north of Point Mugu. The crime is reported in Los Angeles and Rachel works for the County of Los Angeles. It does seem strange that since the SUV is located in Ventura County their agency would do the car investigation not LA County. Rachel walks to the court house in the heat left my last night's Santa Ana winds. It is July and Los Angeles is usually warm in the afternoon but some mornings still suffer from June Gloom. Santa Ana's usually start in October here. Clark is not the only author that mentions the Santa Ana winds that seem to blow year around.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 STARS

In Rachel Knight's first novella we are taken straight into the courtroom to see Rachel in action. She is trying to get the jury to convict the victim's swarmy husband of her murder but there is one big problem...there is no body. No body means possible reasonable doubt.

In Marcia Clark's novels we get to see Rachel's case from murder to courtroom so this was interesting to see her in the courtroom. While we do get a bit of the investigation I felt deprived of a full length novel on this case. I did enjoyed the short story overall though.